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{{Short description|English professional footballer (born 2001)}}
{{Short description|Welsh footballer (born 2001)}}
{{other people|James Connolly}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
{{Infobox football biography
|name = James Connolly
|name = James Connolly
Line 6: Line 7:
|image_size =
|image_size =
|caption = Connolly at [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] in 2022.
|caption = Connolly at [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] in 2022.
|full_name = James Alfred Connolly<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/contentassets/507aa6a7a8754b37a8b949396ec5d00e/squad-list-publication-report-2022-23---07.09.2022.pdf|title=SQUAD LIST 2022/23 & U21 REGISTERED CONTRACT PLAYERS|publisher=English Football League|date=12 September 2022|accessdate=6 November 2022}}</ref>
⚫
|fullname =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|11|2|df=y}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|11|2|df=y}}
|birth_place =
|birth_place =
|height =
|height =
|position = [[Defender (association football)|Central defender]]
|position = [[Defender (association football)|Central defender]]
|currentclub = [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]]<br>(on loan from [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]])
|currentclub = [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]]
|clubnumber = 2
|clubnumber = 18
|youthyears1 =
|youthyears1 =
|youthclubs1 = [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]
|youthclubs1 = [[Blackburn Rovers F.C. Under-23s and Academy|Blackburn Rovers]]
|youthyears2 = 2020–2021
|youthyears2 = 2020–2021
|youthclubs2 = [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]]
|youthclubs2 = [[Cardiff City F.C. Under-23s and Academy|Cardiff City]]
|years1 = 2021–
|years1 = 2021–2022
|clubs1 = [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]]
|clubs1 = [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]]
|caps1 = 0
|caps1 = 0
|goals1 = 0
|goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2022–
|years2 = 2022
|clubs2 = → [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] (loan)
|clubs2 = → [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] (loan)
|caps2 = 7
|caps2 = 24
|goals2 = 0
|goals2 = 1
|years3 = 2022–2024
⚫
|club-update = 21:53, 15 February 2022 (UTC)
|clubs3 = [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]]
|caps3 = 41
⚫
|goals3 = 1
|years4 = 2023–2024
|clubs4 = → [[Morecambe F.C.|Morecambe]] (loan)
|caps4 = 13
|goals4 = 2
|years5 = 2024–
|clubs5 = [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]]
|caps5 = 15
|goals5 = 0
|nationalyears1 = 2022
|nationalteam1 = [[Wales national under-21 football team|Wales U21]]
|nationalcaps1 = 1
|nationalgoals1 = 0
⚫
|club-update = 21:46, 10 December 2024 (UTC)
|nationalteam-update = 11:24, 15 June 2022
}}
}}
'''James Connolly''' (born 2 November 2001) is an English professional [[association football|footballer]] who plays for [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]], on loan from [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]], as a [[Defender (association football)|central defender]].<ref>{{soccerway|james-connell/531011/}}</ref>
'''James Alfred Connolly''' (born 2 November 2001) is a Welsh professional [[association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[Defender (association football)|central defender]] for {{English football updater|CreweAle}} club [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]]. He is a former [[Wales under-21 national football team|Wales under-21]] international.


==Career==
==Club career==
===Early career===
After playing youth football with [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], Connolly began his career with [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]]. On 8 January 2022, Connolly joined [[EFL League Two|League Two]] side [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] on loan for the remainder of the [[2021–22 Bristol Rovers F.C. season|2021–22 season]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59922708|title=Bristol Rovers sign Cardiff's Connolly|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> He made his senior debut later that day in a 2–1 [[2021–22 FA Cup#Third Round Proper|FA Cup Third Round]] defeat to [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]], and his league debut came on 22 January 2022.<ref name="JC21"/>
Connolly began his career with [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], signing a two-year scholarship contract with the club in June 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2018/june/introducing-the-class-of-2018/|title=Introducing the class of 2018|website=www.rovers.co.uk|date=18 June 2018|accessdate=13 April 2022}}</ref> Despite missing the majority of the [[2019–20 Blackburn Rovers F.C. season|2019–20 season]] through an injury sustained in October 2019, Connolly had his scholarship extended by a further year<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2020/june/the-pathway-is-there-for-the-youngsters/|title=The pathway is there for the youngsters|website=www.rovers.co.uk|date=28 June 2020|accessdate=13 April 2022}}</ref> being released by the club at the end of the following season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2021/may/rovers-confirm-retain-list/|title=Rovers confirm Retain List|website=www.rovers.co.uk|date=14 May 2021|accessdate=13 April 2022}}</ref> In June 2021, Connolly signed with [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]].{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} Connolly was retained by the club ahead of the 2022–23 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/202122-retained-list|title=2021/22 Retained List|website=www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk|date=10 June 2022}}</ref>


==Career Statistics==
===Bristol Rovers===
On 8 January 2022, Connolly joined [[EFL League Two|League Two]] side [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] on loan for the remainder of the [[2021–22 Bristol Rovers F.C. season|2021–22 season]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59922708|title=Bristol Rovers sign Cardiff's Connolly|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> He made his senior debut later that day in a 2–1 [[2021–22 FA Cup#Third round proper|FA Cup third round]] defeat to [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]], and his league debut came on 22 January 2022.<ref name="JC21"/> Connolly formed a solid defensive partnership with fellow Championship loanee [[Connor Taylor (footballer, born 2001)|Connor Taylor]], being praised for his composure on the ball and his ability to adapt to the physical demands of League Two football.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/mightily-impressive-cardiff-city-defender-23673550|title=The mightily impressive Cardiff City defender who was chucked in at deep end and thrived|publisher=Wales Online|last1=Williams|first1=Glen|date=13 April 2022|accessdate=13 April 2022}}</ref> Connolly scored a first senior goal in a vital match against promotion rivals [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]], turning home an [[Antony Evans (footballer)|Antony Evans]] cross to give Rovers the lead having fallen behind early on, Rovers going on to win 3–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61063113|title=Port Vale 1–3 Bristol Rovers|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 April 2022|accessdate=18 April 2022}}</ref> Connolly's first season in professional football ended in success as Rovers were promoted on the final day of the season, a 7–0 victory moving Bristol Rovers into third place, beating [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] to automatic promotion on goals scored.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61281127|title=Bristol Rovers go up after extraordinary 7–0 win|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 May 2022|accessdate=9 May 2022}}</ref>
⚫
{{updated|match played 15 February 2022}}

He re-joined Bristol Rovers on a permanent deal, transferring for an undisclosed sum, in June 2022, signing a three-year contract.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61932153|title=Cardiff's Connolly completes Bristol Rovers move|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> On 6 August 2022, Connolly scored his first goal since returning to the club on a permanent basis with the second in a 4–0 thrashing of [[Burton Albion F.C.|Burton Albion]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62357605|title=Burton Albion 0–4 Bristol Rovers|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 August 2022|accessdate=6 August 2022}}</ref> On 27 August 2022, it was revealed that Connolly had suffered a stress fracture in his back that would see him out of action for a 'long period'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62702713|title=James Connolly: Bristol Rovers defender out injured for 'long period'|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 August 2022|accessdate=28 August 2022}}</ref> On 29 October, Connolly made his return to first-team football as a substitute in a 4–2 defeat at [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63354670|title=Derby County 4–2 Bristol Rovers|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 October 2022|accessdate=4 November 2022}}</ref>

On 31 August 2023, Connolly joined League Two club [[Morecambe F.C.|Morecambe]] on loan until the end of the [[2023–24 Bristol Rovers F.C. season|2023–24 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.morecambefc.com/news/2023/august/connolly-joins-shrimps-on-season-long-loan/|title=Connolly joins Shrimps on season-long loan|website=www.morecambefc.com|date=31 August 2023|accessdate=31 August 2023}}</ref> He was recalled by his parent club on 3 January 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/20242/january/3.1.24-james-connolly-recalled/|title=James Connolly Recalled From Morecambe F.C Loan|website=www.bristolrovers.co.uk|date=3 January 2024|accessdate=3 January 2024}}</ref>

===Crewe Alexandra===
On 1 August 2024, Connolly joined League Two side [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]] on a two-year deal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Crewe sign defender Connolly from Bristol Rovers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c6p2p43m03go |access-date=2 August 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 August 2024}}</ref> He made his debut in the side's league 1–0 defeat away at [[Barrow A.F.C.|Barrow]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barrow 1-0 Crewe Alexandra |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/ckgw0wlrnx6t |access-date=11 August 2024 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==International career==
In May 2022, Connolly was called up to the [[Wales national under-21 football team|Wales U21]] team for the first time for the final [[2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification|2023 U21 European Championship qualifiers]] against the [[Netherlands national under-21 football team|Netherlands]] and [[Gibraltar national under-21 football team|Gibraltar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.faw.cymru/en/news/cymru-squad-announced-final-u21-euro-qualifiers/?back=/en/news/&pos=1|title=Cymru Squad Announced for Final U21 Euro Qualifiers|website=www.faw.cymru|date=26 May 2022|accessdate=26 May 2022}}</ref> Connolly made his debut in the latter of these matches as Wales won 2–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.faw.cymru/en/news/cymru-u21-finish-campaign-win/|title=Cymru U21 finish campaign with a win|website=www.faw.cymru/en|date=14 June 2022|accessdate=15 June 2022}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
⚫
{{updated|match played 10 December 2024}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Line 55: Line 87:
|[[2021–22 Bristol Rovers F.C. season|2021–22]]<ref name="JC21"/>
|[[2021–22 Bristol Rovers F.C. season|2021–22]]<ref name="JC21"/>
|[[EFL League Two|League Two]]
|[[EFL League Two|League Two]]
|7||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||8||0
|24||1||1||0||0||0||0||0||25||1
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]]
|[[2022–23 Bristol Rovers F.C. season|2022–23]]<ref name="JC22">{{soccerbase season|149130|2022|accessdate=16 April 2023}}</ref>
|[[EFL League One|League One]]
|30||1||2||0||1||0||3{{efn|name=EFT|Appearance(s) in the [[EFL Trophy]].}}||1||36||2
|-
|[[2023–24 Bristol Rovers F.C. season|2023–24]]<ref name="JC23">{{soccerbase season|149130|2023|accessdate=3 January 2024}}</ref>
|League One
|11||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||12||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!41!!1!!2!!0!!2!!0!!3!!1!!48!!2
|-
|[[Morecambe F.C.|Morecambe]] (loan)
|[[2023–24 Morecambe F.C. season|2023–24]]<ref name="JC23"/>
|League Two
|13||2||1||0||0||0||3{{efn|name=EFT}}||0||17||2
|-
|[[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]]
|[[2024–25 Crewe Alexandra F.C. season|2024–25]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|149130|2024|accessdate=11 August 2024}}</ref>
|[[EFL League Two|League Two]]
|15||0||1||0||1||0||3{{efn|name=EFT}}||0||20||0
|-
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!colspan="3"|Career total
!7!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!8!!0
!93!!4!!5!!0!!3!!0!!9!!1!!110!!5
|}
|}
{{notelist}}
{{notelist}}

==Honours==
⚫
'''Bristol Rovers'''
*[[EFL League Two|League Two]] promotion: [[2021–22 EFL League Two|2021–22]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61281127 |title=Bristol Rovers go up after extraordinary 7–0 win |website=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2022 |access-date=5 February 2023}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
⚫
{{Bristol Rovers F.C. squad}}
* {{Soccerbase|149130}}

{{Crewe Alexandra F.C. squad}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Connolly, James}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Connolly, James}}
[[Category:2001 births]]
[[Category:2001 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:English footballers]]
[[Category:Welsh men's footballers]]
[[Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Cardiff City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Cardiff City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Morecambe F.C. players]]
[[Category:Crewe Alexandra F.C. players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Association football defenders]]
[[Category:Men's association football defenders]]
[[Category:Wales men's under-21 international footballers]]

[[Category:21st-century British sportsmen]]
{{England-footy-bio-stub}}

Latest revision as of 21:47, 10 December 2024

For other people named James Connolly, see James Connolly (disambiguation).

James Connolly
Connolly at Bristol Rovers in 2022.
Personal information
Full name James Alfred Connolly[1]
Date of birth (2001-11-02) 2 November 2001 (age 23)
Position(s) Central defender
Team information
Current team
 Crewe Alexandra
Number 18
Youth career
Blackburn Rovers
2020–2021 Cardiff City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2022 Cardiff City 0 (0)
2022 → Bristol Rovers (loan) 24 (1)
2022–2024 Bristol Rovers 41 (1)
2023–2024 → Morecambe (loan) 13 (2)
2024– Crewe Alexandra 15 (0)
International career‡
2022 Wales U21 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:46, 10 December 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11:24, 15 June 2022

James Alfred Connolly (born 2 November 2001) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a central defender for EFL League Two club Crewe Alexandra. He is a former Wales under-21 international.

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Connolly began his career with Blackburn Rovers, signing a two-year scholarship contract with the club in June 2018.[2] Despite missing the majority of the 2019–20 season through an injury sustained in October 2019, Connolly had his scholarship extended by a further year[3] being released by the club at the end of the following season.[4] In June 2021, Connolly signed with Cardiff City.[citation needed] Connolly was retained by the club ahead of the 2022–23 season.[5]

Bristol Rovers

[edit]

On 8 January 2022, Connolly joined League Two side Bristol Rovers on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.[6] He made his senior debut later that day in a 2–1 FA Cup third round defeat to Peterborough United, and his league debut came on 22 January 2022.[7] Connolly formed a solid defensive partnership with fellow Championship loanee Connor Taylor, being praised for his composure on the ball and his ability to adapt to the physical demands of League Two football.[8] Connolly scored a first senior goal in a vital match against promotion rivals Port Vale, turning home an Antony Evans cross to give Rovers the lead having fallen behind early on, Rovers going on to win 3–1.[9] Connolly's first season in professional football ended in success as Rovers were promoted on the final day of the season, a 7–0 victory moving Bristol Rovers into third place, beating Northampton Town to automatic promotion on goals scored.[10]

He re-joined Bristol Rovers on a permanent deal, transferring for an undisclosed sum, in June 2022, signing a three-year contract.[11] On 6 August 2022, Connolly scored his first goal since returning to the club on a permanent basis with the second in a 4–0 thrashing of Burton Albion.[12] On 27 August 2022, it was revealed that Connolly had suffered a stress fracture in his back that would see him out of action for a 'long period'.[13] On 29 October, Connolly made his return to first-team football as a substitute in a 4–2 defeat at Derby County.[14]

On 31 August 2023, Connolly joined League Two club Morecambe on loan until the end of the 2023–24 season.[15] He was recalled by his parent club on 3 January 2024.[16]

Crewe Alexandra

[edit]

On 1 August 2024, Connolly joined League Two side Crewe Alexandra on a two-year deal.[17] He made his debut in the side's league 1–0 defeat away at Barrow.[18]

International career

[edit]

In May 2022, Connolly was called up to the Wales U21 team for the first time for the final 2023 U21 European Championship qualifiers against the Netherlands and Gibraltar.[19] Connolly made his debut in the latter of these matches as Wales won 2–0.[20]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 10 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Cardiff City 2021–22[7] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bristol Rovers (loan) 2021–22[7] League Two 24 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 25 1
Bristol Rovers 2022–23[21] League One 30 1 2 0 1 0 3[a] 1 36 2
2023–24[22] League One 11 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 12 0
Total 41 1 2 0 2 0 3 1 48 2
Morecambe (loan) 2023–24[22] League Two 13 2 1 0 0 0 3[a] 0 17 2
Crewe Alexandra 2024–25[23] League Two 15 0 1 0 1 0 3[a] 0 20 0
Career total 93 4 5 0 3 0 9 1 110 5
  1. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy.

Honours

[edit]

Bristol Rovers

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "SQUAD LIST 2022/23 & U21 REGISTERED CONTRACT PLAYERS" (PDF). English Football League. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Introducing the class of 2018". www.rovers.co.uk. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  3. ^ "The pathway is there for the youngsters". www.rovers.co.uk. 28 June 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Rovers confirm Retain List". www.rovers.co.uk. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  5. ^ "2021/22 Retained List". www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk. 10 June 2022.
  6. ^ "Bristol Rovers sign Cardiff's Connolly" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  7. ^ a b c "Games played by James Connolly in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  8. ^ Williams, Glen (13 April 2022). "The mightily impressive Cardiff City defender who was chucked in at deep end and thrived". Wales Online. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  9. ^ "Port Vale 1–3 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  10. ^ "Bristol Rovers go up after extraordinary 7–0 win". BBC Sport. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  11. ^ "Cardiff's Connolly completes Bristol Rovers move" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  12. ^ "Burton Albion 0–4 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  13. ^ "James Connolly: Bristol Rovers defender out injured for 'long period'". BBC Sport. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  14. ^ "Derby County 4–2 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  15. ^ "Connolly joins Shrimps on season-long loan". www.morecambefc.com. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  16. ^ "James Connolly Recalled From Morecambe F.C Loan". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Crewe sign defender Connolly from Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  18. ^ "Barrow 1-0 Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  19. ^ "Cymru Squad Announced for Final U21 Euro Qualifiers". www.faw.cymru. 26 May 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  20. ^ "Cymru U21 finish campaign with a win". www.faw.cymru/en. 14 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  21. ^ "Games played by James Connolly in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  22. ^ a b "Games played by James Connolly in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  23. ^ "Games played by James Connolly in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  24. ^ "Bristol Rovers go up after extraordinary 7–0 win". BBC Sport. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
[edit]
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