Paul Gallagher (footballer)

Paul Gallagher (born 8 September 1984) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Preston North End.

For other people with the same name, see Paul Gallagher (disambiguation).

Paul Gallagher
Gallagher with Preston North End in 2016
Personal information
Full name Paul Gallagher[1]
Date of birth (1984-09-08) 8 September 1984[2]
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Preston North End
Number 12
Youth career
000?–2003 Blackburn Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2009 Blackburn Rovers 61 (6)
2005–2006 → Stoke City (loan) 37 (11)
2007–2008 → Preston North End (loan) 19 (1)
2008 → Stoke City (loan) 7 (0)
2008–2009 → Plymouth Argyle (loan) 40 (13)
2009–2015 Leicester City 118 (25)
2012 → Sheffield United (loan) 6 (1)
2013–2014 → Preston North End (loan) 28 (6)
2014–2015 → Preston North End (loan) 46 (7)
2015– Preston North End 171 (20)
National team
2004 Scotland 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 26 June 2020 (UTC)

Born in Glasgow, he has played in the Premier League for Blackburn Rovers, and the Football League for Stoke City (two spells), Preston North End (four spells), Plymouth Argyle, Leicester City and Sheffield United. He has scored 100 senior career goals in over 500 games so far. He has been capped once by the Scotland national team.

Club career

Blackburn Rovers

Gallagher made his debut performance as a substitute in a 2–0 win over the 2001–02 Premier League champions Arsenal on 15 March 2003, as a replacement for Dwight Yorke.[4] He scored his first goal in a 4–0 win over Birmingham City in the 2003–04 season. On 21 February 2004, in an away game against Charlton Athletic, Gallagher assisted goalkeeper Brad Friedel to his only career goal from open play in the 90th minute. Friedel's goal equalised the game at 2–2, but seconds later Charlton scored again through Claus Jensen and went on to win the match 3–2.

Loan moves

He spent almost all of the 2005–06 season on loan to Stoke City. He played most of his 36 games on the left or right wing, scoring 12 goals. Against Southampton on 15 April 2006, he exchanged a one-two on the edge of the area with Adam Rooney before drilling home a thunderous thirty yard drive into the far top corner of the net. He was recalled by Blackburn in April 2006 with three games remaining in the Premier League season,[5] coming on as a late substitute in the final game of the season, being involved in the creation of the final goal of the game.

On transfer deadline day 31 August 2007, Gallagher signed a 6-month loan deal with Championship side Preston North End, after being linked with a return to Stoke.[6] He scored once during his spell at Preston, scoring the winner in a 1–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.[7] The following January, he moved from Blackburn back to Stoke City on loan again until summer of 2008.[8] Then-manager Tony Pulis however, was not impressed with Gallagher, remarking he "hasn't done as well as the other players."[9]

On 30 August 2008, Gallagher signed on loan for the rest of the 2008–09 season with Plymouth Argyle,[10] making his debut that same day at Turf Moor against Burnley. Although Blackburn Rovers appointed Sam Allardyce as their new manager in December 2008,[11] Plymouth was allowed to keep Gallagher for the remainder of his loan.[12] He was a huge impact for the club, scoring 13 goals in 40 league games. Gallagher was hopeful that he would secure a permanent deal with Plymouth after resigning himself to the fact that he was not wanted at Blackburn.[13] Seeing his return to Blackburn as a fresh start,[14] Gallagher was informed by Sam Allardyce he could yet have a future at the club.[15]

Leicester City
Gallagher playing for Leicester City in 2010

On 21 August 2009, Gallagher signed a three-year deal with Leicester City for an undisclosed fee.[16] Handed the number 24 shirt, Gallagher was "delighted to be here and can't wait to get started."[17] He scored his first two goals for Leicester in a 2–0 win over Crystal Palace on 20 October 2009, coming on as a half-time substitute for Lloyd Dyer.[18] Gallagher failed to score for 17 games before bagging a hat-trick and assisting a goal in a 5–1 win over Scunthorpe United on 13 February 2010.[19] Leaving the field to a standing ovation 7 minutes from the final whistle,[20] it was his first ever professional hat-trick.[21] On 27 February, Gallagher scored from a free-kick in a 3–0 win over Nottingham Forest.[22] His fine form earned him the Championship Player of the Month award for February.[23]

On 12 March 2011, Gallagher made 3 assists as Leicester beat Scunthorpe 3–0 at Glanford Park,[24] earning praise from manager Sven-Göran Eriksson, who believed "he is not far from Beckham in terms of his delivery of set-pieces."[25] He signed a contract extension with the club on 15 March 2011, which would last until the summer of 2015.[26] Gallagher scored two goals in Leicester's 3–0 win over Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium on 20 November 2011.[27]

Loan moves

In September 2012, Gallagher joined Sheffield United on a month-long loan.[28] He made six appearances for the South Yorkshire club, scoring once during a 2–1 win at Hartlepool United.[29] Despite United seeking to extend his temporary deal, Gallagher returned to his parent club in October.[29]

On 30 October 2013, Gallagher re-joined former club Preston North End on loan until 2 January 2014. Gallagher made his début on 2 November against Tranmere Rovers and then scored a hat-trick in his next game against Barnet in the FA Cup.[30] On 21 April, Gallagher scored another hat-trick, this time against Shrewsbury Town.[31] On 5 July 2014, Gallagher again joined Preston North End on loan for the 2014–15 season.[32] He played 59 times for North End in 2014–15 scoring 13 goals as they gained promotion after beating Swindon Town 4–0 in the 2015 Football League One play-off Final.[33]

Preston North End

After three loan spells at Preston, Gallagher completed a permanent move in June 2015, signing a two-year contract.[34]

A notable appearance took place on Saturday 3 November 2018. Whilst playing away at Ipswich, Gallagher came on as a 72nd minute substitute. With his first touch, he scored a free kick. On the 75th minute, he was forced to replace the goalkeeper, Chris Maxwell, who had been sent off. His excellent performance, including a spectacular save in the 88th minute, resulted in Preston securing a much-needed away point.

Gallagher was voted Preston North Ends player of the decade 2010–2019 by fans in January 2020.[35]

International career

Gallagher's form for Blackburn Rovers in January 2004 impressed Berti Vogts, then manager of Scotland, who described him as "very quick, strong and with good body movement."[36] He made his international debut on 18 February 2004 as a 67th-minute substitute in a 4–0 defeat against Wales.[37]

Career statistics

Club
Gallagher playing for Preston North End in 2014
As of end of 2019–20 season
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Blackburn Rovers 2002–03[38] Premier League 10000000—10
2003–04[39] Premier League 263101000—283
2004–05[40] Premier League 1624011——213
2005–06[41] Premier League 10—00——10
2006–07[42] Premier League 16121004[lower-alpha 1]0—222
2008–09[43] Premier League 00—10——10
2009–10[44] Premier League 10————10
Total 616713140—758
Stoke City (loan) 2005–06[41] Championship 371131———4012
Preston North End (loan) 2007–08[45] Championship 191————191
Stoke City (loan) 2007–08[45] Championship 70————70
Plymouth Argyle (loan) 2008–09[43] Championship 401310———4113
Leicester City 2009–10[44] Championship 4172010—2[lower-alpha 2]0467
2010–11[46] Championship 41102140——4711
2011–12[47] Championship 2884022——3410
2012–13[48] Championship 801010—00100
Total 118259182—2013728
Sheffield United (loan) 2012–13[48] League One 61————61
Preston North End (loan) 2013–14[49] League One 28653——2[lower-alpha 3]13510
2014–15[50] League One 4676510—6[lower-alpha 4]15913
Preston North End 2015–16[51] Championship 4151000——425
2016–17[52] Championship 3112010——341
2017–18[53] Championship 3221010——342
2018–19[54] Championship 4061010——426
2019–20[55] Championship 3360000——336
2020–21[56] Championship 900020——110
Total 2603316840—8230043
Career total 53987361115340102604103
  1. Appearances in UEFA Cup
  2. Appearances in Championship play-offs
  3. Appearances in League One play-offs
  4. Appearances in Football League Trophy and League One play-offs

International
Appearances and goals by national team and year[57]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Scotland 200410
Total10

Honours

Preston North End

References
  1. "Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 18 May 2013. p. 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  2. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  3. "Paul Gallagher". Premier League. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  4. "Foxes sign Blackburn's Gallagher". BBC Sport. 21 August 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  5. "Rovers recall Gallagher from loan". BBC Sport. 24 April 2006. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  6. "Preston capture Gallagher on loan". BBC Sport. 31 August 2007.
  7. "Preston 1–0 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC. 15 September 2007. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  8. "Stoke sign Whelan and Gallagher". BBC Sport. 1 February 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  9. "Pulis not impressed by Gallagher". BBC Sport. 11 April 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  10. "Argyle Move For Gallagher". Archived from the original on 13 January 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2009.
  11. "Argyle await Gallagher loan news". BBC Sport. 18 December 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  12. "Gallagher to stay with Plymouth". BBC Sport. 29 December 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  13. "Gallagher open to Argyle stay". Sky Sports. 14 March 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  14. "Gallagher returns to 'new club'". BBC Sport. 28 July 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  15. "Gallagher wins Rovers reprieve". Sky Sports. 5 July 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  16. "Gallagher Signs". www.LCFC.co.uk. Leicester City F.C. 21 August 2009. Archived from the original on 23 August 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  17. "New man can't wait". www.LCFC.co.uk. Leicester City F.C. 21 August 2009. Archived from the original on 23 August 2009. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  18. "Leicester 2–0 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 19 October 2009. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
  19. "Leicester 5–1 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 13 February 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
  20. "Pearson hails Gallagher". Sky Sports. 13 February 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
  21. "Pearson Praises Gallagher Masterclass". LCFC.com. 13 February 2010. Archived from the original on 16 February 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
  22. "Leicester 3–0 Nottm Forest". BBC Sport. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  23. "Leicester City's Pearson and Gallagher win awards". BBC Sport. 6 March 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
  24. "Scunthorpe 0–3 Leicester". BBC. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  25. "Eriksson applauds Gallagher display". Yahoo! Eurosport. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  26. "Gallagher signs extended Leicester City contract". BBC Sport. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  27. "Leicester 3–0 Crystal Palace". BBC. 20 November 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  28. "Leicester City's Paul Gallagher joins Sheffield United on loan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  29. "Blades dealt keeper blow". The Sheffield Star. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  30. "Gallagher Re-Joins Lilywhites". Preston North End Official Website. 30 October 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  31. "Preston 5–2 Shrewsbury". BBC. 21 April 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  32. "Paul Gallagher Joins Preston North End On Season Long Loan From Leicester City". PNE. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  33. "Preston 4–0 Swindon". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  34. "Preston North End: Joe Garner and Paul Gallagher extend stays". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  35. https://www.football-addict.com/en/article/morecambe-fc/exclusive-paul-gallagher-preston-north-end-column-flattered-by-being-voted-club-s-player-of-the-decade/5e0e23f8493e8b5394561950
  36. "Gallagher to receive Scots call". BBC Sport. 16 January 2004. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  37. "Wales 4–0 Scotland". BBC Sport. 18 February 2004. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  38. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  39. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  40. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  41. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  42. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  43. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  44. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  45. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  46. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  47. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  48. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  49. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  50. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  51. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  52. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  53. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  54. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  55. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  56. "Games played by Paul Gallagher in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  57. "Paul Gallagher". National Football Teams. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  58. Middleton, Nathan (24 May 2015). "Preston North End 4–0 Swindon Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
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