James Connolly (footballer)
 Connolly at Bristol Rovers in 2022. | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Alfred Connolly[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 2 November 2001 | ||
| Position(s) | Central defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Bristol Rovers | ||
| Number | 2 | ||
| 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– | Bristol Rovers | 30 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2022– | Wales U21 | 1 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:16, 7 May 2023 (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 Bristol Rovers and the Wales under-21 national football team.[2]
Club career
Early career
Connolly began his career with Blackburn Rovers, signing a two-year scholarship contract with the club in June 2018.[3] 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[4] being released by the club at the end of the following season.[5] In June 2021, Connolly signed with Cardiff City.[citation needed] Connolly was retained by the club ahead of the 2022–23 season.[6]
Bristol Rovers
On 8 January 2022, Connolly joined League Two side Bristol Rovers on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11]
He re-joined Bristol Rovers on a permanent deal, transferring for an undisclosed sum, in June 2022, signing a three-year contract.[12] 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.[13] 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'.[14] On 29 October, Connolly made his return to first-team football as a substitute in a 4–2 defeat at Derby County.[15]
International career
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.[16] Connolly made his debut in the latter of these matches as Wales won 2–0.[17]
Career statistics
- As of match played 7 May 2023
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Cardiff City | 2021–22[8] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bristol Rovers (loan) | 2021–22[8] | League Two | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 1 |
| Bristol Rovers | 2022–23[18] | League One | 30 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[a] | 1 | 36 | 2 |
| Career total | 54 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 61 | 3 | ||
- ^ Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy.
Honours
Bristol Rovers
- League Two promotion: 2021–22[19]
References
- ^ "SQUAD LIST 2022/23 & U21 REGISTERED CONTRACT PLAYERS" (PDF). English Football League. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
- ^ James Connolly at Soccerway
- ^ "Introducing the class of 2018". www.rovers.co.uk. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ "The pathway is there for the youngsters". www.rovers.co.uk. 28 June 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ "Rovers confirm Retain List". www.rovers.co.uk. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ "2021/22 Retained List". www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk. 10 June 2022.
- ^ "Bristol Rovers sign Cardiff's Connolly" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ a b c "Games played by James Connolly in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Port Vale 1–3 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
- ^ "Bristol Rovers go up after extraordinary 7–0 win". BBC Sport. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- ^ "Cardiff's Connolly completes Bristol Rovers move" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Burton Albion 0–4 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
- ^ "James Connolly: Bristol Rovers defender out injured for 'long period'". BBC Sport. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
- ^ "Derby County 4–2 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
- ^ "Cymru Squad Announced for Final U21 Euro Qualifiers". www.faw.cymru. 26 May 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ "Cymru U21 finish campaign with a win". www.faw.cymru/en. 14 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ "Games played by James Connolly in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ "Bristol Rovers go up after extraordinary 7–0 win". BBC Sport. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
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