'Leeds probably won't even remember me': Portsmouth hero relishing long-awaited Elland Road return

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Conor Shaughnessy finally returns to where it all began, playing the best football of his life and established as a fully-fledged Pompey icon.

Not that he believes Leeds supporters will recall the four-and-a-half year Elland Road stay which kick-started his football career.

By his own admission, the central defender insists he wasn’t a signing which ‘excited’ the Fratton faithful upon his June 2023 arrival from Burton.

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Nonetheless, 10 months later Shaughnessy etched himself into Pompey folklore with the goal which won the League One title - and subsequently earned a fresh three-year deal.

A 21-year-old Conor Shaughnessy, then with Leeds, battles with Leicester's Islam Slimani in the Carabao Cup in October 2017. Picture: Matthew Lewis/Getty ImagesA 21-year-old Conor Shaughnessy, then with Leeds, battles with Leicester's Islam Slimani in the Carabao Cup in October 2017. Picture: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
A 21-year-old Conor Shaughnessy, then with Leeds, battles with Leicester's Islam Slimani in the Carabao Cup in October 2017. Picture: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images | Getty Images

The 28-year-old has come of age at Fratton Park, flourishing under John Mousinho after stints at Hearts, Mansfield, Rochdale and Burton.

The man whose late headed winner against Barnsley which secured the Blues’ Championship return will ironically face his former club in the opening fixture.

Although after 15 appearances before his February 2021 departure, he’s unconvinced Leeds fans will actually know who he is.

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Shaughnessy told The News: ‘I guess that’s why football is so special, things can change very quickly, for the good or the bad.

‘Burton offered me a new two-year contract and, coming up to 27 at the time, I was thinking I’m a free agent now, I wanted to explore the options and see what interest was out there.

‘It was quite easy for clubs to pick me up as a free agent, so I knew that was a big plus for me going into the transfer window. There were a couple of clubs, I had the chance to go to the Scottish Premiership or League One, but Pompey was an easy decision.

‘I cannot thank the club enough for taking a chance on me 12 months ago. A lot of people looked at me coming from Burton and weren’t sure. I know I wasn’t the most exciting signing for the club at the time, I understand that, but they gave me an opportunity to show I could do it at that level.

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‘Pompey was the right place, right time, having a manager who suits your style of play. How we played last season was perfect for me in that position, it was probably something I had been waiting on for a long time.

‘When I played a few games at Leeds, I showed that a bit, then had a few loans, chopped and changed managers, different clubs, different positions.

‘Their fans probably won’t recognise me now, I don’t think I played enough games for them. A lot has happened in between when I played for them and now.

‘I can’t imagine I will be remembered there, but it’s an exciting one for me to go back, I’ve wanted to return for a long time, I haven’t been there since I left.

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‘And I definitely go back in the best football of my career, with that consistency with the position and a manager who trusts me.’

Following his release by Reading in the summer of 2016, Shaughnessy was signed by Leeds after a successful trial and put with their development squad.

He would go on to feature nine times in the Championship, starting five times, before being released from his contract in February 2021 to allow him to join Rochdale.

Now he returns for the first time, having established himself as a pivotal figure in Pompey’s defence, with 49 appearances and four goals.

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Shaughnessy added: ‘I still think I can get better if I’m honest, there can be improvements, and I’ve been working on them with the manager and the staff.

Conor Shaughnessy celebrates his history-making goal against Barnsley in April. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImagesConor Shaughnessy celebrates his history-making goal against Barnsley in April. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImages
Conor Shaughnessy celebrates his history-making goal against Barnsley in April. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImages | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages

‘It’s the consistency of being in one position, which is what I probably didn’t have for the previous 3-4 years, always switching between central midfield, centre-back, right and left centre-back, and also in a back three.

‘As any player, you need a real run of games in one position to get the most out of yourself in that position, that’s what happened last season.

‘I feel there have been other improvements. My passing out from the back, playing in one position has raised my awareness of knowing where players are around you on the pitch, and my heading has definitely improved.

‘But I don’t want to just stop and now look back on the last 12 months, I want to go again.’

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