Chris Rutherford

Chris Rutherford (born 1955) is an English former professional footballer who played for League of Ireland club Sligo Rovers.

Playing career Liverpool-born Rutherford was given a free transfer from Cardiff City at 20 years old, after failing to break into the first team. He then accepted the offer of a professional contract from Sligo Rovers and quickly became an important player at The Showgrounds. During his second season with the Border Region club he scored in a decisive win over Shamrock Rovers which secured the 1976–77 League of Ireland title. He also helped the club win the 1982–83 FAI Cup, although he was taken off injured 20 minutes into the final win over Bohemians. and was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in November 2019.

Coaching career Rutherford served as manager of Strand Celtic in the Sligo/Leitrim junior league and then of Finn Harps in the League of Ireland First Division. After settling in Sligo he married Sligonian woman Bernadette Verdon and converted to Roman Catholicism.

Honours Sligo Rovers League of Ireland (1): 1976–77 FAI Cup (1): 1982–83