Wes Hoolahan
Encyclopedia
Wesley "Wes" Hoolahan is an Irish
professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder
for English
Premier League club Norwich City
.
where he won three League of Ireland
championships and excelled during their run in the Champions League
qualifiers in the 2004–05 season. He was the PFAI
Young Player of the Year in the 2002–03 season. He then had a brief spell at Livingston
.
on a season-long loan. He scored his first goal for the club on 30 September 2006, a penalty in a 3–0 win over Leyton Orient
at Bloomfield Road
. On 15 December 2006, he scored a goal and was sent off in a 3–1 win at Scunthorpe United
.
In June 2007, Hoolahan signed a two-year contract with Blackpool. Livingston, however, refused to sign the documentation sanctioning the move, stating that Blackpool had repeatedly breached the terms of the loan agreement. Blackpool denied any such default, and referred the matter to the Football Association
. With Livingston being backed by the Scottish Football Association
the matter was passed to FIFA
for a decision to be made on the player's future. On 10 August 2007, FIFA ruled in Blackpool's favour, thus confirming Hoolahan as a Blackpool player. Although FIFA are still to decide the fee to be paid, or if Livingston are entitled to any compensation. On 11 September 2007, FIFA confirmed that Livingston's claim for compensation was still pending. Blackpool eventually won the case, however, by this time, Hoolahan was already playing for Norwich.
, moved in the opposite direction along with an undisclosed amount of money. Hoolahan was handed squad number 14, which he has kept in his time at Norwich. His first goal for the club finally came when he opened the scoring in a 4–0 win over Barnsley
at Carrow Road
on 17 January 2009. An injury sustained on 14 March, whilst playing against Plymouth Argyle
, kept him out for the rest of the season as Norwich were ultimately relegated to League One
.
In 2009–10
under new manager Paul Lambert
, Hoolahan was utilised in a role behind the strikers in a midfield diamond formation as opposed to on the wing. This saw a higher personal goal return for Hoolahan as he scored 13 times (including four penalties) in all competitions before the new year.
In the 2010–11
season, Hoolahan scored his first two goals of the season against Leicester City
, scoring a penalty, and with a 30-yard half-volley shot. Like the previous season, Hoolahan has been utilised at the tip of the diamond formation. Hoolahan continued his good form, with a goal against Bristol City
, making it 3 goals in 2 matches for him. On 28 December 2010, Hoolahan scored his first hat-trick
for Norwich City in a 4–2 win over Sheffield United
after coming on as a substitute.
Hoolahan signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal with the club in January 2011, committing his future to Norwich until 2014.
During pre-season before the 2011–12
Premier League campaign, Hoolahan was given the captain's armband when club captain Grant Holt
and vice-captain Russell Martin
were not playing. He led out the Canaries for the first time in the friendly fixture against Southend United
at Roots Hall
. He scored his first Premier League goal in Norwich City's opening day 1–1 draw against Wigan Athletic
on 13 August 2011. Hoolahan led the Norwich team out as captain for their first Premier League win of the season, where they beat Bolton Wanderers
2–1 away on 17 September 2011, being given the armband ahead of the previous season's regular vice-captain Russell Martin, who was also in the team.
for the Republic of Ireland
. While at Shelbourne, he was an unused substitute in Don Givens
' first game in charge of the Republic of Ireland, a 0–0 draw against Greece
in November 2002.
Hoolahan was named in the Republic of Ireland "B" squad on 8 November 2007, for the match against Scotland
on 20 November at the Excelsior Stadium
in Airdrie
. Hoolahan played in the match, which ended in a 1–1 draw.
In April 2008, Giovanni Trapattoni
included Hoolahan in his preliminary forty-man squad for the friendly matches against Serbia
on 24 May and Colombia
on 29 May. On 13 May it was confirmed that Hoolahan had made the 28-man squad and that he would be joining a training camp in Portugal
on 15 May in preparation for the matches. He came on as a 70th-minute substitute in a practice match which the Irish team drew 1–1 with Portuguese Liga de Honra
club side Portimonense
. He was an unused substitute in Ireland's 1–1 draw with Serbia at Croke Park
in Dublin. On 29 May, he came on as a second half substitute in the 1–0 win over Colombia
held in England
at Craven Cottage
.
Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli were reported to have been keeping an eye on him ahead of Ireland's participation in UEFA Euro 2012.
Blackpool
Norwich City
's League One "Team of the Year" in both April 2007 and April 2010. He was named in the Championship "Team of the Year" in April 2011.
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,...
professional footballer who plays as an attacking 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...
for English
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...
Premier League club Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
.
Early career
Hoolahan started his career at ShelbourneShelbourne 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....
where he won three League of Ireland
League 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...
championships and excelled during their run in the Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
qualifiers in the 2004–05 season. He was the PFAI
Professional Footballers Association of Ireland
The Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland ' is the representative body for professional and semi-professional footballers in Ireland. Players from all nationalities in the League of Ireland are represented, not just Irish players. It is a member of FIFPro; the international body for...
Young Player of the Year in the 2002–03 season. He then had a brief spell at Livingston
Livingston F.C.
Livingston Football Club is a Scottish association football club based in Livingston, West Lothian. The club currently plays in the Scottish Football League First Division.The club was founded in 1943 as Ferranti Thistle, a works team...
.
Blackpool
On 21 July 2006, Hoolahan joined BlackpoolBlackpool 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...
on a season-long loan. He scored his first goal for the club on 30 September 2006, a penalty in a 3–0 win over 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...
at Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road is an all-seater football stadium in the English town of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been the permanent home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901 and is named after the road on which the stadium's main entrance used to stand. The stadium has been in a process of redevelopment since 2000...
. On 15 December 2006, he scored a goal and was sent off in a 3–1 win at 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 June 2007, Hoolahan signed a two-year contract with Blackpool. Livingston, however, refused to sign the documentation sanctioning the move, stating that Blackpool had repeatedly breached the terms of the loan agreement. Blackpool denied any such default, and referred the matter to the Football Association
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
. With Livingston being backed by the Scottish Football Association
Scottish Football Association
The Scottish Football Association is the governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland. Members of the SFA include clubs in Scotland, affiliated national associations as well as local associations...
the matter was passed to FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
for a decision to be made on the player's future. On 10 August 2007, FIFA ruled in Blackpool's favour, thus confirming Hoolahan as a Blackpool player. Although FIFA are still to decide the fee to be paid, or if Livingston are entitled to any compensation. On 11 September 2007, FIFA confirmed that Livingston's claim for compensation was still pending. Blackpool eventually won the case, however, by this time, Hoolahan was already playing for Norwich.
Norwich
On 26 June 2008, Norwich City confirmed the deal to bring Hoolahan on a three-year player-plus-cash deal. Norwich reserve team keeper, Matthew GilksMatthew Gilks
Matthew "Matt" Gilks is a football goalkeeper who plays for Blackpool. He previously played for Rochdale for seven years before moving to Norwich City in 2007. He stayed one season with the Canaries without making a first-team appearance...
, moved in the opposite direction along with an undisclosed amount of money. Hoolahan was handed squad number 14, which he has kept in his time at Norwich. His first goal for the club finally came when he opened the scoring in a 4–0 win over 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...
at Carrow Road
Carrow Road
Carrow Road is a football stadium in Norwich, England, and is the home of Norwich City Football Club. The stadium is located toward the easterly end of the city, not far from Norwich railway station and the River Wensum....
on 17 January 2009. An injury sustained on 14 March, whilst playing against Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
, kept him out for the rest of the season as Norwich were ultimately relegated to League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
.
In 2009–10
2009–10 in English football
The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...
under new manager Paul Lambert
Paul Lambert
Paul Christopher Lambert is a Scottish football manager and former player who is the manager of Norwich City. He won numerous trophies as a player, winning the Scottish Cup with St...
, Hoolahan was utilised in a role behind the strikers in a midfield diamond formation as opposed to on the wing. This saw a higher personal goal return for Hoolahan as he scored 13 times (including four penalties) in all competitions before the new year.
In the 2010–11
2010–11 in English football
The 2010–11 season was the 131st season of competitive football in England.The season began on 6 August 2010 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier League and Football Conference both starting eight days later on 14 August 2010. The Championship, League One, and League Two ended on 7 May...
season, Hoolahan scored his first two goals of the season against Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
, scoring a penalty, and with a 30-yard half-volley shot. Like the previous season, Hoolahan has been utilised at the tip of the diamond formation. Hoolahan continued his good form, with a goal against 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...
, making it 3 goals in 2 matches for him. On 28 December 2010, Hoolahan scored his first hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
for Norwich City in a 4–2 win over 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...
after coming on as a substitute.
Hoolahan signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal with the club in January 2011, committing his future to Norwich until 2014.
During pre-season before the 2011–12
2011–12 in English football
The 2011–12 season is the 132nd season of competitive football in England.The season began on 5 August 2011 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier starting eight days later, League Football Conference Starting one day before Premier League starts.The Championship, League One, and League Two...
Premier League campaign, Hoolahan was given the captain's armband when club captain Grant Holt
Grant Holt
Grant Holt is an English footballer, currently playing in the Premier League for Norwich City. He plays as a striker and is club captain....
and vice-captain Russell Martin
Russell Martin (footballer)
Russell Kenneth Alexander Martin is an English-born Scottish footballer, currently playing for Norwich City. He is a right-back. However he is capable of playing as a central defender.-Early career:...
were not playing. He led out the Canaries for the first time in the friendly fixture against 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...
at Roots Hall
Roots Hall
Roots Hall is a multi-use sports stadium in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, primarily used for football games and is the home of the Football League Two club Southend United. With a capacity of 12,392 Roots Hall is the largest football stadium in Essex, and is the current venue for the final of...
. He scored his first Premier League goal in Norwich City's opening day 1–1 draw against Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
on 13 August 2011. Hoolahan led the Norwich team out as captain for their first Premier League win of the season, where they beat Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
2–1 away on 17 September 2011, being given the armband ahead of the previous season's regular vice-captain Russell Martin, who was also in the team.
International career
Hoolahan has been capped at under-21 levelRepublic 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...
for 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....
. While at Shelbourne, he was an unused substitute in Don Givens
Don Givens
Daniel Joseph "Don" Givens is a football player and coach, and former Republic of Ireland U21 team manager...
' first game in charge of the Republic of Ireland, a 0–0 draw against Greece
Greece national football team
The Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
in November 2002.
Hoolahan was named in the Republic of Ireland "B" squad on 8 November 2007, for the match against 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...
on 20 November at the Excelsior Stadium
Excelsior Stadium
The Excelsior Stadium is the home of Airdrie United F.C. of the Scottish Football League Second Division. It was built in 1998 to house Airdrieonians F.C., and when Airdrieonians went into liquidation four years later, Airdrie United began playing their home games there.When the stadium first...
in Airdrie
Airdrie, North Lanarkshire
Airdrie is a town within North Lanarkshire, Scotland. It lies on a plateau roughly 400 ft above sea level, and is approximately 12 miles east of Glasgow city centre. Airdrie forms part of a conurbation with its neighbour Coatbridge, in the former district known as the Monklands. As of 2006,...
. Hoolahan played in the match, which ended in a 1–1 draw.
In April 2008, Giovanni Trapattoni
Giovanni Trapattoni
Giovanni Trapattoni , sometimes known as "Trap" or "Il Trap", is an Italian football coach and former player, considered the most successful club coach in the history of Serie A. As a player he was part of Italy's squad at the 1962 FIFA World Cup....
included Hoolahan in his preliminary forty-man squad for the friendly matches against Serbia
Serbia national football team
The Serbia national football team represents Serbia in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Serbia, the governing body for football in Serbia. Serbia's home ground is Stadion Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade and their last head coach was Vladimir Petrović...
on 24 May and Colombia
Colombia national football team
The Colombian national football team represents Colombia in international football competitions and is controlled by the Colombian Football Federation. It is a member of the CONMEBOL...
on 29 May. On 13 May it was confirmed that Hoolahan had made the 28-man squad and that he would be joining a training camp in Portugal
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...
on 15 May in preparation for the matches. He came on as a 70th-minute substitute in a practice match which the Irish team drew 1–1 with Portuguese Liga de Honra
Liga de Honra
The Liga de Honra , known for sponsorship reasons as the Liga Orangina, is the Portuguese second level football league. It was formerly called Segunda Divisão and Segunda Divisão de Honra . When the LPFP took control of the two nationwide levels, it was renamed Segunda Liga, before renaming it...
club side Portimonense
Portimonense S.C.
Portimonense Sporting Clube is a Portuguese football team based in Portimão. Founded on 14 August 1914, the club is one of the few professional clubs in the Algarve region, and currently plays in second division....
. He was an unused substitute in Ireland's 1–1 draw with Serbia at Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
in Dublin. On 29 May, he came on as a second half substitute in the 1–0 win over Colombia
Colombia national football team
The Colombian national football team represents Colombia in international football competitions and is controlled by the Colombian Football Federation. It is a member of the CONMEBOL...
held 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...
at Craven Cottage
Craven Cottage
Craven Cottage is the name of a football stadium in the Hammersmith and Fulham area that has been the home ground of the association football team Fulham F.C. since 1896....
.
Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli were reported to have been keeping an eye on him ahead of Ireland's participation in UEFA Euro 2012.
Team
ShelbourneShelbourne 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....
- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe 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...
: 3- 2001–02, 2003, 2004
Blackpool
- League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
play-off final winner: 2006–07
Norwich City
- League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
winner: Norwich City F.C. season 2009-10 - Championship runners up: 2010–11 Norwich City F.C. season2010–11 Norwich City F.C. seasonThe 2010–11 season was the 109th season in the history of Norwich City. It was the club's first season back in the Football League Championship , following promotion from League One in 2009–10...
Individual
He has been named in the PFAProfessional Footballers' Association
The 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....
's League One "Team of the Year" in both April 2007 and April 2010. He was named in the Championship "Team of the Year" in April 2011.
External links
- Wes Hoolahan profile at canaries.co.uk
- "Wesley Hoolahan" by Phillip Quinn