Stephen McLaughlin
Irish footballer
title: "Stephen McLaughlin" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1990-births", "living-people", "association-footballers-from-county-donegal", "republic-of-ireland-men's-association-footballers", "men's-association-football-midfielders", "finn-harps-f.c.-players", "derry-city-f.c.-players", "nottingham-forest-f.c.-players", "bristol-city-f.c.-players", "notts-county-f.c.-players", "southend-united-f.c.-players", "mansfield-town-f.c.-players", "league-of-ireland-xi-players", "league-of-ireland-players", "english-football-league-players", "21st-century-irish-sportsmen"] description: "Irish footballer" topic_path: "technology/web" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_McLaughlin" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Irish footballer ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox football biography"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Stephen McLaughlin |
| image | Smlshamrocks.jpg |
| fullname | Stephen Antony McLaughlin{{Cite news |
| title | Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13 |
| url | http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0,,10794~179534,00.pdf |
| publisher | The Football League |
| date | 18 May 2013 |
| page | 22 |
| access-date | 23 June 2013 |
| url-status | dead |
| archive-url | https://web.archive.org/web/20140802074454/http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0,,10794~179534,00.pdf |
| archive-date | 2 August 2014 |
| birth_date | |
| birth_place | County Donegal, Ireland |
| height | |
| youthyears1 | 2006–2008 |
| youthclubs1 | Clonmany Shamrocks FC |
| position | Attacking midfielder |
| currentclub | Mansfield Town |
| clubnumber | 3 |
| years1 | 2008–2010 |
| clubs1 | Finn Harps |
| caps1 | 48 |
| goals1 | 2 |
| years2 | 2011–2013 |
| clubs2 | Derry City |
| caps2 | 57 |
| goals2 | 13 |
| years3 | 2013–2015 |
| clubs3 | Nottingham Forest |
| caps3 | 9 |
| goals3 | 0 |
| years4 | 2013 |
| clubs4 | → Bristol City (loan) |
| caps4 | 5 |
| goals4 | 0 |
| years5 | 2014 |
| clubs5 | → Notts County (loan) |
| caps5 | 13 |
| goals5 | 0 |
| years6 | 2014–2015 |
| clubs6 | → Southend United (loan) |
| caps6 | 6 |
| goals6 | 1 |
| years7 | 2015–2020 |
| clubs7 | Southend United |
| caps7 | 153 |
| goals7 | 19 |
| clubs8 | Mansfield Town |
| caps8 | 192 |
| goals8 | 17 |
| years8 | 2020– |
| club-update | 26 January 2026 (UTC) |
| :: |
| name = Stephen McLaughlin | image = Smlshamrocks.jpg | image_size = | caption = | fullname = Stephen Antony McLaughlin{{Cite news |title=Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13 |url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0,,10794~179534,00.pdf |publisher=The Football League |date=18 May 2013 |page=22 |access-date=23 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802074454/http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0,,10794~179534,00.pdf |archive-date=2 August 2014 | birth_date = | birth_place = County Donegal, Ireland | height = | youthyears1 = 2006–2008 | youthclubs1 = Clonmany Shamrocks FC | position = Attacking midfielder | currentclub = Mansfield Town | clubnumber =3 | years1 = 2008–2010 | clubs1 = Finn Harps | caps1 = 48 | goals1 = 2 | years2 = 2011–2013 | clubs2 = Derry City | caps2 = 57 | goals2 = 13 | years3 = 2013–2015 | clubs3 = Nottingham Forest | caps3 = 9 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2013 | clubs4 = → Bristol City (loan) | caps4 = 5 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2014 | clubs5 = → Notts County (loan) | caps5 = 13 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2014–2015 | clubs6 = → Southend United (loan) | caps6 = 6 | goals6 = 1 | years7 = 2015–2020 | clubs7 = Southend United | caps7 = 153 | goals7 = 19 | clubs8 = Mansfield Town | caps8 = 192 | goals8 = 17 | years8 = 2020– | club-update = 26 January 2026 (UTC) Stephen Antony McLaughlin (born 14 June 1990) is an Irish footballer who plays for club Mansfield Town as a defender.
Beginning his senior career with Finn Harps, McLaughlin spent five years in Ireland before moving to England with Nottingham Forest. After a series of loan spells, he joined Southend United on a permanent transfer in 2015, spending five years at the club before joining Mansfield Town in 2020.
Career
Early years
McLaughlin began his career at his local club St. Mary's, and played all his under-age football for the club. In 2006, he signed for Clonmany Shamrocks senior side of the Inishowen Football League, and was successful during his first spell in junior football.
Finn Harps
After appearing in League and Cup finals for Clonmany, McLaughlin was signed by Finn Harps, and played for their Under 20 and A Championship sides upon arrival. He was then called into the first-team, and went on to play several games for the club in the 2008 season. He was then assigned the no. 7 jersey for the 2009 campaign, with manager James Gallagher using McLaughlin right across the midfield and front-line.
Derry City
He signed for Derry City after the 2010 season, after impressing in games against Derry at both Finn Park and the Brandywell. The move was touted at the end of the season, with McLaughlin signing terms with Stephen Kenny's side in January 2011.{{cite news |url= https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/irish/9313840.stm |title=Derry City sign Stephen McLaughlin from Finn Harps |date=22 December 2010 |access-date=2013-01-03 |publisher=BBC Sport}} He wore the no. 15 shirt for The Candystripes. McLaughlin secured promotion from the League of Ireland First Division with the club in his first season, and won the FAI Cup in his second, netting 17 goals along the way.
Nottingham Forest
McLaughlin signed with English Championship side Nottingham Forest on 3 January 2013, believed to be for a fee of roughly £160,000. McLaughlin did not make an appearance during the remainder of the 2012–13 season. After a spell out on loan to Bristol City at the start of the 2013 season, McLaughlin made his full Forest debut against Leeds United on 21 April 2014 under caretaker manager Gary Brazil. At the beginning of the 2014–15 season under Stuart Pearce, McLaughlin became a more prominent member of the first team, with four appearances from the bench in Forest's first six games.
As appearances for the first team at Forest became increasingly limited, McLaughlin joined their local rivals Notts County on a one-month emergency loan on 30 September 2014.
Southend (loan)
After a spell back at Forest, McLaughlin signed with Southend United until the end of the 2014–15 season. His debut for The Shrimpers was away at Bury, however this lasted just six minutes as the game was abandoned due to torrential rain, and his next game was at home to Mansfield Town which Southend won 2–0, and McLaughlin played 87 minutes. He scored twice in his spell for Southend, the first was in a 2–0 win over Newport County and the second helped Southend to Wembley Stadium as he scored in extra time of the League Two play-off semi-final against Stevenage. He went on to play an hour in the final against Wycombe Wanderers, which Southend eventually won 7–6 on penalties meaning that they won promotion to League One. After that game McLaughlin's loan spell ended, although having been released by Nottingham Forest, he has been linked with a permanent move back to Southend.
Southend United
On 27 August 2015, McLaughlin joined Southend United on a permanent deal, signing a two-year deal. McLaughlin made his debut as a substitute against Coventry City on 31 August 2015. He left at the end of the 2019–20 season after Southend was relegated.
Mansfield Town
On 11 September 2020, McLaughlin signed with Mansfield Town on a short-term deal.
After missing out on promotion with defeat in the 2022 EFL League Two play-off final, McLaughlin signed a new two-year contract in July 2022.
On 2 June 2025, the club announced he had signed a new one-year contract.
Career statistics
::data[format=table title="Appearances and goals by club, season and competition"]
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Other | Total | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Total | 48 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 50 | 2 | Total | 57 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 77 | 23 | Total | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 12 | 0 | Total | 153 | 19 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 177 | 23 | Total | 104 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 124 | 14 | Career total | 395 | 47 | 24 | 6 | 17 | 4 | 36 | 8 | 472 | 65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finn Harps | 2009 | League of Ireland First Division | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 16 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010 | League of Ireland First Division | 32 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 34 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derry City | 2011 | League of Ireland Premier Division | 33 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | — | 38 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | League of Ireland Premier Division | 24 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 39 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nottingham Forest | 2012–13 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–14 | Championship | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–15 | Championship | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 9 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bristol City (loan) | 2013–14 | League One | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notts County (loan) | 2014–15 | League One | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3Appearances in the Football League Trophy | 1 | 16 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Southend United (loan) | 2014–15 | League Two | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | League Two play-offs]] | 1 | 9 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Southend United | 2015–16 | League One | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016–17 | League One | 34 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy | 0 | 38 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017–18 | League One | 45 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 51 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018–19 | League One | 30 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 39 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–20 | League One | 27 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mansfield Town | 2020–21 | League Two | 36 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021–22 | League Two | 43 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | League Two play-offs]] | 1 | 50 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022–23 | League Two | 25 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 31 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023–24 | League Two | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| :: |
Honours
Derry City
Southend United
Mansfield Town
- EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2023–24
Individual
- PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year: 2012
- Mansfield Town Player of the Season: 2021–22
References
References
- "Stephen McLaughlin". AFS Enterprises.
- Nicholson, Fraser. (3 January 2013). "Reds Land Stephen". Nottingham Forest F.C..
- (27 August 2014). "Season Statistics". Nottingham Forest F.C..
- (30 September 2014). "Nottingham Forest loan Stephen McLaughlin to Notts County". BBC Sport.
- "McLaughlin signs for Southend".
- (28 March 2015). "Bury A-A Southend United". BBC Sport.
- (14 April 2015). "Southend United 2-0 Newport County". BBC Sport.
- (14 May 2015). "Southend United 3-1 Stevenage (agg 4-2)". BBC Sport.
- "News: Loanees return to parent clubs – News – Southend United". Southend United F.C..
- (27 August 2015). "Stephen McLaughlin joins Southend from Nottingham Forest". Sky Sports.
- (21 July 2022). "Stags defender signs new deal".
- (2025-05-31). "Mansfield Town: Stephen McLaughlin signs new one-year contract".
- "Stephen McLaughlin {{!}} Stats {{!}} 2009".
- (25 July 2009). "Finn Harps 0–2 Wexford Youths".
- "Republic of Ireland – S. McLaughlin – Profile".
- "Stephen McLaughlin {{!}} Stats {{!}} 2010".
- "Stephen McLaughlin {{!}} Stats {{!}} History {{!}} Career Details".
- "Stephen McLaughlin {{!}} Stats {{!}} 2012".
- (9 April 2012). "Derry City 4–0 Finn Harps".
- {{soccerbase season. 58545. 2013
- {{soccerbase season. 58545. 2014
- {{soccerbase season. 58545. 2015
- {{soccerbase season. 58545. 2016
- {{soccerbase season. 58545. 2017
- (17 November 2018). "Southend United 1–2 Blackpool". BBC Sport.
- {{soccerbase season. 58545. 2019
- {{soccerbase season. 58545. 2020
- {{soccerbase season. 58545. 2021
- {{soccerbase season. 58545. 2022
- {{soccerbase season. 58545. 2023
- (23 May 2015). "Starting Lineups - Southend vs Wycombe".
- "Boss: Character was central to promotion - News - Mansfield Town".
- "Sligo & St Pat's dominate PFAI Team of the Year while Finn, McGuinness, O'Connor & Quigley nominated for individual award {{!}} Goal.com". Goal.
- Lomas, John. (11 May 2022). "PICTURE GALLERY – Stephen McLaughlin picks up four trophies at Mansfield Town awards ceremony".
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::