Alan Sheehan
Encyclopedia
Alan Michael Anthony Sheehan (born 14 September 1986) is an Irish
footballer who plays for Notts County
as a defender
. His position is mainly recognised as an attacking left back and he is a former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international. He is also a set piece specialist.
. He became a regular in both the Academy under 19s and the reserves, playing at left-back. He also spent two months on loan at Mansfield Town
in the 2006–07 season
in order to gain regular first-team experience. A free-kick specialist, Sheehan made his breakthrough into the first team when Craig Levein
named him in the starting line-up for City's final game of the 2004–05 season against Plymouth Argyle
. The 18-year-old picked up the Academy Player of the Season at the club's 2005 awards ceremony.
Sheehan signed a new two-year contract with the club that would keep him at the Walkers Stadium until the end of the 2007–08 season
. He scored his first ever competitive goal for Leicester in a 4–1 win against with a deflected 25-yard shot on 25 August 2007, and his second in a 3–2 win over with a classy free-kick on 18 September. Following Leicester's 2–0 victory over on 24 November, Sheehan was named in the Championship
Team of the Week two days later, together with fellow teammates Stephen Clemence
and Richard Stearman
.
at left back. However, after just four games in the role, Leeds boss Gary McAllister
saw the need to provide extra competition in the position by signing Aston Villa's
Stephen O'Halloran
, also on loan. Despite O'Halloran suffering a serious injury in the warm up for his debut at Swindon Town
, Sheehan still lost his Leeds place, this time to Frazer Richardson
.
Sheehan revealed that he had rejected a new contract offer from Leicester prior to signing for Leeds. He scored his first goal for the Yorkshire club in their 1–0 win at Doncaster Rovers on 1 April 2008, a trademark free-kick from 25 yards out. Sheehan was sent off in Leeds' 1–0 win at Yeovil Town
for a two-footed tackle on Zoltán Stieber
, however Leeds still confirmed their play-off spot in that match. The straight red card meant he was suspended for the play-off semi-final matches against Carlisle United and also the final against Doncaster Rovers.
After Leeds failed to earn promotion, Sheehan made his move to Leeds permanent on 1 July 2008, after his contract with Leicester expired. He has signed a three-year deal with the club and was expected to compete for the position of first-choice left-back with Ben Parker
.
Sheehan has endured a tough early 2008–09 season. After scoring a long range goal against Crewe Alexandra in a 5–2 win, Sheehan was sent off for another two footed tackle in a game against Swindon Town. This cost him his place in the team due to suspension and was replaced by Aidan White
. Another setback was to come after Sheehan was injured and forced to sit out for a long period of games. During this run in, his injury was aggravated in an attempted come back against Rotherham United. After returning from injury, Sheehan wasn't involved in new manager Simon Grayson
's plans.
On 23 March, Sheehan joined Crewe Alexandra on loan for the rest of the 2008–09 season, and made his debut a day later in the game at Milton Keynes Dons. Sheehan returned to Leeds for the upcoming 2009–10 season. He made two high profile errors in the pre season game against Blackburn Rovers when he gave away a penalty and was very lucky not to give away a second penalty, this performance seems to have decreased his chances of getting back into the first team, with right footed central midfielder Andy Hughes
being preferred at left back during Ben Parker
's spell out with a hamstring injury. It appeared that Sheehan was out of manager Simon Grayson
's plans.
1 September Sheehan joined Oldham Athletic
on loan from Leeds United
on a months loan. Sheehan made his debut for Oldham in the 3–0 home defeat against Hartlepool United. In his game Sheehan was unlucky not to score a right footed shot which cannoned off the crossbar. Sheehan started in the 1–0 defeat against Bristol Rovers, meaning in his first two appearances Oldham have lost both games.
Sheehan gained two assists in Oldhams 2–0 win over Carlisle. Carlisle's manager Greg Abbott
proclaimed after the match that Sheehan was 'Premiership Class'. Oldham have been impressed with Sheehan in his first few games and are in discussions with Leeds about extending his loan further. Sheehan scored his first Oldham goal against MK Dons. He extended his loan until 1 November 2009 on 2 October. His form for Oldham alerted scouts at other clubs with Nottingham Forest reportedly interested in signing Sheehan. On 1 November Sheehan returned to Leeds United, with Oldham playing Leeds twice during the month of November Oldham decided to sign Lee Hills
on loan instead of renewing Sheehan's loan spell.
on loan until 4 January 2010. He was given permission by Leeds to play in the FA Cup for Swindon. Sheehan made his debut for Swindon in the FA Cup game against Wrexham and he was substituted after 62 minutes. In the next game Sheehan won a penalty for Swindon against Leyton Orient. Leeds gave Sheehan permission to play for Swindon in the FA Cup. Danny Wilson said he was extremely impressed by Sheehan's performance against Premiership opposition Fulham, and claimed Sheehan seems to play even better against better teams which was encouraging to him.
On 5 January 2010, Sheehan's loan was extended at Swindon for the rest of the season including the playoff's should Swindon reach them. Sheehan, under the terms of the loan deal, will not be available to play for Swindon in their games against Leeds United. Sheehan and Swindon went into the final game of the season against Millwall knowing that should his parent club Leeds United slip up that Swindon could grab an automatic promotion spot. But with Leeds winning against Bristol Rovers they were promoted in second place, meaning Swindon faced Charlton Athletic
in the playoffs. Sheehan played in the playoff first leg which Swindon won 2–1, but he missed the second leg at The Valley through injury which saw his Swindon teammates eliminate Charlton via a penalty shootout. Sheehan played for Swindon in the League 1 playoff final loss to Millwall. He had to be substituted in the second half after aggravating an injury.
after his summer switch to Wiltshire.
He has impressed with his attacking role from left-back, and his set pieces - particularly free-kicks. Sheehan had a brief spell under Notts' manager Martin Allen at Leicester City.
in June 2005.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
footballer who plays for Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
as 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....
. His position is mainly recognised as an attacking left back and he is a former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international. He is also a set piece specialist.
Leicester City
Sheehan joined Leicester City in July 2003 after being spotted by a scout whilst playing for the famous youth club Belvedere FCBelvedere FC
Belvedere Football Club is an Irish youth football club based in Fairview, Dublin. Originally founded in 1971, the club plays in the Dublin & District Soccer League...
. He became a regular in both the Academy under 19s and the reserves, playing at left-back. He also spent two months on loan at Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
in the 2006–07 season
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...
in order to gain regular first-team experience. A free-kick specialist, Sheehan made his breakthrough into the first team when Craig Levein
Craig Levein
Craig William Levein is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager of the Scotland national team. During his playing career he played for Cowdenbeath and Heart of Midlothian...
named him in the starting line-up for City's final game of the 2004–05 season against 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...
. The 18-year-old picked up the Academy Player of the Season at the club's 2005 awards ceremony.
Sheehan signed a new two-year contract with the club that would keep him at the Walkers Stadium until the end of the 2007–08 season
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...
. He scored his first ever competitive goal for Leicester in a 4–1 win against with a deflected 25-yard shot on 25 August 2007, and his second in a 3–2 win over with a classy free-kick on 18 September. Following Leicester's 2–0 victory over on 24 November, Sheehan was named in the 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...
Team of the Week two days later, together with fellow teammates Stephen Clemence
Stephen Clemence
Stephen Neal Clemence is a retired English football midfielder who last played for Leicester City where he was team captain....
and Richard Stearman
Richard Stearman
Richard James Michael Stearman is an English footballer of Irish descent who plays as a defender for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers...
.
Leeds United
On 31 January 2008 he joined on loan for the rest of the season, making his debut in a 2–0 defeat to on 2 February 2008 replacing Ben ParkerBen Parker (footballer)
Benjamin Brian Colin "Ben" Parker is an English footballer who plays for Leeds United. He is a defender in the left back position though can also play at centre-back who has had loan spells with Bradford City and Darlington...
at left back. However, after just four games in the role, Leeds boss Gary McAllister
Gary McAllister
Gary McAllister MBE is a Scottish former professional footballer.McAllister played primarily as a midfielder, in a successful career spanning over nineteen years. He started his career at local side Motherwell before moving south of the border to Leicester City at the age of 20...
saw the need to provide extra competition in the position by signing Aston Villa's
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...
Stephen O'Halloran
Stephen O'Halloran
Stephen Edward O'Halloran is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Carlisle United in League One, the third tier of English football. He began his professional career in the Premier League with Aston Villa and earned two full international caps for the Republic of Ireland in...
, also on loan. Despite O'Halloran suffering a serious injury in the warm up for his debut at Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
, Sheehan still lost his Leeds place, this time to Frazer Richardson
Frazer Richardson
Frazer Richardson is an English professional footballer who plays for Southampton. He had been Leeds' longest-serving player, and in 2009 was the only member of the Leeds squad who was with the club when relegated from the Premiership in 2004.- Leeds United :Richardson made his Leeds debut as a...
.
Sheehan revealed that he had rejected a new contract offer from Leicester prior to signing for Leeds. He scored his first goal for the Yorkshire club in their 1–0 win at Doncaster Rovers on 1 April 2008, a trademark free-kick from 25 yards out. Sheehan was sent off in Leeds' 1–0 win at Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
for a two-footed tackle on Zoltán Stieber
Zoltán Stieber
Zoltán Stieber is a Hungarian professional footballer who currently plays for Bundesliga side FSV Mainz 05 and the Hungary national football team....
, however Leeds still confirmed their play-off spot in that match. The straight red card meant he was suspended for the play-off semi-final matches against Carlisle United and also the final against Doncaster Rovers.
After Leeds failed to earn promotion, Sheehan made his move to Leeds permanent on 1 July 2008, after his contract with Leicester expired. He has signed a three-year deal with the club and was expected to compete for the position of first-choice left-back with Ben Parker
Ben Parker (footballer)
Benjamin Brian Colin "Ben" Parker is an English footballer who plays for Leeds United. He is a defender in the left back position though can also play at centre-back who has had loan spells with Bradford City and Darlington...
.
Sheehan has endured a tough early 2008–09 season. After scoring a long range goal against Crewe Alexandra in a 5–2 win, Sheehan was sent off for another two footed tackle in a game against Swindon Town. This cost him his place in the team due to suspension and was replaced by Aidan White
Aidan White (footballer)
Aidan 'Aidy' Peter White is an English-born Irish footballer who plays for Leeds United. He made his debut for the club aged 16...
. Another setback was to come after Sheehan was injured and forced to sit out for a long period of games. During this run in, his injury was aggravated in an attempted come back against Rotherham United. After returning from injury, Sheehan wasn't involved in new manager 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....
's plans.
On 23 March, Sheehan joined Crewe Alexandra on loan for the rest of the 2008–09 season, and made his debut a day later in the game at Milton Keynes Dons. Sheehan returned to Leeds for the upcoming 2009–10 season. He made two high profile errors in the pre season game against Blackburn Rovers when he gave away a penalty and was very lucky not to give away a second penalty, this performance seems to have decreased his chances of getting back into the first team, with right footed central midfielder Andy Hughes
Andy Hughes
Andy Hughes was an English electronic music producer from Harrow, Middlesex . He is most known for his work with The Orb, where he helped mix and produce Orbus Terrarum, Orblivion, and Cydonia, as well as The Orb's singles from this period. Hughes left The Orb during the production of Cydonia,...
being preferred at left back during Ben Parker
Ben Parker (footballer)
Benjamin Brian Colin "Ben" Parker is an English footballer who plays for Leeds United. He is a defender in the left back position though can also play at centre-back who has had loan spells with Bradford City and Darlington...
's spell out with a hamstring injury. It appeared that Sheehan was out of manager 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....
's plans.
1 September Sheehan joined 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...
on loan from 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...
on a months loan. Sheehan made his debut for Oldham in the 3–0 home defeat against Hartlepool United. In his game Sheehan was unlucky not to score a right footed shot which cannoned off the crossbar. Sheehan started in the 1–0 defeat against Bristol Rovers, meaning in his first two appearances Oldham have lost both games.
Sheehan gained two assists in Oldhams 2–0 win over Carlisle. Carlisle's manager Greg Abbott
Greg Abbott
Gregory Wayne "Greg" Abbott is the Texas Attorney General, and is the second Republican since Reconstruction to serve in that role. Abbott was sworn in on December 2, 2002, following John Cornyn's election to the U.S. Senate...
proclaimed after the match that Sheehan was 'Premiership Class'. Oldham have been impressed with Sheehan in his first few games and are in discussions with Leeds about extending his loan further. Sheehan scored his first Oldham goal against MK Dons. He extended his loan until 1 November 2009 on 2 October. His form for Oldham alerted scouts at other clubs with Nottingham Forest reportedly interested in signing Sheehan. On 1 November Sheehan returned to Leeds United, with Oldham playing Leeds twice during the month of November Oldham decided to sign Lee Hills
Lee Hills (footballer)
Lee Hills is an English footballer who plays for Crystal Palace as a defender.-Career:He had previously attended Christ Church School and Whitgift School in Croydon and had been a youth player at Wimbledon and Arsenal before joining Palace's academy.Hills has also represented England at under-18...
on loan instead of renewing Sheehan's loan spell.
Swindon Town loan
0n 26 November, Sheehan joined League One club Swindon TownSwindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
on loan until 4 January 2010. He was given permission by Leeds to play in the FA Cup for Swindon. Sheehan made his debut for Swindon in the FA Cup game against Wrexham and he was substituted after 62 minutes. In the next game Sheehan won a penalty for Swindon against Leyton Orient. Leeds gave Sheehan permission to play for Swindon in the FA Cup. Danny Wilson said he was extremely impressed by Sheehan's performance against Premiership opposition Fulham, and claimed Sheehan seems to play even better against better teams which was encouraging to him.
On 5 January 2010, Sheehan's loan was extended at Swindon for the rest of the season including the playoff's should Swindon reach them. Sheehan, under the terms of the loan deal, will not be available to play for Swindon in their games against Leeds United. Sheehan and Swindon went into the final game of the season against Millwall knowing that should his parent club Leeds United slip up that Swindon could grab an automatic promotion spot. But with Leeds winning against Bristol Rovers they were promoted in second place, meaning Swindon faced Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
in the playoffs. Sheehan played in the playoff first leg which Swindon won 2–1, but he missed the second leg at The Valley through injury which saw his Swindon teammates eliminate Charlton via a penalty shootout. Sheehan played for Swindon in the League 1 playoff final loss to Millwall. He had to be substituted in the second half after aggravating an injury.
Return to Leeds
After his loan spell at Swindon ended, on the 14th May 2010 Sheehan was placed on the transfer list at Leeds United and told to find a new club. He was demoted from squad number 11 to squad number 34. He didn't play a single game for Leeds' first team during the 2010–11 pre-season friendlies.Swindon Town
Sheehan returned to Swindon on a one year contract on deadline day 2010 for what is believed to be a free transfer from Leeds United and will wear the number 21 shirt, he will give much needed experience to the Swindon back line. He will face competition for the left back spot from Michael RoseMichael Rose (footballer)
Michael Charles Rose is an English footballer who plays for Colchester United. He has previously played for Manchester United, Chester City, Hereford United, Yeovil Town, Cheltenham Town, Scunthorpe United, Stockport County, Norwich City and Swindon Town.-Career:Born in Salford, Greater...
after his summer switch to Wiltshire.
Notts County
On 3 June 2011 Sheehan signed for Notts County on a two-year contract.He has impressed with his attacking role from left-back, and his set pieces - particularly free-kicks. Sheehan had a brief spell under Notts' manager Martin Allen at Leicester City.
International career
Sheehan has made many appearances for his country at under 19 level and was also called up by the Football Association of Ireland to attend a training camp before making his international debut for the under 21s against Israel U21Israel national under-21 football team
Israel's national Under-21 team , also known as Israel Under-21s or Israel U-21s, is considered to be the feeder team for the Israel national football team...
in June 2005.