Sean McAllister

Sean McAllister

Personal information
Full name	Sean Brian McAllister
Date of birth	15 August 1987
Place of birth	Bolton, England
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current team	Scunthorpe United
Number	4
Youth career
1996–1999	Manchester United
1999–2003	Bolton Wanderers
2003–2006	Sheffield Wednesday
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2006–2010	Sheffield Wednesday	68	(4)
2007	→ Mansfield Town (loan)	7	(0)
2007–2008	→ Bury (loan)	0	(0)
2010–2012	Shrewsbury Town	35	(1)
2012–2013	Port Vale	2	(0)
2013	Cowdenbeath	9	(0)
2013–	Scunthorpe United	73	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 29 December 2015 (UTC). † Appearances (goals)

Sean Brian McAllister (born 15 August 1987) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for League One side Scunthorpe United.

Primarily as a central midfielder, he has good vision and passing ability. He began his professional career at Sheffield Wednesday in 2006, and had spells on loan at Mansfield Town and Bury, before establishing himself in the "Owls" first team in the 2008–09 season. He was allowed to join Shrewsbury Town in July 2010, and helped the "Shrews" to win promotion out of League Two in 2011–12. He joined Port Vale on a short-term contract in November 2012, and then signed with Cowdenbeath in March 2013, before joining Scunthorpe United four months later. He helped Scunthorpe to win promotion out of League Two in 2013–14.

Playing career

Early life

McAllister, born in Bolton, started playing at Deans Sports in Swinton before going on a successful trial at Manchester United at the age of nine. He spent three years as a schoolboy at Old Trafford before joining Bolton Wanderers, where he stayed for four years.

Sheffield Wednesday

He switched to the Sheffield Wednesday Academy in 2003. Having previously been an unused substitute in the Sheffield derby at Hillsborough, McAllister made his senior debut for Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship the following week on 25 February 2006, coming on as a substitute after 56 minutes when Wednesday were already 3–0 down to Southampton at St Mary's.^[1] On 12 April, he was named as the club's Young Player of the Year, despite playing only 35 minutes of first team football, having impressed with his many reserve team and academy appearances. He did not appear in the first team again until the end-of-season, when he played all 90 minutes of a 2–0 victory against Derby County at Pride Park.

On 19 August 2006, McAllister scored his first senior goal for Wednesday to inspire an "Owls" comeback, as they went on to beat Plymouth Argyle 2–1 at Home Park following his 52nd-minute equaliser. He would rarely feature in the rest of the 2006–07 season, only making one substitute appearance under Paul Sturrock's successor Brian Laws. Despite this, he signed a new contract in May 2007.^[2]

After failing to feature for the first team during the start of the 2007–08 campaign, he was sent out on a one-month loan to League Two side Mansfield Town in September 2007.^[3][4] He made four league starts, and manager Bill Dearden had the loan deal extended to cover a second month.^[5] However he then lost his first team place at Field Mill, and returned to Sheffield. He then joined Chris Casper's Bury on loan in November 2007, and remained at Gigg Lane for two months without making a first team appearance.^[6][7] He was recalled by Wednesday as a back-up early into his second month with the "Shakers". He went on to break into the first team again in February 2008, but missed the end-of-season run-in with a calf injury.^[8]

He signed a two-year contract extension in May 2008.^[9] He became a key player in the 2008–09 campaign, making 42 appearances and claiming three league goals against Preston North End, Crystal Palace, and Reading.^[10][11][12] However he lost his first team spot in September 2009, and later struggled with a stomach injury.^[13] He was released by new manager Alan Irvine at the end of the 2009–10 season, after he was limited to 14 appearances throughout the campaign.

Shrewsbury Town

McAllister signed a two-year contract with Shrewsbury Town in July 2010.^[14] Manager Graham Turner stated that "McAllister's an attacking, exciting player and I'm a bit surprised he was still on the market. We were a little short in midfield and with his Championship experience he could be a real gain for us."^[15] He made his first appearance at the New Meadow as a substitute in a 3–1 victory over Bradford City on 7 August 2010.^[16] He was named as Shrewsbury Town's player of the month for August 2010,^[17] but found first team opportunities harder to come by in the second half of the season due to a hernia injury and the arrival of new signings Nicky Wroe and David Davies.^[18] He had an operation to correct the hernia injury in February 2011.^[19]

McAllister made a return to fitness during the 2011–12 pre-season, scoring against a Manchester United XI in a 2–1 home victory in July 2011.^[20] He scored his first competitive goal for the "Shrews" when he was recalled to the starting line-up in a 2–0 win over Crewe Alexandra on 20 August.^[21] However the form of Matt Richards and loan signing David McAllister again left him sitting on the sidelines for much of the season.^[22] Shrewsbury won promotion to League One as runners-up of League Two, yet McAllister was not offered a new contract.^[23] He said that "Hopefully my experience at a higher level, and the fact that I've got a promotion under my belt, will help my cause. I'm disappointed, I thought I was worth a new deal, but I've had two good years at Shrewsbury."^[24]

Port Vale

McAllister failed to find a club before the start of the 2012–13 season, despite a trial at Oxford United.^[25] In October 2012, he went on trial at Port Vale,^[26] after personally ringing manager Micky Adams to enquire about a vacancy in midfield created when Doug Loft picked up an injury.^[27] He signed an eight-week deal with the "Valiants" on 9 November.^[28] The League Two club were in administration, and applied for special permission to sign McAllister after asking the Football League for leniency after they underwent a shortage of available midfielders.^[29] He made his debut from the bench at Vale Park on 17 November, replacing Rob Taylor 74 minutes into a 2–2 draw with York City.^[30] However he would only feature twice more for the club, and left the club on 8 January 2013, with Adams saying "it's unfortunate we weren't able to offer Sean more first-team opportunities, but that underlines the competition for places we have among the squad, but he's a great kid, a model professional and I'd recommend him anywhere."^[31]

Cowdenbeath

McAllister joined Scottish First Division side Cowdenbeath in March 2013.^[32] He made nine appearances at the end of the 2012–13 season, helping the club to avoid relegation.

Scunthorpe United

In July 2013, McAllister made a return to League Two when he signed a one-year contract with Scunthorpe United.^[33] He made 43 appearances in the 2013–14 season as the "Iron" won promotion as divisional runners-up, and was also crowned the club's Player of the Year for his "high energy and consistent performances".^[34][35]

He signed a new two-year contract in May 2014.^[36] However, after Mark Robins replaced Russ Wilcox as manager, McAllister found first team football hard to come by in the second half of the League One 2014–15 season.^[37]

Style of play

In describing his playing style, McAllister has said that "I work hard and I read the game well... [and] I like to get forward".^[38] Port Vale assistant manager Mark Grew said that "he's a good passer, he has excellent vision and great energy".^[39]

Statistics

As of 5 May 2015.

Season	Club	Division	League		FA Cup		League Cup		Other[40]		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
2005–06[41]	Sheffield Wednesday	Championship	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
2006–07[42]			6	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	7	1
2007–08[43]			8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	0
2007–08[43]	Mansfield Town (loan)	League Two	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
2007–08[43]	Bury (loan)		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2008–09[44]	Sheffield Wednesday	Championship	40	3	1	0	1	0	0	0	42	3
2009–10[45]			12	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	14	0
Total			68	4	1	0	4	0	0	0	73	4
2010–11[46]	Shrewsbury Town	League Two	18	0	1	0	2	0	2	0	23	1
2011–12[47]			17	1	2	0	2	0	1	0	22	1
Total			35	0	3	0	4	0	3	0	45	0
2012–13[48]	Port Vale	League Two	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	3	0
Total			2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	3	0
2012–13[48]	Cowdenbeath	First Division	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	9	0
Total			9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	9	0
2013–14[49]	Scunthorpe United	League Two	39	0	2	0	1	0	1	0	43	0
2014–15[50]		League One	23	0	4	0	2	0	2	1	31	1
2015–16[51]			0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total			62	0	6	0	3	0	3	1	74	1
Career total			183	5	10	0	11	0	7	1	211	6

Honours

Individual

• Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Young Player of the Year: 2006
• Scunthorpe United F.C. Player of the Year: 2013–14

with Shrewsbury Town

• Football League Two runner-up: 2011–12

with Scunthorpe United

• Football League Two runner-up: 2013–14

References

1. "Southampton 3–0 Sheff Wed". BBC Sport. 25 February 2006. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
2. "Owls offer new deals to quartet". BBC Sport. 10 May 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
3. "Sean Set For Stags Spell". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 6 September 2007. Retrieved 9 February 2008.
4. "Owls midfielder to join Mansfield". BBC Sport. 6 September 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
5. "Stags to extend McAllister loan". BBC Sport. 4 October 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
6. "McAllister extends loan with Bury". BBC Sport. 28 December 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
7. "Bury sign midfielder McAllister". BBC Sport. 22 November 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
8. "McAllister joins Owls' casualties". BBC Sport. 7 April 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
9. "McAllister signs Wednesday deal". BBC Sport. 15 May 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
10. "Sheff Wed 1–1 Preston". BBC Sport. 23 August 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
11. "Sheff Wed 2–0 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. 21 February 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
12. "Sheff Wed 1–2 Reading". BBC Sport. 3 March 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
13. "McAllister bids to earn deal". Sheffield Telegraph. 8 April 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
14. "Sean McAllister aims high with Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 23 September 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
15. "Shrewsbury sign Sean McAllister & goalkeeper Ben Smith". BBC Sport. 29 July 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
16. "Football – Shrewsbury 3–1 Bradford". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
17. "Shrewsbury Town MOM Latest Results". Shrewsbury Town F.C. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
18. "Football – Shrewsbury Town's Sean McAllister ready to return". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
19. "Shrewsbury midfielder McAllister undergoes hernia op". BBC Sport. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
20. "Border Counties Advertizer – Shrewsbury Town 2 – Manchester United 1". Border Counties Advertizer. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
21. "Shrewsbury 2–0 Crewe". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
22. "Sean McAllister desperate to help Shrewsbury Town get up". Shropshire Star. 17 March 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
23. "Shrewsbury Town let four players leave". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
24. "McAllister to use promotion experience to find new club". BBC Sport. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
25. "Shrewsbury Town closing in on new signing". Shropshire Star. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
26. "Murphy set to claim midfield start". The Sentinel. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
27. "Port Vale: Sean McAllister eyes longer deal at Vale Park". BBC Sport. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
28. "Port Vale sign Sean McAllister on short-term deal". BBC Sport. 9 November 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
29. "Ex-Shrewsbury midfielder Sean McAllister set to sign for threadbare Port Vale". The Sentinel. 9 November 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
30. "Port Vale 2 – 2 York City". BBC Sport. 17 November 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
31. "Adams takes a fresh look at January sales". The Sentinel. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
32. Smith, Craig (16 March 2013). "Cowdenbeath v Airdrie United: Cameron looking for space". The Courier. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
33. "Scunthorpe United sign midfielder Sean McAllister". 19 July 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
34. Sumpter, Chris (3 May 2014). "Sam Slocombe leads list of winners at Scunthorpe United's Player of the Year awards night". Scunthorpe Telegraph. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
35. Sharpe, Rich (24 January 2014). "Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Sean McAllister on his form at Scunthorpe United that is grabbing the headlines". Scunthorpe Telegraph. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
36. "Scunthorpe United: Sean McAllister and Eddie Nolan re-sign". BBC Sport. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
37. Sumpter, Chris (9 December 2014). "Sean McAllister hails competition for places at Scunthorpe United - even though it's cost him a regular starting role". Scunthorpe Telegraph. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
38. "McAllister in for the long haul". The Sentinel. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
39. "Clean sheets key to Vale's success, says McAllister". The Sentinel. 17 November 2012. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
40. Includes other competitive competitions, including the Football League Trophy.
41. "Games played by Sean McAllister in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
42. "Games played by Sean McAllister in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
43. "Games played by Sean McAllister in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
44. "Games played by Sean McAllister in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
45. "Games played by Sean McAllister in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
46. "Games played by Sean McAllister in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
47. "Games played by Sean McAllister in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
48. "Games played by Sean McAllister in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
49. "Games played by Sean McAllister in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
50. "Games played by Sean McAllister in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
51. "Games played by Sean McAllister in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.

External links

• Sean McAllister career statistics at Soccerbase