Paul Connolly
Encyclopedia
Paul Connolly is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship
club Leeds United
as a right back, having previously played for Plymouth Argyle
, Bideford, Derby County
and Sheffield United
.
, and made his league debut in the final game of the 2000–01
season. Connolly was a first team regular from 2003 onwards, helping the team to gain promotion to the First Division
in 2003–04
. He scored his first and only goal for Plymouth against Norwich
on 10 November 2007.
season, and on 15 May 2008 he moved to Derby County
on a free transfer. Connolly later revealed that "I was becoming stale, it's a lovely part of the world [Plymouth] but it's time to move on, the enjoyment was going... I left because I felt I was losing that edge, I've been in a comfort zone."
Connolly made his Derby debut as a substitute in an opening day home defeat to Doncaster Rovers
. Despite initial being kept out of the starting line-up by Tyrone Mears
, the latter's move to Marseille
on loan ensure Connolly became the club's first choice right back and, later appointed team captain by manager Paul Jewell
. He finished the season with 49 league and cup appearances, only behind Rob Hulse
in terms of most appearances for the club during the 2008–09 campaign and scored one goal – a last minute header to equalise in a 1–1 draw with Burnley
on April 4. Connolly made his 200th career league appearance three weeks later in a 2–0 home defeat against Reading
.
In August 2009, Robbie Savage
was appointed Derby Captain by Nigel Clough
, who had replaced Paul Jewell after he had resigned in December 2008. Clough stated that he wanted Connolly to "concentrate on his own game. (He) was quite relieved in some ways because it is a big responsibility, especially when you are at full-back and out of the action.". Although Connolly started the 2009–10 season
as first choice right back he eventually fell down the pecking order as Clough deciding to bring in his own players and as a result bought in Premier League rightbacks from Fulham
and Bolton Wanderers
in the shape of Fredrik Stoor
and Nicky Hunt
respectively.
after having made seven appearances for The Blades.
, coming on in the second half to make his first appearance in three months. Following the end of the season, Connolly was linked with moves to Leeds United
and Sheffield United
with Leeds agreeing a 3-year deal with the defender ahead of a medical on June 2, 2010.
on a free transfer. He joined on a three-year contract and was the third arrival of the summer, joining Kasper Schmeichel
and Billy Paynter
. Delighted United boss Simon Grayson
said: "Paul brings plenty of experience and know-how to the squad." Connolly was given the number 2 shirt, displacing Jason Crowe
who had previously occupied the shirt number. He made his Leeds debut in the first game of the season against his old club Derby County
on 7 August 2010 which ended in a 2–1 defeat. Connolly missed his first game for Leeds when a hamstring injury ruled him out of the game against Doncaster Rovers. Manager Simon Grayson revealed in his pre match press conference against Sheffield United that Connolly would miss the match against Sheffield through injury, and also the matches against Preston and Ipswich. Connolly stepped up his comeback trail when he played for Leeds reserves against Scunthorpe reserves.
Connolly returned to Leeds' starting lineup after injury against Middlesbrough. On 8 January, Connolly helped earn Leeds a 1–1 draw against Arsenal
, Leeds were 1-0 up when Robert Snodgrass
scored a second half penalty, Arsenal
equalised in the 90th minute when Cesc Fabregas
scored a penalty. Connolly was ruled out for several games with injury and lost his place in the Leeds side to Eric Lichaj
, however once Connolly recovered from injury he returned to the Leeds side and Lichaj was moved to the left back position.
. Connolly was substituted against Bradford City and his replacement Tom Lees
made an impressive impact, which meant that Connolly was dropped for the following matches
After a spell out of the squad, Connolly returned to Leeds' starting 11 against Portsmouth
on 1 October at right back with Tom Lees
moving back into the centre back position, Leeds also kept their first clean sheet of the season in the same game.
Football League Trophy
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 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...
as a right back, having previously played for 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...
, Bideford, Derby County
Derby 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...
and 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...
.
Plymouth Argyle
Connolly came through the youth ranks 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...
, and made his league debut in the final game of the 2000–01
2000-01 in English football
The 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...
season. Connolly was a first team regular from 2003 onwards, helping the team to gain promotion to the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
in 2003–04
2003-04 in English football
The 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game....
. He scored his first and only goal for Plymouth against Norwich
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
on 10 November 2007.
Derby County
Connolly's contract expired at the end of the 2007–082007-08 in English football
The 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...
season, and on 15 May 2008 he moved to Derby County
Derby 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...
on a free transfer. Connolly later revealed that "I was becoming stale, it's a lovely part of the world [Plymouth] but it's time to move on, the enjoyment was going... I left because I felt I was losing that edge, I've been in a comfort zone."
Connolly made his Derby debut as a substitute in an opening day home defeat to 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...
. Despite initial being kept out of the starting line-up by Tyrone Mears
Tyrone Mears
Tyrone Mears is an English professional footballer of Sierra Leonean descent who currently plays as a right-back for Bolton Wanderers. His previous clubs include Preston North End, West Ham United, Derby County, Olympique de Marseille and Burnley...
, the latter's move to Marseille
Marseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
on loan ensure Connolly became the club's first choice right back and, later appointed team captain by manager Paul Jewell
Paul Jewell
Paul Steven Jewell is a former English footballer who is currently the manager of Ipswich Town.His playing career started with Liverpool before moving to Wigan Athletic and then a ten-year spell with Bradford City...
. He finished the season with 49 league and cup appearances, only behind Rob Hulse
Rob Hulse
Robert William "Rob" Hulse is an English footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers as a striker.He had primarily spent his career at second tier level, playing there with Crewe Alexandra. West Bromwich Albion, Leeds United, Sheffield United and Derby County...
in terms of most appearances for the club during the 2008–09 campaign and scored one goal – a last minute header to equalise in a 1–1 draw with 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...
on April 4. Connolly made his 200th career league appearance three weeks later in a 2–0 home defeat against 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...
.
In August 2009, Robbie Savage
Robbie Savage
Robert William "Robbie" Savage is a football pundit and former Welsh professional footballer who played predominantly as a midfielder. During his career he captained Derby County, and also played for the Welsh national team. He now presents 606 on BBC Radio Five Live on Sunday evenings alongside...
was appointed Derby Captain by Nigel Clough
Nigel Clough
Nigel Howard Clough is an English former footballer and the current manager of Derby County. Playing predominately as a striker, but later in his career was used as a midfielder, Clough was capped by England 14 times in the early 1990s....
, who had replaced Paul Jewell after he had resigned in December 2008. Clough stated that he wanted Connolly to "concentrate on his own game. (He) was quite relieved in some ways because it is a big responsibility, especially when you are at full-back and out of the action.". Although Connolly started the 2009–10 season
Derby County F.C. season 2009–10
The 2009–10 season was Derby County's 111th season in the Football League. It is their 42nd season in the second division of English football and their second consecutive season in the second tier following an 18th placed finish in the previous campaign...
as first choice right back he eventually fell down the pecking order as Clough deciding to bring in his own players and as a result bought in Premier League rightbacks from Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
and Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
in the shape of Fredrik Stoor
Fredrik Stoor
Fredrik Olof Esaias Stoor Siekkinen is a Swedish footballer who currently plays as a right back for Vålerenga.-Hammarby:...
and Nicky Hunt
Nicky Hunt
Nicholas Brett "Nicky" Hunt is an English footballer who plays for Bristol City as a right back.-Bolton Wanderers:Hunt made his professional debut as a substitute for Colin Hendry in the First Division match against Sheffield United on the final day of the 2000–01 season, shortly before Bolton won...
respectively.
Sheffield United loan
To get some games under his belt Connolly joined Sheffield United on a month long emergency loan as defensive cover, making his debut the same evening in a 3–0 victory over Blackpool. The loan was initially extended for another week but, with it becoming mathematically impossible for Sheffield United to make the playoffs, he returned to Pride ParkPride Park Stadium
Pride Park Stadium is an all-seater football stadium located on the Pride Park business park on the outskirts of Derby, England. It is the current home of Football League Championship club Derby County, who moved to the stadium from the Baseball Ground upon its opening in 1997...
after having made seven appearances for The Blades.
Return to Derby
After returning to Derby, Connolly made the bench for the penultimate game of the season against Bristol CityBristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
, coming on in the second half to make his first appearance in three months. Following the end of the season, Connolly was linked with moves to 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...
and 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...
with Leeds agreeing a 3-year deal with the defender ahead of a medical on June 2, 2010.
2010–11 season
On 10 June 2010, Leeds signed Connolly from 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...
on a free transfer. He joined on a three-year contract and was the third arrival of the summer, joining Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Peter Schmeichel is a Danish professional football goalkeeper, and son of Peter Schmeichel. He plays in the Npower Championship for Leicester City. He played 17 games for the Denmark under-21 national team...
and Billy Paynter
Billy Paynter
William Paul "Billy" Paynter is a professional footballer who plays for Brighton & Hove Albion on loan from Leeds United in the Football League Championship as a striker....
. Delighted United boss Simon Grayson
Simon Grayson
Simon Nicholas Grayson is a retired English footballer and current manager of Leeds United. He is the elder brother of cricketer Paul Grayson....
said: "Paul brings plenty of experience and know-how to the squad." Connolly was given the number 2 shirt, displacing Jason Crowe
Jason Crowe
Jason William Robert Crowe is an English footballer who plays as a right back for Northampton Town...
who had previously occupied the shirt number. He made his Leeds debut in the first game of the season against his old club Derby County
Derby 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...
on 7 August 2010 which ended in a 2–1 defeat. Connolly missed his first game for Leeds when a hamstring injury ruled him out of the game against Doncaster Rovers. Manager Simon Grayson revealed in his pre match press conference against Sheffield United that Connolly would miss the match against Sheffield through injury, and also the matches against Preston and Ipswich. Connolly stepped up his comeback trail when he played for Leeds reserves against Scunthorpe reserves.
Connolly returned to Leeds' starting lineup after injury against Middlesbrough. On 8 January, Connolly helped earn Leeds a 1–1 draw against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, Leeds were 1-0 up when Robert Snodgrass
Robert Snodgrass
Robert Snodgrass is a Scottish footballer who plays for Leeds United as a winger comfortable playing on either side of the pitch. He can also play as a forward...
scored a second half penalty, Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
equalised in the 90th minute when Cesc Fabregas
Cesc Fàbregas
Francesc "Cesc" Fàbregas i Soler is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona.Fàbregas started his career as a trainee with Barcelona but was signed by Premier League side Arsenal in September 2003 at the age of 16...
scored a penalty. Connolly was ruled out for several games with injury and lost his place in the Leeds side to Eric Lichaj
Eric Lichaj
Eric Joseph Lichaj is an American soccer player who plays for Aston Villa. Lichaj also plays for the United States men's national team. He started his youth career playing for Chicago Magic and participated in the youth residency program at IMG Soccer Academy. He later played college soccer for...
, however once Connolly recovered from injury he returned to the Leeds side and Lichaj was moved to the left back position.
2011–12 season
Connolly started for Leeds the opening day of the season as they lost 3–1 against SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
. Connolly was substituted against Bradford City and his replacement Tom Lees
Tom Lees
Thomas James "Tom" Lees is an English professional footballer, who plays as a defender for Leeds United. Lees has undertaken two season-long loan spells at Bury and Accrington Stanley...
made an impressive impact, which meant that Connolly was dropped for the following matches
After a spell out of the squad, Connolly returned to Leeds' starting 11 against Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
on 1 October at right back with Tom Lees
Tom Lees
Thomas James "Tom" Lees is an English professional footballer, who plays as a defender for Leeds United. Lees has undertaken two season-long loan spells at Bury and Accrington Stanley...
moving back into the centre back position, Leeds also kept their first clean sheet of the season in the same game.
Career statistics
(correct as of 12 May 2010)| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| 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... |
2000–01 2000-01 in English football The 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... |
1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |
| 2001–02 2001-02 in English football The 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... |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 2002-03 in English football The 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... |
2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2003–04 2003-04 in English football The 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game.... |
29 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 29 | 0 | ||
| 2004–05 2004-05 in English football The 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... |
19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 20 | 0 | ||
| 2005–06 2005-06 in English football The 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... |
31 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 33 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07 2006-07 in English football The 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... |
38 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 44 | 0 | ||
| 2007–08 2007-08 in English football The 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... |
42 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 47 | 1 | ||
| Derby County Derby 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... |
2008–09 | 40 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 49 | 1 | |
| 2009–10 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||
| 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... (loan) |
2009–10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | |
| Career Total | 230 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 255 | 2 | ||
Football League Trophy
External links
- Paul Connolly player profile at dcfc.co.uk
- Paul Connolly player profile at pafc.co.uk