Sean Thornton
Encyclopedia
Sean Thornton is a professional footballer currently playing for Welsh Premier League side Aberystwyth Town, after a year out of the game following his release by Leyton Orient
. He made 11 appearances in the Premier League for Sunderland
in the 2002–03 season and has made over 175 appearances in the Football League, mostly for Sunderland, Doncaster Rovers
and Leyton Orient. His younger brother Kevin
is also a professional footballer.
club Tranmere Rovers
in 2001, for whom he made 13 appearances in the 2001–02 season. He was out of contract in summer 2002 and joined Premier League side Sunderland
in July 2002, for a fee of £225,000 agreed at tribunal, amid allegations by Tranmere that Sunderland had breached FA and Football League regulations by making an illegal approach for Thornton, for which Sunderland were later fined £1,500.
on a one month loan in November 2002. He made his debut for Sunderland in a FA Cup
third-round replay win over Bolton Wanderers
in January 2003, impressing manager Howard Wilkinson
who said, "That was the first full game I've seen Sean in and I must say it was a very promising and mature performance. He's certainly a player we want to keep an eye on and bring on but it's now up to him to show he can produce that standard consistently." He made 14 appearances for Sunderland in the 2002–03 season, despite missing part of the season after being called up for the Ireland Under-20 squad for the World Youth Championships
in the United Arab Emirates
in March 2003. In April 2003, he scored with an impressive volley to give Sunderland an early lead against Chelsea
although Sunderland went on to lose the match. He was unable to help Sunderland from being relegated at the end of the season.
Thornton made 13 appearances for Sunderland at the start of the 2003–04 season, before suffering an ankle injury in a reserve team game in October 2003. He returned to the side in January 2004 and made a further 17 appearances, helping Sunderland to the semifinal of the FA Cup
, and the Division One
playoff semifinal. Thornton was unable to command a regular first team place at the start of the 2004–05 season and by September 2004, was seeking a move away from the club. A transfer did not materialise and with his first team chances limited, he made only 20 appearances for Sunderland in the 2004–05 season. At the end of the season, he was transfer listed.
club Doncaster Rovers
in July 2005 for a club record fee of £175,000. He made 36 appearances for Doncaster in the 2005–06 season, missing several weeks owing to an ankle injury suffered in September 2005 that needed surgery. He helped Doncaster reach the quarterfinals of the Football League Cup
, putting in a fine performance and scoring the third goal when Doncaster beat Premier League club, Aston Villa
3–0 in November 2005. Manager Dave Penney praised Thornton, saying: "It was a great goal for Sean and he's looking much brighter and sharper these days, and long may that continue." After the game, Thornton said that he felt had made the right move in the summer, saying "It was a gamble for me. I still had two years left on my contract at Sunderland. It was one of them – would I go, would I not go? Obviously we're playing good football and I think I made the right decision. Now, hopefully, we can carry on the success until the end of the season and get promoted. That's the main thing." In the 2006–07 season, Thornton made 41 appearances, and helped Doncaster to victory over Bristol Rovers
in the Football League Trophy
final in April 2007 when he swung in a corner kick for Graeme Lee
to head in to score the extra time winner at the Millennium Stadium
, Cardiff
.
at the end of the 2006–07 season, and joined another League One
side, Leyton Orient
in July 2007 on a two year contract. Orient manager Martin Ling
said that he was "... pleased to have Sean on board. We've been looking for a creative midfielder and Sean fits the bill perfectly. He will fit into our style of play and I believe we have signed a quality player." He scored on his debut against Southend United
in August 2007, with a spectacular free kick from 30 yards in a 2–1 away win, and went on to make 34 appearances in the 2007–08 season, although he missed four matches after being sent off in October 2007 for allegedly punching another player. The following season, he joined Shrewsbury Town
in September 2008 on a one month loan. On his return to Orient, he regained his place in the first team under new manager Geraint Williams
and made a total of 34 appearances for Orient in the 2008–09 season in addition to his loan spell at Shrewsbury Town. He signed a new one-year contract with Orient in June 2009, with the option of a further year, but was released by Williams' replacement Russell Slade
on 9 May 2010.
, Thornton signed for Aberystwyth Town on a short term contract on 13 September 2011, in a move that was described by the club as 'arguably the biggest signing in Welsh Premier League history'. The midfielder scored his first goal in Aber colours on the 11th November 2011, as the Seasiders hammered Port Talbot Town 4-0 at the Genquip Stadium. On the 16th November 2011, it was announced that Thornton had agreed to extend his stay with Aberystwyth Town until the end of the 2011/12 Welsh Premier League campaign.
:
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
. He made 11 appearances in the Premier League 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...
in the 2002–03 season and has made over 175 appearances in the Football League, mostly for Sunderland, 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...
and Leyton Orient. His younger brother Kevin
Kevin Thornton
Kevin Anthony Thornton is an Irish footballer who was released by former club Northampton Town on the 31st August-Career:...
is also a professional footballer.
Tranmere Rovers
Thornton began his career with Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
club Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
in 2001, for whom he made 13 appearances in the 2001–02 season. He was out of contract in summer 2002 and joined Premier League side 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...
in July 2002, for a fee of £225,000 agreed at tribunal, amid allegations by Tranmere that Sunderland had breached FA and Football League regulations by making an illegal approach for Thornton, for which Sunderland were later fined £1,500.
Sunderland
Thornton did not featured in the Sunderland first team at the beginning of the 2002–03 season and joined BlackpoolBlackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
on a one month loan in November 2002. He made his debut for Sunderland in a 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...
third-round replay win over 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 January 2003, impressing manager Howard Wilkinson
Howard Wilkinson
Howard Wilkinson is a former English football player and manager, and has recently stepped down as a Non-Executive Director at Sheffield Wednesday after formerly relinquishing the chairman role to Milan Mandaric...
who said, "That was the first full game I've seen Sean in and I must say it was a very promising and mature performance. He's certainly a player we want to keep an eye on and bring on but it's now up to him to show he can produce that standard consistently." He made 14 appearances for Sunderland in the 2002–03 season, despite missing part of the season after being called up for the Ireland Under-20 squad for the World Youth Championships
FIFA U-20 World Cup
The FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
in the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
in March 2003. In April 2003, he scored with an impressive volley to give Sunderland an early lead against Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
although Sunderland went on to lose the match. He was unable to help Sunderland from being relegated at the end of the season.
Thornton made 13 appearances for Sunderland at the start of the 2003–04 season, before suffering an ankle injury in a reserve team game in October 2003. He returned to the side in January 2004 and made a further 17 appearances, helping Sunderland to the semifinal of 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...
, and the Division One
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....
playoff semifinal. Thornton was unable to command a regular first team place at the start of the 2004–05 season and by September 2004, was seeking a move away from the club. A transfer did not materialise and with his first team chances limited, he made only 20 appearances for Sunderland in the 2004–05 season. At the end of the season, he was transfer listed.
Doncaster Rovers
Following Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League in May 2005, Thornton was sold to Football League OneFootball 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....
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...
in July 2005 for a club record fee of £175,000. He made 36 appearances for Doncaster in the 2005–06 season, missing several weeks owing to an ankle injury suffered in September 2005 that needed surgery. He helped Doncaster reach the quarterfinals of the Football 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...
, putting in a fine performance and scoring the third goal when Doncaster beat Premier League club, Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
3–0 in November 2005. Manager Dave Penney praised Thornton, saying: "It was a great goal for Sean and he's looking much brighter and sharper these days, and long may that continue." After the game, Thornton said that he felt had made the right move in the summer, saying "It was a gamble for me. I still had two years left on my contract at Sunderland. It was one of them – would I go, would I not go? Obviously we're playing good football and I think I made the right decision. Now, hopefully, we can carry on the success until the end of the season and get promoted. That's the main thing." In the 2006–07 season, Thornton made 41 appearances, and helped Doncaster to victory over Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
in the Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
final in April 2007 when he swung in a corner kick for Graeme Lee
Graeme Lee (footballer)
Graeme Lee is an English professional footballer who plays for Darlington as a defender. He has previously played for Hartlepool United, Sheffield Wednesday, Doncaster Rovers, Bradford City and also had loan spells with Hartlepool and Shrewsbury Town...
to head in to score the extra time winner at the Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
, Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
.
Leyton Orient
Thornton was released by Doncaster manager, Sean O'DriscollSean O'Driscoll
Sean Michael O'Driscoll is an English-Irish football manager and former player. He is currently without a club, having been relieved of his duties as manager of Doncaster Rovers in September 2011. He joined Doncaster in September 2006 following Dave Penney's departure. He was previously manager at...
at the end of the 2006–07 season, and joined another 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....
side, Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
in July 2007 on a two year contract. Orient manager Martin Ling
Martin Ling
Martin Ling is an English football manager and former player, who is currently manager of Torquay United in League Two. He played in over 100 Football League matches for Exeter City, Southend United, Swindon Town and Leyton Orient, before moving into management where he led Orient for over five...
said that he was "... pleased to have Sean on board. We've been looking for a creative midfielder and Sean fits the bill perfectly. He will fit into our style of play and I believe we have signed a quality player." He scored on his debut against Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
in August 2007, with a spectacular free kick from 30 yards in a 2–1 away win, and went on to make 34 appearances in the 2007–08 season, although he missed four matches after being sent off in October 2007 for allegedly punching another player. The following season, he joined Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
in September 2008 on a one month loan. On his return to Orient, he regained his place in the first team under new manager Geraint Williams
Geraint Williams
David Geraint Williams is a former professional footballer who also played for Wales. He has also managed Colchester United and Leyton Orient.- Career :...
and made a total of 34 appearances for Orient in the 2008–09 season in addition to his loan spell at Shrewsbury Town. He signed a new one-year contract with Orient in June 2009, with the option of a further year, but was released by Williams' replacement Russell Slade
Russell Slade
Russell Slade is an English football manager currently in charge of League One side Leyton Orient.-Notts County:Slade was assistant manager to Mick Walker at Notts County, and took over as caretaker manager when Walker was sacked in September 1994. When County appointed Howard Kendall as manager...
on 9 May 2010.
Aberystwyth Town
After false reports that he had signed for FC Metalist KharkivFC Metalist Kharkiv
FC Metalist Kharkiv is a Ukrainian professional football club based in Kharkiv. It competes in the Ukrainian Premier League, the highest football level in the country. Founded in 1925, the team worked its way up the rungs of the Soviet football system, eventually being promoted to the Soviet Top...
, Thornton signed for Aberystwyth Town on a short term contract on 13 September 2011, in a move that was described by the club as 'arguably the biggest signing in Welsh Premier League history'. The midfielder scored his first goal in Aber colours on the 11th November 2011, as the Seasiders hammered Port Talbot Town 4-0 at the Genquip Stadium. On the 16th November 2011, it was announced that Thornton had agreed to extend his stay with Aberystwyth Town until the end of the 2011/12 Welsh Premier League campaign.
Republic of Ireland
Thornton captained the Irish under 21s during his Sunderland days, but after falling out with Don Givens he was axed from the squad and has since never featured for his country.Playing statistics
(to end of 2008–09 season)| Club | Seasons | League Apps (goals) |
FA Cup Apps (goals) |
League Cup Apps (goals) |
Other Apps (goals) |
Total Apps (goals) |
|
| Tranmere Rovers Tranmere Rovers F.C. Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system... |
2001–02 | 11 (1) | 1 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (0) | 13 (1) | |
| 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... |
2002–03 | 11 (1) | 3 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 14 (1) | |
| Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... (loan) |
2002 | 3 (1) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (0) | 4 (1) | |
| Sunderland | 2003–04 | 22 (4) | 4 (0) | 2 (0) | 2 (0) | 30 (4) | |
| Sunderland | 2004–05 | 16 (4) | 2 (0) | 2 (0) | 0 (0) | 20 (4) | |
| 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... |
2005–06 | 29 (2) | 3 (0) | 3 (1) | 1 (0) | 36 (3) | |
| Doncaster Rovers | 2006–07 | 30 (0) | 3 (0) | 2 (0) | 6 (1) | 41 (1) | |
| Leyton Orient Leyton Orient F.C. Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63... |
2007–08 | 31 (3) | 1 (0) | 1 (0) | 1 (0) | 34 (3) | |
| Shrewsbury Town Shrewsbury Town F.C. Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football... (loan) |
2008 | 5 (1) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (0) | 6 (1) | |
| Leyton Orient | 2008–09 | 30 (2) | 3 (0) | 1 (0) | 0 (0) | 34 (2) |
Club
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...
:
- Football League ChampionshipFootball League ChampionshipThe 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...
Champions: 2004–05