Marc Wilson

Marc David Wilson (born 17 August 1987) is an Irish former professional footballer.

Wilson left his home town of Aghagallon in 2000 to join the Manchester United Academy, after four years he was released and was signed by Hampshire club Portsmouth.

Whilst playing GAA Wilson scored a goal in the 2001 McDevitt Cup Final.

Wilson decided to concentrate on his football with Lisburn Youth and earned a place in Manchester United's centre of excellence.

He spent four years in Manchester before joining Portsmouth in 2004 at the age of 16.

In his early years at Portsmouth, he played regularly for the reserve team and was loaned out to other clubs on four occasions.

In March 2006 he made his League One debut with Yeovil Town in a 2–0 win away to Walsall.

In 2007, he spent two separate spells at AFC Bournemouth, making 26 league appearances and scoring three goals.

In November 2007 he also had a brief loan spell at Luton Town which was cut short when the club went into administration.

He went out on loan to AFC Bournemouth, Luton Town and Yeovil Town to gain first team experience before making his Premier League debut on boxing day in 2008.

On 7 July 2008, Marc Wilson signed a new three-year contract at Portsmouth.

He made his Pompey debut coming on as a substitute for Richard Hughes in a 4–0 League Cup 3rd round loss to Chelsea on 24 September 2008.

Wilson excelled playing at right-back on his first start for Portsmouth in a 3–0 UEFA Cup victory over Heerenveen.

On Boxing Day 2008, Wilson started his first Premier League match in the 4–1 loss at home to West Ham.

On 5 August 2009, it was revealed that Wilson had been involved in an alleged bust-up with fellow team-mate David Nugent during Portsmouth's pre-season trip to Portugal.

Both players were sent home and consequently fined two weeks wages by the club.

In 2009–10 Wilson became a first choice player in the Pompey side that was relegated and reached the FA Cup final although Wilson himself did not play in the final due to injury.

Though his performances as a central defender earned him criticism, he impressed after returning to his natural position of centre midfield towards the end of the season.

After Portsmouth were relegated to the Football League in 2010 Wilson was named as club captain.

In August 2010 he joined Stoke City in a deal which saw Stoke duo Liam Lawrence and Dave Kitson join Pompey.

Wilson got his first call up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad for their game against Brazil in March 2010, and made his first appearance as a substitute in February 2011 during the 3–0 Nations Cup win over Wales.

Wilson was born in Aghagallon near Lisburn and started out playing association football with Lisburn Youth and Gaelic football with St Paul's Lurgan High School and St Mary's Aghagallon GAA.

On 5 February 2010 Wilson signed a new three and a half-year contract to stay at Portsmouth to the end of the 2012–13 season.

After Portsmouth's relegation to the Championship Wilson was handed the number 6 shirt after previously wearing 35 and was named as captain.

At 22 years old he became one of the youngest permanent captains in the club's history.

However manager Steve Cotterill revealed that Wilson was close to a transfer to Premier League side Stoke City.

Wilson signed for Stoke City on 31 August 2010 player-plus-cash exchange deal which saw Liam Lawrence and Dave Kitson move in the opposite direction to Football League Championship club Portsmouth.

Wilson made his City debut on 13 September 2010 against Aston Villa, despite playing well and making some good passes Wilson seemed to be struggling with the physicality of Villa's midfielders Stiliyan Petrov and Nigel Reo-Coker and was substituted just after half time.

He completed his first full 90 minutes against Manchester United on 24 October 2010.

His performance earned praise from manager Tony Pulis.

"He was smashing. He passed the ball well and looked a quality player, he's one for the future, without a question of doubt".

Wilson scored his first goal for City in a 2–0 win away at Blackburn Rovers on 26 December 2010.

He converted to left back under Tony Pulis and in his first season at Stoke he played in the 2011 FA Cup final as Stoke lost 1–0 to Manchester City.

Wilson was a regular in 2011–12 as Stoke played in the UEFA Europa League.

He then produced man of the match displays against Manchester United and Cardiff City at the beginning of 2011.

Since joining Stoke, Wilson has shown his versatility and has occupied three positions – centre midfield, right back and due to injury to Danny Higginbotham and Danny Collins in poor form has also played mostly at left back.

Wilson played in every FA Cup match, at left back, as Stoke reached the 2011 FA Cup Final.

Prior to the final, Wilson was not on the losing side in 14 FA Cup matches.

He suffered a broken leg in October 2012 which saw him miss most of the 2012–13 season.

He became used as a back-up player under Mark Hughes and left Stoke in August 2016 to join Bournemouth.