Albert Watson (footballer, born 1985) explained

Albert Watson
Birth Date:8 September 1985
Birth Place:Belfast, Northern Ireland
Position:Defender
Years1:2001–2011
Clubs1:Ballymena United
Caps1:264
Goals1:9
Years2:2011–2013
Clubs2:Linfield
Caps2:49
Goals2:3
Years3:2013–2017
Clubs3:FC Edmonton
Caps3:129
Goals3:5
Years4:2018
Clubs4:KR
Caps4:14
Goals4:0
Years5:2019
Clubs5:Ballymena United
Caps5:8
Goals5:1
Years6:2019–2023
Clubs6:Larne
Caps6:107
Goals6:4
Years7:2023-
Caps7:27
Goals7:0
Nationalyears1:2007
Nationalteam1:Northern Ireland U23
Club-Update:1 June 2024

Albert Watson (born 8 September 1985) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays for NIFL Premiership side Carrick Rangers.

Club career

Early career

Born in Belfast, Watson made his senior-club debut for Ballymena United on 4 December 2001 in a 1–1 draw against Institute, at 16 years of age.[1] [2] He attracted interest from Linfield in February 2008,[3] although any interest concluded when Watson signed a new contract with Ballymena a few days later.[4] In January 2011, Watson made his 300th appearance for the club.[5]

In April 2011 he joined Linfield on a two-year contract,[6] during which the team would capture two consecutive Premiership and Irish Cup doubles.[7]

FC Edmonton

On 18 January 2013, it was announced that Watson, along with teammate Daryl Fordyce would not return to Linfield the following season, instead seeking new playing opportunities in Canada.[8] On 25 February 2013, it was reported that both Watson and Fordyce would join FC Edmonton.[9] Watson was named FC Edmonton captain prior to the 2013 NASL season, and after missing the first few months due to a torn MCL, went on to be named in the NASL Best XI for the season.[10] [11]

After the 2015 NASL season, Watson signed with the club for a fourth season.[12] In August 2016, would go on to become the first player to make 100 appearances for the club.[13] After FC Edmonton surrendered a league low 21 goals in 32 games during the 2016 NASL season, Watson was named to the NASL Best 11 for the second time in the 2016 season.[14]

Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur

On 13 March 2018, he joined Icelandic team KR.[15]

Return to Ballymena United

In January 2019 he returned to Ballymena United.[16]

Larne

On 3 June 2019, it was announced that Watson had signed on a full-time deal for Larne.[17]

Carrick Rangers

In June 2023 he signed for Carrick Rangers.[18] [19]

International career

Watson has captained the Northern Irish under-23 side.[20]

Honours

Linfield

2011–12[7]

2011–12[21]

Larne

2020–21,[22] 2021–22,[23] 2022–23[24]

2022–23[25]

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Player profile at Ballymena United F.C. . 17 May 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080516214849/http://www.ballymenaunitedfc.com/squad/players/watson-albert/index.htm . 16 May 2008 . dead .
  2. Web site: Player profile at WalkTheChalk.com. 17 May 2008. 3 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231802/http://www.walkthechalk.com/player.php?id=87. live.
  3. Web site: Braid star Watson interests Blues. 9 February 2011. 18 February 2008. BBC Sport. 24 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230424032829/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/7250271.stm. live.
  4. Web site: Watson agrees deal with Sky Blues. 9 February 2011. 21 February 2008. BBC Sport.
  5. Web site: Albert clocks up 300th United appearance. 13 March 2011. 17 January 2011. Ballymena Times. 7 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110707210012/http://www.ballymenatimes.com/sport/albert_clocks_up_300th_united_appearance_1_2359253. live.
  6. Web site: Albert Watson leaves Ballymena United for Linfield. 26 May 2011. 30 April 2011. BBC Sport.
  7. Web site: Crusaders 1–4 Linfield. 5 May 2012. BBC Sport. 11 January 2013. 9 May 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120509083244/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17968832. live.
  8. News: Daryl Fordyce and Albert Watson to leave champions Linfield . BBC Sport . 18 January 2013 . 25 February 2013 . 21 January 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130121021742/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21079752 . live .
  9. News: Watson and Fordyce will be part of 17 signings announced by Eddies on Monday . the11.ca . 25 February 2013 . 25 February 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130824134639/http://the11.ca/2013/02/25/watson-and-fordyce-will-be-part-of-17-signings-announced-by-eddies-on-monday/ . 24 August 2013.
  10. Web site: FC Edmonton captain Albert Watson draws in. Edmonton Sun. Robert Tychkowski. 25 May 2013. 15 November 2016. 15 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161115135305/http://www.edmontonsun.com/2013/05/25/fc-edmonton-captain-albert-watson-draws-in. live.
  11. Web site: 9 November 2013 . NASL Unveils 2013 Best XI . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131109061010/http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=5863 . 9 November 2013 . 29 May 2022 . North American Soccer League.
  12. Web site: FC Edmonton captain Albert Watson re-signs with Eddies. Edmonton Sun. Brian Swane. 20 November 2015. 15 November 2016. 15 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161115135830/http://www.edmontonsun.com/2015/11/20/fc-edmonton-captain-albert-watson-re-signs-with-eddies. live.
  13. Web site: FC Edmonton defender Albert Watson to suit up for 100th game for club Saturday. Edmonton Sun. Derek van Diest. 17 August 2016. 15 November 2016. 15 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161115135723/http://www.edmontonsun.com/2016/08/17/fc-edmonton-defender-albert-watson-to-suit-up-for-100th-game-for-club-saturday. live.
  14. Web site: North American Soccer League Announces 2016 Best XI. NASL.com. NASL staff. 14 November 2016. 15 November 2016. 30 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181030035451/http://www.nasl.com/news/2016/11/11/north-american-soccer-league-announces-2016-best-xi. live.
  15. Web site: Albert Watson til KR. kr.is. 13 March 2018.
  16. Web site: Albert Watson: Former Linfield defender makes return to Ballymena United. 31 January 2019. BBC Sport. 11 March 2019. 23 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190223225632/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47072672. live.
  17. Web site: Larne announce signing of veteran Irish League defender Albert Watson. belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 3 June 2019. 3 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190603184944/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/ice-hockey/larne-announce-signing-of-veteran-irish-league-defender-albert-watson-38176099.html. live.
  18. Web site: Albert Watson to add to his 531 Irish League appearances after agreeing switch to Carrick Rangers. 2 June 2023. Belfast News Letter. 2 June 2023. 2 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230602175949/https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/carrick-rangers-complete-the-signing-of-albert-watson-with-the-defender-expected-to-set-the-standards-in-the-changing-room-4167887. live.
  19. Web site: Stuart King’s impressive work at Carrick Rangers convinced me to join club, says Albert Watson. 2 June 2023. www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 2 June 2023. 2 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230602175950/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/stuart-kings-impressive-work-at-carrick-rangers-convinced-me-to-join-club-says-albert-watson/1906469461.html. live.
  20. Web site: Jeffrey impressed by NI U23 squad. 9 February 2011. 10 December 2007. BBC Sport. 13 December 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20071213105323/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/7136903.stm. live.
  21. News: Linfield beat Portadown to secure Premiership crown. 7 April 2012. BBC Sport. BBC. 7 April 2012. 5 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200405004918/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17645550. live.
  22. News: County Antrim Shield final: Larne defeat Glens in Seaview shootout. 2 December 2020. BBC Sport. BBC. 19 December 2020. 4 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201204022829/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55167362. live.
  23. News: Co Antrim Shield: Impressive Larne see off Linfield in gripping final to retain trophy. 11 January 2022. BBC Sport. BBC. 31 January 2022. 1 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220201073001/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59960979. live.
  24. News: County Antrim Shield final: Larne complete hat-trick with shootout win after lengthy injury delay. 17 January 2023. BBC Sport. BBC. 19 January 2023. 18 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230118233246/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64313143. live.
  25. News: Larne secure historic first Irish League title. 14 April 2023. BBC Sport. BBC. 15 April 2023. 21 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230421211848/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65278008. live.
  26. Web site: 16 May 2022 . Linfield FC Player of the Year 2021-22 award presentation . 29 May 2022 . Linfield FC . en . 23 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220523145847/https://www.linfieldfc.com/latestnews.aspx?id=26286 . dead .

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