Fans were left stunned as a seven-season Premier League player turns out for one particular Sunday League side over the weekend. The top flight and EFL midfielder Paul Gallagher scored twice on his debut for Poppy-Mai FC, who formed to promote child cancer awareness, starting out as a charity team. Gallagher, now aged 36, played for the Blackburn Sunday Football League outfit, helping them to a 5-2 victory against Old Function Room FC.
Gallagher made his debut as a substitute in a 2—0 win over the 2001—02 Prem champions Arsenal on the 15th of March 2003, as a replacement for Dwight Yorke. He got his first goal in a 4—0 win over Birmingham in the 2003—04 campaign. On the 21st of February 2004, in an away game against Charlton, Gallagher assisted keeper Brad Friedel to his only career goal from open play in the 90th minute. Friedel’s goal equalised the game at 2—2, but seconds later Charlton scored again through Claus Jensen and went on to win the game 3—2.
He spent almost all of the 2005—06 season on loan to Stoke, playing most of his 36 games on the left or right wing, scoring 12 goals. Against Southampton on the 15th of April 2006, he exchanged a one-two on the edge of the area with Adam Rooney before drilling home a thunderous 30-yard drive into the far top corner of the net. He was recalled by Blackburn in April 2006 with three games remaining in the Premier League season, coming on as a late sub in the final game of the season, being involved in the creation of the final goal of the game. On transfer deadline day of August 2007, Gallagher signed a 6-month loan deal with Championship side Preston, after being linked with a return to Stoke. He scored once during his spell at Preston, scoring the winner in a 1—0 win over Sheffield Wednesday. The following January, he moved from Blackburn back to Stoke on loan again until summer of 2008. Then-manager Tony Pulis however, was not impressed with Gallagher, remarking he “hasn’t done as well as the other players.”
Career -
On the 30th of August 2008, Gallagher signed on loan for the rest of the 2008—09 season with Plymouth, making his debut that same day at Turf Moor against Burnley. Although Blackburn appointed Sam Allardyce as their new manager in December 2008, the Pilgrims was allowed to keep Gallagher for the remainder of his loan. He was a huge impact for the club, scoring 13 goals in 40 league games. Gallagher was hopeful that he would secure a permanent deal with Plymouth after resigning himself to the fact that he was not wanted at Blackburn. Seeing his return to Blackburn as a fresh start, Gallagher was informed by Sam Allardyce he could yet have a future at the club.
On the 21st of August 2009, Gallagher signed a three-year deal with Leicester for an undisclosed fee. He was given the number 24 shirt, Gallagher was “delighted to be here and can’t wait to get started.” He scored his first two goals for the Foxes in a 2—0 win over Crystal Palace on 20 October 2009, coming on as a half-time substitute for Lloyd Dyer. Gallagher failed to score for 17 games before bagging a hat-trick and assisting a goal in a 5—1 win over Scunthorpe United in February 2010. Leaving the field to a standing ovation seven minutes from the final whistle, it was his first ever professional hat-trick. On the 27th of February, Gallagher scored from a free-kick in a 3—0 win over Nottingham Forest. His fine form earned him the Championship Player of the Month award for February.
Seems a waste to me.
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