Alan Judge (Irish footballer)

Born in Dublin, County Dublin, Judge began his career at St. Joseph's Boys in Sallynoggin and appeared for the club's Senior Boys team.{{cite web|author=St. Joseph's Boys SeniorsInfoTijdlijnInfo |url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Josephs-Boys-Seniors/96291854441?sk=info |title=St. Joseph's Boys Seniors – Info |publisher=Facebook |access-date=7 April 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.braywanderers.com/news-article.php?id=1642 |title=Bray Wanderers Afc |publisher=Braywanderers.com |date=4 July 2005 |access-date=7 April 2014}} In 2006, Judge joined the academy at Premier League club Blackburn Rovers.{{Cite web |url=http://www.the42.ie/alan-judge-interview-brentford-ireland-1445757-May2014/ |title='It was the most nervous I've ever been' – Dubliner Alan Judge on scoring promotion-winning penalty |last=Blake |first=Ben |date=3 May 2014 |access-date=5 June 2018}} He turned professional at age 17 and was a part of the reserve team which won the 2006–07 Lancashire Senior Cup.{{Cite web |url=http://www.rovers.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/ReserveNews/0,,10303~1082582,00.html |title=Blackburn Rovers {{!}} News {{!}} Reserve News {{!}} Reserve News {{!}} Judge hopes for more honours |date=1 August 2007 |website=rovers.co.uk |access-date=27 September 2018}} He made his debut for the senior team as a substitute in a 4–1 League Cup second round win over Grimsby Town on 27 August 2008 and his first start followed in a narrow FA Cup third round victory over Blyth Spartans on 5 January 2009.{{Soccerbase season|49809|2008|access-date=26 April 2015}} Three weeks later, he signed a new contract running until the end of the 2010–11 season.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rovers.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10303~1533799,00.html|title=Judge signs new deal|date=26 January 2009|website=rovers.co.uk|access-date=27 September 2018}} Judge spent the majority of the following two years away on loan and departed Ewood Park in January 2011.

Judge joined Championship club Plymouth Argyle on loan on 29 January 2009, for the remainder of the 2008–09 season.{{Cite web |url=http://www.pafc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1537460,00.html |title=Latest News {{!}} HERE COMES THE JUDGE |date=30 January 2009 |website=pafc.co.uk |access-date=20 September 2018}} He featured regularly in the starting XI for then manager Paul Sturrock's team and scored the first senior goal of his career against Burnley in March.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/123486/alan-judge?season=2008|title=Alan Judge|work=espnfc.com|access-date=26 April 2015}} The season ended with Judge having made 17 appearances in all competitions.

Judge rejoined Argyle on loan for the duration of the 2009–10 season.{{Cite web |url=http://www.pafc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1742009,00.html |title=Latest News {{!}} RETURN OF THE JUDGE |date=5 August 2009 |website=pafc.co.uk |access-date=27 September 2018}} He continued to feature regularly in the first-team and scored his first brace in senior football with two goals in an impressive 4–1 win over Reading on 28 December.{{Soccerbase season|49809|2009|access-date=26 April 2015}} The Pilgrims were relegated from the Championship at the end of the season and Judge returned to Blackburn.{{Cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/plymouth-argyle/2009-2010 |title=Plymouth Argyle Home Page for the 2009-2010 season - Statto.com |website=Statto.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230225827/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/plymouth-argyle/2009-2010 |archive-date=30 December 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=16 November 2015}} He made 40 appearances and scored five goals during his second spell. In 2013, the Plymouth Herald named Judge as Argyle's fifth best-ever loan signing.{{Cite web |url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/plymouth-argyle-s-10-loan-signings/story-19418021-detail/story.html |title=Plymouth Argyle's Top 10 loan signings |date=28 June 2013 |website=Plymouth Herald |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103071742/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Plymouth-Argyle-s-10-loan-signings/story-19418021-detail/story.html |archive-date=3 January 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=20 January 2016}}

File:Judge A1.jpg in 2012]]

On 31 August 2010, Judge signed a six-month loan deal with League One club Notts County.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10426~2140947,00.html |title=Notts County {{!}} News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} Judge Joins |date=31 August 2010 |website=nottscountyfc.co.uk |access-date=27 September 2018}} His loan expired on 1 January 2011, but County re-signed Judge on a further one-month loan so he would be available for forthcoming matches whilst a permanent deal was finalised.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10426~2260849,00.html |title=Notts County {{!}} News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} Judge Extends Stay |date=7 January 2011 |website=nottscountyfc |access-date=27 September 2018}} On 14 January 2011, Judge completed a permanent move to Notts County and signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10426~2266305,00.html |title=Notts County {{!}} News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} Judge Signs For Undisclosed Fee |date=14 January 2011 |website=nottscountyfc.co.uk |access-date=27 September 2018}} Just days after signing, Judge broke a metatarsal bone in his right foot in a match against Hartlepool United.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/magpies-midfielder-rush-fit/story-12202558-detail/story.html |title=Notts County midfielder Alan Judge expects to return from a broken foot before the end of March – Nottingham Post |date=14 February 2011 |website=Nottingham Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708203212/http://www.nottinghampost.com/Magpies-midfielder-rush-fit/story-12202558-detail/story.html |archive-date=8 July 2015 |url-status=dead |access-date=20 January 2016}} After a seven-week spell on the sidelines, Judge returned to action against Swindon Town and scored to set County on their way to a 2–1 comeback victory.{{Soccerbase season|49809|2010|access-date=7 April 2014}} He made 21 appearances and scored one goal during the 2010–11 season.

Judge scored his first goal of the 2011–12 season in a 3–1 away win against Chesterfield. His form saw him pick up consecutive player of the month awards for November and December respectively.{{Cite news |url=http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10426~2571195,00.html |title=Judge Voted POTM Again |date=11 January 2012 |access-date=11 January 2012 |publisher=Notts County FC}} He flourished under manager Martin Allen and finished the season with 8 goals and 13 assists.{{Soccerbase season|49809|2011|access-date=26 April 2015}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/judge-reveals-pep-talk-boss-allen-greater-self/story-14054012-detail/story.html |title=Judge reveals pep talk from boss Allen has give him greater self-belief |date=6 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710025927/http://www.nottinghampost.com/Judge-reveals-pep-talk-boss-Allen-greater-self/story-14054012-detail/story.html |archive-date=10 July 2015 |url-status=dead |access-date=20 January 2016 |newspaper=Nottingham Post}} Judge scooped both the Notts County Players' Player of the Year and Supporters' Player of the Year awards for the 2011–12 season.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10426~2764480,00.html |title=Judgey Wins The Silverware |date=9 May 2012 |access-date=9 May 2012}}

Judge scored his first goal in the 2012–13 season in a 2–0 win over Bury on 1 September 2012.{{Soccerbase season|49809|2012|access-date=26 April 2015}} In February 2013 and playing under his sixth different manager since arriving at Meadow Lane,{{Cite web |url=http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/article/managers-209611.aspx |title=Managers |website=www.nottscountyfc.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602075959/http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk//news/article/managers-209611.aspx |archive-date=2 June 2016 |access-date=16 November 2015}} Judge revealed he was "sick" of the high turnover of managers and captain Neal Bishop backed up Judge's comments.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21428174 |title=Notts County: Alan Judge 'sick' of manager sackings |work=BBC Sport |date=12 February 2013 |access-date=5 June 2018}} Despite his unrest, Judge's performances throughout the 2012–13 season saw him named in the League One PFA Team of the Year.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22331030 |title=Gareth Bale wins PFA Player of Year and Young Player awards |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2013 |access-date=7 May 2018}} He finished the season with 43 appearances and eight goals. On 27 April 2013, it was announced that Judge would depart Meadow Lane upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the 2012–13 season.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/article/judge-ive-enjoyed-every-minute-797253.aspx |title=Judge: I've enjoyed every minute |date=29 April 2013 |access-date=29 April 2013}}

Judge re-signed for Blackburn Rovers, now in the Championship, on 1 July 2013. He signed a three-year contract on a free transfer.{{Cite news|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2013/july/done-deals/|title=Done deals – News – Blackburn Rovers|access-date=27 September 2018|language=en-gb}} He scored his first Blackburn goal in a 3–3 League Cup first round shootout defeat to Carlisle United on 7 August 2013 and made 12 appearances during the 2013–14 season. Despite manager Gary Bowyer stating that Judge was in his plans,{{cite web|last=Murtagh |first=Jacob |url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/judge-assured-over-blackburn-rovers-6898636 |title=Judge assured over Blackburn Rovers future |publisher=Get West London |date=31 March 2014 |access-date=7 April 2014}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/judges-blackburn-future-balance-7055658 |title=Judge's Blackburn future in the balance |last=Murtagh |first=Jacob |date=1 May 2014 |website=getwestlondon |access-date=26 April 2015}} Judge spent the second half of the 2013–14 season away on loan and departed Ewood Park in June 2014,{{Cite news |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2014/june/alan-judge-makes-permanent-brentford-switch/ |title=ALAN JUDGE MAKES PERMANENT BRENTFORD SWITCH – News – Brentford FC |date=2 June 2014 |access-date=27 September 2018 |language=en-gb}} after making just 14 appearances and scoring one goal during four years with the club as a first team player.

On 8 January 2014, Judge joined League One club Brentford on loan for the remainder of the 2013–14 season.{{Cite web |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2014/january/alan-judge-joins-brentford/ |title=Alan Judge Joins Brentford |date=8 January 2014 |website=Brentford FC}} He featured as a regular starter and scored his first Bees goal on his fourth appearance, netting the second in a 3–1 win over Bristol City on 28 January.{{cite web|title = Alan Judge Player Profile – ESPN FC|url = http://www.espnfc.com/player/123486/alan-judge?season=2013|website = www.espnfc.com|access-date = 16 November 2015}} On 18 April, Judge scored the penalty which saw Brentford beat Preston North End 1–0 at Griffin Park, to confirm the Bees' promotion to the Championship with three games to spare. He scored his seventh goal of the campaign in a 2–0 win over Stevenage on the final day. He made 22 appearances during his spell with the Bees and on 2 June 2014,{{Soccerbase season|49809|2013|access-date=26 April 2015}} Judge signed for Brentford permanently on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, effective 1 July 2014.

Judge began the 2014–15 Championship season in a defensive midfield role alongside Jonathan Douglas, with Alex Pritchard having assumed his attacking role on the left side of midfield.{{cite web|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brentford-midfielder-goes-defensive-7711839|title=Brentford midfielder goes on the defensive|author=Tim Street|date=3 September 2014|work=getwestlondon|access-date=26 April 2015}} He scored his first goal of the season on his twentieth appearance, sliding home the opener in a 4–0 demolition of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Griffin Park on 29 November.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30156004|title=BBC Sport – Brentford 4–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers|work=BBC Sport|date=28 November 2014 |access-date=26 April 2015}} Judge missed his first league game of the season on 10 January 2015,{{Soccerbase season|49809|2014|access-date=26 April 2015}} after having been forced off with a knee injury during the previous week's 2–0 FA Cup third round defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.{{Cite web |url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brentford-boss-explains-judge-absence-8419712 |title=Brentford boss explains Judge absence against Rotherham |last=Jacob Murtagh |date=10 January 2015 |website=getwestlondon |access-date=26 April 2015}} After over four months without a goal, Judge scored a free kick to help send the Bees on the way to a 4–1 victory over West London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage on 3 April.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32080899|title=BBC Sport – Fulham 1–4 Brentford|work=BBC Sport|date=2 April 2015 |access-date=26 April 2015}} A successful season ended in defeat to Middlesbrough in the playoff semi-finals, with Judge having made 41 appearances and scored three goals.

Judge scored his first goal of the 2015–16 season on 15 August 2015, when he cancelled out Jonathan Kodjia's opener to send Brentford on the way to a 4–2 comeback victory over Bristol City and he was retrospectively credited with a second goal in the same match.{{Cite news|title = Bristol City 2–4 Brentford|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33831742|newspaper = BBC|access-date = 16 August 2015}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2015/august/alan-judge-credited-with-brentfords-second-goal-against-bristol-city/ |title=Alan Judge credited with Brentford's second goal in 4–2 win over Bristol City |last=Brett |first=Ciaran |website=www.brentfordfc.co.uk |access-date=21 August 2015}} Three goals and four assists during a four-match winning run in October won Judge the Championship Player of the Month award.{{Cite web |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2015/november/alan-judge-named-sky-bet-championship-player-of-the-month/ |title=Alan Judge named Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month |website=www.brentfordfc.co.uk |access-date=6 November 2015}} Another six goals through to January 2016 led to his nomination for the Football League Player of the Year award at the 2016 London Football Awards.{{cite web|title = The London Football Awards 2016 {{!}} Celebrating the very best of London Football|url = http://londonfootballawards.org/|website = londonfootballawards.org|access-date = 10 February 2016}} Judge's season came to a premature end on 9 April 2016,{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/european-championships/confirmed-alan-judge-will-miss-euro-2016-after-suffering-nasty-double-leg-break-34613128.html|title=CONFIRMED: Alan Judge will miss Euro 2016 after suffering nasty double leg break – Independent.ie|website=Independent.ie|date=9 April 2016 |access-date=11 April 2016}} when he suffered multiple breaks in his left leg after being "felled by sickening challenge" from Ipswich Town's Luke Hyam.{{Cite web |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2016/april/ipswich-town-1-brentford-3/ |title=Brentford v Ipswich Town team line-ups and match report |last=FC |first=Brentford |website=www.brentfordfc.co.uk |access-date=9 April 2016}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/alan-judges-painful-sentence-is-over-pbt96f66q|title=Alan Judge's painful sentence is over|last=Rowan|first=Paul|date=2018|work=The Sunday Times|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121065428/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/alan%2Djudges%2Dpainful%2Dsentence%2Dis%2Dover%2Dpbt96f66q|archive-date=21 January 2018|url-status=live|issn=0956-1382}} He scored a seasonal-best 14 goals during the 2015–16 season and also led the club in assists for the second-successive season.{{Cite web |url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/Assists/0,,10421~201410421,00.html |title=Brentford {{!}} Match {{!}} Club Statistics {{!}} Assists |website=brentfordfc.co.uk |access-date=13 February 2018}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/Assists/0,,10421~201510421,00.html |title=Brentford {{!}} Match {{!}} Club Statistics {{!}} Assists |website=brentfordfc.co.uk |access-date=13 February 2018}}

At the 2016 Football League Awards, Judge was shortlisted for the Championship Player of the Year award and was named in the Football League Team of the Year.{{Cite web |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2016/april/alan-judge-named-in-football-manager-team-of-the-season-at-football-league-awards/ |title=Brentford midfielder Alan Judge runner-up in 2016 Sky Bet Championship Player of the Year shortlist |last=League |first=Football |website=www.brentfordfc.co.uk |access-date=18 April 2016}} He was also named in the Championship PFA Team of the Year at the PFA Awards and won the Brentford Supporters' and Players' Player of the Year awards.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36106596 |title=PFA awards: Leicester and Spurs dominate Premier League team |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 April 2016 |access-date=7 May 2018}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2016/may/curtain-brought-down-on-season-at-player-of-the-year-awards/ |title=Alan Judge picks up Supporters' Player of the Year Award |last=Brett |first=Ciaran |website=www.brentfordfc.co.uk |access-date=8 May 2016}} Judge signed a new two-year contract on 29 March 2017 and underwent further surgery to improve the healing of the bone shortly afterwards.{{Cite news |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2017/march/alan-judge-signs-new-contract/ |title=Alan Judge signs new contract at Brentford |last=FC |first=Brentford |access-date=29 March 2017 |language=en}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2017/april/alan-judge-to-undergo-further-surgery/ |title=Alan Judge to have further surgery on leg injury |last=FC |first=Brentford |access-date=7 April 2017 |language=en}}

Judge returned to first team training in early November 2017 and made his playing comeback for Brentford B versus Barnet U23 on 5 December, scoring an early penalty in a 45-minute appearance.{{Cite news|url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2017/december/alan-judge-interview-post-barnet/|title=Brentford FC Alan Judge happy with 45-minute role in B Team win|access-date=6 December 2017|language=en-gb}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2017/november/alan-judge-interview/|title=Brentford FC "I have been very happy with the way that I have returned"|access-date=6 December 2017|language=en-gb}} He was named in the first team squad for the first time in the 2017–18 season on 26 December, but remained an unused substitute during a 2–1 victory over Aston Villa.{{Cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/123603/alan-judge?season=2017 |title=Alan Judge Player Profile – ESPN FC |website=www.espnfc.com |access-date=26 December 2017}} He subsequently spent time out of the squad due to illness and requiring extra training and he had to wait until 6 January 2018 for his comeback,{{Cite news |url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brentford-boss-would-no-qualms-14090217 |title=Brentford boss would have no qualms about playing Alan Judge |last=Moore |first=Tom |date=28 December 2017 |work=getwestlondon |access-date=3 January 2018}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/dean-smith-explains-alan-judge-14106081 |title=Smith explains Judge absence at Wolves and Notts County hope |last=Moore |first=Tom |date=3 January 2018 |work=getwestlondon |access-date=3 January 2018}} which came with a 20-minute substitute cameo late in the second half of a 1–0 FA Cup third round defeat to former club Notts County. He was used in a substitute role through to the end of the season and made 14 appearances without scoring.

Judge began the 2018–19 season as a substitute in league matches and started in each of Brentford's three EFL Cup matches.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/123603/alan-judge?season=2018|title=Alan Judge Player Profile – ESPN FC|website=www.espnfc.com|access-date=5 February 2019}} On 26 September 2018, he scored his first goal in over two and a half years, with what proved to be a consolation in a 3–1 EFL Cup third round defeat to Arsenal. Despite making 24 appearances, a failure to break into the starting line-up led to Judge departing Griffin Park in mid-January 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.football.london/brentford-fc/preston-fulham-arsenal-alan-judge-15679743|title=Alan Judge will forever be remembered in Brentford folklore|last=O'Donovan|first=Ryan|date=15 January 2019|website=footballlondon|access-date=5 February 2019}} Across his two spells with Brentford, Judge made 140 appearances and scored 26 goals.{{Soccerbase|id=49809}}

On 14 January 2019, Judge joined Championship club Ipswich Town on a contract running until the end of the 2018–19 season, with the option for a further year, for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite web |url=https://www.itfc.co.uk/news/2019/january/alan-judge-joins-ipswich-town/ |title=ALAN JUDGE JOINS TOWN |last=Pearce |first=Steve |date=14 January 2019 |publisher=Ipswich Town Football Club |access-date=14 January 2019}} He made his debut for the club five days later away at former club Blackburn Rovers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.itfc.co.uk/news/2019/january/blackburn-v-town/|title=Blackburn 2 Town 0|last=Pearce|first=Steve|date=19 January 2019|publisher=Ipswich Town Football Club|access-date=9 June 2019}} In what remained of the 2018–19 season, he made 19 appearances as Ipswich suffered relegation to League One.{{Fchd|id=IPSWICHT|name=Ipswich Town F.C.}} On 5 April, Judge signed a new two-year contract, with the option of a further year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.itfc.co.uk/news/2019/april/alan-judge-signs-new-contract-at-ipswich/|title=JUDGE SIGNS NEW DEAL|last=Pearce|first=Steve|date=5 April 2019|publisher=Ipswich Town Football Club|access-date=5 April 2019}}

Over the summer, Judge was linked with a move to Queens Park Rangers, a move which would have resulted in him reuniting with former manager Mark Warburton. On 23 July, manager Paul Lambert admitted in an interview that Judge was keen on the move, but insisted that Ipswich would play hardball for him, considering he signed a new contract just a few months before.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/alan-judge-keen-on-qpr-move-1-6177079|title='I think he would like to go' – Lambert admits Judge is keen on QPR move|first=Andy|last=Warren|website=East Anglian Daily Times|date=23 July 2019 }} This prompted a negative response from the Ipswich fans who questioned his loyalty, but after a third bid was rejected, QPR dropped their interest and he remained at the club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/town-reject-third-bid-for-judge-report-1-6187967|title=Ipswich Town transfer rumour: Evans rejects third and final QPR bid – of £600k – for Judge|first=Stuart|last=Watson|website=East Anglian Daily Times|date=29 July 2019 }} On 31 August, Judge revealed in an interview that due to family reasons regarding his daughter, the move to QPR did appeal to him – but did state that he understood the fans disappointment in him initially wanting to leave.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/judge-reveals-why-qpr-move-interested-him-1-6245031|title='My daughter needs two operations in London' – Judge lifts lid on why QPR move turned his head|first=Stuart|last=Watson|website=East Anglian Daily Times|date=30 August 2019 }}

After almost 11 months at the club, Judge scored his first goal for The Tractor Boys on 20 November 2019, netting a 94th-minute winner in a 0–1 away win over Lincoln City at Sincil Bank in the FA Cup – marking the club's first FA Cup win in almost a decade.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50421861 | title = Lincoln City 0–1 Ipswich Town | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 20 November 2019 | access-date = 20 November 2019}} He scored his first league goal on 11 January 2020, scoring the third goal in a 4–1 home win over Accrington Stanley at Portman Road.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50990431 | title = Ipswich Town 4–1 Accrington Stanley | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 11 January 2020 | access-date = 14 January 2020}} On 15 February, Judge scored a brace in a 4–1 win over Burton Albion. He scored 4 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions before the season was suspended due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

Judge scored his first goal of the 2020–21 season in a 2–3 loss to Swindon Town on 9 January.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55512343 | title = Ipswich Town 2–3 Swindon Town | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 9 January 2021 | access-date = 9 January 2021}} On 6 February, he scored the opening goal in a 2–0 win against Blackpool, netting with a shot from outside the penalty area.{{cite news |title=Ipswich Town 2 – 0 Blackpool |date=6 February 2021 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55866935 |publisher=BBC Sport |accessdate=8 February 2021}} In February 2021, Judge was involved in an altercation with referee Darren Drysdale during Ipswich's goalless League One draw with Northampton Town, after Judge, who had protested about being penalized for simulation, was shown a yellow card, the fifth booking of the match. The pair "squared up" before Drysdale was ushered away by Northampton's Lloyd Jones.{{cite web |title=Alan Judge: Referee Darren Drysdale locks heads with Ipswich midfielder |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55373546 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=17 February 2021 |date=16 February 2021}} Drysdale would later issue an apology to Judge and was handed a backdated ban by the FA, but later accused Judge of referring to him as "bald" and a "cunt" – an allegation Judge angrily denied.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12243237/alan-judge-ipswich-midfielder-disputes-referee-darren-drysdales-account-of-confrontation|title=Alan Judge: Ipswich midfielder disputes referee Darren Drysdale's account of confrontation|website=Sky Sports}}

On 16 April 2021, the club announced that Judge would not be offered a new deal and would be leaving the club at the end of the season after his contract expired. Manager Paul Cook confirmed that Judge would not play in any of the 6 remaining games of the season as another start for Judge would have automatically triggered a one-year contract extension. Judge was prepared to change the terms of his contract in order to continue playing but it was agreed by both parties it would be best not to put Judge at risk of sustaining an injury in the remainder of the 2020–21 season. He finished his Ipswich career having made 91 appearances in all competitions, scoring 8 goals.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/paul-cooks-confirms-alan-judge-exit-7902696|title='He goes with our best wishes' – Cook confirms Judge will leave Town|first=Andy|last=Warren|date=16 April 2021|website=East Anglian Daily Times}}

On 18 June 2021, Judge joined Colchester United on free transfer, signing a two-year contract with the club. The move made him the fourth player that was released from Ipswich that summer to join Colchester, alongside Cole Skuse, Luke Chambers and Freddie Sears.{{cite web |title=Judge Makes U's Move |url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2021/june/judge-makes-us-move/ |publisher=Colchester United |access-date=18 June 2021 |date=18 June 2021}} He made his competitive debut for the club on 7 August 2021 in a 0–0 away draw at Carlisle United.{{cite web |title=Carlisle United 0–0 Colchester United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58036211 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 August 2021 |access-date=7 August 2021}} He scored his first goal for the U's on 10 September, tapping in Freddie Sears' cross in Colchester's 3–2 win at Barrow.{{cite web |title=Barrow 2–3 Colchester United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58430414 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 September 2021|access-date=11 September 2021}}

On 14 December 2022, Judge was ruled out for the season following a triple rupture in his left knee.{{cite web |title=Alan Judge Injury Update |url=https://www.cu-fc.com/news/2022/december/alan-judge-injury-update/ |publisher=Colchester United |date=14 December 2022|access-date=14 December 2022}}

Judge was released by Colchester United at the end of the 2022–23 season. During the 2023–24 campaign, he played his first game since his injury for the Colchester United U21s side. Judge played an hour for Colchester's under-21 team in their 6–2 win over Bristol City U21s, in their Professional Development League Two game.{{Cite news |title=Former Colchester United midfielder Alan Judge playing again |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/24178015.former-colchester-united-midfielder-alan-judge-playing/ |publisher=Gazette |first=Jonathan |last=Waldron |date=12 March 2024 |accessdate=22 March 2024}}

On 22 March 2024, Judge joined National League side Woking on a deal until the end of the campaign.{{Cite news |title=Alan Judge Signs |url=https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/8528/alan-judge-signs/ |publisher=Woking F.C. |first=William |last=Bewsey |date=22 March 2024 |accessdate=22 March 2024}} On 26 April 2024, after just featuring three times for the club it was announced that Judge would leave Woking at the end of his contract in June.{{Cite news |title=2023/24 Retained and Released List |url=https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/8562/2023-24-retained-and-released-list/ |publisher=Woking FC |date=26 April 2024 |accessdate=26 April 2024}}

On 5 November 2024, following his departure just five months prior, Judge returned to the Cardinals.{{Cite news |title=Alan Judge returns |url=https://wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/8713/alan-judge-returns/ |publisher=Woking FC |first=William |last=Bewsey |date=5 November 2024 |accessdate=5 November 2024}} He departed the club following the expiry of his contract on 31 December 2024. {{cite web|url=https://wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/8778/deon-moore-and-alan-judge-depart-woking-football-club/|title=Deon Moore and Alan Judge depart Woking Football Club|website=wokingfc.co.uk|date=2 January 2025|accessdate=2 January 2025}}

On 25 January 2025, Judge agreed to join fellow National League side, Braintree Town following his release from Woking.{{Cite news |title=Braintree Town FC on X |url=https://x.com/braintreetownfc/status/1883139629303619702 |publisher=Braintree Town FC |date=25 January 2025 |accessdate=25 January 2025}}

Judge made his international debut with the Republic of Ireland U17 team in October 2004, winning five caps and scoring two goals during the team's failed 2005 European U17 Championship qualifying campaign.{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/player.php?id=222&level=ss17|title=Statistics: Rep of Ireland [Powered by tplSoccerStats]|website=www.soccerscene.ie|access-date=11 April 2016}} He represented the U18 side at the 2005 European Youth Olympic Festival in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy. A 4–2 victory over Switzerland in the third-place playoff saw the U18s win the bronze medal.{{Cite web |url=http://indigo.ie/~bvr/Irelandunder18.htm |title=Ireland Under 18s Win Lisbon Tournament |access-date=8 June 2019}} Judge made his U19 debut in a 2–1 friendly win over Ukraine at Terryland Park on 15 August 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/matchdetails.php?id=108&level=ss19 |title=Statistics: Rep of Ireland Under 19 |publisher=Soccerscene.ie |date=15 August 2006 |access-date=7 April 2014}} He was a regular for the U19s during their qualifying campaign for the 2007 European U19 Championship and scored his first goal in a 2–1 qualifying win away to Macedonia on 6 October 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/matchdetails.php?id=110&level=ss19 |title=Statistics: Rep of Ireland Under 19 |publisher=Soccerscene.ie |access-date=7 April 2014}} Judge appeared in all three of the U18s' elite qualification games,{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/player.php?sort=season_name&id=23&level=ss19 |title=Statistics: Rep of Ireland Under 19 |publisher=Soccerscene.ie |access-date=7 April 2014}} but despite victories over Bulgaria and Hungary, defeat to Germany saw the Germans qualify for the finals. Judge also represented the U19s in the 2007 Oporto Tournament in Portugal, but went home without any silverware.{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/matchdetails.php?id=123&level=ss19 |title=Statistics: Rep of Ireland Under 19 |publisher=Soccerscene.ie |date=5 April 2007 |access-date=7 April 2014}}

Judge made his U21 debut in a 3–2 friendly victory over Sweden on 12 October 2007, coming on as a substitute for Jim O'Brien after 68 minutes.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/international/2007/1012/223735-under211/ |title=Republic of Ireland U-21 3–2 Sweden U-21 – RTÉ Sport |publisher=RTÉ.ie |date=12 October 2007 |access-date=7 April 2014}} Judge made two appearances during the U21s' unsuccessful 2009 UEFA U21 Championship qualifying campaign. He appeared in all of the qualifying games for the 2011 UEFA U21 Championship, with an early goal scored in a 1–1 draw with Georgia being the sole highlight of a campaign which saw the U21s finish bottom of their group. He won 13 U21 caps and scored two goals.{{Cite web |url=http://www.greensonscreen.co.uk/sv-internationals.asp |title=Greens on Screen |last=Trevor Scallan |publisher=Greens on Screen |access-date=7 April 2014}} Judge made four appearances for the U23s in the 2008 Inter Continental Cup, but came away without the trophy.

Judge's form in the Championship with Brentford saw him named in provisional Republic of Ireland squads in May,{{Cite web |url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/alan-judge-among-six-cut-9363937 |title=Alan Judge among six cut from Republic of Ireland squad |last=Moore |first=Tom |date=31 May 2015 |access-date=31 May 2015}} August and October 2015 and he was finally named in a matchday squad for a crucial Euro 2016 qualifying playoff first leg match versus Bosnia and Herzegovina on 13 November 2015.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/o%E2%80%99neill-reduces-ireland-squad-to-28 |title=O'Neill reduces Ireland squad to 28 – Football Association of Ireland |access-date=5 June 2018}}{{Cite news|title = Republic cut Euro qualifiers squad|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34438370|newspaper = BBC|access-date = 4 October 2015}} He was an unused substitute during the 1–1 draw.{{Soccerway|id=61078|accessdate=8 June 2019}} Judge made his debut with a start in a friendly versus Switzerland on 25 March 2016 and played the full 90 minutes of the 1–0 victory. He scored his first senior international goal on his fourth appearance, with the winner in a 2–1 friendly victory over the United States on 2 June 2018.

In June 2019, Judge was called up for European qualifiers against Denmark and Gibraltar. He featured as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 draw with Denmark, assisting the Republic of Ireland's equalizing goal with a free-kick converted by Shane Duffy. He broke his wrist in the same match following a tackle in stoppage time.{{Cite web | url = https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/36149/judge-picks-up-assist-but-breaks-wrist-as-el-mizouni-makes-international-debut | title = Judge Picks Up Assist But Breaks Wrist as El Mizouni Makes International Debut | publisher = TWTD | date = 7 June 2019 | access-date = 10 September 2019}} He was again called up in September, appearing as a substitute in a 1–1 draw with Switzerland at the Aviva Stadium on 5 September. Five days later he started in a 3–1 friendly home win over Bulgaria.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49554945 | title = Republic of Ireland 1–1 Bulgaria | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 10 September 2019 | access-date = 10 September 2019}}

Judge is known for his energy and his driving runs, as well as his ability to score spectacular long range goals.{{Cite news |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2014/january/alan-judge-will-carry-on-shooting/ |title=Brentford FC ALAN JUDGE WILL CARRY ON SHOOTING |access-date=4 September 2017 |language=en-gb}} Then-Brentford teammate Maxime Colin commented that Judge "feels the football and he has a really good kick, good cross. He never gives up. He gives a lot of strength and power. He's not afraid".{{Cite web |url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brentford-new-boy-amazed-how-9961303 |title=Brentford new boy amazed by how talented team-mate is |last=Moore |first=Tom |date=8 September 2015 |access-date=8 September 2015}}

Judge's father Dermot played for Shamrock Rovers and captained Bray Wanderers to success in the 1990 FAI Cup Final.{{cite news|last=Fitzmaurice|first=Aidan|title=Hughton hails Doyle as play-off place secured|url=http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/hughton-hails-doyle-as-playoff-place-secured-3095677.html|access-date=2 May 2012|newspaper=Evening Herald|date=30 April 2012}}{{cite web|title=Club History League of Ireland 1985–2000|url=http://www.braywanderers.com/showarticle.php?id=656|publisher=Bray Wanderers A.F.C|access-date=3 May 2012}}

{{updated|match played 29 March 2025}}

{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{updated|match played 14 November 2019}}

:As of match played 2 June 2018. Republic of Ireland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Judge goal.

Brentford

• Football League One runner-up: 2013–14

Republic of Ireland U18

• European Youth Olympic Festival: 2005 (Bronze)

Individual

• PFA Team of the Year: 2012–13 League One, 2015–16 Championship
• The Football League Team of the Season: 2015–16{{Cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/april/the-football-league-awards-2016-winners/ |title=The Football League Awards 2016: Winners |publisher=EFL.com |date=17 April 2016 |access-date=29 April 2022 }}
• Football League Championship Player of the Month: October 2015
• Brentford Supporters' Player of the Year: 2015–16
• Brentford Players' Player of the Year: 2015–16
• Notts County Supporters' Player of the Year: 2011–12
• Notts County Players' Player of the Year: 2011–12
• Notts County Player of the Month: November 2011, December 2011

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{UEFA player|96661}}
• [http://www.fai.ie/ireland/player/96661 Alan Judge] at fai.ie
• {{NFT player|pid=63572}}
• {{Soccerbase}}

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{{2012–13 Football League One PFA Team of the Year}}

{{2015–16 The Football League Team of the Season}}

{{2015–16 Football League Championship PFA Team of the Year}}

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{{Brentford F.C. Player of the Year}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Judge, Alan}}

Category:1988 births

Category:Living people

Category:Association footballers from Dublin (city)

Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers

Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers

Category:Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Republic of Ireland men's international footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. players

Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players

Category:Notts County F.C. players

Category:Brentford F.C. players

Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players

Category:Colchester United F.C. players

Category:Woking F.C. players

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Category:English Football League players

Category:National League (English football) players

Category:Republic of Ireland expatriate men's association footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen