Henry McStay

Henry Matthew Patrick McStay (born 6 March 1985) is a retired footballer from Lurgan in Northern Ireland, is currently the Head Physio at Leeds United.

Henry McStay
Personal information
Full name Henry Matthew Patrick McStay[1]
Date of birth (1985-03-06) 6 March 1985
Place of birth Armagh, Northern Ireland
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
 Leeds United (Head Physio)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2005 Leeds United 0 (0)
2004 → Halifax Town (loan) 5 (0)
2005 Halifax Town 3 (0)
2005–2007 Portadown 26 (2)
2007–2008 Royal Antwerp 0 (0)
2008–2010 Morecambe 34 (1)
2010–2011 Portadown 14 (0)
2011–2012 Bradford Park Avenue
Total 82 (3)
National team
2004–2007 Republic of Ireland U21
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

His preferred position was right back, though towards the latter end of his career played in a more central defensive role. He is a former Republic of Ireland U21 international.

Club career

Henry began his club career with Leeds United without ever breaking through in to the first team.

Henry went on loan to Halifax Town for a short period in search of first team football.[2] His loan move ended in November 2004 after suffering a knee injury.[3]

When his contract with Leeds ended, he joined Portadown in his native Northern Ireland, turning down offers from Aberdeen F.C., Bohemian F.C. or Finn Harps F.C..[4]

After impressing for Portadown, Henry got the chance to move to Royal Antwerp FC. However, due to homesickness, McStay ended his contract with the Belgian club at the end of January 2008 and went in search of a new start in Britain.

In January 2008, Henry moved to Morecambe F.C..[5] In April, he signed a new two-year contract with Morecambe.[6]

In June 2010 Henry moved to Portadown whom he previously played for signing a one-year contract. Due to personal commitments a move to Bradford Park Avenue arose where Henry spent just over a season before retiring due to a recurring knee injury.

International career

Henry played international football for Northern Ireland's Under 17s before opting for the Republic of Ireland. A strong defender who played for the Republic's Under 19s and Under 21s, he is also an expert penalty taker.

He was one of the stars as Ireland won the European Youth Olympic Festival in Spain in 2001.

Henry made his Republic of Ireland Under 21 debut v Portugal U21s on 24 February 2004.

On 25 March 2005, in a 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualifying match against Israel U21, Henry conceded an own goal while trying to clear the ball in the 6th minute, deflecting the ball into the net. However, he redeemed himself by scoring a goal with a header via Willo Flood's free-kick in the 35th minute. However, Ireland U21 lost the match 3-1.[7]

Physio

After retiring he came a physio at Leeds United, where he worked several years as an Assistant Physio, before becoming Head Physio in the summer of 2018 after the departure of Steve Megson.[8]

Personal life

He studied at the University of Sheffield before completing his degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Salford, following the part-time programme which has links with the Professional Footballers Association.[9]

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. p. 274. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. - Halifax move for McStay, BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  3. - Injured McStay returns to Leeds, BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  4. - Marks and McStay join Portadown, BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  5. - Shrimps bring in defender McStay, BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  6. - Two-year Shrimps deal for McStay, BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  7. - Israel U21 3-1 Rep of Ireland U21 , BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  8. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-physio-price-seems-right-man-for-new-boss-bielsa-1-9280447
  9. Watters, Andy (21 February 2018). "When one door closes another opens for Leeds United and Henry McStay". The Irish News. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
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