{{Short description|Republic of Ireland international footballer (born 1982)}} {{Use British English|date=June 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Caleb Folan | image = Caleb Folan.jpg | upright = 0.9 | caption = Folan warming up for Hull City in 2010 | full_name = Caleb Colman Folan<ref name="PFA 213">{{Cite book | editor-first = Barry J. | editor-last = Hugman | title = The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005 | publisher = Queen Anne Press | year = 2005 | page = 213 | isbn = 1-85291-665-6 }}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|10|26|df=y}}<ref name="PFA 213"/> | birth_place = Leeds, England | height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}<ref name="Profiles">{{cite web|title=Profiles |url=http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10338~19954,00.html |publisher=Hull City A.F.C |access-date=12 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210175107/http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/ProfilesDetail/0%2C%2C10338~19954%2C00.html |archive-date=10 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | position = Forward | currentclub = | youthyears1 = {{0|000}}?–2001 | youthclubs1 = Leeds United | years1 = 2001–2003 | clubs1 = Leeds United | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2001 | clubs2 = → Rushden & Diamonds (loan) | caps2 = 6 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2001 | clubs3 = → Hull City (loan) | caps3 = 1 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2003–2007 | clubs4 = Chesterfield | caps4 = 102 | goals4 = 15 | years5 = 2007 | clubs5 = Wigan Athletic | caps5 = 15 | goals5 = 2 | years6 = 2007–2011 | clubs6 = Hull City | caps6 = 55 | goals6 = 12 | years7 = 2009 | clubs7 = → Middlesbrough (loan) | caps7 = 1 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2011 | clubs8 = Anderlecht | caps8 = 26 | goals8 = 6 | years9 = 2012 | clubs9 = Birmingham City | caps9 = 0 | goals9 = 0 | years10 = 2013 | clubs10 = T-Team | caps10 = 10 | goals10 = 0 | years11 = 2013 | clubs11 = Bradford City | caps11 = 6 | goals11 = 0 | years12 = 2014–2015 | clubs12 = Kanbawza | caps12 = 17 | goals12 = 13 | totalcaps = 239 | totalgoals = 48 | nationalyears1 = 2008 | nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland B | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 1 | nationalyears2 = 2008–2009 | nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland | nationalcaps2 = 7 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | medaltemplates = }}
'''Caleb Colman Folan''' (born 26 October 1982) is a former professional footballer who played as a forward. Born in England, he represented the Republic of Ireland in international football, qualifying through grandparents on his maternal side from Galway.
==Club career== ===Early career=== Born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Folan started his career at hometown club Leeds United, spending brief spells on loan at Rushden & Diamonds and Hull City before making a permanent move to Chesterfield in February 2003.<ref name="PFA 213"/>
In April 2006 he underwent a cartilage operation on a recurring knee injury.<ref name="Folan undergoes cartilage surgery">{{Cite news|title=Folan undergoes cartilage surgery|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chesterfield/4951874.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 April 2006|access-date=24 May 2011}}</ref> In October, he scored the winning goal against West Ham United in Chesterfield's League Cup victory,<ref name="Chesterfield 2-1 West Ham">{{Cite news|title=Chesterfield 2–1 West Ham|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6072626.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 October 2006|access-date=24 May 2011}}</ref> after which he signed a one-year contract extension.<ref name="Folan agrees one-year extension">{{Cite news|title=Folan agrees one-year extension|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chesterfield/6103968.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 October 2006|access-date=24 May 2011}}</ref>
===Wigan Athletic=== After a series of impressive performances for Chesterfield, Folan was linked with a January transfer to Premier League side Wigan Athletic, and on 26 January 2007 he completed a £500,000 transfer, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal. Wigan manager Paul Jewell stated: "He's strong, he's aggressive, he's got a finisher's instinct and I think he will add competition in an area where the squad needs bolstering."<ref name="Striker Folan secures Wigan move">{{Cite news|title=Striker Folan secures Wigan move|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wigan_athletic/6302089.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 January 2007|access-date = 24 May 2011}}</ref> He made his debut for Wigan against Reading on 30 January 2007,<ref name="Reading 3-2 Wigan">{{Cite news|first=Nathan|last=Mercer|title=Reading 3–2 Wigan|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6309077.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 January 2007|access-date=24 May 2011}}</ref> and on 21 February, scored his first goal for the club, an equaliser against Watford.<ref name="Watford 1-1 Wigan">{{Cite news|title=Watford 1–1 Wigan|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6371327.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 February 2007|access-date=24 May 2011|first=Caroline|last=Cheese}}</ref> On 3 March he scored the winner against Manchester City away at the City of Manchester Stadium in a 1–0 victory.<ref name="Man City 0-1 Wigan">{{Cite news|title=Man City 0–1 Wigan|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6392445.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 March 2007|access-date=24 May 2011|first=John|last=May}}</ref>
===Hull City=== Championship team Hull City revealed their interest in signing him in August 2007.<ref name="Tigers tracking Okocha and Folan">{{Cite news|title=Tigers tracking Okocha and Folan|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/6967344.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 August 2007|access-date=24 May 2011}}</ref> However, Wigan manager Chris Hutchings said he was not looking to transfer Folan.<ref name="Wigan want to keep Folan">{{Cite news|title=Wigan want to keep Folan|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_2693265,00.html|publisher=Sky Sports|date=29 August 2007|access-date = 29 August 2007}}</ref> On 31 August Folan eventually did return to Hull on a three-year contract for a fee of £1 million, which broke the record highest fee paid by the club.<ref name="Hull break record to land Folan">{{Cite news|title=Hull break record to land Folan|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/6972013.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 August 2007|access-date=24 May 2011}}</ref> After signing, he insisted he was not going to let the price tag pile pressure onto him and that he had arrived at the club to score goals.<ref name="Folan Will Concentrate On Football">{{Cite news|title=Folan Will Concentrate on Football |url=http://www.hullcityafc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10338~1103174,00.html |publisher=Hull City A.F.C. |date=31 August 2007 |access-date=12 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301012450/http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10338~1103174%2C00.html |archive-date= 1 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On his debut for Hull in a 2–1 defeat against Blackpool in September, Folan was taken to hospital after being stretchered off the pitch wearing a neck brace.<ref name="Blackpool 2-1 Hull">{{Cite news|title=Blackpool 2–1 Hull|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6963691.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 September 2007|access-date=24 May 2011}}</ref> He was kept overnight at Victoria Hospital in Blackpool.<ref name="Folan recovering from head injury">{{Cite news|title=Folan recovering from head injury|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/6977624.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 September 2007|access-date=24 May 2011}}</ref> An ankle injury caused him to miss several more matches,<ref name="ankle">{{Cite news|title=Brown backs Folan to shine |url=http://www.hullcityafc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10338~1156990,00.html |publisher=Hull City A.F.C. |date=5 November 2007 |access-date=12 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314154931/http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10338~1156990%2C00.html |archive-date=14 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and in March 2008 he incurred a three-match ban after being sent off in a game against Burnley.<ref name="redcard">{{Cite news|title=Hull 2–0 Burnley|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7272644.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 March 2008|access-date=24 May 2011}}</ref>
He returned to score several goals from the bench during Hull City's successful run-in. On the first day of the Premier League season, Hull played their first ever game in that league against Fulham, and Folan came on as a substitute and scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory for Hull.<ref name="Hull City 2-1 Fulham">{{Cite news|first=John|last=May|title=Hull City 2–1 Fulham|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7551167.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 August 2008|access-date=24 May 2011}}</ref> He was sent off against Liverpool on 25 April 2009 for kicking out at Martin Škrtel.<ref name="Hull 1-3 Liverpool">{{Cite news|first=Mandeep|last=Sanghera|title=Hull 1–3 Liverpool|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8000571.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 April 2009|access-date=24 May 2011}}</ref> [[File:Caleb Folan warms up, Wigan Athletic vs Hull City, 3rd May 2010.jpg|thumb|200px|Folan warming up for Hull City in 2010]] On 17 September 2009, Folan was loaned for three months to Middlesbrough of the Championship,<ref name="Folan seals Middlesbrough switch">{{Cite news|title=Folan seals Middlesbrough switch|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/8261080.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 September 2009|access-date = 24 May 2011}}</ref> and he made his debut as a substitute in a 5–0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.<ref name="Middlesbrough 0–5 West Brom">{{Cite news|title=Middlesbrough 0–5 West Brom|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8251605.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=19 September 2009|access-date=24 May 2011}}</ref> Just nine days later Folan suffered a torn hamstring.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Folan blow for Boro|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5589931,00.html|publisher=Sky Sports|date=28 September 2009|access-date=23 December 2009}}</ref> After Hull manager Phil Brown criticised Folan on his appearances for Hull during the 2009–10 season, Folan hit back by saying Brown's comments were "laughable and childish". However, upon Folan's return to Hull, Brown offered him a "clean slate".<ref>{{cite news|title=Folan offered Tigers lifeline|first=Chris|last=Burton|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5765745,00.html|publisher=Sky Sports|date=11 December 2009|access-date=23 December 2009}}</ref>
===Colorado Rapids=== After a lengthy negotiation with Hull City, Folan was able to complete a transfer to Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer on 16 March 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/rapids-finally-get-their-man-irish-striker-folan|title=Rapids finally get their man in Irish striker Folan|first=Nick|last=Harris|publisher=MLS|date=16 March 2011|access-date=19 April 2012|archive-date=19 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110319083608/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/rapids-finally-get-their-man-irish-striker-folan|url-status=dead}}</ref> He made his MLS debut on 26 March in a 1–0 victory over Chivas USA,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/es/news/article/rapids-win-1-0-behind-first-half-amarikwa-strike|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221100546/http://www.mlssoccer.com/es/news/article/rapids-win-1-0-behind-first-half-amarikwa-strike|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 February 2015|title=Rapids win 1–0 behind first half Amarikwa strike|publisher=MLS|date=27 March 2011|access-date=19 April 2012}}</ref> and scored his first goals in Major League Soccer on 3 April in a 4–1 win over D.C. United.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/april/03/folan-strikes-twice-rapids-put-dc-deep-freeze|title=Folan strikes twice as Rapids put DC in deep freeze|publisher=MLS|date=3 April 2011|access-date=19 April 2012}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
Folan scored six goals during the 2011 season before moving on prior to the 2012 preseason.<ref name="Rapids departure"/> The Rapids announced on 3 February 2012 that the club had parted ways with Folan by mutual consent.<ref name="Rapids departure">{{cite web|url=http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2012/02/rapids-and-forward-caleb-folan-mutually-part-ways|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723204326/http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2012/02/rapids-and-forward-caleb-folan-mutually-part-ways|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 July 2012|title=Rapids and forward Caleb Folan mutually part ways|date=3 February 2012|publisher=Colorado Rapids|access-date=5 February 2012}}</ref>
===Birmingham City=== After a trial, Folan signed for Championship club Birmingham City on 29 February until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17210390|title=Birmingham City sign Ramage, Folan & Hughton|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 February 2012|access-date=29 February 2012}}</ref>
Folan suffered a setback during his training program at Birmingham City picking up a nerve injury, which eventually would go on to rule him out of playing football for the good part of a year. As a result, he was unable to appear for the blues and was never included in the 16-man matchday squad, Folan was released when his contract expired.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2012/05/16/birmingham-city-secure-david-murphy-on-new-deal-97319-30979511|title=Birmingham City secure David Murphy on new deal|newspaper=Birmingham Mail|first=Colin|last=Tattum|date=16 May 2012|access-date=16 May 2012|archive-date=19 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519072050/http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2012/05/16/birmingham-city-secure-david-murphy-on-new-deal-97319-30979511/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===T-Team=== On 1 December 2012, after a lengthy period sidelined due to a previous injury, Folan announced on his official Twitter page that he had joined T-Team in the Malaysia Super League and it was confirmed shortly after.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/international/2012/1203/356629-caleb-folan-joins-malaysian-club|work=RTÉ News|title=Caleb Folan moves to Malaysian club|date=3 December 2012}}</ref> Folan scored in the team's first pre-season game against Malaysia Super League outfit ATM FA and again on his home debut in a 2–2 draw against close rivals Terengganu FA.
But, on 27 March 2013, after struggling to find his previous form, Folan left the club by mutual consent after failing to score in 10 appearances.<ref name="goal.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/3896/malaysia/2013/03/27/3855272/caleb-folan-leaves-t-team-after-10-games |title=Caleb Folan leaves T-Team after 10 games |website=Goal.com |access-date=26 February 2017}}</ref>
===Bradford City=== On 28 September 2013, after training with Bradford City, Folan signed a three-month contract with the club.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10704858.Bradford_City_add_Folan_to_options_up_front|title=Bradford City add Caleb Folan to options up front|date=28 September 2013|work=Bradford Telegraph & Argus|access-date=28 September 2013}}</ref> He made his debut on 5 October, in a 2–0 win against Walsall.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24349425 |title=Walsall 0–2 Bradford |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 October 2013 |access-date=7 October 2013}}</ref> Folan left Bradford City on 26 December 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/10900557.Folan_announces_Bradford_City_departure|title=Caleb Folan announces Bradford City departure|work=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=26 December 2013|access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref>
In March 2014 Folan turned down an offer to play for the North American Soccer League Canadian based outfit FC Edmonton<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/03/05/fc-edmonton-brings-in-striker-caleb-folan-releases-jordan-ongaro|title=FC Edmonton brings in striker Caleb Folan, releases Jordan Ongaro |date=5 March 2014|access-date=26 June 2014|work=The Edmonton Sun}}</ref> in pursuit to return and play his football in Asia.
===Kanbawza=== Folan spent the 2015 season with Kanbawza FC of the Myanmar National League;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/mate-caleb-folan-s-burma-adventure-kanbawza-fc/story-25744102-detail/story.html|title=My mate Caleb Folan's Burma adventure with Kanbawza FC|newspaper=Hull Daily Mail|date=20 December 2014|access-date=6 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822081032/http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/mate-Caleb-Folan-s-Burma-adventure-Kanbawza-FC/story-25744102-detail/story.html|archive-date=22 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/15675/limerick-lose-kanyuka-as-shan-sign-defender|title=Limerick lose Kanyuka as Shan sign defender|first=Ferdia|last=Fallon Verbruggen|website=extratime.ie|date=9 January 2016|access-date=6 November 2016}}</ref> he scored 13 goals from 17 league appearances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/27791/Caleb_Folan.html|title=Caleb Folan profile|website=national-football-teams.com|access-date=6 November 2016}}</ref>
==International career== Through his grandfather, who was from Inis Mór, and his grandmother, from Galway, Folan is eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland.<ref name="Profiles"/> In March 2007, manager Steve Staunton called on the 'granny rule' to bring Folan into his squad for the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, after a passport was issued at the 11th hour. The decision attracted comment for overlooking other in-form strikers playing outside the Premier League and with closer ties to the Republic of Ireland.<ref name="Staunton uses granny rule to draft in Folan">{{Cite news|title=Keogh comes in for injured Folan|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/staunton-uses-granny-rule-to-draft-in-folan-50059.html|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=16 March 2007|access-date=15 October 2008|first=Daniel|last=McDonnell}}</ref><ref name="Strikers need Premiership exposure – Stan">{{cite web|title=Strikers need Premiership exposure – Stan|url=http://www.eleven-a-side.com/boysingreen/news.asp?n=26937|publisher=eleven-a-side.com|date=16 March 2007|access-date=25 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704204714/http://www.eleven-a-side.com/boysingreen/news.asp?n=26937|archive-date=4 July 2009}}</ref>
However, Folan was forced to pull out of the squad due to injury.<ref name="Keogh comes in for injured Folan">{{Cite news|title=Keogh comes in for injured Folan|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6456103.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 March 2007|access-date=24 May 2011}}</ref> A hamstring tear also forced Folan out of the Republic's squad for games against Ecuador and Bolivia in May 2007.<ref name="Republic squad hit by withdrawals">{{Cite news|title=Republic squad hit by withdrawals|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6661899.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 May 2007|access-date=29 February 2012}}</ref>
In October 2008, under new manager Giovanni Trapattoni, Folan was one of several uncapped players selected to play for a Republic of Ireland XI in a challenge match against Nottingham Forest, scoring the first goal in a 2–0 win.<ref name="Republic of Ireland XI score in each half to defeat Nottingham Forest 2-0">{{Cite news|title=Republic of Ireland XI score in each half to defeat Nottingham Forest 2–0|url=http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3680|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|date=9 October 2008|access-date=15 October 2008}}</ref> He was added to the squad for the subsequent 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Cyprus<ref name="Republic of Ireland XI score in each half to defeat Nottingham Forest 2-0"/> and appeared as an injury-time substitute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=250471/match=300040882/report.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223111456/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=250471/match=300040882/report.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 December 2015|title=Republic of Ireland 1-0 Cyprus|website=fifa.com|date=15 October 2008|access-date=30 July 2019}}</ref> He was brought on as a substitute against Italy in the World Cup qualifiers, and set up the equalising goal scored by Robbie Keane in the 87th minute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=250471/match=300041115/index.html#nosticky|title=Italy 1-1 Republic of Ireland|website=fifa.com|date=1 April 2009|access-date=30 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105161013/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=250471/match=300041115/index.html|archive-date=5 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Honours== '''Hull City''' *Football League Championship play-offs: 2008
==See also== * List of Republic of Ireland international footballers born outside the Republic of Ireland
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Caleb Folan}} * {{MLS player|caleb-folan}} * {{Soccerbase}} * {{NFT player|27791}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Folan, Caleb}} Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Leeds Category:English men's footballers Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers Category:Republic of Ireland men's international footballers Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Leeds United F.C. players Category:Rushden & Diamonds F.C. players Category:Hull City A.F.C. players Category:Chesterfield F.C. players Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players Category:Colorado Rapids players Category:Birmingham City F.C. players Category:Terengganu F.C. II players Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players Category:Shan United F.C. players Category:Premier League players Category:English Football League players Category:Major League Soccer players Category:English people of Irish descent Category:Black British sportsmen Category:21st-century Black British people Category:Black Irish sportspeople Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Myanmar Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in the United States Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in Myanmar Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the United States Category:English expatriate men's footballers Category:21st-century English sportsmen