James Connolly (footballer) explained

James Connolly
Full Name:James Alfred Connolly[1]
Birth Date:2 November 2001
Position:Central defender
Currentclub:Crewe Alexandra
Clubnumber:18
Youthclubs1:Blackburn Rovers
Youthyears2:2020–2021
Youthclubs2:Cardiff City
Years1:2021–2022
Clubs1:Cardiff City
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2022
Clubs2:Bristol Rovers (loan)
Caps2:24
Goals2:1
Years3:2022–2024
Clubs3:Bristol Rovers
Caps3:41
Goals3:1
Years4:2023–2024
Clubs4:Morecambe (loan)
Caps4:13
Goals4:2
Years5:2024–
Clubs5:Crewe Alexandra
Caps5:2
Goals5:0
Nationalyears1:2022
Nationalteam1:Wales U21
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:18:19, 17 August 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:11:24, 15 June 2022

James Alfred Connolly (born 2 November 2001) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a central defender for club Crewe Alexandra. He is a former Wales under-21 international.

Club career

Early career

Connolly began his career with Blackburn Rovers, signing a two-year scholarship contract with the club in June 2018.[2] Despite missing the majority of the 2019–20 season through an injury sustained in October 2019, Connolly had his scholarship extended by a further year[3] being released by the club at the end of the following season.[4] In June 2021, Connolly signed with Cardiff City. Connolly was retained by the club ahead of the 2022–23 season.[5]

Bristol Rovers

On 8 January 2022, Connolly joined League Two side Bristol Rovers on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.[6] He made his senior debut later that day in a 2–1 FA Cup third round defeat to Peterborough United, and his league debut came on 22 January 2022. Connolly formed a solid defensive partnership with fellow Championship loanee Connor Taylor, being praised for his composure on the ball and his ability to adapt to the physical demands of League Two football.[7] Connolly scored a first senior goal in a vital match against promotion rivals Port Vale, turning home an Antony Evans cross to give Rovers the lead having fallen behind early on, Rovers going on to win 3–1.[8] Connolly's first season in professional football ended in success as Rovers were promoted on the final day of the season, a 7–0 victory moving Bristol Rovers into third place, beating Northampton Town to automatic promotion on goals scored.[9]

He re-joined Bristol Rovers on a permanent deal, transferring for an undisclosed sum, in June 2022, signing a three-year contract.[10] On 6 August 2022, Connolly scored his first goal since returning to the club on a permanent basis with the second in a 4–0 thrashing of Burton Albion.[11] On 27 August 2022, it was revealed that Connolly had suffered a stress fracture in his back that would see him out of action for a 'long period'.[12] On 29 October, Connolly made his return to first-team football as a substitute in a 4–2 defeat at Derby County.[13]

On 31 August 2023, Connolly joined League Two club Morecambe on loan until the end of the 2023–24 season.[14] He was recalled by his parent club on 3 January 2024.[15]

Crewe Alexandra

On 1 August 2024, Connolly joined League Two side Crewe Alexandra on a two-year deal.[16] He made his debut in the side's league 1–0 defeat away at Barrow.[17]

International career

In May 2022, Connolly was called up to the Wales U21 team for the first time for the final 2023 U21 European Championship qualifiers against the Netherlands and Gibraltar.[18] Connolly made his debut in the latter of these matches as Wales won 2–0.[19]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Cardiff City2021–22Championship0000000000
Bristol Rovers (loan)2021–22League Two241100000251
Bristol Rovers2022–23League One301201031362
2023–24League One110001000120
Total411202031482
Morecambe (loan)2023–24League Two132100030172
Crewe Alexandra2024–25League Two2000100030
Career total804403061935

Honours

Bristol Rovers

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SQUAD LIST 2022/23 & U21 REGISTERED CONTRACT PLAYERS. English Football League. 12 September 2022. 6 November 2022.
  2. Web site: Introducing the class of 2018. www.rovers.co.uk. 18 June 2018. 13 April 2022.
  3. Web site: The pathway is there for the youngsters. www.rovers.co.uk. 28 June 2020. 13 April 2022.
  4. Web site: Rovers confirm Retain List. www.rovers.co.uk. 14 May 2021. 13 April 2022.
  5. Web site: 2021/22 Retained List. www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk. 10 June 2022.
  6. Web site: Bristol Rovers sign Cardiff's Connolly. www.bbc.co.uk.
  7. Web site: The mightily impressive Cardiff City defender who was chucked in at deep end and thrived. Wales Online. Williams. Glen. 13 April 2022. 13 April 2022.
  8. Web site: Port Vale 1–3 Bristol Rovers. BBC Sport. 18 April 2022. 18 April 2022.
  9. Web site: Bristol Rovers go up after extraordinary 7–0 win. BBC Sport. 7 May 2022. 9 May 2022.
  10. Web site: Cardiff's Connolly completes Bristol Rovers move. www.bbc.co.uk.
  11. Web site: Burton Albion 0–4 Bristol Rovers. BBC Sport. 6 August 2022. 6 August 2022.
  12. Web site: James Connolly: Bristol Rovers defender out injured for 'long period'. BBC Sport. 27 August 2022. 28 August 2022.
  13. Web site: Derby County 4–2 Bristol Rovers. BBC Sport. 29 October 2022. 4 November 2022.
  14. Web site: Connolly joins Shrimps on season-long loan. www.morecambefc.com. 31 August 2023. 31 August 2023.
  15. Web site: James Connolly Recalled From Morecambe F.C Loan. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 3 January 2024. 3 January 2024.
  16. News: Crewe sign defender Connolly from Bristol Rovers . 2 August 2024 . BBC Sport . 1 August 2024.
  17. Web site: Barrow 1-0 Crewe Alexandra . 11 August 2024 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  18. Web site: Cymru Squad Announced for Final U21 Euro Qualifiers. www.faw.cymru. 26 May 2022. 26 May 2022.
  19. Web site: Cymru U21 finish campaign with a win. www.faw.cymru/en. 14 June 2022. 15 June 2022.
  20. News: Bristol Rovers go up after extraordinary 7–0 win . BBC Sport . 7 May 2022 . 5 February 2023.