Gregan: Sean Matthew (Sean)

2004-2007 (Player Details)

Midfield/Defender

Born: Guisborough: 29-03-1974

Debut v Crewe Alexandra (a): 18-9-2004

6’1” 13st 9lb (2004)

Gregan began his career with Darlington, an inspirational figure at the heart of the Quakers' defence. It was clear to all that it was only a matter of time before the skipper would make the step up through the divisions. He had joined the club the season they won the old Fourth Division championship and would be an important figure a few seasons later as they came so close to earning automatic promotion from the new Third Division. But Gregan got to play at Wembley as Darlington lost out to Plymouth Argyle in the play-off final. Within months, Gregan was on the move as David Moyes signed him for Second Division Preston North End in a £350,000 move in November 1996. He had scored five goals in one hundred and sixty games for the Quakers, of which eight had been from the bench. He became an instant hit, a fans' hero and the North End club captain. His battling qualities and distribution skills gained him a place in the Preston midfield, of which he was a vitally important feature. His skill and determination saw him voted Preston North End Player of the Year in 1999-2000, as the Lilywhites won the Second Division championship by seven points. He continued to grow in stature as Preston twice came close to claiming a place in the Premiership, but he himself would not be denied a shot at the big time. As West Bromwich Albion earned promotion for the 2002/03 season, Baggies’ boss Gary Megson launched a bid for the player. A war of words began between both clubs as Preston claimed the original offer was derisory. But, in the end, a £1.5million fee was agreed, which could have risen to £2 million, and Gregan signed on the dotted line on 5th August 2002. Gregan played two hundred and fifty-five games for Preston, including six as a substitute and scored fourteen goals. He will forever remember the goal he scored from the half-way line at Norwich in March 2001. On signing the player on a four-year contract, Megson said: 'There is no doubt Sean will bring leadership, personality, organisation and talent to the squad.' At West Bromwich Albion he quickly became a crowd favourite there too, taking on the captaincy and guiding them back to the Premiership at the first time of asking. Despite being a regular in the side, Gregan was unable to prevent the club's relegation from the Premiership. In 2003-04 however, he was instrumental in captaining the side to promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt. He fell out of favour with Baggies’ boss Gary Megson and that allowed Kevin Blackwell to make his move. He joined Leeds United in September 2004,after weeks of transfer negotiations for a fee of £500,000 that could rise to £1m based on appearances and promotion bonuses. He had scored twice in seventy-six starts and three games off the bench in League games and had made two starts in the F.A. Cup and another four in the League Cup while at thr Hawthorns. The midfielder arrived in Leeds with over four hundred and fifty games under his belt and represented the type of experience Kevin Blackwell was desperately trying to add to his squad. He also brought real leadership qualities and during his time at the Hawthorns and with previous clubs Preston and Darlington, he had proved himseld as an uncompromising, tough tackler. Gregan had a mixed stint at Leeds, with some inconsistent performances in his favoured midfield position. However, he also commanded some excellent displays at centre-back, with a no-nonsense approach to which he became accustomed to at West Bromwich Albion. However, he was kept out of the first team in the 2006-07 season due to the good form of other defenders Matthew Kilgallon, Paul Butler and Matt Heath. In November 2006, he went on a two month loan to League One team Oldham Athletic. when his loan deal expired on 2nd January 2007, Gregan was released from his Leeds contract shortly after. After the successful loan spell Gregan, a the vastly experienced player, who had played in all top four Leagues in England, signed a two and a half year contract with Oldham Athletic. In July 2007, Oldham’s Manager John Sheridan confirmed Gregan as the club's new Captain for the 2007/08 campaign, after Gregan had made thirty-one appearances for the club in the 2006-07 season as they reached the play-off semi-finals. He was released by Oldham Manager, Dave Penney, on 12 May 2009. However, he changed his mind because of Gregan's professional attitude and fitness and the club signed him on a one year deal. By the end of the 2009-10 season, including his loan spell, Gregan had started one hundred and twenty-six League games and made two appearances off the bench and scored one goal in League games, scored once in five F.A. Cup starts and started four games in the League Cup and two more in the play-offs and three in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.