On the basis of it Delap's career wasn't that interesting - a decent career in the Premier League and Championship. 33 goals in 504 league appearances and 11 caps for the Republic of Ireland is no easy feat. But it is not his feet he is known for amongst the footballing world - rather his long throw ins. His sides would use Delap's throw ins as a set piece fizzing them into the box with great speed and power which was hard to defend.
Defending teams would rather concede a corner rather than let Delap unleash his weapon and did everything they could to prevent it. Some teams would even move their advertising boards closer to the pitch, giving him less room for a run up. Notorious joker Dean Windass once received a yellow card for warming up too close to Delap when he was trying to take a throw in.
His long throw ins come from his training as a javelin champion during his schoolboy days and his immense throws could reach up to 37 mph! But it was not until his time at Stoke City, from 2007, that his throw ins were used effectively. The Potters scored 16 goals from Delap's throw in, with Stoke setting up to use them like they would a corner and trying to turn them into a goal.
The Irishman started his career with Carlisle in 1994, then moved to Derby County in the Premier League, Southampton and then Sunderland. But it was his move to Stoke at 30 years old that he put his name on the map as more than just a decent top flight player. He played 208 games for Stoke and even won promotion to the Premier League in his second season at the club. He played consistently for five seasons at the club and became a fan favourite, for obvious reasons and will always be a cult hero for that little something extra he brought to the game.
By 2012 he was out of favour at Stoke, then 36 years old and in the twilight years of his career. A year later he joined Barnsley on loan in the Championship and then Burton Albion in League Two following his release. Now 37 he played seven games for the club and retired at the end of the season.
Since retiring Delap worked as a coach in the youth set ups at Derby and then became first-team coach at Stoke City and even had a spell as caretaker manager in 2019. Delap's son Liam was signed by Manchester City in 2019 after spending his youth career at Derby and has even played one Premier League game for the first tea at just 17 last season. Pep Guardiola is said to be a big fan of Liam and is including him permanently in the first team set up next season, perhaps to fill the void of the departing Sergio Aguero.
Liam could benefit from his old man teaching him his old tricks if he wants to make a mark on the Manchester City team next season.
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