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Connell Rawlinson

Connell Rawlinson
Personal information
Full name Connell Patrick Rawlinson[1]
Date of birth (1991-09-22) 22 September 1991 (age 33)[2]
Place of birth Wrexham, Wales[3]
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[4]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Chester
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Chester City 3 (0)
2010–2018 The New Saints 142 (9)
2012 → Newtown (loan) 5 (0)
2018–2019 Port Vale 28 (1)
2019–2024 Notts County 141 (3)
2024– Chester 7 (0)
International career
2011–2018 Wales C
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 09:33, 29 September 2024 (UTC)

Connell Patrick Rawlinson (born 22 September 1991) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a defender for National League North club Chester.

He began his career at Chester City, making three Conference Premier appearances before the club was liquidated in March 2010. He joined The New Saints the following season and went on to spend the next eight years with the club, winning seven Welsh Premier League titles, four Welsh Cups, and five Welsh League Cup titles. He was also named in the 2017–18 Welsh Premier League Team of the Season. He switched to the English Football League when he signed with Port Vale in May 2018. He was given a free transfer to National League side Notts County in August 2019. He was named County's Player of the Year for the 2019–20 season. Though the club lost the play-off final, they secured promotion out of the play-offs in 2023. He left Notts County after five years at the club and signed with Chester in July 2024.

Early life

Rawlinson was born in Wrexham after his mother chose that maternity hospital rather than Chester due to the family living between the two locations.[5]

Career

Chester City

Rawlinson began his career with Chester City, making his debut as a substitute against Oxford United at the age of 17 in 2009. He made two further Conference Premier substitute appearances in the 2009–10 season, which were officially chalked off after the club's records were expunged following their liquidation in March 2010.[6]

The New Saints

Rawlinson joined The New Saints and made his debut in the Welsh Premier League on 29 August 2010, coming on for Phil Baker as a 61st-minute substitute in a 2–1 victory over Bala Town at Park Hall.[7] He was handed his first start on 4 September, in a 2–1 defeat at Llanelli.[8] He went on to play in the final of the Welsh League Cup, as TNS recorded a 4–3 victory over Llanelli on 2 May.[9] He appeared a total of 21 times in the 2010–11 campaign and was offered professional terms at TNS for the 2011–12 season.[4][10] He won a Wales semi-professional cap against Estonia in October 2011.[10] He scored his first senior goal on 28 January, in a 4–0 victory over Newport County in the Fourth Round of the Welsh Cup.[11] He was sent off for the first time in his career on 18 February, during a 2–1 win at Llanelli.[12] TNS won the Welsh Premier League at the end of the 2011–12 season.[4] Rawlinson was also an unused substitute as they won the 2012 Welsh Cup with a 2–0 victory over Cefn Druids at Nantporth.[13]

He was loaned out to Newtown for six weeks in November 2012.[10] His arrival at Latham Park allowed manager Bernard McNally to move Andy Jones from central defence to centre-forward.[14] Rawlinson featured in five Welsh Premier League games for the "Robins", and played just six games for the "Saints" by the end of the 2012–13 season, who successfully defended their league title.[4] One of these appearances were in the Welsh League Cup final, which ended in a penalty shoot-out defeat to Carmarthen Town following a 3–3 draw after extra time.[15] He scored his first goal in the Welsh Premier League on 1 April 2014, in a 3–1 home win over Newtown.[16] He ended the 2013–14 season with 16 appearances, helping the club to retain their league title again.[4] TNS also won the Welsh Cup, though Rawlinson was again an unused substitute during the 3−2 victory over Aberystwyth Town at the Racecourse Ground.[17]

He made his debut in the UEFA Champions League on 15 July 2014, in a 1–0 defeat at Slovakian side ŠK Slovan Bratislava, during the Second Round of qualification.[18] He scored four goals in 37 appearances across the 2014–15 campaign, helping TNS to a fourth consecutive league title.[4] On 25 January, he played in a 3–0 win over Bala Town in the final of the Welsh League Cup.[19] He also won his third Welsh Cup as TNS secured a domestic treble with a 2–0 win over Newtown at Latham Park on 2 May, though was substituted after ten minutes for Christian Seargeant.[20][21] He was restricted to 19 appearances in the 2015–16 season, though TNS again won the league.[4] He did though feature in the final of the Welsh League Cup, as TNS defeated Denbigh Town 2–0 at Maesdu Park.[22] TNS also secured the Welsh Cup and another treble with a 2–0 victory over Airbus UK Broughton.[23][24]

He re-established himself in the first team during the 2016–17 season, scoring two goals in 40 league and cup games, as TNS clinched a sixth straight league title.[4] TNS won the League Cup for the fourth consecutive time with a 4–0 win over Barry Town United at Cyncoed Stadium.[25][26] During the season the club set a World record by winning 27 consecutive top-flight games.[27] However, they failed to retain the Welsh Cup, losing out 2–1 to Bala Town in the final.[28] On 20 January 2018, he lifted his fifth Welsh League Cup title after helping TNS to overcome Cardiff Metropolitan University 1–0 in the final.[29] On 2 February, he scored both TNS's goals in a 2–2 draw at Cefn Druids.[30] Later that month he turned down the club's offer of a new contract, which was due to expire in the summer.[31] He captained Wales C in a 3–2 defeat to England C in March 2018.[32] He ended the 2017–18 campaign with three goals in 35 appearances, as TNS won a seventh consecutive league title.[4] He was named in the 2017–18 Welsh Premier League Team of the Season.[33]

Port Vale

On 23 May 2018, Rawlinson signed with Port Vale of the English Football League.[34] He made his debut for the "Valiants" on the opening day of the 2018–19 season, a 3–0 win over Cambridge United at Vale Park on 4 August.[35] After the game manager Neil Aspin said that "he has set his standards and proved that he can play at this level, but now he has to do it consistently".[36] He remained one of the first names on the team sheet, though was frequently utilised at right-back rather than at his favoured spot as a centre-back.[37] On 27 November, he scored with a "towering header" in a 3–0 win at Yeovil Town. He was named on the EFL team of the week.[38] He dropped out of the first-team picture after Aspin left the club in January and was replaced by John Askey.[39] He was transfer-listed in May 2019,[40] though after a good pre-season managed to force himself back into Askey's first-team plans.[41]

Notts County

Rawlinson signed for newly-relegated National League club Notts County on 5 August 2019.[42] He scored two goals in 40 appearances for the "Magpies" in the 2019–20 season, which was permanently suspended on 26 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England, with Notts County in the play-offs in third-place.[43] County reached the play-off final at Wembley Stadium, though Rawlinson was an unused substitute as they lost the match 3–1 to Harrogate Town.[44] Supporters voted him as Player of the Season, whilst he shared the Players' Player of the Season award with Kyle Wootton.[45]

He played 43 games in the 2020–21 campaign, helping the club to again qualify for the play-offs, and said he was keen to extend his stay at Meadow Lane for as long as possible.[4][46] Though County's defensive record was sound, new manager Ian Burchnall – who succeeded Neal Ardley in March – wanted the team to improve in front of goal. Rawlinson admitted he needed to do more in this regard as he failed to register a goal during the campaign.[47] Notts County reached the play-off semi-finals, where they were beaten 4–2 by Torquay United after extra time.[48] He featured 29 times in the 2021–22 season, helping County to qualify for the play-offs with a fifth-place finish.[4] However, he was an unused substitute as they were beaten 2–1 by Grimsby Town after extra-time in the play-off quarter-finals.[49] He made 28 league appearances in the 2022–23 campaign, as County finished as runners-up to his hometown club Wrexham despite amassing over 100 points.[4][50] He played in the 2023 National League play-off final as County secured their place in the Football League with a penalty shoot-out victory over Chesterfield.[51] He signed a new two-year contract in May 2023.[52] He was transfer-listed at the end of the 2023–24 season,[53] before leaving the club by mutual consent on 30 June 2024.[54]

Chester

On 2 July 2024, Rawlinson signed a one-year deal with Chester, a phoenix club of his first club, Chester City, who are now members of the National League North.[55]

Personal life

Rawlinson married 27-year-old Georgia Panton at Mold, Flintshire in July 2021 following an eight-year relationship.[56] At the time of his wedding he had an eight-year-old daughter, Amelia-Lily, from a previous relationship.[56] He supports Everton,[57] and family members support Wrexham.[5]

Career statistics

As of match played 29 September 2024
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Chester City 2009–10[4] Conference Premier 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
The New Saints 2010–11[4] Welsh Premier League 16 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 21 0
2011–12[4] Welsh Premier League 14 0 2 1 2 0 0 0 18 1
2012–13[4] Welsh Premier League 4 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 6 0
2013–14[4] Welsh Premier League 15 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 16 1
2014–15[4] Welsh Premier League 29 3 3 0 4 1 1[a] 0 37 4
2015–16[4] Welsh Premier League 12 0 2 0 1 0 4[a] 0 19 0
2016–17[4] Welsh Premier League 28 2 3 0 2 0 7[b] 0 40 2
2017–18[4] Welsh Premier League 24 3 1 0 2 0 8[c] 0 35 3
Total 142 9 12 1 18 1 20 0 192 11
Newtown (loan) 2012–13[4] Welsh Premier League 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Port Vale 2018–19[58] EFL League Two 28 1 1 0 1 0 6[d] 1 36 2
Notts County 2019–20[4] National League 34 1 3 0 0 0 3[d] 1 40 2
2020–21[4] National League 38 0 0 0 0 0 5[e] 0 43 0
2021–22[4] National League 22 0 2 0 0 0 5[f] 1 29 1
2022–23[4] National League 28 1 1 0 0 0 3[g] 0 32 1
2023–24[59] EFL League Two 18 1 2 0 0 0 3[d] 0 23 1
Total 139 3 8 0 0 0 19 2 167 5
Chester 2024–25[4] National League North 7 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 8 1
Career total 324 13 22 2 18 1 46 3 502 19
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in the UEFA Champions League qualifying.
  2. ^ 4 appearances in the UEFA Champions League qualifying and 3 appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup.
  3. ^ 4 appearances in the UEFA Champions League qualifying and 4 appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup.
  4. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy
  5. ^ 3 appearances in the FA Trophy and 2 appearances in the play-offs
  6. ^ 4 appearances and 1 goal in the FA Trophy and 1 appearance in the play-offs
  7. ^ 1 appearance in the FA Trophy and 2 appearances in the play-offs

Honours

The New Saints[4]

Notts County

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Club List of Registered Players As At 18th May 2019" (PDF). EFL. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  2. ^ "FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2019/2020". www.footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Connell Rawlinson: 2016/2017 Biography & Statistics - Welsh Premier League". www.wpl.cymru. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab Connell Rawlinson at Soccerway. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  5. ^ a b "'Wrexham family members are now Notts fans'". BBC Sport. 3 March 2023.
  6. ^ Powell, Dave (24 May 2018). "Former Chester City youngster finally gets shot at the Football League". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  7. ^ "The New Saints vs. Bala Town - 29 August 2010 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  8. ^ "Llanelli vs. The New Saints - 4 September 2010 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  9. ^ "Llanelli vs. The New Saints - 2 May 2011 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  10. ^ a b c "Connell Rawlinson departs The New Saints". Shropshire Star. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  11. ^ "The New Saints vs. Newport County - 28 January 2012 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  12. ^ "Llanelli vs. The New Saints - 18 February 2012 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  13. ^ "Welsh Cup final: Cefn Druids 0-2 The New Saints". BBC Sport. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  14. ^ "How McNally uncovered a Christmas cracker". welsh-premier.comwelsh-premier.com. 23 December 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2018.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ "Carmarthen Town vs. The New Saints - 12 January 2013 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  16. ^ "The New Saints vs. Newtown - 1 April 2014 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  17. ^ "Welsh Cup final: Aberystwyth 2-3 The New Saints". BBC Sport. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  18. ^ "Slovan Bratislava vs. The New Saints - 15 July 2014 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  19. ^ "Bala Town vs. The New Saints - 25 January 2015 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  20. ^ "Welsh Cup final: The New Saints 2-0 Newtown AFC". BBC Sport. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  21. ^ "The New Saints vs. Newtown - 2 May 2015 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  22. ^ "The New Saints vs. Denbigh Town - 23 January 2016 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  23. ^ "Welsh Cup final: The New Saints 2-0 Airbus UK Broughton". BBC Sport. 2 May 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  24. ^ "Airbus UK vs. The New Saints - 2 May 2016 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  25. ^ "FAW / TNS beat Barry Town United to lift first silverware of season". www.faw.cymru. 22 January 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
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  27. ^ "New Saints' world-record run of victories is ended by 3-3 draw with Newtown - BBC Sport". BBC Online. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  28. ^ Williams, Aled (1 May 2017). "Welsh Cup final: Bala Town 2-1 The New Saints". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  29. ^ Houldsworth, Andy; Harris, Jon. "Match Report: - Welsh Premier League". www.wpl.cymru. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  30. ^ "Cefn Druids vs. The New Saints - 2 February 2018 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  31. ^ Cox, Lewis (10 February 2018). "Interest in The New Saints stopper Connell Rawlinson". Shropshire Star. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  32. ^ Jones, Dean (20 March 2018). "Wales C edged out by England". Border Counties Advertizer. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  33. ^ a b Baggaley, Michael (4 June 2018). "Port Vale signing Connell Rawlinson named in Welsh league team of the season". stokesentinel. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  34. ^ "Leon Legge: Port Vale sign Cambridge United centre-back on one-year deal". BBC Sport. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  35. ^ "Port Vale v Cambridge United". BBC Sport. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  36. ^ Baggaley, Michael (9 August 2018). "Neil Aspin challenges Connell Rawlinson to build on impressive Port Vale debut". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  37. ^ "Connell Rawlinson dedicates recent Vale form to the fans". port-vale.co.uk. 28 September 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  38. ^ "Matchday 20: Team of the Week". www.efl.com. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  39. ^ Sherwin, Phil (19 May 2019). "From local heroes who impressed to lost boys: Port Vale class of 2018/19 rated". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  40. ^ Baggaley, Michael (22 May 2019). "Ben Whitfield and Connell Rawlinson told they can leave Port Vale". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  41. ^ Baggaley, Michael (30 July 2019). "Transfer- listed defender back in Port Vale's plans". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  42. ^ Leach, Tom (5 August 2019). "Notts bolster defence by signing Port Vale centre-back". nottinghampost.
  43. ^ "National League clubs vote to end regular season immediately". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  44. ^ "National League promotion final: Harrogate Town beat Notts County 3-1 to secure place in League Two". BBC Sport. 2 August 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  45. ^ a b "Awards: Rawlinson voted Player of the Season". www.nottscountyfc.co.uk. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  46. ^ Curtis, Leigh (20 April 2021). "Rawlinson fires heartfelt message over Notts County future". NottinghamshireLive. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  47. ^ Curtis, Leigh (21 April 2021). "Rawlinson delivers blunt verdict on Notts' goals record". NottinghamshireLive. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  48. ^ Law, James (12 June 2021). "Torquay win in extra time to make final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  49. ^ "Grimsby beat Notts County in dramatic play-off tie". BBC Sport. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  50. ^ Aloia, Andrew (3 March 2023). "'Wrexham family members are now Notts fans'". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  51. ^ a b Aloia, Andrew (13 May 2023). "Notts clinch promotion to EFL with shootout win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  52. ^ Allen, Sam (31 May 2023). "Rawlinson eyes back-to-back promotions after signing new contract". NottinghamshireLive. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  53. ^ "2023-24: Retained list". Notts County F.C. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  54. ^ "Departure: Connell Rawlinson". Notts County FC. 30 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  55. ^ "Connell Rawlinson is home". 2 July 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  56. ^ a b Craddock, Steve (4 July 2021). "Footballer Connell Rawlinson ties the knot in Mold". The Leader. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  57. ^ "Notts County defender Connell Rawlinson speaks about Sunday's FA Cup game against Rochdale". Pride of Nottingham (Notts County Community). 5 November 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  58. ^ "Games played by Connell Rawlinson in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  59. ^ "Games played by Connell Rawlinson in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
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