O'Connell, Brendan
Birth Date
12th November 1966
Birthplace
Lambeth, London
Occupation
Forward
Biographical Text
Joining as a young player from Portsmouth in 1986, Brendan O’Connell scored nineteen league goals in a two-season stay at St James’ Park. Leaving to play for Burnley, he later made 240 appearances for Barnsley as he accumulated 79 goals in a 451-game Football League career.
Brendan began his career with Portsmouth although, having signed a professional contract in 1985, was never given a league outing before moving to Exeter City in the summer of 1986.
He made his Grecians’ debut on the opening day against Orient at St James’ Park in August 1986, and after scoring twice against Stockport in his third game, was in contention all season as he started 34 league games and came on as a substitute in eight others. Netting eight league goals along the way, he subsequently finished as the club's second-highest scorer in league games in 1987/88 with 11 strikes from 39 starts in a team which struggled towards the foot of Division Four.
Leaving St James' Park during the summer of 1988, Brendan spent two seasons with Burnley (17 goals in 64 league) before, after a short loan spell with Huddersfield Town, switching to Barnsley where - between 1990 and 1996 - he went on to 240 league appearances scoring 35 goals. He then appeared for Charlton Athletic and Wigan Athletic until a blood clot in his leg forced his retirement. Going into coaching, he worked with Wigan's reserve and youth teams prior to making a playing comeback with Rossendale United and later becoming Northwich Victoria's player-assistant manager.
Brendan began his career with Portsmouth although, having signed a professional contract in 1985, was never given a league outing before moving to Exeter City in the summer of 1986.
He made his Grecians’ debut on the opening day against Orient at St James’ Park in August 1986, and after scoring twice against Stockport in his third game, was in contention all season as he started 34 league games and came on as a substitute in eight others. Netting eight league goals along the way, he subsequently finished as the club's second-highest scorer in league games in 1987/88 with 11 strikes from 39 starts in a team which struggled towards the foot of Division Four.
Leaving St James' Park during the summer of 1988, Brendan spent two seasons with Burnley (17 goals in 64 league) before, after a short loan spell with Huddersfield Town, switching to Barnsley where - between 1990 and 1996 - he went on to 240 league appearances scoring 35 goals. He then appeared for Charlton Athletic and Wigan Athletic until a blood clot in his leg forced his retirement. Going into coaching, he worked with Wigan's reserve and youth teams prior to making a playing comeback with Rossendale United and later becoming Northwich Victoria's player-assistant manager.
Appearances
81
Goals
19
Collection
Files
Comments