Michael Reddy
Encyclopedia
Michael Reddy is a former Irish
professional footballer who played as a forward notably for Sunderland
, Grimsby Town
and the Republic of Ireland
Under-21 side. He also appeared as a professional for Kilkenny City, Swindon Town
, Hull City
, Barnsley
, York City
and Sheffield Wednesday
. Reddy retired from professional football in 2007 after failing to regain his fitness following three operations from a hip injury he endured while playing with Grimsby Town in 2006.
debut for his local senior side on the 17th of March 1998 against Dundalk at the age of 17, scoring 2 goals giving Kilkenny City a 2-1 win.
, Hull
, Barnsley
, York
, and twice to Sheffield Wednesday. He made 18 appearances for Sunderland, scoring twice and became an instant hero when he scored a late equaliser against rivals Middlesbrough
in the league. His other Sunderland goal came in the League Cup against Luton Town. He was highly thought of by manager Peter Reid
who rated Reddy as the 'most exciting young player' he had ever worked with and was valued at £5 million in 2001. He received the clubs Young Player of the Year award and was also called in to the full Irish Squad in the same season. Michael's career at Sunderland came to an abrupt end after he ruptured his medial ligament in a training ground accident.
. He was a huge signing for the cash strapped and relegation hit club, as well as the addition of winger Andy Parkinson
who had joined the club a few days previously. Reddy's first season was somewhat disappointing as the player was still recovering from a medial ligament injury and struggled to regain full fitness. Despite this Reddy was utilised as Town's favoured striker, mainly playing alongside Martin Gritton
, Matt Harrold
or Colin Cramb
throughout this season. Notably though he did finish the season on a high bagging a hat trick against already doomed Kidderminster Harriers
. He managed 9 goals throughout the season which was seen as a slightly disappointing season for all at the club, having seen the club finish in a lowly 18th place.
The 2005/2006 campaign began with Grimsby firing on all cylinders. With Reddy the star in a strong team that never dropped out of the top 4 all season. His ability to run with the ball, make play, create and score goals earned him hero status amongst the clubs supporters. His impressive partnership with new signing Gary Jones was arguably one of the best in the league. Between them, Reddy and Jones managed to find the net 31 times throughout the season. During the season, the club had a decent run in the Carling Cup defeating both Derby County
and Tottenham Hotspur
, before losing to Newcastle United
. Michael was involved in all three games. Reddy's impressive performances had also earned him the right named in the League 2 Team of the Year. But in an unfortunate twist of fate, Reddy's season was cruelly interrupted by a hip injury in March and as a result the striker did not complete another ninety minutes for the remainder of the campaign. The Mariners faltered and fell out of the automatic promotion places on the final day of the season. Reddy was deemed fit enough to take part in the play-off campaign, but it was goals from Gary Jones and Ben Futcher
that defeated Lincoln City
in the semi final stages. Slade opted to play Reddy from the start in the final at the Millennium Stadium
against Cheltenham Town
but luck fell against him as he was substituted with concussion after a clash of heads. Grimsby attempted to use Junior Mendes
and Gary Cohen
to help cater for Jones in attack, but without Reddy, the club went on to lose the game 1-0, ending all hopes of promotion after a promising season.
After failing to secure promotion, his manager Russell Slade resigned, and Reddy requested to be put on the transfer list, this was followed by several press reports linking him with a move to newly promoted Premiership side Sheffield United. Though eventually it was Leeds United and Bristol City
who made more of a forward approach for the player. Grimsby had also made the signing of striker Isaiah Rankin
in the hope of combining the pair in an attempt to make a second assault on promotion from League Two, but Michael still had to contend with his hip injury, which was still being largely persistent. The injury was rumoured to be so bad that it possibly threatened to end his career altogether. Reddy managed to play the odd game, and soon Slade's replacement as manager Graham Rodger
was dismissed by the club after a poor start to the season. In turn the club appointed Alan Buckley
as his successor, the new Grimsby boss made it clear he wanted to keep Reddy who had by now had undergone hip surgery. Buckley aimed to stick by him through his injury troubles and help the player back to fitness, but with Reddy still harboring the interests of leaving Blundell Park
, he subsequently snubbed fresh contract talks in favour of listening to potential offers from Bristol City
. Due to the continued hip problem, City had by now had lost interest altogether in signing him. However Leyton Orient
had also made an official approach for Reddy's services, but this came to nothing in the end. Reddy had failed to respond well from his hip surgery and was forced to retire from the game.
, who was the manager of Yeovil Town
offered to help the player with his rehabilitation after he had a second hip operation. Reddy remained with Yeovil for several weeks before leaving the club. After an unsuccessful third hip operation Michael accepted defeat and was forced to retire from professional football. He has since taken up his UEFA B coaching licence with the English FA in 2009.
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...
professional footballer who played as a forward notably for 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...
, 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...
and the 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....
Under-21 side. He also appeared as a professional for Kilkenny City, 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...
, Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
, 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...
, York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
and Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
. Reddy retired from professional football in 2007 after failing to regain his fitness following three operations from a hip injury he endured while playing with Grimsby Town in 2006.
Kilkenny City
He made his League of IrelandLeague 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...
debut for his local senior side on the 17th of March 1998 against Dundalk at the age of 17, scoring 2 goals giving Kilkenny City a 2-1 win.
Sunderland
A striker, Reddy signed for Sunderland, from Kilkenny City in 1999. He spent five years on Wearside, a time typified with many injury problems and loan spells; between 2001 and his departure in 2004, he was loaned out to SwindonSwindon 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...
, Hull
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
, 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...
, York
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
, and twice to Sheffield Wednesday. He made 18 appearances for Sunderland, scoring twice and became an instant hero when he scored a late equaliser against rivals Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough is a large town situated on the south bank of the River Tees in north east England, that sits within the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire...
in the league. His other Sunderland goal came in the League Cup against Luton Town. He was highly thought of by manager Peter Reid
Peter Reid
Peter Reid is an English football manager, pundit and retired player, who is currently without a club since his departure from Plymouth Argyle.A defensive midfielder in his playing days, Reid enjoyed a long and successful career...
who rated Reddy as the 'most exciting young player' he had ever worked with and was valued at £5 million in 2001. He received the clubs Young Player of the Year award and was also called in to the full Irish Squad in the same season. Michael's career at Sunderland came to an abrupt end after he ruptured his medial ligament in a training ground accident.
Grimsby Town
In July 2004 Reddy signed for Grimsby Town as one of the first new signings under the newly installed manager Russell SladeRussell Slade
Russell Slade is an English football manager currently in charge of League One side Leyton Orient.-Notts County:Slade was assistant manager to Mick Walker at Notts County, and took over as caretaker manager when Walker was sacked in September 1994. When County appointed Howard Kendall as manager...
. He was a huge signing for the cash strapped and relegation hit club, as well as the addition of winger Andy Parkinson
Andy Parkinson
Andrew John "Andy" Parkinson is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward, attacking midfielder and a winger and is signed to Aberystwyth Town in the Welsh Premier League....
who had joined the club a few days previously. Reddy's first season was somewhat disappointing as the player was still recovering from a medial ligament injury and struggled to regain full fitness. Despite this Reddy was utilised as Town's favoured striker, mainly playing alongside Martin Gritton
Martin Gritton
Martin Francis Jeremy Gritton is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker who currently plays for Stockport County. He is a journeyman player and has previously played for Plymouth Argyle, Shelbourne, Torquay United, Grimsby Town, Lincoln City, Mansfield Town, Macclesfield Town,...
, Matt Harrold
Matt Harrold
Matthew James "Matt" Harrold is an English footballer who plays for Bristol Rovers. Harrold has had numerous previous clubs including Wycombe Wanderers, Southend United, Grays Athletic, Harlow Town, Brentford, Yeovil Town, Shrewsbury Town as well as loan spells at Grimsby Town and Dagenham &...
or Colin Cramb
Colin Cramb
Colin Cramb is a former Scottish professional footballer who was active between 1991 and 2009 and played in England and the Netherlands as well as his native Scotland. He notably played for Hamilton Academical, Doncaster Rovers, Bristol City and Stirling Albion...
throughout this season. Notably though he did finish the season on a high bagging a hat trick against already doomed Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
. He managed 9 goals throughout the season which was seen as a slightly disappointing season for all at the club, having seen the club finish in a lowly 18th place.
The 2005/2006 campaign began with Grimsby firing on all cylinders. With Reddy the star in a strong team that never dropped out of the top 4 all season. His ability to run with the ball, make play, create and score goals earned him hero status amongst the clubs supporters. His impressive partnership with new signing Gary Jones was arguably one of the best in the league. Between them, Reddy and Jones managed to find the net 31 times throughout the season. During the season, the club had a decent run in the Carling Cup defeating both 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...
and Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, before losing to Newcastle United
Newcastle 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...
. Michael was involved in all three games. Reddy's impressive performances had also earned him the right named in the League 2 Team of the Year. But in an unfortunate twist of fate, Reddy's season was cruelly interrupted by a hip injury in March and as a result the striker did not complete another ninety minutes for the remainder of the campaign. The Mariners faltered and fell out of the automatic promotion places on the final day of the season. Reddy was deemed fit enough to take part in the play-off campaign, but it was goals from Gary Jones and Ben Futcher
Ben Futcher
Benjamin Paul "Ben" Futcher is an English professional footballer currently playing for Mansfield Town on loan from Bury. He notably played for Lincoln City between 2002 and 2005 where he played in two play-off finals...
that defeated Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
in the semi final stages. Slade opted to play Reddy from the start in the final at the Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
against Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
but luck fell against him as he was substituted with concussion after a clash of heads. Grimsby attempted to use Junior Mendes
Junior Mendes
Albert Junior Hillyard Andrew Mendes , more commonly known as Junior Mendes, is a footballer who plays as a striker.-Club career:Born in Balham, London, In the past he has played for Chelsea, St...
and Gary Cohen
Gary Cohen (footballer)
Gary Dane Cohen is an English former professional footballer who played from 2002 until 2010...
to help cater for Jones in attack, but without Reddy, the club went on to lose the game 1-0, ending all hopes of promotion after a promising season.
After failing to secure promotion, his manager Russell Slade resigned, and Reddy requested to be put on the transfer list, this was followed by several press reports linking him with a move to newly promoted Premiership side Sheffield United. Though eventually it was Leeds United and 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...
who made more of a forward approach for the player. Grimsby had also made the signing of striker Isaiah Rankin
Isaiah Rankin
Isaiah Marcus Rankin is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Isthmian League Premier Division side Hendon....
in the hope of combining the pair in an attempt to make a second assault on promotion from League Two, but Michael still had to contend with his hip injury, which was still being largely persistent. The injury was rumoured to be so bad that it possibly threatened to end his career altogether. Reddy managed to play the odd game, and soon Slade's replacement as manager Graham Rodger
Graham Rodger
Graham Rodger is a Scottish born English former professional footballer and football manager. He played as a defender from 1984 until 1998 for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Coventry City and Luton Town before finishing his career with a six year stint at Grimsby Town, where he retired in 1998 following...
was dismissed by the club after a poor start to the season. In turn the club appointed Alan Buckley
Alan Buckley
Alan Peter Buckley is an English football manager. He was manager of League Two side Grimsby Town until his dismissal in September 2008...
as his successor, the new Grimsby boss made it clear he wanted to keep Reddy who had by now had undergone hip surgery. Buckley aimed to stick by him through his injury troubles and help the player back to fitness, but with Reddy still harboring the interests of leaving Blundell Park
Blundell Park
Blundell Park is a football ground in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England and home to Grimsby Town Football Club. The stadium was built in 1898, but only one of the original stands remain. The current capacity of the ground is 9546, though with the introduction of all seating in the late...
, he subsequently snubbed fresh contract talks in favour of listening to potential offers from 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...
. Due to the continued hip problem, City had by now had lost interest altogether in signing him. However Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
had also made an official approach for Reddy's services, but this came to nothing in the end. Reddy had failed to respond well from his hip surgery and was forced to retire from the game.
Retirement
Former Grimsby manager Russell SladeRussell Slade
Russell Slade is an English football manager currently in charge of League One side Leyton Orient.-Notts County:Slade was assistant manager to Mick Walker at Notts County, and took over as caretaker manager when Walker was sacked in September 1994. When County appointed Howard Kendall as manager...
, who was the manager of Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
offered to help the player with his rehabilitation after he had a second hip operation. Reddy remained with Yeovil for several weeks before leaving the club. After an unsuccessful third hip operation Michael accepted defeat and was forced to retire from professional football. He has since taken up his UEFA B coaching licence with the English FA in 2009.
Grimsby Town
- Coca Cola League Two Play-off runner up: 2005-062005-06 in English footballThe 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
- PFAProfessional Footballers' AssociationThe Professional Footballers' Association is the trade union for professional footballers in England and Wales. The world's oldest professional sport trade union, it has 4,000 members....
League TwoFootball League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
2006 team of the year.