Sean St. Ledger

[BonnieShels]

What's the deal with Sean St. Ledger? Is he back from injury yet? Colorado are doing really well this season, six points out of top spot in the Western Conference with three matches in hand.

That's almost LOI-like in scheduling.

[the doc]

And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way.....

[Charlie Darwin]

Good luck in retirement, Sean. Hopefully you don't spend it all hanging around on message boards.

[DeLorean]

Things looking fairly bleak for Sledge (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/unemployed-financial-worries-and-injury-heartache-sean-st-ledger-admits-his-time-could-be-up-35318274.html)

[samhaydenjr]

Things looking fairly bleak for Sledge (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/unemployed-financial-worries-and-injury-heartache-sean-st-ledger-admits-his-time-could-be-up-35318274.html)

While I hope that Sledge can recover and extend his career at a decent level, I think the headline is a bit hyberbolic, implying that he could end up like poor Dave Langan or other pre-90s players who ended up in financial straits. In reality St Ledger spent eight seasons at Championship clubs, where the average salary is 250000 pounds, and earned $147000 and $194000 in his two seasons in the MLS. So even if this turns out to be the end of the playing road for him, he should have enough of a nest-egg to tide him over until he gets set up in a new career (yes, I know, he's a footballer, so that's not a given) - he is about to turn 32, so he would be within sight of the end of his playing days anyway - it's not as though he had his playing career cut particularly short like Keith O'Neill or Richard Sadlier.

That said, I hope he does recover fully within the 6-8 weeks mentioned and doesn't give up on getting a chance at a club in England before the end of the season because I'm sure there will be teams either pushing for promotion or scrapping against relegation who could do with a rested former international to add some fresh impetus to a tiring squad. Failing that, find another MLS team before the season starts in March (but don't breach club policies!). If he can manage that, perhaps he can still have a productive few years left. After all, Damien Delaney only had a handful of Premier League appearances under his belt early his career before he returned to that level at the age of 32 - he since played over 100 times in the EPL.

[DeLorean]

Yeah I was thinking that about the money side of things too but he does seem to reference it himself saying that he's paying for his rehab out of his own pocket. If he's managed to blow most of what he's earned I don't think he can expect much sympathy for that though.

[nigel-harps1954]

At this stage, there's hardly too many clubs who would take a punt on him in England beyond a League Two side you'd imagine.

His best option is probably to find a player/coach role in Ireland and finish his badges under the FAI. With the underage system stretching to u-15's here, you'd think one of the Dublin sides would be well able to give him a role there.

[samhaydenjr]

At this stage, there's hardly too many clubs who would take a punt on him in England beyond a League Two side you'd imagine.

His best option is probably to find a player/coach role in Ireland and finish his badges under the FAI. With the underage system stretching to u-15's here, you'd think one of the Dublin sides would be well able to give him a role there.

I think you're writing him off way too early there - he's only just about to turn 32 and defenders can generally play until their mid-30s so if he can get fit again there's no reason to believe he won't get another 3 full seasons from his career before retirement. His ability hasn't disappeared as Colorado were willing to fork out $200000 per year for his services. Based on that he should probably aim to get a couple of months with a League One team pushing for promotion, a Championship team trying to avoid relegation, or another MLS team as long as he can show that whatever disciplinary issues he had at Orlando are behind him. As I noted, in England he would be have the advantage of being fresh and well rested, while teammates and opponents would be coming to the end of a long season and so could be tired. So if he gets fit and is focused, he should be aiming to find a club by the end of February/mid-March

[nigel-harps1954]

I think you're writing him off way too early there - he's only just about to turn 32 and defenders can generally play until their mid-30s so if he can get fit again there's no reason to believe he won't get another 3 full seasons from his career before retirement. His ability hasn't disappeared as Colorado were willing to fork out $200000 per year for his services. Based on that he should probably aim to get a couple of months with a League One team pushing for promotion, a Championship team trying to avoid relegation, or another MLS team as long as he can show that whatever disciplinary issues he had at Orlando are behind him. As I noted, in England he would be have the advantage of being fresh and well rested, while teammates and opponents would be coming to the end of a long season and so could be tired. So if he gets fit and is focused, he should be aiming to find a club by the end of February/mid-March

I don't see where I wrote him off or suggested retirement. A player/coach role in Ireland would be looking to the future though. 32 and a string of injuries means that, yes, he has around 3 good years left in him. Those 3 years won't be long flying in and if he has already successful coaching experience under his belt by that point, he'll have little problem in finding more work should he need to move on.

Besides, he'd have a chance to finally play European football here. Something he'll not get in League One.

[Lenny82]

I'd love to see Dundalk offer him a year. Could fill the gap Boyle is leaving.

[the doc]

Heard a rumour that St Ledger is in Dub doing his coaching badges.

Player/Manager/Coach role in LOI?

With all he learnt about football off Mr Trapattoni, future Ireland manager?

Never say never in footie!

[Charlie Darwin]

Rumour has it Dundalk are looking to sack Kenny and bring in Sledge to help them kick on to the Champions League.

[SkStu]

Doc: "the Sledge dont need no steeenking badges"

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QN5M2Nx1zgI/TlxPqAnH-MI/AAAAAAAAIR8/KXoOAfsu218/s1600/stinking+badges.jpg

[the doc]

http://www.playingawayfromhome.com/blog/2017/2/1/sean-st-ledger-defender-unattached

[Irish_Praha]

Strange website but good luck to him anyway.

[DeLorean]

St. Ledger almost finished his rehab and is hoping a club will take a chance on him in preseason. - http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/st-ledger-aims-to-win-long-battle-of-wounded-knee-35773073.html

[Charlie Darwin]

This is usually around the time the doc would show up. Or has Sean decided to spend less time online?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

This is usually around the time the doc would show up. Or has Sean decided to spend less time online?

Have you seen his girlfriend?

[Charlie Darwin]

Found him!

http://foot.ie/threads/85805-Damien-Delaney?p=1923182#post1923182

[DannyInvincible]

St. Ledger reveals that Sligo Rovers made an approach for him in the recent past, but the timing wasn't ideal as he was only commencing his rehab programme: http://www.punditarena.com/irish-football/irish-international-soccer/nmenezes/sean-st-ledger-approach-league-ireland-club/


Following a torrid time with injury, Sean St. Ledger has managed just 27 appearances in just under four years, all of them coming in the MLS with Orlando City and Kevin Doyle’s Colorado Rapids. The former Leicester City centre-half is currently a free agent and told RTE how he was approached by former Sligo Rovers boss Dave Robertson.


“When Dave Robertson was at Sligo, he rang me up about going there but I was literally just starting my rehab programme and it was the wrong timing more than anything. But I’m open to anything really.”

[TrapAPony]

Remember him? Has signed a deal with Solihull in the Conference until January

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41810317

[gastric]

Tay Tay and the Doc won't be happy.

[the doc]

Fair play to the lad, he just wants to play football, he could just retire after his knee problems but he just loves the game.

Credit to him

[ifk101]

And on that note, fair play to all that chose to play the game - for the love it. Heroes!

[Colbert Report]

Fair play to the lad, he just wants to play football, he could just retire after his knee problems but he just loves the game.

Credit to him

This is getting to be way more than a joke. What is your relationship, if any, with the guy?

[nigel-harps1954]

Fair play to the lad, he just wants to play football, he could just retire after his knee problems but he just loves the game.

Credit to him

What's Taylor Swifts opinion of Solihull Doc? Is there a good night life there or something?

[seanfhear]

The St / Doc did a good job for us and I for one am grateful .

[Irish_Praha]

Good for him that he's got a team.
I know the doc's obsession with him makes a joke out of the situation but he filled a gap for Ireland when we were in need.
The options at the time were limited but 37 caps as a defender mostly under the ultra defensive Trap is nothing to make little of.
Hope it works out for him.

[DannyInvincible]

This is getting to be way more than a joke. What is your relationship, if any, with the guy?

Ha! As if there's any doubt.

[nigel-harps1954]

Poor start for our Doc with Solihull Motors 2-0 down to Wycombe at half time in the FA Cup.

Also noticed in Solihull squad is Fiacre Kelleher.

[BonnieShels]

Sean talking to RTÉ about his recovery:

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017/1107/918255-st-ledger-reveals-mammoth-battle-to-return-to-football/

[nigel-harps1954]

This one was missed the other day. Our Sean has signed for Guiseley having not played a single league match for Solihull Motors.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42755186

[the doc]

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/non-league-football/victory-over-fylde-was-one-to-savour-for-guiseley-caretaker-boss-st-ledger-1-9027862

Future Ireland International Football Manager, mark my words
🇮🇪

[gastric]

Of a fantasy football team!

[Stuttgart88]

My wife's brother lives in Guiseley

[tetsujin1979]

Does he manage the football team?

[the doc]

Does he manage the football team?

Yes, Good to see him back involved in the game, future Ireland manager.

Let’s not forget I said he would go on to play for Ireland, many on here dismissed it....

Let’s just say “ I know my footie”

[Charlie Darwin]

You sure do Sean.

[tetsujin1979]

Yes, Good to see him back involved in the game, future Ireland manager.

Let’s not forget I said he would go on to play for Ireland, many on here dismissed it....

Let’s just say “ I know my footie”

you joined the site in October 2007.
St Ledger was first called into the squad in August 2006.

[the doc]

you joined the site in October 2007.
St Ledger was first called into the squad in August 2006.

But he didn’t make his debut until May 2009.

Prior to that he was called into Stauntons squad a few years earlier, but wasn’t “ Givens” (Now that’s a story but I’ll keave it) a chance and left out of the squad, despite senior players rating him.

Many on here, wrote him off, that’s when I joined this site.

From that time I said he’d go on and be first choice for Ireland, you all mocked my claims.

Only injury prevented him from at least 75 caps.

I know my footie, and the rest as they say is history

[tetsujin1979]

But he didn’t make his debut until May 2009.So? He was already part of the setup, was on the bench away to Germany when we lost 1-0 in 2006. Predicting he would go on to play for Ireland doesn't make you Nostradamus.


Prior to that he was called into Stauntons squad a few years earlier, but wasn’t “ Givens” (Now that’s a story but I’ll keave it) a chance and left out of the squad, despite senior players rating him.

Many on here, wrote him off, that’s when I joined this site.

From that time I said he’d go on and be first choice for Ireland, you all mocked my claims.Read the first few pages of the thread. Not many writing him off. Talk of a potential Premier League move.


Only injury prevented him from at least 75 caps.Possibly. I'll give you twenty more caps. Forty is a bit much.


I know my footie, and the rest as they say is history
In this post you claimed St Ledger wouldn't get into the squad while Trapattoni was in charge. He earned all but one of his caps under the Italian.

Sadly I can't see him getting into the Ireland squad whilst Trapp and Givens are there, as they will always go for McShane and Bruce (now he has been given a new contract, thanks to an old pals act by Keane)

[Charlie Darwin]

Disappointing to see the doc putting the boot in on a good pro like St Ledger there. Expected more of him to be honest.

[the doc]

Thanks for the memories, only injury prevented more caps and the captaincy for Ireland for which he was lined up to take

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/i-thought-it-would-last-forever-and-never-saw-the-end-coming-frpvw9b6n

[seanfhear]

Thanks for the memories, only injury prevented more caps and the captaincy for Ireland for which he was lined up to take

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/i-thought-it-would-last-forever-and-never-saw-the-end-coming-frpvw9b6n
He did his best when he played for us and thats all anyone can ask .

[Eminence Grise]

only injury prevented more caps

Or perhaps the size of the head they were intended to fit!:p

Always sorry to see an Irish player retire - but I'm sure the foot.ie training will be an advantage if a career in punditry beckons! If not that, good luck with whatever else the future holds.

[ifk101]

Thanks for the memories, only injury prevented more caps and the captaincy for Ireland for which he was lined up to take

Obviously playing for Ireland was the highlight in an otherwise unremarkable career but thanks for the memories? Beating Estonia and effectively qualifying for the Euros is a highlight, but John Delaney's grin at the time of the draw puts that result in perspective. What else is there? Henry's hand ball, getting thrashed at the Euros ...

Best of luck in retirement Sean. You don't strike me as having the personality for coaching or management but I'm sure you tell everyone otherwise.

[the doc]

Obviously playing for Ireland was the highlight in an otherwise unremarkable career but thanks for the memories? Beating Estonia and effectively qualifying for the Euros is a highlight, but John Delaney's grin at the time of the draw puts that result in perspective. What else is there? Henry's hand ball, getting thrashed at the Euros ...

Best of luck in retirement Sean. You don't strike me as having the personality for coaching or management but I'm sure you tell everyone otherwise.

Unremarkable career? When you pull on that green jersey and get to play in front of such amazing fans, nothing compares to that.

Unremarkable? I’d say Amazing and a Honour....

Priceless ☘️