Jamie O'Hara (footballer)

This article is about the footballer. For the singer, see Jamie O'Hara (singer).
Jamie O'Hara

O'Hara playing for Blackpool in 2015
Personal information
Full name Jamie Darryl O'Hara[1]
Date of birth (1986-09-25) 25 September 1986[1]
Place of birth Dartford, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Playing position Midfielder
Youth career
1998–2003 Arsenal
2003–2005 Tottenham Hotspur
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2011 Tottenham Hotspur 34 (2)
2006 → Chesterfield (loan) 19 (5)
2007 → Millwall (loan) 14 (2)
2009–2010 → Portsmouth (loan) 26 (2)
2011 → Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) 14 (3)
2011–2014 Wolverhampton Wanderers 41 (2)
2014–2015 Blackpool 27 (2)
2015–2016 Fulham 37 (1)
2016 Gillingham 2 (0)
National team
2008–2009 England U21 7 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 03:41, 2 October 2016 (UTC).


Jamie Darryl O'Hara (born 25 September 1986) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder.

O'Hara came through Arsenal F.C. Academy to then sign for Tottenham Hotspur to become a first-team player during the 2007–08 season. He has had several loan spells, including a stint at Portsmouth that saw them reach the 2010 FA Cup Final.

Club career

Early career

O'Hara was born in Dartford, Kent.[1] As a schoolboy, O'Hara trained with the Arsenal Academy before moving to Tottenham Hotspur's academy in 2003.[2] In 2004–05 he featured in every game in the FA Youth Cup, scoring once against Everton from a free kick in addition to playing in fourteen Under-18 matches and eighteen reserve matches.

In January 2006 it was announced he had joined Chesterfield on a three-month loan agreement. His Football League debut came on 14 January 2006 at Doncaster Rovers in a 1–1 draw. He scored five goals during his loan spell during 19 appearances.[3]

He went out on loan for a second time in August 2007 when he joined League One club Millwall on a month-long loan deal which was subsequently extended to December.[4][5] He made 15 appearances in total for the Lions.

Tottenham Hotspur

O'Hara subsequently returned to Spurs after his successful loan spell at Millwall which attracted the attention of new manager, Juande Ramos, and made his debut as a substitute against Portsmouth on 15 December 2007, assisting in the game's winning goal. He made his full début a week later in the North London derby against former club Arsenal.

He became a regular player for the remainder of the season, scoring his first Tottenham goal on 21 February 2008 in a UEFA Cup tie against Slavia Prague at White Hart Lane,[6] and his first Premier League goal on 22 March 2008, against future club Portsmouth.[7] At the end of the season, he was named the One Hotspur Junior Young Player of the Year and was presented with the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust Breakthrough Award for his performances. He was further rewarded by a new three-year deal.[8]

The arrival of Harry Redknapp as manager during the next season saw O'Hara gradually lose his regular starting place in the league. He did however make a vital contribution in the club's League Cup semi-final tie against Burnley, as he scored one goal and helped create two more in a 4–1 first leg victory that helped see them through to the final.[9] Unlike the previous year, O'Hara was included in their squad for the final. Coming on as a substitute, he also stepped up to take the first penalty kick in the shootout against Manchester United, after the match finished goalless; his effort was saved by Ben Foster as Spurs lost 1–4 on penalties.[10] O'Hara signed a new contract in August 2009, keeping him at White Hart Lane until 2013.[11]

Portsmouth (loan)

After penning a new deal with Tottenham, O'Hara joined Portsmouth on loan until January 2010, with an option to remain at Fratton Park until the end of the season.[12]

He was a regular starter for Pompey during this time, but returned to Tottenham in January 2010 despite Portsmouth wanting to extend his loan and Tottenham agreeing to this, as Portsmouth were subject to a transfer embargo.[13] Following the lifting of Portsmouth's transfer embargo weeks later, he returned to Portsmouth on loan for the remainder of the season.

His loan spell created a conflict of interests when Portsmouth were drawn to play the winners of the Tottenham/Fulham tie in the FA Cup semi-finals. Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp gave a stern reminder to O'Hara that his ultimate loyalties lie with Tottenham after the midfielder admitted he hoped Spurs lost to Fulham as he would not be eligible to play against Tottenham.[14] Tottenham did indeed progress to the semi-final, meaning O'Hara was denied a chance to play in the Wembley match. However, Portsmouth won the game 2–0 giving him a chance to play in the FA Cup Final where they were beaten 1–0 by Chelsea. At end of the season O'Hara was voted Portsmouth's Player of the Season for 2009–10.

Having sustained a stress fracture during the 2009–10 season, it was announced in August 2010 that O'Hara was to undergo back surgery.[15] This kept him out contention for any first team football until the New Year.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

On 30 January 2011, O'Hara joined Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan for the rest of the 2010–11 season, with view to a permanent deal.[16] O'Hara made his Wolves debut as a substitute against Bolton Wanderers three days later. He made his first start on 5 February 2011, playing 60 minutes of a 2–1 victory against league leaders Manchester United. He scored his first goal for Wolves against local rivals West Bromwich Albion on 20 February 2011. He scored on the final day of the season, in a 2–3 defeat against Blackburn Rovers, which helped Wolves narrowly avoid relegation.[17] The season concluded with him picking up the Goal of the Season Award, for his strike against local rivals West Bromwich Albion.[18]

On 21 June 2011, it was announced that O'Hara had signed a five-year contract with Wolves for an undisclosed fee,[19] initially reported to be around £5million.[20] It was later reported that the actual fee Wolves paid for O'Hara was £3.5m, not the £5m quoted.[21] He decided to move to Wolves permanently after missing out on first team football for Tottenham.

O'Hara's first full season with the club saw him miss several months of the campaign after twice undergoing surgery, firstly on a double hernia,[22] then to correct a persistent groin problem.[23] He did not return to first team action until January 2013, by which time the club were back in the Championship and had undergone a series of manager changes.

The midfielder made 21 appearances during the second half of the 2012–13 season but was unable to halt a second successive relegation. In April 2013, he was sent off for violent conduct in a defeat to Huddersfield Town, which ruled him out for three games.[24] Upon his return at the final game of the season that confirmed relegation, O'Hara responded to jeers from the Wolves fans by sarcastically clapping them.[25] He had previously clashed with fans in March 2012 after being confronted by a group outside Molineux.[26]

Following the arrival of Kenny Jackett as manager, it was announced in June 2013 that O'Hara had been made available for transfer.[27] At the beginning of the upcoming season, O'Hara was not allocated a squad number and Jackett reiterated that he remained outside his plans.[28] However, by late October, with no interest from other clubs,[29] Jackett stated that "the last four months have humbled him (O'Hara)" and that "everyone at the club is willing to give him a second chance".[30] O'Hara was thus given a squad number and withdrawn from the transfer list.[31] He made his playing return in a 2–2 draw at Carlisle and also featured in the following game.[32]

O'Hara fell out of first team contention after these appearances with manager Kenny Jackett citing his lack of fitness.[33] He spent a short trial period at Blackpool in late November 2013 but they did not pursue their interest in taking him on loan.[34][35] Without any involvement in Wolves' first team for several months, O'Hara requested that Wolves permit him to undertake an intense three-week training programme (at his own expense) at a training facility in Los Angeles, which he did in February 2014.[36] After returning, he featured as an over-age player for Wolves' under-21 games, with Kenny Jackett saying that he was "surprised nobody has taken him" and that hoped that "somebody wants to take a chance (on O'Hara)" before the close of the loan window.[37] However, the only reported loan interest came from his former club Portsmouth, now near the foot of League Two, but no deal was agreed.[38]

Shortly after having not been issued a squad number for the new season, on 28 August 2014 O'Hara's contract was terminated with immediate effect by mutual consent.[39]

Blackpool

On 5 November 2014, O'Hara joined Blackpool on a short-term deal until 4 January 2015.[40] He made his debut against Leeds United on 8 November in a 3–1 loss.[41] On 8 January 2015 O'Hara extended his deal at Blackpool until the end of the season.[42]

Fulham

On 7 July 2015, O'Hara joined Fulham on a one-year deal.[43] O'Hara made his debut for Fulham in the opening game of the season in a 1-1 draw against Cardiff City. He scored his first goal for Fulham in a 3-2 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday on 19 September 2015.[44] O'Hara was released on 9 June 2016.[45]

Gillingham

On 12 August 2016 O'Hara signed for Gillingham on a two-year contract.[46] On 30 September 2016, the club and player mutually agreed to terminate his contract after his failure to recover from an ongoing injury.[47]

International career

O'Hara was called up to the England Under-21 squad for their game against Republic of Ireland on 5 February 2008, but did not take the field.[48] He did gain his first U21 cap on 25 March 2008, in a 0–0 friendly against Poland.[49] In total he won seven caps at this level.

On 21 February 2011, O'Hara admitted that he would seriously consider playing international football for the Republic of Ireland if he got the call. O’Hara has played at the England Under-21 level but has never been selected for the senior squad and with Irish grandparents, he could now make the switch. Former Wolves manager Mick McCarthy also expressed that he too wished O'Hara to make the switch to Ireland.[50]

He is also eligible for Northern Ireland via his father who was born in Magherafelt.[51]

Personal life

O'Hara was in a relationship with former Miss England model Danielle Lloyd from April 2009.[52] On 1 December 2009, the couple announced their engagement.[53] In March 2010, the couple announced that Lloyd was expecting their first child;[54] the baby was born on 11 July 2010, a boy named Archie O'Hara. On 13 July 2011, Lloyd gave birth to their second child, ten weeks early, naming him Harry James O'Hara.[55] Lloyd and O'Hara were married on 26 May 2012.

On 27 July 2014, The Sunday Mirror alleged that O'Hara had been unfaithful to his wife the previous weekend with a female whom he had met in a Birmingham nightclub.[56]

On 7 September 2014, Lloyd announced she had filed for a divorce from O'Hara.[57]

Honours

Tottenham Hotspur

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 318. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ↑ "O'Hara's bold move". thefa.com. 20 January 2003.
  3. ↑ "Fulop and O'Hara lengthen loans". BBC Sport. 30 January 2006.
  4. ↑ "Lions sign Spurs youngster O'Hara". BBC Sport. 24 August 2007.
  5. ↑ "Millwall extend O'Hara loan spell". BBC Sport. 17 September 2007.
  6. ↑ "Tottenham 1–1 Slavia Prague". BBC Sport. 21 February 2008.
  7. ↑ "Tottenham 2–0 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 22 March 2008.
  8. ↑ "O'Hara signs new Spurs deal". Premier League. 12 May 2008.
  9. ↑ "O'Hara Puts Wind Up Clarets". Sky Sports. 6 January 2009.
  10. ↑ "Man Utd 0–0 Tottenham (aet)". BBC Sport. 1 March 2009.
  11. ↑ "O'Hara signs new Tottenham deal". BBC Sport. 28 August 2009.
  12. ↑ "Portsmouth wrap up four signings". BBC Sport. 28 August 2009.
  13. ↑ Davies, Christopher (15 January 2010). "Tottenham may take Jamie O'Hara's case to play to FIFA after Pompey loan deal ends". Daily Mail. London.
  14. ↑ Lawton, Matt (8 March 2010). "Tottenham's O'Hara says he hopes Spurs lose!". Daily Mail. London.
  15. ↑ "O'Hara update". Tottenham Hotspur F.C. 23 August 2010.
  16. ↑ "Tottenham's Jamie O'Hara joins Wolves on loan". BBC Sport. 30 January 2011.
  17. ↑ "Premier League D-Day as it happened". BBC Sport. 22 May 2011.
  18. ↑ "End Of Season Awards: Live Blog". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 18 May 2011.
  19. ↑ "O'Hara Joins!". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 21 June 2011.
  20. ↑ "Jamie O'Hara makes £5m move to Wolves from Tottenham". BBC Sport. 21 June 2011.
  21. ↑ "Wolves quids in on Roger Johnson and Jamie O'Hara deals". Express & Star. 23 July 2011.
  22. ↑ "Wolves midfielder Jamie O'Hara ruled out for a month". BBC Sport. 21 December 2011.
  23. ↑ "Wolves midfielder Jamie O'Hara ruled out for season". BBC Sport. 3 April 2012.
  24. ↑ "Dean Saunders: "We have to probably win three games out of the last four."". Birmingham Mail. 13 April 2013.
  25. ↑ "Brighton 2 – Wolves 0: O'Hara is clapped out". Daily Express. 5 May 2013.
  26. ↑ "Jamie O'Hara in confrontation with Wolves fans after loss to Blackburn". BBC Sport. 10 March 2012.
  27. ↑ "Four players transfer listed". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 24 June 2013.
  28. ↑ "Wolves' Kenny Jackett: Jamie O'Hara will not return". Express & Star. 27 September 2013.
  29. ↑ "Wolves midfielder Jamie O'Hara yet to attract interest". Sky Sports. 16 October 2013.
  30. ↑ "Jackett: "A terrific win"". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 26 October 2013.
  31. ↑ "Jamie O'Hara off the transfer list as Wolves boss Kenny Jackett looks ahead". Express & Star. 29 October 2013.
  32. ↑ "Carlisle 2–2 Wolves". BBC Sport. 5 November 2013.
  33. ↑ "Wolves' Jamie O'Hara in fitness battle". Express & Star. 19 November 2013.
  34. ↑ "Blackpool ponder loan move for Wolves midfielder". BBC Sport. 26 November 2013.
  35. ↑ "Paul Ince: Blackpool manager set to return from stadium ban". BBC Sport. 29 November 2013.
  36. ↑ "Wolves' Jamie O'Hara to undergo intensive training programme". Express & Star. 13 February 2014.
  37. ↑ "Jamie O'Hara facing uncertain future at Wolves". Sky Sports. 26 March 2014.
  38. ↑ "McInnes: O'Hara interest no gimmick". Portsmouth News. 28 March 2014.
  39. ↑ "Jamie O'Hara leaves Wolves". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 28 August 2014.
  40. ↑ "Seasider Move for O'Hara". Blackpool FC official. 5 November 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  41. ↑ "UNITED TOO STRONG FOR BLACKPOOL". Leeds United Official Site. 8 November 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  42. ↑ "Blackpool: Jamie O'Hara stays as Grant Hall joins on loan". BBC Sport. BBC. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  43. ↑ "Jamie O'Hara: Fulham sign ex-Spurs midfielder on free transfer". BBC Sport. 7 July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  44. ↑ "Sheff Wed 3-2 Fulham". BBC Sport. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  45. ↑ "O'Hara Released". BBC Sport. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  46. ↑ "Gillingham sign former Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, Wolves and Fulham midfielder Jamie O'Hara". Kent Online. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  47. ↑ CLUB STATEMENT: SEPTEMBER 30 2016web, Gillingham FC, 30 September 2016
  48. ↑ "Pearce names Lennon in U21 squad.". BBC Sport. 31 January 2008.
  49. ↑ "England U21 0–0 Poland U21". BBC Sport. 26 March 2008.
  50. ↑ O'Hara asked to represent Ireland
  51. ↑ An English captain with Irish choices
  52. ↑ White, Richard (5 May 2009). "Wag Dani punched in fight over Spurs ace". The Sun. London.
  53. ↑ "Danielle Lloyd scores a footballer husband after announcing her engagement to Jamie O'Hara". The Daily Mail. London. 2 December 2009.
  54. ↑ Sheridan, Emily (3 March 2010). "Danielle Lloyd 'excited, but nervous' as she announces she's pregnant with fiance Jamie O'Hara's baby". The Daily Mail. London.
  55. ↑ "Danielle Lloyd's footballer husband Jamie O'Hara beds blonde in hotel". Daily Mail. London. 13 July 2011.
  56. ↑ "Danielle Lloyd's footballer husband Jamie O'Hara beds blonde in hotel". The Sunday Mirror. London. 27 July 2014.
  57. ↑ "DANIELLE Lloyd has filed for divorce from her cheating footballer husband Jamie O'Hara.". The Sun. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  58. ↑ "PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE SEASON – Club-by-club guide to the stars of 2009–2010". The Daily Mail. London. 18 May 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2010.

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