Dominic Foley
Encyclopedia
Dominic Joseph Foley is an Irish
footballer who plays for Cercle Brugge K.S.V.
in Belgium
, as a striker.
Without really settling in his early career, he played for almost ten clubs in England
, in his late 20's and 30's, he found stability in Belgium
, where he represented two teams.
, Cork
, Foley was signed in 1995, aged 19, by English First Division
Wolverhampton Wanderers
, from St. James's Gate
. He made his Wolves debut on 18 November 1995 as a substitute in a 1–3 defeat to Oldham Athletic, but never managed to stake a claim to a regular place though, and appeared in just 27 games in total over four seasons at Molineux Stadium
.
In order to gain playing time, Foley was loaned several times in the following years, to Watford
, Notts County
and Greek
club Ethnikos Piraeus. He eventually moved to Watford
, signed by Graham Taylor - who had originally brought him to Wolverhampton - on a free transfer.
He played 12 times in his first season with the Hornets (one goal), also making his Premier League debuts. Even though the campaign ended in relegation, he received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland national team
; his debut came on 30 May 2000 in a 1–2 friendly defeat to Scotland
. Five days later, his second cap (against Mexico
) saw him score the first of his two international goals, with all six appearances coming during the year.
Early into the 2000–01 season, Foley scored a last-minute winner
against Barnsley
, but overall found playing opportunities scarce, being successively loaned by the Vicarage Road
outfit to Queens Park Rangers
(two spells), Swindon Town
, Southend United
and Oxford United
.
He left England
in 2003 for Portuguese
club Sporting de Braga, being scarcely used during one sole season, after which he returned to his country after one decade, signing for Bohemian FC
. He impressed in the club's 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup game against Belgian
side K.A.A. Gent, who signed him soon afterwards.
At the age of 29, Foley established at his new club, scoring six goals in 25 first division matches his first year, but bettered his totals in the following two seasons, netting in double digits (respectively 10 and 11) as the Flemish
club finished fourth and sixth in the table, respectively; additionally, he helped the team reach the semifinals of the Belgian Cup
in 2007, scored three goals in that year's UEFA Intertoto Cup
to help the side reach the third round, notably scoring against Cliftonville F.C.
in a 2–0 home win (6–0 on aggregate), and was named club captain at the start of the 2007–08 season.
Foley helped Gent reach the final of the domestic cup in 2007–08, opening the score against R.S.C. Anderlecht
after just six minutes, but eventually losing the match 2–3. The next season however, new coach Michel Preud'homme
rarely used him in his starting eleven and, with the player's contract ending that season, he was sold during the winter break to fellow first-divisioner Cercle Brugge
.
In 2009, Gent accused Cercle Brugge of secret reunions with Foley before he was allowed to speak to clubs to discuss his future. With his contract due to expire at the end of the season, the former's general manager
, Michel Louwagie, claimed the player had discussed a contract before the allowed date of 1 January, saying: "I don't at all appreciate the way Cercle have behaved in relation to Foley. It is against the rules." On January 21, Cercle announced that Foley had signed a three-year contract with the club, starting in June 2009. On the 27th, however, both clubs agreed on an immediate transfer, during the winter transfer window.
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...
footballer who plays for Cercle Brugge K.S.V.
Cercle Brugge K.S.V.
Cercle Brugge Koninklijke Sportvereniging is a Belgian football team from Bruges. Cercle have played in the Belgian Pro League since the 2003-04 season, having previously spent several years in the Belgian Second Division following relegation in 1997. Their matricule is the n°12. The club play...
in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, as a striker.
Without really settling in his early career, he played for almost ten clubs in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, in his late 20's and 30's, he found stability in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, where he represented two teams.
Football career
A native of CharlevilleCharleville
Charleville can refer to:* Charleville, County Cork, a town in Ireland**Charleville railway station**Charleville GAA**Charleville * Charleville, Queensland, a town in Australia...
, Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Foley was signed in 1995, aged 19, by English First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, from St. James's Gate
St James's Gate F.C.
St James's Gate F.C. is an Irish football club that currently plays in the Leinster Senior League. St James Gate was founded as the footballing part of the Guinness Sports and Social club and was named after St. James's Gate Brewery....
. He made his Wolves debut on 18 November 1995 as a substitute in a 1–3 defeat to Oldham Athletic, but never managed to stake a claim to a regular place though, and appeared in just 27 games in total over four seasons at Molineux Stadium
Molineux stadium
Molineux Stadium is a Premier League football stadium situated in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, England. It has been the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club since 1889, and has a long and illustrious history as the first 'new build' stadium in Football League history, one of the...
.
In order to gain playing time, Foley was loaned several times in the following years, to Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
and Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
club Ethnikos Piraeus. He eventually moved to Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, signed by Graham Taylor - who had originally brought him to Wolverhampton - on a free transfer.
He played 12 times in his first season with the Hornets (one goal), also making his Premier League debuts. Even though the campaign ended in relegation, he received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland national team
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....
; his debut came on 30 May 2000 in a 1–2 friendly defeat to Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
. Five days later, his second cap (against Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
) saw him score the first of his two international goals, with all six appearances coming during the year.
Early into the 2000–01 season, Foley scored a last-minute winner
Last-minute goal
The term "last-minute goal" is used in sport, primarily association football, to describe a goal scored very late in a game. It may not necessarily refer to a goal scored in the actual final minute...
against Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
, but overall found playing opportunities scarce, being successively loaned by the Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road, a stadium in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, is the home of the football club Watford and their tenants, the Saracens rugby union club. An all-seater stadium, its current capacity is 17,477.-History:...
outfit to Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
(two spells), Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
, Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
and Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
.
He left England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 2003 for Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
club Sporting de Braga, being scarcely used during one sole season, after which he returned to his country after one decade, signing for Bohemian FC
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
. He impressed in the club's 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup game against Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
side K.A.A. Gent, who signed him soon afterwards.
At the age of 29, Foley established at his new club, scoring six goals in 25 first division matches his first year, but bettered his totals in the following two seasons, netting in double digits (respectively 10 and 11) as the Flemish
Flemish Region
The Flemish Region is one of the three official regions of the Kingdom of Belgium—alongside the Walloon Region and the Brussels-Capital Region. Colloquially, it is usually simply referred to as Flanders, of which it is the institutional iteration within the context of the Belgian political system...
club finished fourth and sixth in the table, respectively; additionally, he helped the team reach the semifinals of the Belgian Cup
Belgian Cup
The Belgian Cup is the main knockout football competition in Belgium, run by the Belgian Football Association. The first cup was held in 1911-12. The most successful cup club is Club Brugge KV with 10 titles followed by RSC Anderlecht and R Standard de Liège...
in 2007, scored three goals in that year's UEFA Intertoto Cup
UEFA Intertoto Cup
The UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
to help the side reach the third round, notably scoring against Cliftonville F.C.
Cliftonville F.C.
Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Founded on 20 September 1879 by John McCredy McAlery in the suburb of Cliftonville in north Belfast, it is the oldest football club in Ireland and celebrated its 130th...
in a 2–0 home win (6–0 on aggregate), and was named club captain at the start of the 2007–08 season.
Foley helped Gent reach the final of the domestic cup in 2007–08, opening the score against R.S.C. Anderlecht
R.S.C. Anderlecht
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
after just six minutes, but eventually losing the match 2–3. The next season however, new coach Michel Preud'homme
Michel Preud'homme
Michel Georges Jean Ghislain Preud’Homme'tönten mannen, , commonly known as Michel Preud'homme, is a Belgian football coach and retired goalkeeper. He is currently head coach of Al-Shabab Riyadh, a role he took after guiding outgoing Dutch Eredivisie champions FC Twente in the 2010–11 season...
rarely used him in his starting eleven and, with the player's contract ending that season, he was sold during the winter break to fellow first-divisioner Cercle Brugge
Cercle Brugge K.S.V.
Cercle Brugge Koninklijke Sportvereniging is a Belgian football team from Bruges. Cercle have played in the Belgian Pro League since the 2003-04 season, having previously spent several years in the Belgian Second Division following relegation in 1997. Their matricule is the n°12. The club play...
.
Transfer controversies
Foley caused controversy in 2005 when he successfully had his contract with Bohemians terminated over the failure of payment by the club of "bonuses". He then signed for Gent which had played against the Irish side only a few weeks before, sparking rumours of secret meetings between player and management after the game.In 2009, Gent accused Cercle Brugge of secret reunions with Foley before he was allowed to speak to clubs to discuss his future. With his contract due to expire at the end of the season, the former's general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
, Michel Louwagie, claimed the player had discussed a contract before the allowed date of 1 January, saying: "I don't at all appreciate the way Cercle have behaved in relation to Foley. It is against the rules." On January 21, Cercle announced that Foley had signed a three-year contract with the club, starting in June 2009. On the 27th, however, both clubs agreed on an immediate transfer, during the winter transfer window.