Sean Gregan

Sean Gregan

Personal information
Full name	Sean Matthew Gregan
Date of birth	29 March 1974 (1974-03-29)
Place of birth	Guisborough, England
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position	Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1991–1996	Darlington	134	(4)
1997–2002	Preston North End	218	(12)
2002–2004	West Bromwich Albion	79	(2)
2004–2007	Leeds United	64	(0)
2006–2007	→ Oldham Athletic (loan)	9	(0)
2007–2011	Oldham Athletic	120	(1)
2010–2011	→ Fleetwood Town (loan)	7	(0)
2011	Fleetwood Town	21	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 24 May 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

Sean Matthew Gregan (born 29 March 1974) is an English professional footballer. A defender, he has played in all of the top four leagues in England.

Career

Early career

He started his career with Darlington where he played for five years before joining Preston North End. He captained Preston to the then Nationwide Division 2 (Now League 1) title. He was signed by Gary Peters on 29 November 1996 for £350,000. While at Preston he played 255 games, scoring 15 goals and was twice named as the club's official player of the year. Preston's fans nicknamed him God because of his no-nonsense defending and his influence on the players, fans and staff at the club.

West Bromwich Albion

Gregan joined West Bromwich Albion in August 2002, for a fee of £2m. Pundit Rodney Marsh thought the signing uninspired, and famously commented that it was like "putting lipstick on a pig". Gregan made his Albion debut against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 17 August 2002. He scored his first goal for the club in a 1-0 Hawthorns win over Southampton on 14 September 2002, after Saints goalkeeper Paul Jones failed to hold on to Gregan's 40-yard shot. Despite being a regular in the side, Gregan was unable to prevent the club's relegation from the Premiership. In 2003-04 however, he was instrumental in captaining the side to promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt, before joining Leeds United in September 2004.

Leeds United

Gregan had a mixed stint at Leeds, with some inconsistent performances in his favoured midfield position, however he also commanded some excellent displays at centre-back, with a no-nonsense approach to which he became accustomed to at West Brom.

Oldham Athletic

His lack of first team football in the 2006-07 season due to the good form of other defenders Matthew Kilgallon, Paul Butler and Matt Heath saw him being sent on a two month loan on 3 January 2007 to League One outfit, Oldham Athletic. He scored on his debut in the FA Cup against Kettering. His loan deal expired on January 2, 2007. Gregan was released from his Leeds contract two days later.

After a successful loan spell, Gregan signed a two and a half year contract at Oldham Athletic after being released by Leeds. His performance in Oldham's 3-0 win at Walsall on 22 September 2007 earned him a place in the League One Team of the Week.

He was released by Oldham manager Dave Penney after being deemed surplus to requirements on 12 May 2009. However, the Boundary Park supremo had a change of heart after being impressed with the players attitide and fitness levels and he was brought back to the club on a one year deal. He was later made captain at the Latics and remained a key feature to the defence alongside Reuben Hazell.

Fleetwood Town

In October 2010, it was announced by the club that they would let Gregan leave, after he was unable to force his way into the team following an injury at the beginning of the season. On 19 October he joined Fleetwood Town on a three month loan. It was announced on 6 January 2011 that he had left Oldham after 143 first team appearances and signed permanently for Fleetwood. Gregan played his last game as a professional in the 6-1 loss at Kingsmeadow on May 11, 2011. He was substituted at half-time. He was not offered a new contract at the end of the season and was released, along with a number of other players.

External links

• Sean Gregan career stats at Soccerbase