 McBreen playing forNorth Queensland Fury in 2009 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Daniel James McBreen[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1977-04-23)23 April 1977 (age 48)[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Burnley, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.86 m)[3] | ||
| Position | Striker | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Newcastle Jets Youth (head coach) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| –1999 | Toronto Awaba Stags | ||
| 1999–2000 | Edgeworth Eagles | ||
| 2000–2002 | Newcastle United | 36 | (9) |
| 2002–2004 | Universitatea Craiova | 33 | (3) |
| 2004–2006 | Falkirk | 55 | (19) |
| 2006–2008 | Scunthorpe United | 7 | (0) |
| 2007 | →York City (loan) | 5 | (2) |
| 2008 | St Johnstone | 6 | (0) |
| 2008–2009 | York City | 38 | (5) |
| 2009–2010 | North Queensland Fury | 21 | (3) |
| 2010 | Perth Glory | 7 | (5) |
| 2010–2014 | Central Coast Mariners | 95 | (28) |
| 2013 | →Shanghai Dongya (loan) | 13 | (3) |
| 2014 | Shanghai Dongya | 28 | (5) |
| 2015 | South China | 4 | (0) |
| 2016–2019 | Edgeworth FC | 66 | (22) |
| Total | 414 | (104) | |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2019–2022 | Newcastle Jets Youth | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Daniel James McBreen (born 23 April 1977) is a former professionalfootballer who played as astriker. He played in the RomanianDivizia A forUniversitatea Craiova, in theScottish Premier League forFalkirk, inthe Football League forScunthorpe United, in theA-League forNorth Queensland Fury,Perth Glory andCentral Coast Mariners, in theChinese Super League forShanghai Dongya and in theHong Kong Premier League forSouth China. He is the formerly head coach of theNewcastle Jets youth team.
Born in England, McBreen moved to Australia with his family when he was six weeks old and started his career in local football withToronto Awaba Stags andEdgeworth Eagles. He earned a professional contract withNational Soccer League clubNewcastle United in 2000, where he played for two seasons before joining Universitatea Craiova of the Romanian Divizia A. He left them amid a dispute over wages in 2004, when he joined Falkirk, where he won theScottish First Division title and theScottish Challenge Cup in the 2004–05 season. McBreen spent 2005–06 with them in the Scottish Premier League before being released, when he joinedLeague One club Scunthorpe United in 2006. He played sporadically in their2006–07 League One title-winning season, and wasloaned toConference Premier clubYork City in 2007 before having a short spell withSt Johnstone in the Scottish First Division. McBreen rejoined York permanently in 2008 and playedone season for them, with his last match in Europe coming in their defeat in the2009 FA Trophy Final atWembley Stadium.
He returned to Australia to play in the A-League for North Queensland Fury, but mid-season agreed to join division rivals Central Coast Mariners for the next two seasons. McBreen completed2009–10 with another A-League club, Perth Glory, and his good form with them resulted in a call-up to theAustralia national team. He was part of the Mariners team that finished in second place in the2010–11 A-League but was beaten in the2011 A-League Grand Final. The Mariners were the Australian Premiers in2011–12, but were knocked out of thefinals series in the preliminary final. McBreen scored one of the Mariners' goals in the2013 A-League Grand Final as they were crowned A-League Champions, and for his performance he was awarded theJoe Marston Medal. He had already wonA-League Golden Boot as the division's top scorer with 17 goals. He then went on loan with Shanghai Dongya, before joining them permanently for the2014 Chinese Super League and having a spell with South China for the remainder of the2014–15 Hong Kong Premier League.
McBreen was born inBurnley, Lancashire, England[4] to Jim and Kathy (née Wood).[5][6] The family moved to Australia six weeks later after his father took up an offer to playfootball forEdgeworth Eagles.[5] He was raised inNewcastle, New South Wales[7] and started his career playing local football forToronto Awaba Stags before joining Edgeworth Eagles in 1999.[8] McBreen scored over 20 goals for them in the 1999Northern NSW State Football League[8] before being the league's top scorer the following season with 23 goals.[9] However, he was dropped for the grand final, when Edgeworth were beaten 3–0 byHamilton Olympic.[9]
McBreen earned his first professional contract aged 23[10] withNewcastle United of theNational Soccer League in July 2000.[11] He later credited Edgeworth coach Bobby Naumov for the move, saying "He set me on the road to a pro career".[5] McBreen made his debut that year,[7] and scored 6 goals from 23 appearances[12] as Newcastle finished in 14th place in the2000–01 National Soccer League table.[13] Newcastle turned full-time the following year,[5] and McBreen played 13 matches and scored 3 goals[12] with Newcastle improving their league position by ranking second in the2001–02 National Soccer League table.[14] Despite playing less frequently[12] he enjoyed working under new coachIan Crook, saying "you can speak to him as a human being and he can man manage. He made training enjoyable".[5]
After being offered atrial withUniversitatea Craiova by an agent, McBreen signed for the RomanianDivizia A club in July 2002 on a three-year contract.[15][16] He made his debut in 3–1 win overAstra Ploiești on 17 August,[17] and scored only once in 13 appearances[12] for a Craiova team that ranked seventh in the2002–03 Divizia A table.[18] However, McBreen's wages were continually paid late throughout the season and he came close to a move to NorwegianTippeligaen clubLillestrøm, only for Craiova to twice raise their asking price for him on transfer deadline day.[15] He played more regularly the next season, making 20 appearances and scoring 2 goals[12] as Craiova finished fourth in the2003–04 Divizia A table.[19] He finally left Craiova in 2004[20] after the club's presidentPavel Badea, a former teammate of McBreen's at the club, signed a letter releasing him from his contract.[15] He took his case toFIFA and theCourt of Arbitration for Sport with the help ofProfessional Footballers Australia, and only received the money he was owed after the club was given a three-point deduction and was threatened with automaticrelegation.[15]
McBreen was prepared to return to Australia before being offered a trial withFalkirk of theScottish First Division.[21] He also played forConference South clubSt Albans City in pre-season[22] before Falkirk received international clearance to play him in September 2004.[20] McBreen made his debut as a 73rd-minutesubstitute forAndy Thomson in a 3–0 home win overGretna in theScottish Challenge Cup on 14 September.[23] He came on as a 72nd-minute substitute for Thomson in the2004 Scottish Challenge Cup Final, in which Falkirk beatRoss County 2–1 atMcDiarmid Park on 7 November.[23] His first goal came on his first start for the club,[23] with a shot from eight yards seconds before half-time, as Falkirk beatRaith Rovers 2–0 away on 13 November.[24] This marked the start of a run of nine goals from seven matches,[23] and come the end of the season McBreen and his strike partnerDarryl Duffy had scored a combined total of 40 goals.[25] He finished 2004–05 with 13 goals from 26 matches[23] as Falkirk were promoted to theScottish Premier League as2004–05 Scottish First Division champions.[26] His 13 league goals saw him ranked as the division's fourth highest scorer.[27]
McBreen signed a new one-year contract with Falkirk in June 2005, andmanagerJohn Hughes predicted "With a good pre-season under his belt, I'm sure he'll get even better".[28] He scored his first goal of the 2005–06 season in the 83rd minute of a home match againstRangers on 10 September, with a header fromAlan Gow's cross that secured Falkirk a 1–1 draw.[29] McBreen scored the only goal in Falkirk's 1–0 win overLivingston on 6 May 2006 with a header from Gow's free kick, which was only the team's second victory at home all season.[30] He appeared more frequently in 2005–06, making 38 appearances but only scoring 8 goals,[31] with Falkirk ranking in 10th place in the2005–06 Scottish Premier League table.[32] Despite taking over the main striking role after Duffy's transfer toHull City in January, McBreen was released by the club in May.[33]
He went on trial withLeague One clubsNorthampton Town,Brighton & Hove Albion[34] andScunthorpe United,[35] signing for the latter on 30 August 2006 on a two-year contract.[36] He made his debut two days later starting a 2–0 away victory overGillingham, but due to a hamstring injury that kept him out of action for 10 months his last appearance of 2006–07 came in November.[15][37] He made 10 appearances[37] for a Scunthorpe team that wonpromotion to theChampionship as2006–07 League One champions.[38] At the end of the season, McBreen was told by Scunthorpe managerNigel Adkins that he was free to pursue a transfer to another club, despite having a year remaining on his contract.[39]
McBreen joinedConference Premier clubYork City on 5 October 2007 on a one-monthloan, with the option of a possible extension.[25] His York debut came in a 4–1 home defeat toHiston a day later and scored his first goal in the following match againstStafford Rangers,[40] with a header from aMartyn Woolford cross in a 2–0 home victory.[41] After making five appearances and scoring two goals[40] he was recalled by Scunthorpe on 5 November due to the departure of on-loanMillwall strikerBen May.[42] Despite this, York managerBilly McEwan was interested in bringing McBreen back to the club for another loan spell.[43] He bought out the remainder of his Scunthorpe contract[44] to joinSt Johnstone of the Scottish First Division on 2 January 2008 on a contract until the end of the season.[45] His debut came the same day in a 1–1 home draw withDundee, which he entered as a 62nd-minute substitute forLiam Craig.[46] He suffered a knee injury during this match, and this hampered his progress at the club.[44] On 20 April, McBreen scored the opening goal with a back-post header fromPaul Sheerin's cross in St Johnstone'sScottish Cup semi-final against Rangers atHampden Park inextra time, which they eventually lost in apenalty shoot-out.[47] St Johnstone finished in third place in the2007–08 Scottish First Division table[48] as McBreen made seven appearances and scored one goal[46] before being released by the club in May.[49]
McBreen held talks withA-League teamAdelaide United[50] before being handed a trial with their divisional rivalsWellington Phoenix.[51] He returned to former club York City on 25 June 2008 on a one-year contract.[52] His first match back at the club was a 1–0 away victory overCrawley Town and in his third appearance he scored his first goal of the2008–09 season[53] with a left-footed shot from 17 yards in a 1–1 home draw with Histon.[54] McBreen was played primarily as a lone striker in away matches during 2008–09, a decision which York managerColin Walker defended in September;[55] Dave Flett ofThe Press commented that he "[led] the line lazily".[56] During February 2009, it was reported in the Australian media that he had agreed join A-League newcomersNorth Queensland Fury, although York were unaware of any transfer taking place.[57] It was later confirmed that he would join the Fury in August for the2009–10 A-League, following the expiry of his York contract in June.[58] He had scored in every round of the2008–09 FA Trophy leading up to thefinal, bar the first round when he was an unused substitute, and ahead of the final commented that: "I couldn't ask for anything more than a Wembley final to end my career in Europe and it's also a great finale to a disappointing season for the fans and players".[59] He started in the match atWembley Stadium on 9 May, which York lost 2–0 toStevenage Borough.[60] He made 48 appearances and scored 10 goals[53] with York finishing in 17th place in the2008–09 Conference Premier table.[61]
McBreen made his debut for North Queensland Fury in a 3–2 home defeat toSydney FC on 8 August 2009 as an 82nd-minute substitute forPaul Kohler.[62] He soon established himself in the starting line-up, and scored his first goal for the Fury after heading in aFred Agius cross in the 87th minute of a 3–3 draw with Adelaide United on 28 August.[62][63] He went on to sign a two-year pre-contract with A-League opponentsCentral Coast Mariners, for the2010–11 and2011–12 seasons, in December.[64] McBreen was used mostly as a substitute after the move was announced,[62] before signing an interim contract withPerth Glory for the remainder of the 2009–10 season in a swap forJimmy Downey on 12 January 2010.[65] He had scored 3 goals in 21 appearances for the Fury.[62]
McBreen's debut for the Glory came when he entered a 6–2 away loss toMelbourne Victory as a 38th-minute substitute forChris Coyne on 16 January 2010.[62] He started and scored in the next match three days later, a 3–2 away win over Adelaide United, with the winning goal in the 77th minute.[62] This marked the start of a run of five goals from four matches,[62] helping the Glory finish fifth in the 2009–10 A-League table and thus qualify for thefinals series.[66] McBreen played in their 4–2 penalty shoot-out defeat to Wellington Phoenix in the fourth v fifth semi-final on 21 February, which followed a 1–1 draw after extra time.[62] He had scored five goals in seven appearances for the Glory,[62] and with eight goals altogether he was the 2009–10 A-League's eighth highest scorer.[67] His good form was rewarded with his first call-up for theAustralia national team.[68]
McBreen made his debut for the Mariners in 1–0 away win overMelbourne Heart on 5 August 2010, in which he was substituted forNik Mrdja in the 90th minute.[62] His first goal came nearly a month later when heading inMatt Simon's cross in the 50th minute of a 2–0 home win over Melbourne Victory on 3 September.[69] McBreen wassent off for the first time since returning to Australia with a secondyellow card[62] during the stoppage time of a 5–1 home defeat toBrisbane Roar on 28 November,[70] and returned from suspension as a 52nd-minute substitute forAdam Kwasnik in a 1–1 draw away to Perth Glory on 12 December.[71] With a second-placed finish in the 2010–11 A-League table the Mariners qualified for thefinals series,[72] and he started in their 4–2 aggregate defeat to Brisbane Roar in the major semi-final and their 1–0 win overGold Coast United in the preliminary final.[62] McBreen came on as a 72nd-minute substitute for Simon in the2011 A-League Grand Final atLang Park on 13 March 2011, and after a 2–2 extra time draw he missed one of thepenalty kicks as the Mariners lost the shoot-out 4–2.[62] He made 31 appearances and scored 5 goals for the Mariners in 2010–11.[62]
Early into the 2011–12 A-League season he was deployed as the focal of a midfield diamond, and this contributed to the team's improving form.[73] McBreen scored his first goal of the season in a 3–1 home win over Melbourne Heart, with an 82nd-minute penalty kick, and his only A-League goal scored in normal play[62] came after convertingPedj Bojic's cross in a 3–2 home victory over Adelaide United on 21 January 2012.[74] The Mariners became the A-League Premiers after finishing in first place in the 2011–12 table, also qualifying for thefinals series.[75] He appeared as a substitute in the first leg of their 5–2 aggregate defeat to Brisbane Roar in the major semi-final, and as a substitute in the preliminary final against Perth Glory, in which the Mariners were beaten 5–3 in a penalty shoot-out after a 1–1 extra time draw.[62] McBreen made five appearances and scored twice in the2012 AFC Champions League,[62] as they were eliminated from the tournament after finishing third intheir group.[76] He scored 4 goals from 30 matches in 2011–12,[62] and was handed a new contract with the Mariners for the2012–13 A-League in April.[77]
McBreen's first goal of 2012–13 came seven minutes after entering the Mariners's 1–0 win at home to Perth Glory as a 63rd-minute substitute, in what was his first appearance of the season.[78] He recorded the firsthat-trick in the Mariners' history in their 7–2 home win over Sydney FC on 3 November 2012, scoring in the first half with a penalty kick and in the second half with a close range finish and a header fromJosh Rose's cross.[79] This marked the start of a run of 14 goals from 15 matches,[62] helping the Mariners to second place in the 2012–13 A-League table and thus a place in thefinals series.[80] With 17 goals McBreen won theA-League Golden Boot, awarded to the division's top scorer.[81] In the semi-final of the finals series he scored the only goal in the Mariner's 1–0 win over Melbourne Victory on 14 April 2013[62] with a powerful shot in the 42nd minute.[82] One week later he scored the second goal with a 68th-minute penalty kick as the Mariners beatWestern Sydney Wanderers 2–0 atSydney Football Stadium in the2013 A-League Grand Final.[62] This was the first time the Mariners had won the A-League Championship, and McBreen was awarded theJoe Marston Medal, given to theman of the match of the Grand Final,[83] before being named as a substitute in thePFA A-League Team of the Season.[84] He made six appearances in the team's run to theround of 16 of the AFC Champions League, when they were beaten 5–1 on aggregate byGuangzhou Evergrande of theChinese Super League.[62] McBreen signed a new contract with the Mariners for the2013–14 A-League in May,[85] having scored 19 goals from 33 appearances in 2012–13.[62]
On 8 June 2013, McBreen joined Chinese Super League teamShanghai Dongya on a five-month loan lasting until 31 October, joining his former teammateBernie Ibini-Isei who completed his transfer four days earlier.[86] His debut came a month later after starting Shanghai's 3–0 home defeat toBeijing Guoan on 7 July, and a week later scored his first goal in the 10th minute of a 3–0 away victory overGuizhou Renhe.[62] He scored 3 goals in 13 appearances for Shanghai before returning for the Mariners when starting their 1–0 home defeat to the Brisbane Roar on 10 November.[62] McBreen's first goal for the Mariners in the 2013–14 A-League came with a close-range backheel with the only goal in a 1–0 victory at home to Sydney FC on 7 December.[87]
McBreen scored twice in 12 appearances for the Mariners in 2013–14[62] before signing for Shanghai Dongya permanently on a one-season contract for a fee of $250,000 on 31 January 2014.[88] His second debut came when starting their 1–1 away draw withLiaoning Hongyun on 9 March,[62] before scoring his first goal of the2014 Chinese Super League with a left-footed volley from outside thepenalty area in a 1–1 draw at home toShanghai Greenland Shenhua on 26 April.[89] He went without scoring in the final three months of the season, which he finished with 5 goals from 28 appearances[62] as Shanghai ranked in fifth place in the 2014 Chinese Super League table.[90] McBreen stated his desire to stay for another season, but admitted he might not be retained after the club was taken over by new owners.[91]
He signed forHong Kong Premier League clubSouth China for the remainder of the2014–15 Hong Kong Premier League on 21 January 2015.[92] McBreen debuted four days later as a 77th-minute substitute forYuto Nakamura in a 4–2 away win overSun Pegasus, before scoring twice in their 6–1 away victory againstGlobal in the2015 AFC Cup group stage on 25 February.[62] He started for South China in their 4–0 defeat toKitchee in the2014–15 Hong Kong League Cup Final atMong Kok Stadium on 22 April.[62] McBreen scored both of the team's goals in their 2–0 victory overEastern Sports Club in theAFC Cup play-off semi-final, and started their 1–1 extra time draw withYFCMD in the final, but was substituted before the 4–2 penalty shoot-out win.[62] South China finished fourth in the 2014–15 Hong Kong Premier League table,[93] and McBreen scored 11 goals from 17 appearances[62] before his contract expired in May.[94]
Australia national team coachPim Verbeek selected McBreen in an extended squad of 25 players for the2011 AFC Asian Cup qualifier againstIndonesia inBrisbane on 3 March 2010.[68] He was an unused substitute as Australia beat Indonesia 1–0.[95]
McBreen played as astriker and was good in the air and adept at holding the ball up and bringing teammates into play.[96] At 6 feet 1 inch (1.86 m),[3] he posed a threat at set pieces.[97] North Queensland Fury coachIan Ferguson commented on his physicality, describing him as "an aggressive player ... who will give centre halves a hard time".[97]
McBreen was appointed as the head coach of theNewcastle Jets under-15 team in October 2015,[98] and remained playing on a semi-professional basis with former club Edgeworth in theNational Premier Leagues Northern NSW for the2016 season.[99] He retired from playing at the end of the 2019 season[100] and was appointed as the head coach of theNewcastle Jets youth team on 13 September 2019.[101] In April 2022, he left his post as coach, amid suggestions he and football managerCraig Deans had lost faith in the club's management.[102]
Since 2021, McBreen has worked forNetwork 10 providing commentary and punditry on theAustralia men's national soccer team andA-League Men matches.
Before turning professional McBreen worked a number of jobs along with playing football, saying "I did everything – too many jobs to mention – and I know I would rather be on the training ground than sat in an office or hauling concrete all day".[103] He married Gabrielle Stockton inSydney, New South Wales in December 2014 and the couple have two sons, Noah and Leo.[104]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Newcastle United | 2000–01[12] | National Soccer League | 23 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 23 | 6 | ||||
| 2001–02[12] | National Soccer League | 13 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 13 | 3 | |||||
| Total | 36 | 9 | — | — | — | — | 36 | 9 | ||||||
| Universitatea Craiova | 2002–03[12] | Divizia A | 13 | 1 | — | — | — | 13 | 1 | |||||
| 2003–04[12] | Divizia A | 20 | 2 | — | — | — | 20 | 2 | ||||||
| Total | 33 | 3 | — | — | — | 33 | 3 | |||||||
| Falkirk | 2004–05[23] | Scottish First Division | 23 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2[c] | 0 | 26 | 13 | |
| 2005–06[31] | Scottish Premier League | 32 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 38 | 8 | |||
| Total | 55 | 19 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 64 | 21 | |||
| Scunthorpe United | 2006–07[37] | League One | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2[d] | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2007–08[46] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |||
| York City (loan) | 2007–08[40] | Conference Premier | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | ||||
| St Johnstone | 2007–08[46] | Scottish First Division | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 7 | 1 | |||
| York City | 2008–09[53] | Conference Premier | 38 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 8[e] | 5 | 48 | 10 | ||
| North Queensland Fury | 2009–10[62] | A-League | 21 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 21 | 3 | ||||
| Perth Glory | 2009–10[62] | A-League | 7 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 5 | ||||
| Central Coast Mariners | 2010–11[62] | A-League | 31 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 31 | 5 | ||||
| 2011–12[62] | A-League | 25 | 2 | — | — | 5[f] | 2 | — | 30 | 4 | ||||
| 2012–13[62] | A-League | 27 | 19 | — | — | 6[f] | 0 | — | 33 | 19 | ||||
| 2013–14[62] | A-League | 12 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 12 | 2 | |||||
| Total | 95 | 28 | — | — | 11 | 2 | — | 106 | 30 | |||||
| Shanghai Dongya (loan) | 2013[62] | Chinese Super League | 13 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 13 | 3 | ||||
| Shanghai Dongya | 2014[62] | Chinese Super League | 28 | 5 | — | — | — | — | 28 | 5 | ||||
| Total | 41 | 8 | — | — | — | — | 41 | 8 | ||||||
| South China | 2014–15[62] | Hong Kong Premier League | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7[g] | 8 | 2[h] | 2 | 17 | 11 |
| Edgeworth | 2016[105] | National Premier Leagues Northern NSW | 18 | 9 | 5 | 10 | — | — | 3[i] | 1 | 26 | 20 | ||
| 2017[106] | National Premier Leagues Northern NSW | 18 | 4 | 5 | 4 | — | — | 2[i] | 2 | 25 | 10 | |||
| 2018[107] | National Premier Leagues Northern NSW | 18 | 6 | 3 | 2 | — | — | 1[i] | 0 | 22 | 8 | |||
| 2019[108] | National Premier Leagues Northern NSW | 12 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 15 | 6 | ||||
| Total | 66 | 22 | 16 | 19 | — | — | 6 | 3 | 88 | 44 | ||||
| Career total | 414 | 104 | 27 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 10 | 20 | 10 | 845 | 147 | ||
Falkirk
York City
Central Coast Mariners
Edgeworth
Individual
