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 33) [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	26	(15)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:44, 9 April 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 Birmingham City manager and former England captain 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 9 April 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 [lower-alpha 1]	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 [lower-alpha 2]	0	5	1
Chester	2013–14 [48] [49]	Conference Premier	21	4	0	0	—		2 [lower-alpha 3]	3	23	7
	2014–15 [48]	Conference Premier	46	11	4	0	—		2 [lower-alpha 2]	0	52	11
	2015–16 [50]	National League	41	10	1	0	—		6 [lower-alpha 4]	0	48	10
	Total		112	26	5	0	—		11	3	128	29
Wrexham	2016–17 [48]	National League	33	11	2	0	—		1 [lower-alpha 2]	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 [lower-alpha 5]	0	36	7
	Total		38	6	3	2	—		2	0	43	8
Barrow	2018–19 [48]	National League	46	10	1	0	—		1 [lower-alpha 2]	0	48	10
	2019–20 [48]	National League	37	17	1	0	—		1 [lower-alpha 2]	2	39	19
	Total		83	27	2	0	—		2	2	87	29
Stockport County	2020–21 [48]	National League	36	16	4	4	—		2 [lower-alpha 6]	1	42	21
	2021–22 [48]	National League	19	4	3	0	—		1 [lower-alpha 2]	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 [lower-alpha 1]	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 [lower-alpha 2]	0	36	2
Macclesfield	2023–24 [52]	NPL Premier Division	26	15	4	2	—		8 [lower-alpha 2]	3	38	20
Career total			464	117	30	9	5	0	30	11	529	137

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

Honours

Orlando City SC

• USL Pro: 2012 ^[53]

Barrow

• National League: 2019–20 ^[54]

Individual

• National League Team of the Year: 2019–20, 2020–21 ^[55]
• National League Player of the Month: January 2017, ^[56] September 2019 ^[57]
• National League Player of the Year: 2019–20, 2020–21 ^[58]

References

1. 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.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
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. 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".
36. "John Rooney scoops another fans' award".
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. "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. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
52. https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/macclesfield/appearances/john-rooney/955206
53. "match Recap: 7.8.2012 Orlando City at Los Angeles Blues". Orlando City SC. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
54. "Barrow promoted to League Two after being crowned National League champions". Sky Sports. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
55. 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.
56. "Rooney Scoops January Player Award". Pitchero Non-League. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
57. "September's National League awards unveiled by MANarama". The Non-League Football Paper. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
58. "John Rooney named National League Player of the Year again". Stockport County. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2022.

External links

• John Rooney at Soccerbase