Jon O'Connor

Jon O'Connor (born 29 October 1976 in Darlington) is a retired English football defender.

He started his career at Everton after joining in 1993. He captained England at youth level, and graduated through the F.A. School at Lilleshall. Although he was a centre back, Everton were well covered in this position, and so he had made his first team breakthrough at right back, after Joe Royle dropped Matt Jackson after a disastrous F.A. Cup in 1996. He made his debut at Old Trafford, and gave a good account of himself in the match against Manchester United. He followed this up with two more good performances versus Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough. However, Royle wasn't convinced and bought Marc Hottiger, meaning the right back position was again filled. A series of niggling injuries put O'Connor out of the whole 1996-97 season, and Royle left Everton near the end of the 1996-97 season and was replaced in the summer by Howard Kendall. O'Connor played well in the preseason friendlies, linking well with fellow youngster John Oster. Unfortunately for O'Connor, he was again replaced before the season as Kendall bought Tony Thomas and later John O'Kane. Inevitably in February 1998, he left Everton, joining Sheffield United, initially on loan. Everton fans saw this as a pity, as it was thought he had the talent to be an excellent player for them.

At Bramall Lane he only made three starts and two substitute appearances in two and a half years, making his debut versus Bradford City. In October 2000 he joined Blackpool on a free transfer. He played 13 times for them, before disappearing into obscurity.

Clubs

*1993-1998 : flagicon|England Everton::1998 : flagicon|England Sheffield United (loan)
*1998-2000 : flagicon|England Sheffield United
*2000-2002 : flagicon|England Blackpool

References

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