Shaun Brisley

Shaun Brisley

Personal information
Full name	Shaun Richard Brisley [1]
Date of birth	(1990-05-06) 6 May 1990 (age 34) [2]
Place of birth	Macclesfield, England [2]
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.92 m) [3]
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Matlock Town (assistant-player manager)
Youth career
2003–2007	Macclesfield Town
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2007–2012	Macclesfield Town	124	(6)
2012	→ Peterborough United (loan)	11	(0)
2012–2016	Peterborough United	67	(1)
2014–2015	→ Scunthorpe United (loan)	7	(0)
2015	→ Northampton Town (loan)	9	(1)
2016	→ Leyton Orient (loan)	16	(1)
2016–2017	Carlisle United	28	(2)
2017–2019	Notts County	57	(2)
2019–2021	Port Vale	33	(2)
2021–2022	Wrexham	4	(1)
2022–2023	Buxton	42	(1)
2023–2024	Alfreton Town	30	(2)
2024–	Matlock Town	0	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:51, 9 May 2024 (UTC)

Shaun Richard Brisley (born 6 May 1990) is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Matlock Town, where he is also assistant manager.

He began his career at Macclesfield Town. After his senior debut in March 2008, he quickly became a first-team regular, making 142 league and cup appearances in under 4 years. He joined Peterborough United on an initial loan deal in February 2012, which was made permanent three months later. He won the Football League Trophy with the club in 2014 and scored in the final. He was loaned out to Scunthorpe United, Northampton Town and Leyton Orient before he joined Carlisle United on a free transfer in July 2016. He moved on to Notts County 12 months later, though he was released after the club's relegation out of the English Football League at the end of the 2018–19 season. He signed with Port Vale in August 2019 and stayed at the club for two seasons before joining Wrexham in July 2021. He moved on to Buxton 12 months later and then spent one season with Alfreton Town before moving on to Matlock Town.

Career

Macclesfield Town

Brisley was born in Macclesfield and attended local schools Ivy Bank Primary School and Henbury High School. ^[4] At the age of 13 he joined the Macclesfield Town youth team and turned professional at the club at the age of 18. ^[5] He made his professional debut on 1 March 2008, in a 1–1 draw with Notts County at Moss Rose that was also Keith Alexander's first game as manager. ^[6] He scored his first 2 goals for the club in a 2–1 home victory over Accrington Stanley on 29 March. ^[7] He ended the 2007–08 season with ten League Two appearances to his name. ^[8] He went on to establish himself in the Macclesfield's defence, featuring 43 times across the 2008–09 campaign, scoring goals in both the League Cup and FA Cup. ^[9] He scored 2 goals in 36 appearances in the 2009–10 season and was sent off for the first time in his career after committing a professional foul on Chris O'Grady in a 3–0 defeat at Rochdale on 5 December. ^{[10] [11]} In August 2010, Brisley suffered a hip injury which required surgery, keeping him out of action for four months. ^[12] The injury was caused by an extra bit of bone on his thigh bone, which was trimmed down and smoothed out under the surgery. ^[13] He returned to action. He was put back into the first-team by manager Gary Simpson, ending the 2010–11 season with 16 appearances to his name. Chairman Mike Rance said he was disappointed to lose Brisley to Peterborough but was proud that the centre-back had come through the club's academy. ^[14]

Peterborough United

On 20 February 2012, Brisley joined Championship side Peterborough United on an emergency loan with a view to a permanent deal when the transfer window opened in July. ^[15] Manager Darren Ferguson said that he first attempted to sign the defender three seasons earlier. However, a then-teenaged Brisley, suffered homesickness and returned to his hometown club. ^[16] He made his debut for the "Posh" on 10 March, in a 3–1 win over Blackpool at London Road. ^[17] The loan deal was made permanent on 8 May for "a fee in the region of £300,000". ^{[18] [19]} He played 31 games in the 2012–13 campaign as United were relegated into League One. ^{[20] [21]} He appeared 32 times in the 2013–14 campaign and on 30 March he scored what BBC Sport correspondent Ian Woodcock described as a "powerful headed goal" in the Football League Trophy final as Peterborough lifted the trophy with a 3–1 victory over Chesterfield at Wembley Stadium. ^{[22] [23]} However, he was also sent off twice during the campaign, in league defeats at Walsall and Bradford City. ^{[24] [25]}

On 25 September 2014, he joined League One rivals Scunthorpe United on a one-month loan deal; manager Russ Wilcox said that he was surprised to land his number one target and that Brisley would cover for the suspended Miguel Llera. ^[26] On 5 November, the loan was extended until 3 January. ^[27] He played a total of seven games during his time at Glanford Park, though featured only three times after Mark Robins succeeded Wilcox as manager. He also played 16 times for Peterborough during the 2014–15 season. ^{[22] [28] [29]}

In June 2015, it was reported that he had been transfer-listed by new manager Dave Robertson. ^[30] On 11 September, he joined Northampton Town of League Two for a one-month loan agreement. ^[31] He admitted the loan move came as a surprise to him but was hopeful of getting game time at Sixfields. ^[32] The loan was later extended into a second month, however, was then cut short after he sustained medial ligament damage in his knee on 24 October and was sidelined for eight weeks; manager Chris Wilder said that the news was "disappointing because he's been superb for us". ^{[33] [34] [35]} On 27 January, he returned to League Two on loan with Leyton Orient until the end of the 2015–16 season. ^{[36] [37]} He was named on the Football League Team of the Week after scoring the only goal of the game at Notts County on 20 February. ^[38] He featured 16 times for Orient, scoring one goal, and said he would be interested in a permanent move to Brisbane Road. ^{[39] [40]}

Carlisle United

On 4 July 2016, Brisley signed a two-year contract with Carlisle United. ^[41] He said that manager Keith Curle's 'sales pitch' convinced him to join and that he aimed to help the team gain promotion out of League Two. ^[42] He made 34 appearances in the 2016–17 campaign, though agreed to a mutual termination of his contract after Curle told him he could not guarantee him playing time at Brunton Park next season. ^[43]

Notts County

On 24 July 2017, Brisley signed a two-year contract with League Two side Notts County in a move that reunited him with former Leyton Orient boss Kevin Nolan. ^[44] He scored his first goal for Notts County in his second appearances for the "Magpies", in an EFL Cup tie at Scunthorpe United on 8 August. ^[45] He quickly found good form in a centre-back partnership with Richard Duffy and credited his new vegan diet for his increased fitness. ^[46] He made 46 appearances in the 2017–18 campaign, helping County to reach the play-offs, where they were beaten by Coventry City at the semi-final stage. ^{[47] [48]} He was played in a holding midfield role by new manager Harry Kewell in October 2018. ^[49] However, he was dropped from the first-team by Kewell's successor, Neal Ardley, and was also criticised for his performances in the reserves by coach Steve Chettle. ^{[50] [51]} He left Meadow Lane after being released following the club's relegation out of the English Football League and into the National League at the end of the 2018–19 season. ^[52]

Port Vale

On 30 August 2019, he signed a one-year contract for League Two side Port Vale. ^[53] He was signed by manager John Askey, who was his former youth team manager at Macclesfield, but had to spend his first month with the "Valiants" building his fitness before taking his place on the bench as Leon Legge and Nathan Smith had established an effective centre-back partnership together. ^[54] Injury to Smith allowed him a run in the first-team in late January, and he quickly impressed with his performances, scoring the opening goal in a 3–2 victory at Forest Green Rovers on 11 February. ^{[55] [56]} His good form continued to keep Smith out of the first-team until his run of six matches was ended by a knee injury picked up in a 2–2 draw with Walsall on 22 February, a medial ligament problem which required five weeks of rest. ^[57] He was nominated for the PFA League Two Player of the Month award for February. ^[58] He was signed a new one-year contract after he ended the 2019–20 campaign with one goal in 14 appearances. ^{[59] [60]}

He started the 2020–21 season on the bench as Legge and Smith were established at centre-back. ^[61] Despite establishing himself in a back three alongside Legge and Smith under new manager Darrell Clarke, he was released in the summer upon the expiry of his contract. ^{[62] [63]} His agent, Phil Sproson, said that Brisley was disappointed not to be offered a new deal considering his form and experience. ^[64]

Later career

On 9 July 2021, Brisley dropped down to the National League to sign for Wrexham on a two-year deal. ^[65] However, he played just five games for Phil Parkinson's "Red Dragons" in the 2021–22 season and left the Racecourse Ground by mutual consent. ^{[66] [67]}

On 7 July 2022, Brisley joined newly promoted National League North club Buxton. ^[68] He made 46 appearances in the 2022–23 season, scoring one goal. ^[66] On 30 May 2023, he was announced as a new signing for divisional rivals Alfreton Town, after manager Billy Heath approached him to add experience to his backline. ^[69] He made 34 appearances in the 2023–24 campaign, including one in the play-off quarter-final defeat to Boston United. ^[66]

On 16 May 2024, Brisley joined Northern Premier League Premier Division side Matlock Town and was described by manager Nicky Law as a "good old pro". ^[70] Following the appointment of former Northampton Town teammate Ryan Cresswell as manager, Brisley was appointed assistant-player manager. ^[71]

Style of play

Brisley's agency describes him as a defender noted for his "strength, physical presence, and defensive discipline". ^[72] Port Vale coach Dave Kevan praised his attitude, reliability and distribution. ^[73]

Personal life

Brisley turned vegan in 2017 after being introduced to the diet by his partner and credited it with improving his fitness. ^[46]

Career statistics

As of match played 23 April 2024

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Macclesfield Town	2007–08 [8]	League Two	10	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	2
	2008–09 [9]	League Two	38	0	2	1	2	1	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	43	2
	2009–10 [10]	League Two	33	1	1	0	1	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	1	36	2
	2010–11 [74]	League Two	14	0	0	0	1	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	16	0
	2011–12 [75]	League Two	29	3	5	0	2	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	37	3
	Total		124	6	8	1	6	1	4	1	142	9
Peterborough United	2011–12 [75]	Championship	11	0	0	0	0	0	—		11	0
	2012–13 [76]	Championship	28	0	1	0	2	0	—		31	0
	2013–14 [21]	League One	22	0	4	0	0	0	6 [lower-alpha 1]	1	32	1
	2014–15 [22]	League One	15	1	0	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	16	1
	2015–16 [39]	League One	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	0
	Total		78	1	5	0	3	0	7	1	93	2
Scunthorpe United (loan)	2014–15 [39]	League One	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
Northampton Town (loan)	2015–16 [39]	League Two	9	1	0	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	10	1
Leyton Orient (loan)	2015–16 [39]	League Two	16	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	16	1
Carlisle United	2016–17 [77]	League Two	28	2	2	0	0	0	4 [lower-alpha 1]	0	34	2
Notts County	2017–18 [47]	League Two	37	2	5	0	1	1	3 [lower-alpha 2]	0	46	3
	2018–19 [78]	League Two	20	0	1	0	1	0	4 [lower-alpha 3]	0	26	0
	Total		57	2	6	0	2	1	7	0	72	3
Port Vale	2019–20 [79]	League Two	9	1	1	0	0	0	4 [lower-alpha 3]	0	14	1
	2020–21 [80]	League Two	24	1	0	0	1	0	4 [lower-alpha 3]	0	29	1
	Total		33	2	1	0	1	0	8	0	43	2
Wrexham	2021–22 [66]	National League	3	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	5	1
Buxton	2022–23 [66]	National League North	42	1	3	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 4]	0	46	1
Alfreton Town	2023–24 [66]	National League North	30	2	3	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 5]	0	34	2
Matlock Town	2024–25 [81]	Northern Premier League Premier Division	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Career total			427	19	30	1	12	2	33	2	502	24

1. Appearance(s) in the Football League Trophy ^{[9] [10] [66]}
2. One appearance in EFL Trophy and two appearances in League Two play-offs ^[66]
3. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy ^[66]
4. Appearance(s) in the FA Trophy
5. Appearance(s) in the play-offs

Honours

Peterborough United

• Football League Trophy: 2014 ^[23]

References

1. "Club List of Registered Players As At 18th May 2019" (PDF). EFL. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
2. "FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2020/2021". www.footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
3. "Shaun Brisley – Defender – First Team – Port Vale". Port Vale F.C. Archived from the original on 1 September 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
4. "Macc's hometown hero". Macclesfield Express . 1 April 2008. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
5. "Played For Both: Leyton Orient". www.mtfc.co.uk. 9 August 2019. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
6. "Macclesfield 1–1 Notts County". BBC Sport . 1 March 2008. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
7. "Macclesfield 2–1 Accrington". BBC Sport. 29 March 2008. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
8. "Games played by Shaun Brisley in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
9. "Games played by Shaun Brisley in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
10. "Games played by Shaun Brisley in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
11. "Rochdale 3–0 Macclesfield". BBC Sport. 5 December 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
12. "Macclesfield Town's Shaun Brisley needs hip operation". BBC Sport. 29 September 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
13. Express, Macclesfield (8 December 2010). "Shaun's sure to be back". macclesfield. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
14. "Rance 'proud' of Brisley development". BBC Sport. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
15. "Peterborough United sign Macclesfield Town's Shaun Brisley". BBC Sport. 20 February 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
16. Lea, Mark (11 February 2012). "Posh Sign Shaun Brisley from Macclesfield". peterborough.vitalfootball.co.uk. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
17. "Posh power past sorry Seasiders". Sky Sports. 10 March 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
18. "Posh complete Tyrone Barnett and Shaun Brisley deals". BBC Sport. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
19. Swann, Alan (14 February 2012). "New Posh signing Brisley's fee could exceed £300,000". Peterborough Telegraph. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
20. "2012-2013 Championship League Table". thefishy.co.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
21. "Games played by Shaun Brisley in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
22. "Games played by Shaun Brisley in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
23. Woodcock, Ian (30 March 2014). "Chesterfield 1–3 Peterborough". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
24. Scott, Ged (18 November 2013). "Walsall 2–0 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
25. "Bradford City 1–0 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
26. Adlam, Phil (25 September 2014). "Brisley Joins Iron – News – Peterborough United". www.theposh.com. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
27. Adlam, Phil (5 November 2014). "Brisley Extends Loan – News – Peterborough United". www.theposh.com. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
28. Russ Wilcox management career statistics at Soccerbase
29. Mark Robins management career statistics at Soccerbase
30. Swann, Alan (15 June 2015). "Robbo wants just one more new Posh player". www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
31. "Brisley Joins Cobblers – News – Peterborough United". www.theposh.com. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
32. Casey, Jeremy (11 September 2015). "Sixfields switch comes out of the blue for defender Brisley". Northampton Chronicle. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
33. Swann, Alan (27 October 2015). "Posh latest: Brisley back at Peterborough United because of serious injury". Peterborough Telegraph. Archived from the original on 3 September 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
34. "Northampton extend Darnell Furlong & Shaun Brisley loans". BBC Sport. 9 October 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
35. "Northampton Town: Shaun Brisley out for up to two months". BBC Sport. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
36. "Shaun Brisley: Leyton Orient sign Peterborough United defender". BBC Sport. 27 January 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
37. "Os bring in Brisley". Leyton Orient F.C. 27 January 2016. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016.
38. "Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week". www.efl.com. 22 February 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
39. "Games played by Shaun Brisley in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
40. Mail, Simon (24 February 2016). "Posh defender Brisley interested in permanent switch to Orient". East London and West Essex Guardian Series. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
41. Hall, Andy (4 July 2016). "Contracts: Defender joins on two-year deal". www.carlisleunited.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
42. "New Carlisle Utd defender Shaun Brisley: "I want promotion on my CV"". Times and Star. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
43. Hall, Andy (24 July 2017). "Transfer: Central defender leaves by mutual consent". www.carlisleunited.co.uk. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
44. Curtis, Leigh (24 July 2017). "Notts County make Carlisle United defender Shaun Brisley their fifth summer signing". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
45. "Scunthorpe 3–3 Notts County". BBC. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
46. Curtis, Leigh (21 December 2017). "No meat! No problem! Brisley says turning vegan has done wonders for his fitness". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
47. "Games played by Shaun Brisley in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
48. Garry, Tom (18 May 2018). "Notts County 1–4 Coventry City (2–5 agg)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
49. Curtis, Leigh (7 October 2018). "Kewell praises hometown boy Brisley for impressive performance". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
50. Harbey, George (4 April 2019). "The 3-point plan for Neal Ardley to follow at Notts County next season". Football League World. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
51. Curtis, Leigh (20 March 2019). "Chettle pulls no punches on Notts fringe players". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
52. "Notts County: Jon Stead and David Vaughan among 12 released". BBC Sport. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
53. "Shaun Brisley: Port Vale sign free-agent defender on a one-year deal". BBC Sport. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
54. Baggaley, Michael (3 October 2019). "'I know I am still good enough at this level' - Port Vale's Shaun Brisley". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
55. Baggaley, Michael (14 February 2020). "Tom Pope on Port Vale - Play-off push, big wins and Forest Green frustration". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
56. "Forest Green Rovers 2-3 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
57. Baggaley, Michael (26 February 2020). "Injury blow for Port Vale as defender suffers knee problem". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
58. Mounteney, Luke (12 March 2020). "Shaun Brisley nominated for PFA Player of the Month award". Port Vale F.C. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
59. Baggaley, Michael (20 May 2020). "Port Vale talks with out-of-contract players as owners back club through crisis". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
60. Smith, Peter (2 July 2020). "Port Vale defender Shaun Brisley hailed as he pens new deal". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
61. Baggaley, Michael (6 November 2020). "'Not surprised' - Port Vale management verdict on Adam Crookes". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
62. Fielding, Rob (29 April 2021). "Retained list 2021: which central defenders should stay?". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
63. "2020/21 Retained List". Port Vale F.C. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
64. Baggaley, Michael (18 May 2021). "Sproson's view about Port Vale fortunes of Taylor, Brisley and Crookes". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
65. Henrys, Colin (9 July 2021). "SIGNED | Defender Shaun Brisley is first signing of summer". www.wrexhamafc.co.uk. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
66. Shaun Brisley at Soccerway
67. Colman, Jon (5 July 2022). "Ex-Blues: former Carlisle United defender leaves National League big-spenders". News and Star. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
68. @Buxton_FC (7 July 2022). "Brisley agrees to join The Bucks 💙 We're pleased to announce that Shaun Brisley has agreed to join from Wrexham AFC for the upcoming season 🖊 Subject to FA approval and International clearance* All Buxton Aren't We 💥💪🏻#UptheBucks #TeamBuxton" (Tweet). Retrieved 9 July 2022– via Twitter.
69. Duffy, Mark (30 May 2023). "Three more in the door at Alfreton including ex-Peterborough United, Port Vale and Notts County defender". Derbyshire Times. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
70. "Brisley first new face through the door for Law". www.matlocktownfc.co.uk. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
71. "Gladiators name Ryan Cresswell as new first team manager". Matlock Town FC. 16 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
72. "Shaun Brisley". Football Agency Network. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
73. Smith, Peter (2 July 2020). "Port Vale defender Shaun Brisley hailed as he pens new deal". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
74. "Games played by Shaun Brisley in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
75. "Games played by Shaun Brisley in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
76. "Games played by Shaun Brisley in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
77. "Games played by Shaun Brisley in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
78. "Games played by Shaun Brisley in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
79. "Games played by Shaun Brisley in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
80. "Games played by Shaun Brisley in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
81. "Matlock Town | Appearances | Shaun Brisley | Football Web Pages". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 21 August 2024.