Paul Gallacher
Encyclopedia
Paul Gallacher born in Deaconsbank
, Glasgow
(16 August 1979) is a Scottish
professional football goalkeeper currently playing for Scottish Premier League side Dunfermline Athletic
. He also made seven appearances for the Scottish national team
. He is the son of Jim Gallacher
, a goalkeeper who played in the Scottish Football League
for 22 years, firstly with Arbroath
and more famously with Clydebank
.
after he left school in 1996 and spent eight years with the club. He had a short loan spell at Lochee United and Airdrieonians
in 1999 but became first choice with Dundee United at the start of 2001, replacing Alan Combe
in the team. Gallacher was highly regarded by United supporters, who claimed at the time that he was 'Scotland's Number One' goalkeeper.
Gallacher was a regular for Berti Vogts
' Scotland teams
, winning 7 caps.
in July 2004 on a free transfer. The Canaries had just been promoted to the Premiership. He looked to be second-choice goalkeeper under Robert Green
, but just days before the start of the Premiership
season Gallacher got injured and City signed Darren Ward
and pushed Gallacher down to third choice.
He had a loan spell at Gillingham
in 2004 but was recalled after an injury to Ward. Gallacher was on the bench for City a couple of times but never came on. In March 2005 he joined Paul Sturrock
's Sheffield Wednesday
on loan and performed well but was sent off against Bristol City
in his 8th game and soon thereafter lost his place. He did not play in the play-off final win against Hartlepool United
, although he was on the bench.
Gallacher played in the last few matches of the 2005–06 season for Norwich following an injury to Robert Green
. There was speculation concerning Gallacher's future as his contract was due to expire in the summer of 2006, however his impressive performances at the end of that season led to him being offered a new two year deal, which he subsequently signed.
Green was still unfit at the start of the 2006–07 season, and Gallacher retained his place in the side. When Green then signed for Premiership
team West Ham
, his position as first-choice keeper seemed assumed.
Previous manager Nigel Worthington was sacked in October. Peter Grant was installed as the new manager and when watching his first city game from the stands against QPR, Gallacher was at fault for a last minute QPR equaliser. This led to Grant signing Jamie Ashdown on loan for a month. However Ashdown was sent off in his second game and Gallacher regained his place after this. Gallacher injured his foot against Hull and Lee Camp on loan from Derby came in for three games.
In January 2007 in the 3–1 defeat against Plymouth Gallacher was at fault for two of the goals. After this Grant once again brought in another keeper on loan in Scotland international David Marshall. Marshall was supposed to be at City for the rest of the season but in the 4–0 FA cup defeat to Chelsea Marshall was injured and ruled out for the rest of the season. Once again Gallacher was first choice keeper. However after three games Gallacher made another mistake in the match against Luton Tony Warner was brough in on loan and he became Cities 5th goalkeeper of the season. Warner went on to play in the remaining games of the season.
Gallacher was 4th choice keeper going into the 2007–08 season and his future at Norwich looked very bleak. He was loaned out to Dunfermline until January but in January his City contract was terminated by mutual consent.
side Dunfermline Athletic
to help with their goalkeeping crisis. He helped them earn valuable points with stunning penalty saves against Dundee
and Queen of the South
. He was widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers outside the SPL.
On the 31 December 2007, Paul Gallacher's contract with Norwich City was terminated by mutual consent with immediate effect. One day later, it was officially announced that Gallacher had joined Dunfermline Athletic
until the end of the season. After being arguably the best keeper in the division for most of the season
, Gallacher signed a new contract with the Pars until 2011. Gallacher did not see out his full contract and joined St. Mirren in 2009.
signed Gallacher on a two year deal, which allowed Gallacher to play in the Scottish Premier League
. Following an excellent start to the 2009–10 season, Gallacher was called up to the Scotland
squad for the friendly match against Wales
. He went on to make 77 appearances in all competitions for St Mirren.
from St. Mirren
. Dunfermline supporters were delighted with this signing as they would once again get to sing the song "There's only one Peter Barlow", (this is in reference to Paul's uncanny resemblance to the Coronation Street character of that name).
Deaconsbank
Deaconsbank is a district in the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is situated south of the River Clyde. The main feature of the area is an estate of around 639 Private houses built in the late 1970s by Barratt homes...
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
(16 August 1979) is a Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional football goalkeeper currently playing for Scottish Premier League side Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
. He also made seven appearances for the Scottish national team
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
. He is the son of Jim Gallacher
Jim Gallacher
Jim Gallacher is a Scottish former football goalkeeper. Gallacher played for Arbroath and Clydebank in the Scottish Football League...
, a goalkeeper who played in the Scottish Football League
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
for 22 years, firstly with Arbroath
Arbroath F.C.
Arbroath F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. They were founded in 1878 and currently play their home matches at Gayfield, Arbroath, Angus. They play in maroon strips, and are nicknamed "The Red Lichties" due to the red light that used to guide...
and more famously with Clydebank
Clydebank F.C.
Clydebank Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the town of Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, near Yoker. The present club, formed in 2003, is a member of the Scottish Junior Football Association, and currently plays in West Super League Premier Division...
.
Dundee United
Gallacher started his career with Gleniffer Thistle Boys Club, then signed S Form with Dundee UnitedDundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
after he left school in 1996 and spent eight years with the club. He had a short loan spell at Lochee United and Airdrieonians
Airdrieonians F.C.
Airdrieonians Football Club, more commonly known as Airdrie, were a Scottish professional football team from the town of Airdrie, in the Monklands area of Lanarkshire....
in 1999 but became first choice with Dundee United at the start of 2001, replacing Alan Combe
Alan Combe
Alan Combe is a Scottish professional football goalkeeper.Born in Edinburgh, Combe played for Cowdenbeath, St. Mirren, Dundee United, Bradford City and Kilmarnock. Combe was Kilmarnock's regular goalkeeper until he suffered a serious hip injury early in the 2009–10 season...
in the team. Gallacher was highly regarded by United supporters, who claimed at the time that he was 'Scotland's Number One' goalkeeper.
Gallacher was a regular for Berti Vogts
Berti Vogts
Hans-Hubert "Berti" Vogts is a German former footballer. He played for Borussia Mönchengladbach and won the World Cup with West Germany in 1974. He later managed Germany , Scotland and Nigeria...
' Scotland teams
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
, winning 7 caps.
Norwich
Gallacher left Dundee United to join Norwich CityNorwich 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...
in July 2004 on a free transfer. The Canaries had just been promoted to the Premiership. He looked to be second-choice goalkeeper under Robert Green
Robert Green
Robert Paul Green is an English footballer who plays for West Ham United and the England national football team as a goalkeeper.-Norwich City:...
, but just days before the start of the Premiership
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
season Gallacher got injured and City signed Darren Ward
Darren Ward (goalkeeper)
Darren Ward is a former Welsh international football goalkeeper and current Academy goalkeeping coach at Sheffield United.-Club career:...
and pushed Gallacher down to third choice.
He had a loan spell at Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
in 2004 but was recalled after an injury to Ward. Gallacher was on the bench for City a couple of times but never came on. In March 2005 he joined Paul Sturrock
Paul Sturrock
Paul Whitehead Sturrock is a Scottish football manager who, since July 2010, is the manager of Southend United. Until this appointment, Sturrock had most recently been at English League 1 club Plymouth Argyle in a business support role, having been relieved of his managerial duties, until he quit...
's 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...
on loan and performed well but was sent off against Bristol City
Bristol 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...
in his 8th game and soon thereafter lost his place. He did not play in the play-off final win against Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
, although he was on the bench.
Gallacher played in the last few matches of the 2005–06 season for Norwich following an injury to Robert Green
Robert Green
Robert Paul Green is an English footballer who plays for West Ham United and the England national football team as a goalkeeper.-Norwich City:...
. There was speculation concerning Gallacher's future as his contract was due to expire in the summer of 2006, however his impressive performances at the end of that season led to him being offered a new two year deal, which he subsequently signed.
Green was still unfit at the start of the 2006–07 season, and Gallacher retained his place in the side. When Green then signed for Premiership
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
team West Ham
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...
, his position as first-choice keeper seemed assumed.
Previous manager Nigel Worthington was sacked in October. Peter Grant was installed as the new manager and when watching his first city game from the stands against QPR, Gallacher was at fault for a last minute QPR equaliser. This led to Grant signing Jamie Ashdown on loan for a month. However Ashdown was sent off in his second game and Gallacher regained his place after this. Gallacher injured his foot against Hull and Lee Camp on loan from Derby came in for three games.
In January 2007 in the 3–1 defeat against Plymouth Gallacher was at fault for two of the goals. After this Grant once again brought in another keeper on loan in Scotland international David Marshall. Marshall was supposed to be at City for the rest of the season but in the 4–0 FA cup defeat to Chelsea Marshall was injured and ruled out for the rest of the season. Once again Gallacher was first choice keeper. However after three games Gallacher made another mistake in the match against Luton Tony Warner was brough in on loan and he became Cities 5th goalkeeper of the season. Warner went on to play in the remaining games of the season.
Gallacher was 4th choice keeper going into the 2007–08 season and his future at Norwich looked very bleak. He was loaned out to Dunfermline until January but in January his City contract was terminated by mutual consent.
Dunfermline Athletic
On the 20 August 2007, Gallacher moved back North on loan to Scottish First DivisionScottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
side Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
to help with their goalkeeping crisis. He helped them earn valuable points with stunning penalty saves against Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
and Queen of the South
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
. He was widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers outside the SPL.
On the 31 December 2007, Paul Gallacher's contract with Norwich City was terminated by mutual consent with immediate effect. One day later, it was officially announced that Gallacher had joined Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
until the end of the season. After being arguably the best keeper in the division for most of the season
2007-08 in Scottish football
The 2007-08 season was the 111th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Gretna were competing in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first ever season in the top-flight, after being promoted as First Division champions the previous season.* Dunfermline Athletic...
, Gallacher signed a new contract with the Pars until 2011. Gallacher did not see out his full contract and joined St. Mirren in 2009.
St Mirren
St. MirrenSt. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
signed Gallacher on a two year deal, which allowed Gallacher to play in the Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
. Following an excellent start to the 2009–10 season, Gallacher was called up to the Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
squad for the friendly match against 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...
. He went on to make 77 appearances in all competitions for St Mirren.
Dunfermline Athletic (return)
On 9 June 2011 Gallacher signed a 2-year contract to return to Dunfermline AthleticDunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
from St. Mirren
St. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
. Dunfermline supporters were delighted with this signing as they would once again get to sing the song "There's only one Peter Barlow", (this is in reference to Paul's uncanny resemblance to the Coronation Street character of that name).