Shay Given

At 48 years old, Shay Given has this physical status:

Séamus John James Given (born 20 April 1976) is an Irish former professional footballer who competed as a goalkeeper.

He is now the goalkeeper coach at Derby County having won more caps than is normal for membership. He is a member of the FIFA Century Club.

Given earned his first international cap in 1996 and appeared in goal in every match for his country during the 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign, assisting them in reaching the knockout stage.

He was later on the pitch in Paris when the Republic of Ireland was knocked out of the play-offs for a spot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup by France before helping his team qualify for UEFA Euro 2012.

Given that he competed in Martin O'Neill's 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016 and didn't appear in any of Ireland's four matches at the tournament, he didn't appear in any of Ireland's four matches.

Given is the second most captained Republic of Ireland player (after Robbie Keane).

He announced his international retirement in July 2016 after amassed 134 caps for his country and kept 52 clean sheets.

Given was part of both the Sunderland team that won the Football League First Division title in 1995–96 and the Swindon Town team who won the Football League Second Division title the same season while on loan from Blackburn.

In 1997, Newcastle United was sold for a £1.5 million fee, and it was there that he began to compete for the first time in the Premier League.

Given was one of the 1998 and 1999 FA Cup teams that finished runners-up, as well as in the Premier League Team of the Season for 2001–02 and 2005–06.

He competed in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup with Newcastle and was involved in the club's championship campaign in 2001–02.

Although he made a transfer request during the 2000–01 campaign after losing his place in the starting lineup, it was denied, and Given continued to recover his position. Given the transfer to Manchester City for £6 million on a four-and-a-half year deal on February 1, 2009.

While Given was at Manchester City, the club qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in history after finishing third in the Premier League and winning the FA Cup, but he did not appear in the competition nor did he compete in the FA Cup in the campaign that City qualified for the Champions League.

He joined Aston Villa for a fee that was estimated to be around £3.5 million, according to a five-year deal.

Given that he joined Stoke City in July 2015 and spent two seasons with the club.

Personal life

In a Catholic wedding in Hexham, England, Jane Cunningham married Jane Cunningham. They have two children. The couple divorced on June 17, 2014. Since 2013, Given has been in a relationship with Manchester-based PR executive Becky Gibson, and the couple have two children. Given the Freedom of County Donegal in 2006 in a ceremony in his home town, Lifford.

Given has helped with the coordination of several fundraising activities in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Since his mother died of cancer when he was four years old, he has continued to raise funds as it is a concern close to him. Given was moved to tears during a minute's applause for former teammate and personal friend Gary Speed, who died earlier that day, before Aston Villa's match against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.

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Club career

Given's football career began with Lifford, County Donegal, where he scored seven goals on his debut, he gained notoriety for conceding seven goals. When he competed in an FAI Junior Cup semi-final for Lifford Celtic, he was thrust into the limelight. During a pre-season tour of Ireland in 1991, his performances for the club attracted attention from Scottish club Celtic, and he was invited to train with their youth team. A year later, Given signed for the club. Despite being called to the substitutes bench for the Old Firm's derby against Rangers on January 1, 1994, Given that never made a first-team appearance, this year has been a disappointment.

His work with Celtic's youth team attracted the attention of Blackburn Rovers boss Kenny Dalglish, who hired him on a free transfer in 1994.

Given Given's return, Blackburn defeated them in the Premier League, and Given was unable to recall Tim Flowers from the team's first-choice goalkeeper and England international. He has been to Swindon Town on two separate loans. Given that he was understudy during his first spell at the Wiltshire club, he helped them launch their Championship winning Division Two campaign in 1995-96. He appeared in five games for Swindon before returning to Blackburn at the end of 1995. In January 1996, he was sent on loan again, this time to Sunderland's Division One team. Given maintained 12 clean sheets in his 17 games for the club and was a member of the team that triumphed in the Premier League as champions, and he was a member of the team that won promotion to the Premier League. Kenny Dalglish, the Newcastle United's current manager, was captivated by his performances on loan, prompting him to sign Given again. In the summer of 1997, he was signed to the North-East club for £1.5 million. Given had made his Premier League debut for Blackburn in a game against Wimbledon on December 14, 1996.

This was one of the first signings of then-newly appointed boss Dalglish. Given his debut in Newcastle's 2–1 home victory over Sheffield on September 9, 1997, he quickly established himself in the first team, defeating fellow goalkeepers Pavel Srnek, Shaka Hislop, and Steve Harper to the position. Newcastle qualified to the FA Cup final, while Arsenal defeated Newcastle 2–0. The club also advanced to the final the following year, but Given was replaced by Steve Harper after Newcastle lost 2–0 in the final, this time to Manchester United.

Given that he conceded a strange goal against Coventry City after collecting a cross, he rolled the ball out in November 1997, preparing for a long clearance. However, he had forgotten that Coventry striker Dion Dublin was still behind him, and Dublin immediately profited from the situation by rolling the ball into the empty net. Given that Given is the only Irishman who doesn't know where Dublin is," the goalscorer's name quickly became a common football fanatic, and the target itself is still included on lists of strange goals.

After struggling to recover his place in Steve Harper's first team after a thigh injury that kept him out of a match against Leeds United, Given delivered a written transfer request in December 2000. At the time, manager Sir Bobby Robson said, "A lot of clubs have a good goalkeeper and one who sticks by." I believe we have two keepers, and Harper is proving it — who will play in the Premiership." Given's appeal, which was later dismissed by the goalkeeper, who later stated that his "intention was simply to express [his] dissatisfaction with being left out of the team" and that he "never had any intention of leaving the club." Given that Harper was called to the first team and stayed on the job for the remainder of the season, he was forced to return to the first team.

Given that Newcastle's previously unexpected title challenge culminated in a fourth-place finish in the league in 2001–2002. Given losing 1–0 over Derby County on November 24, 2001, it was a highlight of the season. Fabrizio Ravanelli's penalty was a highlight of the game. Given was selected in the PFA Team of the Year, and Newcastle's league position meant they would advance to the UEFA Champions League qualifying stages the following season.

He participated in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but after a penalty shootout, he could not save the Republic of Ireland from being eliminated by Spain.

During the following season, Given back to Steve Harper once more. Newcastle advanced to the group stages of the Champions League after winning by 5–0 in qualifying round. He appeared in the first three group games, none of whom Newcastle lost. Since Harper replaced him in goal, Given that he was out of the team for the next two games. Newcastle defeated Feyenoord in the Netherlands in the final group match, and the team qualified for the second round thanks to Newcastle's 3–2 win. Newcastle lost 4–1 in their first match in the second group stage as Internazionale scored four times in the first round. Newcastle conceded a further three times away to Barcelona, defeated Bayer Leverkusen at home and in Germany, but Inter at San Siro drew with Inter, but the club failed to qualify for the knockout stages after losing 2–0 at home against Barcelona. Given played every game in the second round. Given that the team won third place in the Premier League, the club will advance to the Champions League qualifying round in 2003–04.

Newcastle finished third in the league in May 2003, when Newcastle lost 4–3 on penalties to Partizan Belgrade early in the 2003–04 season, indicating that Newcastle did not qualify to the Champions League group stage. Instead, the club qualified for the UEFA Cup, where they progressed to the semi-finals. Due to the club's fifth-place finish in the league, the club qualified for the UEFA Cup tournament next season. Given played in every single one of the club's league games for the third season in a row, as well as all 13 European games.

Graeme Souness replaced Sir Bobby Robson as Newcastle manager after a slow start to the 2004-05 season. Given that Newcastle defeated Alan Shearer in the most European matches for the club on September 16, 2004, they advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals and the FA Cup semi-finals, and we were able to progress to the UEFA Cup quarterfinals and the FA Cup semi-finals. Given that the club finished in 14th place in 2014, he skipped two Premier League games.

Despite the fact that the club entered the Intertoto Cup in 2005–06, they lost to Deportivo de La Corua, the Spanish club, indicating that they did not qualify for further European competition this season. Given that he appeared in all of the club's league games as they reached seventh place and that he has signed a new five-year deal with the club in the summer. Given that he was named in the Premier League's Team of the Season, Given his results for Newcastle. Given participated in all of the club's FA Cup games, including the team's quarter-finals, and captained the team for three games during Alan Shearer's absence.

Given a tackle by West Ham United striker Marlon Harewood on September 17, he suffered a one-centimeter tear in his bowel. Doctors likened the accident to one that was more likely to occur in a car accident. Glenn Roeder, then-manager, signed ex-Newcastle's Srnek as backup for Harper, and youth goalkeeper Tim Krul played a full match in Newcastle's 1–0 UEFA Cup victory over Palermo on November 2nd. Given back in Newcastle's 1–1 Premier League draw with Arsenal on November 18, they were released on November 18th.

Given made his 400th appearance for the club on January 1, 2007, in a 2–2 draw against Manchester United. He appeared in 22 league appearances as the club finished in 13th place and reached the last 16 of the UEFA Cup in 2006.

Given's 2007-08 season was prematurely ended by sickness in February, when he sustained an old groin injury in Manchester United's 5–1 home loss.

Newcastle's 2008-09 season was marred by ownership and managerial turmoil, as well as numerous injuries. This manifested itself on the field as the club tried to force the club to keep clear of the relegation zone. In a 1–0 victory over Bolton Wanderers, Given save a Kevin Nolan penalty. Following the loss of 5–1 at home against Liverpool, the player's advocate released a statement saying that his client was "considering his future" at Newcastle and that he had been granted permission to speak with Manchester City representatives on January 28. Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear had already stated that the club was "not interested at all in selling him" and that the given amount was "insulting." Newcastle had been given permission on January 30th to start talks with Given, according to reports. Following a transfer fee that was estimated to be about £8 million, Given that the transfer window was set to close the following day, Manchester City was signed on February 1st. Despite the fact that Given's fee was expected to be about £8 million, Newcastle United managing director Derek Llambias revealed that Given had been sold for a modest £5.9 million at a supporters panel meeting in February 2009. Given that he was 34 games away from breaking Newcastle United's appearance record held by Jimmy Lawrence, it was a game away from defeating him.

Given signed for Manchester City on a four-and-a-half-year deal for £6 million on February 1, 2009. On February 5, 2009, he was officially announced as a Manchester City player, and he was given squad number 37. He chastised Newcastle's leadership for not doing enough to hold him at the club in the subsequent press conference. "I could be at a club that is fighting for honors," he said when he first arrived here. I didn't want to end my career by rejecting this job." Given a clean sheet in his debut, a 1–0 win over Middlesbrough on February 7th, he was given a man of the match appearance in his debut.

Given that Joe Hart was on loan, the team was given the squad number 1 for the 2009–2010 season. On October 5, 2009, he made his 400th appearance in the league against Aston Villa. He saved a James McFadden penalty on November 1, 2009, assisting his team's 0–0 draw at Birmingham City. He made a spectacular penalty save from Frank Lampard on December 5th, 2009, denying Chelsea an equalizer goal. City defeated 2–1. Henry Winter, the Daily Telegraph football reporter, was named Premier League Goalkeeper of the Noughties in the same month. Given that team captain Kolo Touré was on international service, Given was the captain's armband by Donegal-born manager Roberto Mancini, who described him as "one of the top goalkeepers in the world." During a match against Arsenal on April 24, he dislocated his shoulder, effectively ending his season as a result.

Given was suspended from the Manchester City starting XI for their opening league match against Tottenham Hotspur on August 14, 2010 and replaced by Hart, who became City's permanent first choice goalkeeper. Given that he was in fact playing in two Europa League games during the 2010-11 season, it was his first domestic appearance during the 2010–11 season; he also appeared in two Europa League games.

Given joined Aston Villa for a fee that is estimated to be around £3.5 million on July 18, 2011. He signed a five-year contract, implying he'll be 40 by the time his deal comes to an end. Given made his Villa debut against Walsall on July 21 in a pre-season friendly victory. When the score was 2–0 to Villa, he was suspended at halftime for Andy Marshall. Given played in his first Premier League match for Aston Villa against Fulham in a 0–0 draw on August 13. Given was reunited with Terry Gennoe at Aston Villa in September 2011. Gennoe was appointed as the new first team goalkeeping coach after four years out of the game, replacing Rafa González. Given was previously coached by him at Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United. Given suffered a torn hamstring injury on December 3rd, which delayed him until January.

Given the 2012-2013 season's disappointing start to the 2012–13 season, Given lost his first team spot to Brad Guzan after two league games. However, he defeated Ipswich Town in an FA Cup third round match on January 5th. Given that he appeared for Villa in a 3–1 away loss against Bradford City in the first leg of the League Cup semi-finals, three days later. Villa were banned from the tournament after winning the second leg 2–1.

Given was promoted to Paul Lambert on April 15, 2014, after the club suspended Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa for an undisclosed reason. Given played in all of Aston Villa's 2014–15 FA Cup games, culminating in a appearance in the 2015 FA Cup Final, which Villa lost 4–0 to Arsenal. With a 1–0 win over Blackpool and 2–1 triumph over both AFC Bournemouth and Leicester City, as well as a 2–0 win over West Bromwich Albion, which are devolving. Villa came from a goal down to defeat Liverpool 2–1, putting the club in their first FA Cup final since 2000.

Given that he was injured Jason Steele, he joined Middlesbrough on a one-month loan agreement on November 28th. Given that his initial one-month loan contract was extending into February 2014, he played his last game for Middlesbrough on February 22, 2015 in a 0–0 draw against Leeds United. Given that he was in Middlesbrough, he had ten clean sheets in 16 league games.

On July 10, 2015, Given signed a two-year deal with Stoke City. Given that he was sent back as a back-up to first choice 'keeper Jack Butland.' Stoke defeated Stoke on penalties in their 1-1 draw with Luton Town in the League Cup on August 25, 2015, on his debut in a 1–1 draw. After having to undergo knee surgery in October 2015, he skipped the bulk of Stoke's 2015-16 campaign. Given that he was back to the beginning of the year and due to injury to Butland, he shared goalkeeping duties with Jakob Haugaard.

Given that Butland was out of the picture early in the 2016-17 season, he began the 2017-19 season as the first-choice 'keeper.' In a 1–0 away loss to Everton on August 27, he conceded an own goal. Given that a Leighton Baines penalty had been posted on the wall, the ball bounced back against his head and went over the line. Given that Given lost his place in the team to Lee Grant after conceding four goals against Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace in September. At the end of the 2016–17 season, Stoke released him at the end of the season.

Given that he had resigned from professional football a day after his 42nd birthday, he wasn't given an award in Dublin for Donegal Person of the Year.

International career

Given that he represented the Republic of Ireland at the youth level before receiving five caps for the Republic of Ireland's national under-21 squad. Despite the fact that he did not become a regular first team player for Blackburn Rovers, Given that he was called up to the Republic of Ireland squad in 1996, he was promoted to the Republic of Ireland squad. In a game against Russia on March 27, 1996, he made his national team debut. Despite Ireland's inability to qualify for the 1998 FIFA World Cup or UEFA Euro 2000, Given that he was voted first-choice goalkeeper. At the 2002 FIFA World Cup, he was involved in all of his nation's games. The team qualified in the second round of the tournament after drawing draws against Cameroon and Germany as well as a 3–0 win over Saudi Arabia. Ireland lost penalties after the score was 1–1 at the end of extra time after meeting Spain in the knockout round. Ireland had three missed penalties, and Spain advanced to the next round after three players failed to qualify for the tournament.

Given that he was a member of the team for the majority of the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Ireland failed to qualify for the finals of the competition in Germany. On March 28, 2007, he tied Packie Bonner's record of 80 caps against Slovakia. In a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier game, Given earned his 100th cap against Montenegro at Croke Park, Dublin. Ireland advanced to a qualifying play-off against France, but they were notably denied by a goal after Thierry Henry handled the ball.

Given was part of the squad that qualified for UEFA Euro 2012 with a play-off victory over Estonia. Ireland was eliminated in the group stage but given the opportunity to participate in the Euro 2012 championship.

Given that he resigned from international football on August 13, 2012, Given that it was an unforgettable opportunity to play for his country, he said on Twitter. Robbie Keane was closing in on the record for the most capped Irishman after being robbed.

Given Given Given's inability to play with his club, Aston Villa, there had been rumors that he would make himself available for selection as part of Ireland's 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. Given was officially open for international selection on January 14th, 2013.

He was selected by Martin O'Neill in his 27-man squad for a friendly against Oman and Ireland's first Euro 2016 qualifier in Georgia on August 30, 2014, despite not having played in a league match with Aston Villa, three games into the 2014-15 Premier League season. It came after a two-year absence after retiring following the disappointing Euro 2012, where Ireland failed to progress from the group stage. He was one of four goalkeepers in the squad. In a 2–0 victory over Oman on September 2, Given made his first appearance for Ireland since the Euros in his first appearance for the team since the Euros. However, he did not start against Georgia in O'Neill's first competitive game, with David Forde getting the nod. Ireland beat Tbilisi 2–1 thanks to an Aiden McGeady brace. Given the 4–1 win over the United States in Dublin on November 18, 2014.

Given a spot in the starting lineup for the crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland on March 29, 2015, Given recovered his place in the starting lineup. Shane Long's last minute equalizer brought the game to a 1-1 draw. Given sustained a knee injury in his last 44 minutes against the 2014 FIFA World Cup champions Germany in what turned out to be a memorable night for Ireland as they won by 11-0.

Given that he appeared in the 2–1 home loss to Belarus on May 31, 2016, Given became Ireland's longest-serving player. He eclipsed Johnny Giles' record of 19 years and 202 days as the first Irishman to play for his country for at least 20 years. He was selected in the 23-man Ireland squad for Euro 2016, but did not appear in any match at the tournament.

Given that he resigned from international football for the second time and final time on July 28, 2016, Given announced his retirement from international football. He donated all his international playing fees to charity.

Coaching career

Given was named goalkeeping coach at Derby County under new manager Frank Lampard in June 2018. When Phillip Cocu was appointed in July 2019, he retained his position. Given was part of an interim coaching staff with Wayne Rooney, Liam Rosenior, and Justin Walker after Cocu was fired earlier this month. Rooney will take sole responsibility after two games as an interim quartet. Rooney was named as the club's permanent manager on January 15, 2021, and Given moved to the role of first-team coach. Given the club's financial challenges, he resigned from his role at Derby at the end of the season, they could not afford to renew it.

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