Central Jersey Spartans News Release -- www.cjspartans.com
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. -- The Central Jersey Spartans are pleased to announce the appointment of former Northern Ireland international James Quinn as the club's new head coach. Quinn made 50 appearances for Northern Ireland, and also played professionally for Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday.
While English-born, Quinn scored four goals in his international career for Northern Ireland. He began his professional career with Birmingham City before being sold to Blackpool for £25,000 in 1994. He scored a total of 47 goals and made 151 first-team starts over five years for the Seasiders, which propelled him into the Northern Ireland squad. Quinn scored his first goal for his country against Belgium in a 3-0 win in 1997.
These exploits led West Bromwich Albion to sign Quinn for £500,000. From 1998 to 2001, Quinn made over 123 appearances in all competitions for West Bromwich Albion. During 2001-02, Quinn’s final season with the club, James was loaned out to Notts County and Bristol Rovers, before joining Dutch side Willem II in the summer of 2002.
Quinn made 62 appearances for Willem II before his return to England in January 2005, when he became Paul Sturrock’s first permanent signing for Sheffield Wednesday. He then went on to play for Peterborough United, Bristol City and Northampton Town in the final years of his career.
Quinn retired from playing soccer in 2007 and decided to concentrate on passing his knowledge and experience onto youth players through coaching. In the summer of 2010, James undertook and passed the prestigious UEFA ’A’ License. James then, in 2011, achieved the highest level coaching license in the world when he completed and passes the UEFA Pro License.