Gary McSheffrey

Coventry City

McSheffrey was born in Coventry, and began his football career at home town club Coventry City. When he made his first-team debut against local rivals Aston Villa at the age of 16 years and 198 days on 27 February 1999, a game that Coventry won 4–1, he became the youngest player ever to play in the Premier League. He held the record for over four years until Aaron Lennon made his Leeds United debut at a younger age in August 2003. During his time at Coventry he spent loan spells at Stockport County, Luton Town earlier in the 2004–05 season helping them achieve promotion to the Championship, and Swedish side IK Brage. He represented England at under-18 and under-20 levels. Playing primarily on the left wing in the 2005–06 season, McSheffrey ended up among the top scorers in the Football League Championship with 15 league goals. It was form like this that brought him to the attention of local rivals Birmingham City during the summer of 2006. After weeks of bidding, Coventry accepted an offer valued at £4 million. This has since been estimated at £2.3m cash with a further £1.3m depending on promotion and appearances. The deal was completed on 16 August 2006, and McSheffrey became a Birmingham City player three days after his 24th birthday.

Birmingham City

McSheffrey scored his first hat-trick for his new club in a league match against Preston North End on 9 December 2006. He was part of the 2006–07 promotion-winning side, returning to the Premier…

McSheffrey played a one-match trial for Boston United in their Lincolnshire Senior Cup defeat against Lincoln United in July 2018, before joining the coaching staff at Doncaster Rovers' Academy as professional development phase coach working with the under-18 team. Alongside his coaching role, he played a few matches for Northern Premier League East side Frickley Athletic early in the 2018–19 season, and made his debut for Northern Counties East League club Rossington Main in October 2020. On 2 December 2021, McSheffrey was appointed caretaker manager of Doncaster Rovers following the sacking of manager Richie Wellens with the club 23rd in the table. After four matches in charge, he was appointed manager on a permanent basis. On 17 October 2022, McSheffrey was sacked by Doncaster Rovers. On 12 August 2024, he was appointed as the head U-21 coach at Sheffield United

McSheffrey has coached children in the Coventry area via the Soccer Rockz football coaching programme, in association with Coventry City Football Club (CCFC). A former pupil of Bishop Ullathorne School, McSheffrey is a Roman Catholic.

As a player

Luton Town

Football League One: 2004–05 Birmingham City

Football League Championship second-place promotion: 2006–07, 2008–09 Leeds United

Football League One second-place promotion: 2009–10 Scunthorpe United

Football League Two second-place promotion: 2013–14 Doncaster Rovers

EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2016–17 Individual

PFA Team of the Year: 2006–07 Football League Championship