Richie Wellens

Infobox Football biography
playername = Richie Wellens


fullname = Richard Paul Wellens
height = convert|5|ft|9|in|m|2|abbr=on
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1980|3|26
cityofbirth = Manchester
countryofbirth = England
currentclub = Doncaster Rovers
clubnumber = 19
position = Midfielder
youthyears = 1997–1999
youthclubs = Manchester United
years = 1999–2000
2000–2005
2005–2007
2007–
clubs = Manchester United
Blackpool
Oldham Athletic
Doncaster Rovers
caps(goals) = 000 0(0)
188 (16)
087 0(8)
052 0(8)
pcupdate = 20 September 2008 (UTC)

Richard Paul "Richie" Wellens (born 26 March 1980 in Moston, Greater Manchester) is an English professional footballer currently playing as a midfielder for Doncaster Rovers.

Wellens started his career at Manchester United, playing alongside the likes of Wes Brown and John O'Shea. But frustrated at the lack of opportunities, he moved to Blackpool in 2000. In 2005 he left Blackpool for his local side Oldham Athletic. In summer 2007, after turning down an improved contract offered by Oldham, he signed a two year contract with fellow League One side Doncaster Rovers. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/6271052.stm Doncaster sign midfielder Wellens] ]

Wellens made the 2004-05, 2006-07 and 2007-08 League One PFA Team of the Year.

Wellens was a vital player in the Doncaster Rovers side that gained promotion to the Championship in 2007/8. His skillful midfield performances brought him several individual awards, several key goals for Rovers, and helped the team gain promotion. His first competitive goal for Doncaster Rovers was in August 2007 in the Carling Cup with the second strike in a 4-1 victory over Lincoln City, however this wasn't the first time he had hit the back of the net for Rovers; In his very first appearance in a Doncaster shirt, Wellens impressively chipped the ball over the opposition goalkeeper and into the net from fully 40 yards in a pre-season friendly against non-league Retford United.

In July 2008, Wellens put pen-to-paper on a two-year extension to his current contract, leaving him contracted to Doncaster Rovers until the summer of 2011.

Honours

Blackpool
*Division Three play-off final winner: 2000-1
*Football League Trophy winner: 2001-02, 2003-04

References

External links

* [http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10329~10056,00.html Richie Wellens player profile] at doncasterroversfc.co.uk
* [http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10337~10056,00.html Richie Wellens player profile] at oldhamathletic.co.uk
* [http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10432~10056,00.html Richie Wellens player profile] at blackpoolfc.co.uk
*soccerbase|id=18124|name=Richie Wellens