Connor Mahoney
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2016}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Connor Mahoney
| image =
| fullname = Connor Anthony Mahoney{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/612828 |title=Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed |publisher=Premier League |date=2 February 2018 |accessdate=10 February 2018}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|2|12|df=y}}{{cite web |url=http://accringtonstanley.co.uk/player/connor-mahoney/ |title=Player profile: Connor Mahoney |publisher=Accrington Stanley F.C |accessdate=17 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125120917/http://accringtonstanley.co.uk/player/connor-mahoney/ |archive-date=25 January 2014 |url-status=dead }}
| birth_place = Blackburn, England{{cite web |url=http://www.11v11.com/players/connor-mahoney-241176/ |title=Connor Mahoney |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |accessdate=17 November 2013}}
| height = {{convert|1.75|m|order=flip}}
| position = Right winger, forward
| currentclub = Barrow
| clubnumber = 23
| youthyears1 = {{0|000}}
| youthclubs1 = Blackburn Rovers
| youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–2013
| youthclubs2 = Accrington Stanley
| youthyears3 = 2013–2014
| youthclubs3 = Blackburn Rovers
| years1 = 2013
| clubs1 = Accrington Stanley
| caps1 = 4
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2013–2017
| clubs2 = Blackburn Rovers
| caps2 = 16
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2017–2019
| clubs3 = AFC Bournemouth
| caps3 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2018
| clubs4 = → Barnsley (loan)
| caps4 = 8
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2018–2019
| clubs5 = → Birmingham City (loan)
| caps5 = 30
| goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2019–2022
| clubs6 = Millwall
| caps6 = 60
| goals6 = 3
| years7 = 2022–2024
| clubs7 = Huddersfield Town
| caps7 = 9
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2023–2024
| clubs8 = → Gillingham (loan)
| caps8 = 39
| goals8 = 7
| years9 = 2024–
| clubs9 = Barrow
| caps9 = 25
| goals9 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2014
| nationalteam1 = England U17
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2014
| nationalteam2 = England U18
| nationalcaps2 = 1
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2017
| nationalteam3 = England U20
| nationalcaps3 = 3
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| club-update = 10:45, 16 April 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Connor Anthony Mahoney (born 12 February 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right winger for {{English football updater|Barrow}} club Barrow.
He played for Accrington Stanley and Blackburn Rovers before joining AFC Bournemouth in 2017, and spent time on loan to Barnsley and Birmingham City. He signed for Millwall in 2019 and left when his contract expired in 2022. He signed for Huddersfield Town in 2022, but played little, and spent the next season on loan at Gillingham where he was a first-team regular. Mahoney represented England at under-17, under-18 and under-20 levels.
Career
Initially starting out at Burnley and Blackburn Rovers,{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/15198/9163001/sky-sports-scout-connor-mahoney |title=Sky Sports Scout – Connor Mahoney |publisher=Sky Sports |date=21 May 2014 |accessdate=31 August 2017}} Mahoney moved to Accrington Stanley, where he progressed through the academy and began his senior career.{{cite news |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/10724952.accrington-stanleys-footballing-starlets-are-attracting-attention-from-talent-scouts/ |title=Accrington Stanley's footballing starlets are attracting attention from talent scouts |first=Tony |last=Dewhurst |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=8 October 2013 |accessdate=7 May 2019}} He made his first-team debut on 28 August 2013 in a 2–0 League Cup defeat against Cardiff City, and his League Two debut three days later as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 defeat at home to Burton Albion. In all, Mahoney made six appearances for Stanley's first team.{{cite news |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/10867795.Blackburn_Rovers_to_sign_Accrington_Stanley_star_Mahoney/ |title=Blackburn Rovers to sign Accrington Stanley star Mahoney |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=10 December 2013 |accessdate=31 August 2017}}
=Blackburn Rovers=
Mahoney signed for Blackburn Rovers on 13 December 2013, initially as a member of their development squad.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25366496 |title=Blackburn Rovers sign Connor Mahoney from Accrington Stanley |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 December 2013 |accessdate=7 May 2019}} In his first few weeks at the club, he was an unused substitute in several Championship matches,{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/connor-mahoney/310621/ |title=C. Mahoney |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |accessdate=7 May 2019}} and, at the age of 16 years and 337 days, became the third youngest Blackburn Rovers debutant when he replaced Lee Williamson late in the 5–0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City.{{cite news |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/13785117.youngster-connor-mahoney-edging-back-into-first-team-picture-at-blackburn-rovers/ |title=Youngster Connor Mahoney edging back into first-team picture at Blackburn Rovers |first=Tyrone |last=Marshall |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=26 September 2015 |accessdate=7 May 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/10939779.full-time-manchester-city-5-blackburn-rovers-0/ |title=Full-time: Manchester City 5 Blackburn Rovers 0 |first=Paul |last=Wheelock |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=15 January 2014 |accessdate=7 May 2019}} When he turned 17, he signed his first professional contract with the club.{{cite web |url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2014/february/birthday-boy-connor-signs-pro/ |title=Birthday boy Connor signs pro |publisher=Blackburn Rovers F.C. |date=14 February 2014 |accessdate=7 May 2019}} His progress stuttered, as happens with young players,{{cite news |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/12960494.Who_will_be_the_next_Blackburn_Rovers_youngster_to_break_through_/ |title=Who will be the next Blackburn Rovers youngster to break through? |first=Paul |last=Wheelock |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=20 May 2015 |accessdate=7 May 2019}} and he was not initially given a squad number for the 2015–16 season.{{cite news |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/13800620.Blackburn_Rovers_youngster_Connor_Mahoney_determined_to_force_his_way_into_first_team/ |title=Blackburn Rovers youngster Connor Mahoney determined to force his way into first team |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=3 October 2015 |accessdate=7 May 2019}} Towards the end of that season{{snd}}more than two years after his Blackburn debut{{snd}}Mahoney was given his League debut in the starting eleven for a 1–1 draw with Nottingham Forest on 19 April 2016, and kept his place for the next match. Manager Paul Lambert was impressed with Mahoney's self-belief and his natural ability with both feet.{{cite news |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/14440621._He_s_got_a_chance____Paul_Lambert_reckons_Connor_Mahoney_can_become_a_Blackburn_Rovers_regular/ |title='He's got a chance' – Paul Lambert reckons Connor Mahoney can become a Blackburn Rovers regular |first=Paul |last=Wheelock |newspaper=The Lancashire Telegraph |date=21 April 2016 |accessdate=7 May 2019}}
In the 2016–17 season, Mahoney played twice in the EFL Cup, but in January 2017 was still awaiting his next league outing. Although Blackburn were relatively strong in attacking areas, manager Owen Coyle rejected offers to take Mahoney on loan, claiming he would get his chance in the second half of the season.{{cite news |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/15011655.FUTURE_STARS__The_ones_to_watch_at_Blackburn_Rovers_in_2017___/ |title=Future stars: The ones to watch at Blackburn Rovers in 2017... |first=Rich |last=Sharpe |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=10 January 2017 |accessdate=7 May 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/15023729.owen-coyle-keen-to-keep-connor-mahoney-in-first-team-picture-as-blackburn-rovers-turn-down-loan-bids/ |title=Owen Coyle keen to keep Connor Mahoney in first team picture as Blackburn Rovers turn down loan bids |first=Rich |last=Sharpe |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=14 January 2017 |accessdate=7 May 2019}} He made his first league appearance of the season on 4 February, as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 win over Queens Park Rangers, and went on to play in 13 of the 17 remaining Championship matches as the team failed to avoid relegation to League One. He himself did not score, but three times he set up goals that earned points for the team: Derrick Williams' last-minute equaliser against Cardiff City,{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/blackburn-vs-cardiff/358531 |title=Blackburn 1–1 Cardiff: Derrick Williams earns hosts a point |agency=PA Sport |publisher=Sky Sports |date=7 March 2017 |accessdate=7 May 2019}} Lucas João's first goal in a draw with Norwich City four days later,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39162733 |title=Norwich City 2–2 Blackburn Rovers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 March 2017 |accessdate=7 May 2019}} and Tommie Hoban's winner against Nottingham Forest in April.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39523090 |title=Nottingham Forest 0–1 Blackburn Rovers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 April 2017 |accessdate=7 May 2019}} Although Mowbray was keen to keep him at the club, no deal could be agreed.{{cite news |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/15085890.Owen_Coyle_keen_to_secure_Connor_Mahoney_s_long_term_future_at_Blackburn_Rovers_but_says_talks_in_the_hands_of_Paul_Senior/ |title=Owen Coyle keen to secure Connor Mahoney's long-term future at Blackburn Rovers but says talks in the hands of Paul Senior |first=Rich |last=Sharpe |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=11 February 2017 |accessdate=7 May 2019}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/15295134.Rovers_release_six_first_team_players_but_are_looking_to_secure_the_future_of_Connor_Mahoney/ |title=Rovers release six first-team players but are looking to secure the future of Connor Mahoney |first=Rich |last=Sharpe |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=19 May 2017 |accessdate=7 May 2019}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/15331547.Connor_Mahoney_edging_closer_to_Rovers_exit/ |title=Connor Mahoney edging closer to Rovers exit |first=Alex |last=James |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=7 June 2017 |accessdate=7 May 2019}}
=AFC Bournemouth=
On 4 July 2017, Mahoney signed a four-year contract with Premier League club AFC Bournemouth.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40495709 |title=Bournemouth sign Connor Mahoney on four-year deal after leaving Blackburn Rovers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 July 2017 |accessdate=31 August 2017}} The clubs could not agree a fee, so the Professional Football Compensation Committee ruled that Bournemouth should pay an initial £425,000 and included provision for appearance-based additional payments and for a sell-on clause of 20% of profit resulting from any future sale.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11743/11375683/bournemouth-ordered-to-pay-blackburn-425000-for-connor-mahoney-transfer |title=Bournemouth ordered to pay Blackburn £425,000 for Connor Mahoney transfer |publisher=Sky Sports |date=17 May 2018 |accessdate=7 May 2019}}
After playing in two cup games for the Cherries in 2017, Connor moved to Barnsley on loan for the second half of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|title=Mahoney completes Barnsley loan move|url=https://www.afcb.co.uk/news/first-team/mahoney-completes-barnsley-loan-move|date=29 January 2018|accessdate=29 January 2018}}
On 7 August 2018, Mahoney joined Championship club Birmingham City on a season-long loan.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45098389 |title=Connor Mahoney: Birmingham City sign Bournemouth winger on loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 August 2018 |accessdate=8 August 2018}} He made his debut as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 defeat away to Middlesbrough.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45066579 |title=Middlesbrough 1–0 Birmingham City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2018 |accessdate=11 August 2018}} Having started the match at home to Sheffield Wednesday on 27 October in place of the injured Jacques Maghoma, Mahoney scored his first career goal just before half-time when he "cut in unchallenged from the left to fire in a right-footed shot past Cameron Dawson into the far roof of the net"; Birmingham went on to win 3–1.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/birmham-vs-sheff-wed/392711 |title=Birmingham 3-1 Sheffield Wednesday: Blues keep up fine run |publisher=Sky Sports |date=27 October 2018 |accessdate=28 October 2018}}
=Millwall=
On 9 July 2019, Mahoney signed for Millwall on a long-term contract for a fee of £1,100,000.{{cite web |url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2019/july/millwall-complete-signing-of-connor-mahoney/ |title=Millwall complete signing of Connor Mahoney |publisher=Millwall F.C. |date=9 July 2019 |access-date=4 July 2022}} He was released when his contract expired at the end of the 2021–22 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/millwall-confirm-202122-retained-list/ |title=Millwall confirm 2021/22 retained list |publisher=Millwall F.C. |date=20 May 2022 |access-date=4 July 2022}}
=Huddersfield Town=
On 6 July 2022, following the expiry of his contract at Millwall, Mahoney joined fellow Championship club Huddersfield Town on a two-year deal.{{cite news |title=Signing: Connor Mahoney joins the Terriers! |url=https://www.htafc.com/news/2022/july/signing-connor-mahoney-joins-the-terriers/ |access-date=6 July 2022 |publisher=Huddersfield Town AFC |date=6 July 2022}}
==Gillingham (loan)==
On 25 August 2023, Mahoney joined EFL League Two club Gillingham on loan for the remainder of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/huddersfield-town-transfers-midfielder-connor-mahoney-joins-gillingham-on-loan-for-the-rest-of-the-2023-24-season-4268532 |title=Huddersfield Town transfers: Midfielder Connor Mahoney joins Gillingham on loan for the rest of the 2023–24 season |first=Leon |last=Wobschall |newspaper=Yorkshire Post |date=25 August 2023 |access-date=28 April 2024}}
Following the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, Huddersfield Town announced that Mahoney would be departing the club.{{cite web|url=https://www.htafc.com/news/2024/may/202324-retained-list-confirmed/|title=2023/24 RETAINED LIST CONFIRMED|website=www.htafc.com|date=17 May 2024|accessdate=1 July 2024}}
=Barrow=
On 24 June 2024, Mahoney agreed to join League Two side Barrow on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2024/june/24/connor-mahoney-signs/|title=Connor Mahoney Signs|website=www.barrowafc.com|date=24 June 2024|accessdate=1 July 2024}}
International career
In January 2014, he was called up by England U17 for the first time.{{cite web|title=Connor gets England call|url=http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/england-call-for-connor-1306783.aspx|publisher=Blackburn Rovers F.C.|accessdate=21 January 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122052323/http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/england-call-for-connor-1306783.aspx|archivedate=22 January 2014|url-status=dead}} Mahoney made his England U17 (and his only appearance for the side) debut, in a 2–1 loss against Belgium U17 on 30 January 2014.{{cite news|title=ENGLAND U17S SUFFER CRUEL DEFEAT AGAINST BELGIUM|url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2014/jan/30/england-u17s-v-belgium-match-report-300114|publisher=The Football Association|date=30 January 2014|accessdate=31 August 2017}}
Eight months later, in September 2014, Mahoney was called up by England U18.{{cite web|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2014/september/england-call-for-connor/|title=England call for Connor|publisher=Blackburn Rovers F.C.|date=20 September 2014|accessdate=31 August 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831193534/https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2014/september/england-call-for-connor/|archivedate=31 August 2017|url-status=live}} Four days later, he made his England U18 debut, in a 2–0 loss against Italy U18.{{cite web|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2014/september/mahoney-plays-for-england/|title=Mahoney plays for England|publisher=Blackburn Rovers F.C.|date=25 September 2014|accessdate=31 August 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831193522/https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2014/september/mahoney-plays-for-england/|archivedate=31 August 2017|url-status=live}}
Personal life
Mahoney was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, where he attended Witton Park High School.{{cite news|title=Blackburn's Witton Park honours its students for best ever GCSEs|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/10830517.Blackburn_s_Witton_Park_honours_its_students_for_best_ever_GCSEs/|newspaper=The Lancashire Telegraph|date=28 November 2013|accessdate=31 August 2017}} He grew up supporting Blackburn Rovers.{{cite news|title=Accrington Stanley boss couldn't block Mahoney's Blackburn Rovers move|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/10875865.Accrington_Stanley_boss_couldn_t_block_Mahoney_s_Blackburn_Rovers_move/|newspaper=The Lancashire Telegraph|date=13 December 2013|accessdate=31 August 2017}} His brother Dom is also a footballer.{{cite news|title=Family ties at Nelson|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/11251970.Family_ties_at_Nelson/|newspaper=The Lancashire Telegraph|date=3 June 2014|access-date=31 August 2017}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 12 April 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|FA Cup !colspan=2|League Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Accrington Stanley
|2013–14{{Soccerbase season|72094|2013|accessdate=13 December 2013}} |4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance in Football League Trophy}} | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| rowspan=5|Blackburn Rovers | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | |
| 2014–15{{Soccerbase season|72094|2014|accessdate=13 October 2017}}
|Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | |
| 2015–16{{Soccerbase season|72094|2015|accessdate=13 October 2017}}
|Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2 | 0 | |
| 2016–17{{Soccerbase season|72094|2016|accessdate=13 October 2017}}
|Championship | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 18 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!16||0||3||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||21||0 | ||||||||||
| Blackburn Rovers U23
|colspan=3|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 3{{efn|name=EFT|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||
| AFC Bournemouth
|2017–18{{Soccerbase season|72094|2017|accessdate=28 January 2018}} | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2 | 0 | |
| Barnsley (loan)
|Championship | 8 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 8 | 0 | |||
| Birmingham City (loan)
|2018–19{{Soccerbase season|72094|2018|accessdate=7 May 2019}} |Championship | 30 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 32 | 2 | |
| rowspan=4|Millwall
|2019–20{{Soccerbase season|72094|2019|accessdate=4 July 2022}} |Championship | 38 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 40 | 3 | |
| 2020–21{{Soccerbase season|72094|2020|accessdate=4 July 2022}}
|Championship | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | colspan=2|— | 17 | 2 | |
| 2021–22{{Soccerbase season|72094|2021|accessdate=5 September 2023}}
|Championship | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 11 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!60||3||2||1||6||1||colspan=2|—||68||5 | ||||||||||
| rowspan=3|Huddersfield Town
|2022–23{{Soccerbase season|72094|2022|accessdate=5 September 2023}} |Championship | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 10 | 0 | |
| 2023–24
|Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!9||0||0||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||11||0 | ||||||||||
| Gillingham (loan)
|2023–24{{Soccerbase season|72094|2023|accessdate=28 April 2024}} |League Two | 39 | 7 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|name=EFT}} | 0 | 42 | 7 | |
| Barrow
|2024–25{{Soccerbase season|72094|2024|accessdate=16 April 2025}} |League Two | 25 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=EFT}} | 0 | 28 | 1 |
| colspan=3|Career total
!191||12||11||1||13||1||6||0||221||14 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
- [http://www.thefa.com/england/all-teams/players/m/connor-mahoney England profile] at The Football Association website
{{Barrow A.F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mahoney, Connor}}
Category:Footballers from Blackburn
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Accrington Stanley F.C. players
Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. players
Category:AFC Bournemouth players
Category:Birmingham City F.C. players
Category:Millwall F.C. players
Category:Huddersfield Town A.F.C. players
Category:Gillingham F.C. players
Category:Barrow A.F.C. players