Sean Doherty (footballer)

Sean Anthony Doherty (born 10 February 1985) is an English former footballer who played as a left-sided midfielder.

Spending his youth at the Everton academy, when he was signed by Fulham in 2001 (aged 16), he was considered one of the best young players in England. After a loan spell with Blackpool in 2003, he moved to the Netherlands to play for ADO Den Haag in 2005 – having never made a first-team appearance for Fulham. In 2006, he ended up at Accrington Stanley via Port Vale. He spent some time on loan at Southport before he left for the Belgian club Royal Antwerp in 2007. The next year, he signed with Irish side Sligo Rovers. In 2010, he joined Marine via Witton Albion before signing with Colwyn Bay the following year. In 2012, he played for AFC Liverpool and Droyslden, before returning to Marine in February 2013.

Club career
Doherty started his career at Everton's youth academy before moving to Fulham in July 2001 for an undisclosed fee. After a loan spell with Blackpool, he signed a one-year contract with the club, which was extended until 2005. However, he failed to make the breakthrough to the Fulham first-team squad, having failed to play a single game he was released in May 2005. He went on to join Dutch Eredivisie club ADO Den Haag.

In January 2006, Doherty returned to England with Martin Foyle's Port Vale on a short-term contract, but failed to gain a first-team spot and was allowed to leave at the end of the 2005–06 season. Doherty signed for Accrington Stanley shortly thereafter, but only played twenty league games and scored once (against Grimsby Town), before he was released a year later. Although he had played for Southport on a three-month loan deal from November 2006 to January 2007, he failed to impress, only making seven appearances in three months.

In 2007, Doherty left England to sign a one-year deal at Belgian club Royal Antwerp. In January 2008, Doherty signed for Irish club Sligo Rovers. Nevertheless, after finding regular football, Doherty left Rovers on mutual agreement in July 2009. He quickly moved to Witton Albion and made one start and one substitute appearance during the 2009–10 season.

In February 2010, he signed for Marine of the Northern Premier League Premier Division. His club finished ninth in 2009–10 and eighth in 2010–11. In July 2011, he joined Conference North newcomers Colwyn Bay. He left the club three months later to work as a scout at Chelsea.

In September 2012, Doherty signed for Old Holts of the Liverpool County Premier League Division One. He later had spells with AFC Liverpool (North West Counties League) and Droyslden (Conference North) before rejoining former club Marine in February 2013. The "Mariners" finished 11th in 2012–13 and 20th in 2013–14.

International career
Doherty was capped seven times by England at youth level. He represented the under 17s and under-21s. He managed to score for the under-17s in a 2002 UEFA European Under-17 Championship game against Finland.