Jim O'Brien (footballer, born 1987)
{{Short description|Association football player}}
{{for|the Athlone Town midfielder|Jamie O'Brien (footballer)}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Jim O'Brien
| image = Jim O'Brien September 2018.jpg
| caption = O'Brien with Bradford City in 2018
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|9|28|df=y}}
| birth_place = Govan, Glasgow, Scotland
| height =
| position = Central midfielder
| currentclub =
| clubnumber = 6
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Bellsmyre Boys Club
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Dumbarton United[https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/dumbarton-footballer-jim-obrien-talks-2592302.amp Dumbarton footballer Jim O'Brien talks about his progress in SPL with Motherwell FC], Daily Record, 9 April 2010
| youthyears3 = 2000–2006
| youthclubs3 = Celtic
| years1 = 2006–2008
| years2 = 2007
| years3 = 2008
| years4 = 2008–2010
| years5 = 2010–2014
| years6 = 2014–2016
| years7 = 2016
| years8 = 2016–2017
| years9 = 2017
| years10 = 2017–2018
| years11 = 2018–2019
| years12 = 2019–2024
| clubs1 = Celtic
| clubs2 = → Dunfermline Athletic (loan)
| clubs3 = → Dundee United (loan)
| clubs4 = Motherwell
| clubs5 = Barnsley
| clubs6 = Coventry City
| clubs7 = → Scunthorpe United (loan)
| clubs8 = Shrewsbury Town
| clubs9 = → Ross County (loan)
| clubs10 = Ross County
| clubs11 = Bradford City
| clubs12 = Notts County
| caps1 = 1
| goals1 = 0
| caps2 = 13
| goals2 = 1
| caps3 = 10
| goals3 = 0
| caps4 = 64
| goals4 = 4
| caps5 = 123
| goals5 = 7
| caps6 = 70
| goals6 = 8
| caps7 = 9
| goals7 = 1
| caps8 = 18
| goals8 = 0
| caps9 = 16
| goals9 = 1
| caps10 = 25
| goals10 = 0
| caps11 = 11
| goals11 = 0
| caps12 = 157
| goals12 = 16
| nationalyears1 = 2005
| nationalyears2 = 2006–2008
| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U19
| nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U21
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalcaps2 = 6
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| club-update = 20:43, 7 April 2024 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update =
| manageryears1 = 2024
| managerclubs1 = Notts County (caretaker)
}}
James John O'Brien (born 28 September 1987) is a professional footballer who most recently played as a central midfielder for Notts County. His previous clubs include Motherwell and Ross County in Scotland, and Barnsley and Coventry City in England.
Born in Scotland, he represented Ireland at youth international level.
Club career
=Celtic and loans=
Raised in Dumbarton, O'Brien began his career in the youth system at Celtic. He was loaned out to Dunfermline Athletic during the 2006–07 season.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dunfermline_athletic/6237113.stm|title=Dunfermline take Celtic's O'Brien|access-date=31 January 2008 | publisher=BBC News | date=6 January 2007}} He made his debut in their 3–2 Scottish Cup victory over Rangers on 7 January 2007. He scored his first goal in Dunfermline's 4–1 victory over Motherwell on 7 May 2007.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/6621899.stm|title=Dunfermline 4–1 Motherwell|access-date=31 January 2008 | publisher=BBC News | date=7 May 2007}}
He made his debut Celtic in a 2–1 victory over Gretna on 7 October 2007; he filled in as a right-back due to all of Celtic's recognised players in that position being injured.{{cite news |title=O'Brien sees Old Firm opportunity |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/7049333.stm |access-date=30 September 2020 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 October 2007}}
O'Brien joined Dundee United on loan on 31 January until May 2008.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee_utd/7216434.stm|title=Robson agrees terms with Celtic|access-date=31 January 2008 | publisher=BBC News | date=1 February 2008}}
=Motherwell=
File:James OBrien (footballer).jpg in ]]
On 8 August 2008, O'Brien signed for Motherwell.{{cite web|url=http://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=257&Itemid=134|title='Well unveil double signing|access-date=8 August 2008}} He scored four goals in 64 league appearances for Motherwell, earning selection for the PFA Scotland team of the year in 2009–10.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/barnsley/8668802.stm |title=Motherwell winger Jim O'Brien to join Barnsley |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=10 May 2010 |date=7 May 2010}}
=Barnsley=
On 7 May 2010, O'Brien signed a pre-contract agreement with English Championship side Barnsley, then under the stewardship of Mark Robins. He scored his first goal for the club during a 5–2 win againstLeeds United at Oakwell in September 2010. As of 5 April 2013, O'Brien had scored five and assisted eight goals for Barnsley.{{Cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=47373|title=Jim O'Brien | Football Stats | No Club | Age 37 | 2007-2024 | Soccer Base|website=www.soccerbase.com}} In May 2014, O'Brien rejected a new contract offer from Barnsley.
=Coventry City=
O'Brien completed a move to Coventry City on a two-year contract on 4 July 2014. He made his league debut on the opening day of the 2014–15 season in a 3–2 defeat to Bradford City. He scored a disputed first goal for the club against Sheffield United at Sixfields (later credited as an own goal by Blades defender Bob Harris). His second goal for the club was less disputable as he scored from close-range to make the score 2–2 against Peterborough United at the Ricoh Arena on 25 October 2014; the Sky Blues went on to win the game 3–2.
On 15 February 2016, O'Brien was loaned out to Scunthorpe United on an emergency basis.{{Cite news |title=Coventry City midfielder Jim O'Brien has joined Scunthorpe United on an emergency loan deal |url=http://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/article/loan-jim-obrien-coventry-city-scunthorpe-united-2956864.aspx |publisher=Coventry City FC |date=15 February 2016 |access-date=15 February 2016}}
=Shrewsbury Town and Ross County=
On 17 June 2016, O'Brien completed a move to League One side Shrewsbury Town. He signed a two-year deal arriving as a free agent following his release from Coventry.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36565331|title=Jim O'Brien: Shrewsbury Town sign midfielder after Coventry City departure|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 June 2016|access-date=18 June 2016}} A first-team regular during the first half of the season, he scored his first goal for the club in an FA Cup second-round replay against Fleetwood Town.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38217513|title=Fleetwood Town 3–2 Shrewsbury Town|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 December 2016|access-date=18 January 2017}}
On 18 January 2017, O'Brien joined Scottish Premiership side Ross County on loan from Shrewsbury until the end of the 2016–17 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk/news/archive/jim-obrien-joins-ross-county-on-loan-from-shrewsbury/ |title=Transfer news: Jim O'Brien joins on loan from Shrewsbury |publisher=Ross County FC |date=18 January 2017 |access-date=18 January 2017 |archive-date=19 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119052822/http://www.rosscountyfootballclub.co.uk/news/archive/jim-obrien-joins-ross-county-on-loan-from-shrewsbury/ |url-status=dead }} He made his debut for the club as a substitute in a Scottish Cup fourth-round tie against Dundee United, scoring the final goal in a 6–2 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38620208|title=Ross County 6–2 Dundee United|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 January 2017|access-date=22 January 2017}}
He left Shrewsbury by mutual consent in July 2017, despite having a year left to run on his contract.{{cite news|title=O'Brien leaves Town|url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2017/july/obrien-leaves-town/|access-date=20 July 2017|publisher=Shrewsbury Town F.C.|date=20 July 2017}} then signed a two-year contract with Ross County.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40671398 |title=Ross County: Jim O'Brien makes move permanent following loan spell |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 July 2017 |access-date=20 July 2017}}
=Bradford City and Notts County=
In September 2018 he signed a short-term contract with Bradford City.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45515853|title=Jim O'Brien: Bradford City sign former Barnsley and Coventry midfielder|date=13 September 2018|publisher=BBC Sport}} He left the club in January 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/2019/january/obrien-agrees-early-release/|title=O'BRIEN AGREES EARLY RELEASE|publisher=Bradford City A.F.C.|access-date=8 January 2019|archive-date=28 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128195028/https://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/2019/january/obrien-agrees-early-release/|url-status=dead}}
On 8 January 2019, O'Brien signed for Notts County the same day he was released by Bradford City.{{cite web|url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2019/january/jim-obrien-signs-080119/|title=Notts sign O'Brien|publisher=Notts County F.C.}} He was released at the end of the 2018–19 season,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48312832|title=Notts County: Jon Stead and David Vaughan among 12 released|date=17 May 2019|access-date=20 May 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}} but rejoined the club on 1 August 2019.{{Cite web | url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/jim-obrien-deal-caps-busy-3164372 | title=O'Brien caps off busy 24 hours as Notts land seven signings| date=August 2019}}
On 11 May 2021, O'Brien scored his first career hat-trick in Notts County's 4–0 win away at Maidenhead United.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56135076 Maidenhead United 0–4 Notts County], BBC Sport, 11 May 2021
He scored his second career hat-trick on 22 April 2023 in a 5–2 victory at Maidstone United.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65283842], BBC Sport, 22 April 2023
Following manager Luke Williams departure to Swansea City, Jim O'Brien was placed in interim charge of Notts County.{{cite web |last1=Seelochan |first1=Isaac |title=Swansea City confirm Luke Williams appointment as Notts County message sent |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/swansea-city-confirm-luke-williams-9015750 |website=Nottinghamshire Live |publisher=Local World |access-date=5 January 2024}} He oversaw one match in charge, a 5–5 draw with Grimsby Town, before the appointment of Stuart Maynard saw him return to his previous role.{{cite web|url=https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2024/january/stuart-maynard-appointment-180124/|title=Head coach: Stuart Maynard|website=www.nottscountyfc.co.uk|date=18 January 2024|accessdate=18 January 2024}} He was released by the club after the conclusion of the 2023-2024 season.{{cite web |title=O'Brien & Bostock among six released by Notts |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cd1v8wyzw3lo |publisher=BBC Sports |access-date=29 April 2024 |date=29 April 2024}}
Managerial career
On 9 August 2024 O'Brien was appointed Head Coach of Sheffield United's under-18 side after Matt Thorpe departed the role.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}
International career
Although O'Brien represented the Republic of Ireland at under-19 and under-21 levels, he opted to switch allegiances and represent the nation of his birth, citing a chance to work with Craig Levein, who he also worked with while at Dundee United.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/6108951/obrien-commits-to-scotland|title=O'Brien commits to Scotland|publisher=Sky Sports|date=22 April 2010}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 12 May 2018}}
| 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"|National Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| scope="col"|Division
!scope="col"|Apps !scope="col"|Goals !scope="col"|Apps !scope="col"|Goals !scope="col"|Apps !scope="col"|Goals !scope="col"|Apps !scope="col"|Goals !scope="col"|Apps !scope="col"|Goals | |||||||||
| rowspan="3"|Celtic
|2006–07{{soccerbase season|44696|2006|access-date=13 January 2016}} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007–08{{soccerbase season|47373|2007|access-date=12 January 2016}}
|Scottish Premier League |1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Dunfermline Athletic (loan)
|Scottish Premier League |13 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 |
| Dundee United (loan)
|2007–08{{soccerbase season|44696|2007|access-date=13 January 2016}} |Scottish Premier League |10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| rowspan="3"|Motherwell
|2008–09{{soccerbase season|47373|2008|access-date=12 January 2016}} |Scottish Premier League |29 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 1 |
| 2009–10{{soccerbase season|47373|2009|access-date=12 January 2016}}
|Scottish Premier League |35 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League|name=statsUEFA}} | 0 | 40 | 3 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!64 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 72 | 4 |
| rowspan="5"|Barnsley
|2010–11{{soccerbase season|47373|2010|access-date=12 January 2016}} |33 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 1 |
| 2011–12{{soccerbase season|47373|2011|access-date=12 January 2016}}
|Championship |31 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 2 |
| 2012–13{{soccerbase season|47373|2012|access-date=12 January 2016}}
|Championship |30 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 2 |
| 2013–14{{soccerbase season|47373|2013|access-date=12 January 2016}}
|Championship |29 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 3 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!123 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 133 | 8 |
| rowspan="3"|Coventry City
|2014–15{{soccerbase season|47373|2014|access-date=12 January 2016}} |44 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|Appearances in Football League Trophy|name=statsJPT}} | 0 | 48 | 6 |
| 2015–16{{soccerbase season|47373|2015|access-date=12 January 2016}}
|League One |26 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=statsJPT}} | 0 | 29 | 2 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!70 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 77 | 8 |
| Scunthorpe United (loan)
|League One |9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
| Shrewsbury Town
|2016–17{{soccerbase season|47373|2016|access-date=18 June 2016}} |League One |18 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 1 |
| Ross County (loan)
|16 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 |
| Ross County
| class="nowrap"|2017–18{{soccerbase season|47373|2017|access-date=19 August 2017}} |Scottish Premiership |25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!349 | 21 | 24 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 392 | 24 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{commons category-inline}}
- {{Soccerway|12939}}
- {{soccerbase|id=44696|name=Jim O'Brien}}
- {{soccerbase|id=47373|name=Jim O'Brien}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 =
{{2009–10 PFA Scotland SPL Team of the Year}}
{{Coventry City F.C. Player of the Year}}
}}
{{Notts County F.C. managers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Obrien, Jim}}
Category:Footballers from Dumbarton
Category:Barnsley F.C. players
Category:Coventry City F.C. players
Category:Dundee United F.C. players
Category:Dunfermline Athletic F.C. players
Category:Scunthorpe United F.C. players
Category:Men's association football wingers
Category:Motherwell F.C. players
Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. players
Category:Ross County F.C. players
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:Scottish people of Irish descent
Category:Scottish men's footballers
Category:Scottish Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:People educated at Our Lady & St Patrick's High School
Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players
Category:Notts County F.C. players
Category:Scotland men's youth international footballers
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Notts County F.C. managers
Category:English Football League managers