Dave Mulligan Explained

David Mulligan
Fullname:David James Mulligan
Birth Date:24 March 1982[1]
Birth Place:Fazakerley, Liverpool, England[2]
Height:[3]
Position:Midfielder
right-back
Youthyears1:1998–2000
Youthclubs1:Barnsley
Years1:2000–2003
Clubs1:Barnsley
Caps1:66
Goals1:1
Years2:2004–2006
Clubs2:Doncaster Rovers
Caps2:77
Goals2:4
Years3:2006–2008
Clubs3:Scunthorpe United
Caps3:24
Goals3:1
Years4:2007
Clubs4:Grimsby Town (loan)
Caps4:6
Goals4:0
Years5:2008
Clubs5:Port Vale
Caps5:13
Goals5:1
Years6:2008–2010
Clubs6:Wellington Phoenix
Caps6:3
Goals6:0
Years7:2010–2012
Clubs7:Auckland City
Caps7:22
Goals7:9
Years8:2012–2013
Clubs8:Waitakere United
Caps8:6
Goals8:5
Years9:2013–2014
Clubs9:Hawke's Bay United
Caps9:15
Goals9:1
Years10:2014–2015
Clubs10:Waitakere United
Caps10:11
Goals10:2
Totalcaps:243
Totalgoals:24
Nationalyears1:1999–1999
Nationalteam1:New Zealand U-17
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:2
Nationalteam2:New Zealand U-20
Nationalyears3:2003–2004
Nationalteam3:New Zealand U-23
Nationalyears4:2002–2010
Nationalteam4:New Zealand
Nationalcaps4:28
Nationalgoals4:3
Manageryears1:2016–20??
Managerclubs1:East Coast Bays

David James Mulligan (born 24 March 1982) is a New Zealand former football player and head coach.

Born in England, he began his career at Barnsley, making his first-team debut in October 2001. He became a first-team regular in the 2001–02 and 2002–03 seasons before joining Doncaster Rovers in February 2004. He helped the club to the Third Division title in the 2003–04 campaign. He was signed to Scunthorpe United in June 2006 and won the League One title with the club in 2006–07. He was loaned out to Grimsby Town in November 2007 and took a free transfer to Port Vale in January 2008. He returned to New Zealand six months later to sign with A-League club Wellington Phoenix. He joined New Zealand Football Championship club Auckland City in 2010. He helped the club to two successive OFC Champions League titles before he moved to Waitakere United in 2012 and Hawke's Bay United in 2013. He returned to Waitakere United the next year.

He earned national representation at under-17, under-20, under-23 and full international level. He was selected for two FIFA Confederations Cup competitions and was also named in the 2010 FIFA World Cup squad. He earned 28 senior caps and scored three goals in World Cup qualification matches with Vanuatu.

He began his coaching career as head coach at East Coast Bays in October 2016.

Club career

Barnsley

Mulligan was born in Liverpool, England, but his family moved to New Zealand when he was five. He returned to England at the age of 16, along with Rory Fallon, to join the youth team at Barnsley; the move had been arranged by Rory's father Kevin, who was an assistant to New Zealand head coach John Adshead.[4] He made his professional debut for the club under Glyn Hodges's caretaker stewardship in a 3–0 defeat to Manchester City at Oakwell on 31 October 2001.[5] Steve Parkin's "Tykes" were relegated out of the First Division at the end of the 2001–02 season, but Mulligan retained his place in the Second Division for the 2002–03 campaign. He scored his first senior goal in a 2–1 defeat at Oldham Athletic on 5 April 2003. However, he lost his first-team place under Guðjón Þórðarson early in the 2003–04 campaign and was released by Barnsley in October 2003,[6] despite having been offered a new contract just five months earlier.[7]

Doncaster Rovers

Mulligan had an unsuccessful trial at Sheffield United during four months without a club.[8] He joined Third Division leaders Doncaster Rovers in February 2004,[9] initially on a match-to-match basis, then on a short-term contract,[10] before he was rewarded with a two-year contract after Doncaster won promotion as champions at the end of the 2003–04 season.[11] [12] He quickly established himself at the Keepmoat Stadium, but again ran into trouble early into the 2004–05 season, being placed on the transfer list by "Donny" in November 2004.[13] He went nowhere however, and on 29 November he provided an assist in a 3–0 victory over Premier League side Aston Villa in the League Cup.[14] On 4 December, he scored two free kicks – from and – in a 2–1 win over Boston United in the FA Cup.[15] He remained a regular starter up until the end of the 2005–06 campaign. The utility player was offered a contract by manager Dave Penney in the summer of 2006, but the two sides failed to agree terms.[16]

Scunthorpe United

In June 2006, Mulligan signed for League One side Scunthorpe United, having met manager Brian Laws at a M180 motorway service station to discuss the situation at Glanford Park.[17] He made 29 appearances throughout the 2006–07 season as Scunthorpe secured promotion as champions of League One.[18] However, he never took to the field in the Championship due to differences with manager Nigel Adkins; he had been involved in a car accident and been late to training, and also had to miss games due to international commitments.[4] He joined League Two side Grimsby Town on a one-month loan on 30 August 2007.[19] He made his debut for the "Mariners" on 2 September, in a 2–1 defeat at Shrewsbury Town, coming onto the pitch as a 36th-minute substitute only to be taken off after 63 minutes; he said this was typical bizarre management from Alan Buckley, who made players come to Blundell Park for sprint training on days after games.[4]

Port Vale

He joined Port Vale on a free transfer in January 2008.[20] He made 13 appearances in the 2007–08 season as the "Valiants" were relegated out of League One; he scored a free kick on the last day of the season in a 1–1 draw at Southend United.[21] His stay at Vale Park was to prove a relatively short one as manager Lee Sinnott declined to offer Mulligan a longer contract.[22]

New Zealand

Mulligan signed a two-year contract with the Wellington Phoenix in July 2008.[23] However, he struggled to make an impact and made just three appearances for the club in two seasons before his contract was not renewed at the end of the 2009–10 season. He later commented, "I always had an idea of coming back to New Zealand. It was more of the lifestyle change, rather than football. There’s nothing better than playing football in the sun!"[18]

Mulligan soon signed on with New Zealand Football Championship club Auckland City for the 2010–11 season.[24] He made his debut in the opening round match against Waikato[25] in which he scored two goals in the second half, to give the "Navy Blues" a 3–2 victory.[26] He played both legs of the 2011 final of the OFC Champions League, as Auckland beat Amicale (Vanuatu) 6–1 on aggregate.[27] Auckland won the Champions League for a second-successive season in 2012, and this time Mulligan scored one of the goals in a 3–1 aggregate win over AS Tefana (French Polynesia).[28] He switched to rivals Waitakere United in July 2012. The club won the Premiership in 2012–13. He moved on to Hawke's Bay United in October 2013,[29] and helped the club to a third-place finish in 2013–14. He returned to Waitakere United for the 2014–15 season, who finished the season in fourth place.[30]

International career

Mulligan played for NZ Under-17 at the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship and scored two goals in their two pool matches against the United States[31] and Poland.[32] Mulligan played for NZ Under-23 at the 2004 Athens Olympics qualification tournament for the Oceania Football Confederation, however, New Zealand lost out to Australia and did not qualify for the Olympics.

He made his debut for "All Whites" in an international friendly against Estonia on 13 October 2002, which ended in a 3–2 defeat.[33] He was named in the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup squad in France by head coach Mick Waitt.[34] He was also in the 2004 OFC Nations Cup squad and played in the 3–0 win over the Solomon Islands.[35] He scored in a 2–1 win at Vanuatu in a World Cup qualifier on 17 November 2007 and also scored a brace in the return fixture four days later.[36] [37] He featured in all six games of the 2008 OFC Nations Cup, which New Zealand won ahead of New Caledonia, Fiji and Vanuatu.

He was named part of the New Zealand squad for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June 2009.[38] He made two starting appearances at right-back in defeats to Spain and South Africa, as well as a substitute appearance in the 0–0 draw with Iraq.[39] [40] [41] [42] Mulligan was named in New Zealand's final 23-man squad to compete at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa; he had been selected by head coach Ricki Herbert despite Herbert having released him at Wellington Phoenix.[43] [44] However, he did not feature in any of the games in the tournament itself.

Style of play

Mulligan was a two-footed player, able to play in midfield or at right-back.[45] He was an accomplished free kick taker.[4]

Coaching career

Mulligan was appointed as head coach at Northern League club East Coast Bays in October 2016.[46]

Personal life

He married Michelle, and the couple had their first child, Eden-Lily, in February 2017.[47]

Career statistics

Club statistics

ClubSeasonDivisionLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Barnsley2000–01First Division0000000000
2001–02First Division280200000300
2002–03Second Division341100010361
2003–04Second Division4000000040
Total661300010701
Doncaster Rovers2003–04Third Division141000000141
2004–05League One311002020351
2005–06League One322322020394
Total774324040886
Scunthorpe United2006–07League One241102120292
2007–08Championship0000000000
Total241102120292
Grimsby Town (loan)2007–08League Two6000001070
Port Vale2007–08League One131000000131
Wellington Phoenix2008–09A-League3030
2009–10A-League0000
Total3000000030
Auckland City2010–11New Zealand Football Championship9595
2011–12New Zealand Football Championship134134
Total229000000229
Waitakere United2012–13New Zealand Football Championship6565
Hawke's Bay United2013–14New Zealand Football Championship151151
Waitakere United2014–15New Zealand Football Championship112112
Career total2432472618026427

International statistics

New Zealand national team
YearAppsGoals
200220
200320
200420
200510
200630
200743
200830
200980
201130
Total283

International goals

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 17 November 2007 2–1 2–1 2008 OFC Nations Cup
2. 21 November 2007 1–0 4–1 2008 OFC Nations Cup
3. 4–1

Honours

New Zealand

2004

Doncaster Rovers

2003–04[12]

Scunthorpe United

2006–07[18]

Auckland City

2011, 2012[27] [28]

Waitakere United

2012–13

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2011 presented by Toyota: List of Players . FIFA . 2 . 11 December 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120119163204/http://www.fifadata.com/document/FCWC/2011/pdf/FCWC_2011_SquadLists.pdf . 19 January 2012 . dead.
  2. Book: Hugman . Barry J. . The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09 . Mainstream . 2008 . 978-1-84596-324-8.
  3. Web site: FootballSquads – Port Vale – 2007/08 . footballsquads.co.uk . 24 June 2019.
  4. Web site: In conversation with Dave Mulligan . Iron Bru . 4 July 2020 . 20 April 2020.
  5. News: Barnsley 0-3 Man City . 4 July 2020 . BBC Sport . 31 October 2001.
  6. News: Mulligan leaves Oakwell. BBC Sport . 7 October 2003 . 25 February 2008 .
  7. Web site: Seven released by Tykes. 12 May 2003. BBC Sport. 18 June 2010.
  8. News: Fudge . Simon . Donny sign Kiwi defender . 4 July 2020 . Sky Sports . en.
  9. News: Mulligan lands Rovers deal. BBC Sport . 17 February 2004 . 25 February 2008 .
  10. Web site: Mulligan lands Rovers deal. 11 March 2004. BBC Sport. 18 June 2010.
  11. Web site: Mulligan given new contract. 20 May 2004. BBC Sport. 18 June 2010.
  12. News: Coyle . John . Rover of the Day: Dave Mulligan . 4 July 2020 . doncasterroversfc.co.uk . 24 March 2020 . en-gb.
  13. Web site: Mulligan set to leave Doncaster. 9 November 2004. BBC Sport. 18 June 2010.
  14. News: Doncaster 3-0 Aston Villa . 4 July 2020 . BBC Sport . 29 November 2005.
  15. News: Boston 1-2 Doncaster . 4 July 2020 . BBC Sport . 4 December 2005.
  16. Web site: Doncaster withdraw Mulligan offer. 20 May 2006. BBC Sport. 18 June 2010.
  17. News: Iron recruit versatile Mulligan. BBC Sport . 1 June 2006 . 25 February 2008 .
  18. News: Familiar Face: Dave Mulligan . 4 July 2020 . Scunthorpe United F.C. . 14 June 2018 . en-gb.
  19. News: Grimsby bag Scunthorpe's Mulligan . BBC Sport . 30 August 2008 . 25 February 2008 .
  20. News: Vale bring in defender Mulligan . BBC Sport . 9 January 2008 . 25 February 2008 .
  21. News: Southend 1-1 Port Vale . 4 July 2020 . BBC Sport . 3 May 2008.
  22. Web site: First summer signings for Sinnott. 29 April 2008. BBC Sport. 18 June 2010.
  23. News: Phoenix take a Mulligan . 21 July 2008 . Football Federation Australia . 2008-07-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081014225813/http://www.wellingtonphoenix.com/default.aspx?s=wellfc_news_item&id=22880 . 14 October 2008 .
  24. Web site: McFarland & Tribulietx Appointed, Mulligan Signs . Auckland City F.C. . 16 October 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100908034142/http://www.aucklandcityfc.com/news/article.asp?ID=66 . 8 September 2010 .
  25. Web site: Auckland to give new Waikato old benchmark. NZFC. 16 October 2010.
  26. Web site: Mulligan opens ASB Premiership with a bang. 16 October 2010. NZFC. 16 October 2010.
  27. Web site: OFC final . OFC . 22 November 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110810171831/http://210.48.80.94/OFC/Portals/0/Images/Articles/2011%20O-League%202nd%20leg%20final%20Match%20Summary.pdf . 10 August 2011 .
  28. Web site: 1 st Leg final Match Summary. 22 November 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161123054542/http://210.48.80.94/OFC/Portals/0/Images/Articles/2012%20O-League%201st%20Leg%20final%20Match%20Report.pdf. 23 November 2016.
  29. Web site: Dave Mulligan on his way to Hawkes Bay United . footballnews.co.nz . 4 May 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140504204547/http://www.footballnews.co.nz/categories/asb-premiership/hawkes-bay-united/47-dave-mulligan-on-his-way-to-hawkes-bay-united . 4 May 2014 .
  30. Web site: Bay Boys Back in Town. waitakereunited.co.nz. 6 May 2015.
  31. Web site: Match Report NZL vs USA. https://web.archive.org/web/20080608143705/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=102/edition=3611/matches/match=18471/report.html. dead. 8 June 2008. FIFA. 10 November 1999.
  32. Web site: Match Report: NZL vs POL . FIFA . 16 November 1999 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091017100146/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament%3D102/edition%3D3611/matches/match%3D18475/report.html . 17 October 2009 .
  33. Web site: Strack-Zimmermann . Benjamin . Estonia vs. New Zealand (3:2) . national-football-teams.com . 4 July 2020 . en.
  34. News: New Zealand name squad . 4 July 2020 . BBC Sport . 3 June 2003.
  35. Web site: Strack-Zimmermann . Benjamin . New Zealand vs. Solomon Islands (3:0) . national-football-teams.com . 4 July 2020 . en.
  36. Web site: Strack-Zimmermann . Benjamin . Vanuatu vs. New Zealand (1:2) . national-football-teams.com . 4 July 2020 . en.
  37. Web site: Strack-Zimmermann . Benjamin . New Zealand vs. Vanuatu (4:1) . national-football-teams.com . 4 July 2020 . en.
  38. Web site: 2009 Confederations Cup – New Zealand squad . FIFA . 9 June 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090613002745/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/teams/team%3D43978/squadlist.html . 13 June 2009 .
  39. Web site: David Mulligan . Stuff . 4 July 2020 . en . 10 May 2010.
  40. Web site: Strack-Zimmermann . Benjamin . New Zealand vs. Spain (0:5) . national-football-teams.com . 4 July 2020 . en.
  41. Web site: Strack-Zimmermann . Benjamin . South Africa vs. New Zealand (2:0) . national-football-teams.com . 4 July 2020 . en.
  42. Web site: Strack-Zimmermann . Benjamin . Iraq vs. New Zealand (0:0) . national-football-teams.com . 4 July 2020 . en.
  43. Web site: All Whites World Cup squad named. Stuff. 10 May 2010.
  44. News: Mulligan 'speechless' at making All Whites cut . 4 July 2020 . Stuff . 10 May 2010 . en.
  45. News: Soccer: Mulligan joins Scunthorpe Utd . 4 July 2020 . The New Zealand Herald . 2 June 2006 . en-NZ.
  46. News: David Mulligan appointed Coach of ECB Premiers. 22 April 2017. websites.sportstg.com. 17 October 2016. 19 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170419080606/http://websites.sportstg.com/club_info.cgi?client=1-4201-81336-0-0&sID=99813&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=48749483. dead.
  47. News: Former Doncaster Rovers star finds fan away as he turns up at New Zealand hospital for birth of first child . 4 July 2020 . Sheffield Star . 24 February 2017 . en.