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David Freeman (Irish footballer)
Encyclopedia
David Freeman is an Irish
footballer who last played for League of Ireland Premier Division side Drogheda United. He plays as a striker or in central-midfield.
Freeman spent seven years as a footballer in England before he returned to his native Ireland in 2003, since then he turned out for numerous clubs.
with Nottingham Forest
, joining the club in 1996. Freeman went on to sign professional terms with the former European champions
but only made limited appearances during his tenure at the City Ground
. He also had a loan spell with Port Vale
in 2000 during his time at Forest. Despite early promise, Freeman was released by Forest in 2002, a knee injury had restricted the already limited opportunities he had to impress the Forest management. Freeman went on to have short spells with Carlisle United
and Ilkeston Town
before returning to Ireland by signing for St Patrick's Athletic
in 2003.
Freeman spent one season with the Saints, but his sole season will largely remembered for scoring the winning goal for Pats in the 2003 League of Ireland Cup Final against Longford Town
. Freeman also made an appearance for the Saints in that seasons FAI Cup
final, a match Pats lost to Longford Town. Freeman joined Drogheda United for the 2004 season on a professional contract and became a regular figure for the Drogs. The 2005 season though saw Freeman struggle to retain his regular place in the Drogs first team and as a result, Freeman joined First Division promotion contenders Dublin City
in July 2005, initially on loan. Freeman went on to sign permanently for the Vikings and was instrumental in their successful promotion that season. Freeman began the 2006 season back in the Premier Division with Dublin City, but City folded in July 2006 due to financial difficulties. As a result, Freeman became a free agent
and would soon sign for Longford Town
. Freeman became a regular figure in the Longford team but struggled to find the back of the net only scoring 2 goals for the Flancare Park
club. Freeman's 2007 campaign was prematurely halted by the diagnosis of a heart condition. He did not play again that season and he departed Longford at the end of that season. Freeman signed for Shelbourne
in December 2007 on condition of receiving the all-clear from his medics.
Freeman made his Shelbourne
debut in a scoreless draw against Dundalk
at Tolka Park
on 7 March 2008. He scored his first Shelbourne goal a week later during a 3–1 victory over Kildare County
at Station Road
on 14 March 2008. He finished as a First Division runner-up with Shels in the 2008 season and he made 31 league and cup appearances, scoring eight goals in the process. Freeman departed Shels at the end of the season to join Monaghan United on 27 January 2009.
Freeman re-joined Longford Town in January 2010, but was released at the end of the 2010 season. He returned to another former club, Drogheda United, for their 2011 Premier Division campaign
. He made his return debut on the first match of the season ending in a 1-0 defeat to U.C.D. He scored his first goal for Drogheda against Derry city on the 18/3/11 by scoring a late penalty to equalize the game that would end 2-2.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
footballer who last played for League of Ireland Premier Division side Drogheda United. He plays as a striker or in central-midfield.
Freeman spent seven years as a footballer in England before he returned to his native Ireland in 2003, since then he turned out for numerous clubs.
Playing career
Freeman began his career in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
with Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
, joining the club in 1996. Freeman went on to sign professional terms with the former European champions
European Champion Clubs' Cup
The European Champion Clubs' Cup, also known as Coupe des Clubs Champions Européens, or simply the European Cup, is a trophy awarded annually by UEFA to the football club that wins the UEFA Champions League...
but only made limited appearances during his tenure at the City Ground
City Ground
The City Ground is a football stadium in the West Bridgford area of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, on the banks of the River Trent. It has been home to Nottingham Forest Football Club since 1898, and has a capacity of 30,602 ....
. He also had a loan spell with Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in 2000 during his time at Forest. Despite early promise, Freeman was released by Forest in 2002, a knee injury had restricted the already limited opportunities he had to impress the Forest management. Freeman went on to have short spells with Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
and Ilkeston Town
Ilkeston Town F.C.
Ilkeston Football Club is an English football club based at the New Manor Ground in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.-History:The club was established in 1894 as Ilkeston Town F.C.....
before returning to Ireland by signing for St Patrick's Athletic
St Patrick's Athletic F.C.
St Patrick's Athletic Football Club is a football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Founded in 1929, they are based in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore and play their home matches at Richmond Park. They have won the League of Ireland title 7 times and...
in 2003.
Freeman spent one season with the Saints, but his sole season will largely remembered for scoring the winning goal for Pats in the 2003 League of Ireland Cup Final against Longford Town
Longford Town F.C.
Longford Town F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the League of Ireland First Division. The club, founded in 1924 and elected to the league in 1984, hails from Longford, County Longford and play their home matches at Flancare Park...
. Freeman also made an appearance for the Saints in that seasons FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
final, a match Pats lost to Longford Town. Freeman joined Drogheda United for the 2004 season on a professional contract and became a regular figure for the Drogs. The 2005 season though saw Freeman struggle to retain his regular place in the Drogs first team and as a result, Freeman joined First Division promotion contenders Dublin City
Dublin City F.C.
Dublin City Football Club was an Irish association football club that played in the League of Ireland. They were formed in 1999 after a split within Home Farm Everton and they originally played as Home Farm Fingal before changing their name for the 2001–02 season...
in July 2005, initially on loan. Freeman went on to sign permanently for the Vikings and was instrumental in their successful promotion that season. Freeman began the 2006 season back in the Premier Division with Dublin City, but City folded in July 2006 due to financial difficulties. As a result, Freeman became a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
and would soon sign for Longford Town
Longford Town F.C.
Longford Town F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the League of Ireland First Division. The club, founded in 1924 and elected to the league in 1984, hails from Longford, County Longford and play their home matches at Flancare Park...
. Freeman became a regular figure in the Longford team but struggled to find the back of the net only scoring 2 goals for the Flancare Park
Flancare Park
Flancare Park is a soccer stadium in Longford, Ireland. It is the home stadium of League of Ireland side Longford Town F.C.. Flancare Park has also held numerous international underage matches. The stadium underwent a huge redevelopment at the end of 2000/2001 season...
club. Freeman's 2007 campaign was prematurely halted by the diagnosis of a heart condition. He did not play again that season and he departed Longford at the end of that season. Freeman signed for Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
in December 2007 on condition of receiving the all-clear from his medics.
Freeman made his Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
debut in a scoreless draw against Dundalk
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
at Tolka Park
Tolka Park
Tolka Park is an Irish football ground located in the north Dublin suburb of Drumcondra, on the northern banks of the River Tolka. It is currently the home ground of League of Ireland club Shelbourne...
on 7 March 2008. He scored his first Shelbourne goal a week later during a 3–1 victory over Kildare County
Kildare County F.C.
Kildare County F.C. was an Irish football club that played in the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 2002, hailed from Newbridge, County Kildare and played their home matches at Station Road. Their club colours were white and black.- 2001/2002 :...
at Station Road
Station Road, Newbridge
Station Road is a football park located in Newbridge, County Kildare. It is home to Leinster Senior League outfit Newbridge Town F.C.. It was also the home of now defunct Eircom League Division One side Kildare County F.C.....
on 14 March 2008. He finished as a First Division runner-up with Shels in the 2008 season and he made 31 league and cup appearances, scoring eight goals in the process. Freeman departed Shels at the end of the season to join Monaghan United on 27 January 2009.
Freeman re-joined Longford Town in January 2010, but was released at the end of the 2010 season. He returned to another former club, Drogheda United, for their 2011 Premier Division campaign
2011 League of Ireland
The Premier Division consists of ten teams. Each team plays every other team four times, twice at home and twice away, for a total of 36 matches.-Teams:...
. He made his return debut on the first match of the season ending in a 1-0 defeat to U.C.D. He scored his first goal for Drogheda against Derry city on the 18/3/11 by scoring a late penalty to equalize the game that would end 2-2.