Lyttle, Gerry

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Fullname: Gerard Lyttle
aka: Gerry Lyttle
Born: 27 November 1977
Birthplace: Belfast
Height: 5′ 9″ (175cm)
Signed: Pro 9 December 1994
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Internationals: Northern Ireland U21
International Caps: 8
International Goals: 0

Biog

A versatile right sided or central midfielder also capable of doing a turn at right back. Gerry came to the attention of Celtic’s man in Ireland, Gerry Cassidy, while playing for youth outfit Star of the Sea and his entry into the Celtic Boy’s Club system was facilitated by regular journeys on the Belfast-to-Stranraer ‘Seacat’ catamaran.

Having impressed sufficiently, his terms were firmed up into a professional contract in December 1994 and he duly entered the Youth team pool. After a further transitional season in 94/95 he made more frequent U18 appearances the following year and moved up to the reserves ahead of 96/97. Then with a season at that level Lyttle found himself out of contract and amidst the upheaval of McStay‘s retirement, the Di Canio and Cadete situation and the departure of Burns, Bonner and Grant, he wandered off on loan to Swindon Town almost unnoticed in July 1997. His ambitions in Wiltshire were soon thwarted by injury and as the ‘robins’ turned their attentions to Chris Hay, Lyttle returned to make more reserve appearances throughout 97/98.

No doubt irked by Wim Jansen‘s wholesale rejection of Celtic’s youth and reserve ranks, Gerry departed in 1998 and signed for Peterborough United alongside his countryman Jimmy Quinn. However, under the tutelage of larger-than-life manager Barry Fry and legendary youth coach Kit Carson, he again struggled to make inroads into the first team after a single League Cup outing in August 1998 vs. Tommy Burns‘ Reading. Less than enamoured with this scenario Gerry negotiated a switch to non-league Kingstonian but again managed only a single appearance on 4 December 1999. After seeing out 1999/00 with a spell at Northampton Town, a return to the North of Ireland beckoned at the end of the season.

Brief stints in the local game with Ballymena United, Newry, Cliftonville, Distillery and Cliftonville again, saw Lyttle battle injury before dropping into the Junior ranks with Newington YC in 2006.

As of 2009/10 he seems to be cutting his coaching teeth with a co-manager position at another Junior team, Malachians FC. The team are also sponsored by ‘Lyttle Italy’, a redoubtable Italian takeaway in Belfast which may also be a concern of Gerry’s.

Playing Career

League Appearances League Goals
1994/95 Celtic 0 0
1995/96 Celtic 0 0
1996/97 Celtic 0 0
1997/98 Celtic 0 0
1998/99 Peterborough 0 0
1999/00 Peterborough 0 0
Kingstonian 1 0
Northampton 0 0
2000/01 Ballymena United 28 3
2001/02 Newry Town 10 1
Cliftonville 21 2
2002/03 Cliftonville 36 2
2003/04 Lisburn Distillery 19 5
2004/05 Lisburn Distillery 11 1
2005/06 Cliftonville 0 0
2006…2009 Newington YC ? ?

Honours

Northern Ireland U16 caps
Northern Ireland U18 caps
Northern Ireland U21 8 caps 0 goals

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