Former Orient, Grimsby & Controversial Imp Midfielder Joins Trinity

Ciarán Toner, who played for Leyton Orient, Rochdale, Lincoln and Grimsby Town, has joined Gainsborough Trinity on non-contract terms.  Housham feels the 32 year old, who has not played for a year since leaving Guiseley, started out at Spurs but failed to make an appearance despite featuring for the Northern Ireland U21’s on 17 occasions and the full side twice.

Fox Mulder investigates

    

The competitive midfielder was scouted in Northern Ireland by Spurs and graduated from the youth team to earn a two year deal but failed to get a start. He was loaned to Peterborough and Bristol Rovers before being released in 2002. Paul Bush signed him before getting the sack and he was then in and out under Martin Ling in his final season, finishing with 2 goals from 57 games in all competitions.

Keith Alexander rated his contribution in two fiery and high scoring games against  the Imps (5 and 7 goal thrillers) and he was to play 17 times for the Imps. Ciarán grabbed two vital goals against the Mariners and the Stags before controversially leaving along with Marcus Richardson.  The two had a training ground bust-up in the spring of 2005, that ended their Lincoln careers,  Ciarán was farmed out on loan to Cambridge  and then released before Grimsby stepped in where he scored 15 goals in 90 starts and 18 substitute appearances. Slade then signed Curtis Woodhouse – the boxer – who ultimately cost him his place.

After being released by the Mariners Ciarán did well at Rochdale with that wonder-strike against Aldershot. It helped Dale to the League 2 play-offs in 2008/9 and then he tasted promotion success in 2009/10 as they finished third. Ciarán then moved into non-league with Harrogate and Guiseley before retiring in 2012 to become a coach at Rotherham where he took his badges.  This begs the question: Could he be coming to help out off the pitch as well as on it?

STMI Biopic
Full name	Ciarán Toner
Date of birth	30 June 1981 (age 32)
Place of birth	Craigavon, Northern Ireland
Height/Weight	6 ft 1 in / 12 st 2lb
Playing position	Midfielder
Current gig in the game
Current club	Gainsborough Trinity
Youth career
1998–2000	Tottenham Hotspur
Senior career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2000–2002	Tottenham Hotspur	0	(0)
2001–2002	Peterborough United (loan)	7	(0)
2002	Bristol Rovers (loan)	6	(0)
2002–2004	Leyton Orient	57	(2)
2004–2005	Lincoln City	15	(2)
2005	Cambridge United (loan)	8	(0)
2005–2008	Grimsby Town	108	(15)
2008–2010	Rochdale	57	(1)
2010–2011	Harrogate Town	32	(2)
2011–2012	Guiseley	44	(6)
2013–	Gainsborough	0	(0)
International honours
2000–2003	Northern Ireland U21	17	(1)
2003	Northern Ireland	2	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals coun