Brian Jensen (footballer, born 1975)

Brian Jensen

Jensen in 2011
Personal information
Full name	Brian Paldan Jensen
Date of birth	(1975-06-08) 8 June 1975 (age 48) [1]
Place of birth	Copenhagen, Denmark
Height	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) [1]
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Shrewsbury Town (goalkeeper coach)
Youth career
1990–1993	B.93
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1993–1997	B.93	2	(0)
1997–2000	AZ	1	(0)
1997–1998	→ Hvidovre (loan)	1	(0)
2000–2003	West Bromwich Albion	46	(0)
2003–2013	Burnley	271	(0)
2013–2014	Bury	36	(0)
2014–2015	Crawley Town	20	(0)
2015–2017	Mansfield Town	28	(0)
2017–2018	Crusaders	30	(0)
Total		435	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Brian Paldan Jensen (born 8 June 1975) is a Danish retired professional footballer and current first team goalkeeping coach at Shrewsbury Town. He played more than 300 English league games as a goalkeeper for Burnley and West Bromwich Albion.

Jensen started his career with Danish lower-league club B.93, before joining Dutch Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar in 1997. He made his senior breakthrough with West Bromwich Albion, playing a total of 50 games for the club. He joined Burnley in 2003 and played more than 300 games in all competitions, helping the club win promotion to the top-flight Premier League in 2009.

Career

Early career

Born and raised in the Nørrebro quarter of Copenhagen, Jensen began playing football as a defender in the youth team of B 93. ^[2] As the youth team goalkeeper lacked height, the keeper job was given to the "biggest and dumbest" player of the team, according to Jensen himself. ^[2] He was a substitute to goalkeeper Jan Hoffmann at the B 93 senior team. ^[3]

His goalkeeping talent caught the attention of Dutch outfit AZ when he was named best goalkeeper at a youth tournament in the Netherlands. ^[3] He was loaned out from Alkmaar to Danish club Hvidovre IF for eight months, while finishing his electrician education, before going to play as a full-time professional for Alkmaar in February 1998. ^[2] Jensen managed one appearance in the Eredivisie championship in his time at Alkmaar, ^[4] serving exclusively as a substitute for Dutch international keeper Oscar Moens. ^[3]

West Bromwich Albion

While waiting for his Alkmaar contract to run out, Jensen trained with Division One side West Bromwich Albion, where his imposing stature earned him the nickname "The Beast". ^[3] When West Brom keeper Chris Adamson was asked to comment on Jensen, he told reporters he was "nothing but a beast". ^[5] Jensen moved to West Brom for a fee of £80,000 in March 2000. ^[2] He made his Albion debut on 7 March 2000 and kept a clean sheet in a 2–0 victory over Tranmere Rovers. He stayed at West Brom for three years, playing a total of 50 games. He helped the club survive in Division One in 1999–2000, and was a regular for much of the following season, until the arrival of Russell Hoult saw the end of Jensen's playing time for WBA in February 2001. ^[6] Jensen never re-gained a regular place, playing only one match in Albion's promotion season of 2001–02. ^[7] He moved on in 2003, after West Brom were relegated, finishing 19th in the Premier League.

Burnley

Jensen in 2007

He joined Burnley on 30 June 2003 on a free transfer. ^[8] During his first season at Burnley, he was the only goalkeeper on their books. The club avoided relegation by just two points, finishing in 19th position in the First Division. After the arrival of Danny Coyne in the summer of 2004, he found himself second choice keeper at Turf Moor, but through good form and a serious injury to Coyne he earned his place back in the starting line-up. ^[9] Following impressive form in autumn 2004, Jensen criticised national team manager Morten Olsen for not having watched him play, when Jensen thought he had earned a place in the Danish national squad. ^[10]

After a run of performances in which Jensen's form was found lacking by Burnley manager Steve Cotterill, goalkeeper Mike Pollitt was brought on loan to Turf Moor in January 2007. ^[11] In response to being left out of the Burnley team for a match at Southampton, Jensen wanted to leave the club, and on 22 January 2007 Burnley placed him on the transfer list. ^[12] However, by April of that year, Jensen had not only re-established himself as the club's first-choice but his relationship with Cotterill had improved and he was taken off the transfer list. ^[13]

Burnley brought in another goalkeeper, Gábor Király, before the 2007–08 season and Jensen found himself once again seemingly second choice, spending four months out of the team from mid-September. ^[14] He returned to regular first team action in January 2008. ^[14] He signed a new two-year contract with Burnley in June 2008. ^[15] He saved two penalties to help Burnley beat Chelsea in the fourth round of the League Cup. He played in the 2009 Football League Championship play-off final, in which Burnley beat Sheffield United 1–0 at Wembley Stadium to earn promotion to the Premier League. ^[16] On 19 August 2009, he was named man of the match in Burnley's 1–0 Premier League victory over Manchester United, which was Burnley's first top division win in 33 years. The performance included a range of saves as well as a penalty save against Michael Carrick. ^[17] He signed a new two-year contract with the club in June 2010. ^[18] Jensen played his 300th league game in a 4–0 win over Hull City on 28 September 2010. On 22 December 2010, Jensen officially handed in a written transfer request due to lack of games. ^[19] However, Jensen decided to withdraw the transfer request. ^[20] Jensen would then sign a one-year contract with the club. ^[21]

On 6 May 2013, Jensen announced to his followers on Twitter that he was not going to be offered a new contract. ^[22] Despite being released, Jensen told langebolde.dk in the interview that he ruled out retirement due to desire to play on for many years. ^[23]

Bury

Jensen joined Bury on a short-term contract on 2 September 2013, and was named player-goalkeeper coach the following January. ^[24] Having made seventeen appearances, Jensen signed a contract extension with the club until the end of the season. ^[25]

At the end of the season, he was named Bury Player of the Season by both the fans of the club and by local newspaper Bury Times. ^[26] Despite good performances, Jensen was released by the club in May 2014 after being told that he would not be offered a new contract. ^[27]

Crawley Town

On 27 May 2014, Jensen signed a one-year contract at Crawley Town under manager John Gregory. He was Crawley's second signing of the 2014–15 season. Jensen made 20 appearances for The Reds before dislocating his finger against MK Dons in January 2015.

Mansfield Town

On 24 June 2015, Jensen signed a one-year deal ^[28] with League Two rivals Mansfield Town on a free transfer as a player and goalkeeping coach. Jensen holds the record for being the oldest player to play for the club at the age of 40 years, seven months and nine days. ^[29]

The Nottinghamshire club extended Jensen's term ^[29] at Field Mill at the end of the 2015–16 season. He was released by Mansfield at the end of the 2016–17 season. ^[30]

Crusaders

On 17 May 2017, Jensen signed a one-year contract with NIFL Premiership side Crusaders. ^[31]

Coaching career

After a playing career spanning over 25 years, Jensen launched a new GK Icon youth goalkeeping academy in Sandbach, Cheshire on 31 May 2016. ^[32]

On 1 June 2018, it was announced that he had returned to Bury on a two-year contract as the first team goalkeeping coach, working with manager Ryan Lowe. ^[33]

On 21 June 2019, Jensen joined the backroom staff as goalkeeping coach at League One side Shrewsbury Town. ^[34]

Career statistics

Jensen training in 2008

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
AZ Alkmaar	1999–2000 [35]	Eredivisie	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
West Bromwich Albion	1999–2000 [36]	First Division	12	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	12	0
	2000–01 [37]	First Division	33	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	37	0
	2001–02 [38]	First Division	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	2002–03 [39]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		46	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	50	0
Burnley	2003–04 [40]	First Division	46	0	3	0	3	0	0	0	52	0
	2004–05 [41]	Championship	27	0	4	0	2	0	0	0	33	0
	2005–06 [42]	Championship	39	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	41	0
	2006–07 [43]	Championship	31	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	33	0
	2007–08 [44]	Championship	19	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	21	0
	2008–09 [45]	Championship	45	0	5	0	7	0	3 [lower-alpha 1]	0	60	0
	2009–10 [46]	Premier League	38	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	41	0
	2010–11 [47]	Championship	21	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	21	0
	2011–12 [48]	Championship	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
	2012–13 [49]	Championship	1	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	4	0
	Total		271	0	17	0	19	0	3	0	310	0
Bury	2013–14 [50]	League Two	36	0	2	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 2]	0	39	0
Crawley Town	2014–15 [51]	League One	20	0	0	0	2	0	1 [lower-alpha 2]	0	23	0
Mansfield Town	2015–16 [52]	League Two	25	0	1	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 2]	0	27	0
	2016–17 [53]	League Two	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
	Total		28	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	31	0
Crusaders	2017–18 [54]	NIFL Premiership	30	0	1	0	2	0	3 [lower-alpha 3]	0	36	0
Career total			432	0	22	0	27	0	9	0	490	0

1. Appearances in EFL Championship play-offs.
2. Appearances in EFL Trophy.
3. Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup.

Recognition

A child born to Burnley fans in 2011 was named after Jensen, with thirteen middle names after other players on the team. ^[55]

Honours

Burnley

• Football League Championship play-offs: 2009

Crusaders

• NIFL Premiership: 2017–18 ^[56]

References

1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream. ISBN   978-1-84596-324-8.
2. Kaspar Steenbach, "Bæstet fra Blågårds Plads", B.T. , 20 August 2000
3. Niels Rasmussen, "Det populære udyr", Politiken , 19 March 2001
4. Hunter, Andy (8 March 2009). "Interview: Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen on facing Arsenal in the FA Cup". The Guardian. London.
5. Tommy Heisz and Peter Gisselmann, "Talent: Bæstet i buret", Aktuelt, 29 January 2001
6. "Brian Jensen | Football Stats | Crusaders | Season 2000/2001 | Soccer Base".
7. "Brian Jensen - Football Stats - Crusaders - Season 2001/2002 - Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com.
8. "Burnley snap up Jensen". BBC Sport. 30 June 2003. Retrieved 22 July 2010.
9. "Brian Jensen forlænger med Burnley". bold.dk (in Danish). 7 April 2005.
10. Hedlundh, Kent (17 October 2005). "Jensen slams Danish boss". Sky Sports . Archived from the original on 22 March 2007.
11. ""The Beast" vil væk fra Burnley". 22 January 2007. Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
12. "Gudjonsson seals Clarets switch". BBC News. 22 January 2007.
13. "The Beast gamblede og vandt". Tipsbladet.dk.
14. "Brian Jensen | Football Stats | Crusaders | Season 2007/2008". Soccer Base.
15. "Burnley's Jensen signs new deal". BBC Sport. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2010.
16. Fletcher, Paul (25 May 2009). "Burnley 1–0 Sheff Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2009.
17. "Burnley 1–0 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 19 August 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
18. "Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen signs new deal". BBC Sport. 3 June 2010. Retrieved 22 July 2010.
19. "Jensen asks to quit Clarets". Sky Sports. 22 December 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
20. "Jensen to stay at Burnley". Sky Sports. 27 January 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
21. "Burnley keepers sign new deals". Sky Sports. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
22. "Brian Jensen leaves Burnley after 10 years with the club". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
23. "Brian Jensen insists he has no desire to call time on his career just yet". Sky Sports. 2 April 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
24. "Brian Jensen: Bury sign former Burnley veteran goalkeeper". BBC Sport. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
25. "Jensen pens new Shakers deal". Sky Sports. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
26. "Brian Jensen scoops top award at Bury player of the season bash". Bury Times. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
27. "Jensen heads Shakers list". Sky Sports. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
28. "Big Dane joins Stags in dual role". Mansfield Town F.C. 24 June 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
29. "Jamie McGuire & Brian Jensen sign new Mansfield contracts". BBC Sport. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
30. "Matt Green: Mansfield striker among 11 released by Stags". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
31. "Crusaders sign Danish goalkeeper Brian Jensen on one-year contract". BBC Sport. 17 May 2017.
32. "Challenger Sports UK". Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
33. "Brian Jensen Returns as Goalkeeper Coach". www.buryfc.co.uk. Bury Football Club. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
34. "Jensen Joins Backroom Staff". www.shrewsburytown.com. Shrewsbury Town FC official site. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
35. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
36. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
37. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
38. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
39. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
40. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
41. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
42. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
43. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
44. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
45. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
46. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
47. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
48. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
49. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
50. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
51. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
52. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
53. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
54. "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
55. Byrne, Paul (12 March 2011). "Baby named after every Burnley FC player that played in first game of the season". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
56. "Crusaders are crowned champions". The News Letter. Retrieved 28 April 2018.

External links

• Brian Jensen at Soccerbase