Paul Gallagher (footballer)
Template:Short description {{#invoke:Other people|otherPeople}} Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography Paul Gallagher (born 8 September 1984) is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Born in Glasgow, he played in the Premier League for Blackburn Rovers, and the Football League for Stoke City (two spells), Preston North End (four spells), Plymouth Argyle, Leicester City and Sheffield United. He scored 100 senior career goals in over 500 games and was capped once by the Scotland national team.
Club career
Blackburn Rovers
Gallagher made his debut performance as a substitute in a 2–0 win over the 2001–02 Premier League champions Arsenal on 15 March 2003, as a replacement for Dwight Yorke.<ref name="Foxes sign Blackburn's Gallagher">Template:Cite news</ref> He scored his first goal in a 4–0 win over Birmingham City in the 2003–04 season. On 21 February 2004, in an away game against Charlton Athletic, Gallagher assisted goalkeeper Brad Friedel to his only career goal from open play in the 90th minute. Friedel's goal equalised the game at 2–2, but seconds later Charlton scored again through Claus Jensen and went on to win the match 3–2.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Loan moves
He spent almost all of the 2005–06 season on loan to Stoke City. He played most of his 36 games on the left or right wing, scoring 12 goals. Against Southampton on 15 April 2006, he exchanged a one-two on the edge of the area with Adam Rooney before drilling home a thunderous thirty-yard drive into the far top corner of the net. He was recalled by Blackburn in April 2006 with three games remaining in the Premier League season,<ref name="Rovers recall Gallagher from loan">Template:Cite news</ref> coming on as a late substitute in the final game of the season, being involved in the creation of the final goal of the game.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On transfer deadline day 31 August 2007, Gallagher signed a six-month loan deal with Championship side Preston North End, after being linked with a return to Stoke.<ref name="Preston capture Gallagher on loan ">Template:Cite news</ref> He scored once during his spell at Preston, scoring the winner in a 1–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The following January, he moved from Blackburn back to Stoke City on loan again until summer of 2008.<ref name="Stoke sign Whelan and Gallagher">Template:Cite news</ref> Then-manager Tony Pulis however, was not impressed with Gallagher, remarking he "hasn't done as well as the other players."<ref name="Pulis not impressed by Gallagher">Template:Cite news</ref>
On 30 August 2008, Gallagher signed on loan for the rest of the 2008–09 season with Plymouth Argyle,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> making his debut that same day at Turf Moor against Burnley. Although Blackburn Rovers appointed Sam Allardyce as their new manager in December 2008,<ref name="Argyle await Gallagher loan news">Template:Cite news</ref> Plymouth was allowed to keep Gallagher for the remainder of his loan.<ref name="Gallagher to stay with Plymouth">Template:Cite news</ref> He was a huge impact for the club, scoring 13 goals in 40 league games. Gallagher was hopeful that he would secure a permanent deal with Plymouth after resigning himself to the fact that he was not wanted at Blackburn.<ref name="Gallagher open to Argyle stay">Template:Cite news</ref> Seeing his return to Blackburn as a fresh start,<ref name="Gallagher returns to 'new club' ">Template:Cite news</ref> Gallagher was informed by Sam Allardyce he could yet have a future at the club.<ref name="Gallagher wins Rovers reprieve">Template:Cite news</ref>
Leicester City
On 21 August 2009, Gallagher signed a three-year deal with Leicester City for an undisclosed fee.<ref name="Gallagher Signs">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Handed the number 24 shirt, Gallagher was "delighted to be here and can't wait to get started."<ref name="New man can't wait">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He scored his first two goals for Leicester in a 2–0 win over Crystal Palace on 20 October 2009, coming on as a half-time substitute for Lloyd Dyer.<ref name="Leicester 2-0 Crystal Palace">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Gallagher failed to score for 17 games before bagging a hat-trick and assisting a goal in a 5–1 win over Scunthorpe United on 13 February 2010.<ref name="Leicester 5-1 Scunthorpe">Template:Cite news</ref> Leaving the field to a standing ovation 7 minutes from the final whistle,<ref name="Pearson hails Gallagher">Template:Cite news</ref> it was his first ever professional hat-trick.<ref name="Pearson Praises Gallagher Masterclass">Template:Cite news</ref> On 27 February, Gallagher scored from a free-kick in a 3–0 win over Nottingham Forest.<ref name="Leicester 3 - 0 Nottm Forest">Template:Cite news</ref> His fine form earned him the Championship Player of the Month award for February.<ref name="Leicester City's Pearson and Gallagher win awards">Template:Cite news</ref>
On 12 March 2011, Gallagher provided three assists as Leicester beat Scunthorpe 3–0 at Glanford Park,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> earning praise from manager Sven-Göran Eriksson, who believed "he is not far from Beckham in terms of his delivery of set-pieces."<ref name="Eriksson applauds Gallagher display">Template:Cite news</ref> He signed a contract extension with the club on 15 March 2011, which would last until the summer of 2015.<ref name="Gallagher signs extended Leicester City contract">Template:Cite news</ref> Gallagher scored two goals in Leicester's 3–0 win over Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium on 20 November 2011.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Loan moves
In September 2012, Gallagher joined Sheffield United on a month-long loan.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made six appearances for the South Yorkshire club, scoring once during a 2–1 win at Hartlepool United.<ref name="blades loan ends">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Despite United seeking to extend his temporary deal, Gallagher returned to his parent club in October.<ref name="blades loan ends" />
On 30 October 2013, Gallagher re-joined former club Preston North End on loan until 2 January 2014. Gallagher made his début on 2 November against Tranmere Rovers and then scored a hat-trick in his next game against Barnet in the FA Cup.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 21 April, Gallagher scored another hat-trick, this time against Shrewsbury Town.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 5 July 2014, Gallagher again joined Preston North End on loan for the 2014–15 season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He played 59 times for North End in 2014–15 scoring 13 goals as they gained promotion after beating Swindon Town 4–0 in the play-off final.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Preston North End
After three loan spells at Preston, Gallagher completed a permanent move in June 2015, signing a two-year contract.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
A notable appearance took place on Saturday 3 November 2018. Whilst playing away at Ipswich, Gallagher came on as a 72nd minute substitute. With his first touch, he scored a free kick. In the 75th minute, he was forced to play in goal following the sending off of goalkeeper Chris Maxwell. He made a save in the 88th minute as Preston drew the match 1–1.
Gallagher was voted Preston North End's player of the decade (2010–2019) by fans in January 2020.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Coaching career
On 10 May 2021, it was announced that Gallagher would be retiring from football and would be stepping into the role of first-team coach at Preston, assisting new permanent head coach Frankie McAvoy, a role he had been in since March of that year.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Gallagher left Preston in July 2023 and was appointed first-team coach at Stoke City working under Alex Neil.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 10 December 2023, Neil left his position at Stoke, and Gallagher was appointed as caretaker manager.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Gallagher oversaw two EFL Championship draws against Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion before he reverted to first-team coach under new manager Steven Schumacher.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Gallagher left his role at Stoke in June 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
International career
Gallagher's form for Blackburn Rovers in January 2004 impressed Berti Vogts, then manager of Scotland, who described him as "very quick, strong and with good body movement."<ref name="Gallagher to receive Scots call">Template:Cite news</ref> He made his international debut on 18 February 2004 as a 67th-minute substitute in a 4–0 defeat against Wales.<ref name="Wales 4-0 Scotland">Template:Cite news</ref>
Career statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Blackburn Rovers | 2002–03<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2002/2003">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| 2003–04<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2003/2004">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 26 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 28 | 3 | ||
| 2004–05<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2004/2005">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 16 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 21 | 3 | |||
| 2005–06<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2005/2006">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2006–07<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2006/2007">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 16 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4<ref group=lower-alpha name=UC>Appearances in UEFA Cup</ref> | 0 | — | 22 | 2 | ||
| 2008–09<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2008/2009">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2009–10<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2009/2010">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Premier League | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 61 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — | 75 | 8 | |||
| Stoke City (loan) | 2005–06<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2005/2006"/> | Championship | 37 | 11 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 40 | 12 | |||
| Preston North End (loan) | 2007–08<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2007/2008">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 19 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 19 | 1 | ||||
| Stoke City (loan) | 2007–08<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2007/2008"/> | Championship | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 0 | ||||
| Plymouth Argyle (loan) | 2008–09<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2008/2009"/> | Championship | 40 | 13 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 41 | 13 | |||
| Leicester City | 2009–10<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2009/2010"/> | Championship | 41 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 2<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLP>Appearances in Championship play-offs</ref> | 0 | 46 | 7 | |
| 2010–11<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2010/2011">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 41 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 47 | 11 | |||
| 2011–12<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2011/2012">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 28 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 34 | 10 | |||
| 2012–13<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2012/2013">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | ||
| Total | 118 | 25 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 2 | — | 2 | 0 | 137 | 28 | |||
| Sheffield United (loan) | 2012–13<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2012/2013"/> | League One | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | ||||
| Preston North End (loan) | 2013–14<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2013/2014">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | League One | 28 | 6 | 5 | 3 | — | — | 2<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLP2>Appearances in League One play-offs</ref> | 1 | 35 | 10 | ||
| 2014–15<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2014/2015">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | League One | 46 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — | 6<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLT>Appearances in Football League Trophy and League One play-offs</ref> | 1 | 59 | 13 | ||
| Preston North End | 2015–16<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2015/2016">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 41 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 42 | 5 | ||
| 2016–17<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2016/2017">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 31 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 1 | |||
| 2017–18<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2017/2018">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 32 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 2 | |||
| 2018–19<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2018/2019">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 40 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 42 | 6 | |||
| 2019–20<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2019/2020">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 33 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 33 | 6 | |||
| 2020–21<ref name="Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2020/2021">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> | Championship | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 15 | 0 | |||
| Total | 264 | 33 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 0 | — | 8 | 2 | 313 | 44 | |||
| Career total | 552 | 90 | 36 | 11 | 17 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 619 | 106 | ||
International
| CitationClass=web
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| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | 2004 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 0 | |
Honours
Preston North End
- Football League One play-offs: 2015<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
References
External links
- 1984 births
- Living people
- Footballers from Glasgow
- Scottish men's footballers
- Scotland men's international footballers
- Scotland men's B international footballers
- Scotland men's under-21 international footballers
- Men's association football forwards
- Blackburn Rovers F.C. players
- Stoke City F.C. players
- Preston North End F.C. players
- Plymouth Argyle F.C. players
- Leicester City F.C. players
- Sheffield United F.C. players
- Premier League players
- English Football League players
- Preston North End F.C. non-playing staff
- Scottish football coaches
- Stoke City F.C. non-playing staff
- 21st-century Scottish sportsmen