John Burns (Irish footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Burns is an Irish
former professional footballer born in Dublin who played as a midfielder
in the Football League
for Nottingham Forest
, Bristol City
, Carlisle United
and Burton Albion
. Burns later played non-league football for Hucknall Town
, Ilkeston Town
before ending his career with Hinckley United
.
before joining Forest as a sixteen year old in 1994. Touted as "The next Roy Keane
", he stayed with Forest for the next four years, making his debut on the 4 September 1999 in a league match against Walsall
. Despite this, Burns was not able to hold down a regular first team place and made just four appearances for the club.
Following his spell at Forest, John was transferred to Bristol City in November 1999 as part of the deal that saw Jim Brennan
move in the opposite direction, with a valuation in the transfer reported as approximately 100k. Burns saw little playing time at City, making just eleven league appearances and spending six months on loan at Shelbourne F.C.
in Ireland. In November 2001 Burns agreed to terminate his contract with Bristol City, having not featured in the league since the end of the 1999-2000 season.
After leaving Bristol, John signed for Carlisle United on 9 August 2002 on a month long contract. Despite making five appeances including four starts, his contract was not extended and Burns was released.
John then moved to Burton Albion
, making his debut against Farnborough Town on 30 October 2002.
The Band is managed by former footballer Dion Dublin.
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...
former professional footballer born in Dublin who played as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
, 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...
, Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
and Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
. Burns later played non-league football for Hucknall Town
Hucknall Town F.C.
Hucknall Town F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Hucknall, Nottinghamshire. The club are members of the Northern Premier League Premier Division and play at Watnall Road.-History:...
, Ilkeston Town
Ilkeston Town F.C.
Ilkeston Football Club is an English football club based at the New Manor Ground in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.-History:The club was established in 1894 as Ilkeston Town F.C.....
before ending his career with Hinckley United
Hinckley United F.C.
Hinckley United Football Club are an English football club, from Hinckley, Leicestershire currently playing in the Conference North. Formed only in 1997, the club has risen from the Southern League Midland/West Division to the Conference North in those 14 years...
.
Club career
Burns started his career as a trainee with Irish side Belvedere FCBelvedere FC
Belvedere Football Club is an Irish youth football club based in Fairview, Dublin. Originally founded in 1971, the club plays in the Dublin & District Soccer League...
before joining Forest as a sixteen year old in 1994. Touted as "The next Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
", he stayed with Forest for the next four years, making his debut on the 4 September 1999 in a league match against Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
. Despite this, Burns was not able to hold down a regular first team place and made just four appearances for the club.
Following his spell at Forest, John was transferred to Bristol City in November 1999 as part of the deal that saw Jim Brennan
Jim Brennan
Jim Brennan is a retired Canadian soccer player. During his playing career he gained experience playing extensively in Europe and North America, most notably with Bristol City, Nottingham Forest, Norwich City and Toronto FC.He also played 49 times for the Canadian national team, was...
move in the opposite direction, with a valuation in the transfer reported as approximately 100k. Burns saw little playing time at City, making just eleven league appearances and spending six months on loan at Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
in Ireland. In November 2001 Burns agreed to terminate his contract with Bristol City, having not featured in the league since the end of the 1999-2000 season.
After leaving Bristol, John signed for Carlisle United on 9 August 2002 on a month long contract. Despite making five appeances including four starts, his contract was not extended and Burns was released.
John then moved to Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
, making his debut against Farnborough Town on 30 October 2002.
International career
Whilst at Nottingham Forest, Burns was called up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 national football team, having previously represented his country at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-20 level.Post-Football Activity
After leaving Football John formed a band called The Establishment, enlisting the help of the PFA who agreed to fund the production of the band's first EP in June 2008 as part of its programme to help former players start new careers.The Band is managed by former footballer Dion Dublin.