Owen Garvan

Owen Garvan

Owen Garvan playing for Crystal Palace in July 2012
Personal information
Full name	Owen William Garvan[1]
Date of birth	29 January 1988[2]
Place of birth	Dublin, Ireland
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current team	Colchester United
Number	2
Youth career
0000–2004	Home Farm
2004–2005	Ipswich Town
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2005–2010	Ipswich Town	163	(13)
2010–2015	Crystal Palace	77	(10)
2014	→ Millwall (loan)	13	(0)
2014	→ Bolton Wanderers (loan)	3	(0)
2015–	Colchester United	32	(1)
National team^‡
	Republic of Ireland U15
	Republic of Ireland U17
	Republic of Ireland U19
2007–2010	Republic of Ireland U21	15	(4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:57, 30 April 2016 (UTC). † Appearances (goals) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:44, 10 September 2015 (UTC)

Owen William Garvan (born 29 January 1988) is an Irish professional footballer who plays for Colchester United as a midfielder.

Garvan began his career in his native Ireland where he played for Home Farm as a schoolboy. He earned a move to England with Ipswich Town in 2004, where he helped his side to the FA Youth Cup Final in 2005. He made his professional debut in the 2005–06 season and went on to make over 170 appearances for the club. After falling out of favour under Ipswich manager Roy Keane, Garvan moved to Crystal Palace in 2010.

Garvan was a member of the Crystal Palace side that earned promotion to the Premier League in 2013 following a 1–0 win over Watford in the play-off final. He made a handful of Premier League appearances, but was eventually loaned out to Millwall during the same season, playing 13 league games. A further loan followed in the 2014–15 season, on this occasion to Bolton Wanderers. Following the expiry of his contract after five years with Palace in 2015, Garvan joined League One club Colchester United on a six-month contract in August 2015.

Garvan has represented Republic of Ireland at under-15, under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels. He scored four goals in 15 under-21 appearances between 2007 and 2010.^[3]

Club career

Home Farm

Born in Dublin,^[2] Garvan grew up playing for Home Farm in a team coached by his father, Gerry Garvan. His side went undefeated for three years, and were notable for beating a Celtic youth side in Glasgow, a match in which four members of the side ended up joining Celtic.^[4] Darren O'Dea, Diarmuid O'Carroll, Gareth Christie and Gareth Walsh were all offered contracts by Celtic, while Chris McCann moved to England to join Burnley. Garvan too was also on the move, joining Ipswich Town along with teammates Shane Supple and Michael Synnott.

Ipswich Town

Garvan moved to Ipswich Town in November 2004, where he immediately became a regular in the Ipswich youth teams, helping his side to the final of the FA Youth Cup in 2005. He missed the second leg of the final against Southampton after spending the match day in hospital with a viral infection.^[5]

Following his success with the youth team, Garvan was handed his professional debut on 6 August 2005, starting in Ipswich's season opening 1–0 win over Cardiff City at Portman Road.^[6] He established himself as a first-team regular in Joe Royle's side, scoring his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with Southampton on 13 September.^[7] He scored his second goal of the season on 25 February 2006 in a 2–0 win over Leicester City^[8] and followed this up with his third in a 1–1 draw with Millwall on 11 March.^[9] He ended his first season with three goals in 33 games.^[10]

In the 2006–07 season, Garvan received the first professional red card of his career after being sent off for a second bookable offence during a 2–0 home defeat by Leicester on 10 February 2007.^[11] He scored once in his 29 games for the club during the season^[12] when he scored the opening goal in a 3–0 win over Plymouth Argyle on 31 March 2007.^[13]

Garvan made 45 appearances during the 2007–08 season, where he scored three goals.^[14] His first was an extra time goal in 3–3 draw with Milton Keynes Dons in the League Cup on 14 August 2007, a match which Ipswich lost after a penalty shoot-out.^[15] He scored his first league goal of the campaign on 15 December in Ipswich's 3–2 win at Portman Road against Scunthorpe United.^[16] Garvan's third goal of the season came on 15 March 2008 with the opener in Town's 2–0 win over Charlton Athletic.^[17]

Garvan continued to hold down a regular starting berth in the 2008–09 season by making 39 appearances while also finding the back of the net seven times.^[18] He scored his first on 17 September in a 2–2 draw with Southampton at St Mary's Stadium^[19] before scoring his second 13 days later in a 3–0 win over Barnsley.^[20] He scored twice on 25 October in a 3–1 win for Ipswich against Plymouth Argyle.^[21] He followed this up with his fifth of the season just three days later, scoring Ipswich's goal in a 1–1 draw with Charlton Athletic with a free kick.^[22] He scored with another free kick for the opener in Town's 4–1 away win at Crystal Palace on 17 January 2009,^[23] before rounding his scoring off for the season in a 3–1 home defeat by Doncaster Rovers on 11 April.^[24]

Under new Ipswich manager Roy Keane, Garvan found first-team appearances scarce, as he went on to make just 28 appearances across the 2009–10 season following two seasons of regular first-team football under his previous manager and fellow countryman Jim Magilton.^[25][26] He scored one goal during the campaign with the winner in Ipswich's 2–1 FA Cup third round win at Blackpool on 2 January 2010.^[27]

At the end of the 2009–10 season, Keane deemed Garvan surplus to requirements and placed him on the transfer list.^[26] He had made 174 appearances for Ipswich in all competitions.^[2]

Crystal Palace

After being subject to a £150,000 bid from Ipswich's Championship rivals Crystal Palace in July 2010,^[26] Garvan signed for the club for an undisclosed fee on 3 August 2010.^[28] He made his debut four days later in Palace's 3–2 home win against Leicester City.^[29] He scored his first goal for his new side on 23 October in a 4–3 defeat at Preston North End,^[30] and then scored twice on 9 November to hand Palace a 3–2 win against Watford.^[31] However, he was sent off against Sheffield United eleven days later for a second bookable offence.^[32] He ended the season with 28 appearances for Palace.^[33]

Garvan scored from the penalty spot to open his scoring account for the 2011–12 season on 13 August 2011 as Palace beat Burnley 2–0 at Selhurst Park.^[34] He scored his next goal on 21 January 2012 during a 2–1 defeat at Blackpool,^[35] before scoring his third goal of the campaign in a 3–1 defeat away to Birmingham City on 7 April.^[36] He made just 23 appearances during the season.^[37]

The 2012–13 season proved to be much more successful for Garvan. In addition to making 32 outings, he scored four times to help his side to the play-offs and reach the Wembley final.^[38] He scored both of Palace's goals in their 3–2 home defeat by Watford on 18 August to score the first two of his four goals for the season,^[39] before he scored twice in two games in December. The first was a penalty in a 3–0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion,^[40] while his second a week later was an equalising goal in a 2–2 draw with Blackpool at Selhurst Park.^[41]

Garvan played for 84 minutes in the play-off final against Watford at Wembley on 27 May 2013. His side won 1–0 in extra time courtesy of a Kevin Phillips penalty.^[42] Immediately following Palace's play-off success, he and teammate Peter Ramage signed new two-year deals to remain with the club until 2015.^[43]

On 18 August 2013, Garvan made his first Premier League appearance when he started in Palace's 1–0 home defeat by Tottenham Hotspur, playing 66 minutes before being replaced.^[44] He made just one further league appearance that season as a substitute for José Campaña in his sides' 2–1 defeat at Stoke City on 24 August,^[45] before scoring a late consolation goal in what would be his final game of the season for the club three days later in a 2–1 defeat to Bristol City in the League Cup.^[46]

Millwall loan

After falling of favour with manager Ian Holloway at Crystal Palace, Garvan failed to make an appearance for the first team for the remainder of the 2013–14 season. With Holloway leaving Palace by mutual consent in October 2013 and joining Millwall in January 2014, Garvan remained out of contention under Tony Pulis, before being allowed to leave to join Millwall on an emergency loan deal on 28 February 2014.^[47]

Garvan made his Millwall debut at The Den on 1 March in their 1–0 defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion.^[48] He made 13 league appearances for the club as they staved off relegation to League One by four points.^[49]

Bolton Wanderers loan

Having made what would be his final appearance for his parent club in the League Cup on 26 August 2014, Garvan was once again loaned out to a Championship club, joining Bolton Wanderers for three months on 10 September.^[50] He made his debut on 13 September in a 0–0 home draw with Sheffield Wednesday,^[51] making three appearances for the club.^[52]

Colchester United

After being released at the end of his Crystal Palace contract, Garvan spent the summer of 2015 training with a number of teams, including his former employer Ipswich Town, Southend United and Motherwell in search of a new club. On 27 August 2015, Garvan signed a short-term deal with League One side Colchester United until January.^[53] He made his club debut two days later as a half-time substitute for Joe Edwards as Colchester drew 2–2 with Scunthorpe United at the Colchester Community Stadium.^[54]

Just one month after signing his short-term deal with the Essex side, on 25 September, Garvan agreed a contract extension that would keep him with the club until the summer of 2017.^[55] He scored his first goal for the club on 24 October during Colchester's 4–4 home draw with Walsall, his first league goal since the 2012–13 season.^[56]

Garvan was handed the club captaincy by manager Kevin Keen on 19 February 2016 from Chris Porter "for the foreseeable future" and to "take a little of the responsibility off him [Porter]".^[57]

International career

Garvan has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-15, under-17, under-19 and under-21 levels. He was included in Giovanni Trapattoni's first Republic of Ireland squad in 2008.^[3]

Garvan captained his side at under-21 level, playing 15 games and scoring four goals between 2007 and 2010.^[58]

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
Ipswich Town	2005–06[10]	Championship	31	3	1	0	1	0	–		33	3
	2006–07[12]	Championship	27	1	2	0	0	0	–		29	1
	2007–08[14]	Championship	43	2	1	0	1	1	–		45	3
	2008–09[18]	Championship	37	7	1	0	1	0	–		39	7
	2009–10[25]	Championship	25	0	2	1	1	0	–		28	1
Total			163	13	7	1	4	1	–		174	15
Crystal Palace	2010–11[33]	Championship	26	3	1	0	1	0	–		28	3
	2011–12[37]	Championship	22	3	1	0	0	0	–		23	3
	2012–13[38]	Championship	27	4	0	0	2	0	3[lower-alpha 1]	0	32	4
	2013–14[49]	Premier League	2	0	0	0	1	1	–		3	1
	2014–15[52]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	1	0	–		1	0
Total			77	10	2	0	5	1	3	0	87	11
Millwall (loan)	2013–14[49]	Championship	13	0	–		–		–		13	0
Bolton Wanderers (loan)	2014–15[52]	Championship	3	0	–		–		–		3	0
Colchester United	2015–16[59]	League One	32	1	2	0	0	0	1[lower-alpha 2]	0	35	1
Career total			287	24	11	1	9	2	4	0	311	27

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

Personal life

Garvan comes form a notable Irish footballing family. His father Gerry was a player in the League of Ireland and coached Owen during his days with Home Farm in Dublin. Garvan's uncle Mick Martin made 51 appearances for Ireland between 1971 and 1983 and played for Manchester United.

Garvan's grandfather Con Martin was also an Irish international footballer who had the notable distinction of having been capped in every position for the team, including as goalkeeper. However, he turned down a move to Manchester United because Matt Busby wanted Martin to play in goal. Martin made over 190 league appearances for Aston Villa between 1948 and 1956. Another uncle, Con Martin Jr, was also a League of Ireland player.^[4]

Honours

Ipswich Town U18

• 2004–05 FA Youth Cup winner^[5]

Crystal Palace

• 2013 Football League Championship play-off Final winner^[42]

References

1. "Barclays Premier League Squad Numbers 2013/14". Premier League. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
2. Owen Garvan career statistics at Soccerbase
3. "Interview with Owen Garvan". The Pro Lounge. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
4. "Owen Garvan and the pressure of your family name". Das Wunderkid. 18 August 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
5. Dunne, Eoin (14 February 2006). "Former Farm hands seize chance". Irish Independent (Dublin). Retrieved 10 September 2015.
6. "Ipswich 1–0 Cardiff". BBC Sport. 6 August 2005. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
7. "Ipswich 2–2 Southampton". BBC Sport. 13 September 2005. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
8. "Ipswich 2–0 Leicester". Sky Sports. 25 February 2006. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
9. "Ipswich 1–1 Millwall". BBC Sport. 11 March 2006. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
10. "Games played by Owen Garvan in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
11. "Ipswich 0–2 Leicester". BBC Sport. 10 February 2007. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
12. "Games played by Owen Garvan in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
13. "Ipswich 3–0 Plymouth". BBC Sport. 31 March 2007. Retrieved 10 September 2007.
14. "Games played by Owen Garvan in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
15. "MK Dons 3–3 Ipswich (aet)". BBC Sport. 14 August 2007. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
16. "Ipswich 3–2 Scunthorpe". Daily Mirror (London). 17 December 2007. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
17. "Ipswich 2–0 Charlton". BBC Sport. 15 March 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
18. "Games played by Owen Garvan in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
19. "Southampton 2–2 Ipswich". BBC Sport. 17 September 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
20. "Ipswich 3–0 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 30 September 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
21. "Plymouth 1–3 Ipswich". BBC Sport. 25 October 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
22. "Ipswich 1–1 Charlton". BBC Sport. 28 October 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
23. "Crystal Palace 1–4 Ipswich". BBC Sport. 17 January 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
24. "Ipswich 1–3 Doncaster". BBC Sport. 11 April 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
25. "Games played by Owen Garvan in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
26. "Garvan poised to join Palace". Sky Sports. 31 July 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
27. "Blackpool 1–2 Ipswich". BBC Sport. 2 January 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
28. "Crystal Palace sign Ipswich Town midfielder Owen Garvan". BBC Sport. 3 August 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
29. "Crystal Palace 3–2 Leicester". BBC Sport. 7 August 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
30. "Preston 4–3 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. 23 October 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
31. "Crystal Palace 3–2 Watford". BBC Sport. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
32. "Sheff Utd 3–2 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. 20 November 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
33. "Games played by Owen Garvan in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
34. "Crystal Palace 2–0 Burnley". BBC Sport. 13 August 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
35. "Blackpool 2–1 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
36. "Birmingham 3–1 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. 7 April 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
37. "Games played by Owen Garvan in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
38. "Games played by Owen Garvan in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
39. "Crystal Palace 2–3 Watford". BBC Sport. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
40. "Crystal Palace 3–0 Brighton". BBC Sport. 1 December 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
41. "Crystal Palace 2–2 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
42. Fletcher, Paul (27 May 2013). "Crystal Palace 1–0 Watford". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
43. "Crystal Palace: Owen Garvan & Peter Ramage sign new deals". BBC Sport. 29 May 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
44. Wilkinson, Kerry (18 August 2013). "Crystal Palace 0–1 Tottenham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
45. Sanghera, Mandeep (24 August 2013). "Stoke 2–1 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
46. Chapman, Caroline (27 August 2013). "Bristol City 2–1 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
47. "Transfer news: Millwall sign Owen Garvan on emergency loan from Crystal Palace". Sky Sports. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
48. "Millwall 0–1 Brighton". BBC Sport. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
49. "Games played by Owen Garvan in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
50. "Owen Garvan: Bolton Wanderers loan Crystal Palace midfielder". BBC Sport. 10 September 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
51. "Bolton 0–0 Sheff Wed". BBC Sport. 13 September 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
52. "Games played by Owen Garvan in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
53. Watson, Stuart (27 August 2015). "Owen Garvan signs short-term deal with Colchester United". East Anglian Daily Times (Ipswich). Retrieved 21 September 2015.
54. "Colchester 2–2 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
55. "Owen Garvan: Colchester United midfielder signs new deal". BBC Sport. 25 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
56. "Colchester 4–4 Walsall". BBC Sport. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
57. "Owen Garvan to continue to skipper Colchester United at Bury tomorrow". Daily Gazette (Colchester). 19 February 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
58. Henderson, Mel (9 July 2010). "Ipswich reject Crystal Palace bid for Owen Garvan but George Burley hopeful of landing his man". Daily Mail (London). Retrieved 22 September 2015.
59. "Games played by Owen Garvan in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Retrieved 22 September 2015.