Jay McEveley

Club career

Blackburn Rovers

McEveley started his career with Everton, where he played in the same youth team as Wayne Rooney. McEveley never played for the club and moved to Blackburn Rovers, where he was seen as a development player. He made his first team Rovers debut against Walsall as part of a 2–2 draw in the League Cup.

To gain competitive match experience McEveley was sent out on loan three times whilst at Blackburn, spending time at Burnley; Gillingham, where he scored once against Stoke; and Ipswich, where he scored once against Plymouth Argyle. He intermittently featured in the Blackburn first team during this time, including in a match against Liverpool in October 2004 when his challenge resulted in a broken leg for Djibril Cissé.

McEveley developed a history of unfortunate involvement in serious injuries – to himself and others. McEveley was the other party in a training ground incident that left Hakan Şükür, trialist at Blackburn, with a broken leg, Mark Delaney also suffered a serious knee injury after a clash with McEveley. McEveley himself has also suffered a number of serious knee injuries.

Derby County

As he struggled to hold down a regular place at Blackburn, McEveley signed for promotion-chasing Championship side Derby County during the January 2007 transfer window for a fee rumoured to be in the region of £600,000. Replacing previous first choice left back Mo Camara, McEveley played regularly for the Rams as they eventually finished third and earned promotion to the Premier League following a 1–0 win over West Brom in the Championship play-off final. McEveley played regularly for Derby upon their return to the Premier League and scored his first goal for County against Liverpool, the equaliser, in a 2–1 home defeat. He sustained knee ligament damage in the 1–0 loss to Bolton on 2 January 2008 after a heavy tackle from Kevin Davies which was expected to keep him out for four months, though he returned six weeks later to play in Derby's 2–0 defeat away to Wigan Athletic at the end of February 2008.

McEveley began the 2008–09 season as first choice left back, but lost his place to new signing Jordan Stewart. He joined Preston North End on a one-month loan on 29 September 2008, and made his debut in a 2–0 defeat against Swansea, conceding a penalty that lead to the second goal. He returned to Derby at the end of October and a month later was sent out on loan again, this time for a three-month spell with Charlton Athletic. Alcock returned from his loan spell early in January 2009 due to injury, and then went on to re-establish himself as Derby's first choice left back. On 11 April 2009, in Derby's 1–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday, McEveley broke a metatarsal in his left foot, and was ruled out for the rest of the season.

McEveley started the 2009–10 season as Derby's second choice left back, behind new signing Dean Moxey. After only four appearances, McEveley fractured his cheekbone in the 20th minute of a game against Middlesbrough, which would potentially rule him out for six weeks. Shortly after his injury however, McEveley had an operation on his cheekbone, and was later revealed that during the operation, McEveley's heart had stopped beating for two minutes. McEveley was transferred to intensive care after his heart was successfully restarted and following a scan, doctors gave him the all-clear, telling him it would not affect his football. Alcock later said:

Exactly one month after suffering his injury, McEveley returned to the first team on 20 November 2009. He went on to start eight successive games, playing with a mask to protect his cheekbone. McEveley then entered into negotiations to sign a new contract, as his contract was due to expire at the end of the season. He made his 100th appearance for Derby when he started in the penultimate game of the 2009–10 season against Bristol City before scoring his fourth of the campaign with the opener in a 2–0 win over Cardiff City. This proved to be McEveley's last significant appearance in a Derby County shirt as on 5 May 2010 the club stated he would not be offered a new contract. He ended with 101 appearances and six goals from his three and a half years with the club.

Barnsley and Swindon Town

McEveley joined Championship side Barnsley on 6 July 2010, signing a two-year contract. McEveley scored his first goal for Barnsley in the away game with Norwich City at Carrow Road, heading in Kieran Trippier's free-kick. In March 2012 he was loaned to League Two side Swindon Town for the remainder of the season.

In July 2012, McEveley joined Swindon Town permanently, making 71 appearances for the club before being released at the end of the 2013–14 season.

Sheffield United

On 15 August 2014, McEveley joined Sheffield United on a one-year deal with the option of a second year following his release from Swindon Town. At United, McEveley started to play as a centre-back, instead of his natural left-back position. On 10 February 2015, McEveley scored his first goal for the Blades in a 4–1 home victory over Colchester United. He was appointed the club's new captain on 6 August 2015 for the upcoming 2015–16 season. Upon the arrival of new manager Chris Wilder, McEveley was released at the end of the 2015–16 season.

Ross County

McEveley signed a two-year contract with Scottish Premiership club Ross County on 24 June 2016.

Tranmere Rovers

On 27 July 2017, McEveley joined Tranmere Rovers on a one-year deal. On 8 August, he scored his first goal for Rovers in a 3–1 win against Woking with a headed goal from a Jack Dunn corner. He was released by Tranmere at the end of the 2017–18 season.

International career

McEveley represented England U-20 at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship, but subsequently represented Scotland at the U-21 level, and B level. He made his full international debut for Scotland in the 1–0 win over South Africa on 22 August 2007, and won his third cap during the 1–1 draw with Croatia at Hampden Park, significant as manager George Burley's first match with the side. McEveley's next appearance in a Scotland squad was not until Craig Levein's first competitive match in charge, as he was called up as a late replacement for the match against Lithuania in September 2007.

Personal life

Born in Liverpool, McEveley is married to his wife, Carla, with whom he has a son and two daughters.

Career statistics

!colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |2002–03 |Premier League |9||0||2||0||4||0||0||0||15||0 |- |2003–04 |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2004–05 |Premier League |5||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||5||0 |- |2005–06 |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2006–07 |Premier League |4||0||1||0||1||0||1||0||7||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !18!!0!!3!!0!!5!!0!!1!!0!!27!!0 |- |Burnley (loan) |2003–04 |First Division |4||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||4||0 |- |Gillingham (loan) |2004–05 |Championship |10||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||10||1 |- |Ipswich Town (loan) |2005–06 |Championship |19||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||19||1 |- |2006–07 |Championship |15||0||0||0||0||0||3||0||18||0 |- |2007–08 |Premier League |29||2||0||0||1||0||0||0||30||2 |- |2008–09 |Championship |15||0||1||0||1||0||0||0||17||0 |- |2009–10 |Championship |33||2||2||2||1||0||0||0||36||4 |- !colspan="2"|Total !92!!4!!3!!2!!3!!0!!3!!0!!101!!6 |- |Preston North End (loan) |2008–09 |Championship |7||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||7||0 |- |Charlton Athletic (loan) |2008–09 |Championship |6||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||6||0 |- |2010–11 |Championship |17||1||0||0||1||0||0||0||18||1 |- |2011–12 |Championship |29||0||1||0||1||0||0||0||31||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !46!!1!!1!!0!!2!!0!!0!!0!!49!!1 |- |Swindon Town (loan) |2011–12 |League Two |8||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||9||0 |- |2012–13 |League One |28||0||1||0||4||0||0||0||33||0 |- |2013–14 |League One |32||0||1||0||1||0||3||0||37||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !60!!0!!2!!0!!5!!0!!3!!0!!70!!0 |- |2014–15 |League One |34||1||5||0||5||0||2||0||46||1 |- |2015–16 |League One |36||0||2||0||1||0||3||0||42||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !70!!1!!7!!0!!6!!0!!5!!0!!88!!1 |- |Ross County |2016–17 |Scottish Premiership |22||3||2||0||4||0||0||0||28||3 |- |Tranmere Rovers |2017–18 |National League |11||2||2||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0||13||2 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !373!!13!!20!!2!!25!!0!!13!!0!!431!!14 |}

Honours

Swindon Town

• Football League Trophy runner-up: 2011–12

References

References

1. (11 December 2014). "Jay McEveley – centre-half". Sheffield United FC.
2. [https://www.roversrearguard.com/news/kirby-and-mangan-among-seven-released-by-tranmere/ Kirby and Mangan among seven released by Tranmere] roversrearguard.com, 18 May 2018
3. (11 December 2003). "Burnley borrow McEveley". BBC Sport.
4. (23 March 2005). "Ternent targets more new signings". BBC Sport.
5. (15 March 2005). "Gillingham 2–1 Stoke". BBC Sport.
6. (2 December 2005). "McEveley makes Blackburn return". BBC Sport.
7. (5 November 2005). "Ipswich 3–1 Plymouth". BBC Sport.
8. (1 November 2004). "Cisse 'faces anxious injury wait'". BBC Sport.
9. Alex Livie. (22 December 2002). "Şükür breaks leg". Sky Sports.
10. (9 August 2010). "Barnsley: Jay McEveley interview". JPI Media.
11. (5 February 2004). "McEveley out for season". BBC Sport.
12. (6 February 2008). "McEveley poised for speedy return". BBC Sport.
13. (29 January 2007). "Rams sign McEveley from Blackburn". BBC Sport.
14. (29 September 2008). "North End sign McEveley on loan". BBC Sport.
15. (16 April 2009). "McEveley ruled out for the season". BBC Sport.
16. (21 October 2009). "McEveley ruled out for six weeks". BBC Sport.
17. (22 October 2009). "Rams defender McEveley has operation". Local World.
18. (22 October 2009). "McEvely's heart stopped during op". BBC Sport.
19. (13 December 2013). "McEveley relives near-death experience". Swindon Advertiser.
20. (3 December 2009). "McEveley looking to climb table over festive period". Local World.
21. (8 December 2009). "McEveley says Rams will be more positive on travels". Local World.
22. (5 May 2010). "McEveley and Teale to move on". Derby County FC.
23. (6 July 2010). "Barnsley sign former Derby County defender Jay McEveley". BBC Sport.
24. (22 March 2012). "Swindon sign Jay McEveley and John Bostock on loan". BBC Sport.
25. (4 May 2014). "Swindon Town: Jay McEveley one of 10 players to be released". BBC Sport.
26. (15 August 2014). "Sheffield United sign Jay McEveley and Iain Turner". BBC Sport.
27. (10 February 2015). "Match Verdict: Sheffield United 4 Colchester United 1 – Baxter hits double as Blades show they have fight". JPI Media.
28. (24 June 2016). "Jay McEveley joins Ross County after Sheffield United exit". BBC Sport.
29. (27 July 2017). "Jay McEveley: Tranmere Rovers sign former Derby County defender on one-year deal". BBC Sport.
30. (8 August 2017). "Tranmere Rovers 3-1 Woking". BBC Sport.
31. (16 May 2018). "Andy Mangan: Tranmere Rovers striker among seven released". BBC Sport.
32. (2 August 2006). "Anglo McEveley switches to Scots". BBC Sport.
33. (14 November 2006). "Rep of Ireland B 0–0 Scotland B". BBC Sport.
34. (28 August 2007). "McEveley retains Scotland place". BBC Sport.
35. Pattullo, Alan. (1 September 2010). "Garry O'Connor and Jay McEveley called in to plug the gaps". Johnston Publishing.
36. (8 December 2009). "McEveley – 'I'll play anywhere'". Staffordshire Newspapers.
37. {{soccerbase. 33803
38. (25 March 2012). "Starting Lineups - Chesterfield vs Swindon".