International Appearances - Bryan Hamilton

Last updated : 08 February 2008 By Neil Andrews
Bryan Hamilton
Bryan Hamilton
Northern Ireland
Caps: 4 (of 50)
Goals: 4


Bryan Hamilton was already a Northern Ireland international of some standing by the time he signed for Millwall from Everton in the summer of 1977. As a result, great things were expected from the former Ipswich Town midfielder, but for one reason or another, it just didn't happen for the genial Irishman as The Lions flirted with relegation.

Installed as captain by manager Gordon Jago the moment he signed, Hamilton was seen as an integral part of the manager's rebuilding plans for the team that had missed out on promotion the season before and the Irishman was one of four new faces to arrive that summer. However, Jago's tinkering had a detrimental effect on the squad and Hamilton's debut was less than auspicious as Crystal Palace ran riot at The Den, inflicting a 3-0 home defeat on the opening day of the season. The team failed to gel and a run of poor results, amid a backdrop of players bickering and a controversial Panorama documentary on the club, saw Jago depart The Den in December.

Hamilton himself was finding it hard to adjust to life with The Lions and his below-par performances were a far cry from his days with Everton and Ipswich. But under new manager George Petchey, the midfielder began to find his feet and in turn, Millwall began to get results.

The club embarked on an ill-fated FA Cup run that saw them reach the Quarter Finals, but a 6-1 defeat at the hands of Ipswich Town was marred by some of the worst scenes of hooliganism witnessed during the 1970s. In the League, things were also beginning to look up and The Lions managed to hold leaders Tottenham to a 3-3 draw, with Hamilton scoring the equalizer with the last kick of the game. Despite flirting with relegation all season, Millwall won all six of their last six League games to avoid the drop, with victory over Mansfield Town on the last day of the season ensuring safety, with the midfielder turning in some inspirational displays.

The following May, Hamilton captained his country in the Home Internationals but come November, he'd have left the club - sold by Petchey to Swindon Town for £20,000, who had to decided to give his side a complete overhaul. Swindon's gain was Millwall's loss as The Lions slid out of Division Two at the end of the season.