For the rugby league footballer of the 1920s and '30s for Great Britain, England, and Oldham, see John "Jack" Oster

John Oster
Personal information
Full name	John Morgan Oster
Date of birth	8 December 1978 (1978-12-08) (age 31)
Place of birth	Boston, England
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position	Winger
Club information
Current club	Doncaster Rovers
Number	16
Senior career1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1994–1997 1997–1999 1999–2005 2001 2002 2003 2004–2005 2005 2005–2008 2008–2009 2009–	Grimsby Town Everton Sunderland → Barnsley (loan) → Grimsby Town (loan) → Grimsby Town (loan) → Leeds United (loan) Burnley Reading Crystal Palace Doncaster Rovers	24 (3) 40 (1) 68 (5) 02 (0) 10 (5) 7 (1) 08 (1) 15 (1) 76 (2) 31 (3) 015 (0)
National team2
1997–2004	Wales	13 (0)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:45, 30 November 2009 (UTC). 2 National team caps and goals correct as of 11:44, 13 August 2008 (UTC). * Appearances (Goals)

John Morgan Oster (born 8 December 1978) is an English born Welsh international footballer, who plays with Doncaster Rovers.

[edit] Club career

[edit] Grimsby Town

Oster started his career at Grimsby Town and was very highly thought of when he burst onto the first team scene as a tricky winger, thrust into a relegation battle that was ultimately unsuccessful. While in his only first team season at Blundell Park he was seemingly thrown in at the deep end by his manager Brian Laws, but managed to pull of some outstanding performances, and memorable moments, one of them being a wonder goal in an FA Cup defeat against Sheffield Wednesday, one of a number of moments that saw the youngster linked with a big money move. Following Grimsby's relegation from the First Division , Oster was sold by The Mariners, for a fee that still remains the clubs record transfer fee received.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Everton

The Mariners sold Oster to Everton for £1.5 million in 1997,^[1] aged only 18 and having played only 25 matches. It transpired that he had made the wrong move though, as he was rarely utilised in his favoured winger's role, in a 4-4-2 formation, but instead was asked to play as part of a midfield three, or in a Barmby/Beardsley style role alongside Duncan Ferguson. Everton's 3-5-2 formations under Walter Smith did not suit the fragile young winger, who was often caught in possession, and exposed in aerial battles. Oster scored three times during his spell at Everton, once in the league against Barnsley,^[2] once in the League Cup against Scunthorpe United^[3] and once in the FA Cup against Coventry City.^[4]

[edit] Sunderland

John Oster moved to Sunderland for a fee in excess of £1 million,^[1] but again failed to find regular form. His low point at the club was when he was involved in an incident that ended the career of reserve player Mark Maley by accidentally shooting him in the eye with an air rifle.^[5] While at Sunderland, during the 2002-2003 season, he spent five months back on loan with his former club Grimsby Town. He enjoyed two fruitful and productive spells with the club during that season, but despite this his goals and performances could not save The Mariners from relegation, as the club struggled to stop a slide down the Football League ladder. Oster was released by Sunderland in January 2005,^[6] shortly after returning to the Black Cats in disgrace from a loan at Leeds United,^[7] where he scored once against Millwall.^[8] There was little doubt that Grimsby would have liked Oster back but could not afford him and their financial position and reduced league status made it an unattractive option for the player.

[edit] Burnley

Following a short spell at Burnley,^[1] where he scored once against Coventry,^[9] Oster joined Reading on 2 August 2005.^[10]

[edit] Reading

Oster made his debut for Reading against Brighton & Hove Albion on 9 August 2005 as a substitute.^[11] In January 2007, he extended his contract at the Madejski Stadium until the summer of 2008.^[12] He notched his first Premier League goal in nearly 10 years against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium where the Royals were defeated for the first time in 2007, 2–1.^[13] After a couple of years as a squad player with the Royals, including a number of Premier League sub appearances, he was released by Reading following their relegation from the Premier League, on 16 May 2008.^[14].

[edit] Crystal Palace

Before Signing for Crystal Palace, Oster had an unsuccessful trail spell at Championship rivals Preston North End. Oster signed an initial six month contract for Crystal Palace on 11 August 2008. However, following his success at the club his contract has been extended another 18 months.^[15] He scored on his debut against Hereford United in the League Cup.^[16]

He has so far had an action packed career, with off pitch incidents often over shadowing fine performances. His international career with Wales has been stop start.

[edit] Doncaster Rovers

Oster left Crystal Palace in the summer and went on trial with Doncaster Rovers. After a successful trial, Rovers' signed Oster on a short-term contract. Oster made his Doncaster debut on 8 August 2009, coming on as a second-half substitute against Watford.

[edit] Club career statistics

(correct as of 21 March 2009)

[edit] International career

Oster has not yet played under John Toshack, his last cap for Wales being the 2-2 draw with Northern Ireland in 2004 under previous boss Mark Hughes.^[18]

[edit] Honours

[edit] Grimsby Town

• Supporters Young Player of the Year: 1997

[edit] Reading

• Football Championship Winner 2005-06

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• John Oster career stats at Soccerbase