James O'Connor (footballer, born 1979)
James Kevin Matthew O'Connor (born 1 September 1979) is an Irish former professional footballer who is the current Executive Vice President of Development at Louisville City, overseeing the club's academy, USL League Two team and NWSL affiliate scheduled to begin play in 2021.[3][4]
_(cropped).jpg.webp) O'Connor coaching Louisville City in 2017 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Kevin Matthew O'Connor[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 1 September 1979[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Dublin, Ireland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1994–1996 | Stoke City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1996–2003 | Stoke City | 176 | (16) |
| 2003–2005 | West Bromwich Albion | 30 | (0) |
| 2004–2005 | → Burnley (loan) | 13 | (0) |
| 2005–2008 | Burnley | 126 | (11) |
| 2008–2011 | Sheffield Wednesday | 139 | (6) |
| 2012–2014 | Orlando City | 41 | (0) |
| Total | 525 | (33) | |
| National team | |||
| – | Republic of Ireland U21 | ||
| Teams managed | |||
| 2013–2014 | Orlando City (assistant) | ||
| 2015–2018 | Louisville City | ||
| 2018–2019 | Orlando City | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only | |||
He has played for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s.[5] O'Connor began his career with Stoke City and after progressing their youth team he helped them to victory in the 2000 Football League Trophy Final and 2002 Football League Second Division play-off Final. After making over 200 appearances for the Potters he left to join Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2003. He spent one season at the Hawthorns before moving on to Burnley. O'Connor became a regular at Turf Moor making 149 appearances in four seasons at the club. In June 2008 he joined Sheffield Wednesday where he had spent four years making over 150 appearances. In January 2012 he moved to the United States to play for Orlando City.
He retired from playing in the summer of 2014 to become head coach of Louisville City.
Playing career
O'Connor was born in Dublin and joined English club Stoke City in 1996 after being spotted by the club's Irish base scouts. He made his debut in the 1998–99 season before becoming a regular in the team in 1999–2000. He scored eight goals in 55 appearances as Stoke reached the play-offs where they lost to Gillingham although he did play in the 2000 Football League Trophy Final where Stoke beat Bristol City 2–1 and his performances during the season earn him the player of the year award. He played 54 times in 2000–01 for Stoke scoring ten goals as they again failed in the play-offs losing to Walsall. He played in 50 matches in 2001–02 as Stoke finally won promotion via the play-offs, beating Brentford 2–0 in the 2002 Football League Second Division play-off Final. He played 47 times in 2002–03 helping Stoke avoid relegation before he turned down the offer of a new contract.[6]
He moved to West Bromwich Albion in summer 2003 for a fee of £250,000 and made his debut in the 4–1 defeat to Walsall. He spent a successful three-month loan spell with Burnley in 2004–05. That season he made only two substitute appearances for West Bromwich Albion and moved to Burnley permanently to pursue first-team football, signing on transfer deadline day in 2005 for a £175,000 fee where he became a popular player with the fans.[7]
His form at the start of the 2006–07 season at Burnley was among the best of his career. However, by the start of the 2007–08 season he seemed to be relegated to a squad player's role. The departure of Steve Cotterill as Burnley manager brought Owen Coyle in and he immediately restored O'Connor to the starting eleven. O'Connor responded by resuming his previous good form as the team's results improved. He was offered a new contract at the end of the 2007–08 season but when O'Connor asked for more time to consider his options, Coyle withdrew the offer and released him. O'Connor confirmed in an interview on BBC Radio Lancashire on 23 May that he was about to start a coaching course before deciding on his future.[7][8]
O'Connor confirmed his move to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday on 27 June 2008 following a month of speculation surrounding the move in the press.[9][10] He joined the club on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling after turning down the offer to extend his stay at Turf Moor.[11]
Coaching
On 10 January 2012, O'Connor signed with American third-tier side Orlando City of USL Pro.[12] He became a player-coach in 2013 with the team. He then became manager of Louisville City (Orlando City sold their rights to a USL Pro team to an investor group in Louisville, Kentucky). In March 2017, O'Connor extended his contract with Louisville City through the 2020 season.[13]
On 29 June 2018 Louisville City announced that O'Connor would depart the club after its match against New York Red Bulls II the next day to become head coach of Orlando City SC in MLS,[14] replacing Jason Kreis, who was sacked two weeks earlier. A trio of players – George Davis IV, Paolo DelPiccolo and Luke Spencer – would serve as player-coaches on an interim basis until a replacement was announced. He was sacked at the end of the 2019 season with the team having missed out on playoffs again and remaining 11th in the Eastern Conference.[15]
International career
O'Connor played for the Ireland at Under-21 level.[5]
Personal life
O'Connor's two brothers, Danny and Kevin both play for Bray Wanderers.
Career statistics
Player statistics
Source:[16]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other[A] | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Stoke City | 1998–99 | Second Division | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 1999–2000 | 42 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 55 | 8 | ||
| 2000–01 | 44 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 54 | 10 | ||
| 2001–02 | 43 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 50 | 3 | ||
| 2002–03 | First Division | 43 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 0 | |
| Total | 176 | 16 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 17 | 4 | 211 | 22 | ||
| West Bromwich Albion | 2003–04 | First Division | 30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 |
| 2004–05 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 30 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 | ||
| Burnley | 2004–05 | Championship | 21 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 2 |
| 2005–06 | 45 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 3 | ||
| 2006–07 | 42 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 3 | ||
| 2007–08 | 29 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3 | ||
| Total | 137 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 149 | 11 | ||
| Sheffield Wednesday | 2008–09 | Championship | 41 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 |
| 2009–10 | 44 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 3 | ||
| 2010–11 | League One | 36 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 45 | 4 | |
| 2011–12 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 1 | ||
| Total | 139 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 156 | 8 | ||
| Orlando City | 2012 | USL Pro | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 |
| 2013 | 19 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 25 | 0 | ||
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Total | 41 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 48 | 0 | ||
| Career Total | 523 | 33 | 26 | 0 | 29 | 2 | 24 | 6 | 602 | 41 | ||
- A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Football League play-offs, Football League Trophy and USL Pro play-offs.
Managerial statistics
All competitive games (league and domestic cups) are included.
- As of 7 October 2019
| Team | Nation | From | To | Record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | ||||
| Louisville City |  United States |
4 June 2014 | 30 June 2018 | 125 | 71 | 28 | 26 | 225 | 119 | +106 | 56.80 |
| Orlando City | United States |
2 July 2018 | 7 October 2019 | 56 | 13 | 14 | 29 | 69 | 95 | −26 | 23.21 |
| Career totals | 181 | 84 | 42 | 55 | 294 | 214 | +80 | 46.41 | |||
Honours
Stoke City
References
- "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/07/2011 and 31/07/2011" (PDF). The Football Association. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
- Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
- "Soccer Holdings hires James O'Connor to develop Academy, NWSL". LouCity. 13 January 2020.
- Poe, Julia (13 January 2020). "Former Orlando City coach James O'Connor joins Louisville City front office". Pro Soccer USA.
- "Nominees announced for eircom/FAI International Soccer Awards 2000" (Press release). eircom. 26 October 2000. Retrieved 27 May 2008.
- "O'Connor rejects new deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
- "Burnley withdraw O'Connor offer". BBC Sport. 23 May 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
- "Sports Show". BBC Radio Lancashire. 23 May 2008.
- "Owls capture midfielder O'Connor". BBC Sport. 27 June 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2008.
- Ian Appleyard (28 May 2008). "O'Connor set to sign for Owls". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 27 June 2008.
- "O'Connor can't wait to get started". SWFC.co.uk. 27 June 2008. Archived from the original on 27 September 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2008.
- http://www.orlandocitysoccer.com/news/teamnews/index.html?article_id=626%5B%5D
- Daniel Karell (22 March 2017). "Louisville City FC coach James O'Connor signs new contract". Louisville Courier-Journal.
- "BREAKING: Louisville City Football Club agrees deal in principle with Orlando City SC". Louisvillecityfc.com. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- "Orlando City SC Parts Ways With James O'Connor". www.orlandocitysc.com.
- James O'Connor at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
