Old-school defender who gave forwards a fright

PLENTY TO SMILE ABOUT . . . Sean Gregan celebrates a goal at Leeds United.

SEAN Gregan is sure to be remembered with fondness by Athletic supporters.

The 36-year-old was a no-nonsense player — albeit one of no little skill, given his experience playing in midfield — who gave opposing forwards the heebie-jeebies.

Witness Jermaine Beckford, former team-mate of Gregan’s at Leeds United. The prolific forward now plays in the Premier League with Everton, but barely got a kick whenever he came up against the ex-Darlington, Preston and West Brom player.

Gregan wasn’t one for modern-day footballer foibles like snoods, hair straighteners and moisturisers.

The former captain walked around the pitch with controlled menace and was emphatically from the old school.

Along with his excellent performances throughout a 2009-10 season which may well have otherwise seen Athletic relegated to League Two, it was Gregan’s character which saw him rise to cult hero status at Boundary Park.

“When I played I think people could see that I was a trier and they appreciate that,” said a player, who enjoyed an unbroken sequence of 75 matches for Athletic up to the end of last season.

“And in turn, a big thanks goes out from me to every one of the fans.

“It is sad when things end like this but then again, that is football.”

Gregan felt the writing was on the wall for his first-team prospects this season when manager Paul Dickov brought in Jean-Yves Mvoto on a season-long loan from Sunderland.

And even though the big French centre-back is currently injured, Gregan said a return to Boundary Park was never on the cards.

“The question (of coming back) was not posed to me, but I knew that after what has happened, Paul Dickov would look elsewhere,” he added.

“Hopefully, he will be able to bring someone in to take the team forward.”

Gregan ends his Athletic career having spent five seasons at the club.

The reigning player of the year first arrived at Boundary Park on loan from Leeds in November, 2006, before committing to a permanent deal almost exactly four years ago.

The centre-back then left Athletic before the start of last season, but subsequently re-signed and such were his performances under then-manager Dave Penney, Gregan was awarded a year-long contract extension.

A longstanding injury gave him trouble during pre-season work-outs, but on regaining fitness he found himself out of favour.

After requesting a move, he ended up joining Blue Square Bet Premier outfit Fleetwood Town initially on loan.

Having had his Athletic contract terminated by mutual consent, Gregan is now hoping to end the campaign on a positive note by helping his new club to promotion to the Football League.

“From what I have seen so far, we have been the better side in every game we have played,” he said, having made a total of nine league and cup appearances for Fleetwood.

“We need to bring in someone who can score goals, and I am sure that the club will be looking to do that in the transfer window as they are very ambitious.”