Joe Mason
Encyclopedia
Joseph "Joe" Mason is an Irish
footballer who plays for Cardiff City
as a striker.
at the age of 10. He was a regular scorer for the youth team and made the step up to reserve team football with similar ease, playing his part as the club won the Totesport.com Combination in 2009, with Mason as the club's top goalscorer. He signed his first professional contract with the club in May 2009, and immediately set about breaking into the club's first team, describing becoming a professional as a very proud moment.
He began the 2009–10 season
training with the first-team squad and again featured regularly for the club's reserves. He made his competitive debut, and his first start, for the club against Sheffield United
at Home Park
on 5 December 2009, playing for 65 minutes before being replaced by Craig Noone
to a standing ovation. He signed an extension to his contract with the club in January 2010 until the summer of 2012, with Paul Mariner
commenting that the youngster has a very bright future. He scored his first senior goal in the return fixture against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane
on 27 February 2010.
side Cardiff City
agreed a £250,000 transfer fee for Mason. Two days later the deal was completed and he signed a three year deal with the Welsh
club. Mason made his debut for Cardiff in a 1–0 win at West Ham United
on 7 August 2011, replacing Craig Conway as a second half substitute. He scored his first goal for Cardiff City against Barnsley on 22 October. He made his first start on 17 August in a home match against Brighton & Hove Albion
, which Cardiff lost 3–1. Mason scored his first goal for the club on 22 October, in a 5-3 victory over Barnsley
. His next goal came three days later in the League Cup
, the goal against Burnley
meant that Cardiff reached their first League Cup quarter final since 1965. Mason scored his third goal for Cardiff in a Championship fixture against Leeds United
.
, Mason qualifies to represent the Republic of Ireland
because his mother comes from County Mayo
. He represented his country at Under-18 level before being called up to the Under-19 squad for the Four-Nation tournament and their qualifying games in the UEFA Under-19 European Championships
. He played in their 2–0 win against Turkey, and their 1–0 defeat to Portugal
as the Irish finished second, behind Netherlands
. He scored twice for the Republic in their 5–0 win against San Marino, and played a crucial role in their 2–0 win against Albania
. The Irish finished second in Group 1, behind Italy
, who both qualify for the Elite round which takes place in May 2010.
Mason received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland U21 squad in July 2010. He made his Republic of Ireland U21 debut on 3 September 2010 against Switzerland
.
before being released in July 2008.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
footballer who plays for Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
as a striker.
Plymouth Argyle
Mason began his career as a youth player with home-town club Plymouth ArgylePlymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
at the age of 10. He was a regular scorer for the youth team and made the step up to reserve team football with similar ease, playing his part as the club won the Totesport.com Combination in 2009, with Mason as the club's top goalscorer. He signed his first professional contract with the club in May 2009, and immediately set about breaking into the club's first team, describing becoming a professional as a very proud moment.
He began the 2009–10 season
2009–10 in English football
The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...
training with the first-team squad and again featured regularly for the club's reserves. He made his competitive debut, and his first start, for the club against Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
at Home Park
Home Park
Home Park is an all-seater football stadium in the Central Park area of Plymouth, England, and is the home of Football League Two club Plymouth Argyle. The ground, given the nickname the Theatre of Greens by the club's supporters, has been Argyle's permanent residence since 1901...
on 5 December 2009, playing for 65 minutes before being replaced by Craig Noone
Craig Noone
Craig Stephen Noone is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion as a winger, having previously played for Skelmersdale United, Burscough, Southport, Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City....
to a standing ovation. He signed an extension to his contract with the club in January 2010 until the summer of 2012, with Paul Mariner
Paul Mariner
Paul Mariner is an English football coach, manager, and retired player, who is currently with Toronto FC.A striker during his playing days, Mariner began his career with Chorley. He became a professional player in 1973 with Plymouth Argyle, where he scored 61 goals in 155 appearances and is...
commenting that the youngster has a very bright future. He scored his first senior goal in the return fixture against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane
Bramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
on 27 February 2010.
Cardiff City
On 8 July 2011, ChampionshipFootball League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
agreed a £250,000 transfer fee for Mason. Two days later the deal was completed and he signed a three year deal with the Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
club. Mason made his debut for Cardiff in a 1–0 win at West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
on 7 August 2011, replacing Craig Conway as a second half substitute. He scored his first goal for Cardiff City against Barnsley on 22 October. He made his first start on 17 August in a home match against Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
, which Cardiff lost 3–1. Mason scored his first goal for the club on 22 October, in a 5-3 victory over Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
. His next goal came three days later in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
, the goal against Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
meant that Cardiff reached their first League Cup quarter final since 1965. Mason scored his third goal for Cardiff in a Championship fixture against Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
.
International career
Despite being born and bred in EnglandEngland national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
, Mason qualifies to represent the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
because his mother comes from County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
. He represented his country at Under-18 level before being called up to the Under-19 squad for the Four-Nation tournament and their qualifying games in the UEFA Under-19 European Championships
UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
The European Under 19 Football Championship is an annual football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. The competition has been held since 1948. It was originally called the FIFA junior tournament, until it was taken over by UEFA in 1955...
. He played in their 2–0 win against Turkey, and their 1–0 defeat to Portugal
Portugal national under-19 football team
-Current squad:*The following players have been called up to participate in the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Qualifying round.*National team caps and goals correct as of 8 November 2009.*Please note some of these players play for their club's reserve team....
as the Irish finished second, behind Netherlands
Netherlands national under-19 football team
The Netherlands national under-19 football team represents the Netherlands at this age level and is governed by the Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond — KNVB...
. He scored twice for the Republic in their 5–0 win against San Marino, and played a crucial role in their 2–0 win against Albania
Albania national under-19 football team
The Albania national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of Albania controlled by Football Association of Albania-Goalkeepers:-Defenders:-Midfielders:-Strikers:-Recent results:--------...
. The Irish finished second in Group 1, behind Italy
Italy national under-19 football team
The Italy national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of Italy and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation.The team competes in the UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship, held every year....
, who both qualify for the Elite round which takes place in May 2010.
Mason received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland U21 squad in July 2010. He made his Republic of Ireland U21 debut on 3 September 2010 against Switzerland
Switzerland national under-21 football team
The Switzerland national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Switzerland and is controlled by the Swiss Football Association...
.
Personal life
Mason attended St Boniface's Catholic College. His older brother, Anthony, also progressed through the youth system at Plymouth ArgylePlymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
before being released in July 2008.
Career statistics
| Club Performance | |League | |Domestic Cup | |League Cup | |Other | |Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| England | |League | |FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... | |League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... | |Other | |Total | |||||||
| 2009–10 2009–10 Plymouth Argyle F.C. season The 2009–10 season was the 115th season in the history of Plymouth Argyle Football Club, their 85th in the Football League, and 41st in the second tier of the English football league system. Their 21st place finish in the 2008–09 season meant it was their sixth successive season playing in the... |
Plymouth Argyle Plymouth Argyle F.C. Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the... |
Championship Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
19 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 3 |
| 2010–11 2010–11 Plymouth Argyle F.C. season Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English association football club based in Plymouth, Devon. The 2010–11 season is their 108th as a professional club, their 86th as a member of the Football League and 39th in the third tier of the English football league system... |
League One Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... |
34 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 7 | |
| 2011–12 2011–12 Cardiff City F.C. season The 2011–12 season is Cardiff City's 85th in the Football League after joining in 1920. Cardiff are in their eighth consecutive season in the second tier of English football... |
Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
Championship Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 4 |
| Total | 67 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 71 | 14 | ||