Andy Lonergan

Andrew Lonergan
Personal information
Full nameAndrew Lonergan[1]
Date of birth19 October 1983[1]
Place of birthPreston, England
Height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)[1]
Playing positionGoalkeeper
Club information
Current team
Bolton Wanderers
Number24
Youth career
?–2000Preston North End
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2000–2011Preston North End207(1)
2002→ Darlington (loan)2(0)
2003→ Blackpool (loan)0(0)
2005→ Wycombe Wanderers (loan)2(0)
2006→ Swindon Town (loan)1(0)
2011–2012Leeds United35(0)
2012–Bolton Wanderers51(0)
National team‡
2000Republic of Ireland U16[2]1(0)
2002–2003England U2010(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:51, 15 March 2015 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 00:07, 18 June 2012 (UTC)

Andrew "Andy" Lonergan (born 19 October 1983) is an English footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderers as a goalkeeper. He is a former England U21 international and is also eligible to play for Republic of Ireland.[3] He has also won Preston's player of the year award in both the 2008–09 and 2009–10 seasons.[4][5]

Career

Preston North End

Born in Preston, Lancashire. After attending St. Cecilia's RC Technology College (now St. Cecilia's RC High School) Lonergan made his Preston debut managed by David Moyes as a 16-year-old in a League Cup tie away at Coventry City. With his progress being closely monitored by the goalkeeping coach, Peter Williams, he was sent out on loan to Darlington where his loan ended after a week after picking up an injury, Preston then sent him out on loan to rivals Blackpool.[6]

With David Moyes leaving to join Everton and Craig Brown entering the managerial fray at Deepdale, Lonergan remained optimistic about his future at the club; indeed, he was promoted to the first-team squad for the final stage of the 2002–03 season as an understudy to Scotland international Jonathan Gould. With Gould out injured for a period of the following season, Lonergan snapped up his goalkeeping gloves and stood between the sticks for the first time in the league against West Brom, two years after his debut. Gould fell out of favour soon after, and Lonergan remained as the first choice until the end of that season.

On 2 October 2004 Lonergan scored a goal from his own penalty area in the 39th minute against Leicester City to equalise, after his long kick bounced over Leicester goalkeeper Kevin Pressman after defender Matt Heath had let the ball bounce. The game ended in a 1–1 draw.[7]

He remained at Deepdale for the 2004–05 season under the watchful eye of new manager Billy Davies, and played a part in 65% of the season before he ruptured his cruciate ligaments before a game against Ipswich Town, due to Lonergan's injury, Carlo Nash was signed as a replacement by Billy Davies from Middlesbrough to shore up the goalkeeping crisis. After a long spell out injured with the injury it took Lonergan over two years to gain back his place. Nash kept his place for the 2005–06 term and kept a club record of over 30 clean sheets. Lonergan himself was injured in training early in 2005, and only returned to action with a loan spell to get himself match fit in late 2005 at Wycombe Wanderers,[8] only to become injured once again due to a screw holding his ligament in place snapping.

In November 2006, Lonergan joined Swindon Town on a one-month loan contract to gain first-team football. He returned early, however, after he wasn't given the football he desired under new Swindon Manager Paul Sturrock who had just replaced Dennis Wise.

He returned to the Preston bench until January 2007, when Nash's unprofessional attitude meant a recall to the first team for Lonergan in an FA Cup Fourth round tie at Crystal Palace in which he impressed with a clean sheet in a 2–0 victory for Preston. After establishing himself as Preston's number one, Lonergan won Preston's 2008/09 player of the year award.[4]

After Preston North End club captain, Paul McKenna was sold to Nottingham Forest in August 2009, Lonergan was made a vice-captain to new club captain, Callum Davidson. Lonergan's first match which he started as captain was at Deepdale, where he led Preston North End out to win 2–0 against Swansea City on 12 September 2009. Manager, Alan Irvine claimed that he believed Lonergan was good enough to play for England.[9]

He had a fine season during the 2009–10 season, and won Preston's player of the year award.[5][10] During the last few games of the season Preston managed to overcome an insuperior goal difference to playoff rivals Cardiff City by beating them 6–0, with Lonergan also saving a penalty in the same game which in the end proved vital on goal difference for the final table result to overtake Cardiff and reach the playoffs.[11] Lonergan played a big part in helping Preston reach the playoff Semi-finals during the 2009–10 season but lost over two legs to Sheffield United.[12][13] During the summer Premier League club West Bromwich Albion had three separate bids rejected for Lonergan, with Preston manager Darren Ferguson claiming he valued Lonergan at £20 million and that he didn't want to sell him.[14]

Lonergan was the goalkeeper for Preston during the 2010–11 season as they were relegated to League One making 29 league starts. In September 2010, Lonergan was charged for making obscene gestures to fierce-rivals Burnley's supporters during Preston's 4–3 loss.[15][16][17][18] Lonergan was fined for the incident and warned of his future conduct.[19] In the same month Lonergan also played in one of the games of the season in Preston's 6–4 win against Leeds United, with Preston coming back to win the game after being 4–1 down.[20] He was linked with moves to Manchester City and Wigan Athletic in the January transfer window.[21][22] Lonergan claimed in January that he was the most overworked goalkeeper in the Championship.[23] However, during the last quarter of the season under new manager Phil Brown, Lonergan was displaced by Everton loan goalkeeper Iain Turner.[24] Lonergan also spent time training with Everton as part of the loan deal for Turner.[25] Lonergan was linked with a loan move to Blackpool F.C. during February on an emergency loan due to injuries to Paul Rachubka and Richard Kingson.[26] Lonergan's last appearance for Preston came in Preston's 2–1 loss against Leeds United on 8 March 2011.[27] After relegation from the Championship Lonergan was linked with moves to Aston Villa,[28] Cardiff City,[29][30] and Everton.[31][32] Manager, Phil Brown revealed he needed to sell Lonergan to re-sign loan goalkeeper Iain Turner due to lack of funds.[33]

On 4 July 2011, Lonergan was linked with a move to join Leeds United in order to replace Kasper Schmeichel and Shane Higgs who had both left the club.[34] Everton also entered the race to sign Lonergan.[35]

Allegedly, the clause in Lonergan's £10,000 a week contract states that the player will be allowed to leave for £100,000, and both Leeds and Everton are believed to be willing to pay that money to sign the player. However, Maurice Lindsay, the Preston chairman, says that he will not be allowed to leave for anything less than £200,000, which is against this release clause.

Preston North End manager Phil Brown confirmed in early July 2011 that Andy Lonergan was set to sign for Leeds United, live on talksport's radio broadcast. Sky Sports reported 25 July that Lonergan was set to sign for Leeds United, after the move was originally put on hold for both parties as Leeds became interested in signing David Stockdale and Lonergan was interesting Premier League Club Everton. Lonergan's daughter was also in hospital at this time delaying the move further.[36][37] In total Lonergan made 231 appearances during his career at Preston North End.[27]

Leeds United

On 25 July, Lonergan signed for Leeds United on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[38] He competed with fellow new goalkeeper signing Paul Rachubka for the number one spot left vacant by the departed Kasper Schmeichel.[27][39] Lonergan was briefly a teammate of then Leeds United manager Simon Grayson during a short loan spell at Blackpool in 2003.[6] Lonergan made his first appearance in a Leeds shirt in the pre-season victory against Newcastle United.[40] Lonergan was given the number 1 shirt for the forthcoming season.[41]

On the opening day of the season, Lonergan made his debut for Leeds in the 3–1 defeat against Southampton.[42] Lonergan received the man of the match award in Leeds' 1–0 loss against Middlesbrough on 14 August.[43] Lonergan started his fourth game of the season against Hull City at Elland Road where he put in another good performance making saves to deny Hull City as Leeds United won 4–1.[44] After some good performances for Leeds in his first couple of months at the club, Lonergan revealed that the move to Leeds had worked out "brilliantly" for him.[45] Lonergan made some crucial saves for Leeds to help earn them a 3–2 victory against Crystal Palace on 10 September.[46] Lonergan saved a penalty from Nicky Maynard on 17 September against Bristol City to help Leeds earn a 2–1 victory.[47] Lonergan got his first clean sheet of the season against Portsmouth on 1 October, with Lonergan again making some crucial saves.[48] After keeping a consecutive clean sheet, Lonergan was substituted in the second half against Doncaster Rovers after fracturing his finger and replaced by Paul Rachubka on 14 October.[49] Lonergan missed the game against Coventry City with the finger injury on 18 October and was replaced by understudy Paul Rachubka. After the game manager Simon Grayson revealed Lonergan had surgery on the finger and would be ruled out for a minimum of six weeks.[50]

After returning from injury, Lonergan was on Leeds' bench against Watford on 10 December, due to the impressive form of loanee Alex McCarthy.[51] With McCarthy ineligible against his parent club Reading on 17 December, Lonergan came back into Leeds starting line-up. Leeds lost the game 1–0, with Lonergan feeling he was culpable for the goal conceded.[52]

Lonergan was revealed as Leeds' new captain on 20 January, replacing the departing captain Jonny Howson, with Patrick Kisnorbo out until the end of the season.[53] Lonergan was replaced as Captain by Robert Snodgrass, who was appointed the new Leeds United captain by new Leeds manager Neil Warnock in his first game in charge against Portsmouth on 25 February.[54] After a string of clean sheets, Lonergan conceded seven goals in a 3–7 loss against Nottingham Forest.[55] Lonergan saved a penalty against Millwall's Darius Henderson in the following game to earn Leeds a crucial 1–0 victory.[56]

After the season finished, Leeds signed Q.P.R. goalkeeper Paddy Kenny to be the new number one goalkeeper at the club.[57] On 12 July, Leeds confirmed that they had rejected a bid for Lonergan from an unnamed club as they deemed the offer 'not acceptable'.[58] With Lonergan losing his first team place, Bolton Wanderers Manager Owen Coyle confirmed his interest in signing Lonergan.[59]

Bolton Wanderers

On 17 July, Bolton confirmed the signing of Lonergan on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[60] His debut came on 28 August in a 2–1 defeat against Crawley Town in the League Cup second round. Lonergan's first experience in front of the Reebok Stadium crowd was the 2-2 draw between Wanderers and Sunderland in which he was named Man of the Match for Wanderers following appreciation of his contribution following saves from Steven Fletcher. Lonergan's first league game for Bolton came on 5 March 2013 as Bolton beat local rivals Blackburn Rovers by a single goal.

Career statistics

As of 23 May 2013[61]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Preston 2000–01 1000100020
Darlington (loan) 2002–03 2000000020
Total 2000000020
Preston 2003–04 8000000080
2004–05 231102000261
Wycombe (loan) 2005–06 2000000020
Total 2000000020
Swindon (loan) 2006–07 1000000010
Total 1000000010
Preston 2006–07 130200000150
2007–08 430300000460
2008–09 480102000510
2009–10 450203000500
2010–11 290103000330
Total 2101100110002311
Leeds United 2011–12 350102000380
Total 350102000380
Bolton 2012–13 5030100090
2013-14 2000200040
Total 70303000130
Career Total 2551140140002831

International career

After playing just one game for Republic of Ireland U16's Lonergan decided to play for the country of his birth England.[2] Lonergan was called up by the English U-21 team for the first time in February 2004.[62] He also played for England in the Under 20's World Cup.[9] He is also eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland national team due to his Irish grandparents.[3]

Due to a change in FIFA rulings Lonergan became eligible for Republic of Ireland, with Lonergan on Giovanni Trappatoni's radar for the squad.[3][63] Former Preston teammate and Republic of Ireland international Sean St. Ledger also championed Lonergan getting a call up to the Ireland squad.[64] In May 2010, Lonergan revealed he would welcome a call up to the Republic of Ireland national team after he had initially refused an enquiry to be called up to the Irish squad.[65]

Awards

Individual

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 independent.ie apps (9 June 2009). "Opportunity beckons to pledge allegiance – Soccer, Sport". The Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Published on Tue 9 June 08:59:19 BST 2009. "Lonergan could play for Republic – Football". lep.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Football – Preston North End Player of the Year Awards. Preston North End, Player of the Year Awards 2009, Player of the Year Awards. Preston North End". Pnefcpics.com. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Football – Preston North End Feature – Deepdale – 09/10 – 28/4/10. Andy Lonergan – Preston North End receives the player of the year award. Mandatory Credit: Action Images / E". Pnefcpics.com. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Blackpool | We Speak to Andrew Lonergan". Blackpoolfc.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  7. ↑ "Match Report | Leicester v Preston NE – 2nd October 2004". Sky Sports. 2 October 2004. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  8. ↑ "Team | Andy Lonergan". Wycombe Wanderers. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Irvine lauds Lonergan potential – Preston North End News from". football.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  10. ↑ "Preston North End | Andy Lonergan". Pnefc.net. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  11. ↑ Jason Tomas (18 April 2009). "Football League round-up: Mellor strikes signal rout as Preston hit six". The Observer. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  12. ↑ Lyon, Sam (8 May 2009). "Friday football as it happened". BBC News. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  13. ↑ "Playoffs: Sheffield United 1 Preston 0 | djmick: V2". djmick. 12 May 2009. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  14. ↑ "PNE snub new Lonergan bid". Sky Sports. 20 July 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  15. ↑ "No action over Lonergan gestures to Burnley crowd (From Lancashire Telegraph)". Lancashiretelegraph.co.uk. 14 September 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  16. ↑ "Andy Lonergan – Preston North End Football Club". Football.co.uk. 2 December 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  17. ↑ "Burnley 4–3 Preston". BBC News. 11 September 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  18. ↑ Preston goalie Andy Lonergan in trouble over V-signs towards Burnley fans »
  19. ↑ "PNE's Lonergan hit with FA fine". football.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  20. ↑ "Leeds 4–6 Preston". BBC News. 28 September 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  21. ↑ "Manchester City outcast Shay Given hopes for Rome win". People. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  22. ↑ "transfer news Manchester City and Wigan battling for Preston keeper Andy Lonergan". Mirror Football. 9 January 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  23. ↑ '+ dateCreated +' (19 January 2011). "Lonergan hoping for respite". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  24. ↑ "Everton transfer news Preston will ask David Moyes to let them keep on-loan keeper Iain Turner for the rest of the season. – News". Mirror Football. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  25. ↑ "BBC Sport – Leeds United sign Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan". BBC News. 25 July 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  26. ↑ "Ian Holloway chases Andy Lonergan on loan to provide cover at Blackpool – Football Hotline – Football – Sport". People.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 "Preston North End | Lonergan Departs Deepdale". Pnefc.net. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  28. ↑ "Eck hopes Lone deal is for keeps". The Sun. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  29. ↑ "Preston reject bids for trio". Sky Sports. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  30. ↑ "Everton transfer news Cardiff are trying to hijack Preston keeper Andy Lonergan proposed move to Goodison Park – News". Mirror Football. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  31. ↑ "Everton transfer news Preston keeper Andy Lonergan to join for £750k but cannot play until next season". Mirror Football. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  32. ↑ Simon Jones – The Insider (6 July 2011). "Spurs face Giuseppe Rossi battle, Leeds land Lonergan – THE INSIDER | Mail Online". Daily Mail (UK). Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  33. ↑ Prentice, David. "Everton FC eyeing Preston keeper Andy Lonergan – Everton FC – Sport News – Daily Post North Wales". Dailypost.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  34. ↑ "Lonergan on Leeds radar". Sky Sports. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  35. ↑ Keeper weighs up move to Everton or Leeds (8 July 2011). "Everton enter Lonergan chase | Everton News, Fixtures, Results, Transfers". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  36. ↑ "Leeds – LUFC Lonergan – It was never a matter of finance". Leeds.vitalfootball.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  37. ↑ Grayson to finally get his man (25 July 2011). "Leeds to land Lonergan". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  38. ↑ "News | Lonergan Joins United". Leeds United. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  39. ↑ "Lonergan signs up for Leeds | Championship News". Football365. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  40. ↑ "News | Paynter Goal Secures Victory". Leeds United. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  41. ↑ "News | Squad Numbers Announced". Leeds United. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  42. ↑ "News | United Crash At Southampton". Leeds United. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  43. ↑ "News | Three See Red As United Lose Out". Leeds United. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  44. ↑ Wobschall, Leon. "Leeds United v Hull City: Lonergan calls for show of derby calm – Latest Whites News". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  45. ↑ "Lonergan’s loving his new lease of life". YEP. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  46. ↑ "Leeds vs Crystal Palace". leeds Official website. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  47. ↑ "Leeds Vs Bristol City". LUFC. 17 September 2011.
  48. ↑ "Leeds Vs Portsmouth". LUFC. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  49. ↑ "Doncaster 0 – Leeds 3". LUFC. 14 October 2011.
  50. ↑ "Fracture sidelines lonergan". LUFC. 19 October 2011.
  51. ↑ "SNODDY SPOT-KICK SNATCHES POINT". LUFC. 10 December 2011.
  52. ↑ "LONNERS STEELING HIMSELF FOR FIGHT". LUFC. 19 December 2011.
  53. ↑ "LET'S WIN IT FOR REDDERS – SKIPPER". LUFC. 2 February 2012.
  54. ↑ "IT'S CAPTAIN SNODGRASS NOW!". Leeds United Official site. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  55. ↑ "United routed at Elland Road...". Leeds United Official site. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  56. ↑ "NO GUESSWORK FOR HANDY ANDY". Leeds United Official site. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  57. ↑ "Goalkeeper hoping for another promotion...". Leeds United Official site. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  58. ↑ "BOSS CONFIRMS PLAYER OFFERS". Leeds United Official site. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  59. ↑ "Coyle considers Lonergan". Sky Sports News. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  60. ↑ "Wanderers Recruit Lonergan". bwfc.co.uk. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  61. ↑ Andy Lonergan career statistics at Soccerbase
  62. ↑ "BBC SPORT | Stead gets Under-21 call". BBC News. 14 February 2004. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  63. ↑ Nice Change. "Ambrose is set for Trap door – Soccer, Sport". Herald.ie. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  64. ↑ "Preston North End | 'Northenders on Tour'". Pnefc.net. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  65. ↑ "Lonergan would welcome Ireland call up". FootballFanCast.com. Retrieved 2 December 2011.

External links

Andy Lonergan – FIFA competition record

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Jonny Howson		 Leeds United captain
2012 		Succeeded by
Robert Snodgrass