Caolan Lavery
{{Short description|Canadian-born Northern Irish footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Caolan Lavery
| image = Caolan Lavery 2021.jpg
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1992|10|22}}
| birth_place = Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
| height = {{convert|1.80|m|ftin}}{{cite web|title=Caolan Lavery|url=http://canadasoccer.com/index.php?t=roster&pid=1830|publisher=Canadian Soccer Association|access-date=23 December 2013}}
| position = Forward
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Red Deer Renegades
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Goodyear
| youthyears3 = 2009–2011
| youthclubs3 = Ipswich Town
| youthyears4 = 2012–2013
| youthclubs4 = Sheffield Wednesday
| years1 = 2012–2016
| clubs1 = Sheffield Wednesday
| caps1 = 34
| goals1 = 6
| years2 = 2013
| clubs2 = → Southend United (loan)
| caps2 = 3
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2013–2014
| clubs3 = → Plymouth Argyle (loan)
| caps3 = 8
| goals3 = 3
| years4 = 2015
| clubs4 = → Chesterfield (loan)
| caps4 = 8
| goals4 = 3
| years5 = 2015–2016
| clubs5 = → Portsmouth (loan)
| caps5 = 13
| goals5 = 4
| years6 = 2016–2019
| clubs6 = Sheffield United
| caps6 = 30
| goals6 = 4
| years7 = 2018
| clubs7 = → Rotherham United (loan)
| caps7 = 14
| goals7 = 2
| years8 = 2018–2019
| clubs8 = → Bury (loan)
| caps8 = 23
| goals8 = 5
| years9 = 2019–2021
| clubs9 = Walsall
| caps9 = 64
| goals9 = 10
| years10 = 2021–2022
| clubs10 = Bradford City
| caps10 = 19
| goals10 = 1
| years11 = 2022–2023
| clubs11 = Scunthorpe United
| caps11 = 18
| goals11 = 8
| years12 = 2023–2024
| clubs12 = Doncaster Rovers
| caps12 = 12
| goals12 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2008
| nationalteam1 = Canada U17
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2009
| nationalteam2 = Northern Ireland U19
| nationalcaps2 = 5
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2010–2014
| nationalteam3 = Northern Ireland U21
| nationalcaps3 = 7
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| club-update = 17:50, 25 March 2023 (UTC)
}}
Caolan Owen Lavery (born 22 October 1992) is a former professional footballer who last played as a forward for Doncaster Rovers.
He also previously played in the English Football League for Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United, Walsall, Bradford City and Scunthorpe United, as well as on loan at Southend United, Plymouth Argyle, Chesterfield, Portsmouth, Rotherham and Bury.
He has represented both Canada and Northern Ireland at youth international level and is one of only a small number of footballers to have played for both Sheffield clubs.
Club career
=Early career=
Lavery started his youth career in Canada, playing for the Red Deer Renegades. He then played with Northern Irish youth side Goodyear while having trials at Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth and Charlton Athletic. A successful trial at Ipswich Town saw him spend two years at the club before rejecting the offer of a new deal in late 2011 and leaving the club after his academy scholarship expired. He went on to have trials at Sunderland and Leicester City in November.{{cite news |url = http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Former-Spurs-target-Caolan-Lavery-snubs-Ipswich-for-Leicester-trial-article829143.html |title = Northern Ireland hotshot and former Spurs target snubs Ipswich for Foxes trial |publisher = Daily Mirror |date = 10 November 2011 |access-date = 30 March 2012}}{{cite news |url = http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/9412278.Bradford_City__Lavery_deal_s_not_done__says_Lawn/ |title = Caolan Lavery deal is not done, says Bradford City chairman Mark Lawn |publisher = Telegraph and Argus |date = 10 December 2011 |access-date = 29 March 2012}} In December 2011 Lavery was reported to be in talks with League Two club Bradford City.{{cite news |last1=Parker |first1=Simon |title=Caolan Lavery deal is not done, says Bradford City chairman Mark Lawn |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/9412278.caolan-lavery-deal-is-not-done-says-bradford-city-chairman-mark-lawn/ |access-date=9 October 2020 |work=Bradford Telegraph and Argus |date=10 December 2011}}
=Sheffield Wednesday=
==2012–13 season==
Finally, in the summer of 2012, Lavery signed for Sheffield Wednesday to join their development squad.{{cite news |url=http://www.swfc.co.uk/news/article/owls-ambitions-296522.aspx |title=Owls ambitions |work=www.swfc.co.uk |date=7 August 2012}} On 28 August 2012, Lavery was included in Sheffield Wednesday's first-team squad as an unused substitute for the League Cup tie against Premier League Fulham.{{cite news |url=http://www.swfc.co.uk/news/article/owls-advance-339600.aspx |title=Owls advance |work=www.swfc.co.uk |date=28 August 2012}} A 1–0 win saw Sheffield Wednesday enter the third round of the competition, but Lavery failed to get on the pitch for that game, against Premier League outfit Southampton.{{cite news |url=http://www.swfc.co.uk/news/article/matchday-live-southampton-390388.aspx |title=Matchday Live |work=www.swfc.co.uk |date=25 September 2012}}
After continuing success in Sheffield Wednesday's development squad, Lavery was targeted by clubs for a possible loan deal and, on 25 January 2013, he signed for League Two side Southend United.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21180258 |title=Sheffield Wednesday's Caolan Lavery joins Southend United |work=www.bbc.co.uk |date=25 January 2013}} He made his professional debut a week later on 2 February when Southend hosted Oxford United.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21209369 |title=Southend 1–0 Oxford |work=www.bbc.co.uk |date=2 February 2013}}
==2013–14 season==
On 10 August 2013, Lavery was named on the bench for Wednesday for the home Football League Championship game against Burnley. This was the second game of the season and Wednesday's first home game. In the second half, with Wednesday trailing 2–1, Lavery made his debut for the club but was unable to help his side to salvage a point.{{cite news |url=http://www.swfc.co.uk/news/article/owls-miss-out-burnley-983316.aspx |title=Owls miss out |work=www.swfc.co.uk |date=10 August 2013}} In November 2013, he joined League Two club Plymouth Argyle on loan until the start of January 2014.{{cite web|title=Caolan Lavery: Plymouth Argyle sign Sheffield Wednesday striker|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25057810|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=5 January 2014|date=22 November 2013}} Lavery made his debut against Dagenham & Redbridge the next day,{{cite news|last=Errington|first=Chris|title=Plymouth Argyle 2 Dagenham and Redbridge 1: Match report|url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Plymouth-Argyle-2-Dagenham-Redbridge-1-Match/story-20167730-detail/story.html|access-date=5 January 2014|newspaper=Plymouth Herald|date=23 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105043220/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Plymouth-Argyle-2-Dagenham-Redbridge-1-Match/story-20167730-detail/story.html|archive-date=5 January 2014|url-status=dead}} and scored the first senior goal of his career during his first start against Bury on 21 December.{{cite news|last=Errington|first=Chris|title=Striker Caolan Lavery keen to extend Plymouth Argyle stay|url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Striker-Caolan-Lavery-keen-extend-Plymouth-Argyle/story-20355180-detail/story.html|access-date=5 January 2014|newspaper=Plymouth Herald|date=23 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105043217/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Striker-Caolan-Lavery-keen-extend-Plymouth-Argyle/story-20355180-detail/story.html|archive-date=5 January 2014|url-status=dead}} Five days later, he opened a 3–2 win at former club Oxford with a goal in the first minute of the second half.{{cite news|title=Reid helps Pilgrims down U's|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/289029/report|access-date=21 May 2015|work=Sky Sports|date=26 December 2013}} The loan was then extended for a month after he scored his third goal in four starts on New Year's Day against Torquay United,{{cite news|last=Errington|first=Chris|title=On-loan Plymouth Argyle striker Caolan Lavery expected Sheffield Wednesday recall|url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/LAVERY-EXPECTED-RECALLED/story-20395300-detail/story.html|access-date=5 January 2014|newspaper=Plymouth Herald|date=3 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103210624/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/LAVERY-EXPECTED-RECALLED/story-20395300-detail/story.html|archive-date=3 January 2014|url-status=dead}} but he was recalled less than a week later.{{cite web|title=Lavery Recalled|url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/news/article/lavery-recalled-1282230.aspx|publisher=Plymouth Argyle F.C|access-date=8 January 2014|date=8 January 2014}}
Upon his return to Sheffield Wednesday, Lavery was used as a second-half substitute against Leeds United on 11 January 2014. He scored two goals, his first professional goals for Sheffield Wednesday, in their 6–0 home victory against their Yorkshire rivals.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25599608|title=Sheffield Wednesday 6-0 Leeds United|date=11 January 2014|website=BBC Sport}} He scored a further brace for the Owls in a 4–1 win over Birmingham City on 15 March 2014.{{cite news|title=Sheff Wed 4-1 Birmingham|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26492888|access-date=21 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=15 March 2014}}
==2014–15 season==
On 2 February 2015, Lavery was loaned to League One team Chesterfield until 7 March, replacing Cardiff City-bound Eoin Doyle.{{cite news|title=Lavery moves to Chesterfield|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9696692/lavery-moves-to-chesterfield|access-date=21 May 2015|work=Sky Sports|date=2 February 2015}} On 9 March, having scored three goals in seven games including a last-minute winner at Milton Keynes Dons, he extended his loan until the end of the season,{{cite news|title=Lavery extends Chesterfield stay|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9752011/lavery-extends-chesterfield-stay|access-date=21 May 2015|work=Sky Sports|date=9 March 2015}} but was recalled by Wednesday only six days later, due to an injury to Will Keane.{{cite news|title=Lavery exits Chesterfield early|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11703/9760629/lavery-exits-chesterfield-early|access-date=21 May 2015|work=Sky Sports|date=15 March 2015}}
He scored his first Wednesday goal of the season on 21 March, as they came from behind to win 3–2 at South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United.{{cite news|title=Sheffield Wednesday score two goals in injury time to beat Rotherham 3-2|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/314231/report|access-date=21 May 2015|work=Sky Sports|date=21 March 2015}} On 11 April he added a second, opening a 1–1 home draw against Charlton with a volley from Lewis Buxton's cross.{{cite news|title=Sheffield Wednesday 1 Charlton 1: Johann Berg Gudmundsson grabs draw|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/314270/report|access-date=21 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=12 April 2015}}
=Sheffield United=
On 30 August 2016, Lavery joined Sheffield United after turning down a new contract offer from city rivals Wednesday. His first goal for them was in a 4–0 home win against Swindon Town. On 29 January 2018, Lavery moved to South Yorkshire neighbours Rotherham United, on loan until the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2018/january/signing--millers-seal-lavery-loan-deal/|title=SIGNING {{!}} Millers seal Lavery loan deal|publisher=Rotherham United Official Site|date=29 January 2018}} He was transfer-listed by Sheffield United at the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44081831|title=Clayton Donaldson: Sheffield United release striker and transfer list seven|date=11 May 2018|access-date=11 May 2018|publisher=BBC Sport}} Lavery joined Bury on a season-long loan on 31 August 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45375050 |title=Caolan Lavery: Bury sign Sheffield United striker on loan |date=31 August 2018 |access-date=31 August 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport}} He scored his first goal for Bury in a 2-1 EFL Trophy loss against Rochdale on 4 September 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/2018/september/match-report-for-rochdale-vs-bury-on-04-sep-18/ |title=Match Report: Rochdale 2-1 Bury |publisher=buryfc.co.uk |date=4 September 2018 |access-date=10 September 2018}}
He was released by Sheffield United at the end of the 2018–19 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48207498|title=PPaul Coutts: Sheffield United midfielder among five released|date=8 May 2019|access-date=9 May 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}
=Walsall=
On 6 August 2019, Lavery signed an undisclosed-length contract with Walsall.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49253044|title=Caolan Lavery: Walsall sign striker from Sheffield United|date=6 August 2019|access-date=6 August 2019|language=en-GB}}
=Bradford City=
He signed for Bradford City on 2 August 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58054385|title=Bradford sign free-agent forward Lavery|via=www.bbc.co.uk}} Lavery was released by the club after one season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/news/2022/may/six-bantams-to-depart/|title=SIX BANTAMS TO DEPART|website=www.bradfordcityafc.com|date=13 May 2022|accessdate=13 May 2022}}
=Scunthorpe United=
On 22 September 2022, Lavery signed for National League club Scunthorpe United on a deal until January 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/2022/september/caolan-lavery-signs-for-the-iron/|title=Caolan Lavery signs for the Iron|website=www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk|date=22 September 2022|accessdate=25 September 2022}} He made his debut for the club two days later, scoring his side's first goal to start a comeback as Scunthorpe came back from 2–0 down to defeat Dorking Wanderers 3–2.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62937315|title=Scunthorpe United 3–2 Dorking Wanderers|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 September 2022|accessdate=25 September 2022}} Lavery scored a hat-trick in Scunthorpe's 3–0 victory over Maidenhead United on 7 January 2023, but was reported likely to leave the club by 22 January due to its financial difficulties,{{cite news |last1=Buckingham |first1=Philip |last2=Slater |first2=Matt |title=Special report: Scunthorpe United, a club on the brink |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4084541/2023/01/13/special-report-scunthorpe-united-a-club-on-the-brink/ |access-date=15 January 2023 |work=The Athletic |date=13 January 2023}} something confirmed at the end of his contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/2023/january/caolan-lavery-leaves-the-iron/|title=Caolan Lavery leaves the Iron|website=www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk|date=22 January 2023|accessdate=22 January 2023}}
=Doncaster Rovers=
On 24 January 2023, Lavery signed for League Two club Doncaster Rovers on an eighteen-month deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2023/january/lavery-signed/|title=Rovers sign forward Caolan Lavery|website=www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk|date=24 January 2023|accessdate=24 January 2023}} On 15 May 2024, the club announced he would be released in the summer when his contract expired.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-15 |title=Tommy Rowe: Doncaster midfielder one of seven released by club |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c88z8ppq8ypo |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
Lavery retired on 05 August 2024 because of injury.{{cite news| url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/24497045.former-bradford-city-striker-caolan-lavery-retires-game/| title=Former Bradford City striker Caolan Lavery retires from game| publisher=Telegraph & Argus| date=5 August 2024| access-date=1 April 2025}}
International career
Lavery is eligible to play for his country of birth Canada and, as both his parents were born there, either Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland. Before Lavery's move to England he played for Canada U-17 in warm-up games in preparation to qualifiers for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup.{{cite news |url = http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/sports/Lavery_playing_for_Canada.html |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130411181921/http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/sports/Lavery_playing_for_Canada.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = 11 April 2013 |title = Lavery playing for Canada |publisher = Red Deer Advocate |date = 20 November 2008 |access-date = 29 March 2012
}} However, after playing time in Northern Ireland for Goodyear and then his move to Ipswich Town, he switched to the Northern Ireland national side. He made his debut for Northern Ireland U-21 on 17 November 2010 in a 3–1 loss against Scotland.{{cite news | url = http://nifootball.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/caolan-lavery.html | title = Caolan Lavery Profile | publisher = NIFG | date = 14 November 2013 | access-date = 29 March 2012}} He has also made three appearances for the Northern Ireland U-19 team.{{cite news | url = http://www.uefa.com/under21/season=2013/teams/player=250024167/profile/index.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130412021956/http://www.uefa.com/under21/season=2013/teams/player=250024167/profile/index.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 12 April 2013 | title = Caolan Lavery | publisher = UEFA | access-date = 29 March 2012}}
On 21 May 2015, Lavery was given his first call-up to the senior Northern Ireland team ahead of a friendly with Qatar and a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Romania. Manager Michael O'Neill had wanted him to feature the previous Summer in a tour of South America, but Lavery was unavailable as he was the best man in his brother's wedding.{{cite news|title=Wednesday striker Lavery handed Northern Ireland call-up|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32825201|access-date=21 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=21 May 2015}}
Career statistics
{{Updated|25 March 2023}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
=Club=
Sheffield United
- EFL League One: 2016–17{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2017–2018 |year=2017 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-3397-4 |pages=326–327}}
Rotherham United
- EFL League One play-offs: 2018{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44186999 |title=Rotherham United 2–1 Shrewsbury Town |first=Ged |last=Scott |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2018 |access-date=27 May 2018}}
Bury
- EFL League Two runner-up: 2018–19{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=1646 |title=League Two: 2018/19: Current table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=6 May 2019}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=394&teamTabs=stats&season_id=151 |title=Bury: Squad details: 2018/19 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=6 May 2019}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
- {{Soccerway|caolan-lavery/158885}}
- {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602074751/http://www.irishfa.com/international/squad-profiles/profile/2904/caolan-lavery/ |date=2 June 2015 |title=Northern Ireland profile at Irish FA (irishfa.com) }}
- {{Canada Soccer}}
{{Doncaster Rovers F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lavery, Caolan}}
Category:Sportspeople from Red Deer, Alberta
Category:Soccer people from Alberta
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Men's association footballers from Northern Ireland
Category:Northern Ireland men's youth international footballers
Category:Northern Ireland men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Canadian men's soccer players
Category:Canadian expatriate men's soccer players
Category:Canada men's youth international soccer players
Category:Canadian people of Northern Ireland descent
Category:Expatriate men's association footballers from Northern Ireland
Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players
Category:Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players
Category:Southend United F.C. players
Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players
Category:Chesterfield F.C. players
Category:Portsmouth F.C. players
Category:Sheffield United F.C. players
Category:Rotherham United F.C. players
Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players
Category:Scunthorpe United F.C. players
Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in England