Name: Joe Shaughnessy
Date of Birth: 6th July 1992
Place of Birth: Galway, Ireland
Nationality: Irish
Position: Centre Back
Height: 6ft
Weight: 11st
Signed: 20th July 2020 from Southend Utd (Freedom of Contract)
Departed: 2nd June 2023 to Dundee (Freedom of Contract)
Debut: 1st August 2020 v Livingston (1-0)
Final Match: 27th May 2023 v Rangers (0-3)
Apps: 111
Goals: 7
Honours: None
Joe Shaughnessy joined Saints in the summer of 2020 from English League One side Southend United after previous spells in Scotland with Aberdeen and St Johnstone and quickly established himself as a vital part of the starting XI during the season fans weren’t allowed in the stadiums due to COVID-19. However, despite not being able to see the players in real live action, Shaughnessy quickly became a fans favourite due to his leadership qualities and commitment as we viewed football from our TV screens.
The Irishman took over captain duties after Sam Foley left the club in early 2021 and as the team reached the semi finals of the two cup competitions and looked nailed on for a top 6 finish, it looked as though Shaughnessy would be making history as the leader of a team set to break down decades long barriers, however a late loss of form witnessed Saints cruelly miss out on all three targets.
Shaughnessy continued to captain the side during a rollercoaster 2021/22 campaign, and was often used as an emergency forward by Jim Goodwin late in matches when he managed to score a few crucial equalisers (twice against Hibs) but the side again lost form in the spring after Stephen Robinson had replaced Aberdeen bound Goodwin and top 6 once more eluded the club.
The captain however was at the heart of the late resurgence as Saints got roped into the most unlikely relegation scrap that was eventually safely negotiated, but after Stephen Robinson reshaped his squad in the summer of 2022, Shaughnessy found himself out of favour and didn’t start many matches as Saints finally made the top 6 in April 2023.
Despite not featuring as much during the season, Shaughnessy has remained as popular as ever with the supporters and despite an offer to remain at Paisley as a squad player, the Irishman decided to join newly promoted Dundee on a free transfer where he will play a more prominent role in the first team.
| SEASON | DIVISION | LGE | GLS | LCP | GLS | SCP | GLS | APP | GLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020/21 | Premiership | 33 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 43 | 2 |
| 2021/22 | Premiership | 36 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 41 | 4 |
| 2022/23 | Premiership | 22 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 1 |
| TOTALS | 91 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 111 | 7 |
