26 Facts About Jason McAteer

Jason Wynne McAteer was born on 18 June 1971 and is a former professional footballer.

Jason McAteer's primary position was in centre midfield, though he was an able right winger and full-back.

Jason McAteer's family were shaken by the closure of the shipyards in the 1980s, and he began the 1990s in a state of unemployment.

Jason McAteer got his big break aged 20, at local non-league team Marine, when impressing for Marine Reserves against the Bolton Wanderers A team in 1992.

Jason McAteer came close to joining Blackburn Rovers in 1995, but when Liverpool declared an interest, McAteer decided to sign for the team he had supported as a boy and turned down the then Blackburn manager Kenny Dalglish.

Jason McAteer broke his leg whilst playing against Blackburn at Anfield on 31 January 1998.

Jason McAteer made a full recovery and on his return to the first team scored two goals against West Ham United on 2 May 1998.

Jason McAteer played in the 1996 FA Cup Final against Manchester United in which Liverpool lost to a single goal scored by Eric Cantona.

Jason McAteer was part of the group of 1990s Liverpool players known as the "Spice Boys" for the tabloid attention towards their private lives.

Rovers were relegated that season, but Jason McAteer would help the club to promotion back to the Premiership in 2001 during his second full season with the club.

Jason McAteer made 27 appearances that season, but was unable to prevent the Black Cats' relegation to the First Division the following season.

Jason McAteer played both legs of the play-off semi-final against Crystal Palace in May 2004 before being released at the end of the year.

In July 2004, Jason McAteer was close to a one-year deal at newly relegated Leicester City, which was called off due to unforeseen circumstances.

Jason McAteer trained as a coach ready to embark on a career in that department after his retirement.

Jason McAteer was made club captain by manager Brian Little, skippering the side to the League One play-off semi-finals, where they eventually lost on penalties to Hartlepool United.

Jason McAteer was released by Tranmere Rovers in May 2007 and announced his retirement shortly afterwards.

Jason McAteer qualified to play for Republic of Ireland through his grandfather who was born in County Down.

Jason McAteer was nicknamed "Trigger", after an Only Fools and Horses character of low intelligence.

Jason McAteer said in 2005 that he cultivated this image in order to play more matches, as managers would be comfortable putting him in different positions.

Anecdotes spread about Jason McAteer's purported low intelligence, including that he had asked for a pizza to be cut into four pieces and not eight because he was not hungry; he confirmed in 2005 that this story is true.

Jason McAteer married his first wife, Kristina Delaney, at Slane Castle in 2001.

Jason McAteer's brother-in-law is his ex Liverpool team-mate, Steve McManaman, who married Lucy Edwards' older sister, Victoria, in 2002.

Jason McAteer said that while he was at the 2022 UEFA Champions League final with LFC TV, his wife Lucy and 22-year-old son were assaulted and robbed amidst the chaos.

Jason McAteer featured in EA Sports' FIFA video game series; he was on the cover for the International edition of FIFA Soccer 96, alongside Frank de Boer.

Jason McAteer has regularly appeared for the Liverpool legends who play in various charity games around the world.

Jason McAteer has worked in the media for Asia-based ESPN Star Sports.