Highly-rated winger Jay O’Shea joined us out of the blue in October 2010 as Birmingham City sought to give the Irishman first team action. The aim? To further the development of a player who’d already been out on loan at Middlesbrough. And with us finding our feet in the Football League, Graham Westley was happy to oblige with Blues counterpart Alex McLeish’s efforts to help O’Shea get some pitch time under his belt.

Jay O’Shea: Before Boro’

A product of the Irish league set-up, O’Shea moved from Home Farm to Bray Wanderers; catching the eye at Galway United soon after. Able to play as a striker, the player finished as United’s top goalscorer in 2008 and earned himself a move to the Premier League the following year. His Premier League debut was no more challenging than a second half appearance against Manchester United, before starting his first game in a League Cup fixture against Southampton.

Jay O’Shea: After Boro’

O’Shea’s time with us saw him take in just seven games before returning to St Andrews. He later turned out for Port Vale on loan during the 2010-1 campaign.