Career
Bannon began his career with Hearts before moving to Chelsea in 1979. He was bought to replace the departing Ray Wilkins and soon found himself a first team regular. He was seen as Chelsea's playmaker by manager Danny Blanchflower. Blanchflower, however, was sacked after a poor run for the club and he was replaced by Geoff Hurst. Although initially selected by Hurst, Bannon gradually slipped down the order at Chelsea and was sold in October 1979 to Dundee United for £165,000, a then Scottish transfer record. He made his début for United against Raith Rovers in the League Cup in a 0–0 draw but scored in only his second game for the club and helped United win the Scottish League Cup, their first national trophy, in season 1979–80, repeating the feat the following season.
Bannon was again present as United narrowly lost their third consecutive Scottish League Cup final to Rangers and also lost the Scottish Cup final in the same season. The following year United won the Scottish League title for the first time, with Bannon, now the regular penalty taker, the midfield talisman. They maintained a regular top five placing in succeeding seasons. Bannon remained a key figure in a United side that went on to reach a European Cup semi-final, the 1987 UEFA Cup Final and the Scottish Cup finals of 1981, 1985, 1987 and 1988. They lost in all of these finals, and the Scottish Cup was the only domestic trophy Bannon failed to win in his career. The 1988 Scottish Cup Final defeat to Celtic was Bannon's last match for Dundee United, as he then returned to Hearts.
At the end of his playing career he had a short spell with Hibs, where his solitary match came in an Edinburgh derby against Hearts. Bannon returned to Hearts for a spell as a coach, before a final playing spell with Stenhousemuir. Now playing as a defender, Bannon helped them win the 1995 Scottish Challenge Cup Final at McDiarmid Park, as they defeated his old club Dundee United on a penalty shootout.
Bannon went on to manage Falkirk for a few months before buying a guest house in Edinburgh, which he has run since 1997. Bannon played for Spartans for a couple of years before retiring at the age of 40, although he continued to coach the side. Bannon also does matchday work for the Press Association.
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