Francis Anthony Stapleton was born on 10 July 1956 and is an Irish former professional football player and manager.
18 Facts About Frank Stapleton
2.
Frank Stapleton is best remembered for his time at Arsenal, Manchester United and as a pivotal player for the Republic of Ireland national team.
3.
Frank Stapleton has been manager at Bradford City and MLS club New England Revolution.
4.
Frank Stapleton was a distinguished centre forward, once touted as being among the best in the world in his position, and an exceptionally strong header of the ball.
5.
Frank Stapleton started his career with Arsenal, joining them in 1972 as an apprentice, after being turned down by Manchester United.
6.
Frank Stapleton helped United win the 1983 and 1985 FA Cups.
7.
Atkinson was sacked and replaced by Alex Ferguson in November 1986, and Frank Stapleton remained a regular member of the first team under the new manager, but he left at the end of the season to sign for Ajax.
8.
Frank Stapleton then played for French club Le Havre for a season, before returning to England with Blackburn Rovers in 1989, followed by moves to Aldershot, Huddersfield Town and Bradford City.
9.
Frank Stapleton won 71 caps for the Republic of Ireland national team, scoring a then record 20 goals.
10.
Frank Stapleton made his international debut under then player-manager Johnny Giles in a friendly against Turkey in Ankara in 1976 at 20 years of age.
11.
Frank Stapleton scored after only three minutes of his debut when he headed home a Giles free-kick at the near post.
12.
Frank Stapleton was committed to international football insisting that an "international release clause" be inserted to all of his contracts so that he could be released to play in international games for Ireland.
13.
Frank Stapleton played a significant role in Ireland's attempt to qualify for the World Cup in Spain in 1982.
14.
Frank Stapleton was made captain of the national team for the qualifying campaign for the 1986 World Cup though Ireland failed to emulate their fine performance in the 1982 qualifiers.
15.
Frank Stapleton captained the Irish team to the 1988 Euro finals and played in all of their matches during the competition including Ireland's famous victory against England.
16.
Frank Stapleton moved to the United States to manage Major League Soccer side New England Revolution in 1996.
17.
The Bolton manager Sam Allardyce wanted Frank Stapleton to enhance the skills of the strikers at the club and saw the Irishman as an ideal candidate, given his successful playing career.
18.
Frank Stapleton was appointed assistant manager to former teammate Ray Wilkins with Jordan on 3 September 2014.