Richie Foran

Richard 'Richie' Foran (born on June 16, 1980 in Dublin) is an Irish people Football (soccer) who currently plays for Southend United F.C. in Football League One.

Biography

Richie Foran started his career in Ireland with St Patrick's Athletic F.C. but failed to make a first team appearance and drifted out of Football League of Ireland football. In 2000, Foran signed for Shelbourne F.C. and finished his first season in the league by winning the PFAI Young Player of the Year award. During Foran's debut season with Shelbourne he UEFA Champions League 2000-01 Second qualifying round against Rosenborg B.K. in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, and made his debut for the Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team in Cyprus.

In 2001, manager Roddy Collins spent Pound (currency)20,000 to secure Foran's signature for Carlisle United F.C in England. While at Brunton Park he scored 29 goals, with 16 of them coming in the 2001-02 in English football, where he helped United to a respectable mid-table finish, when every season was a struggle to stay in The Football League. In next two seasons Carlisle struggled and Foran found it hard to score goals, he also had a short loan spell at Oxford United F.C. during the 2003-04 in English football, and after Carlisle's relegation at the end of the 2003-04 season.

Foran moved to Scottish Premier League outfit Motherwell F.C. on a Free transfer (football) in 2004, where he scored 23 league goals in 90 league matches. He also played in the 2005 CIS Cup Final against Rangers, but saw Motherwell lose 5-1.

On 31 January 2007 he completed a £200,000 transfer to Southend United F.C.. His career at Southend United started with an assist for Freddy Eastwood against Stoke City F.C. after coming on as a Substitute (football). He then had a man of the match performance against Crystal Palace F.C. and was really setting a great impression but was then sent off for a second bookable offence against Leicester City F.C.. His first goal in a Southend shirt came in the 1-0 win against Burnley in the later part of the 2006-07 in English football.

Foran went on loan to Darlington from Southend but due to a knee injury he returned to Southend on 2 April 2008.