Alan Maybury
Encyclopedia
Alan Paul Maybury is an Irish footballer currently playing for St. Johnstone.
and was anecdotally the first player from the Republic of Ireland to be offered a youth contract. However he decided to start his senior career at Leeds United
. At Leeds he occasionally deputised for compatriot Gary Kelly in the right-back berth but predominantly spent his time in the reserves. In spite of his lack of competitive football during this period, he attained two caps for Republic of Ireland
in friendly internationals.
In an attempt to gain experience of regular first-team action, Maybury spent spells on loan at Reading
and Crewe
between 1999 and 2001. However, when still unable to displace Kelly upon his return to at Elland Road, he decided it was in his best interests to leave, with Craig Levein
paying £130,000 to secure his services for Hearts
in August 2001.
in 2002–03 and 2003–04. Although by preference a right-back, he would often deputise at left-back when required, and occasionally in right midfield. Maybury eventually became the club's vice-captain and, by the summer of 2004, a recall to the Irish international squad.
in January 2005 for a nominal fee, in a double signing with striker Mark de Vries
, both signing three and a half year contracts. Levein was eventually sacked, but Maybury continued to feature in the first team, playing at right back.
On 14 August 2006, Leicester were approached by Sunderland
regarding Maybury's availability. The deal possibly fell through with no news update. Maybury was however transfer listed by then-manager Martin Allen on 4 June 2007, having been replaced by Bruno N'Gotty
and Richard Stearman
. He was given permission to train with on 21 January 2008, in order to maintain his fitness while searching for a new club.
On 15 May 2008, he was released by Leicester as his contract was close to expiring and was not going to be renewed by the club.
against . He came on as a substitute for Stuart Duff
in the 69th minute as Aberdeen went on to win 1–0. He played for Aberdeen against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup
and was deemed guilty of a handball against Ze Roberto in the penalty area, conceding a penalty that led to Bayern's second equaliser, with the score previously at 2–1. Aberdeen went on to draw the match 2–2.
Maybury was given a trial by Bristol City
on 23 July 2008.
Leeds
As a youngster Maybury was linked to RangersRangers 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...
and was anecdotally the first player from the Republic of Ireland to be offered a youth contract. However he decided to start his senior career at Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
. At Leeds he occasionally deputised for compatriot Gary Kelly in the right-back berth but predominantly spent his time in the reserves. In spite of his lack of competitive football during this period, he attained two caps for Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
in friendly internationals.
In an attempt to gain experience of regular first-team action, Maybury spent spells on loan at Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
and Crewe
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
between 1999 and 2001. However, when still unable to displace Kelly upon his return to at Elland Road, he decided it was in his best interests to leave, with Craig Levein
Craig Levein
Craig William Levein is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager of the Scotland national team. During his playing career he played for Cowdenbeath and Heart of Midlothian...
paying £130,000 to secure his services for Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
in August 2001.
Hearts
Alan made his Hearts debut in a convincing 3–0 victory over St. Johnstone later that month, and quickly became a first team regular. The club recorded successive third place finishes in the SPLScottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
in 2002–03 and 2003–04. Although by preference a right-back, he would often deputise at left-back when required, and occasionally in right midfield. Maybury eventually became the club's vice-captain and, by the summer of 2004, a recall to the Irish international squad.
Leicester
When Craig Levein left Hearts to manage Leicester, he made signing Maybury one of his priorities and Alan joined up at the Walkers StadiumWalkers Stadium
The King Power Stadium is a football stadium which hosts home matches of English football club Leicester City. The all-seater stadium, inaugurated in July 2002, holds 32,500 and has the 19th largest stadium capacity in England. The stadium is named after King Power, a company owned by club owner...
in January 2005 for a nominal fee, in a double signing with striker Mark de Vries
Mark de Vries
Mark de Vries is a Dutch footballer currently playing for Dutch Jupiler League club SC Cambuur.- Early career :...
, both signing three and a half year contracts. Levein was eventually sacked, but Maybury continued to feature in the first team, playing at right back.
On 14 August 2006, Leicester were approached by Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
regarding Maybury's availability. The deal possibly fell through with no news update. Maybury was however transfer listed by then-manager Martin Allen on 4 June 2007, having been replaced by Bruno N'Gotty
Bruno N'Gotty
Bruno N'Gotty is a French football player of Cameroonian ancestry who last played for English club Leicester City. Initially a player at his home team Olympique Lyonnais, he later played for Paris Saint-Germain, A.C...
and Richard Stearman
Richard Stearman
Richard James Michael Stearman is an English footballer of Irish descent who plays as a defender for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers...
. He was given permission to train with on 21 January 2008, in order to maintain his fitness while searching for a new club.
On 15 May 2008, he was released by Leicester as his contract was close to expiring and was not going to be renewed by the club.
Aberdeen
Maybury signed for on loan until end of the season on the 31st of January 2008. He made his debut for Aberdeen on February 2, in the 5th round of the Scottish CupScottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
against . He came on as a substitute for Stuart Duff
Stuart Duff
Stuart Duff is a Scottish football player. He is primarily a central midfielder although his versatility has seen him play in most defensive and midfield positions. Duff has played for Dundee United, Aberdeen, Inverness CT and Ayr United during his career...
in the 69th minute as Aberdeen went on to win 1–0. He played for Aberdeen against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
and was deemed guilty of a handball against Ze Roberto in the penalty area, conceding a penalty that led to Bayern's second equaliser, with the score previously at 2–1. Aberdeen went on to draw the match 2–2.
Maybury was given a trial by Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
on 23 July 2008.