Sean Gregan
Encyclopedia
Sean Matthew Gregan is an English
professional footballer. A defender
, he has played in all of the top four leagues in England.
where he played for five years before joining Preston North End
. He captained Preston to the then Nationwide Division 2 (Now League 1) title. He was signed by Gary Peters on 29 November 1996 for £350,000. While at Preston he played 255 games, scoring 15 goals and was twice named as the club's official player of the year
. Preston's fans nicknamed him God
because of his no-nonsense defending and his influence on the players, fans and staff at the club.
2m. Pundit Rodney Marsh
thought the signing uninspired, and famously commented that it was like "putting lipstick on a pig". Gregan made his Albion debut against Manchester United
at Old Trafford on 17 August 2002. He scored his first goal for the club in a 1-0 Hawthorns win over Southampton
on 14 September 2002, after Saints goalkeeper Paul Jones failed to hold on to Gregan's 40-yard shot. Despite being a regular in the side, Gregan was unable to prevent the club's relegation from the Premiership. In 2003-04 however, he was instrumental in captaining the side to promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt, before joining Leeds United in September 2004.
, Paul Butler and Matt Heath
saw him being sent on a two month loan on 3 January 2007 to League One outfit, Oldham Athletic
. He scored on his debut in the FA Cup against Kettering. His loan deal expired on January 2, 2007. Gregan was released from his Leeds contract two days later.
After a successful loan spell, Gregan signed a two and a half year contract at Oldham Athletic after being released by Leeds. His performance in Oldham's 3-0 win at Walsall
on 22 September 2007 earned him a place in the League One Team of the Week.
He was released by Oldham manager Dave Penney after being deemed surplus to requirements on 12 May 2009. However, the Boundary Park supremo had a change of heart after being impressed with the players attitide and fitness levels and he was brought back to the club on a one year deal. He was later made captain at the Latics and remained a key feature to the defence alongside Reuben Hazell
.
on a three month loan. It was announced on 6 January 2011 that he had left Oldham after 143 first team appearances and signed permanently for Fleetwood. Gregan played his last game as a professional in the 6-1 loss at Kingsmeadow on May 11, 2011. He was substituted at half-time. He was not offered a new contract at the end of the season and was released, along with a number of other players.
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...
professional footballer. A defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, he has played in all of the top four leagues in England.
Early career
He started his career with DarlingtonDarlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
where he played for five years before joining Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
. He captained Preston to the then Nationwide Division 2 (Now League 1) title. He was signed by Gary Peters on 29 November 1996 for £350,000. While at Preston he played 255 games, scoring 15 goals and was twice named as the club's official player of the year
Preston North End Player of the Year Award Winners
Winners of the official Preston North End F.C. Player of the Year Award since its inception in 1967–68:...
. Preston's fans nicknamed him God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
because of his no-nonsense defending and his influence on the players, fans and staff at the club.
West Bromwich Albion
Gregan joined West Bromwich Albion in August 2002, for a fee of £Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
2m. Pundit Rodney Marsh
Rodney Marsh (footballer)
Rodney William Marsh is an English retired footballer. He was named after HMS Rodney by his father, who served on the battleship. He played for Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, Manchester City, the Tampa Bay Rowdies and the England national team. Lately, he has been a pundit and a commentator on the...
thought the signing uninspired, and famously commented that it was like "putting lipstick on a pig". Gregan made his Albion debut against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
at Old Trafford on 17 August 2002. He scored his first goal for the club in a 1-0 Hawthorns win over Southampton
Southampton 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...
on 14 September 2002, after Saints goalkeeper Paul Jones failed to hold on to Gregan's 40-yard shot. Despite being a regular in the side, Gregan was unable to prevent the club's relegation from the Premiership. In 2003-04 however, he was instrumental in captaining the side to promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt, before joining Leeds United in September 2004.
Leeds United
Gregan had a mixed stint at Leeds, with some inconsistent performances in his favoured midfield position, however he also commanded some excellent displays at centre-back, with a no-nonsense approach to which he became accustomed to at West Brom.Oldham Athletic
His lack of first team football in the 2006-07 season due to the good form of other defenders Matthew KilgallonMatthew Kilgallon
Matthew Shaun Kilgallon is an English professional footballer currently playing for Sunderland. He is a central defender who can also operate at left back.-Leeds United:...
, Paul Butler and Matt Heath
Matt Heath
Matthew Philip "Matt" Heath is an English footballer, playing for Colchester United. His position is centre half.-Leicester City:...
saw him being sent on a two month loan on 3 January 2007 to League One outfit, Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
. He scored on his debut in the FA Cup against Kettering. His loan deal expired on January 2, 2007. Gregan was released from his Leeds contract two days later.
After a successful loan spell, Gregan signed a two and a half year contract at Oldham Athletic after being released by Leeds. His performance in Oldham's 3-0 win at Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
on 22 September 2007 earned him a place in the League One Team of the Week.
He was released by Oldham manager Dave Penney after being deemed surplus to requirements on 12 May 2009. However, the Boundary Park supremo had a change of heart after being impressed with the players attitide and fitness levels and he was brought back to the club on a one year deal. He was later made captain at the Latics and remained a key feature to the defence alongside Reuben Hazell
Reuben Hazell
Reuben Daniel Hazell is an English football defender currently playing for Shrewsbury Town.He has previously played for Tranmere Rovers, Torquay United, Kidderminster Harriers and Chesterfield, where he scored once against Swansea City...
.
Fleetwood Town
In October 2010, it was announced by the club that they would let Gregan leave, after he was unable to force his way into the team following an injury at the beginning of the season. On 19 October he joined Fleetwood TownFleetwood Town F.C.
Fleetwood Town F.C. is an English football club based in Fleetwood, Lancashire. They currently play in the Conference National having been defeated in the Conference National play-off semi-final by AFC Wimbledon in the 2010–11 season.-History:...
on a three month loan. It was announced on 6 January 2011 that he had left Oldham after 143 first team appearances and signed permanently for Fleetwood. Gregan played his last game as a professional in the 6-1 loss at Kingsmeadow on May 11, 2011. He was substituted at half-time. He was not offered a new contract at the end of the season and was released, along with a number of other players.