James Chambers (Irish footballer)

{{short description|Irish footballer}}

{{Use British English|date=July 2013}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = James Chambers

| image = CINvBST 2017-05-20 - James Chambers (34805064575) (cropped).jpg

| caption = Chambers playing for Bethlehem Steel in 2017

| fullname = James Chambers

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|2|14|df=y}}

| birth_place = Dublin, Ireland

| height =

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 1999–2004

| youthclubs1 = Shelbourne

| years1 = 2004–2008

| clubs1 = Shelbourne

| caps1 = 68

| goals1 = 7

| years2 = 2006

| clubs2 = → Waterford United (loan)

| caps2 = 24

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2009

| clubs3 = Solihull Moors

| caps3 = 1

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2009

| clubs4 = Drogheda United

| caps4 = 33

| goals4 = 8

| years5 = 2010

| clubs5 = Shamrock Rovers

| caps5 = 31

| goals5 = 6

| years6 = 2011

| clubs6 = Hamilton Academical

| caps6 = 19

| goals6 = 2

| years7 = 2012

| clubs7 = St Patrick's Athletic

| caps7 = 26

| goals7 = 1

| years8 = 2013

| clubs8 = Shamrock Rovers

| caps8 = 31

| goals8 = 3

| years9 = 2014–2015

| clubs9 = St Patrick's Athletic

| caps9 = 57

| goals9 = 6

| years10 = 2016–2019

| clubs10 = Bethlehem Steel

| caps10 = 116

| goals10 = 18

| nationalyears1 = 2007

| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U21

| nationalcaps1 = 3

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2010

| nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U23

| nationalcaps2 = 1

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| manageryears1 = 2020

| managerclubs1 = Philadelphia Union (academy)

| manageryears2 = 2021–2023

| managerclubs2 = Colorado Springs Switchbacks (assistant)

| manageryears3 = 2024–

| managerclubs3 = Colorado Springs Switchbacks

}}

James Chambers (born 14 February 1987) is an Irish coach and former professional footballer who is the head coach of USL Championship club Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

Chambers played for Shelbourne, Waterford United, Drogheda United, Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic in Ireland, Solihull Moors in England, Hamilton Academical in Scotland and Bethlehem Steel in the United States.

Club career

=Shelbourne=

Chambers signed for Shelbourne at 11 years of age.[http://www.shelbournefc.ie/players.php?playerid=310 Player Profiles: James Chambers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927184000/http://www.shelbournefc.ie/players.php?playerid=310 |date=27 September 2007 }} www.shelbournefc.ie He started out with the schoolboy teams and made his breakthrough into the first team during the 2004 season, at the age of 17, including being part of the Shelbourne squad during their successful 2004 European campaign. He did not make his first official first team appearance for Shelbourne until 15 August 2005 when he made his League of Ireland debut coming on as a 2nd half substitute during a 1–0 defeat to Cork City at Turner's Cross.[https://archive.today/20130217223302/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2005/0815/corkcity.html Cork inchin their starting XI] www.rte.ie To aid Chambers with his development and to gain valuable experience, he was loaned out to Waterford United for the 2006 season and instantly became a regular in their starting XI.[http://www.shelbournefc.com/news.php?id=250 Shels youngsters loaned out] www.shelbournefc.com

Chambers returned to Shelbourne for the 2007 season,[http://www.shelbournefc.com/news.php?id=580 James Chambers signs on the dotted line] www.shelbournefc.com but he was entering upon a very unfamiliar environment at Tolka Park. Shelbourne were now in financial meltdown and were uncertain over their participation for the 2007 season. After the club was relegated to the First Division, he made the decision to stay at Shels despite their relegation and keen interest in him from numerous Premier Division clubs. As only one of two first team players retained by Shelbourne for the 2007 season, Chambers' talents were now of great importance to Shelbourne and he became one of the first names on the Shels teamsheet due to many impressive performances. He scored his first senior goal for Shelbourne with a delightful equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Monaghan United at Tolka Park on 13 April 2007.[http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0413/shelbourne1.html Shelbourne 1–1 Monaghan United] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704055941/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0413/shelbourne1.html |date= 4 July 2007 }} www.rte.ie Chambers departed Shelbourne after 10 years at the end of the 2008 season to move to Britain. He made a total of 73 league and cup appearances for Shelbourne scoring 8 times.

=Solihull Moors=

He went on trial at Walsall, but was ineligible to play matches, so he joined Conference North side Solihull Moors on 16 January 2009 to get game time. Chambers' stay at Solihull Moors would be brief as he returned to Ireland in March 2009 to join Drogheda United.

=Drogheda United=

He made his competitive Drogheda debut on 13 March 2009 in 0–0 draw against Bray Wanderers at United Park.[http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0313/drogheda_braywanderers.html Drogheda United 0–0 Bray Wanderers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317114154/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0313/drogheda_braywanderers.html |date=17 March 2009 }} www.rte.ie Chambers went on an amazing scoring streak in the 2009 season. He scored nine goals, including the all-important opener against Bray Wanderers in the relegation play-off, a match which finished 2–0 to Drogheda United.

=Shamrock Rovers=

Following his impressive season at Drogheda United, Chambers joined Shamrock Rovers in November 2009.[http://www.shamrockrovers.ie/news/35-news/1118-squad-developements-latest Latest Squad developments] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120910062652/http://www.shamrockrovers.ie/news/35-news/1118-squad-developements-latest |date=10 September 2012 }} www.shamrockrovers.ie In his first season with 'The Hoops', Chambers scored an impressive 11 league goals and won his first League of Ireland winners medal after Shamrock Rovers won the 2010 Premier Division on the final night of the season.[http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/1029/bray_shamrockrovers.html Bray Wanderers 2–2 Shamrock Rovers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030231626/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/1029/bray_shamrockrovers.html |date=30 October 2010 }} www.ret.ie

=Hamilton Academical=

He moved to Scottish Premier League team Hamilton Academical on 25 January 2011.[https://web.archive.org/web/20100202014643/http://www.acciesfc.co.uk/ Hamilton Academical FC] Chambers showed spells of his League of Ireland form whilst playing in the SPL but Hamilton were relegated into the First Division, and he left the club after a year.

=St Patrick's Athletic=

Chambers was signed by Liam Buckley for St Patrick's Athletic in January 2012.{{cite web |url=http://extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/7231/player-influx-begins-in-inchicore/ |title=Player influx begins in Inchicore – Extratime.ie – League of Ireland |publisher=Extratime.ie |access-date=2013-08-05 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203000836/http://extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/7231/player-influx-begins-in-inchicore/ |url-status=dead }} Chambers impressed the Pats fans with his superb passing and found himself playing in a midfield role that saw him be the key to his sides attacks beginning. He picked up the RTÉ man of the match award for his brilliant display including the assist for the opening goal by Chris Forrester against his old club and Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers after the Saints ran riot and won 5–1 in a famous night.{{cite web|url=http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/7766/st-patricks-athletic-5--1-shamrock-rovers |title=St Patrick's Athletic 5 -1 Shamrock Rovers – Extratime.ie – League of Ireland |publisher=Extratime.ie |access-date=2013-08-05}} Chambers set up Chris Fagan's opener against U.C.D after an excellent slipped ball through the defence. Unfortunately Chambers' excellent form for Pats was interrupted for 2 months after he picked up an injury away to Sligo Rovers. Chambers returned from the bench against Bohemians in fine form and changes the game for Pats to win 2–1. Chambers played in all of the Saints games of their Europa League campaign, where they knocked out Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyja from Iceland and NK Široki Brijeg from Bosnia and Herzegovina before being knocked out by German giants Hannover 96 in front of 25,000 people at the AWD-Arena. He played in the 2012 FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium, as Pats lost 3–2 after extra time to Derry City. Chambers was voted into the 2012 PFAI Team of the Year by his fellow League of Ireland players, for an excellent season.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/ireland/2012/10/25/3477303/sligo-st-pats-dominate-pfai-team-of-the-year-while-finn|title=Sligo & St Pat's dominate PFAI Team of the Year while Finn, McGuinness, O'Connor & Quigley nominated for individual award – Goal.com|publisher=Goal|access-date=10 August 2018}}

=Return to Shamrock Rovers=

Chambers signed again for The Hoops in November 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.shamrockrovers.ie/news/35-news/3049-double-signing |title=Double signing |publisher=Shamrockrovers.ie |date=2012-11-11 |access-date=2013-08-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604041628/http://www.shamrockrovers.ie/news/35-news/3049-double-signing |archive-date=4 June 2013 }} He won the 2013 League Cup, the 2013 Setanta Cup and the 2013 Leinster Senior Cup (scoring in a 1–0 win over St Pat's in the final), however the season was overall a disappointing one for Chambers as Rovers finished fifth, with his old side Pats winning the league, and he left at the end of the season.

=Return to St Patrick's Athletic=

Chambers signed back for champions St Patrick's Athletic for the 2014 season. Week after week he impressed fans, putting in a string of man of the match performances week in week out and retained his place in the midfield for most of the season amidst competition for places from Keith Fahey, Killian Brennan, Greg Bolger and Lee Lynch. The Saints disappointingly only finished third in the league but the season remained a success with third place earning a Europa League spot for next season, winning the 2014 President of Ireland's Cup, the 2014 Leinster Senior Cup and most impressively, winning the 2014 FAI Cup to end a 53-year drought for the club since last winning the competition. He signed a new contract for the 2015 season in January 2015. On 19 September 2015, Pats won the 2015 League of Ireland Cup against Galway United, with Chambers scoring his penalty in a penalty shoot-out win after a 0–0 draw at Eamonn Deacy Park.{{cite web|url=http://extratime.ie/fixtures/detail/27944/2/|title=Extratime.ie – Live Updates – 2015 League Cup Final – Galway United -v- St. Patrick's Athletic|website=extratime.ie|access-date=10 August 2018}} Chambers had a very impressive season individually in a poor season for the team. He scored 5 goals in all competitions, 3 of them coming direct from freekicks. He was voted at the St Patrick's Athletic Player of the season for 2015 by the club's supporters for his excellent performances.{{cite web|url=http://stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=6963|title=Club News : 2015 Awards Night Winners|website=stpatsfc.com|access-date=10 August 2018}} Chambers was also voted into the PFAI Team of the Year by his fellow League of Ireland players.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2015/1022/736760-seven-dundalk-stars-in/|title=Seven Dundalk stars in PFAI Team of the Year|publisher=RTÉ |date=22 October 2015|access-date=10 August 2018}}

=Bethlehem Steel=

Chambers signed for Bethlehem Steel of the United Soccer League on 28 January 2016.[http://www.the42.ie/james-chambers-bethlehem-steel-usl-st-patricks-athletic-2571712-Jan2016 James Chambers signs for Bethlehem Steel]. the42.ie. Retrieved on 29 January 2016.

Chambers retired after the end of the club's 2019 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/bethlehem-steel-fc/post/2019/11/27/bethlehem-steel-fc-announce-roster-news-ahead-2020-season|title=Bethlehem Steel FC Announce Roster News Ahead of 2020 Season | Philadelphia Union}}

International career

On 24 February 2007, Chambers received a call up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad by manager Don Givens.[http://www.shelbournefc.ie/news.php?id=576 News: Call up to U21 International Panel] www.shelbournefc.ie He made his debut for the under-21s at the Madeira tournament in Portugal in February 2007. He made 3 appearances for the Irish side in the tournament. In May 2010, Chambers made his Republic of Ireland under 23 debut against England C in the 2009–11 International Challenge Trophy at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre.[http://www.airtricityleague.com/index.php/component/content/article/2100-republic-of-ireland-u23-1-2-england-u23 Republic of Ireland U23 1–2 England U23] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529234459/http://www.airtricityleague.com/index.php/component/content/article/2100-republic-of-ireland-u23-1-2-england-u23 |date=29 May 2010 }} www.airtricityleague.com

Coaching career

After serving as an academy coach for Philadelphia Union following his retirement, Chambers was appointed as an assistant coach by Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the USL Championship in 2021.{{Cite web |date=March 4, 2021 |title=James Chambers Named Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Assistant Coach |url=https://www.switchbacksfc.com/news/2021/03/james-chambers-named-colorado-springs-switchbacks-fc-assistant-coach/ |access-date=December 26, 2024 |website=SwitchbacksFC.com |publisher=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Booth |first=Chuck |date=November 23, 2024 |title=USL Championship final, Colorado Springs Switchbacks vs. Rhode Island FC: Where to watch, live stream, TV |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/usl-championship-final-colorado-springs-switchbacks-vs-rhode-island-fc-where-to-watch-live-stream-tv/ |access-date=December 26, 2024 |website=CBSSports.com |publisher=CBS Sports |language=en-US}}

He spent three seasons in the position,{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Hugh |date=January 5, 2024 |title=Colorado Springs Switchbacks shake up technical staff, promote James Chambers to head coach, Stephen Hogan to sporting director |url=https://gazette.com/sports/colorado-springs-switchbacks-shake-up-technical-staff-promote-james-chambers-to-head-coach-stephen-hogan/article_ef3c53aa-ac25-11ee-8162-5b767212f23c.html |access-date=December 26, 2024 |website=gazette.com |publisher=Colorado Springs Gazette |language=en-US}} before being promoted to head coach of the same club on 5 January 2024.{{cite web |last1=Purslow |first1=Ashley |title=Switchbacks FC Announce New Head Coach, Sporting Director and Technical Director |url=https://www.switchbacksfc.com/news/2024/01/switchbacks-fc-announce-new-head-coach-sporting-director-and-technical-director/ |access-date=5 January 2024 |website=SwitchbacksFC.com |publisher=Colorado Springs Switchbacks}}{{Cite web |last=Mata |first=Danny |date=January 6, 2024 |title=Switchbacks name James Chambers new coach |url=https://krdo.com/news/sports-news/2024/01/05/switchbacks-name-james-chambers-new-coach/ |access-date=December 26, 2024 |website=KRDO.com |publisher=KRDO-TV |language=en-US}} Throughout the 2024 season, Chambers led the Switchbacks to reach the playoffs, where the team conceded only one goal,{{Cite web |last=Rholdon |first=Corey |date=November 23, 2024 |title=Switchbacks Are the 2024 USL Championship Champions |url=https://www.kktv.com/2024/11/23/switchbacks-are-2024-usl-championship-champions/ |access-date=December 26, 2024 |website=KKTV |language=en-US}} eventually winning the Western Conference title,{{Cite web |last=Beaudry |first=Steve |date=November 17, 2024 |title=Lights' breakthrough season ends with loss in conference finals |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/lights/lights-breakthrough-season-ends-with-loss-in-conference-finals-3213430/ |access-date=December 24, 2024 |website= |publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal |language=en-US}} and then their first USL Championship title, following a 3–0 victory over Rhode Island FC in the league final.{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Nicholas |date=November 27, 2024 |title=James Chambers doesn't want credit for Switchbacks' success, but deserves it |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1324840 |access-date=December 26, 2024 |website=USLChampionship.com |publisher=USL Championship |language=en-US}}

Career statistics

File:CINvBST 2017-05-20 - James Chambers, Corben Bone (33962415314) (cropped).jpg midfielder Corben Bone during a 2017 match]]

{{as of|2020|February|18}}{{Cite web|url=https://ie.soccerway.com/players/james-chambers/25636/|title=Republic of Ireland – J. Chambers – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway|website=ie.soccerway.com}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!rowspan="2"|Division

!colspan="2"|League

!colspan="2"|National Cup{{efn|Includes FAI Cup, FA Cup, Scottish Cup}}

!colspan="2"|League Cup{{efn|Includes League of Ireland Cup, Conference League Cup, Scottish League Cup}}

!colspan="2"|Continental

!colspan="2"|Other

!colspan="2"|Total

AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Shelbourne

|2005

|rowspan="2"|League of Ireland Premier Division

|3

000000{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League|name=statsUCL}}00{{efn|Appearances in Setanta Sports Cup|name=statsSSC}}030
Waterford United
(loan)

|2006

|24

03000colspan="2"|—2{{efn|Appearances in Relegation play-offs}}0290
rowspan="3"|Shelbourne

|2007

|rowspan="2"|League of Ireland First Division

|32

71010colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—347
2008

|33

01021colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—361
colspan="2"|Shelbourne Total

!68

720310000738
Solihull Moors

|2008–09

|National League North

|1

00000colspan="2"|—0{{efn|Appearances in FA Trophy|name=statsFAT}}010
Drogheda United

|2009

|rowspan="2"|League of Ireland Premier Division

|33

72021colspan="2"|—1{{efn|Appearances in Relegation play-offs}}1389
Shamrock Rovers

|2010

|31

654204{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League|name=statsUEL}}01{{efn|Appearances in Leinster Senior Cup|name=statsLSC}}04310
rowspan="3"|Hamilton Academical

|2010–11

|Scottish Premier League

|9

10000colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—91
2011–12

|Scottish Championship

|10

10011colspan="2"|—4{{efn|Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup|name=statsSCC}}1153
colspan="2"|Hamilton Academical Total

!19

20011colspan="2"|—41244
St Patrick's Athletic

|2012

|rowspan="2"|League of Ireland Premier Division

|26

140106{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League|name=statsUEL}}02{{efn|Appearances in Setanta Sports Cup|name=statsSSC}}0391
rowspan="2"|Shamrock Rovers

|2013

|31

32020colspan="2"|—10{{efn|7 appearances, 1 goal in Setanta Sports Cup & 3 appearances, 1 goal in Leinster Senior Cup}}2455
colspan="2"|Shamrock Rovers Total

!62

97440401128815
rowspan="3"|St Patrick's Athletic

|2014

|rowspan="2"|League of Ireland Premier Division

|25

140001{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League|name=statsUCL}}07{{efn|3 appearances in Setanta Sports Cup & 4 appearances in Leinster Senior Cup}}0371
2015

|32

420411{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League|name=statsUEL}}03{{efn|1 appearance in President's Cup & 2 appearances in Leinster Senior Cup}}0425
colspan="2"|St Patrick's Athletic Total

!83

610051801201187
rowspan="5"|Bethlehem Steel

|2016

|rowspan="4"|USL Championship Eastern Conference

|27

3colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—273
2017

|28

5colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—285
2018

|29

5colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—295
2019

|32

5colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—325
colspan="2"|Bethlehem Steel Total

!116

18colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—11618
colspan="3"|Career Total

!406

5024415412029348661

{{notelist}}

Honours

= Player =

== Club ==

=== Shamrock Rovers ===

=== St Patrick's Athletic ===

== Individual ==

= Manager =

== Colorado Springs Switchbacks ==

References

{{Reflist}}