Michael Gault (born 15 April 1983) is a Northern Irish football former player who is currently manager of Linfield F.C. Swifts. He previously managed Ballymacash Rangers from 2019-20.
 Gault playing for Linfield in 2014. | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 15 April 1983 | ||
| Place of birth | Lisburn, Northern Ireland | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Linfield F.C. | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2001–2014 | Linfield | 480 | (12) |
| 2014–2016 | Portadown | 56 | (2) |
| 2016–2017 | Crusaders | 23 | (0) |
| 2017–2018 | Ballymena United | 10 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | Annagh United | 18 | (1) |
| 2019–2020 | Ballymacash Rangers | 17 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2008 | Northern Ireland | 1 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2019–2020 | Ballymacash Rangers | ||
| 2020- | Linfield Swifts | ||
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 January 2018 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 January 2018 (UTC) | |||
Club career
editBorn in Lisburn, Gault began his senior career with Linfield in the 2001–02 season.[1] He signed a professional three-and-a-half-year contract in April 2003,[2] signing extensions in May 2006,[3] May 2009,[4] and March 2012.[5] During the 2012 extension Gault, who was club captain, lost his full-time professional status.[5]
He was released by Linfield in May 2014,[6][7] signing for Portadown later that month.[8] He received a total of 21 yellow cards in 29 games in the 2015/16 season. In January 2016 it was announced he would leave the club in the summer after he signed a pre-contract agreement with Crusaders.[9]
In July 2019, Michael Gault was appointed player manager of Mid-Ulster Football League club Ballymacash Rangers F.C.
Michael made 17 appearances playing for Ballymacash Rangers F.C. before retiring in August 2020 to focus on management.
Managerial career
editMichael Gault took his first steps into management in July 2019 when he was appointed player manager of Ballymacash Rangers F.C.
Michael retired from playing in August 2020 and his sole responsibility at the club was then management. In his first season, which was brought to an early finish in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael led his side to a 2nd placed finish in the Mid-Ulster Football League Intermediate A division and a domestic cup final.
Michael stepped down from his role at The Bluebell to take up a role with Linfield F.C. as Manager of their Under 18 side. Gault is now manager of Linfield Swifts.
International career
editGault was called up to the Northern Ireland national team for the first time in October 2008.[10] He made his international debut in a friendly match against Georgia in March 2008; Michael O'Connor also made his international debut in the same match.[11]
Personal life
editIn 2003 Gault was studying computers at Ulster University;[12] by 2006 he was studying sports science at their Jordanstown campus.[3] Michael Gault is a qualified PE teacher and also a fully qualified Financial Advisor
Honours
editTeam
editIndividual
edit- Irish League Player of the Month (2): March 2003,[12] January 2006[13]
- Linfield Player of the Year (1): 2010–11[14]
- Northern Ireland Football Writers Player of the Year (1): 2007–08[15]
References
edit- ^ "Player profile". National-Football-Teams.com. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ "Gault agrees professional terms". BBC Sport. 1 April 2003. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ a b "Gault goes full-time at Linfield". BBC Sport. 18 May 2006. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ "Gault signs new Linfield contract". BBC Sport. 27 May 2009. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ a b "Michael Gault signs two-year extension to Linfield contract". BBC Sport. 3 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ Stuart McKinley (9 May 2014). "Axe falls on Michael Gault in Warren Feeney clear-out". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ "Gault among five players released by new Linfield boss Feeney". BBC Sport. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ "Former Linfield duo McAllister and Gault sign for Ports". BBC Sport. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ "Portadown midfielder Gault to join Crusaders". BBC Sport. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ "Gault called into N Ireland squad". BBC Sport. 13 October 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ Alvin McCaig (25 March 2008). "Northern Ireland 4-1 Georgia". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ a b "Gault wins monthly honour". BBC Sport. 6 April 2003. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ "Blues' Gault takes monthly award". BBC Sport. 7 February 2006. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ "Linfield FC Player of the Year 2021-22 award presentation". Linfield FC. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
- ^ "Gault picks up NI Writers award". BBC Sport. 13 May 2008. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
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