John McCombe

John McCombe

McCombe playing for York City in 2014
Personal information
Full name	John Paul McCombe[1]
Date of birth	7 May 1985[1]
Place of birth	Pontefract, England
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current team	Macclesfield Town
Number	3
Youth career
0000–2003	Huddersfield Town
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2003–2007	Huddersfield Town	14	(0)
2006	→ Torquay United (loan)	0	(0)
2007	→ Boston United (loan)	0	(0)
2007–2008	Hereford United	27	(0)
2008–2013	Port Vale	185	(14)
2013–2014	Mansfield Town	5	(2)
2014–2016	York City	55	(4)
2016–	Macclesfield Town	12	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:28, 2 May 2016 (UTC). † Appearances (goals)

John Paul McCombe (born 7 May 1985) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for National League club Macclesfield Town.

A centre-back, he graduated through the Huddersfield Town Academy to make his senior debut in May 2003. Unused in 2003–04, he also rarely featured in 2004–05, 2005–06, and 2006–07. During this time he spent brief periods on loan at Torquay United and Boston United, though he never took to the field for either outfit. He spent the 2007–08 campaign with Hereford United, helping the club to win promotion into League One. He joined Port Vale in May 2008, and after establishing himself in the first team in 2008–09 and 2009–10, he managed to win the club's Player of the Year Award in 2011. He helped the club to secure promotion out of League Two in 2012–13. After leaving Port Vale in May 2013, he signed for Mansfield Town on a free transfer. He left Mansfield for York City in January 2014, and stayed with York for two years. He joined Macclesfield Town in February 2016.

Career

Huddersfield Town

Born in Pontefract, West Yorkshire,^[1] McCombe joined Huddersfield Town as a trainee, and was converted from playing as a centre-forward to become a centre-back.^[2] He made his league debut on 3 May 2003, coming onto the pitch as a late substitute for Jon Stead in a 1–1 draw with Oldham Athletic at the Alfred McAlpine Stadium. Unused in the 2003–04 season, he had to wait until September 2004 for his next first team appearance. He made seven appearances in 2004–05.

McCombe's only appearances of 2005–06 were against Blackburn Rovers in the League Cup – where he only played because of injuries and suspensions, against Boston United in the Football League Trophy – when manager Peter Jackson rested all his first-team players, and on the last game of the season against Swindon Town. In between these appearances he spent February on loan at Torquay United, but did not appear in the first team for John Cornforth's struggling side.

On 15 March 2007, he, along with Hartlepool United's Michael Proctor, agreed to join Boston United on loan.^[3] However, due to Boston's financial state, Boston Chairman Jim Rodwell was unable to sanction^[4] the deals and the players returned to their clubs. He was released by Huddersfield in May 2007, and two months later he signed for Hereford United,^[5] ending his eleven-year association with the club.^[6]

Hereford United

He began 2007–08 as third choice centre-back, but an injury to Dean Beckwith gave McCombe his chance. He turned in a number of impressive performances, preserving Hereford's unbeaten record and scoring his first professional goal from a Kris Taylor cross in a 2–0 FA Cup victory against Hartlepool United.^[7] McCombe made 27 league appearances as Hereford gained promotion from League Two, but was dropped for the run-in, in favour of Karl Broadhurst. This coincided with McCombe's mistake in a key fixture against Chester City when he conceded a penalty kick in the last minute for handball, which enabled Chester to draw the match 2–2.^[8] He was to make only one more appearance for the club, as a second-half substitute on the final day of the season. In May 2008, manager and chairman Graham Turner confirmed that out-of-contract McCombe would not be offered a new deal.^[9]

Port Vale

McCombe playing for Port Vale in 2009

On 29 May 2008, McCombe agreed a two-year contract to join Port Vale.^[10] He claimed one of the reasons he put pen to paper was that having met manager Lee Sinnott 13 years previously, he knew that Sinnott could help improve his game.^[11] However he established himself as a first choice centre-back under new boss Dean Glover, but was also told he was too 'nice' and needed to be more aggressive in his defending.^[12] Nevertheless, his performances 2008–09 earned him the chairman's Player of the Year award,^[13] as well as the nickname 'Boom Boom McCombe' from fans.^[14]

Retaining his first team place in 2009–10, he was transfer listed in late September 2009, along with the entire Port Vale squad, after manager Micky Adams saw his team slip to a third consecutive defeat.^[15] However, by the end of October 2009 he had played in the opening 18 games of the season, picking up a goal on the way,^[16] and was confident of earning a new contract by the season's end.^[17] On 12 December 2009, he received the first sending off of his career, following a professional foul on Northampton Town's Adebayo Akinfenwa.^[18] This brought to an end his run of 29 consecutive starts, and kept him out of the team for the next six weeks, as manager Micky Adams switched his tactics during McCombe's absence,^[19] moving from a 3–5–2 to 4–4–2 formation.^[20] He was offered a new two-year contract by the club at the end of the season,^[21] which he quickly signed.^[22]

McCombe playing for Port Vale in 2010

He started 2010–11 in fine form, and his strong performances in November 2010 saw him nominated for the League Two player of the month award.^[23] His strong performances continued throughout the season, and he was rewarded with the club's Player of the Year award.^[24]

Adams continued to use McCombe in the heart of the Vale defence at the start of 2011–12, however he dropped him from the first team after 11 games in favour of loan signing Liam Chilvers.^[25] He marked his return to the first team on 14 October 2011 with the second goal of a 3–0 win over Northampton Town.^[26] However he was dropped after the next match, a 4–0 defeat at home to Morecambe, only to win back his first team place the following month after turning down the chance to leave the club on loan.^[27] With the loanees back at their parent clubs, Gareth Owen out injured and Clayton McDonald in court, McCombe helped to guide teenage centre-back Joe Davis through the final stages of the season. He agreed to sign a new two-year deal with the club in June 2012.^[28]

He formed a solid centre-back partnership with Clayton McDonald at the start of 2012–13. On 27 October 2012, he was sent off for the second time in his career, again against Northampton at Sixfields, as he put in a late challenge on midfielder Alex Nicholls, who managed to score the opening goal of the game just before McCombe made his challenge; it was later confirmed that the tackle had broken Nicholls's leg.^[29] Opposition boss Aidy Boothroyd accepted McCombe's apology, and Northampton player Akinfenwa also stated that McCombe was "not a malicious character".^[30] McCombe himself picked up an injury on 1 January 2013, damaging knee ligaments in a defeat to Fleetwood Town, and was ruled out of action for several weeks.^[31] Vale secured promotion with a third-place finish at the end of the season, with McCombe playing 37 games in a regularly changing four back. Despite still being under contract, he chose to leave the club in the summer.^[32]

Mansfield Town

McCombe signed for Mansfield Town on a free transfer in June 2013, and was described by manager Paul Cox as "a commanding player who will add knowledge and experience to our defence".^[33] He left Field Mill by mutual consent in January 2014, having made only seven starts for Mansfield in 2013–14.^[34]

York City

McCombe playing for York City in 2014

McCombe signed for League Two team York City on a two-and-a-half-year contract on 12 January 2014, after his release from Mansfield.^[35] He made his debut as an 85th-minute substitute for Ryan Jarvis in a 2–0 away defeat to Hartlepool United on 25 January 2014.^[36] On 1 February 2016, McCombe left Bootham Crescent by mutual consent after not playing a match three months into new manager Jackie McNamara's tenure.^[37]

Macclesfield Town

On 1 March 2016, McCombe joined National League side Macclesfield Town on a contract running until the end of 2015–16.^[38] He debuted later that day, as an 81st-minute substitute in a 2–1 home defeat to Torquay.^[39] He made 12 appearances and scored one goal^[39] as Macclesfield finished in 10th-place in the 2015–16 National League.^[40]

Style of play

A solid and efficient centre-back, in the opposition's box he is a goal threat from set pieces.^[41]

Personal life

In January 2009, he was attending Manchester Metropolitan University, studying for a sports science qualification.^[42] He is a Sheffield Wednesday fan.^[43]

His elder brother Jamie is also a professional footballer.^[44]

Career statistics

As of match played 30 April 2016.

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Huddersfield Town	2002–03[45]	Second Division	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	2004–05[46]	League One	5	0	0	0	0	0	2[lower-alpha 1]	0	7	0
	2005–06[47]	League One	1	0	0	0	1	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	0	3	0
	2006–07[48]	League One	7	0	1	0	0	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	0	9	0
	Total		14	0	1	0	1	0	4	0	20	0
Hereford United	2007–08[49]	League Two	27	0	4	1	0	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	0	32	1
Port Vale	2008–09[50]	League Two	31	2	1	0	1	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	0	34	2
	2009–10[51]	League Two	40	3	3	0	3	0	2[lower-alpha 1]	1	48	4
	2010–11[52]	League Two	42	4	4	1	2	0	0	0	48	5
	2011–12[53]	League Two	40	4	2	0	1	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	0	44	4
	2012–13[54]	League Two	32	1	1	0	1	0	3[lower-alpha 1]	0	37	1
	Total		185	14	11	1	8	0	7	1	211	16
Mansfield Town	2013–14[36]	League Two	5	2	1	0	1	0	0	0	7	2
York City	2013–14[36]	League Two	19	3	—		—		2[lower-alpha 2]	0	21	3
	2014–15[55]	League Two	31	0	1	0	1	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	0	34	0
	2015–16[56]	League Two	5	1	0	0	0	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	0	6	1
	Total		55	4	1	0	1	0	4	0	61	4
Macclesfield Town	2015–16[39]	National League	12	1	—		—		—		12	1
Career total			298	21	18	2	11	0	16	1	343	24

1. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
2. Appearances in League Two play-offs

Honours

Hereford United

• Football League Two third-place promotion: 2007–08^[57]

Port Vale

• Football League Two third-place promotion: 2012–13^[58]

Individual

• Port Vale Player of the Year: 2010–11^[24]

References

1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 263. ISBN 9-781845-966010.
2. "McCombe ready to stand up to Torquay's heavyweight challenge". The Sentinel (Stoke-on-Trent). 31 August 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
3. "Boston bring in McCombe on loan". BBC Sport. 15 March 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
4. "Confusion over United loan deals". Boston Standard. 21 March 2007. Retrieved 29 May 2008.
5. "Hereford complete triple capture". BBC Sport. 4 July 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
6. "Port Vale: Old boy McCombe aiming to terrorise Terriers". The Sentinel (Stoke-on-Trent). 27 November 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
7. "Hereford 2–0 Hartlepool". BBC Sport. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
8. "Hereford 2–2 Chester". BBC Sport. 5 April 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
9. "Hereford release defender McCombe". BBC Sport. 16 May 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
10. "Port Vale sign ex-Bulls defender". BBC Sport. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
11. "McCombe reveals link with Sinnott". BBC Sport. 4 June 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
12. "Port Vale: McCombe told to ditch 'Mr Nice Guy' tag". The Sentinel (Stoke-on-Trent). 10 April 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
13. "Player of the Year – Winners". Port Vale F.C. 27 April 2009. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012.
14. "A Trophy Looms for ‘Boom Boom’ McCombe!". Port Vale F.C. 7 October 2010. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012.
15. "Adams puts Vale squad up for sale". BBC Sport. 27 September 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
16. "First goal joy for Vale's McCombe". BBC Sport. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
17. "McCombe seeking new Vale contract". BBC Sport. 30 October 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
18. Shaw, Steve (14 December 2009). "Port Vale: McCombe frustrated by rough justice". The Sentinel (Stoke-on-Trent). Retrieved 12 January 2014.
19. Shaw, Steve (29 January 2010). "Port Vale: McCombe to blame for absence, says Adams". The Sentinel (Stoke-on-Trent). Retrieved 12 January 2014.
20. Shaw, Steve (3 February 2010). "Port Vale: McCombe up for the fight". The Sentinel (Stoke-on-Trent). Retrieved 12 January 2014.
21. "Goalkeeper Joe Anyon released by Port Vale". BBC Sport. 12 May 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
22. "Port Vale deals for Griffith, McCombe, Martin & Taylor". BBC Sport. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
23. Shaw, Steve (10 December 2010). "Port Vale: Manager award down to players' hard work, says Adams". The Sentinel (Stoke-on-Trent). Retrieved 12 January 2014.
24. "Player of the Year Awards 2011". Port Vale F.C. 9 May 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012.
25. "Port Vale: McCombe working hard to earn Vale recall". The Sentinel (Stoke-on-Trent). 12 October 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
26. "Port Vale 3–0 Northampton". BBC Sport. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
27. "Vale's John McCombe never considered going out on loan". BBC Sport. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
28. "John McCombe happy to stay put". The Sentinel (Stoke-on-Trent). 4 June 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
29. "Northampton 2–0 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 27 October 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
30. Owens, Daniel (28 October 2012). "Cobblers striker Alex Nicholls sustains double fracture of left leg". Northampton Chronicle. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
31. Johnson, Dave (3 January 2013). "Defender out for at least six weeks and possibly more". Port Vale F.C. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
32. Smith, Pete (31 May 2013). "Centre-back John McCombe leaves Vale Park". The Sentinel (Stoke-on-Trent). Retrieved 12 January 2014.
33. "Stags sign experienced defender". Mansfield Town F.C. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
34. "Mansfield Town defender leaves League Two club". BBC Sport. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
35. "City Sign John McCombe". York City F.C. 12 January 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
36. "Games played by John McCombe in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
37. Flett, Dave (1 February 2016). "John McCombe leaves York City". The Press (York). Retrieved 2 May 2016.
38. "John McCombe: Macclesfield sign former York City defender until end of the season". BBC Sport. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
39. "J. McCombe". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
40. "Macclesfield Town 2015–2016: Table: Final Table". Statto Organisation. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
41. "Name: John McCombe". Port Vale F.C. Archived from the original on 26 June 2012.
42. Shaw, Steve (31 January 2009). "Why big Mac is good for you". The Sentinel (Stoke-on-Trent). Retrieved 31 January 2009.
43. Shaw, Steve (25 August 2009). "Port Vale: Dodds targets Wednesday start". The Sentinel (Stoke-on-Trent). Retrieved 12 January 2014.
44. "Port Vale: McCombe boys prepare for head-to-head clash in Carling Cup". The Sentinel (Stoke-on-Trent). 17 June 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
45. "Games played by John McCombe in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
46. "Games played by John McCombe in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
47. "Games played by John McCombe in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
48. "Games played by John McCombe in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
49. "Games played by John McCombe in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
50. "Games played by John McCombe in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
51. "Games played by John McCombe in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
52. "Games played by John McCombe in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
53. "Games played by John McCombe in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
54. "Games played by John McCombe in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
55. "Games played by John McCombe in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
56. "Games played by John McCombe in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
57. "McCombe planning to use his experience". The Sentinel (Stoke-on-Trent). 5 March 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
58. Sherwin, Phil; Johnson, Dave (2013), Port Vale This Side Up: 2012-2013 Promotion Celebration, BGL, ISBN 978-0-9926579-0-1

External links

• John McCombe career statistics at Soccerbase