Neil Sullivan(born 24 February 1970) is a professionalfootballplayer and coach. He played as agoalkeeperfrom 1988 until 2013, playing in thePremier LeagueforWimbledon,Tottenham HotspurandChelsea,and representedScotlandinternationally.
 Sullivan withLeeds Unitedin 2005 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Neil Sullivan[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 24 February 1970[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Sutton,England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[3] | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1986–1988 | Wimbledon | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1988–2000 | Wimbledon | 181 | (0) |
| 1992 | →Crystal Palace(loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2000–2003 | Tottenham Hotspur | 64 | (0) |
| 2003–2004 | Chelsea | 4 | (0) |
| 2004–2007 | Leeds United | 95 | (0) |
| 2006 | →Doncaster Rovers(loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 2007 | →Doncaster Rovers(loan) | 13 | (0) |
| 2007–2013 | Doncaster Rovers | 184 | (0) |
| 2012–2013 | →AFC Wimbledon(loan) | 20 | (0) |
| Total | 565 | (0) | |
| International career | |||
| 1997–2003 | Scotland | 28 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
He started his career withWimbledon,and remained with The Dons for twelve years during which he made 181 league appearances. He also at times covered for the likes ofDave Beasant,Hans SegersandPaul Heald,and also spent a period on loan atCrystal Palace.In 2000, he moved toTottenham Hotspurwhere he replacedIan Walkeras the club's favoured keeper. In 2003, he departed Tottenham after losing his place in the team and was signed as a back-up keeper by rivalsChelsea.
In 2004, he moved to freshly relegatedFootball ChampionshipsideLeeds Unitedwhere he remained until 2007. Whilst at Leeds he eventually lost his place in the team and was loaned out toDoncaster Roversin both 2006 and 2007. In 2007, he joined Rovers on a permanent deal where he remained the club's favoured keeper until the 2012–13 season when he was loaned toAFC Wimbledon,the side formed after the relocation of his first club. Sullivan returned to Doncaster towards the end of the year and aided Doncaster to theLeague Onetitle. In July 2013, he announced he was leaving Doncaster. After rejecting offers to prolong his playing career, he started working as a goalkeeping coach.
Between 1997 and 2003, Sullivan was capped 28 times byScotland.He was selected for the1998 FIFA World Cup,where he was the second choice goalkeeper behindJim Leighton.
Club career
editWimbledon
editSullivan was born inSutton,Greater London.[2]He began his career with local clubWimbledonin 1988, amassing a total of 224 appearances between 1988 and 2000. It was during his tenure at Wimbledon that Sullivan was often acknowledged as one of the bestgoalkeepersin the league marked by his selection for the division's 1997–98 team of the season.[citation needed]
He was initially an understudy forHans Segers,and then spent the1995–96 seasonvying withPaul Healdfor the job as Wimbledon's regular goalkeeper, before making the position his own for the1996–97 season.[citation needed]
Sullivan conceded a famous goal byDavid Beckhamscored from the halfway line, while he was off his line, in August 1996. He also played one game on loan forCrystal Palacein 1992.[citation needed]
Tottenham Hotspur
editIn 2000, after Wimbledon's relegation, Sullivan moved from Wimbledon toTottenham Hotspur,where he made over 80 appearances. He helped Tottenham reach the2002 Football League Cup Finalwhich they lost toBlackburn Rovers.[4]
Chelsea
editChelsea began the 2003–04 season with three senior goalkeepers;Carlo Cudicini,Marco AmbrosioandJurgen Macho.However, Jurgen Macho picked up a serious knee injury and Chelsea moved to replace him with Sullivan. Sullivan was to compete with Ambrosio for providing back up to Cudicini.[5][6]He made his debut in aLeague Cuptie againstReadingon 3 December 2003.[7]His league debut followed againstPortsmouthon 28 December 2003.[8]In all Sullivan made eight appearances for Chelsea, four of which came in the league.
Leeds United
editIn June 2004, he was signed byLeeds United,[9]by managerKevin Blackwellto replacePaul Robinsonwho had left Leeds to join Tottenham. Sullivan beat off competition for number one spot from young goalkeeperScott Carson.Leeds were debt-ridden and had just been relegated from the Premier League when Sullivan joined them.[citation needed]
In his first season (2004–05), he was voted as the club's Player of the Year after some superb saves throughout the season, including saving several penalties for Leeds in games againstWolverhampton Wanderers,Cardiff City,BurnleyandNottingham Forest.[10][11][12][13]Leeds finished 10 points off the playoffs after a season of rebuilding. In his second season at Leeds he continued his penalty saving prowess, saving one in a 1–0 win away atStoke City,[14]and Leeds went on to reach the playoff final againstWatfordwith Sullivan again having a decent season. But the playoff final ended in defeat for Leeds, losing 3–0 and Sullivan scoring an own goal.[15]
Due to an injury picked up in the pre-season match againstNottingham Forest,Sullivan made few appearances in the 2006–07 campaign for Leeds, with loan goalkeeperTony Warnerfilling in whilst Sullivan was injured. Kevin Blackwell was sacked and replaced byDennis Wise.Wise decided to signGraham Stackon loan to compete with Warner and Sullivan. On 23 November 2006, he moved on loan toDoncaster Rovers.His loan was however cut short and he returned to Leeds on 21 December 2006. Manager Dennis Wise told the press after Leeds' 2–1 victory againstCoventry Citythat Sullivan had put on weight, and his performances were not as good, hence his loan to Doncaster.[16]Leeds signedCasper Ankergrenas the new number one goalkeeper. Sullivan re-signed on loan for Doncaster Rovers in February 2007. After the end of his loan at Doncaster, Sullivan returned to Leeds but was released at the end of his contract.[citation needed]
Doncaster Rovers
editOn 15 May 2007, Sullivan returned to Doncaster. He became the regular first team keeper and his consistent performances throughout the 2007–08 season helped Doncaster to promotion. He made an error in the 2–1 loss toYeovil Townon 21 March 2008, mis-controlling a backpass which led to a Yeovil goal, but the disappointment of this mistake was over-shadowed by a very successful season between the sticks, in which Sullivan kept an impressive 20 clean sheets.[17]He overcame this to help Doncaster win promotion to the Championship with a playoff final win over former club Leeds United, leaving them in the third tier of the Football League for at least another year.[citation needed]
Sullivan was also credited with a man-of-the-match performance againstAston Villaon 24 January 2009 which gave Doncaster a 0–0 draw that helped keep them in theFA Cup.[18]
The veteran goalkeeper continued to be an ever-present in the Rovers side throughout the 2009–10 season, appearing in all 46 league games for the club.[citation needed]In 2010, Sullivan signed a one-year contract extension for Rovers, meaning he would be at the club until the end of the 2010–11 campaign. However, he had an injury-hit season, and was eventually replaced byGary Woodsas no.1. At the end of the season, he signed another one-year extension.[19]
On 16 November 2012, Sullivan joined AFC Wimbledon on a short-term loan from Doncaster Rovers and made his debut the following day againstAldershot.[20]On 2 December 2012 Sullivan started in theFA Cup2nd round match againstMK Dons,which they lost 2–1.[citation needed]
With first choice keeperGary Woodsinjured, Doncaster recalled him for their game atAFC Bournemouthon 9 March 2013.[21]Following his return to the Rovers' team from his loan spell in March 2013, Sullivan went on to play till the end of the season as Doncaster won the League One title and sealed automatic promotion to the Championship. It was later announced that he would be retained by the club for the following season.[22]On 11 July 2013, Doncaster Rovers confirmed that Sullivan had left the club.[23]
International career
editSullivan wascapped28 times byScotlandbetween 1997 and 2003. He was named in theScottish squadfor the1998 FIFA World Cupin France, but was an unused substitute in all of Scotland's three matches.[citation needed]Sullivan became the first choice Scotland goalkeeper afterJim Leightonretired from international football later in 1998, and he played regularly during the Euro 2000 and 2002 World Cup qualification groups.
Coaching career
editAfter gaining promotion to theChampionshipwithDoncaster Rovers,Sullivan turned down the offer of extending his playing career at the club as well as an Ambassadorial role[24]in favour of returning to former clubLeeds Unitedas Academy Goalkeeper Coach on 16 July.[25][26]With an injury to Leeds substitute goalkeeperJamie Ashdown,Sullivan revealed he had not officially retired from playing and would be willing to register himself as a player for the 2013/14 season.[27]In the summer of 2014, Sullivan became the First Team Goalkeeping Coach for the 2014–15 season, under Head CoachesDave Hockaday,Darko MilanicandNeil Redfearn.[citation needed]
For the start of the 2015–16 season under new Leeds Head CoachUwe Rösler,Sullivan was to revert to his original role as the Leeds United Academy Goalkeeper Coach.[28]After the appointment of Goalkeeper CoachRichard Hartison 9 June 2015, Leeds confirmed Sullivan had returned to his role as Academy Goalkeeper Coach.[29]In 2020, shortly after Leeds United were promoted back to the Premier League, Sullivan was relieved of his duties.
Since leaving Leeds for the second time, Sullivan has taken a coaching role with the Hull City under-18s.
Career statistics
editClub
edit- Source:[30]
| Club | Season | Division | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Football League Trophy | Europe | Play Offs | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| 1989–90 | Wimbledon | First Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| 1990–91 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1991–92 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 | ||
| Crystal Palace(Loan) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 | ||
| Crystal Palace Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | - | - | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1992–93 | Wimbledon | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 |
| 1993–94 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1994–95 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11 | 0 | ||
| 1995–96 | 16 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | - | - | 24 | 0 | ||
| 1996–97 | 36 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 50 | 0 | ||
| 1997–98 | 38 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 44 | 0 | ||
| 1998–99 | 38 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 46 | 0 | ||
| 1999–2000 | 37 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 44 | 0 | ||
| Wimbledon Total | 181 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 18 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | - | - | 224 | 0 | ||
| 2000–01 | Tottenham Hotspur | Premier League | 35 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 43 | 0 |
| 2001–02 | 29 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 38 | 0 | ||
| 2002–03 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 | ||
| Tottenham Hotspur Total | 64 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 81 | 0 | ||
| 2003–04 | Chelsea | Premier League | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | - | - | 8 | 0 |
| Chelsea Total | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | - | - | 8 | 0 | ||
| 2004–05 | Leeds United | Championship | 46 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 50 | 0 |
| 2005–06 | 42 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 0 | 50 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 10 | 0 | ||
| Leeds United Total | 95 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 0 | 110 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07 | Doncaster Rovers(Loan) | League One | 3 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 0 |
| 13 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 14 | 0 | |||
| 2007–08 | Doncaster Rovers | League One | 46 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 3 | 0 | 55 | 0 |
| 2008–09 | Championship | 46 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 51 | 0 | |
| 2009–10 | 45 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 47 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 | 31 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 34 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 9 | 0 | ||
| 2012–13 | League One | 4 | 0 | − | − | − | − | - | - | - | - | - | - | 4 | 0 | |
| Doncaster Rovers Total | 200 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 3 | 0 | 220 | 0 | ||
| 2012–13 | AFC Wimbledon(Loan) | League Two | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 21 | 0 |
| Career total | 565 | 0 | 51 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 665 | 0 | ||
International
edit| Scotland national team[31] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 1997 | 2 | 0 |
| 1998 | 2 | |
| 1999 | 9 | |
| 2000 | 6 | |
| 2001 | 6 | |
| 2002 | 2 | |
| 2003 | 1 | |
| Total | 28 | 0 |
Honours
editTottenham Hotspur
- Football League Cuprunner-up:2001–02[32]
Doncaster Rovers
Individual
- Tottenham HotspurPlayer of the Year: 2001[34]
- Leeds UnitedPlayer of the Year: 2004–05
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Professional retain list & free transfers: 2012/13"(PDF).The Football League. p. 82. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2 August 2014.
- ^ab"Neil Sullivan".Barry Hugman's Footballers.Retrieved16 March2020.
- ^"Neil Sullivan: Overview".Premier League.Retrieved16 March2020.
- ^"Cole strike stuns Spurs".BBC. 24 February 2002.Retrieved1 February2021.
- ^"Macho suffers knee injury".BBC. 12 July 2003.Retrieved27 March2020.
- ^"Chelsea sign Sullivan".BBC. 29 August 2003.Retrieved27 March2020.
- ^"Chelsea see off Reading".BBC. 3 December 2003.Retrieved27 March2020.
- ^"Chelsea 3-0 Portsmouth".BBC. 28 December 2003.Retrieved27 March2020.
- ^"Sullivan set for Leeds switch".James Pearson.Sky Sports.30 July 2004.Retrieved24 December2006.[permanent dead link]
- ^"Wolves 0-0 Leeds".BBC. 14 August 2004.Retrieved1 February2021.
- ^"Cardiff 0-0 Leeds".BBC. 2 October 2004.Retrieved1 February2021.
- ^"Burnley 0-1 Leeds".BBC. 5 February 2005.Retrieved1 February2021.
- ^"Nottingham Forest 0-0 Leeds".BBC. 16 March 2005.Retrieved1 February2021.
- ^"Stoke 0-1 Leeds".BBC. 28 December 2005.Retrieved1 February2021.
- ^"Leeds 0-3 Watford".BBC. 21 May 2006.Retrieved1 February2021.
- ^"BBC – Paul Fletcher: From the Dons to Donny".Retrieved20 September2017.
- ^"Yeovil 2–1 Doncaster".BBC News.21 March 2008.Retrieved20 May2010.
- ^"Doncaster Rovers 0–0 Aston Villa: Sullivan saves Rovers".ESPN Soccernet.24 January 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 15 February 2009.Retrieved25 January2009.
- ^Steve Hossack (6 July 2011)."Rovers keep stopper Neil".Doncaster Free Press.Retrieved6 July2011.
- ^club press officer (16 November 2012)."Sully rejoins the Dons".AFC Wimbledon Website.Retrieved16 November2012.
- ^"Bournemouth 1 – 2 Doncaster".BBC Sport.Retrieved13 March2013.
- ^"Retained List 2013 – News – Doncaster Rovers".Retrieved20 September2017.
- ^"Neil Sullivan Departs".Doncaster Rovers F.C. official website.11 July 2013.Retrieved12 July2013.
- ^"Doncaster Rovers: Goalkeeper Neil Sullivan leaves club".BBC Sport.11 July 2013.Retrieved11 July2013.
- ^"Leeds United: Neil Sullivan joins academy coaching staff".BBC Sport.11 July 2013.Retrieved11 July2013.
- ^"SULLIVAN RETURNS TO ELLAND ROAD".Leeds United. 11 July 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 18 July 2013.Retrieved11 July2013.
- ^"LUFC Veteran keeper not writing off Leeds comeback".Vital Leeds. 19 July 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 19 July 2013.Retrieved19 July2013.
- ^"Leeds United: Whites move for West Ham's head of recruitment".Yorkshire Evening Post. 30 May 2015.Retrieved30 May2015.
- ^"Richard Hartis to join Uwe Rosler's backroom staff at Elland Road".Leeds United. 9 June 2015.
- ^"Neil Sullivan Career Stats".Soccerbase. 14 April 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 29 January 2011.Retrieved14 April2013.
- ^"Scottish Football Association".scottishfa.co.uk.Retrieved20 September2017.
- ^"Cole strike stuns Spurs".BBC Sport.24 February 2002.Retrieved27 March2024.
- ^Hughes, Ian (1 April 2007)."Bristol Rovers 2–3 Doncaster Rovers AET".BBC Sport.Retrieved17 March2024.
- ^"Sully wins Player of the Year".tottenhamhotspur.com. 28 December 2001.
External links
edit
- Neil Sullivan player profileat doncasterroversfc.co.uk
- Neil Sullivan player profileat leedsunited.com
- Neil Sullivanat Soccerbase
