Dion Donohue
{{short description|Welsh footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Dion Donohue
| image =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1993|8|26}}
| birth_place = Bodedern, Wales
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}
| currentclub = Bangor 1876
| clubnumber = 6
| position = Midfielder/Left back
| youthyears1 = 2003
| youthclubs1 = Bodedern Athletic
| youthyears2 = 2004–2010
| youthclubs2 = Everton
| years1 = 2011
| clubs1 = Porthmadog
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 2011–2012
| clubs2 = Holyhead Hotspur
| caps2 = 12
| goals2 = 3
| years3 = 2012–2014
| clubs3 = Caernarfon Town
| caps3 = 60
| goals3 = 12
| years4 = 2014–2015
| clubs4 = Sutton Coldfield Town
| caps4 = 37
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2015–2017
| clubs5 = Chesterfield
| caps5 = 56
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2017–2019
| clubs6 = Portsmouth
| caps6 = 42
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2019
| clubs7 = Mansfield Town
| caps7 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2019
| clubs8 = Swindon Town
| caps8 = 5
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2020
| clubs9 = Swindon Town
| caps9 = 10
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2021
| clubs10 = Barrow
| caps10 = 4
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2021–2023
| clubs11 = Caernarfon Town
| caps11 = 62
| goals11 = 5
| years12 = 2023-2025
| clubs12 = Trearddur Bay
| caps12 = ?
| goals12 = ?
| years13 = 2025-
| clubs13 = Bangor City 1876
| caps13 = ?
| goals13 = ?
| nationalyears1 = 2011
| nationalteam1 = Ynys Môn
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2022
| nationalteam2 = Wales C
| nationalcaps2 = 1
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| club-update = 22 April 2024
}}
Dion James Donohue (born 26 August 1993) is a Welsh footballer who plays as a midfielder and full back for the Welsh Ardal NW club Bangor City 1876.
A former Everton trainee, he began his senior career in the lower levels of Welsh football with Porthmadog, Holyhead Hotspur and Caernarfon Town before switching to Sutton Coldfield Town of the Northern Premier League Division One South in 2014. A year later, he turned professional with Chesterfield in EFL League One, and spent two years with Portsmouth before joining Mansfield Town in 2019, where his contract was terminated for disciplinary reasons within two months of signing. After spells at Swindon Town and Barrow, he left professional football for family reasons and moved back to Caernarfon.
Career
=Early career=
Donohue was born in Bodedern on Anglesey and played with Bodedern Athletic before joining Everton.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Dean |title=Portsmouth boss Jackett tips Bodedern born Donohue for international honours |url=https://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/sport/16164743.portsmouth-boss-tips-donohue-for-international-honours/ |access-date=24 December 2018 |work=North Wales Chronicle |date=17 April 2018}} He spent six years at Everton's academy and was unable to gain a professional contract.{{cite web|title=Dion Donohue move to Chesterfield proves North Wales is hotbed of football talent|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/dion-donohue-move-chesterfield-proves-9732181|website=Daily Post| date=26 July 2015 |access-date=13 October 2015}} He returned to North Wales and played semi-pro football with Porthmadog, Holyhead Hotspur and Caernarfon Town. In 2014, he moved to the English non-league with Sutton Coldfield Town.
Donohue scored his first goal for Sutton on 27 September 2014, netting the first through a penalty kick in a 2–0 home win against Kidsgrove Athletic. He made 37 appearances for the club, as his side achieved promotion to Northern Premier League Premier League through the play-offs.
=Chesterfield=
Donohue went on trial at Chesterfield in the summer of 2015 and was able to earn a contract.{{cite web|title=Chesterfield sign Dion Donohue and Jake Orrell|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11746/9920854/chesterfield-sign-dion-donohue-and-jake-orrell|website=Sky Sports|access-date=13 October 2015}} He made his professional debut on 12 September 2015 in a 3–3 draw against Colchester United.{{cite news|title=Chesterfield 3-3 Colchester| work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34160368|access-date=13 October 2015}} Donohue signed a contract extension on 10 August 2016, keeping him at the club until 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/2016/august/donohue-signs-extended-contract/|title=Donohue Signs Extended Contract|publisher=Chesterfield FC|date=10 August 2016|access-date=9 September 2017}}
Donohue scored his first professional goal on 14 March 2017, netting the equalizer in a 3–3 home draw against Peterborough United.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39188509|title=Chesterfield 3–3 Peterborough United|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 March 2017|access-date=9 September 2017}} In May, he was awarded the Players' Player of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/2017/may/evatt-named-player-of-the-year/|title=Evatt Named Player of the Year|publisher=Chesterfield FC|date=1 May 2017|access-date=9 September 2017}}
=Portsmouth=
On 18 August 2017 Donohue joined fellow League One club Portsmouth on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news|title=Dion Donohue: Portsmouth sign Chesterfield midfielder for undisclosed fee| work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40982655|access-date=18 August 2017}} He made his debut eight days later in a 1–1 draw at Wigan Athletic, being substituted after 53 minutes.{{cite news |title=Wigan 1 Pompey 1 |url=https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2017/august/match-report-for-wigan-athletic-vs-portsmouth-on-26-aug-17/ |access-date=18 July 2019 |publisher=Portsmouth F.C. |date=26 August 2017}} On 17 October, he was sent off in a 2–1 loss at Doncaster Rovers for violent conduct towards Niall Mason, but Portsmouth successfully appealed against his three-game suspension.{{cite news |last1=Allen |first1=Neil |title=Pompey win Donohue's red card appeal |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/pompey-win-donohue-s-red-card-appeal-1-8206010 |access-date=18 July 2019 |work=The News |date=19 October 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Rooney |first1=Will |title=Pompey appeal Donohue red card |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/pompey-appeal-donohue-red-card-1-8205183 |access-date=18 July 2019 |date=19 October 2017}}
Donohue played less frequently in 2018–19. In his first game, away to Crawley Town in the EFL Trophy on 9 October, he scored the only goal of the game, his first for Pompey.{{cite news |last1=Allen |first1=Neil |title=Neil Allen's match report: Dion delights on Portsmouth return |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/neil-allen-s-match-report-dion-delights-on-portsmouth-return-1-8663015 |access-date=18 July 2019 |work=The News |date=10 October 2018}} He was released on 17 May 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2019/may/pompey-retained-list/|title=Pompey Retained List|website=www.portsmouthfc.co.uk|language=en-gb|access-date=2019-05-19}}
=Mansfield Town=
On 9 July 2019, Donohue joined League Two side Mansfield Town on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48922704|title=Dion Donohue: Mansfield Town sign former Portsmouth midfielder|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 July 2019|access-date=10 July 2019}} He arrived not fully recovered from injury and made his debut in the EFL Cup first round match against Morecambe on 13 August, being substituted at half time because of his condition as the team lost on penalties after a 2–2 home draw.{{cite news |last1=Lomas |first1=John |title=Softly, softly as Mansfield Town ease new boy Dion Donohue back to fitness |url=https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/softly-softly-as-mansfield-town-ease-new-boy-dion-donohue-back-to-fitness-1-9938388 |access-date=21 August 2019 |work=Mansfield & Ashfield Chad |date=16 August 2019}}
On 19 August 2019 Donohue and Mansfield teammate Jacob Mellis were suspended by the club for "an alleged serious breach of club discipline".{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49399980|title=Mansfield Town: League Two side suspend Dion Donohue & Jacob Mellis|date=19 August 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}} Following a club disciplinary investigation his contract was terminated on 2 September.{{cite news |title=Dion Donohue: Mansfield Town midfielder's contract terminated after disciplinary investigation |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49557541 |access-date=2 September 2019}}
=Swindon Town=
On 12 October 2019, Donohue joined League Two side Swindon Town on month-by-month contract.{{cite news |title=Former Portsmouth midfielder signs for Swindon after having contract terminated by Mansfield |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/former-portsmouth-midfielder-signs-for-swindon-after-having-contract-terminated-by-mansfield-1-9104384 |access-date=3 November 2019 |work=The News |date=12 October 2019}} He made his debut the same day in a 1–1 home draw with Plymouth Argyle, and after the game manager Richie Wellens said that the Robins had tried to sign him in the summer.{{cite news |last1=Reynolds |first1=Shaun |title=Richie Wellens praises Swindon Town's fight and spirit in Plymouth Argyle League Two draw |url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/17964943.richie-wellens-praises-swindon-towns-fight-spirit-plymouth-argyle-league-two-draw/ |access-date=3 November 2019 |work=Swindon Advertiser |date=12 October 2019}} As his second month was not registered in time with the EFL, he was then barred from playing again until 2 January.{{cite news |last1=Reynolds |first1=Shaun |title=Richie Wellens provides an update on defender Dion Donohue's contractual situation at Swindon Town |url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/18095127.richie-wellens-provides-update-defender-dion-donohues-contractual-situation-swindon-town/ |access-date=18 December 2019 |work=Swindon Advertiser |date=12 December 2019}}
Swindon did not negotiate to sign Donohue when January came, with Wellens saying that this was due to the player's injury, rather than his court proceedings.{{cite news |last1=Reynolds |first1=Shaun |title=Swindon Town manager Richie Wellens claims injury is why Dion Donohue hasn't re-signed, ahead of full back's Nottingham Crown Court appearance |url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/18153766.swindon-town-manager-richie-wellens-claims-injury-dion-donohue-hasnt-re-signed-ahead-full-backs-nottingham-crown-court-appearance/ |access-date=25 January 2020 |work=Swindon Advertiser |date=11 January 2020}}
On 25 September 2020, Donohue rejoined Swindon on a one-year deal.{{Cite web|title=Defender Dion Donohue signs one-year Town deal|url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/18749588.defender-dion-donohue-signs-one-year-town-deal/|access-date=25 September 2020|website=Swindon Advertiser|date=25 September 2020 }} He left on 11 December for personal reasons.{{cite news |title=CLUB STATEMENT - DION DONOHUE
|url=https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2020/december/club-statement---dion-donohue/|access-date=11 December 2020 |publisher=Swindon Town F.C. |date=11 December 2020}} Due to injury, he had asked manager John Sheridan for leave to spend Christmas with his terminally ill niece, which was refused, prompting Donohue to cancel his contract.
=Barrow=
On 28 January 2021, Donohue joined Barrow on a short-term deal until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.barrowafc.com/news/2021/january/280121-barrow-sign-former-swindon-town-everton-and-portsmouth-defender-dion-donohue/|title=Dion Donohue Joins The Bluebirds|website=www.barrowafc.com|date=28 January 2021}} He trained only three days a week due to his family condition. He was one of 13 players released at the end of the season.{{Cite web |title=Josh Kay among thirteen players released by Barrow AFC |url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/19310463.josh-kay-among-thirteen-players-released-barrow-afc/ |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=The Mail|date=18 May 2021 }}
=Return to Caernarfon Town=
Donohue rejoined Caenarfon Town in the Cymru Premier in June 2021.{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Arron |date=2021-06-22 |title=Huge captures for Caernarfon Town FC as Donohue and Gosset sign on |url=https://afefootballnews.com/2021/06/22/huge-captures-for-caernarfon-town-fc-as-donohue-and-gosset-sign-on/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622170311/https://afefootballnews.com/2021/06/22/huge-captures-for-caernarfon-town-fc-as-donohue-and-gosset-sign-on/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=22 June 2021 |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=AFEFootballNews}} He had quit professional football at the age of 27 and moved back to North Wales in order to spend more time with his niece, who was terminally ill with a brain tumour; she died in July 2021 at the age of 5.{{cite news |last1=Allen |first1=Neil |title=Ex-Portsmouth, Swindon, Mansfield and Chesterfield man Dion Donohue: I avoided prison - then quit football to be with my terminally ill niece. Family always come first |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/ex-portsmouth-swindon-mansfield-and-chesterfield-man-dion-donohue-i-avoided-prison-then-quit-football-to-be-with-my-terminally-ill-niece-family-always-come-first-3462854 |access-date=16 June 2022 |work=The News |date=18 November 2021}} He was named in the league's 2021–22 Team of the Season.{{Cite web|date=2022-05-27 |title=Revealed: The 2021/22 Cymru Premier end-of-season award winners |url=https://clwbpeldroed.org/2022/05/27/cymru-premier-team-season-2021-22/ |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=Y Clwb Pêl-droed}}
International career
Donohue played for the representative team of Anglesey during the 2011 Island Games. He featured in all four of the side's games, against Gotland, the Isle of Wight, Gibraltar and Alderney.{{cite web|title=Island Games Results 2011 Isle of Wight|url=http://www.natwestiowresults2011.com/Sports/SOCCER/default.aspx?SportID=28&EventID=139|website=BBNatWest 2011 Island Games Results|access-date=5 February 2017}}
Donohue was called up for the Wales C team of amateurs to face their English counterparts at his club ground of The Oval in Caernarfon on 31 March 2022.{{cite news |title=Mark Jones names much-changed Wales C squad as Chris Venables not included |url=https://clwbpeldroed.org/2022/03/14/mark-jones-wales-squad-chris-venables/ |access-date=16 June 2022 |publisher=Y Clwb Pel-Droed |date=14 March 2022}} He played in the 4–0 win.{{cite news |title=Powys pair to the fore as Wales beat England in C international clash |url=https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/20034542.powys-pair-fore-wales-beat-england-c-international-clash/ |access-date=16 June 2022 |work=Powys County Times |date=31 March 2022}}
Personal life
In January 2012, Donohue pleaded guilty at Caernarfon Magistrates Court to a charge of assaulting a woman at a nightclub in Bangor, Gwynedd, the previous 13 November. He was fined £500 and £85 court fees, and sentenced to 120 hours of community service and four weeks of curfew.{{cite news |last1=Hearn |first1=Elgan |title=Teenager pleads guilty to assaulting woman at Bangor nightclub |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/teenager-pleads-guilty-assaulting-woman-2670516 |access-date=24 December 2018 |work=Daily Post |date=22 February 2012|quote=A TEENAGER from Bodedern pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman at a Bangor nightclub in November. Dion James Donohue, 18, of...Bodedern appeared at Caernarfon Magistrates Court on January 31.}}
In January 2020, Donohue pleaded guilty at Nottingham Crown Court to charges of assault, affray and grievous bodily harm committed in Mansfield the previous 16 August.{{cite news |last1=Seaward |first1=Tom |title=Dion Donohue admits Mansfield affray and GBH |url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/18169517.dion-donohue-admits-mansfield-affray-gbh/ |access-date=25 January 2020 |work=Swindon Advertiser |date=17 January 2020}} When sentenced in November, he took a bag of clothes and did not invite any close relatives due to his solicitor's strong advice that he would be sent to prison, but he instead received a suspended sentence.
Donohue has a son and a daughter, both born in Portsmouth during his time at the club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/pompey/qa-hospital-sends-good-wishes-to-portsmouth-midfielder-dion-donohue-s-family-after-staff-save-girlfriend-nadine-and-baby-mason-1-8667820|title=QA Hospital sends good wishes to Portsmouth midfielder Dion Donohue's family after staff save girlfriend Nadine and baby Mason|work=The News|date=13 October 2018 |access-date=2019-01-06}}{{cite news |last1=Allen |first1=Neil |title=Dion Donohue: Classy Portsmouth did me a favour by releasing me – and I thank them |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/latest-pompey-news/dion-donohue-classy-portsmouth-did-me-favour-releasing-me-and-i-thank-them-1315381 |access-date=13 September 2020 |work=The News |date=21 May 2019}} After moving back to North Wales and leaving professional football, he became a plasterer.
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|end May 2022}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
=International=
{{updated|30 June 2011}}{{NFT player|pid=44373|accessdate=9 September 2017}}
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="5" |Ynys Môn |
| Year
!Apps !Goals |
|---|
| 2011
|align=center|4 |align=center|0 |
| Total
!4 !0 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Donohue, Dion}}
Category:Sportspeople from Anglesey
Category:Welsh men's footballers
Category:Porthmadog F.C. players
Category:Caernarfon Town F.C. players
Category:Sutton Coldfield Town F.C. players
Category:Chesterfield F.C. players
Category:Portsmouth F.C. players
Category:Mansfield Town F.C. players
Category:Swindon Town F.C. players
Category:Barrow A.F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Northern Premier League players
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Welsh people convicted of assault
Category:Cymru Premier players