Introduction
Patrick Joseph McLaughlin (born 14 January 1991) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Gateshead. He previously played for Newcastle United, York City, Harrogate Town and Grimsby Town. He has represented Northern Ireland at levels up to under-21.
Club career
York City
Born in Larne, County Antrim, McLaughlin began his career at Newcastle United in July 2007. He signed a professional contract a year later but he never played a match at St James' Park. In the summer of 2011 McLaughlin was released by Newcastle after four years at the club. McLaughlin joined Conference Premier side York City on a two-year contract on 30 June 2011. McLaughlin said "I thought York was the best club for me. The gaffer has given me the chance to come down here and play some football." He made his debut for York on the opening day of the 2011–12 season in the 2–1 away win against Ebbsfleet United. McLaughlin was part of the York side that won the 2012 FA Trophy Final against Newport County. Eight days later he came on as an 85th minute substitute in the 2–1 2012 Conference Premier play-off Final win over Luton Town, seeing the club win promotion to League Two after an eight-year absence from the Football League. He finished the season with 55 appearances and scored 13 goals. After making 33 appearances and scoring four goals for York in the 2012–13 season he was released by the club on 30 April 2013.
Grimsby Town
McLaughlin joined Conference Premier team Grimsby Town on a two-year contract on 28 June 2013. Following his first season with Grimsby, in which he was a regular in the team that was defeated in the semi-final of both the Conference Premier play-offs and the FA Trophy, McLaughlin found himself less involved with first team affairs during the 2014–15 season. This prompted him to join Conference North side Harrogate Town on loan in March 2015. He was released by Grimsby in May 2015.
Gateshead
McLaughlin signed for National League team Gateshead on a one-year contract on 10 July 2015. After scoring 4 goals in 41 appearances during the 2015–16 season, McLaughlin signed a two-year contract extension in May 2016.
International career
McLaughlin has represented Northern Ireland at various youth levels, up to under-21 level. He currently has 10 caps for the under-21 side.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| York City | 2011–12 | Conference Premier | 44 | 10 | 1 | 1 | — | 10 | 2 | 55 | 13 | |
| 2012–13 | League Two | 30 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 4 | |
| Total | 74 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 88 | 17 | ||
| Grimsby Town | 2013–14 | Conference Premier | 31 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | 6 | 1 | 40 | 5 | |
| 2014–15 | Conference Premier | 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 2 | 1 | 26 | 1 | ||
| Total | 54 | 3 | 4 | 1 | — | 8 | 2 | 66 | 6 | |||
| Harrogate Town (loan) | 2014–15 | Conference North | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | |||
| Gateshead | 2015–16 | National League | 35 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | 5 | 1 | 41 | 4 | |
| 2016–17 | National League | 38 | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 41 | 5 | ||
| Total | 73 | 8 | 3 | 0 | — | 6 | 1 | 82 | 9 | |||
| Career total | 204 | 26 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 5 | 239 | 33 | ||
Honours
York City
- Conference Premier play-offs: 2011–12
- FA Trophy: 2011–12