Alan Sheehan

Alan Sheehan

Sheehan playing for Notts County in 2013
Personal information
Full name Alan Michael Anthony Sheehan[1]
Date of birth (1986-09-14) 14 September 1986[1]
Place of birth Athlone, Ireland
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Playing position Defender
Club information
Current team
 Luton Town
Number 44
Youth career
Belvedere
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2008 Leicester City 23 (1)
2006 → Mansfield Town (loan) 10 (0)
2008 → Leeds United (loan) 10 (1)
2008–2010 Leeds United 11 (1)
2009 → Crewe Alexandra (loan) 3 (0)
2009 → Oldham Athletic (loan) 8 (1)
2009–2010 → Swindon Town (loan) 24 (1)
2010–2011 Swindon Town 21 (1)
2011–2014 Notts County 114 (9)
2014–2016 Bradford City 25 (1)
2015 → Peterborough United (loan) 2 (0)
2015–2016 → Notts County (loan) 14 (2)
2016 → Luton Town (loan) 20 (1)
2016– Luton Town 35 (2)
National team‡
2005–2007 Republic of Ireland U21 5 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:35, 5 August 2017 (UTC).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:10, 17 July 2015 (UTC)

Alan Michael Anthony Sheehan (born 14 September 1986) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for League Two club Luton Town. He played for the Republic of Ireland national under-21 team. His position is mainly recognised as an attacking left back.

Club career

Leicester City

Sheehan joined Leicester City in July 2003 after being spotted by a scout whilst playing for Belvedere. He became a regular in both the Academy under 19s and the reserves, playing at left-back. He also spent two months on loan at Mansfield Town in 2006–07 to gain regular first-team experience. A free-kick specialist, Sheehan made his breakthrough into the first team when Craig Levein named him in the starting lineup for City's final match of 2004–05 against Plymouth Argyle. The 18-year-old picked up the Academy Player of the Season at the club's 2005 awards ceremony.

Sheehan signed a new two-year contract with the club that would keep him at the Walkers Stadium until the end of 2007–08. He scored his first ever competitive goal for Leicester in a 4–1 win over Watford with a deflected 25-yard shot on 25 August 2007,[2] and his second in a 3–2 win over Nottingham Forest with a classy free-kick on 18 September.[3] Following Leicester's 2–0 victory over Bristol City on 24 November,[4] Sheehan was named in the Championship Team of the Week two days later, together with teammates Stephen Clemence and Richard Stearman.[5]

Leeds United

On 31 January 2008, Sheehan joined Leeds United on loan for the rest of the season,[6] making his debut in a 2–0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers on 2 February 2008 replacing Ben Parker at left back.[7] However, after just four matches in the role, Leeds boss Gary McAllister saw the need to provide extra competition in the position by signing Aston Villa's Stephen O'Halloran, also on loan. Despite O'Halloran suffering a serious injury in the warm up for his debut at Swindon Town, Sheehan still lost his Leeds place, this time to Frazer Richardson.

Sheehan revealed that he had rejected a new contract offer from Leicester prior to signing for Leeds.[8] He scored his first goal for the Yorkshire club in their 1–0 win over Doncaster Rovers on 1 April 2008, a trademark free-kick from 25 yards out.[9] Sheehan was sent off in Leeds' 1–0 win over Yeovil Town for a two-footed tackle on Zoltán Stieber, however Leeds still confirmed their play-off spot in that match.[10] The straight red card meant he was suspended for the play-off semi-final matches against Carlisle United and also the final against Doncaster Rovers.

After Leeds failed to earn promotion, Sheehan made his move to Leeds permanent on 1 July 2008, after his contract with Leicester expired. He signed a three-year contract with the club to provide competition for first-choice left-back Ben Parker.[11]

Sheehan endured a tough early 2008–09 season. After scoring a long range goal against Crewe Alexandra in a 5–2 win,[12] Sheehan was sent off for another two footed tackle in a match against Swindon Town.[13] This cost him his place in the team due to suspension and was replaced by Aidan White. Another setback was to come after Sheehan was injured and forced to sit out for a long period of matches. During this run in, his injury was aggravated in an attempted come back against Rotherham United.[14] After returning from injury, Sheehan wasn't involved in new manager Simon Grayson's plans.

On 23 March 2009, Sheehan joined Crewe Alexandra on loan for the rest of the 2008–09 season.[15] He made his debut a day later in the 2–2 draw with Milton Keynes Dons.[16] Sheehan returned to Leeds for the upcoming 2009–10 season. He made two high-profile errors in the pre-season match against Blackburn Rovers when he gave away a penalty and was very lucky not to give away a second penalty. His poor performance did little to help him in his quest to be restored to the first team, with right footed central midfielder Andy Hughes being preferred at left back during Ben Parker's spell out with a hamstring injury.

On 1 September 2009, Sheehan joined League One club Oldham Athletic on a one-month loan. Sheehan made his league debut for Oldham on 4 September in the 3–0 home defeat to Hartlepool United.[17] Sheehan also played in the following 1–0 away defeat to Bristol Rovers, thus losing both of his first two appearances for Oldham.[18]

Sheehan gained two assists in a 2–0 win over Carlisle United.[19] Carlisle's manager Greg Abbott proclaimed after the match that Sheehan was 'Premiership Class'. He scored his first Oldham goal in a 2–1 win over Milton Keynes Dons on 29 September 2009.[20] Sheehan's impressive performances for Oldham led to discussions with Leeds about the possibility of extending his loan for a second month.[21] On 2 October 2009, his loan was subsequently extended until 1 November.[22] His form for Oldham alerted scouts at other clubs with Nottingham Forest reportedly interested in signing Sheehan. On 1 November, Sheehan returned to Leeds United, with Oldham playing Leeds twice during the month of November. On 5 November, Oldham decided to sign Lee Hills on a one-month loan from Crystal Palace as opposed to extending Sheehan's loan spell once more.[23]

Swindon Town loan

On 26 November 2009, Sheehan joined League One club Swindon Town on loan until 4 January 2010.[24] He was given permission by Leeds to play in the FA Cup for Swindon. Sheehan made his debut for Swindon in the FA Cup match against Wrexham and he was substituted after 62 minutes.[25] In the next match, Sheehan won a penalty for Swindon against Leyton Orient.[26]

On 5 January 2010, Sheehan's loan was extended at Swindon for the rest of the season including the play-offs if Swindon reached them. Danny Wilson commented on the loan extension by praising Sheehan's most recent performance against Fulham and said he seems to play better against the bigger teams.[27] Sheehan, under the terms of the loan, would not be available to play for Swindon in their matches against his parent club Leeds. Sheehan and Swindon went into the final match of the season against Millwall knowing that should Leeds slip up that Swindon could grab an automatic promotion spot. However, Leeds ensured they earned the second automatic promotion spot with a 2–1 win over Bristol Rovers, thus finishing in second place.[28] This meant Swindon were forced to settle for the play-offs regardless of their own result. They ended up losing 3–2 to Millwall.[29] Swindon faced Charlton Athletic in the play-offs. Sheehan played in the play-off first leg which Swindon won 2–1.[30] However, he missed the second leg at The Valley through injury which saw his Swindon teammates eliminate Charlton after a penalty shootout.[31] Sheehan returned to play in the League One play-off final defeat to Millwall. He had to be substituted after 67 minutes due to aggravating his injury.[32]

Return to Leeds

On 14 May 2010, Sheehan was placed on the transfer list at Leeds United and told to find a new club following the end of his loan spell at Swindon. He was demoted from squad number 11 to squad number 34 and didn't play a single match for Leeds' first team during the 2010–11 pre-season friendlies.[33]

Swindon Town

On 31 August 2010, Sheehan returned to Swindon on a one-year contract for what was believed to be a free transfer and was given the number 21 shirt.[34] He was expected to face competition for the left back spot from Michael Rose who was signed from Stockport County earlier in the summer.[35]

Notts County

On 3 June 2011, Sheehan signed for League One club Notts County on a two-year contract.[36] He impressed with his attacking role from left-back, and his set pieces – particularly free-kicks. Sheehan had a brief spell under Notts' manager Martin Allen at Leicester City. On 2 July 2013, Sheehan signed a two-year contract extension.[37] Sheehan was made club captain during the 2013–14 campaign; his performances also hadn't gone unnoticed, Sheehan was awarded the player of the year towards the end of season.[38]

Bradford City

On 19 June 2014, Sheehan signed for League One club Bradford City on a free transfer.[39] Sheehan scored a penalty on his league debut, a 3–2 home win over Coventry City.[40]

On 26 March 2015, Sheehan moved on loan to League One club Peterborough United until the end of 2014–15.[41]

After making two league appearances for Bradford at the beginning of 2015–16, Sheehan returned to Notts County on a three-month loan before briefly returning to Bradford City in January 2016.[42]

Luton Town

On 22 January 2016, Sheehan signed for League Two club Luton Town on loan until the end of 2015–16.[43] He scored a volley, his only goal for the club in a 1–1 draw with Yeovil Town on 2 February 2016.[44] Sheehan played in every match, making 20 league appearances for the club during his loan spell.[45]

On 25 May 2016, Sheehan signed a permanent two-year contract with Luton, effective from 1 July 2016.[46]

International career

Sheehan has made many appearances for his country at under 19 level and was also called up by the Football Association of Ireland to attend a training camp before making his international debut for the under 21s against Israel U21 in June 2005.

Career statistics

As of match played 8 August 2017
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leicester City 2004–05[47] Championship 100000—10
2005–06[48] Championship 200020—40
2006–07[49] Championship 000000—00
2007–08[50] Championship 2011031—242
Total 2311051—292
Mansfield Town (loan) 2006–07[49] League Two 100—001[lower-alpha 1]0110
Leeds United (loan) 2007–08[50] League One 101———101
Leeds United 2008–09[51] League One 11110101[lower-alpha 1]0141
2009–10[52] League One 00—00—00
Total 212101010242
Crewe Alexandra (loan) 2008–09[51] League One 30———30
Oldham Athletic (loan) 2009–10[52] League One 81——1[lower-alpha 1]091
Swindon Town (loan) 2009–10[52] League One 23120—1[lower-alpha 2]0261
Swindon Town 2010–11[53] League One 211200000231
Total 442400010492
Notts County 2011–12[54] League One 392411000443
2012–13[55] League One 33020102[lower-alpha 1]0380
2013–14[56] League One 42710101[lower-alpha 1]0457
Total 114971303012710
Bradford City 2014–15[57] League One 23130201[lower-alpha 1]0291
2015–16[45] League One 20—100030
Total 251303010321
Peterborough United (loan) 2014–15[57] League One 20———20
Notts County (loan) 2015–16[45] League Two 14210——152
Luton Town (loan) 2015–16[45] League Two 201———201
Luton Town 2016–17[58] League Two 34230004[lower-alpha 3]1413
2017–18[59] League Two 1000100020
Total 553301041634
Career total 3192120113112136424
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ↑ Appearance in League One play-offs
  3. ↑ Two appearances and one goal in EFL Trophy, two appearances in League Two play-offs

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 376. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ↑ "Leicester 4–1 Watford". BBC Sport. 25 August 2007. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  3. ↑ "Nottingham Forest 2–3 Leicester". BBC Sport. 18 September 2007. Retrieved 20 September 2007.
  4. ↑ "Bristol City 0–2 Leicester". BBC Sport. 24 November 2007. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  5. ↑ "Team of the Week (26/11/2007)" (PDF). The Football League. 26 November 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 August 2012.
  6. ↑ "Leeds land Michalik and Foxes duo". BBC Sport. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  7. ↑ "Leeds 0–2 Tranmere". BBC Sport. 2 February 2008. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  8. ↑ "Sheehan explains Leeds loan move". BBC Sport. 5 February 2008. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  9. ↑ "Doncaster 0–1 Leeds". BBC Sport. 2 April 2008. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  10. ↑ "Yeovil 0–1 Leeds". BBC Sport. 25 April 2008. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  11. ↑ "Sheehan signs". Leeds United F.C. Archived from the original on 31 July 2008.
  12. ↑ "Leeds 5–2 Crewe". BBC Sport. 6 September 2008. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  13. ↑ "Swindon 1–3 Leeds". BBC Sport. 13 September 2008. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  14. ↑ "Rotherham 4–2 Leeds". BBC Sport. 8 October 2008. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  15. ↑ "Sheehan joins Crewe on loan". Leeds United Mad. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  16. ↑ "MK Dons 2–2 Crewe". BBC Sport. 24 March 2009. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  17. ↑ "Oldham 0–3 Hartlepool". BBC Sport. 4 September 2009. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  18. ↑ "Bristol Rovers 1–0 Oldham". BBC Sport. 12 September 2009. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  19. ↑ "Oldham 2–0 Carlisle". BBC Sport. 19 September 2009. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  20. ↑ "Oldham 2–1 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 29 September 2009. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  21. ↑ "Latics look to extend loan deal". Oldham Evening Chronicle. 28 September 2009. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  22. ↑ "Sheehan staying with Latics". Sky Sports. 2 October 2009. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  23. ↑ "Latics swoop for Palace duo". Sky Sports. 5 November 2009. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  24. ↑ "Swindon complete two loan deals". BBC Sport. 27 November 2009. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  25. ↑ "Wrexham 0–1 Swindon". BBC Sport. 28 November 2009. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  26. ↑ "Swindon 3–2 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. 5 December 2009. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  27. ↑ "Leeds defender Alan Sheehan extends Swindon Town loan". BBC Sport. 6 January 2010. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  28. ↑ "Leeds United 2–1 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 8 May 2010. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  29. ↑ "Millwall 3–2 Swindon". BBC Sport. 8 May 2010. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  30. ↑ "Swindon 2–1 Charlton". BBC Sport. 14 May 2010. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  31. ↑ "Charlton 2–1 Swindon (agg 3–3)". BBC Sport. 17 May 2010. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  32. ↑ "Millwall 1–0 Swindon". BBC Sport. 29 May 2010. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  33. ↑ "Sheehan set for Palace". Leeds United Mad. 9 August 2010. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  34. ↑ "Swindon Town re-sign Leeds United defender Alan Sheehan". BBC Sport. 31 August 2010. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  35. ↑ "Swindon Town complete the signing of Michael Rose". BBC Sport. 30 June 2010. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  36. ↑ "Defender Alan Sheehan signs Notts County deal". BBC Sport. 3 June 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  37. ↑ "Notts County sign Mustapha Dumbuya and Alan Sheehan". BBC Sport. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  38. ↑ "Sheehan voted Supporters Club Player of the Year". Notts County F.C. Supporters Club. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  39. ↑ "Bradford City sign defender Alan Sheehan from Notts County". BBC Sport. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  40. ↑ "Bradford City 3–2 Coventry City". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  41. ↑ "Peterborough United sign Sheehan, Pearson and Williams". BBC Sport. 26 March 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  42. ↑ "Notts County: Jack Barmby and Alan Sheehan join on loan". BBC Sport. 25 September 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  43. ↑ "Alan Sheehan: Luton Town sign Bradford City defender". BBC Sport. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  44. ↑ "Luton Town 1–1 Yeovil Town". BBC Sport. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  45. 1 2 3 4 "Games played by Alan Sheehan in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  46. ↑ "Alan Sheehan: Luton Town sign Bradford City defender". BBC Sport. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  47. ↑ "Games played by Alan Sheehan in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  48. ↑ "Games played by Alan Sheehan in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  49. 1 2 "Games played by Alan Sheehan in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  50. 1 2 "Games played by Alan Sheehan in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  51. 1 2 "Games played by Alan Sheehan in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  52. 1 2 3 "Games played by Alan Sheehan in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  53. ↑ "Games played by Alan Sheehan in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  54. ↑ "Games played by Alan Sheehan in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  55. ↑ "Games played by Alan Sheehan in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  56. ↑ "Games played by Alan Sheehan in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  57. 1 2 "Games played by Alan Sheehan in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  58. ↑ "Games played by Alan Sheehan in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  59. ↑ "Games played by Alan Sheehan in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
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