Brian Jensen (footballer, born 1975)

Brian Jensen
Personal information
Full name Brian Paldan Jensen
Date of birth (1975-06-08) 8 June 1975[1]
Place of birth Copenhagen, Denmark
Height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)[1]
Playing position Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Mansfield Town
Number 12
Youth career
1990–1993 B.93
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1997 B.93 2 (0)
1997–2000 AZ 1 (0)
1997–1998 → Hvidovre (loan) 1 (0)
2000–2003 West Bromwich Albion 46 (0)
2003–2013 Burnley 271 (0)
2013–2014 Bury 36 (0)
2014–2015 Crawley Town 20 (0)
2015– Mansfield Town 28 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:59, 3 November 2016 (UTC).


Brian Paldan Jensen (born 8 June 1975) is a Danish professional footballer who plays for Mansfield Town as a goalkeeper. He has played more than 300 English league games since 2000 for Burnley and West Bromwich Albion.

Jensen started his career with Danish lower-league club B.93, before joining Dutch Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar in 1997. He made his senior breakthrough with West Bromwich Albion, playing a total 50 games for the club. He joined Burnley in 2003, and has since played more than 300 games in all competitions, helping the club win promotion for the top-flight Premier League in 2009.

Career

Early career

Born and raised in the Nørrebro district of Copenhagen, Jensen began playing football as a defender in the youth team of B 93.[2] As the youth team goalkeeper lacked height, the keeper job was given to the "biggest and dumbest" player of the team, according to Jensen himself.[2] He was a substitute to goalkeeper Jan Hoffmann at the B 93 senior team.[3]

His goalkeeping talent caught the attention of Dutch outfit AZ when he was named best goalkeeper at a youth tournament in the Netherlands.[3] He was loaned out from Alkmaar to Danish club Hvidovre IF for eight months, while finishing his electrician education, before going to play as a full-time professional for Alkmaar in February 1998.[2] Jensen managed one appearance in the Eredivisie championship in his time at Alkmaar,[4] serving exclusively as a substitute for Dutch international keeper Oscar Moens.[3]

West Bromwich Albion

While waiting for his Alkmaar contract to run out, Jensen trained with Division One side West Bromwich Albion, where his imposing stature earned him the nickname "The Beast".[3] When West Brom first choice keeper Chris Adamson was asked to comment on Jensen, he told reporters he was "nothing but a beast".[5] Jensen moved to West Brom for a fee of £80,000 in March 2000.[2] He made his Albion debut on 7 March 2000 and kept a clean sheet in a 2–0 victory over Tranmere Rovers. He stayed at West Brom for three years, playing a total of 50 games. He helped the club survive in Division One in 1999–2000, and was a regular for much of the following season, until the arrival of Russell Hoult saw the end of Jensen's playing time for WBA in February 2001.[6] Jensen never re-gained a regular place, playing only one match in Albion's promotion season of 2001–02.[7] He moved on in 2003, after West Brom were relegated, finishing 19th in the Premier League.

Burnley

Jensen in May 2007

He joined Burnley on 30 June 2003 on a free transfer.[8] During his first season at Burnley, he was the only goalkeeper on their books. The club avoided relegation by just two points, finishing in 19th position in the First Division. After the arrival of Danny Coyne in the summer of 2004, he found himself second choice keeper at Turf Moor, but through good form and a serious injury to Coyne he earned his place back in the starting line-up.[9] Following impressive form in autumn 2004, Jensen criticised national team manager Morten Olsen for not having watched him play, when Jensen thought he had earned a place in the Danish national squad.[10]

After a run of performances in which Jensen's form was found lacking by Burnley manager Steve Cotterill, goalkeeper Mike Pollitt was brought on loan to Turf Moor in January 2007.[11] In response to being left out of the Burnley team for a match at Southampton, Jensen wanted to leave the club, and on 22 January 2007 Burnley placed him on the transfer list.[12] However, by April of that year, Jensen had not only re-established himself as the club's first-choice but his relationship with Cotterill had improved and he was taken off the transfer list.[13]

Burnley brought in another goalkeeper, Gábor Király, before the 2007–08 season and Jensen found himself once again seemingly second choice, spending four months out of the team from mid-September.[14] He returned to regular first team action in January 2008.[14] He signed a new two-year contract with Burnley in June 2008.[15] He saved two penalties to help Burnley beat Chelsea in the fourth round of the League Cup. He played in the 2009 Football League Championship play-off Final, in which Burnley beat Sheffield United 1–0 at Wembley Stadium to earn promotion to the Premier League.[16] On 19 August 2009 he was named man of the match in Burnley's 1–0 Premier League victory over Manchester United, which was Burnley's first top division win in 33 years. The performance included a range of saves as well as a penalty save against Michael Carrick.[17] He signed a new two-year contract with the club in June 2010.[18] Jensen played his 300th league game in a 4–0 win over Hull City on 28 September 2010. On 22 December 2010 Jensen officially handed in a written transfer request due to lack of games.[19] However, Jensen decided to withdraw the transfer request.[20] Jensen would then sign a one-year contract with the club.[21]

On 6 May 2013, Jensen announced to his followers on Twitter that he wasn't going to be offered a new contract.[22] Despite being released, Jensen told langebolde.dk in the interview that he ruled out retirement due to desire to play on for many years.[23]

Bury

Jensen joined Bury on a short-term contract on 2 September 2013, and was named player-goalkeeper coach the following January.[24] Having made seventeen appearances, Jensen signed a contract extension with the club until the end of the season.[25]

At the end of the season, he was named Bury Player of the Season by both the fans of the club and by local newspaper Bury Times.[26] Despite good performances, Jensen was released by the club in May 2014 after being told that he wouldn't be offered a new contract.[27]

Crawley Town

On 27 May 2014, Jensen signed a one-year contract at Crawley Town under manager John Gregory. He was Crawley's second signing of the 2014–15 season. The formerly Burnley shot-stopper made 20 appearances for The Reds before dislocating his finger against MK Dons in January 2015.

Mansfield Town

On 24 June 2015, Jensen signed a one-year deal[28] with League Two rivals Mansfield Town on a free transfer as a player and goalkeeping coach. Jensen holds the record for being the oldest player to play for the club at the age of 40 years, seven months and nine days.[29]

The Nottinghamshire club extended Jenson's term[29] at Field Mill at the end of the 2015–16 season.

Business Life

Coaching career

After a fruitful playing career spanning over 25 years, Jensen launched a new GK Icon youth goalkeeping academy[30] in Sandbach, Cheshire on 31 May 2016.

Career statistics

Jensen during a training session with Burnley during their tour of America in 2008
As of match played 26 September 2015.
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
West Bromwich Albion 1999–2000[31] First Division 1200000—120
2000–01[32] First Division 330004000370
2001–02[33] First Division 100000—10
2002–03[34] Premier League 000000—00
Total 460004000500
Burnley 2003–04[35] First Division 4603030—520
2004–05[36] Championship 2704020—330
2005–06[37] Championship 3901010—410
2006–07[38] Championship 3101010—330
2007–08[39] Championship 1900020—210
2008–09[40] Championship 45050703[lower-alpha 1]0600
2009–10[41] Premier League 3802010—410
2010–11[42] Championship 2100000—210
2011–12[43] Championship 400000—40
2012–13[44] Championship 101020—40
Total 2710170190303100
Bury 2013–14[45] League Two 36020001[lower-alpha 2]0390
Crawley Town 2014–15[46] League One 20000201[lower-alpha 2]0230
Mansfield Town 2015–16 League Two 25000001[lower-alpha 2]0260
Career total 3980190250604480
  1. ↑ Appearances in Championship play-offs
  2. 1 2 3 Appearance in Football League Trophy

Recognition

A child born to Burnley fans in 2011 was named after Jensen, with thirteen middle names after other players on the team.[47]

References

  1. 1 2 Hugman, Barry J. (ed) (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Kaspar Steenbach, "Bæstet fra Blågårds Plads", B.T., 20 August 2000
  3. 1 2 3 4 Niels Rasmussen, "Det populære udyr", Politiken, 19 March 2001
  4. ↑ Hunter, Andy (8 March 2009). "Interview: Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen on facing Arsenal in the FA Cup". The Guardian. London.
  5. ↑ Tommy Heisz and Peter Gisselmann, "Talent: Bæstet i buret", Aktuelt, 29 January 2001
  6. ↑ http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=19366&season_id=130
  7. ↑ http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=19366&season_id=131
  8. ↑ "Burnley snap up Jensen". BBC Sport. 30 June 2003. Retrieved 22 July 2010.
  9. ↑ http://www.bold.dk/nyt/?vis=46074?
  10. ↑ Kent Hedlundh, Jensen slams Danish boss Archived 22 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine., Sky Sports, 17 October 2005
  11. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 2011-04-29.
  12. ↑ "Gudjonsson seals Clarets switch". BBC News. 22 January 2007.
  13. ↑ http://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/generelle/beast-gamblede-og-vandt
  14. 1 2 http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=19366&season_id=137
  15. ↑ "Burnley's Jensen signs new deal". BBC Sport. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2010.
  16. ↑ Fletcher, Paul (25 May 2009). "Burnley 1–0 Sheff Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2009.
  17. ↑ "Burnley 1–0 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 19 August 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  18. ↑ "Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen signs new deal". BBC Sport. 3 June 2010. Retrieved 22 July 2010.
  19. ↑ "Jensen asks to quit Clarets". Sky Sports. 22 December 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  20. ↑ "Jensen to stay at Burnley". Sky Sports. 27 January 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  21. ↑ "Burnley keepers sign new deals". Sky Sports. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  22. ↑ "Brian Jensen leaves Burnley after 10 years with the club". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  23. ↑ "Brian Jensen insists he has no desire to call time on his career just yet". Sky Sports. 2 April 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  24. ↑ "Brian Jensen: Bury sign former Burnley veteran goalkeeper". BBC Sport. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  25. ↑ "Jensen pens new Shakers deal". Sky Sports. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  26. ↑ "Brian Jensen scoops top award at Bury player of the season bash". Bury Times. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  27. ↑ "Jensen heads Shakers list". Sky Sports. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  28. ↑ "Big Dane joins Stags in dual role". Mansfield Town F.C. 24 June 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  29. 1 2 "Jamie McGuire & Brian Jensen sign new Mansfield contracts". BBC Sport. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  30. ↑ http://www.uk.challengersports.com/crewe
  31. ↑ "Games played by Brian Jensen in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  32. ↑ "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  33. ↑ "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  34. ↑ "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  35. ↑ "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  36. ↑ "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  37. ↑ "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  38. ↑ "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  39. ↑ "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  40. ↑ "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  41. ↑ "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  42. ↑ "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  43. ↑ "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  44. ↑ "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  45. ↑ "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  46. ↑ "Games played by Brian Jensen in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  47. ↑ Byrne, Paul (12 March 2011). "Baby named after every Burnley FC player that played in first game of the season". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 31 August 2015.

External links


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