Rory Delap

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Rory Delap
Rory Delap preparing to deliver a "Delap Special"
Personal information
Full name Rory John Delap
Date of birth 6 July 1976 (1976-07-06) (age 35)
Place of birth Sutton Coldfield, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current club Stoke City
Number 24
Youth career
Carlisle United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1994–1998 Carlisle United 65 (7)
1998–2001 Derby County 103 (11)
2001–2006 Southampton 132 (5)
2006–2007 Sunderland 12 (1)
2006 → Stoke City (loan) 2 (0)
2007– Stoke City 168 (8)
National team
1998–2004 Republic of Ireland 11 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:00, 21 January 2012 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Rory John Delap (pronounced /dəˈlæp/; born 6 July 1976) is an English born Irish footballer who plays for Stoke City. He has played eleven times for the Republic of Ireland national football team.

Delap started his career at Carlisle United and impressed enough to earn a move to Premiership side Derby County in 1998. He joined Southampton spending five years on the south coast before moving back to the north east at Sunderland. He did not spend long on Wearside, joining Stoke City on loan in October 2006. In just his second match for Stoke against his parent club Sunderland Delap suffered a broken leg. Despite this Delap signed a contract at Stoke in January 2007. He went on to become a vital member of the squad and his long throw-ins have helped Stoke to gain promotion to the Premier League and consolidate in the league.

A midfielder by trade, he is renowned for his long throw-in ability.[2] Between the touchlines, he is famed for his fitness and work rate, giving him a valuable role in breaking up opposition play. Delap was a talented javelin thrower in his youth, and was touted to represent Ireland in the Olympics after his throw-ins shot to prominence following Stoke's promotion to the Premier League.[3]

Contents

[edit] Career

Delap was born in Sutton Coldfield to Irish parents; his family moved to Carlisle when he was six months old, hence starting his career at Carlisle United.

[edit] Carlisle United

Delap was one of several promising players who came through the ranks at Brunton Park in the mid-1990s, including Matt Jansen, Scott Dobie and Lee Peacock. In 1997 he was part of the side which gained promotion to Division Two and won the Auto Windscreens Shield at Wembley Stadium.

[edit] Derby County

Delap was signed by Derby County's manager Jim Smith for £200,000 in February 1998. Rory scored and assisted a goal in Derby's 3–0 win over Leicester City, a game in which Stan Collymore broke his leg.[4] Delap also scored in the second meeting against Leicester that season, although The Foxes won the game 2–1.[5] Delap scored a goal within twenty-two seconds in a game against Bradford City, but was later sent off for conceding a penalty one of four penalties in an epic 4–4 draw.[6]

[edit] Southampton

On 10 July 2001, Delap transferred from Derby County to Southampton for a fee of £4 million, becoming Southampton manager Stuart Gray's first signing since replacing Glenn Hoddle at The Dell, Gray's first signing of his managerial career and the club's most expensive transfer.[7] Prior to this, Southampton's record transfer fee had been the £2 million paid to Sheffield Wednesday for striker David Hirst in September 1997. Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren was also in the hunt for Delap's signature but failed, as did Leeds United. Former club Carlisle received £700,000.[8] One of Delap's defining moments for the "Saints" was in their 1–0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on 27 March 2004, when he scored a spectacular bicycle kick in the 64th minute.[9]

Seven months later Delap made another huge impact for the Saints, scoring two headers in a 2–2 draw with Arsenal. Both of Delap's goals came in the last ten minutes of the game, and would have secured three points for Southampton had it not been for Robin van Persie's last minute equaliser, who had only been on the pitch for under ten minutes, and managed to preserve Arsenal's position at the top of the Premiership.[10]

[edit] Sunderland

From Southampton, Delap was signed by Mick McCarthy for Sunderland in the 2005–06 season. He made six appearances for the club that season before injury struck. On 8 April 2006, under caretaker manager Kevin Ball,[11] he clashed heads with team-mate George McCartney during his side's league game with Fulham, a game that was subsequently abandoned.[12] In doing so, he broke his nose and underwent an operation to adjust it correctly after being selected to play at Manchester United only to withdraw after suffering a nose bleed during the warm-up.[13] Thus he was ruled out for the remainder of the season and Manchester United relegated Sunderland and their own title hopes with a 0–0 draw.[14] He scored once in the league during his spell at Sunderland, a crucial equaliser in a 2–2 draw with Everton on 1 April 2006.[15]

[edit] Stoke City

Having become a marginal figure when Roy Keane took over as manager of Sunderland, Delap transferred to Stoke City on loan in October 2006.[16] He made his debut in the 4–0 thumping of Leeds United at Elland Road. A week after signing on loan, Delap made his home debut for Stoke City against his former club Sunderland on 17 October 2006. However after a challenge from Sunderland player Robbie Elliott he sustained fractures to his tibia and fibula early in the game resulting in a broken leg.[17][18] Despite the fact that his injury sidelined him for the remainder of the 2006–07 season, Stoke City manager Tony Pulis signed Delap on a permanent basis[19] on 9 January 2007.[20] On 15 July 2007, Delap made his comeback in a pre-season friendly with Newcastle Town.[21] Delap impressed after returning from injury, playing 46 games as, particularly in the second half of the season, Stoke finished second and secured promotion to the Premier League for the first time.

Rory Delap in 2008

The potency of the "Delap Special" reached new heights as Stoke City began their debut Premier League season. Of their first thirteen goals, seven were credited as Delap assists.[22] Tony Pulis suggested his absence was a crucial factor in Stoke's 2–0 defeat to Chelsea on 28 September.[23] Delap scored his first goal of the season in its eighth game. It proved to be the winner in the 2–1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Britannia Stadium on 19 October 2008, putting Stoke City five points above their relegation rivals.[24] Delap was sent off in Stoke's 1–0 win over Manchester City for fouling and kicking out at Shaun Wright-Phillips.[25]

Delap did not wait long into the new season to use the "Delap Special". His throw-in in the opening game of the 2009–10 season against Burnley earned Stoke a 2–0 victory.[26] Delap gave away two penalties within three games. One was against Portsmouth and the other was against Arsenal. Aruna Dindane of Portsmouth was struck in the head by Delap's boot[27] while Andrei Arshavin was tripped up by Delap's long leg.[28] Both penalties were saved by Thomas Sørensen. On Saturday 19 December 2009, Delap made his 100th appearance for Stoke City against Aston Villa at Villa Park, it was also his first ever appearance as a substitute in a Stoke City shirt.[29] Delap made his 100th league appearance for Stoke in a 0–0 draw with his former club Sunderland on the 1 February 2010.[30]

Delap proved to be a crucial factor in Stoke's 2009–10 FA Cup campaign. Despite trailing to York City in the third round of the competition, Delap assisted two goals from his dreaded throw-ins, helping the Potters gain their ticket to the fourth round. Stoke faced Premiership rivals Arsenal in the fourth round, and despite being considered the underdogs, an early Delap throw caused havoc in the area, allowing Ricardo Fuller to the give Stoke the lead after 70 seconds. Stoke went on to win 3–1 and drew Manchester City in the fifth round. Man City took an early lead through Shaun Wright-Phillips, in a game that Delap did not start. Rory saw the field in the second half though, producing yet another long throw-in that led to a Ricardo Fuller header, almost identical to the one he scored against Arsenal. The game finished 1–1 and a replay had to settle the teams. The replay was even throughout, thus extra time was required. Delap got the opportunity to change the game again. A long throw found Ryan Shawcross who beat Shay Given to the ball, putting Stoke 2–1 ahead. The Potters went on to win 3–1, earning a quarter final match with Chelsea. Delap's dreaded delivery looked certain to have an impact yet again, although after it had initially been cleared a Stoke shot was saved off the line. Chelsea proved too strong for Stoke, ending their campaign in the process.[31]

Delap made his 300th appearance in the Premier League on 13 September 2010 against Aston Villa becoming the 82nd player to reach the landmark.[32] On 16 October 2010, Delap scored his first goal in 21 months against Bolton Wanderers. Although Rory's goal was the equaliser, Stoke lost 2-1 during injury-time, with Ivan Klasnić's winner ironically occurring from a long throw-in. Just a few minutes after his goal Klasnić received two yellow cards in quick succession, with the second coming after catching Delap in the face while challenging for a header.[33] He scored another rare goal against West Bromwich Albion in February 2011.[34] Delap's throw-ins were another major factor in Stoke's 2010–11 FA Cup campaign. Not only did one lead to an assist in their fifth round victory over Brighton,[35] but another helped give them their ticket to Wembley after they defeated West Ham in the sixth round.[36] In April 2011 Delap signed a one year extension on his contract keeping him at the Britannia Stadium until 2013.[37] After turning 35 Delap stated that he has no plans for retirement.[38]

[edit] International career

A former Republic of Ireland under-21 international, Delap won 11 caps for the Republic of Ireland national football team between 1998 and 2004. He was not included in the Irish squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where the nation reached the final sixteen of the tournament. His international career was marked by a number of withdrawals, the last of which was with a twisted knee on 25 April 2004 before a midweek exhibition game against Poland.[39]

[edit] International appearances

# Date Venue Opponent Goals Result Competition Report
1. 25 March 1998 Andrův stadion  Czech Republic 0 1–2 Friendly [40]
2. 22 April 1998 Lansdowne Road  Argentina 0 0–2 Friendly [41]
3. 23 May 1998 Lansdowne Road  Mexico 0 0–0 Friendly [42]
4. 13 November 1999 Lansdowne Road  Turkey 0 1–1 Euro 2000 Qualifying Play-off [43]
5. 17 November 1999 Bursa Atatürk Stadium  Turkey 0 0–0 Euro 2000 Qualifying Play-off [44]
6. 26 April 2000 Lansdowne Road  Greece 0 0–1 Friendly [45]
7. 17 April 2002 Lansdowne Road  United States 0 2–1 Friendly [46]
8. 21 August 2002 Helsinki Olympic Stadium  Finland 0 0–3 Friendly [47]
9. 20 November 2002 Karaiskakis Stadium  Greece 0 0–0 Friendly [48]
10. 18 November 2003 Lansdowne Road  Canada 0 3–0 Friendly [49]
11. 31 March 2004 Lansdowne Road  Czech Republic 0 2–1 Friendly [50]

[edit] Throw-ins

Delap after a throw in 2009

Delap, a former schoolboy javelin champion,[51] is renowned for having one of the longest and most feared throw-ins in football; his throws, noted by Martin O'Neill as equivalent to "a corner or a free kick", often range 30–40 metres (98–130 ft) (averaging 38 m (125 ft)), and can reach the speed of 60 km/h (37 mph). They have served as an assist in more than one case before 2008. Numerous experts, including his manager Tony Pulis, have commented on the technique Delap employs, the length and flatness undoing many a defence.

"It causes so many problems (amongst the opposition defence). I think it's because they're so flat. They're not lofted into the air, he throws it pretty flat and it's very difficult for defenders to pick up the flight."

Tony Pulis[52]

Fellow professionals similarly renowned for long throw-ins, such as Mario Melchiot, formerly of Wigan Athletic, and Lee Dixon, formerly of Arsenal, have also spoken of their admiration for Delap. Melchiot described Delap's ability as "one hell of a throw-in" and a "great weapon", having already set Delap out for unique praise in stating that he did not think there was "anyone in the league that can throw like him".[53]

To increase the momentum of the throw, Delap takes four steps from the advertising boards around the pitch, followed by one long stride. In doing this he plants his front foot solidly on the ground propelling all momentum forward, thus increasing the speed with which the ball is released. Delap says he does not work on building his upper body strength and physique, although he uses his shoulders and lower back muscles to give power to his throw. For the ball to reach his target faster, Delap throws it on a flat trajectory releasing in such a way to cause large amounts of backspin. This helps to counter gravity so the ball will travel on a more level elevation even though it is released at such a low angle. He tends to target two players within 6ft of each other. His throw-ins are reputed as more accurate than most corners being that more muscles are used to control the direction in which the ball travels.[54]

"I have never seen anyone with a throw-in like Delap's and I believe his missiles have created seven out of Stoke's 13 league goals this season. I had a long throw and used to practise them, but I could only just about get it in the box. My team-mate Perry Groves could throw it a long way and we have seen the likes of Dave Challinor and Andy Legg do it – but nothing like Delap. Most long throws tend to be a bit loopy, whereas Delap's are fired in like a free-kick – but even more dangerous."

Lee Dixon[55]

Factors, according to Dixon's analysis, which further enhance the dangerous nature of Delap's throw-ins are the fact that "you cannot be offside from a throw-in, so the attackers can crowd the six-yard box" and "because a free-kick starts with the ball on the ground it means it has to have a natural arc in order to get up and over the first defender", whereas "from a throw-in the ball starts from six foot and it is the angle and trajectory of Delap's darts that make them so potent".[56]

In the 2008–09 Premier League season Delap's throw-ins led directly to both goals scored in at least two matches. Both Stoke goals in the 3–2 loss to Everton on 14 September 2008 came about as a result of Delap's throw. Afterwards Everton manager David Moyes referred to Delap as the "Human Sling".[57] Later, Delap used his ability to help score Stoke's goals in the 2–1 victory over Arsenal at the Britannia Stadium on 1 November 2008. The first of these travelled 45 metres from the sideline into the penalty area. He has also assisted goals with his long throw against Aston Villa, Bolton, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and Sunderland in the 2008–09 season.

The then Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari described the technique as "fantastic" and suggested the goalkeeper ought not to attempt claiming the ball in this situation.

"I think he puts the ball better with his hands than his foot, it's fantastic. I have never seen anything like this in my life; 10 metres outside midfield, this boy puts the ball inside the area. Maybe it's not beautiful football but it's effective."

Luiz Felipe Scolari[58]

While many believe Delap should use his throwing ability to his team's advantage, Arsène Wenger is against the idea. He stated in an interview on the Arsenal website:

"For example at Stoke, for Rory Delap it is like kicking the ball. It is a little bit of an unfair advantage. He is using a strength that is usually not a strength in football. So [the rule I would change would be] maybe to play throw-ins by foot. Why not? I think it would make the game quicker. Football is the most popular team game in the world and one day some crazy guy said 'we don't use the hands'. How could you have imagined on that day a game that is completely natural to play with your hands would become the most popular sport?"

Arsène Wenger[59][60][61]

Some teams have used techniques to try and put Delap off his long throws. Notable examples include, against Hull City on 29 November 2008; goalkeeper Boaz Myhill kicking the ball out for a corner instead into touch when under pressure. Unused Tigers substitute Dean Windass received a yellow card for unsporting behaviour after warming up too close to Delap when preparing to take a throw-in.[62] On 27 March 2010, West Ham United erected an extra set of hoardings considerably close to the touchline to hamper Delap's run-up, but he was still capable of reaching the penalty box in spite of the limited space. These hoardings backfired when a misplaced throw from Hammers defender Julien Faubert led to Ricardo Fuller to score the only goal of the game in the Potters' favour.[63] Burnley also tried a similar tactic however the match finished 1–1 with Stoke's goal coming from a Delap throw.[64]

[edit] Throw-in goals

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Scorer Result Competition Season Report
1 15 March 1997 Brunton Park Hereford United 1–0 Conway (3') 2–3 Third Division 1996–97 [65]
2 10 September 1998 Pride Park Sheffield Wednesday 1–0 Sturridge (23') 1–0 Premier League 1998–99 [66]
3 29 December 2002 St Mary's Stadium Sunderland 2–1 Tessem (90') 2–1 Premier League 2002–03 [67]
4 19 November 2003 Lansdowne Road Canada 3–0 Keane (84') 3–0 International Friendly 2003 [68][69]
5 17 April 2004 Maine Road Manchester City 0–2 Phillips (55') 1–3 Premier League 2003–04 [70]
6 6 February 2005 St Mary's Stadium Everton 1–1 Crouch (36') 2–2 Premier League 2004–05 [71]
7 22 September 2007 Britannia Stadium Plymouth Argyle 2–2 Lawrence (66') 3-2 Championship 2007–08 [72]
8 27 November 2007 Britannia Stadium Queens Park Rangers 1–0 Cresswell (5') 3-1 Championship 2007–08 [73]
9 29 December 2007 Home Park Plymouth Argyle 1–0 Cresswell (8') 2-2 Championship 2007–08 [74]
10 1 January 2008 Britannia Stadium Hull City 1–0 Cort (33') 1-1 Championship 2007–08 [75][76]
11 19 January 2008 Britannia Stadium Preston North End 1–0 Cort (16') 3-1 Championship 2007–08 [77]
12 15 February 2008 Britannia Stadium Scunthorpe United 1–2 Lawrence (53') 3–2 Championship 2007–08 [78]
13 11 March 2008 Carrow Road Norwich City 0–1 Sidibe (58') 0–1 Championship 2007–08 [79]
14 26 April 2008 Layer Road Colchester United 0–1 Cresswell (45') 0–1 Championship 2007–08 [80]
15 23 August 2008 Britannia Stadium Aston Villa 3–2 Sidibe (90') 3–2 Premier League 2008–09 [81]
16 14 September 2008 Britannia Stadium Everton 1–2 Olofinjana (54') 2–3 Premier League 2008–09 [82]
17 14 September 2008 Britannia Stadium Everton 2–2 Jagielka (63' OG) 2–3 Premier League 2008–09 [82]
18 5 October 2008 Fratton Park Portsmouth 1–1 Fuller (48') 2–1 Premier League 2008–09 [83]
19 30 October 2008 Britannia Stadium Sunderland 1–0 Fuller (73') 1–0 Premier League 2008–09 [84]
20 1 November 2008 Britannia Stadium Arsenal 1–0 Fuller (11') 2–1 Premier League 2008–09 [85]
21 1 November 2008 Britannia Stadium Arsenal 2–0 Olofinjana (73') 2–1 Premier League 2008–09 [85]
22 4 March 2009 Britannia Stadium Bolton Wanderers 2–0 Fuller (73') 2–0 Premier League 2008–09 [86]
23 21 March 2009 Britannia Stadium Middlesbrough 1–0 Shawcross (84') 1–0 Premier League 2008–09 [87]
24 25 July 2009 Deepdale Preston North End 2–1 Cresswell (80') 2–1 Preseason Friendly 2009–10 [88]
25 15 August 2009 Britannia Stadium Burnley 2–0 Jordan (33' OG) 2–0 Premier League 2009–10 [89]
26 31 October 2009 Britannia Stadium Wolverhampton Wanderers 2–0 Etherington (43') 2–2 Premier League 2009–10 [90]
27 2 January 2010 Britannia Stadium York City 1–1 Parslow (24' OG) 3–1 FA Cup 2009–10 [91]
28 2 January 2010 Britannia Stadium York City 2–1 Fuller (25') 3–1 FA Cup 2009–10 [91]
29 24 January 2010 Britannia Stadium Arsenal 1–0 Fuller (1') 3–1 FA Cup 2009–10 [92]
30 6 February 2010 Britannia Stadium Blackburn Rovers 2–0 Sidibe (45') 3–0 Premier League 2009–10 [93]
31 13 February 2010 City of Manchester Stadium Manchester City 1–1 Fuller (57') 1–1 FA Cup 2009–10 [94]
32 24 February 2010 Britannia Stadium Manchester City 2–1 Shawcross (95') E.T. 3–1 (A.E.T.) FA Cup 2009–10 [95]
33 27 February 2010 Britannia Stadium Arsenal 1–0 Pugh (8') 1–3 Premier League 2009–10 [96]
34 10 March 2010 Turf Moor Burnley 0–1 Tuncay (23') 1–1 Premier League 2009–10 [97]
35 22 September 2010 Britannia Stadium Fulham 2–0 Jones (79') 2–0 League Cup 2010–11 [98]
36 13 November 2010 Britannia Stadium Liverpool 1–0 Fuller (56') 2–0 Premier League 2010–11 [99]
37 20 November 2010 The Hawthorns West Bromwich Albion 0–3 Walters (93') 0–3 Premier League 2010–11 [100]
38 5 February 2011 Britannia Stadium Sunderland 1–1 Carew (31') 3–2 Premier League 2010–11 [101]
39 19 February 2011 Britannia Stadium Brighton & Hove Albion 1–0 Carew (14') 3–0 FA Cup 2010–11 [102]
40 13 March 2011 Britannia Stadium West Ham United 1–0 Huth (12') 2–1 FA Cup 2010–11 [103]
41 17 April 2011 Wembley Stadium Bolton Wanderers 2–0 Huth (17') 5–0 FA Cup 2010–11 [104]
42 23 April 2011 Villa Park Aston Villa 0–1 Jones (20') 1–1 Premier League 2010–11 [105]
43 7 January 2012 Priestfield Stadium Gillingham 1–2 Jerome (43') 1–3 FA Cup 2011–12 [106]

[edit] Career statistics

As of June 2011[107][108]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other[A] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Carlisle United 1992–93 1 0 0 0 0 0 – 1 0
1993–94 1 0 0 0 0 0 – 1 0
1994–95 3 0 0 0 0 0 – 3 0
1995–96 19 3 0 0 1 0 – 20 3
1996–97 32 4 3 0 3 0 – 38 4
1997–98 9 0 0 0 1 0 – 10 0
Total 65 7 3 0 5 0 0 0 14 0 87 7
Derby County 1997–98 13 0 0 0 0 0 – – 13 0
1998–99 23 0 1 0 3 1 – – 27 1
1999–00 34 8 1 0 2 0 – – 37 8
2000–01 33 3 1 0 2 1 – – 36 4
Total 103 11 3 0 7 2 0 0 0 0 113 13
Southampton 2001–02 28 2 0 0 1 0 – – 29 2
2002–03 24 0 4 0 2 0 – – 30 0
2003–04 27 1 0 0 3 0 2 0 – 32 1
2004–05 37 2 4 0 2 0 – – 43 2
2005–06 16 0 0 0 2 0 – – 18 0
Total 132 5 8 0 10 0 2 0 0 0 152 5
Sunderland 2005–06 6 1 0 0 0 0 – – 6 1
2006–07 6 0 0 0 1 0 – – 7 0
Total 12 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 13 1
Stoke City 2006–07 2 0 0 0 0 0 – – 2 0
2007–08 44 2 1 0 1 0 – – 46 2
2008–09 34 2 1 0 1 0 – – 36 2
2009–10 36 0 5 0 0 0 – – 41 0
2010–11 37 2 6 0 3 0 – – 46 2
2011–12 17 2 1 0 1 0 4 0 – 23 2
Total 170 8 14 0 6 0 4 0 0 0 194 8
Career total 482 32 28 0 29 2 6 0 14 0 559 34

[edit] Footnotes

A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Football League play-offs and Football League Trophy.

[edit] Honours

[edit] Club

Carlisle United
Stoke City

[edit] Individual

  • Stoke City coaching staff's player of the Year: 2009
  • Sir Stanley Matthews Potteries Footballer of the Year: 2009

[edit] Media Attention

Rory Delap served as the inspiration for Danny Brooks, a PE teacher from West Yorkshire who currently holds the world record for the longest throw-in. Brooks broke the record by performing a flip throw and lifted the record to 49.78 metres (163 ft).[109]

Due to the use of his shoulders and lower back muscles when throwing a football, Delap is one of the faces of Back In Play, a campaign to help raise awareness towards Ankylosing spondylitis.[110]

Delap appears on the cover of "...And She Laughed No More: Stoke City's First Premiership Adventure", a book written by Stoke supporter Stephen Foster.[111]

[edit] Charity work

Rory has been acknowledged for his generosity towards The Donna Louise Children's Hospice based in Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent. Rory's first venture was a 202-mile bike ride from Newcastle upon Tyne to Edinburgh in June 2000.[112] Delap repeated the same route in June 2010, this time completing it in just two days.[113]

Delap also took part in and won Marco Pierre's Stoke Kitchen contest, with the proceeds benefiting Caudwell Children. The contest also featured a special appearance from Soccer AM's Tubes.[114][115]

[edit] Personal life

Rory's father is John Delap from Letterkenny and his mother Maura Delap from Kells.[116] He moved to Carlisle when he was six months old. Rory is the nephew of Paddy Delap, a Letterkenny businessman, golfer,[117] athletics coach and anti-government activist[118] who runs Clarke's Newsagent's and organises an annual charity cycling event in aid of cancer noted for launching the career of Cervélo TestTeam member Philip Deignan.[119] Another uncle, Anthony, is an award winning actor-playwright whose works have been performed at An Grianán Theatre in the town.[120]

Growing up in Cumbria Delap supported his local side Carlisle United and attend matches at Brunton Park with his dad.[121]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Rory Delap". Player Profile. Stoke City FC. http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10310~5662,00.html. Retrieved 7 April 2011. 
  2. ^ Stoke 2–1 Arsenal Ian Hughes, BBC Sport Online, 2008-11-01. Retrieved 2008-11-02 (includes video interview discussing his long throw-in).
  3. ^ Gilmour, Rod (13 November 2008). "Rory Delap dismisses javelin suggestions for London 2012". telegraph.co.uk. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/3454688/Rory-Delap-dismisses-javelin-suggestions-for-London-2012-Football.html. Retrieved 18 May 2011. 
  4. ^ "Collymore breaks leg as Derby win". BBC News. 2 April 2000. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/698770.stm. Retrieved 22 May 2010. 
  5. ^ Castle, Andrew (29 October 2000). "Foxes finally find the net". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2000/oct/29/match.leicestercity. Retrieved 22 May 2010. 
  6. ^ Horn, Matt (22 April 2000). "Bradford ride Easter roller-coaster". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2000/apr/22/match.bradford. Retrieved 22 May 2010. 
  7. ^ "Delap set to become Saints' record signing". RTÉ. 2001-07-06. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2001/0706/delapr.html. Retrieved 2008-11-02. 
  8. ^ "Delap joins Saints in £4m deal". RTÉ. 2001-07-10. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2001/0710/delapr.html. Retrieved 2008-11-02. 
  9. ^ "Southampton v Tottenham". ESPN. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=109377&cc=5739. Retrieved 2 March 2011. 
  10. ^ "Arsenal 2–2 Southampton". ESPN. 2004-10-04. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=153091&cc=5739. Retrieved 2009-12-21. 
  11. ^ "Sunderland v Fulham team news". RTÉ. 2006-04-07. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2006/0407/sunderland.html. Retrieved 2008-11-02. 
  12. ^ "Sunderland saved by bad weather". RTÉ. 2006-04-08. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2006/0408/sunderland.html. Retrieved 2008-11-02. 
  13. ^ "Broken nose could spell the end of Delap's season". RTÉ. 2006-04-19. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2006/0419/delapr.html. Retrieved 2008-11-02. 
  14. ^ "Black Cats relegated after Old Trafford draw". RTÉ. 2006-04-14. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2006/0414/manchesteru.html. Retrieved 2008-11-02. 
  15. ^ "Everton 2–2 Sunderland". BBC. 1 April 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4842426.stm. Retrieved 24 October 2009. 
  16. ^ "Stoke sign Sunderland man on loan". BBC Sport. 11 October 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/6038576.stm. Retrieved 2 March 2011. 
  17. ^ "Stoke 2-1 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 17 October 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6050698.stm. Retrieved 2 March 2011. 
  18. ^ "Pulis rocked by Delap leg break". BBC Sport. 18 October 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/6061668.stm. Retrieved 2 March 2011. 
  19. ^ "Keane says Stoke still want Delap". BBC Sport. 19 October 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/6065996.stm. Retrieved 16 July 2008. 
  20. ^ "Delap seals Stoke deal". RTÉ. 2007-01-09. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0109/delapr.html. Retrieved 2008-11-02. 
  21. ^ "Newcastle Town 1 Stoke City 5". Stoke City F.C.. 16 July 2008. http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~1073405,00.html. Retrieved 16 July 2008. 
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Preceded by
Deon Burton		 Derby County Top Goalscorer
1999-00		 Succeeded by
Malcolm Christie
Stoke City F.C. – current squad
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