Sean Welsh

Sean Welsh

Personal information
Full name	Sean Welsh
Date of birth	15 March 1990
Place of birth	Edinburgh, Scotland
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current team	Partick Thistle
Number	4
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2010–2012	Hibernian	0	(0)
2010	→ Stenhousemuir (loan)	2	(0)
2011	→ Stirling Albion (loan)	17	(1)
2012	→ Partick Thistle (loan)	12	(2)
2012–	Partick Thistle	53	(3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:54, 12 March 2016 (UTC). † Appearances (goals)

Sean Welsh (born 15 March 1990) is a Scottish footballer, who is currently playing for Scottish Premiership club Partick Thistle and is also the club captain. He has previously played for Hibernian, from where he played on loan at Stenhousemuir and Stirling Albion.

Career

Hibernian

A lifelong Hibs fan,^[1] Welsh was captain of the Hibs under-19 squad^[2] who won a league and cup double in 2008–09.^[3] He was awarded under 19 League Player of the Season.^[4] A series of injuries, including a double leg break,^[5] limited his first team chances^[6] Welsh was sent on loan spells at Stenhousemuir and Stirling Albion. In May 2011, Welsh agreed a new one-year contract with Hibs.^[7]

In July 2011, Welsh was punched during a training session by team mate Martin Scott, which resulted in Welsh needing four operations^[8] to repair a fractured cheekbone.^[9] During one operation he suffered an infection that threatened his eyesight, but he recovered.^[10] Once recovered Welsh was an unused substitute on eight occasions and joined Partick Thistle on loan to play in more matches.^[11] After returning from his loan to Partick, Welsh was released at the end of his contract in May 2012.^[12]

Stenhousemuir (loan)

Welsh joined Scottish Second Division club Stenhousemuir on a month's loan in January 2010 along with fellow youngster Lee Currie.^[13] He made his debut as a 61st-minute substitute against Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup,^[14] with his league debut coming on 16 January 2010 playing from the start against Arbroath.^[15] In all he made 3 appearances for the club.^[16]

Stirling (loan)

In February 2011 Welsh Scottish First Division club Stirling Albion on loan,^[17] going on to make his debut on 19 February as a substitute in their 1–0 defeat to Dundee.^[18] He scored his first goal for the club on 5 March 2011 scoring the opening goal in a 4–3 defeat to Cowdenbeath.^[19] In all he made 17 appearances scoring once.^[20] In November Stirling tried to bring Welsh back for a second loan spell however this was rejected by Hibs.^[21]

Partick Thistle

After impressing in training^[22] on 7 February 2012 Welsh joined Scottish First Division club Partick Thistle on loan until the end of March.^[23] He made his debut from the start on 11 February against Livingston.^[24] Welsh's initial spell was disrupted by injury, and on 30 March 2012 after 5 appearances, his loan was extended until the end of the season.^[25]

After Welsh was released by Hibs in May 2012, he signed a two-year contract with Partick Thistle.^[26] Welsh played an integral part in guiding Thistle to the 2012–13 Scottish First Division championship, which lead to the Jags being promoted to the top flight for the first time in nine years.^[27]

Welsh was handed the Thistle captaincy before the start of the 2013–14 Scottish Premiership season.^[28] On 14 August, Welsh extended his contract with Thistle until the end of the 2014/15 season.^[28] He struggled with a knee injury during the 2013-14 season. The Thistle captaincy was handed to Paul Gallacher whilst Welsh remained out. Welsh made his return for Thistle in November 2014, starting against St Mirren in Paisley. However, during the match, Welsh suffered a further knee injury, which kept him out for a further month.^[29]

He also struggled with further injuries during the 2014/15 season, as he made only three first team appearances.^[30] Welsh and Partick Thistle agreed a short-term extension to his contract in June 2015, in an effort to prove his fitness.^[30] Welsh scored his first goal in the top flight converting thistle's first penalty in 69 games in a 2-1 defeat against Celtic. ^[31]

Career statistics

As of 24 December 2013^[32][33]

Club statistics

Club	Season	League		Scottish Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals
Hibernian	2010–11 season	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2011–12 season	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Stenhousemuir	2009–10 season	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
Stirling Albion	2010–11 season	17	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	17	1
Partick Thistle (loan)	2011–12	12	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	12	2
Partick Thistle	2012–13	25	2	0	0	2	0	5	0	32	2
	2013–14	10	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	13	0
	Total	47	4	1	0	2	0	5	0	56	4
Career total		66	5	2	0	2	0	5	0	75	5

References

1. "Sean Welsh Hibernian Profile". Hibernian F.C. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
2. "Steady as she goes lads: Skipper Welsh steers Hibs towards final". The Scotsman. 27 March 2009. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
3. "Season Awards 2008/2009". Clydesdale Bank Premier League. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
4. "Sean's surprise and delight". www.hibernianfc.co.uk. Hibernian F.C. 12 May 2009. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
5. "Calderwood backing Sean Welsh to seize chance with Hibs". The Scotsman. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
6. "Hibs starlet Sean Walsh eager to put injury woes behind him after clinching new deal". Daily Record. 1 June 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
7. "Sean Welsh wins new Hibernian contract". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
8. "No Caldo feud fear". The Sun. 19 August 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
9. Collin, Iain (27 July 2011). "Club fine Martin Scott over pre-season punch-up". The Scotsman. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
10. "Hibs star Sean Welsh wins fight for his sight". The Scotsman. 20 July 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
11. "Welsh Joins Partick on Loan". Hibernian F.C. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
12. "Player Update". www.hibernianfc.co.uk (Hibernian FC). 22 May 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
13. "Sean Welsh and Lee Currie determined to battle for first-team spots despite Warriors' below-Par Cup display". The Scotsman. 14 January 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
14. "Dunfermline 7 – 1 Stenhousemuir". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 January 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
15. "Stenhousemuir v Arbroath". BBC Sport. BBC. 16 January 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
16. "2009–10 Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
17. "Flynn on Albion Rovers Switch". Hibernian F.C. 25 February 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
18. "Stirling Albion 0–1 Dundee". BBC Sport. BBC. 19 February 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
19. "Stirling Albion 3 – 4 Cowdenbeath". Scottish Football League. 5 March 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
20. "2010–11 Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
21. "Binos entertain Arbroath". Stirling Observer. 11 November 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
22. "Hibs’ Sean Welsh set for Partick Thistle Loan". Edinburgh Evening News (Johnston Publishing). 7 February 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
23. "New Loan Jag". Partick Thistle F.C. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
24. "Livingston 3 – 1 Partick Thistle". Scottish Football League. 11 February 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
25. "Welsh extends loan spell". www.ptfc.co.uk. Partick Thistle F.C. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
26. "Sean Welsh agrees deal with the club". www.ptfc.co.uk. Partick Thistle F.C. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
27. Brown, Anthony (3 April 2013). "Ex-Hibs man Sean Welsh makes push for SPL". Edinburgh Evening News (Johnston Publishing). Retrieved 22 June 2013.
28. "Partick Thistle: Captain Sean Welsh signs contract extension". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
29. Jack, Chris. "Thistle's Welsh to be out for a month". Evening Times (Herald & Times Group). Retrieved 18 November 2014.
30. "Partick Thistle: Sean Welsh signs short-term deal". BBC Sport. BBC. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
31. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35733370
32. "Sean Welsh Stats". Soccerway. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
33. "Sean Welsh Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 February 2012.