Aaron Labonte (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Aaron Labonte is an English professional footballer who is currently playing for League of Ireland
side, Finn Harps
.
in 2001. In January 2003, then Livingston
manager Jim Leishman
offered Labonte a trial. The trial was unsuccessful, but 5 months later Labonte was handed a trial by fellow SPL
side Dunfermline Athletic
. After a successful trial, Labonte was offered a two-and-a-half year contract with the club. Labonte made his debut in the 4–0 defeat to Glasgow
side Rangers
.
In the 2004 Scottish Cup Final
defeat to Celtic
, Bhoys striker Henrik Larsson
twice evaded Labonte and scored both times. After relegation to the First Division
, then manager Stephen Kenny told Labonte that he was not needed by the club. On the deadline day for transfers in 2008, Labonte signed on loan until the end of the season for Irish
club Finn Harps
. He was released by Dunfermline in May 2008 after his contract ended and was re-signed by Finn Harps.
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
side, Finn Harps
Finn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps Football Club are a professional Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. They hail from Ballybofey, County Donegal and play their home matches at Finn Park. The club's colours are blue...
.
Career
Labonte started his career as a trainee for English Premiership side Newcastle UnitedNewcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
in 2001. In January 2003, then Livingston
Livingston F.C.
Livingston Football Club is a Scottish association football club based in Livingston, West Lothian. The club currently plays in the Scottish Football League First Division.The club was founded in 1943 as Ferranti Thistle, a works team...
manager Jim Leishman
Jim Leishman
Jim 'Leish' Leishman MBE, is a former professional footballer and current director of football of Scottish Premier League side Dunfermline Athletic.-Playing:...
offered Labonte a trial. The trial was unsuccessful, but 5 months later Labonte was handed a trial by fellow SPL
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
side Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
. After a successful trial, Labonte was offered a two-and-a-half year contract with the club. Labonte made his debut in the 4–0 defeat to Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
side Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
.
In the 2004 Scottish Cup Final
2004 Scottish Cup Final
The 2004 Scottish Cup Final was played on 22 May 2004 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the final of the 118th Scottish Cup. The final was contested by Dunfermline Athletic and Celtic. Celtic came from behind to win the match 3–1.-Match details:...
defeat to Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, Bhoys striker Henrik Larsson
Henrik Larsson
Henrik Edward Larsson MBE is a retired Swedish footballer and current manager of Landskrona BoIS.Larsson began his career with Högaborgs BK. He moved to Helsingborg, where he was one of the key players when they qualified to Allsvenskan 1993. Larsson then moved to Feyenoord for four years before...
twice evaded Labonte and scored both times. After relegation to the First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
, then manager Stephen Kenny told Labonte that he was not needed by the club. On the deadline day for transfers in 2008, Labonte signed on loan until the end of the season for Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
club Finn Harps
Finn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps Football Club are a professional Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. They hail from Ballybofey, County Donegal and play their home matches at Finn Park. The club's colours are blue...
. He was released by Dunfermline in May 2008 after his contract ended and was re-signed by Finn Harps.