Michael Reddy

Michael Reddy

Personal information
Full name	Michael Reddy
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Port Stanley Albion
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15:04, 26 September 2007 (UTC)

Michael Reddy (born Kilkenny, March 24, 1980) is a professional footballer. A striker, Reddy's professional career began with Sunderland, who signed him from his hometown club, Kilkenny City.

He spent five years with Sunderland, a time typified by many loan spells; between 2001 and his departure in 2004, he was loaned out to Swindon, Hull, Barnsley, York, and twice to Sheffield Wednesday. He made 14 appearances for Sunderland, scoring twice and became an instant hero on Wearside when he scored a late equaliser against rivals Middlesbrough. Initially he was highly rated by manager Peter Reid, being valued at £5 million in 2001.

In July 2004 Reddy signed for Grimsby Town. Michael was a huge signing for the cash strapped relegation hit club, but his first season at the club was some what disappointing with many fans questioning the players attitude and commitment. Notably though he did finish the season on a high bagging a hatrick against already doomed Kidderminster Harriers.

If his first season was slightly poor, no one could complain about his second season. With Reddy the nucleus in a strong team that never dropped out of the top 4 all season. Despite not finishing top scorer, his ability to run with the ball, make play and create goals earned him cult status amongst the clubs supporters. But in a twist of luck, Reddy was taken of injured in the clubs play off final game against Cheltenham Town and with The Mariners only having the goal shy Junior Mendes as a replacement, the club lost the game 1-0.

After failing to secure promotion Reddy requested to be put on the transfer list, following press reports linking him with a move to newly promoted Premiership side Sheffield United , though it was Leeds United and Bristol City who came looking for Reddy. However with the hip injury that had taken him out of the play off game , the season before. Reddy found himself so injured, that it threatened to end his career all together.

With the club appointing Alan Buckley as the successor to Graham Rodger , the new Grimsby boss made it clear he wanted to keep Reddy in the squad and stick by him through his injury, but with the player not interested in staying, he snubbed fresh contract talks in favour of talking to Bristol City , who by now due to his injury troubles had lost interest altogether.

At the end of the 2006/2007 season Reddy was released by Grimsby on a free transfer, which is hard to believe as the player was valued as high as £500,000 only months previously. Former Grimsby manager Russell Slade took his former golden boy on trial at Yeovil Town but no contract was ever offered. Leyton Orient who had made an official approach months earlier, came sniffing but was put of by his consistent hip problems.

After failing to secure a contract with an English club, Reddy signed up for Greenlandic club FC Malamuk, and then moved to Port Stanley Albion in the Falkland Islands after meeting and marrying a Falkland Island native at the 2007 Greenland Fishing Festival.

He has represented the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 level.

Reddy was named in the PFA League Two 2006 team of the year.

External links

• Michael Reddy at Soccerbase