Connor Jennings

Connor Jennings

Jennings with Tranmere Rovers in 2023
Personal information
Full name	Connor Joseph Jennings [1]
Date of birth	(1991-10-29) 29 October 1991 (age 33) [2]
Place of birth	Manchester, England
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) [3]
Position(s)	Forward [4]
Team information
Current team	Tranmere Rovers
Number	18
Youth career
2005–2009	Stalybridge Celtic
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2009–2012	Stalybridge Celtic	103	(44)
2012–2014	Scunthorpe United	16	(0)
2012–2013	→ Stockport County (loan)	13	(4)
2013	→ Macclesfield Town (loan)	16	(14)
2014	→ Grimsby Town (loan)	12	(1)
2014–2016	Wrexham	86	(20)
2016–2020	Tranmere Rovers	140	(27)
2017	→ Macclesfield Town (loan)	5	(1)
2020–2023	Stockport County	41	(5)
2022–2023	→ Altrincham (loan)	6	(1)
2023	Hartlepool United	18	(4)
2023–	Tranmere Rovers	57	(14)
International career
2011	England C	1	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:51, 17 November 2024 (UTC)

Connor Joseph Jennings (born 29 October 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League Two club Tranmere Rovers.

Jennings started his career with Stalybridge Celtic in the 2008–09 season, staying with them until halfway through 2011–12, where he scored over 50 goals in over 100 games, before moving on to Scunthorpe United. He has since played for Stockport County, Macclesfield Town, Grimsby Town, Wrexham, Altrincham and Hartlepool United.

He played once for the England national C team, scoring one goal.

Club career

Stalybridge Celtic

Jennings was born in Manchester, Greater Manchester. ^[5] He rose through the youth team at Stalybridge Celtic and made his debut for the club, on 3 March 2009, coming on as a substitute and scoring in a 7–1 victory over Hinckley United. ^[6] He scored his second and third goals for the club as part of a 4–0 win over Burscough in April 2009. ^[7] He started off the 2009–10 season well scoring once in August, as Celtic won 3–1 at home to Vauxhall Motors. ^[8] He finished that season with 11 goals in all competitions. He got his 2010–11 season of to a good start by scoring in a 2–1 defeat to Nuneaton Town. ^[9] This turned out to be his most prolific season yet, scoring 18 goals, ^[10] including two brace's towards the end of the season, against Gloucester City and Vauxhall Motors. ^{[11] [12]}

After a prolific season in 2010–11, he got his 2011–12 season of to a great start, scoring five goals in August. ^[10] He went on to score ten goals in the next three months, including brace's against Altrincham and Worcester City. ^[10] In December 2011, he scored another brace, hitting both of Celtic's goals in a 2–2 draw with Stockport County in the FA Trophy. ^[13] He followed that up by scoring a stoppage time winner in the replay at Bower Fold as his team won 2–1. ^[14] On 1 January 2012, he scored his last goal on his last appearance for Stalybridge in stoppage time, scoring a penalty, which he won himself, his team lost the match 3–1 to rivals Hyde. ^[15] He scored 51 goals in 123 matches in all competitions, in his time at Stalybridge. ^[16]

Scunthorpe United

Jennings signed for League One team Scunthorpe United on 5 January 2012 on a two-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee. ^{[17] [18]} He made his debut on 14 January, coming on as a 70th-minute substitute in a 1–1 draw at Colchester United. ^[19] He scored his first goal for the club in a 5–5 draw with Derby County in the League Cup on 14 August 2012. ^[20]

After 14 appearances for Scunthorpe in 2012–13, scoring one goal, he was loaned out to Conference Premier team Stockport County on 16 November 2012. ^[21] He made his debut the day after, as his team lost 2–0 away to Nuneaton Town. ^[22]

Jennings joined Macclesfield Town on loan at the start of 2013–14, initially until January. ^[23] He returned to Scunthorpe on 15 December 2013 because of a calf injury. ^[24]

On 28 February 2014, Jennings joined Conference Premier club Grimsby Town on an initial one-month loan. ^[25] On 25 March 2014, Jennings extended his loan with Grimsby until the end of 2013–14.^{[ citation needed ]}

Wrexham

On 11 July 2014, Jennings signed for Wrexham. ^[26] He started in the 2015 FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium, however, Wrexham would miss out on penalties to North Ferriby. ^[27] Jennings was named as the Wrexham Player of the Year for the 2015–16 season after making 48 appearances and scoring 14 goals. ^{[28] [29]}

Tranmere Rovers

On 2 June 2016, Jennings joined Wrexham's National League rivals Tranmere Rovers on a two-year contract. ^[30] Jennings' Tranmere career got off to a slow start, making just 11 appearances by January. Jennings was then loaned out to fellow National League club Macclesfield Town for whom he played 5 games, scoring 1 goal. ^[31] Jennings returned to Tranmere in March and went on to establish himself as a first team regular until the end of the season, Jennings' stint in the side coincided with an excellent run of form for Tranmere which saw them narrowly miss out on the National League title. ^[32] Jennings managed 6 goals in April 2017, 3 of which came in a 9–0 victory over Solihull Moors. ^[33]

Jennings scored against Forest Green in the 2017 National League play-off final. His rising finish from distance was not enough to stop Tranmere's first Wembley appearance in 17 years ending in a 3–1 defeat. ^[34]

In the 2018 National League play-off final, Jennings crossed for James Norwood to score the winning goal in Tranmere's 2–1 win over Boreham Wood. ^[35]

He signed a new two-year contract with the club in May 2018. ^[36]

In the 2019 League Two play-off final, Jennings scored the only goal of the game as Tranmere beat Newport County 1–0. ^[37]

Stockport County

After leaving Tranmere, Jennings signed for Stockport County on 16 July 2020. ^[38] In March 2021, it was announced that Jennings had been diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, chondrosarcoma. ^[39] Eight months after his diagnosis, Jennings came on a substitute in a 5–0 win against King's Lynn Town, scoring the final goal in the 91st minute. ^[40]

On 7 November 2022, Jennings joined Altrincham on a one-month loan deal. ^[41] This deal was then extended by a further month. ^[42]

Hartlepool United

On 31 January 2023, Jennings signed for League Two side Hartlepool United on a permanent deal. ^[43] He played 18 games for Hartlepool, scoring four times in his time with the club. ^[44]

Return to Tranmere Rovers

On 19 June 2023, Jennings signed a one-year contract at League Two club Tranmere Rovers making it a second spell at the club. ^[45] On 23 November 2023, Jennings signed a one-year contract extension with Tranmere until the end of June 2025. ^[46]

International career

He was selected to play for the England national C team against Gibraltar in November 2011, and he scored his first and England's only goal in that game, coming on as a 46th-minute substitute for Barrow's Adam Boyes. ^[47]

Style of play

Jennings who plays as a striker, has been described as 'pacey'. He was also described as a 'stylish' player with an 'eye for goal'. ^[16] On his arrival at Scunthorpe United, manager Alan Knill said about Jennings, "Technically, he is very good and very quick" he also added "Jennings can play in a number of positions and not just at Centre Forward". ^[48]

Personal life

Connor's older brother, James, is a former footballer who played as a defender. ^[23]

Career statistics

As of match played 27 April 2024

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
Stalybridge Celtic	2008–09 [10]	Conference North	8	3	0	0	—		0	0	8	3
	2009–10 [10]	Conference North	36	10	3	1	—		4 [a]	0	43	11
	2010–11 [10]	Conference North	36	16	4	0	—		3 [b]	2	43	18
	2011–12 [10]	Conference North	23	15	1	0	—		5 [c]	4	29	19
	Total		103	44	8	1	—		12	6	123	51
Scunthorpe United	2011–12 [49]	League One	4	0	—		—		—		4	0
	2012–13 [50]	League One	12	0	1	0	2	1	1 [d]	0	16	1
	2013–14 [51]	League Two	0	0	—		—		—		0	0
	Total		16	0	1	0	2	1	1	0	20	1
Stockport County (loan)	2012–13 [29]	Conference Premier	13	4	—		—		3 [b]	4	16	8
Macclesfield Town (loan)	2013–14 [29]	Conference Premier	16	14	3	3	—		—		19	17
Grimsby Town (loan)	2013–14 [29]	Conference Premier	12	1	—		—		—		12	1
Wrexham	2014–15 [29]	Conference Premier	41	6	4	1	—		9 [b]	2	54	9
	2015–16 [29]	National League	45	14	1	0	—		2 [b]	0	48	14
	Total		86	20	5	1	—		11	2	102	23
Tranmere Rovers	2016–17 [29]	National League	23	7	0	0	—		6 [e]	1	29	8
	2017–18 [29]	National League	43	8	3	1	—		2 [f]	0	48	9
	2018–19 [52]	League Two	45	8	5	4	0	0	5 [g]	1	55	13
	2019–20 [53]	League One	29	4	6	1	1	0	3 [h]	2	39	7
	Total		140	27	14	6	1	0	16	4	171	37
Macclesfield Town (loan)	2016–17 [29]	National League	5	1	—		—		—		5	1
Stockport County	2020–21 [29]	National League	17	2	4	1	—		2 [b]	0	23	3
	2021–22 [29]	National League	17	3	1	0	—		5 [b]	2	23	5
	2022–23 [54]	League Two	7	0	1	0	2	1	3 [h]	1	13	2
	Total		41	5	6	1	2	1	10	3	59	10
Hartlepool United	2022–23 [54]	League Two	18	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	18	4
Tranmere Rovers	2023–24 [55]	League Two	44	12	1	0	2	0	1 [h]	0	48	12
Career total			494	132	38	12	7	2	54	19	593	165

1. One appearance in Cheshire Senior Cup, three in FA Trophy
2. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
3. Two appearances in Cheshire Senior Cup, three appearances and four goals in FA Trophy
4. Appearance in Football League Trophy
5. Three appearances in FA Trophy, three appearances and one goal in National League play-offs
6. One appearance in FA Trophy, one in National League play-offs
7. Two appearances in EFL Trophy, three appearances and one goal in League Two play-offs
8. Appearances in EFL Trophy

Honours

Wrexham

• FA Trophy runner-up: 2014–15 ^[56]

Tranmere Rovers

• EFL League Two play-offs: 2019 ^[57]
• National League play-offs: 2018 ^[58]

Stockport County

• National League: 2021–22 ^[59]

Individual

• Wrexham Player of the Year: 2015–16 ^[28]

References

1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Tranmere Rovers" (PDF). English Football League. p. 88. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
2. "Profiles: Connor Jennings". Scunthorpe United F.C. Archived from the original on 22 May 2012.
3. "Connor Jennings". Tranmere Rovers F.C. Archived from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
4. "Connor Jennings". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
5. "Connor Jennings: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
6. Benson, Iain. "Hinckley torn to shreds". Stalybridge Celtic F.C. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
7. Benson, Iain. "Celtic see off hard working Burscough". Stalybridge Celtic F.C. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
8. Benson, Iain. "First home win". Stalybridge Celtic F.C. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
9. Benson, Iain. "Suspected broken arm for Phil Marsh". Stalybridge Celtic F.C. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
10. "Player profile – Connor Jennings". Stalybridge Celtic F.C. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
11. Benson, Iain. "Celtic thrash Gloucester by a single goal". Stalybridge Celtic F.C. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
12. Benson, Iain. "Celtic cruise in control past the Motors". Stalybridge Celtic F.C. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
13. Benson, Iain. "Celtic still in the hat". Stalybridge Celtic F.C. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
14. Benson, Iain. "Moves like Jennings". Stalybridge Celtic F.C. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
15. "Lesson in finishing". Stalybridge Celtic F.C. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
16. "Player information: Connor Jennings". Stalybridge Celtic F.C. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
17. "Scunthorpe United sign Connor Jennings and lose Duffy". BBC Sport. 5 January 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
18. "Jennings will wear the badge with pride". Scunthorpe United F.C. Retrieved 6 January 2012.^{[ dead link ‍]}
19. "Colchester 1–1 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 14 January 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
20. "Derby 5–5 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
21. "Stockport sign Scunthorpe's Connor Jennings on loan". BBC Sport. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
22. "Nuneaton 2–0 Stockport". BBC Sport. 17 November 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
23. "Silkmen sign Jennings". Macclesfield Town F.C. 24 July 2013. Archived from the original on 3 June 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
24. Moody, James (15 December 2013). "Injured Jennings returns". Scunthorpe United F.C. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
25. "Iron striker joins Town". Grimsby Town F.C. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
26. "Wrexham FC sign new striker Connor Jennings". Wrexham A.F.C. 11 July 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
27. Geoff Sweet (29 March 2015). "North Ferriby win FA Trophy after penalty shootout drama". The FA. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
28. Rob Griffiths (2 June 2016). "Connor Jennings says he leaves Wrexham AFC a better player after playing for Gary Mills". Daily Post. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
29. "C. Jennings: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
30. "Connor Jennings: Tranmere Rovers sign Wrexham striker". BBC Sport. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
31. "Jennings joins Macclesfield on loan". Liverpool Echo. 7 February 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
32. Goodwin, Ben (12 April 2017). "How Tranmere's run-in for National League title battle looks". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
33. "Tranmere Rovers 9–0 Solihull Moors". BBC Sport. 8 April 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
34. Ames, Nick (14 May 2017). "Forest Green stun Tranmere to claim league place for first time". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
35. "Boreham Wood 1, Tranmere 2". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
36. "Tranmere Rovers: Striker Connor Jennings signs new deal with League Two side". BBC Sport. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
37. BBC Sport. "Tranmere Rovers v Newport County". BBC Sport.
38. "Connor and James Jennings sign for County". Stockport County. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
39. "Connor Jennings: Stockport County striker diagnosed with rare cancer". BBC Sport. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
40. Neil Johnston (2 December 2021). "FA Cup 2021–22: Stockport County's Connor Jennings on returning to action after cancer surgery". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
41. "Goal ace Jennings joins Alty on loan". altrinchamfc.com. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
42. "Boost for Alty as Connor signs for another month!". altrinchamfc.com. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
43. "Pools Sign Connor Jennings". Hartlepool United. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
44. Gavin Ledwith (20 June 2023). "Ex-Hartlepool United striker Connor Jennings completes 'no-brainer' move back to former club Tranmere Rovers". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
45. "Tranmere Rovers sign Forest Green midfielder Regan Hendry while Connor Jennings rejoins". BBC Sport. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
46. "Connor Jennings signs one-year contract extension". Tranmere Rovers FC. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
47. Appleby, Michael. "England rocked by Gibraltar". The Football Association. Retrieved 6 January 2012.^{[ dead link ‍]}
48. "Jennings' hunger delights Knill". Scunthorpe United F.C. 6 January 2012. Archived from the original on 10 January 2012.
49. "Games played by Connor Jennings in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
50. "Games played by Connor Jennings in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
51. "Games played by Connor Jennings in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
52. "Games played by Connor Jennings in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
53. "Games played by Connor Jennings in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
54. "Games played by Connor Jennings in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
55. "Games played by Connor Jennings in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
56. Sweet, Geoff (29 March 2015). "North Ferriby win FA Trophy after penalty shootout drama". The Football Association. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
57. Pearlman, Michael (25 May 2019). "Newport County 0–1 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
58. Freeman, Jay (12 May 2018). "Boreham Wood 1–2 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
59. "National League: 2021/22: Current table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
    "Stockport: Squad details: 2021/22". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 May 2022.

External links

• Profile Archived 8 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine at the Tranmere Rovers F.C. website
• Connor Jennings at Soccerbase