Jack Connors (footballer, born 1994)

Jack Stuart Connors (born 24 October 1994) is an Irish footballer who plays as a defender for Chesham United.

Jack Connors
Connors training with Dagenham & Redbridge in 2014
Personal information
Full nameJack Stuart Connors[1]
Date of birth (1994-10-24) 24 October 1994 (age 29)[2]
Place of birthBrent, England
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Position(s)Defender
Team information
Current team
Chesham United
Youth career
2011–2013Dagenham & Redbridge
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2012–2016Dagenham & Redbridge49(0)
2012–2013Hendon (loan)17(2)
2016Boreham Wood (loan)1(0)
2016–2018Ebbsfleet United62(1)
2018–2019Dover Athletic10(0)
2018–2019Hampton & Richmond Borough (loan)24(2)
2019–2020Dulwich Hamlet23(1)
2020–2021Barnet6(0)
2021–2022Hayes & Yeading United25(0)
2022–Chesham United24(0)
International career
2014–2016Republic of Ireland U2115(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:10, 23 March 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:00, 24 March 2016 (UTC)

Connors started his career in the youth system of Fulham before joining Dagenham & Redbridge in 2011 to sign a two-year scholarship. In 2012, he joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Hendon on work experience. After completing his scholarship, he signed a professional contract with Dagenham & Redbridge in 2013.

Connors has represented the Republic of Ireland at international level, featuring for the under-21 side.

Career

Born in the London Borough of Brent, Connors joined the youth system of Dagenham & Redbridge in 2011 on a two-year scholarship, having previously played for Fulham.[3] In December 2012, Connors joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Hendon on work experience.[4] His debut for the Greens came on 8 January 2013 in a 2–1 home defeat to Canvey Island.[5] His first goal for Hendon came in his second appearance when he scored the winner in a 1–0 win against Kingstonian.[6] His second goal for Hendon came in a 1–0 win over Leiston.[7] His final game for Hendon was in the final game of the season, a 1–0 away defeat to Lowestoft Town.[8] In total, Connors made 19 appearances for Hendon scoring two goals. In July 2013, after he completed his scholarship, Connors signed a one-year professional contract with the Football League Two side after impressing manager Wayne Burnett.[9] His professional debut for the Daggers came on 3 September 2013, in a 4–1 victory over Colchester United in the Football League Trophy first round at Victoria Road.[10] Four days later, Connors made his league debut in a 1–1 draw with Exeter City.[11] After an extended result in the Dagger's first team playing as left back, Connors signed a new three-year contract with the club on 31 October 2013.[12] Connors went on to make 25 appearances in his maiden season, winning the Young Player of the Year award.[13] In March 2016, after struggling to gain a place in the first team line-up, he was sent on loan to National League side Boreham Wood on loan until the end of the season.[14] In May 2016 as his contract expired, he was released along with eleven players as Dagenham were relegated to the National League.[15]

In the summer of 2016, Connors signed for Ebbsfleet United and helped them to earn promotion from the National League South. In April 2018, he scored his first and only goal for Ebbsfleet in a 1–1 draw against Torquay United.

Connors joined Dover Athletic in July 2018 after his release by Ebbsfleet.[16] He spent most of the season out on loan with Hampton & Richmond Borough.[17]

In June 2019, Connors agreed to join Dulwich Hamlet on expiry of his contract with Dover.[18]

Connors signed for Barnet in October 2020 after a successful trial.[19] He left the club at the end of the season.[20]

Connors joined Hayes & Yeading United in September 2021.[21]

International career

Connors qualifies to play for the Republic of Ireland through his father.[13] In May 2014, Connors received his first call-up to the under-21 side for the international friendly with Qatar in Aachen, Germany.[13] He made his debut in that match, playing the first half in a 1–1 draw.[22] He made his competitive debut in September 2014, in the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Germany, which ended in a 2–0 defeat.[23]

Career statistics

As of match played 19 March 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Dagenham & Redbridge2012–13[24]League Two0000000000
2013–14[25]League Two23010001[a]0250
2014–15[26]League Two170001000180
2015–16[27]League Two9030001[a]0130
Total490401020560
Hendon (loan)2012–13[28]IL Premier Division1722[b]0192
Boreham Wood (loan)2015–16[27]National League1010
Ebbsfleet United2016–17[29]National League South380206[c]0460
2017–18[30]National League241205[d]0311
Total62140110771
Dover Athletic2018–19[30]National League100100
Hampton & Richmond Borough (loan)2018–19[31]National League South242101[e]0262
Dulwich Hamlet2019–20[30][32]National League South231303[f]0291
Barnet2020–21[30]National League60101[e]080
Hayes & Yeading United2021–22[33]SFL Premier Division South190303[g]0250
Career total2116160102302516

References