Eddie Nolan

Edward William Nolan (born 5 August 1988) is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a full-back or centre-back.

During his career Nolan played for Blackburn Rovers, Stockport County, Hartlepool United, Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday, Scunthorpe United,York City, Blackpool, Crewe Alexandra, Motherwell and Waterford.

He signed a professional contract on 12 September 2005.

He made his first-team debut in the UEFA Cup tie against AS Nancy on 13 December 2006, coming on as a substitute for Andy Todd.

Despite being a promising footballer who could get first-team football at Blackburn Rovers in the future, Nolan never made another Blackburn Rovers appearance again.

On 19 March 2007 he signed a one-month loan with Stockport County.

Nolan made his Stockport County debut, in a 2–1 loss against Bristol Rovers on 20 March 2007.

Nolan went on to make four appearances for Stockport County.

On 22 November 2007, Nolan joined Hartlepool United on loan.

Nolan made his Hartlepool United debut on 24 November 2007, in a 2–1 loss against Gillingham.

After making eleven appearances, Nolan then returned to Ewood Park following a two-month loan spell with Hartlepool.

On 6 October 2008 he joined Preston North End on a three-month loan deal.

Nolan made his Preston North End debut three days later, in a 1–0 win over Doncaster Rovers.

Nolan has played internationally for the Republic of Ireland 12 times at under-21, once at B level and 3 times at senior level, all 3 coming in 2009.

Born in Waterford, County Waterford, Nolan started his career with English club Blackburn Rovers in their youth team.

Nolan then signed a permanent three-and-a-half-year contract on 2 January 2009.

Nolan's first appearance after signing for the club on a permanent basis came on 3 January 2009, coming on as a substitute for Callum Davidson.

He has made 23 appearances in total (3 as a substitute) mainly filling in at left back as cover for Callum Davidson.

In 2009–10 season, Nolan continued to be used in the left-back position in Davidson's absent until Nolan's form was bad.

As a result, Nolan joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the season, where he's reunited with Alan Irvine.

After appearing on the bench against Ipswich Town.

Nolan made his Sheffield Wednesday debut on 27 February 2010, in a 5–0 loss against Reading.

Nolan then scored his first Sheffield Wednesday goal on 24 March 2010, in a 2–1 win against Watford.

Nolan had become regular football throughout the season, but couldn't help Sheffield Wednesday survive in the Championship, as they were relegated to League One.

After his loan spell with Sheffield Wednesday came to an end, Nolan was told by Manager Darren Ferguson that he no longer have a future at Preston North End by placing him on the transfer list.

Irvine tried to sign Nolan on a permanent basis, but it was unsuccessful, due to the club's financial situation at the time.

On 7 July 2010, he joined Championship's rival Scunthorpe United on an initial six-month loan with a view to a permanent deal.

He made his debut for Scunthorpe in a 2–1 win over Reading on 7 August 2010.

At the end of the 2010–11 season, Nolan signed a contract with the club.

The deal was made permanent on 6 January 2011, until the end of the season, for an undisclosed fee.

Though the club was relegated to League One, Nolan went on to make thirty-eight appearances in all competitions despite missing out ten matches, mostly on the bench, competing against Cliff Byrne over a right-back position and loss of form towards the end of the season.

The 2011–12 season saw Nolan started well, playing as a left back and then scored his first Scunthorpe United goal, in a 2–1 win over Stevenage on 1 October 2011.

His impressive display in defense and attack in recent matches was praised by Manager Alan Knill.

Soon, Nolan injured his calf while walking up stairs and only missing one match, Nolan made his return to the match against Milton Keynes Dons on 22 October 2011.

Nolan soon missed six matches for months, having been not included in the starting line-up before being recalled to the first team, playing in an unfamiliar defensive midfield role against Preston North End and Yeovil Town.

Nolan made thirty-five appearances in all competitions and scoring once in all competitions.

At the end of the 2011–12 season, Nolan was released by the club in May 2012.

After being released by Scunthorpe United and failed to find a new club, Nolan returned to the club to train with the squad in effort to regain his fitness, though contract was ruled out, stated by Manager Brian Laws.

However, Laws was keen to sign Nolan.

Eventually, on 8 February 2013, Scunthorpe United re-signed Nolan, until the end of the season, on non-contract terms.