James O'Connor

James Francis Edward O'Connor (born 20 November 1984) is an English former professional footballer who is the assistant manager to Russell Penn at club Kidderminster Harriers.

O'Connor played as a played as a defender.

O'Connor went to Wheelers Lane Boys' School in Birmingham between 1996 and 2001.

He joined the Aston Villa youth set-up in 1997 after his P.E teacher Mr Alan Miller recommended O'Connor to the club as a creative midfield player.

He instead established himself as a strong defender, and started in the 2002 FA Youth Cup final win against Everton.

A traffic collision early in the year had ruled him out for a number of weeks and he missed the first leg of the semi-final, but returned to help his side resist an Everton attack fronted by Wayne Rooney in the final.

Turning professional with Aston Villa in 2004; later in the year he enjoyed a three-month loan spell at League One side Port Vale to gain first team experience.

He played 15 games for Martin Foyle's "Valiants" in 2004–05.

After returning to Villa Park and featuring heavily in the Premier League Reserves title winning team he joined AFC Bournemouth on loan for the remainder of the season in League One.

After a successful loan spell, he joined Bournemouth permanently at the end of the 2004–05 season after Villa agreed to an undisclosed transfer.

O'Connor quickly became an integral part of the team, making his name as an energetic and pacey player, playing in either one of the full-back positions.

He won the FA Youth Cup with the Aston Villa youth team, and played on loan at Port Vale, before making his name with AFC Bournemouth in the 2005–06 season.

Recovering from a hand injury, he helped manager Sean O'Driscoll to keep the Dean Court club five points above the League One relegation zone in 2005–06.

Following this he was brought to Doncaster Rovers for a £130,000 fee in May 2006.

He scored his first and only goal for the "Cherries", a thumping half volley, from 25 yd out; in a 2–2 draw with Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park on 8 April 2006.

In May 2006, he was sold to Doncaster Rovers for £130,000 due to Bournemouth's financial difficulties, after manager Dave Penney offered him a three-year contract.

Only four months into his career at the Keepmoat Stadium, his former boss Sean O'Driscoll was installed into the management position at Doncaster.

O'Connor made a solid start to his Rovers career in the 2006–07 season with consistent performances throughout the season in defence.

He capped a fine season by helping the club to Football League Trophy success following a 3–2 win over Bristol Rovers at the Millennium Stadium, where he was named man of the match.

He scored his first goal for the club in a 4–0 away win at Brentford.

He established himself as an essential first team player for the club, helping Sean O'Driscoll's side to the Football League Trophy in 2007 and promotion out of the League One play-offs in 2008.

In the 2007–08 season, O'Connor began to excel in the right-back slot, providing width and speed to the Rovers attacks, as well as playing his part as a key player in a solid defence.

He recovered from a hernia operation in February to play a vital part in the club's promotion campaign.

O'Connor was again named man of the match as Doncaster beat Leeds United in the League One play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

Not long after this he pledged his future to Doncaster by signing a new three-year contract.

Voted Player of the Season at the club in 2009–10, he lost his first team place under Dean Saunders during the 2011–12 relegation campaign as Doncaster were relegated to League One.

O'Connor was awarded all three of the club's available supporters awards, including Player of the Season, for the 2009–10 season after a succession of good performances playing at right-back and centre-half.

He scored his only goal of the season away at Brentford in the FA Cup Third Round.

He started the 2010–11 season by scoring Doncaster's first goal of the season in a 2–0 win over Preston North End at Deepdale.

He went on to make 37 starts despite an injury hampered season, with one of the highlights being his second goal of the season against local rivals Scunthorpe United in a 3–1 win at Glanford Park.

O'Connor continued to be a vital part of the Rovers team until he lost his first team place a few months after Dean Saunders took charge of the club in September 2011, and watched from the sidelines as "Donny" were relegated out of the Championship in last place in 2011–12.

In August 2012, he joined Derby County for an undisclosed fee, but was transfer listed in May 2013 and loaned out to Bristol City from September 2013 until January 2014.

On 1 August 2012, O'Connor joined Derby County for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-year contract with an option for a further year.

He signed with Walsall in June 2014, and remained at the club for three seasons.

During the following season, O'Connor helped Doncaster to secure a 14th-place finish in the Championship.

Along the way he scored the only goal in their win against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

He dropped into non-League football with Kidderminster Harriers in October 2017 and was appointed caretaker manager there in April 2019.

O'Connor made his debut at Pride Park in a 2–2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on 18 August, coming on for Nathan Tyson as a 74th-minute substitute.

He made his first start three days later, in a 2–0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium.

He retired as a player in November 2019, having made 503 league and cup appearances in a 15-year playing career, scoring 13 goals.