Josh Magennis
Encyclopedia
Joshua Brendan David "Josh" Magennis (born 15 August 1990 in Bangor
, Northern Ireland
) is a Northern Irish footballer who currently plays as a striker for Scottish Premier League
club Aberdeen
. Having spent the majority of his youth career as a goalkeeper, he switched to striker in 2008 before turning professional in 2009. He has been described by Cardiff City academy
manager Neal Ardley
as having "lightning-quick pace, a great leap and powerful in the air".
, County Down
, Magennis began his career as an outfield player, playing up front, even representing County Down
in the Milk Cup
as a youngster, before eventually becoming a goalkeeper. He was a member of the Glentoran
youth team before joining the youth team at Cardiff City
.
in the Football League Cup
but with David Forde and on-loan goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel
ineligible Magennis took a spot on the bench for the match. Despite not making it on to the pitch in the game he still enjoyed the experience later stating:
"It was an unbelievable experience from start to finish, and hopefully I can play in the first team in the future."
The decision to include Magennis was controversial because he had been called up to the Northern Ireland under-19 team but was not allowed to join the squad by manager Dave Jones due to need to keep the youngster at the team with only one senior goalkeeper for the match.
In April 2008 he reverted to playing as a striker, just before the FAW Welsh Youth Cup
final where he came on as a substitiute.
Magennis signed his first professional contract on 10 April 2009 for Cardiff City, the only second year academy student to be offered a professional deal, and began working with reserve team coach Paul Wilkinson
who had previously coached former Cardiff striker Cameron Jerome
in a similar manner. On 8 August 2009 Magennis made his professional debut when he replaced Jay Bothroyd
as a late substitute on the opening day of the 2009–10
season in a 4–0 win over Scunthorpe United
. In his fourth appearance for the club, Magennis scored his first professional goal during a 3–1 win over Bristol Rovers
in the second round of the League Cup
.
The return of Ross McCormack
and Warren Feeney
from injury meant that Magennis fell down the pecking order at Cardiff and was allowed to join Football League Two
side Grimsby Town
on a one-month loan deal on 15 October 2009 He made his debut against Rochdale
on 17 October 2009 which was to be the last game managed by Mike Newell
, who was sacked the following morning. Magennis made just one more appearance for the side before, on 29 October 2009, he was told that his, and fellow loanee Arnaud Mendy
, loan contract was to be terminated ahead of schedule. Caretaker manager Neil Woods
commented that "As the caretaker manager I think I need to be fair to the players that we've got here first. They've been a little bit of a victim of the circumstances of the last two weeks. They are not going to get in the eighteen and I don't think it is fair to keep loan players here."
Magennis made his first start for Cardiff on 9 January 2010 in a 1–1 draw with Blackpool
, but was forced off after just 35 minutes after suffering a fractured fibula. He made his comeback as a substitute on the last day of the regular season against Derby County
. He was given a free transfer by Cardiff at the end of the season along with Peter Enckelman
, Warren Feeney
, Tony Capaldi
and Aaron Morris
.
, on their first day of pre-season training. He started in Aberdeen's first game of the 2010–11 season
at home to Hamilton Academical
, where he hit the crossbar in a 4–0 win. He scored his 1st goal for the Dons on 8 January 2011, when he scored the final goal of their 6-0 Scottish Cup
win over Second Division
club .
and as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Netherlands under-17's. His step up to the under-19 side came following his change of position and he was handed his debut on 8 October 2008 in 3–1 defeat to Serbia under-19's. In July 2009, Magennis helped Northern Ireland retain their Milk Cup
crown, scoring the first goal in their 2–0 final victory against Denmark
.
On 11 August 2009, Magennis made his debut for the Under-21
side, playing in a 2–1 defeat to Portugal
. He grabbed his first two goals for the Under-21 side after coming off the bench in their 6–2 defeat to Iceland on 8 September 2009.
He made his full debut for Northern Ireland on 26 May 2010 against Turkey in a friendly.
Bangor, County Down
Bangor is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a seaside resort on the southern side of Belfast Lough and within the Belfast Metropolitan Area. Bangor Marina is one of the largest in Ireland, and holds Blue Flag status...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
) is a Northern Irish footballer who currently plays as a striker for Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
. Having spent the majority of his youth career as a goalkeeper, he switched to striker in 2008 before turning professional in 2009. He has been described by Cardiff City academy
Cardiff City F.C. Academy
The Cardiff City F.C. Academy is the youth academy currently set up at Cardiff City in order to discover and nurture young talent. The academy has a range of players from ages seven to 18.-Information:...
manager Neal Ardley
Neal Ardley
Neal Christopher Ardley is an English former professional footballer who played either as a right-back or right midfielder...
as having "lightning-quick pace, a great leap and powerful in the air".
Early career
Born in BangorBangor, County Down
Bangor is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a seaside resort on the southern side of Belfast Lough and within the Belfast Metropolitan Area. Bangor Marina is one of the largest in Ireland, and holds Blue Flag status...
, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Magennis began his career as an outfield player, playing up front, even representing County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
in the Milk Cup
Milk Cup
The Milk Cup is an international youth football tournament held annually in Northern Ireland. The cup matches are mainly played in the North Coast area of Northern Ireland, with matches taking place in the towns of Portrush, Portstewart, Castlerock, Limavady, Coleraine, Ballymoney, Ballymena and...
as a youngster, before eventually becoming a goalkeeper. He was a member of the Glentoran
Glentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
youth team before joining the youth team at Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
.
Cardiff City
On 31 October 2007 Cardiff met LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
in the Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
but with David Forde and on-loan goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Peter Schmeichel is a Danish professional football goalkeeper, and son of Peter Schmeichel. He plays in the Npower Championship for Leicester City. He played 17 games for the Denmark under-21 national team...
ineligible Magennis took a spot on the bench for the match. Despite not making it on to the pitch in the game he still enjoyed the experience later stating:
"It was an unbelievable experience from start to finish, and hopefully I can play in the first team in the future."
The decision to include Magennis was controversial because he had been called up to the Northern Ireland under-19 team but was not allowed to join the squad by manager Dave Jones due to need to keep the youngster at the team with only one senior goalkeeper for the match.
In April 2008 he reverted to playing as a striker, just before the FAW Welsh Youth Cup
FAW Welsh Youth Cup
The FAW Welsh Youth Cup is a competition contested by teams affiliated to the Football Association of Wales at Under-19 level.-Previous finals:-Winners table:...
final where he came on as a substitiute.
Magennis signed his first professional contract on 10 April 2009 for Cardiff City, the only second year academy student to be offered a professional deal, and began working with reserve team coach Paul Wilkinson
Paul Wilkinson (footballer)
Paul Wilkinson is a retired English football striker currently working as the reserve team manager for Cardiff City.-Career:He started his career with Grimsby Town before moving to Everton in March 1985...
who had previously coached former Cardiff striker Cameron Jerome
Cameron Jerome
Cameron Zishan Rana-Jerome is an English footballer who plays for Stoke City as a striker. He also played for Cardiff City in the Football League, and for Birmingham City in the Football League and Premier League, and at international level has several caps for the England under-21 team.-Early...
in a similar manner. On 8 August 2009 Magennis made his professional debut when he replaced Jay Bothroyd
Jay Bothroyd
Jay Bothroyd is an English footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers as a striker. He has also played for the England national team. He was a product of the Arsenal Academy and came to prominence during the 1999–2000 FA Youth Cup Final win against Coventry City...
as a late substitute on the opening day of the 2009–10
Cardiff City F.C. season 2009–10
The 2009–10 season is Cardiff City F.C.'s 83rd season in The Football League since joining in 1920. The season is also the club's first in the Cardiff City Stadium, replacing their former ground Ninian Park, which had been used by the club for 99 years. Cardiff had their most successful season in...
season in a 4–0 win over Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
. In his fourth appearance for the club, Magennis scored his first professional goal during a 3–1 win over Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
in the second round of the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
.
The return of Ross McCormack
Ross McCormack
Ross McCormack is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing for English football club Leeds United and the Scotland national team. His main position is as a Striker but he can also play as a Winger....
and Warren Feeney
Warren Feeney
Warren Feeney is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for Plymouth Argyle as a forward. He is the third generation of his family to have been capped at international level by Northern Ireland, after his father Warren and his grandfather Jim.-Early career:Feeney, who comes from a particularly...
from injury meant that Magennis fell down the pecking order at Cardiff and was allowed to join Football League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
on a one-month loan deal on 15 October 2009 He made his debut against Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
on 17 October 2009 which was to be the last game managed by Mike Newell
Mike Newell (footballer)
Michael Colin "Mike" Newell is an English football manager and former professional footballer. As a player he notably was a member of the Blackburn Rovers team which won the Premier League in 1995, as well also playing for Crewe Alexandra, Wigan Athletic, Luton Town, Leicester City, Everton,...
, who was sacked the following morning. Magennis made just one more appearance for the side before, on 29 October 2009, he was told that his, and fellow loanee Arnaud Mendy
Arnaud Mendy
Arnaud Mendy is a naturalized Bissau-Guinean footballer who plays as a midfielder who currently plays for Macclesfield Town.-Career:...
, loan contract was to be terminated ahead of schedule. Caretaker manager Neil Woods
Neil Woods
Neil Stephen Woods is a former English footballer who played as a striker and former manager of Grimsby Town where he also played between 1990 and 1998. He now works as the Head of Youth at Football League One side Walsall...
commented that "As the caretaker manager I think I need to be fair to the players that we've got here first. They've been a little bit of a victim of the circumstances of the last two weeks. They are not going to get in the eighteen and I don't think it is fair to keep loan players here."
Magennis made his first start for Cardiff on 9 January 2010 in a 1–1 draw with Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
, but was forced off after just 35 minutes after suffering a fractured fibula. He made his comeback as a substitute on the last day of the regular season against Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. He was given a free transfer by Cardiff at the end of the season along with Peter Enckelman
Peter Enckelman
Peter Enckelman is a Finnish football goalkeeper who currently plays for St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premier League.-Aston Villa:...
, Warren Feeney
Warren Feeney
Warren Feeney is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for Plymouth Argyle as a forward. He is the third generation of his family to have been capped at international level by Northern Ireland, after his father Warren and his grandfather Jim.-Early career:Feeney, who comes from a particularly...
, Tony Capaldi
Tony Capaldi
Anthony Charles "Tony" Capaldi is a Norwegian-born Northern Ireland international footballer, who plays as a defender for Oxford United. He is also a long-throw specialist.-Club career:...
and Aaron Morris
Aaron Morris
Aaron John Morris is a Welsh professional footballer currently playing for Aldershot Town. He is also a Wales under-21 international.-Cardiff City:...
.
Aberdeen
On 5 July 2010, Magennis signed a deal with AberdeenAberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
, on their first day of pre-season training. He started in Aberdeen's first game of the 2010–11 season
2010–11 Scottish Premier League
The 2010–11 Scottish Premier League was the thirteenth season of the Scottish Premier League, the highest division of Scottish football. It commenced on 14 August 2010 and ended on 15 May 2011...
at home to Hamilton Academical
Hamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
, where he hit the crossbar in a 4–0 win. He scored his 1st goal for the Dons on 8 January 2011, when he scored the final goal of their 6-0 Scottish Cup
Scottish 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...
win over Second Division
Scottish Football League Second Division
The Scottish Football League Second Division is the second highest division of the Scottish Football League and the third highest overall in the Scottish football league system....
club .
International career
While still playing as a goalkeeper, Magennis featured twice for the Northern Ireland Under-17 side, in a 2–0 defeat to Scotland under-17'sScotland national under-17 football team
The Scotland national under-17 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 17 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team. The team represents Scotland in international Under 17 competitions such as the...
and as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Netherlands under-17's. His step up to the under-19 side came following his change of position and he was handed his debut on 8 October 2008 in 3–1 defeat to Serbia under-19's. In July 2009, Magennis helped Northern Ireland retain their Milk Cup
Milk Cup
The Milk Cup is an international youth football tournament held annually in Northern Ireland. The cup matches are mainly played in the North Coast area of Northern Ireland, with matches taking place in the towns of Portrush, Portstewart, Castlerock, Limavady, Coleraine, Ballymoney, Ballymena and...
crown, scoring the first goal in their 2–0 final victory against Denmark
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
.
On 11 August 2009, Magennis made his debut for the Under-21
Northern Ireland national under-21 football team
The Northern Ireland national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Northern Ireland.-Former coaches:* To 20 August 2008.-2008/09 Matches:-Current squad:Squad to play San Marino.-Other Recent Call-Ups:...
side, playing in a 2–1 defeat to Portugal
Portugal national under-21 football team
The Portugal national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Portugal and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation . They are nicknamed "Esperanças." Esperança means hope, thus they are Portugal's hopes for the future...
. He grabbed his first two goals for the Under-21 side after coming off the bench in their 6–2 defeat to Iceland on 8 September 2009.
He made his full debut for Northern Ireland on 26 May 2010 against Turkey in a friendly.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
2009–10 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| Grimsby Town Grimsby Town F.C. Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town... (loan) |
2009–10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Aberdeen Aberdeen F.C. Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen... |
2010–11 2010–11 Scottish Premier League The 2010–11 Scottish Premier League was the thirteenth season of the Scottish Premier League, the highest division of Scottish football. It commenced on 14 August 2010 and ended on 15 May 2011... |
29 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 4 |
| Total | 40 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 5 | |
Personal life
His uncle Mark Currently plays for Northern Irish side Harland and Wolf Welders, but has played for Linfield and Bangor.External links
- Josh Magennis player profile at cardiffcityfc.co.uk