Oliver Joseph Casey (born 19 December 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for EFL League One side Blackpool. He has previously played for Leeds United.

Casey began his career at Leeds United, moving up the youth ranks before making his senior debut in the Championship in 2019. After 10 years with the club, he moved to Blackpool in 2021. He struggled for gametime in his first season however, and consequently moved to League One club Forest Green Rovers on loan in 2022. He had a successful loan with Forest Green Rovers, making 48 appearances and winning Players' Player of the Season despite being relegated. On his return to Blackpool, he made 29 league appearances in his first season. The following season, he established himself as a key player under manager Steve Bruce.

Career

Leeds United

Born in Leeds,[2][3] Casey came through the academy at Leeds United, joining at the age of 10.[4] After impressing for Leeds' under 18s, winning the 2017–18 Professional Development League North in the process,[5] and under 23s, he signed a two-year professional contract with the club in November 2018,[6][7] making his professional debut on 7 December 2019 as an 85th-minute substitute for Mateusz Klich in a 2–0 victory at Huddersfield Town.[8][9] With Leeds promoted to the Premier League as Championship champions, and Casey receiving a Championship winners medal,[10] he signed a new three-year contract with the club on 14 July 2020.[11] He made two appearances for Leeds' first team across the 2020–21 season, both in cup competitions,[12] and made 21 appearances for the under-23 side as they won the Premier League 2 Division Two for the 2020–21 season.[13][14] He looked to leave at the start of the 2021–22 season however in search of more gametime, and signed for Blackpool after 10 years with Leeds.[15][16]

Blackpool

2021–2022 season

On 22 June 2021, Casey signed a three-year contract with Championship club Blackpool, which went through on 1 July, for an undisclosed fee. It included the option to extend by an additional year.[17] He made his Blackpool debut on 11 August in a 3–0 win in the EFL Cup over Middlesbrough.[18] Once again with limited gametime, he looked to go on loan but ultimately stayed at Blackpool.[19] His league debut came on 12 February 2022 in a 2–1 defeat to Bournemouth.[20] He made his first start on 23 February in a 2–1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers.[21] Casey also scored his first goal that season in a 2–0 victory against Barnsley on 26 April.[22] He played in Blackpool's last three league games, the team eventually finishing 16th.[23] He totalled 6 league appearances in his debut Blackpool campaign that season, 8 in all competitions.[24][25] With limited gametime however, he departed on loan for the following season to League One side Forest Green Rovers.[26][27]

2022–2023 season: Loan to Forest Green Rovers

Casey made his Forest Green Rovers debut on 30 July 2022 in a 2–1 win over Bristol Rovers, coming on for Corey O'Keeffe.[28] His first start came on 13 August in a 1–1 draw against Lincoln City.[29] He scored his first goal for the club on 30 August in a 3–1 win over the Southampton U21 in the EFL Trophy.[30] Casey was sent off in a 2–1 loss against Accrington Stanley on 4 March 2023.[31] Following 48 appearances in all competitions in the 2023–24 season, he won the Forest Green Rovers Players' Player of the Season award.[32][33] However, he was unable to prevent Forest Green Rovers from being relegated.[34]

2023–2024 season

Casey started the season with a 2–0 win over Burton Albion on 5 August 2023, coming in for injured Matthew Pennington.[35][36] He started regularly for Neil Critchley's side, displacing 2021/22 Blackpool Player of the Year Marvin Ekpiteta.[37] He credited this to his loan at Forest Green Rovers, saying, "My time on loan with Forest Green helped me a lot- they were lower down the table so there was a lot of defending and a lot of hard work."[36] Casey was rewarded with a new three-year contract in November 2023 with an option to extend for a further year.[32] He was sent off on 28 October in a 4–2 defeat to Peterborough United.[38] As a result, he had to serve a match ban, but this was later extended to three.[39][40] He made his return on 14 November 2023 when he captained Blackpool in their 2–1 victory over Morecambe in the EFL Trophy.[41][42] Following his suspension, he was briefly unable to regain his spot in the first-team, being limited to cup matches.[43] His league return came on 26 December in a 1–0 defeat to Burton Albion.[44] On 1 January 2024, Casey scored his first goal of the season in a 2–0 victory against Lincoln City.[45] He finished the season with 29 league appearances.[46]

2024–2025 season

On 10 August 2024, Casey started the season opener, a 2–1 loss against Crawley Town.[47] On 3 September, Steve Bruce was hired as manager, signing a two-year contract to replace Neil Critchley.[48] Casey started Bruce's debut match on 14 September, which finished in a 2–1 win against Exeter City.[49] He also started the next match, a 1–0 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday on 17 September in the EFL Cup.[50] This made him the only player to start both of Bruce's first two matches.[51] He scored his first goal of the season in a 2–1 defeat to Barnsley on 19 October.[52] Casey became a key player under Bruce, being praised for his consistency and his defensive partnerships with Matthew Pennington and Odeluga Offiah,[53][54] with Bruce stating, "Big Olly [Casey] has been our most consistent performer."[55] On 26 November, Blackpool beat Bristol Rovers 2–0; but Casey picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign, meaning he was suspended for a league match.[56] He made his league return on 14 December in a 3–0 victory against Reading.[55]

Career statistics

As of 8 February 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Leeds United 2019–20[57] Championship 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2020–21[12] Premier League 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
Total 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
Leeds United U21 2020–21[12] — — — 2[a] 0 2 0
Blackpool 2021–22[58] Championship 6 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 8 1
2023–24[59] League One 29 1 2 0 1 0 4[a] 0 36 1
2024–25[60] League One 26 2 2 0 3 0 1[a] 0 32 2
Total 61 4 6 0 6 0 5 0 76 4
Forest Green Rovers (loan) 2022–23[61] League One 39 0 3 0 2 0 4[a] 1 48 0
Career total 101 5 8 0 9 0 11 1 129 6
  1. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Honours

Leeds United

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Club list of registered players: As at 18th May 2019: Leeds United" (PDF). English Football League. p. 17. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Oliver Casey". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  3. ^ a b Oliver Casey at Soccerbase
  4. ^ Graham Smyth (22 June 2021). "Local lad's emotional message for Leeds United after securing Championship move". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  5. ^ Lee Sobot (8 December 2021). "Spotlight on Oliver Casey as Leeds United unveil potential new star compared to Ben White". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  6. ^ "Oliver Casey signs professional deal". www.leedsunited.com. Leeds United F.C. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2019.[dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Oliver Casey is the type of player that will delight Leeds fans". www.leedsunited.news. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  8. ^ "Huddersfield Town 0–2 Leeds United: Ezgjan Alioski & Pablo Hernandez send Whites top". BBC Sport. 7 December 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  9. ^ Sobot, Lee (8 December 2019). "Spotlight on Oliver Casey as Leeds United unveil potential new star compared to Ben White". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  10. ^ a b Mewis, Joe; Kemble, Jamie (18 July 2020). "Full list of Leeds United players who will get Championship winners' medals". LeedsLive. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  11. ^ Urquhart, Joe (14 July 2020). "Leeds United defender handed new deal at Elland Road under Marcelo Bielsa". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  12. ^ a b c "Games played by Oliver Casey in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  13. ^ "O. Casey". Soccerway. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  14. ^ Donnohue, Joe (8 June 2021). "Leeds United youngster tipped to join coach who trained Liverpool's Curtis Jones". LeedsLive. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  15. ^ Graham Smyth (8 June 2021). "Blackpool target Oliver Casey one of a number of Leeds United youngsters who could leave this summer". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  16. ^ Beren Cross (22 June 2021). "Leeds United confirm Oliver Casey will move to Blackpool for a transfer fee". Leeds Live. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  17. ^ "Oliver Casey Joins Blackpool". Blackpool F.C. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  18. ^ Matt Scrafton (11 August 2021). "Blackpool 3-0 Middlesbrough: Josh Bowler and Shayne Lavery star as Seasiders book their spot in the next round of the Carabao Cup in style". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  19. ^ Sean McGinlay (24 February 2022). "Oliver Casey loan moves fell through in January before making first Blackpool start against QPR". LancsLive. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  20. ^ Matt Scrafton (22 February 2022). "Blackpool v Bournemouth: Live updates from Bloomfield Road". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  21. ^ Sean McGinlay (24 February 2022). "One up and five downs as Blackpool put in a laboured performance in poor defeat to QPR". LancsLive. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  22. ^ "Report: Barnsley 0 Blackpool 2". Blackpool FC. 26 April 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  23. ^ "Career Path: Oliver Casey". Forest Green Rovers. 11 July 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  24. ^ "Casey Checks In From Blackpool". Forest Green Rovers. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  25. ^ "Casey Joins Forest Green On Loan". Blackpool FC. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  26. ^ FC, Blackpool (5 July 2022). "Casey Joins Forest Green On Loan". Blackpool FC. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  27. ^ Sean Mcginlay (6 July 2022). "Oliver Casey's first words after Blackpool loan exit as ex-Leeds United man secures move". LancsLive. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  28. ^ James Williams (30 July 2022). "Bristol Rovers 1-2 Forest Green". Forest Green Rovers. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  29. ^ "Lincoln 1-1 Forest Green". Forest Green Rovers. 13 August 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  30. ^ "Papa John's Trophy: The story so far". Forest Green Rovers. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  31. ^ Matt Gilby (5 March 2023). "Casey red changes complexion of game as Forest Green face up to relegation reality". Stroud Times. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  32. ^ a b FC, Blackpool (6 November 2023). "Oliver Casey Signs Contract Extension". Blackpool FC. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  33. ^ a b "McGeouch wins Player of the Season". Forest Green Rovers. 30 April 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  34. ^ Amos Wynn (1 December 2023). "Blackpool FC: Olly Casey explains benefits from Forest Green Rovers loan and reveals key lessons from Everton legend". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  35. ^ "Report: Blackpool 2-0 Burton Albion". Blackpool FC. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  36. ^ a b Amos Wynn (2 October 2023). "Blackpool FC: Olly Casey on his start to the season, how blocking a shot feels like scoring a goal, and the impact of his Forest Green loan". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  37. ^ Jordan Jones (27 October 2023). "Blackpool FC: Former Leeds United star performing 'beyond his years' after 'tough' experience". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  38. ^ "Report: Blackpool 2-4 Peterborough United". Blackpool FC. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  39. ^ Jordan Jones (1 November 2023). "Blackpool FC: Neil Critchley's bold Fleetwood Town prediction as he ponders big decision". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  40. ^ Jordan Jones (10 November 2023). "Bolton Wanderers v Blackpool injury news as eight out and five doubts - gallery". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  41. ^ "EFL Trophy (Sky Sports)". Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  42. ^ Amos Wynn (16 November 2023). "Blackpool defender not guaranteed starting spot against Shrewsbury despite commanding display on return from suspension". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  43. ^ Amos Wynn (27 December 2023). "Blackpool FC: Neil Critchley discusses Olly Casey's recent absence from League One action following appearance against Burton Albion". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  44. ^ Amos Wynn (26 December 2023). "Blackpool player ratings V Burton Albion: Seven score 5/10 for Seasiders as away day woes continue". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  45. ^ "Report: Blackpool 2-0 Lincoln City". Blackpool FC. 1 January 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  46. ^ "Oliver Casey". Blackpool FC. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  47. ^ Amos Wynn (10 August 2024). "Crawley Town 2-1 Blackpool: Seasiders slump to opening day defeat to relegation-favourites". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  48. ^ "'Delighted to be back': Bruce returns to the dugout with Blackpool". The Guardian. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  49. ^ George Wincott (14 September 2024). "Report: Blackpool 2-1 Exeter City". Blackpool FC. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  50. ^ "Report: Blackpool 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday". Blackpool FC. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  51. ^ Amos Wynn (21 September 2024). "Blackpool defender notes what he hopes to get from working with Manchester United legend - as he acknowledges where he's behind some of his teammates". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  52. ^ Amos Wynn (19 October 2024). "Blackpool 1-2 Barnsley: Seasiders defeated by late goal at Bloomfield Road". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  53. ^ Amos Wynn (10 October 2024). "The five main winners from Steve Bruce's time at Blackpool so far - with ex-Wigan Athletic and Tranmere Rovers figures thriving". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  54. ^ Amos Wynn (1 January 2025). "'What I should've had' - Blackpool regular makes comparison in fortunes under Steve Bruce and previous boss". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  55. ^ a b Amos Wynn (15 December 2024). "Steve Bruce defends 'harsh' call in Blackpool's victory over Reading". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  56. ^ Jordan Jones (27 November 2024). "Blackpool selection crisis worsens as two players set to miss Shrewsbury Town clash due to EFL rule". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  57. ^ "Games played by Oliver Casey in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  58. ^ "Games played by Oliver Casey in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  59. ^ "Games played by Oliver Casey in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  60. ^ "Games played by Oliver Casey in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  61. ^ "Games played by Oliver Casey in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Casey
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