Graham Coughlan

Graham Coughlan

Coughlan pictured in 2009
Personal information
Full name Graham Coughlan[1]
Date of birth (1974-11-18) 18 November 1974
Place of birth Dublin, Ireland
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2]
Playing position Centre back
Club information
Current team
 Southend United (first team coach)
Youth career
1993–1994 Cherry Orchard
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–1995 Bray Wanderers 11 (0)
1995–1999 Blackburn Rovers 0 (0)
1997 → Swindon Town (loan) 3 (0)
1999 → Livingston (loan) 6 (0)
1999–2001 Livingston 50 (2)
2001–2005 Plymouth Argyle 177 (25)
2005–2007 Sheffield Wednesday 51 (5)
2007 → Burnley (loan) 2 (0)
2007–2008 Rotherham United 45 (1)
2008–2010 Shrewsbury Town 78 (6)
2010–2013 Southend United 38 (0)
Total 461 (39)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 02:23, 21 May 2013 (UTC).


Graham Coughlan (born 18 November 1974) is an Irish former footballer who is assistant manager at Southend United.

He began his career in his native Ireland with Bray Wanderers before being signed by Blackburn Rovers. He joined Livingston in 1999 and his performances for the Scottish club led to a transfer to Plymouth Argyle two years later. He was an integral member of the squad that won two Football League divisional championships between 2002 and 2004, and was a favourite among supporters for his uncompromising style of play at the heart of their defence.[3] Coughlan joined Sheffield Wednesday in 2005 before dropping down to League Two to play for Rotherham United. He moved on to Shrewsbury Town a year later and combined playing duties with coaching their young players. He signed for Southend United in July 2010.

Playing career

Early years

Coughlan started his playing career at Leinster Senior League side Cherry Orchard, he then briefly moved to League of Ireland club Bray Wanderers. At 21 he was brought to England by then Blackburn Rovers manager Ray Harford but struggled to earn a place in the Premier League Champions' first team. Loan spells at Swindon Town and Livingston followed before he made a permanent move to the Scottish club in the Summer of 1999 having impressed whilst on loan there. Coughlan spent two successful seasons at Livingston before moving back to England to Devon club Plymouth Argyle.

Plymouth Argyle

A highly successful four-year spell at the club followed, with Coughlan a permanent fixture, earning his name in the PFA Division Three team of the year for 2001–02.[4] He played a key role in Plymouth's Championship-winning teams for Division Three, where he was top goalscorer, and Division Two where he was named as Division Two's Player of the year. Coughlan was voted the club's player of the year in 2002 and was also named in the greatest Plymouth Team by fans to mark the club's first 100 years as a professional club. Coughlan was also Vice-Captain of Plymouth and his influence and stature was missed for nearly two seasons in their defence after he was sold to Sheffield Wednesday which they then managed to fill with Krisztián Timár.

Sheffield Wednesday

In the summer of 2005 he was reunited with former manager Paul Sturrock when he moved back north to newly promoted Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee. During his first season at the club Graham proved to be a hit with the fans and management alike, earning a regular place in the team and also taking over the role of captain from Lee Bullen whilst the Scot's injury problems regularly kept him out of the team.

On 12 April 2006 Coughlan was named Sheffield Wednesday Player of the Year 2005-06. It was the fifth time Graham has won such an award, having previously being named Player of the Year twice at Livingston and twice at Plymouth.

In March 2007, Coughlan was allowed compassionate leave following the death of his brother.[5] He missed 5 games, and on his return was made train with the youth team by Brian Laws so he asked to be sent on loan after failing to feature for the first team under new boss Brian Laws. He immediately managed to agree a deal to stay at Burnley until the end of the season.[6] However, he only started one game, the 0-0 draw with Luton Town, before returning to Sheffield Wednesday, where he was told by manager Brian Laws that he had no future at the club, and made available for transfer.

Rotherham United

On 4 July 2007, Coughlan was released by Sheffield Wednesday after being deemed surplus to requirements.Coughlan then signed for Rotherham United on 13 July .[7] He made his debut on 11 August in a 0–0 draw with Hereford United, and was almost ever-present throughout the 2007-08 season. He scored his only goal for Rotherham in a 1-1 draw with Brentford.[8]

Shrewsbury Town

On 30 July 2008, Coughlan signed a two-year contract with Shrewsbury for an undisclosed fee.[9] He scored a goal on his debut, in the 4–0 win over Macclesfield Town on 9 August. In his two years at the club won the captaincy and performed some coaching duties, such as being in charge of Shrewsbury's reserve side which beat Sheffield United 5-0. He was released from his contract on 14 May 2010.[10]

Southend United

On 6 August 2010, Coughlan signed a one-year deal with Southend United, he will also take on the role of reserve team manager. Coughlan made his debut on 10 August 2010 against Bristol City in the League Cup,[11] and his league debut against Port Vale on 21 August 2010. On 13 June 2011, Coughlan signed a two-year contract extension as player/assistant manager.[12] Coughlan's playing contract was due to expire on 30 June 2013. On 20 June 2013 Coughlan signed a new deal to take up the role of first team coach, thus bringing the end to his player career.[13]

Career statistics

As of 31 December 2011.[14]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Bray Wanderers
1994–95 110000000110
Total110000000110
Blackburn Rovers
1995–96 0000000000
1996–97 0000000000
Total0000000000
Swindon Town
1997–98 3000000030
Total3000000030
Livingston
1998–99 6000000060
1999–00 290202010340
2000–01 212002040272
Total562204050672
Plymouth Argyle
2001–02 46114010105211
2002–03 425401000475
2003–04 467101011498
2004–05 432101000452
Total17725100402119326
Sheffield Wednesday
2005–06 334102100365
2006–07 181200000201
Total515302100566
Burnley
2006–07 2000000020
Total2000000020
Rotherham United
2007–08 451201010491
Total451201010491
Shrewsbury Town
2008–09 424101061505
2009–10 362101010392
Total786202071897
Southend United
2010–11 330101010360
2011–12 4000100050
Total370102010410
Career Total 4603920015116251142

Honours

Livingston
Plymouth Argyle
Individual

References

  1. ↑ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2007). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 92. ISBN 978-1-84596-246-3.
  2. ↑ "Graham Coughlan". Mail Online. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  3. ↑ "Graham Coughlan profile". Plymouth Argyle. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  4. ↑ "Plymouth players rewarded". news.bbc.co.uk. 15 April 2002. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  5. ↑ "Brother of football star drowns in canal tragedy". S. Yorkshire Star. 2 March 2007. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  6. ↑ "Brother of football star drowns in canal tragedy". S. Yorkshire Star. 2 March 2007. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  7. ↑ "Defender Coughlan joins Rotherham". BBC Sport. 13 July 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
  8. ↑ "Brentford 1-1 Rotherham". BBC. 12 October 2007. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
  9. ↑ "Defender Signs". www.shrewsburytown.co.uk. 30 July 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  10. ↑ "Shrewsbury Town release captain and four others". news.bbc.co.uk. 14 May 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  11. ↑ http://www.southendunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~2099830,00.html
  12. ↑ http://www.southendunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~2375657,00.html
  13. ↑ http://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/article/200613-backroom-team-874530.aspx
  14. ↑ "Graham Coughlan". Shrewsbury Town. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
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