Burton Albion Football Club

MIDFIELDER Stephen Quinn made his 500th career appearance in English football (all competitions) in our 1-1 draw with Peterborough United last weekend.

Quinn marked the fine achievement with yet another superb performance in the centre of midfield, with the 33-year-old making his 84th appearance for the Brewers in that game at the Pirelli Stadium.

The Irish international began his career with Sheffield United, making his Blades bow in September 2005 in a Carling Cup game away at Shrewsbury Town, days before joining MK Dons on loan in League One and then Rotherham United on a similar deal a year later.

Quinn would go on to make 216 league appearances for the Blades, 239 in all competitions, before joining Hull City. After three years and 97 appearances, Quinn joined Reading where his time was blighted by a knee injury, playing 45 times before his release in the summer of 2018.

Unsure of what lay ahead for him following his departure from the Madejski Stadium, Quinn spent a few weeks at the start of the 2018/19 season training with the Brewers at St George's Park, and travelling with the matchday squad to an away game at Bradford City before signing a short-term deal until January.

A string of impressive appearances, including a spectacular volley in a 3-0 win over AFC Wimbledon, led to an extended contract, with Quinn signing up until the summer of 2020 at the Pirelli Stadium.

A popular man with the Brewers faithful, Quinn spoke to iFollow Brewers ahead of his pre-match press conference and admitted his delight at reaching the milestone.

"It's all I ever wanted to do, to be a professional footballer, and to make 500 appearances is something that I'm very proud of," said Quinn. 

"Hopefully I can add to that over the next few years - I just want to play as long as I can and keep going.

"I've had a couple of years with some injury problems but to get into that number is really good considering how tough the leagues are, and how tough the industry is."

And what are Quinn's highlights from those 500 club games?

"Probably making my debut in the Premier League was a massive highlight - and playing for my country, because pulling on that green jersey was everything for me," said Quinn.

"To be honest, I'm still like a big kid on the streets of Dublin. It's amazing what you can achieve when you put your mind to it and dedicate yourself to anything.

"Obviously it's difficult, you've got to come through a lot of highs and lows, and I try to tell this to my nephews who want to be footballers, and even my son who has the bug for it.

"You've got to dedicate yourself to it.

"That's how I was brought up, as hard-working. It was 'eat or be eaten' in my house with a lot of brothers and sisters, so I've fought through all my career."

APPEARANCES LIST:

Stats from Soccerbase