Connor Mahoney

Connor Mahoney

Personal information
Full name	Connor Anthony Mahoney [1]
Date of birth	(1997-02-12) 12 February 1997 (age 27) [2]
Place of birth	Blackburn, England [3]
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) [3]
Position(s)	Right winger, forward
Team information
Current team	Gillingham (on loan from Huddersfield Town)
Number	23
Youth career
000	Blackburn Rovers
0000–2013	Accrington Stanley
2013–2014	Blackburn Rovers
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2013	Accrington Stanley	4	(0)
2013–2017	Blackburn Rovers	16	(0)
2017–2019	AFC Bournemouth	0	(0)
2018	→ Barnsley (loan)	8	(0)
2018–2019	→ Birmingham City (loan)	30	(2)
2019–2022	Millwall	60	(3)
2022–	Huddersfield Town	9	(0)
2023–	→ Gillingham (loan)	37	(7)
International career
2014	England U17	1	(0)
2014	England U18	1	(0)
2017	England U20	3	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:46, 14 April 2024 (UTC)

Connor Anthony Mahoney (born 12 February 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right winger for EFL League Two club Gillingham, on loan from EFL Championship side Huddersfield Town.

He played for Accrington Stanley and Blackburn Rovers before joining AFC Bournemouth in 2017, and spent time on loan to Barnsley and Birmingham City. He signed for Millwall in 2019 and left when his contract expired in 2022. Mahoney represented England at under-17, under-18 and under-20 levels.

Career

Initially starting out at Burnley and Blackburn Rovers, ^[4] Mahoney moved to Accrington Stanley, where he progressed through the academy and began his senior career. ^[5] He made his first-team debut on 28 August 2013 in a 2–0 League Cup defeat against Cardiff City, and his League Two debut three days later as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 defeat at home to Burton Albion. ^{[4] [6]} In all, Mahoney made six appearances for Stanley's first team. ^[7]

Blackburn Rovers

Mahoney signed for Blackburn Rovers on 13 December 2013, initially as a member of their development squad. ^[8] In his first few weeks at the club, he was an unused substitute in several Championship matches, ^[9] and, at the age of 16 years and 337 days, became the third youngest Blackburn Rovers debutant when he replaced Lee Williamson late in the 5–0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City. ^{[10] [11]} When he turned 17, he signed his first professional contract with the club. ^[12] His progress stuttered, as happens with young players, ^{[10] [13]} and he was not initially given a squad number for the 2015–16 season. ^[14] Towards the end of that season –more than two years after his Blackburn debut –Mahoney was given his League debut in the starting eleven for a 1–1 draw with Nottingham Forest on 19 April 2016, and kept his place for the next match. Manager Paul Lambert was impressed with Mahoney's self-belief and his natural ability with both feet. ^{[15] [16]}

In the 2016–17 season, Mahoney played twice in the EFL Cup, but in January 2017 was still awaiting his next league outing. Although Blackburn were relatively strong in attacking areas, manager Owen Coyle rejected offers to take Mahoney on loan, claiming he would get his chance in the second half of the season. ^{[17] [18]} He made his first league appearance of the season on 4 February, as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 win over Queens Park Rangers, ^[19] and went on to play in 13 of the 17 remaining Championship matches as the team failed to avoid relegation to League One. He himself did not score, but three times he set up goals that earned points for the team: Derrick Williams' last-minute equaliser against Cardiff City, ^[20] Lucas João's first goal in a draw with Norwich City four days later, ^[21] and Tommie Hoban's winner against Nottingham Forest in April. ^[22] Although Mowbray was keen to keep him at the club, no deal could be agreed. ^[23]

AFC Bournemouth

On 4 July 2017, Mahoney signed a four-year contract with Premier League club AFC Bournemouth. ^[24] The clubs could not agree a fee, so the Professional Football Compensation Committee ruled that Bournemouth should pay an initial £425,000 and included provision for appearance-based additional payments and for a sell-on clause of 20% of profit resulting from any future sale. ^[25]

After playing in two cup games for the Cherries in 2017, Connor moved to Barnsley on loan for the second half of the 2017–18 season. ^[26]

On 7 August 2018, Mahoney joined Championship club Birmingham City on a season-long loan. ^[27] He made his debut as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 defeat away to Middlesbrough. ^[28] Having started the match at home to Sheffield Wednesday on 27 October in place of the injured Jacques Maghoma, Mahoney scored his first career goal just before half-time when he "cut in unchallenged from the left to fire in a right-footed shot past Cameron Dawson into the far roof of the net"; Birmingham went on to win 3–1. ^{[29] [30]}

Millwall

On 9 July 2019, Mahoney signed for Millwall on a long-term contract for a fee of £1,100,000. ^[31] He was released when his contract expired at the end of the 2021–22 season. ^[32]

Huddersfield Town

On 6 July 2022, following the expiry of his contract at Millwall, Mahoney joined fellow EFL Championship side Huddersfield Town on a two-year deal. ^[33]

Gillingham (loan)

On 25 August 2023, Mahoney joined EFL League Two club Gillingham on loan for the remainder of the season. ^[34]

International career

In January 2014, he was called up by England U17 for the first time. ^[35] Mahoney made his England U17 (and his only appearance for the side) debut, in a 2–1 loss against Belgium U17 on 30 January 2014. ^[36]

Eight months later, in September 2014, Mahoney was called up by England U18. ^[37] Four days later, he made his England U18 debut, in a 2–0 loss against Italy U18. ^[38]

Personal life

Mahoney was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, where he attended Witton Park High School. ^[39] He grew up supporting Blackburn Rovers. ^[40] His brother Dom is also a footballer. ^[41]

Career statistics

As of match played 13 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
Accrington Stanley	2013–14 [6]	League Two	4	0	0	0	1	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	6	0
Blackburn Rovers	2013–14 [6]	Championship	0	0	1	0	0	0	—		1	0
	2014–15 [42]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2015–16 [16]	Championship	2	0	0	0	0	0	—		2	0
	2016–17 [19]	Championship	14	0	2	0	2	0	—		18	0
	Total		16	0	3	0	2	0	—		21	0
Blackburn Rovers U23	2016–17 [19]	—			—		—		3 [lower-alpha 2]	0	3	0
AFC Bournemouth	2017–18 [43]	Premier League	0	0	2	0	0	0	—		2	0
Barnsley (loan)	2017–18 [43]	Championship	8	0	—		—		—		8	0
Birmingham City (loan)	2018–19 [29]	Championship	30	2	1	0	1	0	—		32	2
Millwall	2019–20 [44]	Championship	38	2	2	1	0	0	—		40	3
	2020–21 [45]	Championship	14	1	0	0	3	1	—		17	2
	2021–22 [46]	Championship	8	0	0	0	3	0	—		11	0
	Total		60	3	2	1	6	1	—		68	5
Huddersfield Town	2022–23 [47]	Championship	9	0	0	0	1	0	—		10	0
	2023–24 [48]	Championship	0	0	0	0	1	0	—		1	0
	Total		9	0	0	0	2	0	—		11	0
Gillingham (loan)	2023–24 [48]	League Two	37	7	2	0	—		1 [lower-alpha 2]	0	40	7
Career total			164	11	10	1	12	1	5	0	191	13

1. Appearance in Football League Trophy
2. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Honours

Individual

• Birmingham City Young Player of the Season: 2018–19 ^[49]

References

1. "Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
2. "Player profile: Connor Mahoney". Accrington Stanley F.C. Archived from the original on 25 January 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
3. "Connor Mahoney". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
4. "Sky Sports Scout – Connor Mahoney". Sky Sports. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
5. Dewhurst, Tony (8 October 2013). "Accrington Stanley's footballing starlets are attracting attention from talent scouts". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
6. "Games played by Connor Mahoney in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
7. "Blackburn Rovers to sign Accrington Stanley star Mahoney". Lancashire Telegraph. 10 December 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
8. "Blackburn Rovers sign Connor Mahoney from Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
9. "C. Mahoney". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
10. Marshall, Tyrone (26 September 2015). "Youngster Connor Mahoney edging back into first-team picture at Blackburn Rovers". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
11. Wheelock, Paul (15 January 2014). "Full-time: Manchester City 5 Blackburn Rovers 0". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
12. "Birthday boy Connor signs pro". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 14 February 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
13. Wheelock, Paul (20 May 2015). "Who will be the next Blackburn Rovers youngster to break through?". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
14. "Blackburn Rovers youngster Connor Mahoney determined to force his way into first team". Lancashire Telegraph. 3 October 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
15. Wheelock, Paul (21 April 2016). "'He's got a chance' – Paul Lambert reckons Connor Mahoney can become a Blackburn Rovers regular". The Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
16. "Games played by Connor Mahoney in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
17. Sharpe, Rich (10 January 2017). "Future stars: The ones to watch at Blackburn Rovers in 2017..." Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
18. Sharpe, Rich (14 January 2017). "Owen Coyle keen to keep Connor Mahoney in first team picture as Blackburn Rovers turn down loan bids". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
19. "Games played by Connor Mahoney in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
20. "Blackburn 1–1 Cardiff: Derrick Williams earns hosts a point". Sky Sports. PA Sport. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
21. "Norwich City 2–2 Blackburn Rovers". BBC Sport. 11 March 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
22. "Nottingham Forest 0–1 Blackburn Rovers". BBC Sport. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
23. Sharpe, Rich (11 February 2017). "Owen Coyle keen to secure Connor Mahoney's long-term future at Blackburn Rovers but says talks in the hands of Paul Senior". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
    Sharpe, Rich (19 May 2017). "Rovers release six first-team players but are looking to secure the future of Connor Mahoney". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
    James, Alex (7 June 2017). "Connor Mahoney edging closer to Rovers exit". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
24. "Bournemouth sign Connor Mahoney on four-year deal after leaving Blackburn Rovers". BBC Sport. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
25. "Bournemouth ordered to pay Blackburn £425,000 for Connor Mahoney transfer". Sky Sports. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
26. "Mahoney completes Barnsley loan move". 29 January 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
27. "Connor Mahoney: Birmingham City sign Bournemouth winger on loan". BBC Sport. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
28. "Middlesbrough 1–0 Birmingham City". BBC Sport. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
29. "Games played by Connor Mahoney in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
30. "Birmingham 3-1 Sheffield Wednesday: Blues keep up fine run". Sky Sports. 27 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
31. "Millwall complete signing of Connor Mahoney". Millwall F.C. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
32. "Millwall confirm 2021/22 retained list". Millwall F.C. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
33. "SIGNING: CONNOR MAHONEY JOINS THE TERRIERS!". Huddersfield Town AFC. 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
34. https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/huddersfield-town-transfers-midfielder-connor-mahoney-joins-gillingham-on-loan-for-the-rest-of-the-2023-24-season-4268532
35. "Connor gets England call". Blackburn Rovers F.C. Archived from the original on 22 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
36. "ENGLAND U17S SUFFER CRUEL DEFEAT AGAINST BELGIUM". The Football Association. 30 January 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
37. "England call for Connor". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 20 September 2014. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
38. "Mahoney plays for England". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 25 September 2014. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
39. "Blackburn's Witton Park honours its students for best ever GCSEs". The Lancashire Telegraph. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
40. "Accrington Stanley boss couldn't block Mahoney's Blackburn Rovers move". The Lancashire Telegraph. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
41. "Family ties at Nelson". The Lancashire Telegraph. 3 June 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
42. "Games played by Connor Mahoney in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
43. "Games played by Connor Mahoney in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
44. "Games played by Connor Mahoney in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
45. "Games played by Connor Mahoney in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
46. "Games played by Connor Mahoney in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
47. "Games played by Connor Mahoney in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
48. "Games played by Connor Mahoney in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
49. "Che Adams sweeps the board at Player Awards evening". Birmingham City F.C. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2019.

External links

• Connor Mahoney at Soccerbase
• England profile at The Football Association website