Jon-Paul McGovern is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder who
plays for Scottish League Two side Clyde.
Career Born in Glasgow, McGovern started his
football career at Celtic having signed at the age of 16. His time playing in
Scotland was sandwiched by a loan spell at Sheffield United. Whilst on loan at
Sheffield United he scored three times; the first goals of his professional
career. He scored in the league against Walsall, before following that up with
strikes against York City in the League Cup and Cheltenham in the FA Cup. After
returning to Celtic when his loan spell ended with Sheffield United and Celtic
refusing to extend his stay at Sheffield United, he finished out his season in
the reserves with Celtic. In the summer transfer window, He signed
with Livingston at the end of that season although he still had one year
left on his contract at Celtic. At Livingston, McGovern failed to score a
single goal, but he did contribute to their victorious 2003–04 Scottish League
Cup campaign, including coming on as a late substitute as they beat Hibernian
in the 2004 Scottish League Cup Final. He joined Sheffield Wednesday in 2004.
He was a key part of the Owls' play-off winning side in 2005, scoring a goal in
the semi final against Brentford and a goal in the final against Hartlepool. He
was an ever present in that season and became a fan favourite amongst the Owls
supporters. During the 2005/06 season though, his appearances were limited due
to an injury. At the end of the season he was released, and subsequently signed
for Milton Keynes Dons. = Swindon Town =
After one full season with Milton Keynes, McGovern was signed by Swindon
Town for an undisclosed fee – McGovern was reunited with Paul Sturrock, whom he
played under at Sheffield Wednesday and has signed a contract until 2010.
McGovern made a tribute to his MK Dons career, scoring a free-kick on his final
appearance for the club in the Football League Cup second round against former
rivals Sheffield United. McGovern made his debut, coming on as a
substitute, in the 57th minute, as Swindon Town lost 1–0 against Yeovil
Town and scored his first goal, in the next game, on 15 September 2007, in a
1–1 draw against Hartlepool United. Two month later, into joining the club,
Sturrock, the manager who signed McGovern, resigned to join Plymouth
Argyle. At Swindon Town, McGovern established himself in the first team
and made forty-one appearance, as Swindon finished their first season back
in League One in 13th. In the 2008–09 season campaign, McGovern
was given the number ten shirt. McGovern scored his first goal in the opening
game of the season, in a 3–1 win over Tranmere Rovers. But soon, under manager
Maurice Malpas, McGovern featured on the substitute bench, although he regained
his first team place. From February, under new manager Danny Wilson, McGovern
was dropped from the squad in favour of other midfielders and has been on the
sideline since. His drop from the first team led McGovern to consider leaving
the club if he didn't get enough playing time. McGovern made twenty-six
appearance, as the club survived the relegation.
In the 2009–10 campaign, McGovern was a near every-present for the Robins under
Danny Wilson, with forty-five appearance and has since regained his first team
place. McGovern was also the club's top assist of the season, with sixteen, and
scored once, in a 2–2 draw against Oldham on 22 August 2009. During the
season, McGovern had his number shirt switched from ten to seven after Michael
Timlin took over his number ten shirt. In January 2010, McGovern was linked
with a £750,000 move to Gus Poyet's Brighton & Hove Albion. The next month,
McGovern was offered a new contract. A few week later, McGovern signed a
two-year contract with the club. Later in the 2009–10 season, McGovern helped
the club through to the 2009–10 play-off final and was awarded Swindon Away
Supporters’ Player of the Year. In the 2010–11 season campaign, McGovern
continued to feature in the first team and scored his first goal of the season,
in a 2–1 loss against Leyton Orient in the first round of the League Cup and
then scored his first league goal in a 3–3 draw against Yeovil Town after
coming on as a substitute. McGovern scored and set up the first goal, in a
2–1 win over Sheffield Wednesday and scored, again, in the second-round
replay, in a 3–2 loss against Crawley Town. Later in the 2010–11 season, the
club suffered a setback after a poor run of form that had seen the club slip into
the relegation zone and led to the club's fate to League Two. In his total
appearance at Swindon Town, McGovern made 153 and scored eight times.
= Carlisle United = On 20 June 2011 is was confirmed that
McGovern had signed a 2-year deal with Carlisle United keeping him with the
club until July 2013. McGovern was expecting to make a return to Sheffield
United, making a reunite with Manager Wilson.
In 2011–12 season, McGovern has been a near every-present for the Cumbrians
under Manager Greg Abbott and made his debut, in the opening game of the
season, in a 3–0 loss against Notts County and scored his first goal, three
days later, in the first round of the League Cup, in a 1–1 win over Oldham,
which resulted going on penalties shoot-out, but won 4–2 in the shoot-out,
which he converted the first penalty. On 15 October 2011, McGovern scored his
first league goal, in a 3–0 win over Yeovil Town. On 2 January 2012, McGovern
scored the winner and set up the club's first goal of 2012, in a 3–2 win against
his former club, Sheffield United. His next goal was followed up on 6 March
2012, in a 2–1 win over Rochdale. In 2012–13 season, McGovern was linked
with a move to Rotherham United after the club was believed to sign him. But
this was denied McGovern, himself, stating he's to stay at the club for
next season and confirmed that he's attracted interests from other clubs.
McGovern would make thirty-eight appearance, having established himself
in the right-midfield or wing. At the end of the season, McGovern was released
by the club, along with seven other players. Following his release, McGovern
attracted interests from clubs to seek a new challenge. On the other hand,
McGovern expressed desire to resume his career in Scotland after a nine-year
exile, playing in England. McGovern now owns and runs a tea shop in Scotland
after failing to secure a contract for the 2013–14 football season.
= Celtic Nation = McGovern signed for Northern League
Division One side Celtic Nation until the end of the 2013/14 season.
= Derry City = On 7 March 2014, McGovern joined League
of Ireland club Derry City for the 2014 season.
= Ayr United = In early July 2014, McGovern signed with
Scottish League One side, Ayr United. After just one season with The Honest
Men, McGovern chose to leave Ayr. Personal life
McGovern is not to be confused with Scottish Football Association Referee
with the same name. Honours
= Livingston = 2004 Scottish League Cup Winner.
= Sheffield Wednesday = 2004/05 League One play-offs
Statistics References
External links Jon-Paul McGovern career statistics at
Soccerbase