Maybury: Alan Paul (Alan)

1995-1999 (Player Details)

Utility Player

Born: Dublin, Republic of Ireland: 08-08-1978

Debut: v Aston Villa (a): 03-02-1996

5’11” 11st 7lb (2004)

Maybury attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School, Dublin and started playing with St Kevin’s Boys Club. As a seventeen-year-old first-year trainee he was a surprise choice in midfield for the EPL game at Aston Villa when Leeds were decimated by injuries and suspension. He had captained the Irish Under-Fifteen and Under-Sixteens before arriving at Elland Road in the summer of 1995. He did not make the best of starts at Leeds, suffering from homesickness and breaking an arm. Maybury was part of the same Leeds United Youth team which produced other full internationals Harry Kewell, Stephen McPhail, Matthew Jones, Jonathan Woodgate and Paul Robinson. A bright future was predicted for him as he was an integral part of the team that lifted the FA Youth Cup in 1996-97, and many, including Maybury, were in the Leeds Reserve team that took out the Pontin’s League crown the following season, 1997-98. He occasionally deputised for Fellow Irish International Gary Kelly in the right-back berth but predominantly spent his time in the Reserves in a variety of positions and also in the Juniors. Nevertheless, he gained two caps for the Republic of Ireland to add to his Irish Youth honours and eight Under-Twenty-one international caps and one “B” appearance. In an attempt to gain experience of regular first-team action, Maybury spent spells on loan at Dunfermline Athletic, Reading in March 1999, where he had eight appearances, and Crewe Alexandra in October 2000, where he played six games. However, after being overlooked for two seasons and, with Leeds strong in the positions he aspired to, he took the chance to play an outstanding game against Lazio in the European Cup when both teams gave second string players a chance as the teams for the next round had been decided. He was the subject of a terrible tackle right on the final whistle and had to be carried off, but fortunately it was not as serious as first thought. In August 2001, Scottish club Hearts came in with a £150,000 offer and Maybury felt it was a chance too good to refuse. Maybury made his Hearts debut in a convincing 3-0 victory over St Johnstone later that month, and quickly impressed with his determination, consistency and versatility, becoming an integral part of the team that would record successive third place finishes in the SPL in 2002/03 and 2003/04. Although by preference a right-back, he would often deputise at left-back when required, and occasionally in right midfield. His dependably high-level performances eventually earned him the vice-captain's role and, by the summer of 2004, a recall to the Irish international squad. One moment of controversy during Maybury's time in Scotland occurred when it emerged that he had been a childhood Rangers fan. In the sectarian environment of the West of Scotland, for an Irish player to proclaim such allegiance was considered newsworthy. Maybury's motivation for supporting the Teddy Bears was, however, reassuringly simple, the colour of their strip.In 1995 he had had a trial at Ibrox. After one hundred and thirty-two starts and two substitute appearances in which he scored four goals, when Craig Levein left Hearts to manage Leicester, he made signing Maybury one of his priorities. He joined up at the Walkers Stadium in January 2005 for a nominal fee, in a double signing with strikerMark De Vries, both signing three and a half year contracts. Levein was eventually sacked, but Maybury continued to feature heavily in the first team, playing at right back. On 14th August 2006, Leicester were approached by Sunderland regarding Maybury's availability, but nothing eventuated. Maybury was however transfer listed by then manager Martin Allen pn 4th June 2007, having been replaced by Bruno N’Gotty and Richard Stearman. He was given permission to train with Hearts on 21st January 2008, in order to maintain his fitness while searching for a new club. Maybury signed for Aberdeen on loan until end of the season on the 31st of January 2008. He made his debut for Aberdeen on 2nd February, in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup against Hamilton Academical. He came on as a substitute in the sixty-ninth minute as Aberdeen went on to win 1-0. He played for Aberdeen against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup.At Pittodrie he started thirteen League games, three Scottish Cup games, and one tie from the bench, and two starts in Europe. He has represented the Republic of Ireland ten times at full international level and played ninety-seven games for Leicester City and five more as a substitute and scored three goals before being released by them in May 2008. After a trial at Bristol City against Hereford on 22nd July 2008 he failed to secure a contract for the season and after months of uncertainty, he did not rejoin Aberdeen, who lost patience after he failed to give them an answer on his future. He was still without a club for the season, however, he had trials with Crystal Palace. After being released by Leicester, he had trials with Bristol City in July 2008, but after a three week trial with Colchester United he signed on a free transfer on 12th December 2008, until the end of the season. He signed a new one year contract on 23rd June 2009. He had started twenty-six League games and made one appearance as a substitute, and started one Johnstone's Paint Trophy game with Colchester to the end of the 2009-10 season.