Brendan O'Connell - Player Profile

Brendan was signed by John Deehan from Charlton Athletic for the start of the 1997/98 season. He made his Latics League debut on the opening day of the League campaign, 9th August 1997. The game was a home encounter against Wycombe Wanderers and Latics won 5-2 with Brendan becoming the first ever Latics League player to score a hat trick on his League debut. However, despite the fairytale beginning to his career it was sadly ended after he had made just 17+0 League appearances, during which he scored 5 League goals, when it was discovered that he had a life threatening blood clot in his leg.

A successful operation ensured that Brendan fully recovered but his doctor advised him to quit playing professional football He was given the job of youth team coach for the following 1998/99 season and he held this post when Latics moved to the JJB Stadium the following season. By the start of the following 2000/01 season he was made manager of the reserves with Colin Greenall, who had previously held the post, promoted to first team coach. Brendan’s association with the club ended on Friday 2nd November 2001 when he was dismissed from his duties as reserve team coach.

His colleague, Colin Greenall was also dismissed as the first team coach on the same day. On Saturday 10th November 2001 he made his Non League debut, along with Colin Greenall, when he played for Uni Bond First Division side Rossendale United against Lincoln United. Both players agreed to play for the club on a match by match basis for the Stags’ chairman who was a good friend of Brendan’s.