Marc Tierney

Marc Peter Tierney (born 23 August 1985) is an English former professional footballer who played as a left back most recently for Football League Championship club Bolton Wanderers. Predominantly a left back, Tierney could play in other positions, such as centre-back.[2] His brother Paul is also a retired professional footballer.

Not to be confused with the English Catholic historian Mark Aloysius Tierney, or Mark Tierney of New Zealand band Strawpeople.
Marc Tierney
Tierney at Carrow Road, August 2012
Personal information
Full name Marc Peter Tierney[1]
Date of birth (1985-08-23) 23 August 1985[1]
Place of birth Prestwich, England
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Position(s) Left back
Youth career
000?–2003 Oldham Athletic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2007 Oldham Athletic 37 (0)
2004–2005 → Carlisle United (loan) 10 (0)
2007–2009 Shrewsbury Town 79 (1)
2008–2009 → Colchester United (loan) 6 (0)
2009–2011 Colchester United 74 (1)
2011–2013 Norwich City 34 (0)
2013–2015 Bolton Wanderers 8 (0)
Total 248 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

A graduate of the Oldham Athletic Academy where he made his debut in 2003, he has also played for Carlisle United, Shrewsbury Town, Colchester United, and Norwich City.

Club career

Born in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, Tierney rose through the youth ranks at Oldham Athletic, making his professional debut for Oldham in a League Cup match in August of the 2003–04 season, against Scunthorpe United. In December 2004 he went to Carlisle United on loan for a three-month spell under Paul Simpson.

In January 2007, Tierney was signed by Shrewsbury Town in a two and a half year deal. He was a regular in the Shrewsbury side during the closing months of the 2006–07 season, as Town reached the League Two playoff final at Wembley. Notably, Tierney was sent off in the dying minutes of that game, making him only the second player to suffer this fate at the new stadium, and meaning he would miss the first game of the 2007–08 season.

In spite of Shrewsbury's disappointing 2007–08 season, Tierney enjoyed excellent personal form. His consistently dependable performances earned him both the fans' and players' player of the year awards.[3]

Colchester United

On 27 November 2008 Tierney joined Colchester United on an initial five-week loan.[4] The move was made permanent in the January transfer window.[5] Tierney received his 1st red card against former employers Oldham.

Norwich City

On 12 January 2011, Tierney signed for Championship side Norwich City[6] and was handed the number 32 shirt. The move came despite Tierney saying he would not move to Norwich "in a million years".[7] He made his debut for The Canaries against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park as a substitute for Adam Drury in a 0–0 draw, and made his first start in the 2–1 win over Millwall at Carrow Road. Once Norwich had completed promotion he joined in with the mass celebrations by doing numerous cartwheels on the pitch. He repeated a similar celebration during a pre-season friendly against Real Zaragoza when two of the floodlights failed after a lightning strike to "entertain the fans". Tierney was given squad number 23 ahead of the 2011–12 Premier League season and started on the opening day of the season. He was the only player to start the first 6 games of the season, establishing himself as first choice left back. He is affectionately known as "Mad Marc" by the Norwich fans. Tierney continued his run in the team, starting all of the games up to Christmas until a serious injury ruled him out for the rest of the season of what was an impressive season for the team. At the end of the 2012–13 season, it was announced Tierney was not to be given a new contract, allowing him to look for other clubs on a free transfer.

Bolton Wanderers

Following his release from Norwich City, Bolton Wanderers announced that Tierney would be joining the club when his contract with Norwich expired on 30 June 2013.[8] He made his debut for Bolton in their 1–1 draw with Lancashire rivals Burnley on 3 August 2013.[9] Tierney established himself as Bolton's first choice left-back before suffering an ankle injury in the club's 1–1 draw with Yeovil Town at the Reebok Stadium meaning a lengthy spell on the sidelines.[10]

Retirement

On 23 April 2015, Tierney announced his retirement from professional football after failing to recover from his ankle injury.[11]

International career

Aside from England, Tierney is also eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland national team. His brother Paul has previously represented Republic of Ireland at U21 level. Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli were reported to have been keeping an eye on him ahead of Ireland's participation in UEFA Euro 2012.[12]

Personal life

Marc is the brother of former Livingston player Paul Tierney.[13]

Career statistics
Source:[14]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Oldham Athletic2002–03Division Two0000000000
2003–042000100030
2004–05League One110000000110
Carlisle United (loan)2004–05Conference National100000000100
Oldham Athletic2005–06League One190301000230
2006–075010100070
Oldham Athletic Total 370403000440
Shrewsbury Town2006–07League Two180000000180
2007–08431102000461
2008–09180101000200
Colchester United (loan)2008–09League One6000000060
Shrewsbury Town Total 791203000841
Colchester United2008–09League One201000000201
2009–10410300000440
2010–11130101000150
Colchester United Total 741401000791
Norwich City2010–11Championship160000000160
2011–12Premier League170000000170
2012–13Premier League1020100040
Norwich City Total 330000000330
Bolton Wanderers2013–14Championship8000100090
Career total 240210070002512

Honours

Norwich City[15]

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. "Town Sign Young Left-Sided Player". Shrewsbury Town Official Website. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2007.
  3. "Tierney celebrates double award". BBC Sport. 30 April 2008. Retrieved 25 May 2008.
  4. "Tierney Makes Two". Colchester United Official Website. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
  5. "Tierney makes U's move permanent". BBC Sport. 2 January 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  6. "Tierney poised to join City". canaries.co.uk. 12 January 2011. Archived from the original on 16 January 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  7. "Norwich City snap up Colchester defender Marc Tierney". bbc.co.uk. 14 January 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  8. "Tierney deal agreed". www.bwfc.co.uk. Bolton Wanderers. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  9. "Burnley 1 Bolton 1". BBC Sport. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  10. "Marc Tierney's good injury news for Bolton Wanderers". www.theboltonnews.co.uk. The Bolton News. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  11. "Bolton full-back forced to retire aged 29". BBC Sport. 23 April 2015.
  12. "Trap' keeping tabs on Norwich trio". RTÉ Sport. 24 November 2011. Archived from the original on 26 November 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  13. "Salford-born Bolton defender Marc Tierney forced to announce retirement". Manchester Evening News. 23 April 2015.
  14. "Marc Tierney Career Stats". Soccerbase. 20 October 2010. Retrieved 20 October 2010.
  15. "Tier Two (Championship) Honours". Coludaybyday.co.uk.
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