James O'Connor (footballer, born 1979)
James Kevin Matthew O'Connor (born 1 September 1979) is an Irish former professional footballer who is the President of Soccer Holdings, which is the holding company of USL Louisville City Football Club and NWSL Louisville Racing. He oversees all of the Soccer Holdings operations including all business aspects and soccer operations.
|
O'Connor coaching Louisville City in 2017 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Kevin Matthew O'Connor | ||
| Date of birth | 1 September 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | Dublin, Ireland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1994–1996 | Stoke City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1996–2003 | Stoke City | 176 | (16) |
| 2003–2005 | West Bromwich Albion | 30 | (0) |
| 2004–2005 | → Burnley (loan) | 13 | (0) |
| 2005–2008 | Burnley | 126 | (11) |
| 2008–2011 | Sheffield Wednesday | 139 | (6) |
| 2012–2014 | Orlando City | 41 | (0) |
| Total | 525 | (33) | |
| International career | |||
| Republic of Ireland U21 | |||
| Managerial career | |||
| 2013–2014 | Orlando City (assistant) | ||
| 2015–2018 | Louisville City | ||
| 2018–2019 | Orlando City | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
O'Connor began his career with Stoke City and after progressing their youth team he helped them to victory in the 2000 Football League Trophy Final and 2002 Football League Second Division play-off final. After making over 200 appearances for the Potters, he left to join Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2003. He spent one season at The Hawthorns before moving on to Burnley. O'Connor became a regular at Turf Moor making 149 appearances in four seasons at the club. In June 2008 he joined Sheffield Wednesday where he had spent four years making over 150 appearances. In January 2012 he moved to the United States to play for Orlando City. At international level, he played for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s.
He retired from playing in the summer of 2014 to become head coach of Louisville City.