John Oster
Encyclopedia
John Morgan Oster is an English
born Welsh
international
footballer, who plays as a midfielder
for Football League Championship
club Doncaster Rovers
. Oster progressed through the youth ranks at Grimsby Town
before moving on to Premier League Everton
. He went on to feature for Sunderland
and Barnsley
before returning to Grimsby on loan, from there on he has also featured with Leeds United
, Burnley
, Reading
and Crystal Palace
.
and had progressed through the youth ranks at the club and was inducted into the first team in the same youth squad as players such as Danny Butterfield
, Matthew Bloomer
and Daryl Clare
. He was promoted to the first team scene in the 1996-1997 season when the club were in the second tier of English football. Initially thrust into a relegation battle that was ultimately unsuccessfl and while in his only first team season at Blundell Park
he was seemingly thrown in at the deep end by his manager Brian Laws
, but managed to pull of some outstanding performances, netting 3 league goals in the process. He also managed to score a 30 yard drive in the FA Cup
defeat against Sheffield Wednesday
. Following Grimsby's relegation from the First Division, Oster was sold by The Mariners, for a fee of £1.5 million that saw him break the clubs record transfer sale that was initially held by Gary Croft
following his move to Blackburn Rovers
for £1 million a year earlier. Oster's transfer fee still remains the clubs record transfer fee received.
for £1.5 million in 1997, aged only 18 and having played only 25 matches. It transpired that he had made the wrong move though, as he was rarely utilised in his favoured winger's role, in a 4–4–2 formation, but instead was asked to play as part of a midfield three, or in a Barmby/Beardsley style role alongside Duncan Ferguson. Everton's 3–5–2 formations under Walter Smith did not suit the fragile young winger, who was often caught in possession, and exposed in aerial battles. Oster scored three times during his spell at Everton, once in the league against Barnsley, once in the League Cup against Scunthorpe United and once in the FA Cup against Coventry City.
for a fee in excess of £1 million, but again failed to find regular form. His low point at the club was when he was involved in an incident that ended the career of reserve player Mark Maley
by accidentally shooting him in the eye with an air rifle. While at Sunderland, during the 2002–2003 season, he spent five months back on loan with his former club Grimsby Town
. He enjoyed two fruitful and productive spells with the club during that season, but despite this his goals and performances could not save The Mariners from relegation, as the club struggled to stop a slide down the Football League ladder. Oster was released by Sunderland in January 2005, shortly after returning to the Black Cats in disgrace from a loan at Leeds United
, where he scored once against Millwall. There was little doubt that Grimsby would have liked Oster back but could not afford him and their financial position and reduced league status made it an unattractive option for the player.
, where he scored once against Coventry, Oster joined Reading
on 2 August 2005.
on 9 August 2005 as a substitute
. In January 2007, he extended his contract at the Madejski Stadium
until the summer of 2008. He notched his first Premier League goal in nearly 10 years against Middlesbrough
at the Riverside Stadium
where the Royals were defeated for the first time in 2007, 2–1. After a couple of years as a squad player with the Royals, including a number of Premier League sub appearances, he was released by Reading following their relegation from the Premier League, on 16 May 2008.
. Oster signed an initial six month contract for Crystal Palace
on 11 August 2008, which was extended by a further 18 months. He scored on his debut against Hereford United
in the League Cup
.
in the summer and joined Doncaster Rovers
on a six month contract. Oster made his Doncaster debut on 8 August 2009, coming on as a second-half substitute against Watford
. He extended his contract in January 2010 to keep him at the club until the end of the 2009/10 season. He scored his first goal for Doncaster against Peterborough United on 16 March 2010.
Due to his impressive form in the 2009/10 season, Rovers offered Oster the opportunity to renew his contract with the club. Oster agreed and committed to Doncaster for a further 2 years. Oster has been an ever present for Doncaster in the 2010/11 season after topping the Rovers' appearance chart in mid April with 38 starts. He produced one of his better performances for Doncaster in their impressive 1-1 draw with relegation rivals Preston North End, Oster later saying that staying up, Was in Doncaster's hands.
, his last cap for Wales
being the 2–2 draw with Northern Ireland
in 2004 under previous boss Mark Hughes
.
England
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...
born 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...
international
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
footballer, who plays as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
for Football League 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...
club Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
. Oster progressed through the youth ranks at Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
before moving on to Premier League Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
. He went on to feature for Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
and 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...
before returning to Grimsby on loan, from there on he has also featured with 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...
, 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...
, Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
and Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
.
Grimsby Town
Oster started his career at Grimsby TownGrimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
and had progressed through the youth ranks at the club and was inducted into the first team in the same youth squad as players such as Danny Butterfield
Danny Butterfield
Daniel Paul "Danny" Butterfield is an English professional footballer who plays for Southampton. He has previously played for Grimsby Town, Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic in The Championship. He has also represented Palace in the Premier League. He is primarily utilised as a right back...
, Matthew Bloomer
Matthew Bloomer
Matthew "Matty" Brian Bloomer is an English professional footballer who plays in the Conference North for Harrogate Town. He plays as a centre back or right back, but can also play in a variety of positions...
and Daryl Clare
Daryl Clare
Daryl Adam Clare is a Jersey-born Irish former professional footballer. He played as a striker. He has previously played for Grimsby Town, Northampton Town, Cheltenham Town, Boston United, Chester City, Crawley Town, Burton Albion, Rushden & Diamonds, Mansfield Town and Gateshead. He has twice won...
. He was promoted to the first team scene in the 1996-1997 season when the club were in the second tier of English football. Initially thrust into a relegation battle that was ultimately unsuccessfl and while in his only first team season at Blundell Park
Blundell Park
Blundell Park is a football ground in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England and home to Grimsby Town Football Club. The stadium was built in 1898, but only one of the original stands remain. The current capacity of the ground is 9546, though with the introduction of all seating in the late...
he was seemingly thrown in at the deep end by his manager Brian Laws
Brian Laws
Brian Laws is an English former footballer and manager, most recently of Burnley.Playing as a defender, Laws made over 100 appearances for each of Burnley, Middlesbrough, and Nottingham Forest. In 1994, Laws became player-manager of Grimsby Town before taking a similar position with Scunthorpe...
, but managed to pull of some outstanding performances, netting 3 league goals in the process. He also managed to score a 30 yard drive in the 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...
defeat against Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
. Following Grimsby's relegation from the First Division, Oster was sold by The Mariners, for a fee of £1.5 million that saw him break the clubs record transfer sale that was initially held by Gary Croft
Gary Croft
Gary Croft is a former English football player who played as a left back. He played as a professional between 1992 and 2008 notably for Grimsby Town, Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town, having also had spells with Wigan Athletic, Cardiff City and Lincoln City...
following his move to Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
for £1 million a year earlier. Oster's transfer fee still remains the clubs record transfer fee received.
Everton
The Mariners sold Oster to EvertonEverton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
for £1.5 million in 1997, aged only 18 and having played only 25 matches. It transpired that he had made the wrong move though, as he was rarely utilised in his favoured winger's role, in a 4–4–2 formation, but instead was asked to play as part of a midfield three, or in a Barmby/Beardsley style role alongside Duncan Ferguson. Everton's 3–5–2 formations under Walter Smith did not suit the fragile young winger, who was often caught in possession, and exposed in aerial battles. Oster scored three times during his spell at Everton, once in the league against Barnsley, once in the League Cup against Scunthorpe United and once in the FA Cup against Coventry City.
Sunderland
Oster moved to SunderlandSunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
for a fee in excess of £1 million, but again failed to find regular form. His low point at the club was when he was involved in an incident that ended the career of reserve player Mark Maley
Mark Maley
Mark Maley is an English former footballer who played as a defender.Maley started his career with Sunderland and progressed through the youth system at the club. He was loaned out to lower-league sides Blackpool, Northampton Town and York City, making a number of appearances in the Football League...
by accidentally shooting him in the eye with an air rifle. While at Sunderland, during the 2002–2003 season, he spent five months back on loan with his former club Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
. He enjoyed two fruitful and productive spells with the club during that season, but despite this his goals and performances could not save The Mariners from relegation, as the club struggled to stop a slide down the Football League ladder. Oster was released by Sunderland in January 2005, shortly after returning to the Black Cats in disgrace from a loan at 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...
, where he scored once against Millwall. There was little doubt that Grimsby would have liked Oster back but could not afford him and their financial position and reduced league status made it an unattractive option for the player.
Burnley
Following a short spell at BurnleyBurnley 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...
, where he scored once against Coventry, Oster joined Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
on 2 August 2005.
Reading
Oster made his debut for Reading against Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton & 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....
on 9 August 2005 as a substitute
Substitute (football)
In association football, a substitute is a player who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. Substitutions are generally made to replace a player who has become tired or injured, or who is not performing well; there may also be tactical reasons such as...
. In January 2007, he extended his contract at the Madejski Stadium
Madejski Stadium
The Madejski Stadium is a stadium in Reading, Berkshire, England. The stadium is the home of Reading Football Club and to the rugby union club London Irish as tenants. It also provides the finish for the Reading Half Marathon...
until the summer of 2008. He notched his first Premier League goal in nearly 10 years against Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
at the Riverside Stadium
Riverside Stadium
The Riverside Stadium is a football stadium in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England, which has been the home of Middlesbrough F.C. since it opened in 1995...
where the Royals were defeated for the first time in 2007, 2–1. After a couple of years as a squad player with the Royals, including a number of Premier League sub appearances, he was released by Reading following their relegation from the Premier League, on 16 May 2008.
Crystal Palace
Before Signing for Crystal Palace, Oster had a trial spell at Championship rivals Derby CountyDerby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. Oster signed an initial six month contract for Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
on 11 August 2008, which was extended by a further 18 months. He scored on his debut against Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
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...
.
Doncaster Rovers
Oster left Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
in the summer and joined Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
on a six month contract. Oster made his Doncaster debut on 8 August 2009, coming on as a second-half substitute against Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
. He extended his contract in January 2010 to keep him at the club until the end of the 2009/10 season. He scored his first goal for Doncaster against Peterborough United on 16 March 2010.
Due to his impressive form in the 2009/10 season, Rovers offered Oster the opportunity to renew his contract with the club. Oster agreed and committed to Doncaster for a further 2 years. Oster has been an ever present for Doncaster in the 2010/11 season after topping the Rovers' appearance chart in mid April with 38 starts. He produced one of his better performances for Doncaster in their impressive 1-1 draw with relegation rivals Preston North End, Oster later saying that staying up, Was in Doncaster's hands.
Club career statistics
- (correct as of 21 March 2009)
Club Season League Cup Europe UEFAThe Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....Play-Offs Total Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Grimsby Grimsby Town F.C.Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...1996–97 1996-97 in English footballThe 1996–1997 season was the 117th season of competitive football in England.Arrival into the league and exit out of the league returns in the fourth tier for the first time after its 3 season absence with only 1 relegation spot.- Premier League :...24 3 ? 1 1 ? 25 4 ? Total 1996–1997 24 3 ? 1 1 ? 25 4 ? Everton Everton F.C.Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...1997–98 1997-98 in English footballThe 1997-1998 season was the 118th season of competitive football in England.-Premier League:Arsenal overhauled Manchester United's lead during the final weeks of the season to win the Premiership title...31 1 ? 4 1 ? 35 2 ? Everton Everton F.C.Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...1998–99 1998-99 in English football-Premier League:Manchester United overcame close competition from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea to win their fifth Premiership title in seven seasons thanks to the comeback of Roy Keane after his long-term injury and a transfer raid totalling nearly £30 million which netted Aston Villa striker...9 0 ? 5 1 ? 14 1 ? Total 1997–2000 40 1 ? 9 2 ? 49 3 ? Sunderland 1999 1999-2000 in English football-Premier League:Manchester United were crowned FA Premier League champions with an 18-point margin over runners-up Arsenal and with just 3 league defeats all season. This was despite their failure to retain the European Cup and withdrawal from the FA Cup in order to compete in the FIFA Club World...10 0 ? 3 0 ? 13 0 ? Sunderland 2000–01 2000-01 in English footballThe 2000–01 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Manchester United secured their 3rd Premiership title in succession and their 7th title in just nine seasons...8 0 ? 6 1 ? 14 1 ? Total 2000–2001 18 0 ? 9 1 ? 27 1 ? 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...
(loan)2001–02 2001-02 in English footballThe 2001-02 season was the 122nd season of competitive football in England.-Arsenal cruise to title glory:In what had earlier been one of the most closely fought Premiership title races for years, Arsenal won the championship by seven points. Their crown was won in the penultimate game of the...2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 Total 2001–02 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 Grimsby Grimsby Town F.C.Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
(loan)2002–03 2002-03 in English footballThe 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable...17 6 0 0 0 0 17 6 0 Total 2002–03 17 6 0 0 0 0 17 6 0 Sunderland 2002–03 2002-03 in English footballThe 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable...3 0 0 2 0 0 5 0 0 Sunderland 2003–04 2003-04 in English footballThe 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game....38 5 6 8 0 0 2 0 0 48 5 6 Sunderland 2004–05 2004-05 in English footballThe 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...9 0 1 2 0 0 11 0 1 Total 2002–2005 50 5 7 12 0 0 2 0 0 61 5 7 Leeds (loan) 2004–05 2004-05 in English footballThe 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...8 1 1 0 0 0 8 0 1 Total 2004–2005 8 1 1 0 0 0 8 1 1 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...2004–05 2004-05 in English footballThe 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...15 1 2 3 0 0 18 1 2 Total 2004–2005 15 1 2 3 0 0 18 1 2 Reading Reading F.C.Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...2005–06 2005-06 in English footballThe 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...33 1 4 8 1 2 41 2 6 Reading Reading F.C.Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...2006–07 2006-07 in English footballThe 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...25 1 1 6 0 1 31 1 2 Reading Reading F.C.Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...2007–08 2007-08 in English footballThe 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...18 0 2 0 0 0 18 0 2 Total 2005–2008 76 2 7 14 1 3 90 3 10 Crystal Palace Crystal Palace F.C.Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...2008–09 31 3 3 2 1 0 33 4 3 Total 2008– 31 3 3 2 1 0 33 4 3 Career totals 281 22 20 50 6 3 2 0 0 333 28 23
International career
Oster did not play in any games under John ToshackJohn Toshack
John Benjamin Toshack OBE is a Welsh former footballer and manager. He is currently the manager of Macedonia. He has also managed several others clubs including Swansea City, who he took from the Fourth Division to the First in four seasons.As a player, he is remembered for being part of the...
, his last cap for Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
being the 2–2 draw with Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
in 2004 under previous boss Mark Hughes
Mark Hughes
Leslie Mark Hughes, OBE , is a former Welsh international footballer. As an international footballer, he made 72 appearances and scored 16 goals....
.