Michael Clegg
Encyclopedia
Michael Jamie Clegg is an English former football defender
who played in the Premier League for Manchester United
and in the Football League
for Ipswich Town
, Wigan Athletic
and Oldham Athletic
. He currently works as the strength and conditioning coach of Sunderland A.F.C.
Clegg, born in Ashton-under-Lyne
, began his football career as a trainee with Manchester United
and was part of the 1995 FA Youth Cup
-winning side. He turned professional soon afterwards, and made his first-team debut on 23 November 1996, in the Premiership game away to Middlesbrough
which finished as a 2–2 draw. He played in four FA Premier League
games in the 1996-97 season
, and although United were champions for the fourth time in fifth season it was not enough for a title winner's medal. He managed a further three appearances in 1997-98
(when United were trophyless for only the second time in the decade) before making his final two appearances in the 1999-2000
campaign, when United won their sixth title in eight seasons, but once again Clegg failed to meet the required number of appearances for a title winner's medal. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=39052
Clegg spent time on loan at Ipswich Town
and Wigan Athletic
before he joined Division Two
club Oldham Athletic on a free transfer on 19 February 2002. In his first season Oldham qualified for the Division Two playoffs, but the club then went into administration and Clegg helped a heavily reshaped squad stay clear of relegation
in his final season before retiring as a professional footballer at the age of 27.
Clegg was appointed by Roy Keane
as Sunderland's
strength and conditioning coach
. Clegg's father, Mike, is strength and conditioning coach at Manchester United.
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....
who played in the Premier League for 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...
and in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
, Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
and 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 currently works as the strength and conditioning coach of Sunderland A.F.C.
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...
Clegg, born in Ashton-under-Lyne
Ashton-under-Lyne
Ashton-under-Lyne is a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside, Greater Manchester, England. Historically a part of Lancashire, it lies on the north bank of the River Tame, on undulating land at the foothills of the Pennines...
, began his football career as a trainee with 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...
and was part of the 1995 FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
-winning side. He turned professional soon afterwards, and made his first-team debut on 23 November 1996, in the Premiership game away to Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
which finished as a 2–2 draw. He played in four FA Premier League
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...
games in the 1996-97 season
1996-97 in English football
The 1996–1997 season was the 117th season of competitive football in England.Arrival into the league and exit out of the league returns in the fourth tier for the first time after its 3 season absence with only 1 relegation spot.- Premier League :...
, and although United were champions for the fourth time in fifth season it was not enough for a title winner's medal. He managed a further three appearances in 1997-98
1997-98 in English football
The 1997-1998 season was the 118th season of competitive football in England.-Premier League:Arsenal overhauled Manchester United's lead during the final weeks of the season to win the Premiership title...
(when United were trophyless for only the second time in the decade) before making his final two appearances in the 1999-2000
1999-2000 in English football
-Premier League:Manchester United were crowned FA Premier League champions with an 18-point margin over runners-up Arsenal and with just 3 league defeats all season. This was despite their failure to retain the European Cup and withdrawal from the FA Cup in order to compete in the FIFA Club World...
campaign, when United won their sixth title in eight seasons, but once again Clegg failed to meet the required number of appearances for a title winner's medal. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=39052
Clegg spent time on loan at Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
and Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
before he joined Division Two
Football 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 Oldham Athletic on a free transfer on 19 February 2002. In his first season Oldham qualified for the Division Two playoffs, but the club then went into administration and Clegg helped a heavily reshaped squad stay clear of relegation
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
in his final season before retiring as a professional footballer at the age of 27.
Clegg was appointed by Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
as Sunderland's
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...
strength and conditioning coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
. Clegg's father, Mike, is strength and conditioning coach at Manchester United.