John Rooney (footballer)

John Rooney
Rooney playing for New York Red Bulls in 2011
Personal information
Full name John Richard Rooney[1]
Date of birth (1990-12-17) 17 December 1990 (age 34)[1]
Place of birth Liverpool, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Macclesfield
Youth career
1996–2002 Everton
2002–2008 Macclesfield Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2010 Macclesfield Town 41 (3)
2011 New York Red Bulls 5 (0)
2012 Orlando City 9 (2)
2012–2013 Barnsley 0 (0)
2013–2014 Bury 3 (0)
2013–2014 → Chester (loan) 4 (1)
2014–2016 Chester 108 (25)
2016–2017 Wrexham 33 (11)
2017 → Guiseley (loan) 7 (1)
2017–2018 Guiseley 31 (5)
2018–2020 Barrow 83 (27)
2020–2022 Stockport County 55 (20)
2022 Barrow 27 (5)
2022–2023 Oldham Athletic 32 (2)
2023– Macclesfield 38 (18)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:13, 18 September 2024 (UTC)

John Richard Rooney (born 17 December 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Macclesfield.

He is the younger brother of former England forward Wayne Rooney. Although born in England, Rooney has expressed a desire to represent the Republic of Ireland at international level.[2]

Early life

John Rooney was born in Liverpool, Merseyside[1] to Jeanette Maria Rooney (née Morrey) and Thomas Wayne Rooney. He is of Irish descent and was brought up in Croxteth with older brothers Graeme and Wayne; all three attended Our Lady and St. Swithin's primary school and the De La Salle Humanities College.[3]

Career

Everton

John Rooney started at the Everton Youth Academy at the age of six.[4]

Macclesfield Town

After being released by Everton, Rooney moved to Macclesfield Town in 2002, where he signed professional terms on 14 July 2008,[5] 4 months after his professional debut against Barnet on 24 March 2008.[6] His first ever career goal came against Dagenham & Redbridge in a 2–1 loss on 28 March 2009.[7] Rooney's Macclesfield contract expired at the end of the 2009–10 season (after refusing to sign a new contract).[8]

New York Red Bulls

After trials with Derby County[9] and Huddersfield Town were unsuccessful[10][11] Rooney went to Seattle Sounders FC and Portland Timbers on trial to enter the next Major League Soccer Draft.[12] Rooney signed with Major League Soccer on 28 December 2010 and played at the 2011 MLS Combine in Florida.[13]

On 13 January 2011, Rooney was selected in the second round of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by New York Red Bulls.[14] He made his debut for the club on 16 April as an 89th-minute substitute in a 3–0 victory over San Jose Earthquakes at Red Bull Arena.[15] On 28 June in his first start for New York, Rooney scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 victory over FC New York in the US Open Cup.[16]

Orlando City

Rooney was waived by New York on 23 November 2011[17] and he signed with USL Pro club Orlando City on 27 January 2012.[18]

On 25 February 2013, in his debut, Rooney scored his first goal with the club against Toronto FC in the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic in a 2–2 draw.[19] On 15 April, Rooney scored two goals and assisted a goal in a 4–1 win against the Wilmington Hammerheads.[20] On 22 May, Rooney again scored two goals in the second round of the US Open Cup in a 7–0 trashing of KC Athletics.[21] On 27 July, Orlando City won the 2012 Regular season title after they defeated the Charleston Battery 4–0 (with 3 games remaining in the season), as a result, John Rooney won his first championship in his career.[22] Rooney finished the season with 13 appearances and 5 goals as Orlando were eliminated in the Semi-final of the Playoffs to the Wilmington Hammerheads.[23]

Barnsley

After leaving Orlando City, Rooney was offered a contract by English club Barnsley in October 2012.[24] He signed a contract with the club on 25 October 2012.[25] He was released at the end of the season.[26]

Bury

On 10 July 2013, Bury announced they had signed Rooney on a twelve-month contract.[27]

Chester

He was loaned to Conference Premier side Chester until January 2014. He made four appearances and scored once. In January 2014, the transfer was permanent as he signed a contract keeping him until the end of 2014–15 season.[28]

Wrexham

On 7 June 2016, Rooney signed a one-year deal with Wrexham.[29][30] He made his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2016–17 season, in a 0–0 draw with Dover Athletic,[31] scoring his first goal for the club in their following match, converting a penalty during a 3–2 victory over Guiseley.[32]

In February 2017, Rooney joined Guiseley on loan for the remainder of the 2016–17 season after being unable to agree terms over a contract dispute.[33] Following his return to Wrexham at the end of the season, Rooney was one of several players who were not offered new deals.[34]

Barrow

In July 2018 he joined Barrow on a one-year contract. He helped them win the Vanarama National League title in the 2019-20 season, scoring 19 league goals from midfield in that curtailed season, becoming the club's second top scorer after Scott Quigley, winning several club awards and the Mark Harrop National League Player of the Season. .[35][36][37]

Stockport County

On 20 July 2020, Rooney signed for National League side Stockport County for an undisclosed fee.[38]

Barrow return

On 30 January 2022, Rooney returned to League Two side Barrow for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half-year deal.[39]

Oldham Athletic

On 27 September 2022, Rooney signed for National League club Oldham Athletic on a two-year deal with the option for a third[40] following the mutual termination of his Barrow contract earlier that day.[41]

Macclesfield

On 31 August 2023, Rooney had his contract terminated by mutual consent,[42] allowing him to join Northern Premier League Premier Division club Macclesfield.[43]

Personal life

He is the younger brother of former Manchester United and England captain, and former Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne Rooney.

His cousin, Tommy Rooney, also played for Macclesfield Town in the 2004–05 Football League Two.[44]

Career statistics

As of match played 4 October 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Macclesfield Town 2007–08[45] League Two 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
2008–09[46] League Two 14 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 16 2
2009–10[47] League Two 25 1 1 0 1 0 1[a] 1 28 2
Total 41 3 2 0 2 0 1 1 46 4
New York Red Bulls 2011[48] MLS 5 0 2 1 — 0 0 7 1
Orlando City 2012[48] USL Pro 9 2 0 0 — 0 0 9 2
Barnsley 2012–13[48] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bury 2013–14[48] League Two 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 0
Chester (loan) 2013–14[48] Conference Premier 4 1 0 0 — 1[b] 0 5 1
Chester 2013–14[48][49] Conference Premier 21 4 0 0 — 2[c] 3 23 7
2014–15[48] Conference Premier 46 11 4 0 — 2[b] 0 52 11
2015–16[50] National League 41 10 1 0 — 6[d] 0 48 10
Total 112 26 5 0 — 11 3 128 29
Wrexham 2016–17[48] National League 33 11 2 0 — 1[b] 0 36 11
Guiseley (loan) 2016–17[48] National League 7 1 — — — 7 1
Guiseley 2017–18[48][51] National League 31 5 3 2 — 2[e] 0 36 7
Total 38 6 3 2 — 2 0 43 8
Barrow 2018–19[48] National League 46 10 1 0 — 1[b] 0 48 10
2019–20[48] National League 37 17 1 0 — 1[b] 2 39 19
Total 83 27 2 0 — 2 2 87 29
Stockport County 2020–21[48] National League 36 16 4 4 — 2[f] 1 42 21
2021–22[48] National League 19 4 3 0 — 1[b] 0 23 4
Total 55 20 7 4 0 0 3 1 65 25
Barrow 2021–22[48] League Two 19 5 — — 0 0 19 5
2022–23[48] League Two 8 0 0 0 2 0 1[a] 1 11 1
Total 27 5 0 0 2 0 1 1 30 6
Oldham Athletic 2022–23[48] National League 32 2 3 0 — 1[b] 0 36 2
Macclesfield 2023–24[52] NPL Premier Division 29 15 4 2 — 10[g] 3 43 20
2024–25[53] NPL Premier Division 12 4 3 1 — 0 0 15 5
Total 41 19 7 3 — 10 3 58 25
Career total 479 121 33 10 5 0 32 11 549 142
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in Cheshire Senior Cup
  4. ^ Three appearances in FA Trophy, three appearances in Cheshire Senior Cup
  5. ^ One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance in West Riding County Cup
  6. ^ One appearance and one goal in FA Trophy, one appearance in National League play-offs
  7. ^ Eight appearances and one goal in FA Trophy, two appearances in NPL Premier Division play-offs

Honours

Orlando City SC

Barrow

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b c d Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 360. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ^ "Rooney's Brother Set To Play For Ireland". Sky News. Retrieved 15 April 2008.
  3. ^ "Liverpool schools Cardinal Heenan and De La Salle in BBC World Cup launch". Liverpool Echo. 5 June 2010. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
  4. ^ "Youth team news". Macclesfield Town F.C. 16 March 2007. Retrieved 29 May 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ "Macc sign Rooney". Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  6. ^ "John Rooney". Soccerbase. Retrieved 29 July 2008.
  7. ^ Dagenham & Redbridge v Macclesfield Town
  8. ^ John Rooney yet to sign new Macclesfield Town contract
  9. ^ "Rams take Rooney on trial". Sky Sports. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
  10. ^ "Terriers take Rooney on trial". Sky Sports.
  11. ^ "Terriers opt against Rooney". Sky Sports. 19 July 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  12. ^ Mayers, Joshua (10 August 2010). "Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid on trialist John Rooney". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  13. ^ Exclusive interview with John Rooney Archived 12 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ "John Rooney Drafted to New York Red Bulls". Archived from the original on 11 September 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  15. ^ "Rodgers, Henry dominating as Red Bulls trounce Quakes". New York Red Bulls. 17 April 2011. Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  16. ^ "Rooney, Hertzog lead Red Bulls over FCNY". Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  17. ^ "Players waived as teams begin to shape rosters for 2012". Archived from the original on 8 May 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  18. ^ "Orlando City signs English midfielder John Rooney". Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  19. ^ "Orlando City vs. Toronto FC 2–2". Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  20. ^ Orlando City vs. Wilmington Hammerheads 4–1 Archived 24 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ "Orlando City vs. KC Athletics 7–0". Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  22. ^ Lions Claim Regular Season Title Archived 24 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ Orlando City loses to Wilmington
  24. ^ "Barnsley offer contract to Wayne Rooney's brother John". BBC Sport. 16 October 2012.
  25. ^ "Wayne Rooney's brother John joins Barnsley". BBC Sport. 25 October 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  26. ^ "Rooney released". Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  27. ^ "Shakers sign Rooney". Bury FC. Archived from the original on 15 July 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  28. ^ "Rooney signs contract with Chester". BBC Sport.
  29. ^ "Wrexham sign forward John Rooney and defender Curtis Tilt 56 minutes ago From the section Football". BBC. BBC. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  30. ^ "John Rooney signs one-year deal at Wrexham AFC". Trinity Mirror Merseyside. Daily Post. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  31. ^ "Wrexham 0–0 Dover Athletic". BBC Sport. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  32. ^ "Guiseley 2–3". BBC Sport. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  33. ^ "John Rooney: Guiseley sign Wrexham midfielder on loan". BBC Sport. 14 February 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  34. ^ "Wrexham AFC retained list: recap and reaction from Dean Keates's squad cull". Daily Post. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  35. ^ "Barrow AFC sign Rooney". 3 July 2018.
  36. ^ "John Rooney scoops another fans' award". 15 May 2020.
  37. ^ "Virtual National Game Awards 2019-20: Mark Harrod Player of the Year - John Rooney". 7 July 2020.
  38. ^ Wright, Matt (20 July 2020). "Goalscoring midfielder John Rooney leaves Barrow AFC for Stockport County". North-West Evening Mail.
  39. ^ "Bluebirds Clinch Deal For John Rooney Return". www.barrowafc.com. 30 January 2022.
  40. ^ "Rooney Signs For Latics". www.oldhamathletic.co.uk. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  41. ^ "John Rooney Departs The Bluebirds". www.barrowafc.com. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  42. ^ "John Rooney Departs". www.oldhamathletic.co.uk. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  43. ^ "MACCLESFIELD FC AGREES TERMS WITH MIDFIELDER JOHN ROONEY". macclesfieldfc.com. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  44. ^ Tommy Rooney
  45. ^ "Games played by John Rooney in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  46. ^ "Games played by John Rooney in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  47. ^ "Games played by John Rooney in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  48. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "John Rooney Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  49. ^ "First Team Statistics 2013/14". www.chester-city.co.uk. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  50. ^ "First Team Statistics 2015/16". www.chester-city.co.uk. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  51. ^ "2017-18 Appearances & Goals". Guiseley AFC Memorabilia. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  52. ^ "Macclesfield | Appearances | John Rooney | Football Web Pages".
  53. ^ https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/macclesfield/appearances/john-rooney/955206
  54. ^ "match Recap: 7.8.2012 Orlando City at Los Angeles Blues". Orlando City SC. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  55. ^ "Barrow promoted to League Two after being crowned National League champions". Sky Sports. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  56. ^ Oliver Osborne (19 June 2021). "The Team of the Season for the Vanarama National League have been announced". Vanarama National League. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  57. ^ "Rooney Scoops January Player Award". Pitchero Non-League. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  58. ^ "September's National League awards unveiled by MANarama". The Non-League Football Paper. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  59. ^ "John Rooney named National League Player of the Year again". Stockport County. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2022.