Been told that he's to be offered a coaching role by us (Sunderland). Effective at the end of his contract which is up at the end of the season. Good move for us, I think. Seems an intelligent chap and is doing his A-Licence bade, been a fantastic servant since he signed from United 6 years ago. Still doing a job as a first team player for us too. Probably the best centre back I've seen for us in the Premier League along with Steve Bould.
John O'Shea
- Thread starter Andy Jones
- Start date
Good luck to him. Very underrated player at united, great servant and a good lad
6 years? Time really does fly! I'll always remember his goal against the scousers! Love him for that, he seems to have gone down the Scholes route of never talking to the press during his career, one of the last of the older generation I grew up watching.
Also commiserations on the hiring of Moyes, may your suffering be short lived.
Also commiserations on the hiring of Moyes, may your suffering be short lived.
The guy has some extraordinary leadership skills. He can motivate groups, no problem stepping aside and working hard in the background. Lovable and loyal. Never complains. I think he's very likely to continue a great career in coaching.
Legend.
Did he get a testimonial? Can't recall it.
That goal at Highbury will live long in the memory.
That chip in the 4-2 at Highbury 
I'm surprised he's still starting
He's part of our best side which says a lot about Djilibodji the Dodgy! Has the odd mistake in him but if he's on his game, he's still a quality CB.
Brief O'Shea story, for anyone interested.
Quite often when home in Ireland he'd visited a children's hospital, without any need for press or attention, usually bringing along other players. Anyway, the hospital was doing a headline event with a particular Irish sportsperson, someone who (rightly) gets lauded for the amount of charity work they do. This sportsperson dropped out of the event at short notice, without any real reason given, sending the organisers into a massive panic. O'Shea had given them his personal mobile number when he was over previously so they chanced their arm and rang him, hoping he'd convince someone in the Irish squad or set up. He took the call himself, agreed without asking any details beyond where and when and, two days later, turned up an hour early with two massive bags of gear and toys for the kids, which he'd bought and transported across himself. The event was scheduled to run for 90 mins, he stayed almost 6 hours, had chicken nuggets and chips with the kids long after he was supposed to be gone, played more games of FIFA and posed for more photos than is humanly possible and generally made them feel incredibly special.
So yeah, it's fair to say I think, in the most important sense, he's top class.
Quite often when home in Ireland he'd visited a children's hospital, without any need for press or attention, usually bringing along other players. Anyway, the hospital was doing a headline event with a particular Irish sportsperson, someone who (rightly) gets lauded for the amount of charity work they do. This sportsperson dropped out of the event at short notice, without any real reason given, sending the organisers into a massive panic. O'Shea had given them his personal mobile number when he was over previously so they chanced their arm and rang him, hoping he'd convince someone in the Irish squad or set up. He took the call himself, agreed without asking any details beyond where and when and, two days later, turned up an hour early with two massive bags of gear and toys for the kids, which he'd bought and transported across himself. The event was scheduled to run for 90 mins, he stayed almost 6 hours, had chicken nuggets and chips with the kids long after he was supposed to be gone, played more games of FIFA and posed for more photos than is humanly possible and generally made them feel incredibly special.
So yeah, it's fair to say I think, in the most important sense, he's top class.
What makes you say he is underrated?
Should have put him in goal when the other fella got injured, btw
Fat.
That's a great story
Loved the lad. Wherever he played he was always solid. I was sad when he left and that story from @Brophs makes me like him even more.
Best of luck. I hope he has a great coaching career.
Best of luck. I hope he has a great coaching career.
Nice story, Brophs. Just a decent, down to earth human being who happened to be a top footballer. It's a rare specimen who can remain untainted by the bullshit attached to the profession. My Dad's a Waterford man. At times John O'Shea has been the only thing to keep him from giving up on the game altogether.
Lovely story. Top lad.
Better than Wes? Though Wes' durability will always let him down, class on his day though.
Wes was probably the better footballer but unfortunately just had too much time out with fitness trouble and it stopped him really getting a consistent quality run. O'Shea hasn't had any significant time out and has been overall very consistent.
Chicken nuggets, eh, these millionaire sportsmen are out of touch!
That's brilliant, bet the kids were overjoyed.
I love O'Shea! By all accounts he seems like a lovely bloke who's also United through and through.
Sack Moyes. Give it to Sheasy to the end of the year.
Have heard loads of stories about him, great lad by every account
One of my very favourite players in the SAF era. Still have vivid memories of his break through season when he was ever present, his winning goal vs Liverpool and those games as goalkeeper.
Truly represented what it was to be a home grown sqaud player who would do anything for the team.
Always liked John O'shea. The Figo nutmeg, the goal against Arsenal and the celebration 
Also a very versatile player. A team of 11 John O'shea's would be very good.
Also a very versatile player. A team of 11 John O'shea's would be very good.
Met and had a few beers with him many years ago after hours at a bar i worked in. He was out inured at the time. Genuinely friendly, salt of the earth type. Shit at pool though.
LvG would've loved him. Played in every position you can think of. Blind and Jones are versatile, but O'Shea took that term to a whole different level.
Good luck to him. The big ex-United contingent makes it harder to dislike them.
Good luck to him. The big ex-United contingent makes it harder to dislike them.
Ah, that winner in front of the Kop.
Happy, happy memories!!!
Good lad, John O'Shea. I wish you well!
Happy, happy memories!!!
Good lad, John O'Shea. I wish you well!
Probably the only player who ever played upfront, central midfield, central defence, and goalkeeper. His time in central midfield with Giggs was underrated IMO.
Must be a manager dream this guy. Played multiple position decently and never complains to the manager. And from Brophs' story, seems like a top lad. Good luck to him wherever he goes next
Great thread. I love Sheasy. Great professional, great attitude, and highly underappreciated as a player on here at times.
Very glad to hear that, as I had no idea how he was perceived by Sunderland fans.
His goal at Highbury was class, his celebratin was better!
Also, that nutmeg on figo
Also, that nutmeg on figo
Also, let us not forget when he nutmegged Luis Figo!
And fullback. And on both wings. Definition of a complete footballer!
For some reason I always think about his attempted celebration with Scholes when the latter smashed the ball into the net with his hand against Zenith when I think about him. Good try Sheasy but you weren't fooling anyone. Great servant to the club during his time here.
Great servant to the club during his time here.Very well thought of by the majority of us. Struggled a little in his 3 or 4 games but then he was playing RB and then LB. Came into the centre and hasn't looked back really. Obviously has the odd heart in mouth moment but one of the most consistent defenders I've ever seen. Top bloke. Has even played CM for us this season and went up front for half an hour or so earlier on.
Now holds the record for most PL appearances for us too. #178
That's quite amazing when you consider the age he joined you really.Very well thought of by the majority of us. Struggled a little in his 3 or 4 games but then he was playing RB and then LB. Came into the centre and hasn't looked back really. Obviously has the odd heart in mouth moment but one of the most consistent defenders I've ever seen. Top bloke. Has even played CM for us this season and went up front for half an hour or so earlier on.
Now holds the record for most PL appearances for us too. #178
Will never forget his cameo as a goalie against Spurs and that season where just about every shot of his ended up as a goal (4 goals in 5 shots in 06/07 I think?)