Marc Wilson (footballer)

Marc David Wilson (born 17 August 1987) is an Irish professional footballer who last played for Bolton Wanderers.

Marc Wilson
Wilson with the Republic of Ireland national team in September 2013
Personal information
Full name Marc David Wilson
Date of birth (1987-08-17) 17 August 1987
Place of birth Aghagallon, Northern Ireland
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Defender / Midfielder
Youth career
2000 Lisburn Youth
2001–2004 Manchester United
2004–2006 Portsmouth
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2010 Portsmouth 35 (0)
2006 → Yeovil Town (loan) 2 (0)
2007 → Bournemouth (loan) 19 (3)
2007 → Bournemouth (loan) 7 (0)
2007 → Luton Town (loan) 4 (0)
2010–2016 Stoke City 146 (1)
2016–2017 Bournemouth 0 (0)
2017 → West Bromwich Albion (loan) 4 (0)
2017–2018 Sunderland 21 (0)
2018–2019 Bolton Wanderers 16 (0)
National team‡
2002 Northern Ireland U15
2004–2005 Republic of Ireland U18
2005–2006 Republic of Ireland U19
2006–2007 Republic of Ireland U21 1 (0)
2011– Republic of Ireland 25 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:35, 6 May 2019 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:01, 5 October 2016 (UTC)

Wilson left his home town of Aghagallon in 2000 to join the Manchester United Academy, after four years he was released and was signed by Hampshire club Portsmouth. He went out on loan to AFC Bournemouth, Luton Town and Yeovil Town to gain first team experience before making his Premier League debut on boxing day in 2008. After Portsmouth were relegated to the Football League in 2010 Wilson was named as club captain.

In August 2010 he joined Stoke City in a deal which saw Stoke duo Liam Lawrence and Dave Kitson join Pompey. He converted to left back under Tony Pulis and in his first season at Stoke he played in the 2011 FA Cup Final as Stoke lost 1–0 to Manchester City. Wilson was a regular in 2011–12 as Stoke played in the UEFA Europa League. He suffered a broken leg in October 2012 which saw him miss most of the 2012–13 season. He became used as a back-up player under Mark Hughes and left Stoke in August 2016 to join Bournemouth.

Wilson got his first call up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad for their game against Brazil in March 2010, and made his first appearance as a substitute in February 2011 during the 3–0 Nations Cup win over Wales.

Club career

Early career

Wilson was born in Aghagallon near Lurgan and started out playing association football with Lisburn Youth and Gaelic football with St Paul's Lurgan High School and St Mary’s Aghagallon GAA.[2] Whilst playing GAA Wilson scored a goal in the 2001 McDevitt Cup Final.[3] Wilson decided to concentrate on his football with Lisburn Youth and earned a place in Manchester United's centre of excellence.[2] He spent four years in Manchester before joining Portsmouth in 2004 at the age of 16.[2]

Portsmouth
Wilson playing for Portsmouth

In his early years at Portsmouth, he played regularly for the reserve team and was loaned out to other clubs on four occasions. In March 2006 he made his League One debut with Yeovil Town in a 2–0 win away to Walsall.[4] In 2007, he spent two separate spells at Bournemouth, making 26 league appearances and scoring three goals.[5][6] In November 2007 he also had a brief loan spell at Luton Town which was cut short when the club went into administration.[7]

On 7 July 2008, Marc Wilson signed a new three-year contract at Portsmouth. He made his Pompey debut coming on as a substitute for Richard Hughes in a 4–0 League Cup 3rd round loss to Chelsea on 24 September 2008.[8] Wilson excelled playing at right-back on his first start for Portsmouth in a 3–0 UEFA Cup victory over Heerenveen.[9] On Boxing Day 2008, Wilson started his first Premier League match in the 4–1 loss at home to West Ham.[10] On 5 August 2009, it was revealed that Wilson had been involved in an alleged bust-up with fellow team-mate David Nugent during Portsmouth's pre-season trip to Portugal. Both players were sent home and consequently fined two weeks wages by the club.[11]

In 2009–10 Wilson became a first choice player in the Pompey side that was relegated and reached the FA Cup final although Wilson himself did not play in the final due to injury. Though his performances as a central defender earned him criticism, he impressed after returning to his natural position of centre midfield towards the end of the season.[12] On 5 February 2010 Wilson signed a new three and a half-year contract to stay at Portsmouth to the end of the 2012–13 season.[13] After Portsmouth's relegation to the Championship Wilson was handed the number 6 shirt after previously wearing 35 and was named as captain. At 22 years old he became one of the youngest permanent captains in the club's history. However manager Steve Cotterill revealed that Wilson was close to a transfer to Premier League side Stoke City.[14][15]

Stoke City
Wilson (left) challenging Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho in August 2013

Wilson signed for Stoke City on 31 August 2010 player-plus-cash exchange deal which saw Liam Lawrence and Dave Kitson move in the opposite direction to Football League Championship club Portsmouth.[16] Wilson made his City debut on 13 September 2010 against Aston Villa, despite playing well and making some good passes Wilson seemed to be struggling with the physicality of Villa's midfielders Stiliyan Petrov and Nigel Reo-Coker and was substituted just after half time.[17] He completed his first full 90 minutes against Manchester United on 24 October 2010.[18] His performance earned praise from manager Tony Pulis. "He was smashing. He passed the ball well and looked a quality player, he's one for the future, without a question of doubt".[19] Wilson scored his first goal for City in a 2–0 win away at Blackburn Rovers on 26 December 2010.[20] He then produced man of the match displays against Manchester United and Cardiff City at the beginning of 2011.[21]

Since joining Stoke, Wilson has shown his versatility and has occupied three positions – centre midfield, right back and due to injury to Danny Higginbotham and Danny Collins in poor form has also played mostly at left back.[22] Wilson played in every FA Cup match, at left back, as Stoke reached the 2011 FA Cup Final. Prior to the final, Wilson was not on the losing side in 14 FA Cup matches.[23] However his run was ended as Stoke lost the final 1–0 to Manchester City.[24] Wilson continued to play at left back during the 2011–12 season and was branded by Tony Pulis as 'Stoke's unsung hero'.[25] Wilson played in 45 matches for Stoke in 2011–12 including six in the UEFA Europa League as Stoke finished in 14th position.[26][27]

Wilson began the 2012–13 season in fine form but on 27 October 2012 he suffered a broken fibula playing against Sunderland.[28][29][30] Just before his injury Wilson had signed a new three-year contract.[31] He returned to training in January 2013.[32] He made his return from injury against Fulham on 23 February 2013.[33] He ended the season with 20 appearances to his name as Stoke finished in 13th position and at the end of the campaign manager Tony Pulis was replaced with Mark Hughes, which was met with approval from Wilson.[34]

Following the signings of Erik Pieters and Marc Muniesa, assistant manager Mark Bowen stated that Wilson could revert to a midfield position in 2013–14.[35] As expected Wilson began the season in a centre midfield spot and he stated that he is enjoying the change in style under Hughes.[36] He failed to hold down a regular place in midfield and after spending a few months on the bench he returned to the starting line-up in December 2013, playing at centre-back after injury to Robert Huth.[37] Wilson continued to play alongside Ryan Shawcross in centre of defence until the end of the 2013–14 season as Stoke finished in 9th position.[38] Wilson played 30 times for Stoke in 2014–15 as Stoke again finished in 9th position.[39] Wilson was the only Stoke player to be sent-off in the Premier League during the season after he received two yellow cards against Swansea City on 2 May 2015.[40]

On 30 January 2016 Wilson suffered a knee injury in a FA Cup match against Crystal Palace ruling him out for up-to six months.[41] Wilson made ten appearances in 2015–16 making just one league start.[42]

Prior to the start of the 2016–17 season, Wilson cast doubt over his future at Stoke after he criticised manager Mark Hughes on social media.[43][44]

Bournemouth

Wilson re-joined Bournemouth on 15 August 2016 signing a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[45] He scored his first goal in his most recent spell at the club in a 2–1 EFL Cup win over Morecambe on 24 August 2016.[46]

After being a peripheral figure at Dean Court, Wilson re-joined Tony Pulis at West Bromwich Albion on 31 January 2017 on loan for the remainder of the 2016–17 season.[47] He made his debut for West Brom on 6 May 2017, starting in a 2–2 draw against Burnley.[48]

Sunderland

Wilson joined Championship side Sunderland on 31 August 2017 on a free transfer.[49]

At the end of the 2017–18 season, following Sunderland's relegation, he was released by the club.[50]

Bolton Wanderers

On 24 July 2018, he joined Bolton Wanderers on a one-year contract, becoming Wanderers manager Phil Parkinson sixth new addition of the close season.[51]

He made his debut for Bolton on 14 August 2018 in an EFL Cup defeat against Leeds United at Elland Road.[52] In his first full league start for Wanderers against Ipswich Town on 22 September 2018 he was red-carded in the first half of the game for bringing down Ipswich striker Kayden Jackson.[53]

International career

Wilson was involved in an ongoing dispute between the Irish Football Association (who represent the Northern Ireland national team) and the Football Association of Ireland (who represent the Ireland national team) over international eligibility. He has been quoted as saying: "I think everybody has their own personal reasons for wanting to play for the Republic or the North. I grew up supporting the Republic so it was a comfortable decision for me." [54]

Northern Ireland

Wilson played for Northern Ireland at under-15 level before switching allegiances to the Republic.[54]

Republic of Ireland

Wilson later represented the Republic of Ireland at various youth levels including under-18,[55] under-19 [56] and under-21.[57] Wilson received his first call up for the international side for a friendly against Brazil in March 2010, but did not feature in the game.[58][59] He earned his first cap for the Republic as a second-half substitute in the 2011 Nations Cup against Wales in February 2011.[60] In January 2012 new Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill offered Wilson a chance to switch allegiances again but Wilson rejected his offer.[61][62] On 16 October 2012, he scored his first international goal in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in a 4–1 away win against the Faroe Islands with an impressive 25-yard shot with his right foot. He continued at left back throughout the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign but Ireland failed to qualify.[63]

In Martin O'Neill's first game as Irish manager against Latvia, O'Neill converted Wilson to centre back partnering John O'Shea. Ireland won the match 3–0.[64] Wilson continued at centre back against Serbia.[65] Wilson started in O'Neill's first competitive game as Irish manager against Georgia. Ireland won 2–1 thanks to a superb last minute winner by Aiden McGeady.[66] Wilson started in the memorable 1–1 draw against Germany in Gelsenkirchen.[67]

On 23 May 2016, Martin O'Neill announced that Wilson, who was named in the Republic of Ireland's initial 35-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016, had been ruled out of the campaign through injury. O'Neill told a press conference at the FAI National Training Centre: "Marc Wilson has had a setback. The best thing for him is to take four or five weeks off. He will be out."[68]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 5 May 2019
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Portsmouth 2008–09[69] Premier League 3020101[lower-alpha 1]0—70
2009–10[70] Premier League 2806020——360
2010–11[71] Championship 400020——60
Total 35080501000490
Yeovil Town (loan) 2005–06[72] League One 200000——20
Bournemouth (loan) 2006–07[73] League One 1930000——193
2007–08[74] League One 700000—1[lower-alpha 2]080
Total 26300000010273
Luton Town (loan) 2007–08[74] League One 400000——40
Stoke City 2010–11[71] Premier League 2817000——351
2011–12[75] Premier League 35020206[lower-alpha 3]0—450
2012–13[76] Premier League 1900010——200
2013–14[77] Premier League 3302030——380
2014–15[39] Premier League 2702010——300
2015–16[42] Premier League 402040——100
Total 146115011060001781
Bournemouth 2016–17[78] Premier League 001021——31
West Bromwich Albion (loan) 2016–17[78] Premier League 400000——40
Sunderland 2017–18[79] Championship 2101000——220
Bolton Wanderers 2018–19[80] Championship 1600010——170
Career total 254425019170103065
  1. Appearance in the UEFA Cup
  2. Appearance in the Football League Trophy
  3. Appearances in the Europa League

International
As of match played 31 August 2016.[81][82]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Republic of Ireland
201110
201221
2013110
201460
201540
201610
Total251

International goals

Ireland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Wilson goal.[82]

International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition Ref
1 16 October 2012Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands3 Faroe Islands1–04–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification[83]

Honours

Club

Portsmouth:

Stoke City:

Republic of Ireland

Individual
  • Stoke City coaching staff's player of the year: 2012

See also

References
  1. "Premier League Player Profile Marc Wilson". Premier League. Barclays Premier League. 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  2. "From Lisburn Youth to Wembley for Portsmouth star Wilson". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  3. "Gaelic Games XI: The stars who swapped GAA for professional football". Sky Sports. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  4. "Yeovil complete double loan swoop". BBC Sport. 9 March 2006. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  5. "Bournemouth bag Lawson and Wilson". BBC Sport. 5 January 2007. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  6. "Bournemouth sign Pompey's Wilson". BBC Sport. 21 September 2007. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  7. Luton sign Portsmouth midfielder BBC Sport, 15 November 2007
  8. Portsmouth 0–4 Chelsea BBC Sport, 24 September 2008
  9. "Portsmouth 3–0 Heerenveen". BBC Sport. 18 December 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  10. Portsmouth 1–4 West Ham BBC Sport
  11. "Portsmouth duo fined over bust-up". BBC Sport. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  12. "Wilson happier being centre of attention". portsmouth.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 April 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  13. "Wilson staying with Pompey". Vital Football. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  14. "Marc Wilson could leave Portsmouth – Steve Cotterill". BBC Sport. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  15. "Marc Wilson's move from Portsmouth to Stoke is 'close'". BBC Sport. 26 August 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  16. "Wilson Excited By Potters Move". stokecityfc.com. Archived from the original on 2 September 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  17. "Stoke 2–1 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 13 September 2010. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
  18. "Stoke City vs Man Utd". stokecityfc.com. Archived from the original on 14 January 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  19. "Tony Pulis sees red as Potters crash to late goal". thisisstaffordshire.co.uk. Archived from the original on 28 October 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  20. "Blackburn 0–2 Stoke". BBC Sport. 26 December 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
  21. "Shaping The Future". stokecityfc.com. Archived from the original on 14 January 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  22. "Wilkinson's Return". stokecityfc.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  23. "Marc Wilson out to extend lucky run in FA Cup". thisisstaffordshire.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  24. "Man City 1–0 Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  25. "Pulis Praise For Wilson". Stoke City F.C. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  26. "Stoke 2–2 Bolton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  27. "Wilson deserves credit for consistency, says Pulis". The Sentinel. 10 December 2011. Archived from the original on 14 August 2012.
  28. "Wilson suffers broken fibula". Vital Stoke. Archived from the original on 20 March 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  29. "Marc Wilson breaks leg in Stoke City's draw with Sunderland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  30. "Wilson Suffers Broken Leg". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  31. "Tony Pulis can splash the cash to find left-back cover, says Peter Coates". The Sentinel. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  32. "Wilson closing in on Potters return". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  33. "Fulham 1–0 Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 February 2013.
  34. "Wilson welcomes Hughes arrival". Team Talk. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  35. "New regime pondering central role for Marc Wilson". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 8 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  36. "Marc Wilson happy to be back as a midfielder". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  37. "Mark Hughes full of praise for Marc Wilson after his Hull masterclass". Stoke Sentinel. Archived from the original on 18 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  38. "West Brom 1–2 Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  39. "Games played by Marc Wilson in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  40. "Swansea 2–0 Stoke". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  41. "New signing being chased after Marc Wilson injury". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  42. "Games played by Marc Wilson in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  43. "Marc Wilson facing the music after Mark Hughes criticism". Stoke Sentinel. Archived from the original on 14 August 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  44. "Marc Wilson's days are numbered admits Mark Hughes". Stoke Sentinel. Archived from the original on 14 August 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  45. "AFC Bournemouth complete signing of Marc Wilson from Stoke City". Bournemouth. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  46. "Morecambe 1–2 Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 24 August 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  47. "Albion sign Wilson on loan". West Brom. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  48. "Burnley 2–2 West Brom". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  49. "Sunderland: Marc Wilson, Jonny Williams and Callum McManaman move to club". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  50. "Sunderland sell Fabio Borini to AC Milan and release several others". BBC Sport. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  51. "Marc Wilson: Bolton Wanderers sign former Sunderland midfielder". BBC Sport. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  52. "Carabao Cup: Leeds United 2 Bolton Wanderers 1". BBC Sport. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  53. "Ipswich Town 0 Bolton Wanderers 0". BBC Sport. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  54. Wilson aiming to come of age Independent.ie, 18 October 2006
  55. Under-18 squad in Sweden for tournament RTÉ Sport, 19 July 2004
  56. Don Givens Forced to Make Changes Ahead of Luxembourg Friendly FAI, 16 October 2006
  57. Ireland's new-look U21 team impress in victory over Luxembourg FAI, 18 October 2006
  58. McCarthy named in squad eleven-a-side.com, 22 February 2010
  59. Portsmouth's Marc Wilson in Republic of Ireland call-up BBC Sport, 22 February 2010
  60. "Nations Cup: Republic of Ireland 3–0 Wales". BBC Sport. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  61. "Pulis happy to manage Wales". The Sentinel. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  62. "Wilson Committed to the Republic". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  63. "Austria vs Republic of Ireland Report". Goal.com. 10 September 2013.
  64. "Republic of Ireland 3–0 Latvia". BBC Sport. 15 November 2013.
  65. "Republic of Ireland 1–2 Serbia". Goal.com. 5 March 2014.
  66. "Euro qualifiers: Aiden McGeady earns Republic of Ireland 2–1 win in Georgia". Sky Sports. 7 September 2014.
  67. "Germany 1 Republic of Ireland 1, Euro 2016 qualifier: John O'Shea secures point after Toni Kroos' opener". The Telegraph. 14 October 2014.
  68. "Marc Wilson ruled out of Euro 2016". RTE. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  69. "Games played by Marc Wilson in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  70. "Games played by Marc Wilson in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  71. "Games played by Marc Wilson in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  72. "Games played by Marc Wilson in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  73. "Games played by Marc Wilson in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  74. "Games played by Marc Wilson in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  75. "Games played by Marc Wilson in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  76. "Games played by Marc Wilson in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  77. "Games played by Marc Wilson in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  78. "Games played by Marc Wilson in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  79. "Games played by Marc Wilson in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  80. "Games played by Marc Wilson in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  81. "Wilson, Marc". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  82. "Marc David Wilson". EU-Football. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  83. "Faroe Islands 1–4 Republic of Ireland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  84. "Robbie Keane earns Ireland deciding win over Scotland in Nations Cup". Guardian. 29 May 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  • Marc Wilson at Soccerbase(Note: the soccerbase records are shared over two different pages)
  • Marc Wilson at Soccerbase
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