Talking Reds at Vicar Street in support of Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association

The Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association have announced Talking Reds with Ray Houghton and Mark Lawrenson at Vicar Street, on Monday, October 19, 2026.

Houghton and Lawrenson, both former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland players, will share anecdotes from their hugely impressive careers and provide analysis on the current state of the game.

The event is raising money to support former League of Ireland footballers with issues they may face in their lives, through the efforts of the Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association.

Roy Houghton began his English playing career as a midfielder for West Ham United in 1979, before moving to Fulham and then Oxford United, where he played alongside fellow Irish international-to-be, John Aldridge. He joined Liverpool in 1987, where he won two league titles and two FA Cups.

Playing for Ireland, he made 73 appearances in all. He is best known for scoring goals against England at Euro 1988, and against Italy in USA 1994.

Houghton retired in 1997. He has since transitioned successfully to punditry, becoming a regular analyst and co-commentator on RTÉ Sport.

He recalls his time playing with Ireland and Liverpool with fondness.

"When I joined the Ireland set up in the spring of 1986 I arrived just as a magical era was starting," he said. "I had never been involved in international football so it was all so fresh for me."

"We were all aware that Ireland had been so close to qualifying for major tournaments under John Giles and Eoin Hand. Now Jack and all the players wanted to be the first group to reach the promised land.

"Thankfully, that’s what happened over the next decade and I am so proud to have played my part in the success at Euro 88 and the 1990 and 1994 World Cup finals. I managed to chip in a few big goals as well!"

Mark Lawrenson began his career playing for Preston North End, as a centre-back, in 1974. He joined Liverpool in 1981, where he won five First Division titles, three League Cups, the 1984 European Cup, and the 1986 FA Cup.

He played for Ireland 39 times, qualifying for the squad through his Waterford grandfather. Lawrenson played for the team during their Euro '88 qualification campaign, scoring the vital goal in a 1-0 away win over Scotland in Glasgow. It was that victory which launched the Jack Charlton era in earnest, with Ireland incredibly qualifying for an 8-nation Euro finals in Germany.

After a ruptured Achilles tendon forced him to retire in 1988, Mark joined the BBC as a pundit on Match of the Day and Football Focus. He retired from broadcasting in 2022.

Lawrenson recalls his time at Anfield with pride.

"We had an incredible spine to the team in Alan Hansen, myself, Graeme Souness, King Kenny and Ian Rush," he said.

"It’s fair to say that we almost managed our own team with Graeme, as the midfielder, calling the shots."

He also revealed that Jack Charlton’s plan to deploy him in midfield for the team's 1-0 Euro 88 qualifying win in Scotland was planned several weeks earlier at a squad training camp at Lilleshall.

"Jack told me that he wanted to mark Graeme Souness but then he didn’t play. I scored the early goal for us and then, later in the game, I broke out with the ball after beating Alan Hansen to the ball.

"I pushed up the pitch and my shot shaved the post. I was really disappointed not to score but Jack went mad with me at the final whistle.

"Jack went berserk - 'do that to me again and you will never play for the country again!' Later, he said 'well done'."

IPFBA Chairperson Harry McCue commented on the Vicar Street show.

"The IPFBA is all about helping retired players so when stars of the stature of Ray Houghton and Mark Lawrenson give us their support it gives us a real lift while also helping boost our finances," he said.

"I cannot thank them enough and the same applies to our sponsors, Fortus, Gibneys of Malahide and FORSA, and also to Teneo for their continued backing."

Nathan Murphy, host of the Off The Ball podcast will MC the event. Barry Murphy, co-founder of the RTÉ football comedy segment, Après Match, will oversee the fund-raising jersey auctions and raffle on the night. The raffle will include a variety of Ireland and Liverpool football memorabilia, while the auction features a Liverpool shirt signed by Kenny Dalglish.

Tickets for the event can be bought here.