Sean Thornton

Infobox Football biography
playername = Sean Thornton


fullname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1983|5|18
cityofbirth = Drogheda
countryofbirth = Ireland
height =
nickname =
position = Midfielder
currentclub = Shrewsbury Town on loan from Leyton Orient
clubnumber =
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 2001-2002 2002-2005 2002 2005-2007 2007- 2008-
clubs = Tranmere Rovers Sunderland → Blackpool (loan) Doncaster Rovers
Leyton Orient → Shrewsbury Town (loan) Career
caps(goals) = 011 0(1) 049 0(9) 003 0(0) 059 0(2)
031 0(3) 004 0(1)
153 (15)
nationalyears =
nationalteam = Republic of Ireland under-21
nationalcaps(goals) = 012 0(0)
pcupdate = August 28, 2008
ntupdate = August 28, 2008

Sean Thornton (born May 18, 1983 in Drogheda, Republic of Ireland) is a professional footballer, currently playing for Shrewsbury Town on loan from Leyton Orient. He is the older brother of Coventry City midfielder Kevin Thornton.

Thornton started his career with Tranmere Rovers before joining Sunderland. Sunderland finally signed Sean Thornton from Tranmere on July 8, 2002 after pursuing the player for several months. He was 19 and very highly regarded in Ireland at the time, the deal sparked controversy when it was confirmed that Sean had trained with Sunderland while still contracted to Tranmere. [ [http://soccernet.espn.go.com/archive/england/players/ThorntonSean.html ESPN.com Soccernet England: Sean Thornton ] ]

Sean's form at Sunderland was often inconsistent and although he showed moments of great potential ultimately a falling out with then manager Mick McCarthy about heavy drinking was to seal his fate - a transfer to Doncaster Rovers.

One of the most notable moments of his career came in April 2003, when he scored an early goal to give them the lead over Chelsea. However, the lead was quickly turned into a deficit, and Sunderland lost the match.

Following Sunderland's promotion in 2004-05, he was sold to Doncaster Rovers on 11 July 2005 for £175,000, which was their club record fee. £125,000 of the fee was up front along with a further £50,000 payable if Rovers got promoted (this did not happen).Fact|date=August 2007

Perhaps his best moment at Doncaster Rovers was a 25-yard strike that sealed a 3-0 win for Rovers over Carling Cup opponents Aston Villa in 2005. He also played a part in another goal in the following round against Arsenal, by turning his back on an Arsenal shot that took a wicked deflection off him to beat Doncaster goalkeeper Jan Budtz. Sean also helped Doncaster Rovers to victory over Bristol Rovers in the Football League Trophy final in 2007. He swung in a stunning corner kick for Graeme Lee to head in to score the extra time winner at Cardiff. He was released by Doncaster in May 2007. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/6632891.stm Doncaster boss releases quintet] ]

In July 2007, Thornton signed for another League One side, Leyton Orient, having been linked to St Patrick's Athletic. He was manager Martin Ling's eighth summer signing. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leyton_orient/6272702.stm Orient land midfielder Thornton] ] He scored on his debut against rivals Southend United scoring a 30 yard scorcher of a free kick in a famous 2-1 win at Roots Hall. He moved on loan for a month to Shrewsbury Town on 12 September, 2008.

References

External links

*Soccerbase|26299|Sean Thornton