Saul Deeney
Encyclopedia
Saul Deeney is a footballer who plays for Derby County
as a goalkeeper. He has previously represented the Republic of Ireland
at Youth and under-21
level.
, County Londonderry
, Northern Ireland
, Deeney signed for Notts County
on a four-year conract in August 2000. He had loan
periods with Ilkeston Town
, Gresley Rovers
and Hull City
. He established himself as first-choice goalkeeper at Notts County when Ian Richardson became player-manager at the club. Deeney, however, turned down a new contract at the end of the 2004–05 season, although he returned to the club for pre-season training.
He had a trial with Sheffield United
in September 2005. Deeney left Notts County in October after not being offered a new contract and joined Burton Albion
of the Conference National
in November and played 30 league games. Deeney had one of the highlights of his career on 8 January 2006 during the FA Cup
match between Burton Albion and Manchester United
, keeping out two shots from Wayne Rooney
as well as saving a Ritchie Jones
shot in injury time. He signed a new contract that would expire at the end of the 2005–06 season in January.
After leaving Burton in the summer of 2006, Deeney re-signed for Notts County, where he remained for a year. After a short spell at Hucknall Town
, he rejoined former club Burton Albion in October 2007 on non-contract terms, before signing a new contract in December that would expire at the end of the 2007–08 season. He left the club in June 2009 and after having a successful trial with Derby County
he signed for the club on a one-year contract on 31 July 2009. Deeney spent much of the season as number two behind Stephen Bywater
before making his debut as a 13th minute substitute in a match against Reading
on March 10, 2010. He was sent off 27 minutes later after a professional foul on Jay Tabb
and replaced in goal by midfielder Robbie Savage
. At the end of the 2009–10 season, an optional 12 months clause in his contract was activated, keeping Deeney at Pride Park until the end of the 2010–11 season. Deeney's full debut came in a 2–1 defeat to Bristol City
and he kept his first clean sheet for the club in his debut appearance at Pride Park
in the final game of the 2009–10 season, when Derby ran out 2–0 winners against Cardiff City
.
With Stephen Bywater
's return to the first team line up for the 2010–11 season, Deeney returned to the Derby bench. When Bywater injured his wrist in training in October 2010, Deeney was unable to take advantage and make a claim for a first team spot as he was granted compassionate leave the day before Derby's next game, against Preston North End
, to visit his father in Northern Ireland, who had become seriously ill and later died Upon his return to availability, Deeney found himself kept out of the first team by loanee Frank Fielding
and later the returning Stephen Bywater
. In February 2011, Deeney ruptured a tendon in his shoulder ruling him out for five months and meaning he would complete the 2010–11 campaign without a single first team appearance. Despite this, Derby confirmed their intention to offer Deeney a new contract at the club at the end of the 2010–11 season.
at Youth and under-21
level.
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...
as a goalkeeper. He has previously represented the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
at Youth and under-21
Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team
The Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of the Republic of Ireland and is controlled by the Football Association of Ireland and competes in the biennial European Under-21 Football Championship and has competed since 1978.-Competition...
level.
Club career
Born in DerryDerry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
, County Londonderry
County Londonderry
The place name Derry is an anglicisation of the old Irish Daire meaning oak-grove or oak-wood. As with the city, its name is subject to the Derry/Londonderry name dispute, with the form Derry preferred by nationalists and Londonderry preferred by unionists...
, 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...
, Deeney signed for 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...
on a four-year conract in August 2000. He had loan
Loan (football)
In sports, a loan involves a particular player being allowed to temporarily play for a club other than the one he is currently contracted to. Loan deals may last from a few weeks to all season-long....
periods with 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.....
, Gresley Rovers
Gresley Rovers F.C.
Gresley Football Club are an English football club from Church Gresley, near Swadlincote, Derbyshire. Gresley are currently in the Midland Football Alliance, playing their home games at The Moat Ground...
and 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...
. He established himself as first-choice goalkeeper at Notts County when Ian Richardson became player-manager at the club. Deeney, however, turned down a new contract at the end of the 2004–05 season, although he returned to the club for pre-season training.
He had a trial with Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
in September 2005. Deeney left Notts County in October after not being offered a new contract and joined 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...
of the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
in November and played 30 league games. Deeney had one of the highlights of his career on 8 January 2006 during the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
match between Burton Albion and Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, keeping out two shots from Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
as well as saving a Ritchie Jones
Ritchie Jones
Richard Glynn "Ritchie" Jones is an English footballer. He is a midfielder, preferring to play in the centre of midfield. He now plays for Bradford City after he rejected a contract extension from Oldham Athletic, whom he joined on a free transfer from Hartlepool United in July 2010...
shot in injury time. He signed a new contract that would expire at the end of the 2005–06 season in January.
After leaving Burton in the summer of 2006, Deeney re-signed for Notts County, where he remained for a year. After a short spell at 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:...
, he rejoined former club Burton Albion in October 2007 on non-contract terms, before signing a new contract in December that would expire at the end of the 2007–08 season. He left the club in June 2009 and after having a successful trial with 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 signed for the club on a one-year contract on 31 July 2009. Deeney spent much of the season as number two behind Stephen Bywater
Stephen Bywater
Stephen Michael Bywater, is an English professional football player who plays as a goalkeeper. He has made appearances for seven clubs, most notably his current club Derby County, where he won the 2007 Championship Playoff final and West Ham United, where he spent eight seasons and made over 60...
before making his debut as a 13th minute substitute in a match against 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...
on March 10, 2010. He was sent off 27 minutes later after a professional foul on Jay Tabb
Jay Tabb
Jay Anthony Tabb is an English-born Irish professional footballer who plays for Reading.Tabb has played as right back, on both wings, in central midfield, and as centre forward...
and replaced in goal by midfielder Robbie Savage
Robbie Savage
Robert William "Robbie" Savage is a football pundit and former Welsh professional footballer who played predominantly as a midfielder. During his career he captained Derby County, and also played for the Welsh national team. He now presents 606 on BBC Radio Five Live on Sunday evenings alongside...
. At the end of the 2009–10 season, an optional 12 months clause in his contract was activated, keeping Deeney at Pride Park until the end of the 2010–11 season. Deeney's full debut came in a 2–1 defeat to 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...
and he kept his first clean sheet for the club in his debut appearance at Pride Park
Pride Park Stadium
Pride Park Stadium is an all-seater football stadium located on the Pride Park business park on the outskirts of Derby, England. It is the current home of Football League Championship club Derby County, who moved to the stadium from the Baseball Ground upon its opening in 1997...
in the final game of the 2009–10 season, when Derby ran out 2–0 winners against 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...
.
With Stephen Bywater
Stephen Bywater
Stephen Michael Bywater, is an English professional football player who plays as a goalkeeper. He has made appearances for seven clubs, most notably his current club Derby County, where he won the 2007 Championship Playoff final and West Ham United, where he spent eight seasons and made over 60...
's return to the first team line up for the 2010–11 season, Deeney returned to the Derby bench. When Bywater injured his wrist in training in October 2010, Deeney was unable to take advantage and make a claim for a first team spot as he was granted compassionate leave the day before Derby's next game, against Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
, to visit his father in Northern Ireland, who had become seriously ill and later died Upon his return to availability, Deeney found himself kept out of the first team by loanee Frank Fielding
Frank Fielding
Francis David "Frank" Fielding is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Derby County.-Club career:Born in Blackburn Lancashire, Fielding is a product of Blackburn Rovers Academy. He joined League Two side Wycombe Wanderers on 28 September 2007 on a three-month loan deal alongside...
and later the returning Stephen Bywater
Stephen Bywater
Stephen Michael Bywater, is an English professional football player who plays as a goalkeeper. He has made appearances for seven clubs, most notably his current club Derby County, where he won the 2007 Championship Playoff final and West Ham United, where he spent eight seasons and made over 60...
. In February 2011, Deeney ruptured a tendon in his shoulder ruling him out for five months and meaning he would complete the 2010–11 campaign without a single first team appearance. Despite this, Derby confirmed their intention to offer Deeney a new contract at the club at the end of the 2010–11 season.
International career
Deeney has previously represented the Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
at Youth and under-21
Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team
The Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of the Republic of Ireland and is controlled by the Football Association of Ireland and competes in the biennial European Under-21 Football Championship and has competed since 1978.-Competition...
level.