_(cropped).jpg) McAuley withWest Bromwich Albion in 2014 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gareth Gerald McAuley[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1979-12-05)5 December 1979 (age 45)[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Larne, Northern Ireland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.95 m)[3] | ||
| Position | Centre back[2] | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1994–1999 | Linfield | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1999–2000 | Linfield | 0 | (0) |
| 1999–2000 | →Ballyclare Comrades (loan) | 7 | (0) |
| 2000–2002 | Crusaders | 64 | (3) |
| 2002–2004 | Coleraine | 63 | (4) |
| 2004–2006 | Lincoln City | 72 | (8) |
| 2006–2008 | Leicester City | 74 | (5) |
| 2008–2011 | Ipswich Town | 115 | (7) |
| 2011–2018 | West Bromwich Albion | 203 | (15) |
| 2018–2019 | Rangers | 7 | (0) |
| Total | 605 | (42) | |
| International career | |||
| 2003 | Northern Ireland B | 1 | (0) |
| 2005–2018 | Northern Ireland | 80 | (9) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Gareth Gerald McAuleyMBE (/məˈkɔːli/mə-KAW-lee;[4] born 5 December 1979) is a Northern Irish former professionalfootballer who played as acentre back. He representedNorthern Ireland at senior international level, beingcapped on 80 occasions and scoring nine times. He is the manager of theNorthern Ireland national under-19 football team.[5]
McAuley began his career playing in Northern Irish football withLinfield,Ballyclare Comrades,Crusaders andColeraine before joining English sideLincoln City in the summer of 2004. He impressed enough atSincil Bank to earn a move to Championship sideLeicester City. He moved on toIpswich Town in June 2008 following Leicester's relegation and then on to Premier League sideWest Bromwich Albion in July 2011. McAuley won West Brom's player of the year award for the 2012–13 season.
McAuley was born inLarne, County Antrim.[2] He began his career atLinfield and spent some time in early 2000 on loan atBallyclare Comrades. After four years at Linfield, he moved toCrusaders in the summer of 2000. After two successful seasons, he moved toColeraine.[citation needed]
In the summer of 2004, McAuley decided the time had come to look for a move into full-time football inthe Football League.[6] After attracting interest fromLincoln City andStockport County he linked up withEdgeley Park based club for a two-week trial under the eye of the formerNorthern Ireland managerSammy McIlroy who had given McAuley his firstNorthern Ireland B call-up.[7] After impressing in his trial, McAuley seemed set to sign for Stockport[8] but talks broke down and he instead joined Lincoln City on a two-year deal with Coleraine receiving £10,000 for his services.[9] With Lincoln already boasting one of the strongest defences in League Two at the time of McAuley's arrival, he did not walk straight into the first team. His first few appearances for the club were all as a substitute, and often in the role of a target man striker.[citation needed]
However, whenDean West was dropped from the squad and club captainPaul Morgan sidelined with an injury, McAuley moved into central defence to partnerBen Futcher. He immediately drew the plaudits for his excellent performances, which included a man of the match display against Derby County. He thereafter battled for a starting centre back role with fellow giantJamie McCombe for much of the season.[citation needed]
However, in March 2005, McAuley earned a starting role as the right full-back, replacing the perpetually out of form fan favouriteMatt Bloomer. He continued to play in this position for the rest of the season, helping Lincoln to the play-off final, not just with his exceptional defensive performances, but with 5 goals, including both in a 2–1 aggregate victory over Macclesfield in the play-off semi-final.[citation needed]
The 2005–06 season, however, saw him cement a spot in the centre of the Imps defence. With Ben Futcher leaving on a free transfer to join rivals Boston United, McAuley took his place. He enjoyed a fantastic season, which culminated ultimately in play-off defeat for Lincoln again, but saw him named in the League Two Team of the Year, and also caught the attention of a number of bigger clubs.[citation needed]
The lure of playing at a higher level saw McAuley reject Lincoln City's offer of a new contract in the summer of 2006, and he moved on a free transfer to Leicester City.[citation needed]
McAuley signed forLeicester City on 5 June 2006, after reaching the end of his contract at Lincoln, signing a three-year deal.[10] He scored his first senior goal for Leicester on 17 January in a 4–3 defeat toFulham in theFA Cup,[11] and was also on the scoresheet againstIpswich Town on 10 February, heading in both as Leicester won 2–0.[12]
In the2007–08 season, McAuley was appointedcaptain in a 0–0 draw againstWolverhampton Wanderers on 2 October 2007, followingStephen Clemence's injury.[13] He scored his fourth goal on 5 October againstSheffield Wednesday, helping Leicester earn their second only league win of the season,[14] and was then named in the Championship Team of the Week three days later.[15] McAuley is one of three players (DJ Campbell &Carl Cort) who netted in three goals againstChelsea in aLeague Cup match on 31 October atStamford Bridge, but could not prevent his side from losing 4–3.[16]
In January 2008,Ipswich Town managerJim Magilton made two bids to sign McAuley, but both of these were turned down.[17] Despite signing a new three-and-a-half-year deal on 8 February,[18] McAuley decided to leave Leicester following their relegation three months later.[citation needed]
McAuley signed forIpswich Town on 18 June 2008 and was named captain for the 2008/09 season, following the departure of club captainRichard Naylor in February 2009.[19] The defender got off to a somewhat shaky start, but after settling into the squad, established himself as a commanding leader and consistent defender. He made his debut on the opening day of the 2008–09 season, starting in a 1–2 loss toPreston North End. He made 39 appearances in all competitions during his first season at the club.[20] McAuley further enhanced his international credentials whilst with the Suffolk team.
He continued to be a regular starter in the team during the 2009–10 season. He scored his first goal for the club on 29 September 2009, in a 3–3 away draw withSheffield United atBramall Lane. McAuley scored 5 goals in 43 games over the course of the season.[21]
On 6 November 2010, McAuley played his 100th game for Ipswich Town, in which he scored the winner in a 2–1 win againstSheffield United.[22] He made 127 appearances during his time atPortman Road, scoring 8 goals, while also captaining the club during the 2008–09 season.[23]
On 23 May 2011,West Bromwich Albion officially announced McAuley would be signing a three-year contract (pending a medical) beginning 1 July;[24] he scored his first goal for the team in a 3–2 win away at Newcastle in December 2011. McAuley scored his second West Bromwich Albion goal, helping them beat Chelsea after 33 years without a point against the Blues. He scored in the 82nd minute of the game which finished 1–0.[25]
The2012–2013 season saw McAuley consolidate his place in the starting XI alongsideJonas Olsson, with the pair forming a solid partnership at the heart of the Albion defence. McAuley went on to make 36 league appearances scoring 3 goals, including a powerful header in West Brom's famous 2-0 win againstLiverpool F.C. atAnfield in February, helping Albion complete their first league double over Liverpool since 1967.
On 28 April 2013, McAuley was voted Players' Player of the Year and Supporters' Player of the Year after an impressive2012–2013 season.[26]
On 21 March 2015, McAuley was sent off in the second minute againstManchester City by refereeNeil Swarbrick in a Premier League match, due to mistaken identity withCraig Dawson.[27]
The2016–2017 season was the most prolific goal scoring campaign of McAuley's career, scoring 6 goals in 36 Premier League appearances. These goals included a 94th minute equaliser away atWest Ham United in February and the winning goal in a 2-1 victory at home toAFC Bournemouth in the following game.
On 20 June 2018, it was announced that McAuley would leave West Brom upon the expiration of his contract.[28] After making over 200 top flight appearances for the club, McAuley is held in high regard by West Brom fans and is widely considered to be one of their best defenders of the modern era.
McAuley signed forRangers on 3 September 2018, on a deal until the end of the2018–19 season.[29] He made his debut as an injury-time substitute on 8 November in a 4–3 defeat away toSpartak Moscow in theEuropa League.[30]
McAuley announced his retirement as a player on 30 September 2019, aged 39.[31]
In May 2003, McAuley received his first senior international call when he was one of fiveIrish League players named in the squad for theNorthern Ireland B team fixture withScotland B on 20 May 2003.[32] Selected in the starting eleven,[33] the team fell to a 2–1 defeat in front of just 1,502 spectators atFirhill Stadium.[34]
He received his first cap againstGermany as his team lost 4–1 in a friendly match on 4 June 2005.[35]
McAuley contemplated international retirement after being left out of the squad to faceSweden on 17 October 2007.[36] But on 9 October,Nigel Worthington recalled him to the squad.[37] McAuley made his comeback against Sweden on 17 October, drawing 1–1.[38] He was also part of the squad that defeatedDenmark 2–1 in a memorable victory on 17 November, keeping the national team's hopes of qualifying for theUEFA Euro 2008.[39] Their hopes were dashed when they lost 1–0 toSpain inLas Palmas on 21 November, finishing third inGroup F with twenty points.[40] McAuley scored his first international goal againstSan Marino on 11 February 2009.
McAuley was called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the European qualification games against Serbia and Slovenia in March 2011. He scored his second international goal against Serbia, but could not prevent his side losing 2–1. For the second game, against Slovenia, McAuley was named captain for the first time. He led his side to a 0–0 draw, putting in a man of the match display himself at the same time.[41]
On 4 September, McAuley scored twice for Northern Ireland in a 3–1 win against theFaroe Islands. The result put Northern Ireland at the top of Group F and on the brink of qualifying for their first European Championship.[42]
McAuley scored the first Northern Ireland goal in a tournament for 30 years, sinceColin Clarke at the1986 FIFA World Cup, againstUkraine inEuro 2016. In addition to this making him the second-oldest scorer at the Euros, it also saw the team win for the first time at the European finals.[43] Having made it out of the group stage, McAuley scored an own goal during theEuro 2016 round of 16 match againstWales, that resulted in Northern Ireland being eliminated from the tournament.[44]
At 36 years and 341 days, Gareth McAuley became the oldest scorer in European2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification games when he scored the second goal in Northern Ireland's 4–0 win over Azerbaijan on 11 November 2016.[45]
McAuley was appointed aMember of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the2019 New Year Honours for services to football in Northern Ireland.[46]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Lincoln City | 2004–05[47] | League Two | 37 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4[a] | 2 | 44 | 5 |
| 2005–06[48] | League Two | 35 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[b] | 0 | 40 | 5 | |
| Total | 72 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 84 | 10 | ||
| Leicester City | 2006–07[49] | Championship | 30 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | 35 | 4 | |
| 2007–08[50] | Championship | 44 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | 49 | 3 | ||
| Total | 74 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 1 | — | 84 | 7 | |||
| Ipswich Town | 2008–09[20] | Championship | 35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 39 | 0 | |
| 2009–10[21] | Championship | 41 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 43 | 5 | ||
| 2010–11[51] | Championship | 39 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | — | 45 | 3 | ||
| Total | 115 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 1 | — | 127 | 8 | |||
| West Bromwich Albion | 2011–12[52] | Premier League | 32 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 36 | 2 | |
| 2012–13[53] | Premier League | 36 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 38 | 3 | ||
| 2013–14[54] | Premier League | 32 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 33 | 2 | ||
| 2014–15[55] | Premier League | 24 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | 31 | 2 | ||
| 2015–16[56] | Premier League | 34 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 39 | 1 | ||
| 2016–17[57] | Premier League | 36 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 38 | 7 | ||
| 2017–18[58] | Premier League | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 12 | 0 | ||
| Total | 203 | 15 | 16 | 0 | 8 | 2 | — | 227 | 17 | |||
| Rangers | 2018–19[59] | Scottish Premiership | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Career total | 472 | 35 | 27 | 1 | 25 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 532 | 42 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 2005 | 2 | 0 |
| 2006 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2014 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 12 | 2 | |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 4 | 0 | |
| Total | 80 | 9 | |
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 February 2009 | San Marino Stadium, Serravalle, San Marino | 14 |  San Marino | 1–0 | 3–0 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2 | 25 March 2011 | Red Star Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia | 27 |  Serbia | 1–0 | 1–2 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualification |
| 3 | 6 September 2013 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 44 |  Portugal | 1–1 | 2–4 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 4 | 10 September 2013 | Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg | 45 |  Luxembourg | 2–2 | 2–3 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 5 | 11 October 2014 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 49 |  Faroe Islands | 1–0 | 2–0 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualification |
| 6 | 4 September 2015 | Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands | 54 | Faroe Islands | 1–0 | 3–1 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualification |
| 7 | 2–1 | ||||||
| 8 | 16 June 2016 | Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Décines-Charpieu, France | 63 |  Ukraine | 1–0 | 2–0 | UEFA Euro 2016 |
| 9 | 11 November 2016 | Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 69 |  Azerbaijan | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Coleraine
Individual
Orders
