Mulholland - Belfast footballer

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Hi Guys

Just wondering if this player means anything to any of our Irish friends on the forum.

I have blown up his face and the badge which may help, the ground itself may be distinctive, and also the studio mentioned on reverse might be of use.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, please. Thank you & good luck.

[Rocky]

As a starter, a quick google identified a certain Curry Mulholland who played for Crusaders in the 50’s. As you are probably aware, Crusaders are based in Belfast. Probably 2+2 making 5 and like you I think it will need one of our Irish friends to confirm.

By the way, that calf muscle looks a bit dodgy.
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[Flaming Pie]

There's a Frank Mulholland. Born Belfast 28/ 10/ 27. He signed for Middlesborough from Glentoran in 1951. Played seasons 1951-- 57 ,, 46 appearances as a wing half.Could be him Pete?

[Rocky]

I didn't recognise Frank Mulholland in that pic but to be fair there's some likeness in this grainy pic of him next to Harold Shepherdson.


_________________
www.middlesbroughfccollection.co.uk

https://www.flickr.com/photos/187311548@N07/albums

https://www.flickr.com/photos/117760314@N07/albums

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

I Googled & Googled and didn't find any of this so well done and thank you guys.

I reckon Frank at Middlesbrough looks favourite, there's a definite similarity there. If only you had a pic of his calf muscles too!

Curry Mulholland at Crusaders was the leading goalscorer in their history till fairly recently so there must be a picture of him around somewhere, I'd have thought.

But the question is now:-

Is it Curry Mulholland of Crusaders?

Or is it Frank Mullholland of Glentoran, Middlesbrough and Poole Town?

Must be one of them surely but I know where my money lies.

Cheers!

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

The badge might help swing it.

Crusaders or Glentoran?

[Rocky]

Mmm..still not sure.
_________________
www.middlesbroughfccollection.co.uk

https://www.flickr.com/photos/187311548@N07/albums

https://www.flickr.com/photos/117760314@N07/albums

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

In which case, Rocky, I don't he's the bloke in your team photo.

Thanks for digging for me.

[Flaming Pie]

According to Football League Players Records 1946 - 92 the only Belfast born Mulholland who played professionally is Frank.All the others are Scots ,, George born Ayr 1928,, James born , Glasgow1938,, John. A , born Dumbarton 1932,, John R , born Dumbarton 1932 Perhaps the player in your photo never played as a pro Pete?

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Yes, that's possible, Pie.

It could still be Curry Mulholland of Crusaders though but nobody has yet found a photo of him. Seeing as he's their record goalscorer (until recently) there must surely be some sort of evidence of him somewhere.

Thanks again.

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Can anyone confirm if this is Curry Mulholland of Crusaders, please?

[nigcom]

This is Frank Mulholland from Belfast who played for Middlesborough 1951 to 1958 i believe, he was known as Curly Mulholland, not Curry.

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Thank you - so is this Curly Mulholland of Crusaders the same as Frank Mulholland of Glentoran, Middlesbro & Poole Town, with Curly being his nickname?

[andygray110]

They are two different players.

Curry Mulholland (his real name is Curry) signed for Crusaders in 1951 and stayed until 1960, setting a record as the club's top goalscorer which wasn't broken until the 1990s. He previously played for Bangor and Distillery.

Frank Mulholland had the career mentioned above but incidentally, also played a few games for Crusaders in 1949 before making his way to Middlesbrough via Glentoran. Frank is third from the right in the back row of the below pic.



Unfortunately can't help with the badge or the kit! As a Crusaders fan I don't recognise it at all, the kit isn't a Crues kit (that I'm aware of that) as at that time the team played in red and black hoops.

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Thanks for writing Andy.

Do you have any images of Curry Mulholland at Crusaders? Can we be sure that it's not him in my photo? Unless it really is the Frank who also played for Middlesbrough (per the message above).

The kit this chap is wearing in my photo looks like training gear and not match kit.

So the mystery continues.

[andygray110]

These are the only two pictures of Curry I could find (in the second picture he is 2nd from the left).

My gut feeling is it's Frank in your picture, he more closely resembles the chap in the previous team photo I uploaded rather than Curry (judging by the hair!)

In addition Irish League clubs didn't have badges on their shirts in the 50s, so I'm guessing that the kit he's wearing is possibly an Irish representative team top (most likely a training top as you say). The shield shape of the badge matches that of the team photo he's in, which is a team photo of an Ireland (Northern Ireland) v British Army match from 1952. Link - http://nifootball.blogspot.com/2009/04/10-september-1952.html

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Thank you Andy, so we'll go with my photo being Frank of Glentoran, Middlesbrough and Poole Town, and in the photo probably on representative duty - perhaps in 1952 as your photo shows.

Cheers!

[andygray110]

You're welcome!

[nutfield priory]

Pete

Team photo of Middlesbrough in the 1950's, Frank (Francis) is standing third left in the back row.

Hope it is of some use to confirm your thoughts.

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[Pete’s Picture Palace]

I'm sure that's the man in my photo.

Thanks NP