# Cliff Byrne

Clifford Byrne (born 26 April 1982) is an Irish former footballer who played as a defender. He is currently assistant manager at EFL League Two side Doncaster Rovers.

## Playing career

Byrne began his career with Sunderland. He signed for Scunthorpe United on loan in 2002. After a successful three-month loan spell concluded in February 2003, Scunthorpe manager Brian Laws described Byrne as his best ever loan signing, attempting to sign him on a permanent transfer for £50,000. Byrne initially turned down the move in order to fight for his place at Sunderland, but subsequently joined Scunthorpe after being released by Sunderland in the summer.
Following the departure of Izzy Iriekpen Byrne was given the captaincy of the side. He scored two goals in the last two games of the 2008–09 season; his 89th-minute goal against Tranmere Rovers was enough to help Scunthorpe seal the last playoff place. After missing just under a year of action due to injury, Byrne made his first start of the 2011–12 season on 26 November 2011, away to Notts County. He was released by the club in May 2012.
On 27 July 2012, it was announced that Byrne had signed for Oldham Athletic. Byrne scored his first goal for Oldham against his old club Scunthorpe United in a 2–2 draw on 1 January 2013 He rejoined former club Scunthorpe on loan in September 2013. On 17 January 2014, Cliff had his contract at Oldham Athletic cancelled by mutual agreement.
In February 2014, Byrne signed for Roddy Collins at the Brandywell Stadium to play for Derry City for the 2014 League of Ireland season. He scored his first League goal on his third league appearance.
On 19 February 2015, he joined Gainsborough Trinity.
In February 2023, Byrne rekindled his playing career, signing for Bottesford Town in the Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division.

## Coaching career

Byrne took part in a UEFA 'B' coaching course in summer 2005.
On 30 June 2018, he was appointed assistant manager to Grant McCann at Doncaster Rovers.
On 21 June 2019, he was appointed assistant manager again to Grant McCann, following his appointment as head coach at Hull City. Following the takeover of Hull City by Acun Medya, backed by Acun Ilıcalı on 19 January 2022, McCann and Byrne were sacked a few days later.
In February 2022, Byrne became assistant manager at Peterborough United, once again assisting McCann. The duo were sacked in January 2023.
In May 2023, Byrne was reappointed as assistant manager to McCann at Doncaster Rovers.

## Career statistics

| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | League cup | League cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Sunderland | 2002–03 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Scunthorpe United | 2002–03 | Division Three | 13 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| Scunthorpe United | 2003–04 | Division Three | 39 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 51 | 1 |
| Scunthorpe United | 2004–05 | League Two | 29 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 1 |
| Scunthorpe United | 2005–06 | League One | 32 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 40 | 1 |
| Scunthorpe United | 2006–07 | League One | 24 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 30 | 0 |
| Scunthorpe United | 2007–08 | Championship | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 27 | 0 |
| Scunthorpe United | 2008–09 | League One | 43 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 57 | 2 |
| Scunthorpe United | 2009–10 | Championship | 36 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 40 | 2 |
| Scunthorpe United | 2010–11 | Championship | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 2 |
| Scunthorpe United | 2011–12 | League One | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Scunthorpe United | Total | Total | 276 | 9 | 25 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 332 | 9 |
| Oldham Athletic | 2012–13 | League One | 35 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 1 |
| Oldham Athletic | 2013–14 | League One | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Oldham Athletic | Total | Total | 38 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 43 | 1 |
| Scunthorpe United (loan) | 2013–14 | League Two | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Derry City | 2014 | League of Ireland Premier Division | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 21 | 1 |
| Alfreton Town | 2014–15 | Conference Premier | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
| Gainsborough Trinity | 2014–15 | Conference North | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| Bottesford Town | 2022–23 | Northern Counties East League Premier Division | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 364 | 15 | 29 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 431 | 15 |
* ↑ This season was spent on loan from Sunderland
* 1 2 3 4 5 Appearances in Football League Trophy
* ↑ Seven appearances in Football League Trophy; three appearances in League One play-offs
* ↑ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
* ↑ Appearances in FA Trophy

## Honours

Scunthorpe United
* Football League One: 2006–07
* Football League Trophy runner-up: 2008–09