26 Facts About Gareth McAuley

Gareth Gerald McAuley is a Northern Irish former professional footballer who played as a centre back.

Gareth McAuley represented Northern Ireland at senior international level, being capped on 80 occasions and scoring nine times.

Gareth McAuley is the current manager of the Northern Ireland national under-19 football team.

Gareth McAuley impressed enough at Sincil Bank to earn a move to Championship side Leicester City.

Gareth McAuley moved on to Ipswich Town in June 2008 following Leicester's relegation and then on to Premier League side West Bromwich Albion in July 2011.

Gareth McAuley began his career at Linfield and spent some time in early 2000 on loan at Ballyclare Comrades.

However, when Dean West was dropped from the squad and club captain Paul Morgan sidelined with an injury, Gareth McAuley moved into central defence to partner Ben Futcher.

Gareth McAuley immediately drew the plaudits for his excellent performances, which included a man of the match display against Derby County.

Gareth McAuley thereafter battled for a starting centre back role with fellow giant Jamie McCombe for much of the season.

However, in March 2005, Gareth McAuley earned a starting role as the right full-back, replacing the perpetually out of form fan favourite Matt Bloomer.

Gareth McAuley enjoyed a fantastic season, which culminated ultimately in play-off defeat for Lincoln again, but saw him named in the League Two Team of the Year, and caught the attention of a number of bigger clubs.

The lure of playing at a higher level saw Gareth McAuley reject Lincoln City's offer of a new contract in the summer of 2006, and he moved on a free transfer to Leicester City.

Gareth McAuley signed for Leicester City on 5 June 2006, after reaching the end of his contract at Lincoln, signing a three-year deal.

Gareth McAuley made 39 appearances in all competitions during his first season at the club.

Gareth McAuley further enhanced his international credentials whilst with the Suffolk team.

Gareth McAuley scored 5 goals in 43 games over the course of the season.

Gareth McAuley scored his second West Bromwich Albion goal, helping them beat Chelsea after 33 years without a point against the Blues.

On 21 March 2015, Gareth McAuley was sent off in the second minute against Manchester City by referee Neil Swarbrick in a Premier League match, due to mistaken identity with Craig Dawson.

On 20 June 2018, it was announced that Gareth McAuley would leave West Brom upon the expiration of his contract.

Gareth McAuley announced his retirement as a player on 30 September 2019, aged 39.

In May 2003, Gareth McAuley received his first senior international call when he was one of five Irish League players named in the squad for the Northern Ireland B team fixture with Scotland B on 20 May 2003.

Gareth McAuley contemplated international retirement after being left out of the squad to face Sweden on 17 October 2007.

Gareth McAuley scored his first international goal against San Marino on 11 February 2009.

Gareth McAuley was called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the European qualification games against Serbia and Slovenia in March 2011.

Gareth McAuley scored the first Northern Ireland goal in a tournament for 30 years, since Colin Clarke at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, against Ukraine in Euro 2016.

Gareth McAuley was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to football in Northern Ireland.