Tommie Hoban

Thomas Michael Hoban (born 24 January 1994) is a former professional footballer who played as a defender for club Hornchurch.

Hoban played for Arsenal, Watford, Wealdstone, Blackburn Rovers, Aberdeen and Crewe Alexandra.

Born in England, Hoban represented the Republic of Ireland at youth international level.

Hoban played anywhere in defence but preferred to play centrally.

Born in Walthamstow, London, Hoban grew up in the Chingford and Woodford Green area.

He attended Loyola Preparatory School in Buckhurst Hill.

He was also a boyhood Chelsea supporter.

His mother and paternal grandparents are Irish, and he said in an interview that he considered himself an Ireland player.

Hoban made his senior debut for Watford on 7 May 2011, in their final game of the 2010–11 season against Preston North End coming on for Martin Taylor in the first half, as they lost 3–1.

After making his debut, he was praised by Manager Malky Mackay for his performance throughout the match.

He turned professional three days later.

After being linked a move away from Watford, Hoban signed a new contract extension with the club.

Hoban moved on loan to Wealdstone on 2 February 2012 until the end of the season.

He made his Wealdstone debut on 14 February 2012, starting the whole game, in a 2–2 draw against Dartford in the FA Trophy campaign.

Hoban went on to make seven league appearances during his time at the club.

In the 2012–13 season, Hoban, once again, signed a new contract with the club, keeping him until 2017.

He didn't make his first team appearance in over a year and it wasn't until on 29 September 2012 when he made his first team return, starting the whole game, in a 3–2 win over Huddersfield Town.

In a follow–up match, Hoban scored his first Watford goal on 2 October 2012, in a 2–1 win over Charlton Athletic.

Then, on 23 October 2012, he scored his second goal for the side, in a 2–1 loss against Cardiff City.

Since then, he received a handful of first team appearances for the side.

Following "rave reviews" in the Championship during the 2012–13 season, Hoban received attention from a number of Premiership clubs.

However, he suffered an Achilles tendon injury at the beginning of January.

At the end of the 2012–13 season, Hoban went on to make nineteen appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.

On 8 February 2013, Hoban returned to the starting line-up, in a 2–2 draw against Crystal Palace.

However, his return was short–lived when he picked up an ankle injury.

In early May 2013, he picked up the Hornets' Young Player of the Season award.

Hoban missed most of the 2013–14 season following a surgery on his ankle injury.

By April, Hoban soon received a handful of first team football towards of the 2013–14 season.

He went on to make seven appearances at the end of the 2013–14 season.

It wasn't until on 15 February 2014 when he made his return from injury a second half–substitute, in a 1–0 win over Middlesbrough.

Since returning to the first team from injury, Hoban found himself behind the pecking order in the central–defence.

The 2014–15 season saw Hoban make his first appearance of the season, keeping a clean sheet, in a 1–0 win over Stevenage in the first round of the League Cup.

Seven days later, on 19 August 2014, he set up a goal for Gianni Munari, in a 2–0 win over Rotherham United.

Following his return, Hoban found himself in a competition in the centre–back positions.

But he soon played in left–back position instead.

However, by end of 2014, Hoban lost his first team place, leading Brentford to take interest in signing him.

By late–December, he soon regained his first team place, where he played in the centre–back position.

Hoban's son was born in February 2019.

Hoban joined Arsenal's youth system at the age of 7 and was released at 14.

Following his release eight clubs expressed an interest in Hoban, and from them he and his family selected Watford based on location and the recommendation of an Arsenal coach.