Sean St Ledger

Peterborough United

Growing up in Solihull, England, as an Aston Villa supporter, St Ledger's career started in the youth system at Peterborough United where he played alongside Ryan Semple and Luke Steele, before joining the first team in 2002, playing mostly as a central defender, though occasionally as a full back or in midfield. He joined Football Conference club Stevenage Borough on loan in January 2004. Following a loan spell with Stevenage came to an end, St Ledger signed a three-year contract with the club. St Ledger was dropped in the first team and dropped to the bench, citing his bad attitude, in a 1–1 draw with Lincoln City on 21 January 2006. He featured in Sky's series Big Ron Manager, a behind the scenes look at Peterborough United's struggle to enter the Football League Two play-offs at the end of the 2005–06 season.

Preston North End

After a trial with Birmingham City on Barry Fry's recommendation, St Ledger signed a three-year contract with Preston North End in July 2006 for a fee of £225,000, which could rise to £350,000. Manager Paul Simpsons believed that St Ledger could be a top right-back player. On 5 August 2006, St Ledger made his debut for Preston in a 0–0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday at centre half alongside fellow new signing Liam Chilvers and since then, St Ledger formed a partnership with Chilvers in central defence. On 9 April 2007, St Ledger scored his first goal for Preston in a 3–2 loss against Southend United. In his…

Born and raised in England, St Ledger was eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland because his grandparents are both from Carlow. Shortly after joining Preston, St Ledger was called up by Manager Steve Staunton, which he described as "it doesn't get any better than this." After being called up by newly appointed Manager Giovanni Trapattoni, He made his debut in a friendly against Nigeria at Craven Cottage on 29 May 2009, and played his first competitive match a week later, a 1–1 draw away to Bulgaria in a qualifying game for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. St Ledger scored his first goal for Ireland in a 2–2 with Italy at Croke Park, Dublin, in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in October 2009. The goal gave Ireland a late lead against the World Champions and was almost St Ledger's "Ray Houghton" moment, guaranteeing him iconic status in only his sixth appearance, only for Alberto Gilardino to score an even later equaliser for the Italians. On 12 October 2010, St Ledger scored his second goal for Ireland in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier against Slovakia which finished 1–1. On 10 June 2012, he scored his third international goal against Croatia in Ireland's first group stage game at UEFA Euro 2012. His header was the equaliser to make the score 1–1 after Ireland had fallen behind in the first half, though they lost the game 3–1. It turned out to be the team's only goal of the competition, as they exited the group stage with three defeats from three games and 9 goals conceded.

Club

International

Scores and results list the Republic of Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each St Ledger goal.

Leicester City

Football League Championship: 2013–14 Republic of Ireland

Nations Cup: 2011 Individual

Preston North End Player of the Year: 2007–08