{{short description|English Jamaican footballer (born 1989)}} {{For|the Canadian actor and director|Seán Cummings}} {{Use British English|date=July 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Shaun Cummings | image = Shaun Cummings 2012.jpg | caption = Cummings playing for Reading in 2012 | fullname = Shaun Michael Cummings<ref name="Hugman2010/11">{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |location=Edinburgh |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-84596-601-0 |page=102}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|2|25|df=y}}<ref name="Hugman2010/11"/> | birth_place = Hammersmith, England | height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}<ref name="Hugman2010/11"/> | position = Right-back | youthyears1 = 2002–2007 | youthclubs1 = Chelsea | years1 = 2007–2009 | clubs1 = Chelsea | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2008–2009 | clubs2 = → Milton Keynes Dons (loan) | caps2 = 33 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2009 | clubs3 = → West Bromwich Albion (loan)| caps3 = 3 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2009–2015 | clubs4 = Reading | caps4 = 77 | goals4 = 1 | years5 = 2015–2017 | clubs5 = Millwall | caps5 = 44 | goals5 = 1 | years6 = 2017–2018 | clubs6 = Rotherham United | caps6 = 12 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2018–2019 | clubs7 = Doncaster Rovers | caps7 = 4 | goals7 = 0 | totalcaps = 173 | totalgoals = 2 | nationalyears1 = 2013–2015 | nationalteam1 = Jamaica | nationalcaps1 = 3 | nationalgoals1 = 0 }} '''Shaun Michael Cummings''' (born 25 February 1989) is a former professional footballer who plays as a right-back. Born in England, Cummings won three caps for Jamaica at international level.
A graduate of the Academy at Chelsea, he spent time on loan at Milton Keynes Dons and West Bromwich Albion, before being sold on to Reading in September 2009. He spent six years at the club, helping them to the Championship title in the 2011–12 season and featuring in nine Premier League games the following campaign. He was sold to Millwall in January 2015 and though limited to 55 games in two and a half seasons he did feature prominently in the 2016–17 FA Cup run that saw Millwall eliminate three top-flight teams. He then spent the 2017–18 season with Rotherham United and two months of the 2018–19 season with Doncaster Rovers.
==Club career== ===Chelsea=== Born in Hammersmith, London,<ref name="Hugman2010/11"/> Cummings joined Chelsea's academy as a 12-year-old in 2002 and was the Blues' leading appearance-maker at reserve team level in the 2007–08 season, playing 18 games and scoring once.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shaun Cummings |url=http://www.mkdons.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10420~44022,00.html |publisher=Milton Keynes Dons F.C |accessdate=2 September 2009 |archive-date=17 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917013732/http://www.mkdons.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10420~44022,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In August 2008, he joined League One team Milton Keynes Dons on an initial month's loan.<ref>{{cite news |title=MK Dons seal Cummings loan deal |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/milton_keynes_dons/7541286.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 August 2008 |access-date=3 January 2010}}</ref> He made his senior debut for the Dons on 16 August, in a 1–0 win over Northampton Town at the Stadium MK.<ref>{{cite news |title=MK Dons 1–0 Northampton |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/7551207.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 August 2008 |access-date=16 August 2008}}</ref> The loan was later extended until the end of the 2008–09 season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Di Matteo agrees Dons extension |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/milton_keynes_dons/7804639.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 December 2008 |access-date=3 January 2010}}</ref> On 28 October, he was sent off for a foul on Leyton Orient's Sean Thornton.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leyton Orient 1-2 MK Dons |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/7684092.stm |access-date=7 July 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 October 2008}}</ref> He went on to feature in 35 league and cup games for the Dons.
He joined Championship team West Bromwich Albion on a month's loan on 17 August 2009, with current "Baggies" manager – and former Dons manager – Roberto Di Matteo manager needing cover for injured right-back Gianni Zuiverloon.<ref name="Albion snap up Chelsea youngster">{{cite news |title=Albion snap up Chelsea youngster |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_bromwich_albion/8205281.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 August 2009 |access-date=17 August 2009}}</ref> However he remained at The Hawthorns for just two weeks before signing for Reading on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, reuniting with his Academy manager at Chelsea, Brendan Rodgers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Reading complete Cummings signing |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/reading/8234038.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 September 2009 |access-date=3 January 2010}}</ref>
===Reading=== Cummings made his debut for the "Royals" on 12 September 2009, in a 0–0 draw with Doncaster Rovers at the Madejski Stadium.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8244054.stm |title=Reading 0–0 Doncaster Rovers |date=12 September 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=22 May 2013}}</ref> However he was unable to hold down a regular starting place, making just seven further appearances under Rodgers. With Reading struggling in the league, Rodgers was sacked in December and under his successor, Brian McDermott, Cummings did not make another appearance for the rest of the 2009–10 season.<ref name="SC09"/> The 2010–11 season followed a similar pattern for Cummings with Andy Griffin preferred at right-back. He made just 12 appearances during the season, but did play an important role in Reading's 3–0 play-off semi-final second leg win over Cardiff City, filling in on the right-wing and earning plaudits for his performance.<ref name="SC10"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2092806_twogoal_long_ends_reading_fcs_wembley_wait |last=Fordham |first=Jonny |title=Two-goal Long ends Reading FC's Wembley wait |newspaper=Reading Post |date=18 May 2011 |accessdate=22 May 2013}}</ref> He was an unused substitute at Wembley in the play-off final defeat to Swansea City, who were managed by former Reading boss Brendan Rodgers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fletcher |first1=Paul |title=Reading 2-4 Swansea |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/13497817.stm |access-date=7 July 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cummings thanks ex-boss Rodgers |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/reading/9495344.stm |access-date=7 July 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 May 2011}}</ref>
Cummings signed a one-year extension to his contract in August 2011, keeping him with the club until June 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2098685_shaun_cummings_extends_contract_at_reading_fc |last=Fordham |first=Jonny |title=Shaun Cummings extends contract at Reading FC |newspaper=Reading Post |date=25 August 2011 |accessdate=22 May 2013}}</ref> Despite again starting the season as backup to Griffin, an injury to the experienced defender allowed Cummings into the team and a series of impressive performances saw him cement his place in the side.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2101262_shaun_cummings_aims_to_cement_his_position_in_reading_fc_team |last=Fordham |first=Jonny |title=Shaun Cummings aims to cement his position in Reading FC team |newspaper=Reading Post |date=11 October 2011 |accessdate=22 May 2013}}</ref> He made a total of 36 appearances in the 2011–12 campaign during Reading's title-winning season as they returned to the Premier League with the tightest defence in the Championship.<ref name="SC11"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://espnfc.com/tables/_/league/eng.2/season/2011/english-league-championship |title=2011–12 Championship table |publisher=ESPN FC |accessdate=22 May 2013}}</ref> With the signing of Chris Gunter in July 2012, Cummings again found himself out of the side for the start of the Premier League season. He returned to the team for the 3–2 League Cup win over Queens Park Rangers and played the next four games before Gunter reclaimed his place in the side. He signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract in December 2012,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/cummings-signs-new-deal-051212-526552.aspx |title=Cummings signs new deal |publisher=Reading F.C |accessdate=22 May 2013}}</ref> and a further run of games in December and January followed, before he again dropped out of the side after Stephen Kelly joined during the January transfer window.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2127463_stephen_kelly_dont_underestimate_reading_fc |last=Fordham |first=Jonny |title=Stephen Kelly: Don't underestimate Reading FC |date=19 January 2013 |accessdate=22 May 2013}}</ref> He did not appear again during the 2012–13 season under McDermott or his successor Nigel Adkins, with his last of eleven appearances coming on 5 January in the 3–1 FA Cup win over Crawley Town.<ref name="SC12"/> He made a positive start to the 2014–15 season, playing six games in August and scoring his first goal in the 118th-game of his professional career to help secure a 2–2 draw at Wigan Athletic.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wigan Athletic 2-2 Reading |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28646579 |accessdate=7 July 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 August 2014}}</ref> However he only played 31 minutes for Reading after Steve Clarke took charge in December.<ref name="SC13"/>
===Millwall=== On 12 January 2015, Cummings left Reading for Championship rivals Millwall on an undisclosed deal, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract; manager Ian Holloway said that "as a player he can contribute in defence and in attack" and hoped he would prove to be "a real asset for us over the short and long-term".<ref>{{cite news |title=Shaun Cummings: Millwall sign Reading full-back |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30777733 |accessdate=7 July 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 January 2015}}</ref> He played 12 games for the "Lions" as the club suffered relegation at the end of the 2014–15 season. He scored the second goal of his career after his cross was bungled in by goalkeeper Dan Bentley in a 4–0 win at Southend United on 28 December.<ref>{{cite news |title=Southend United 0-4 Millwall |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35148454 |accessdate=7 July 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 December 2015}}</ref> He played 20 games during the 2015–16 season, but was not in the match day squad for the play-off final defeat to Barnsley as he had been sidelined since February following an operation to repair cartilage damage in his knee.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stevens |first1=Rob |title=Barnsley 3-1 Millwall |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36352352 |accessdate=7 July 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Millwall defender set for return after long lay-off |url=https://www.newsatden.co.uk/58383-millwall-defender-set-for-return-after-long-lay-off |accessdate=7 July 2019 |work=News at Den |date=8 September 2016 |archive-date=7 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707221450/https://www.newsatden.co.uk/58383-millwall-defender-set-for-return-after-long-lay-off |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On 7 January 2017, he scored his third career goal in a 3–0 victory over Premier League side AFC Bournemouth in the FA Cup third round.<ref>{{cite news |title=Millwall 3-0 Bournemouth |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38474780 |accessdate=7 July 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 January 2017}}</ref> He also played in the 1–0 victory over Watford in the following round, before scoring the only goal of the game in the fifth round as Millwall knocked out a third consecutive Premier League club at The Den, beating Leicester City with one of the last kicks of the game.<ref>{{cite news |title=Millwall 1-0 Leicester City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38940093 |accessdate=7 July 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 February 2017}}</ref> The cup run came to an end at White Hart Lane in the quarter-finals, as Millwall were beaten 6–0 by a strong Tottenham Hotspur side.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnston |first1=Neil |title=Tottenham Hotspur 6-0 Millwall |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39170656 |accessdate=7 July 2019 |date=12 March 2017}}</ref> Cummins played a total of 23 games during the 2016–17 season, though missed the play-off final victory over Bradford City after being substituted in the first leg of the semi-final tie with Scunthorpe United.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Law |first1=James |title=Millwall 0-0 Scunthorpe United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39765838 |accessdate=7 July 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 May 2017}}</ref> He was offered a new contract by manager Neil Harris in May 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=Millwall: David Forde and Joe Martin released after promotion |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40045492 |accessdate=7 July 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 May 2017}}</ref>
===Rotherham United=== Cummings joined Rotherham United on a one-year deal on 9 August 2017, after impressing manager Paul Warne on trial, who hoped he would provide competition for right-back Josh Emmanuel.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2017/august/signing--millers-seal-cummings-deal |title=SIGNING {{!}} Millers seal Cummings deal |publisher=themillers.co.uk |accessdate=9 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=SIGNING {{!}} Warne impressed with new Millers signing |url=https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2017/august/signing--warne-impressed-with-new-millers-signing/ |accessdate=7 July 2019 |work=themillers.co.uk |date=9 August 2017 |language=en-gb}}</ref> He struggled to get into the "Millers" first-team, featuring 15 times during the 2017–18 season, and only once after Christmas.<ref name="scun">{{cite news |last1=Crute |first1=Paul |title=A look at Scunthorpe United trialists Shaun Cummings and James Horsfield |url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/look-scunthorpe-united-trialists-shaun-1766177 |accessdate=7 July 2019 |work=Grimsby Telegraph |date=10 July 2018}}</ref> He left the New York Stadium after being released by Rotherham at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44317648 |title=Rotherham United to release six players after promotion to the Championship |date=31 May 2018 |accessdate=31 May 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>
===Doncaster Rovers=== Cummings joined Scunthorpe United on trial in July 2018.<ref name="scun"/> On 14 November 2018, Cummings joined Doncaster Rovers on a two-month deal after impressing manager Grant McCann during a trial spell at the Keepmoat Stadium.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46210450 |title=Shaun Cummings: Doncaster Rovers sign former Rotherham United defender |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 November 2018 |accessdate=15 November 2018}}</ref> Assistant manager Cliff Byrne said that his signing would provide cover for the injured Joe Wright.<ref>{{cite news |title=Doncaster Rovers: New boy Shaun Cummings '˜knows what it takes to be successful' |url=https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/doncaster-rovers-newa-boy-shaun-cummings-knows-what-it-takes-to-be-successful-44096 |accessdate=7 July 2019 |work=Doncaster Free Press |date=15 November 2018 |language=en}}</ref> He played only five games during the 2018–19 season.
Cummings joined Port Vale on trial in July 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Who are Port Vale's trialists – factfile on the four in action at Kidsgrove |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-trialists-kidsgrove-friendly-3063223 |accessdate=7 July 2019 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=6 July 2019}}</ref>
==International career== Despite being born in England, Cummings was provisionally called up to the Jamaica squad in May 2013 for three 2014 World Cup qualifying matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/article/cummings-joins-the-reggae-boyz-200513-828500.aspx |title=Cummings joins Reggae Boyz |publisher=Reading F.C |accessdate=21 May 2013}}</ref> He made his debut four months later on 6 September, in a 0–0 draw away to Panama.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=47809 |title=Boyz break four-match losing streak in Panama |newspaper=The Gleaner |location=Kingston |accessdate=7 September 2013}}</ref> He won a second cap in a 1–1 home draw with Costa Rica on 10 September.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Strack-Zimmermann |first1=Benjamin |title=Jamaica vs. Costa Rica (1:1) |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/8818/Jamaica_Costa_Rica.html |website=national-football-teams.com |accessdate=7 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref> He was an alternative player on the provisional squad list for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, but did not make it into the final 23. His third and final cap came in a 3–0 defeat away to South Korea on 13 October 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Strack-Zimmermann |first1=Benjamin |title=South Korea vs. Jamaica (3:0) |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/matches/report/14092/South_Korea_Jamaica.html |website=national-football-teams.com |accessdate=7 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
==Style of play== Cummings is a right-back, though can also play at wing-back and has stated his willingness to play in any outfield position.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cummings ready to prove his worth |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/reading/9407480.stm |access-date=7 July 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 February 2011}}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===Club statistics=== {{updated|7 July 2019}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- ! rowspan=2|Club ! rowspan=2|Season ! colspan=3|League ! colspan=2|FA Cup ! colspan=2|League Cup ! colspan=2|Other ! colspan=2|Total |- ! Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- | Chelsea | 2008–09<ref name="SC08">{{soccerbase season|49403|2008|accessdate=1 September 2013}}</ref> | Premier League | 0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 | 0||0 |- | Milton Keynes Dons (loan) | 2008–09<ref name="SC08"/> | |League One | 33||0||1||0||1||0||0||0 | 35||0 |- | West Bromwich Albion (loan) | 2009–10<ref name="SC09">{{soccerbase season|49403|2009|accessdate=1 September 2013}}</ref> | Championship | 3||0||0||0||1||0||colspan=2|— | 4||0 |- | rowspan=7|Reading | 2009–10<ref name="SC09"/> | Championship | 8||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|— | 8||0 |- | 2010–11<ref name="SC10">{{soccerbase season|49403|2010|accessdate=1 September 2013}}</ref> | Championship | 10||0||1||0||0||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha>Appearance in the Championship play-offs</ref>||0 | 12||0 |- | 2011–12<ref name="SC11">{{soccerbase season|49403|2011|accessdate=1 September 2013}}</ref> | Championship | 34||0||1||0||1||0||colspan=2|— | 36||0 |- | 2012–13<ref name="SC12">{{soccerbase season|49403|2012|accessdate=1 September 2013}}</ref> | Premier League | 9||0||1||0||1||0||colspan=2|— | 11||0 |- | 2013–14<ref name="SC13">{{soccerbase season|49403|2013|accessdate=1 September 2013}}</ref> | Championship | 10||0||0||0||1||0||colspan=2|— | 11||0 |- | 2014–15<ref name="SC14">{{soccerbase season|49403|2014|accessdate=1 September 2013}}</ref> | Championship | 5||1||0||0||2||0||0||0 | 7||1 |- ! colspan=2|Total ! 77||1||3||0||5||0||1||0 ! 86||0 |- | rowspan="4"|Millwall | 2014–15<ref name="SC14"/> | Championship | 12||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 | 12||0 |- | 2015–16<ref name="SC15">{{soccerbase season|49403|2015|accessdate=1 September 2013}}</ref> |League One | 16||1||1||0||0||0||3<ref group=lower-alpha>Appearances in the Football League Trophy</ref>||0 | 20||1 |- | 2016–17<ref name="SC16">{{soccerbase season|49403|2016|accessdate=1 September 2013}}</ref> |League One | 16||0||4||2||0||0||3<ref group=lower-alpha>Two appearances in the EFL Trophy and one in the League One play-offs</ref>||0 | 23||2 |- ! colspan="2"|Total ! 44!!1!!5!!2!!0!!0!!6!!0 ! 55!!3 |- | Rotherham United | 2017–18<ref name="SC17">{{soccerbase season|49403|2017|accessdate=1 September 2013}}</ref> | League One | 12||0||1||0||1||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha>Appearance in the EFL Trophy</ref>||0 | 15||0 |- | Doncaster Rovers | 2018–19<ref name="SC18">{{soccerbase season|49403|2018|accessdate=1 September 2013}}</ref> | League One | 4||0||0||0||0||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha>Appearance in the EFL Trophy</ref>||0 | 5||0 |- ! colspan=3|Career total ! 173||2||10||2||8||0||9||0 ! 200||4 |}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
===International statistics=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! colspan=3 | Jamaica national team<ref name="nft">{{NFT player|id=53591|accessdate=10 July 2016}}</ref> |- !Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |2013||2||0 |- |2014||0||0 |- |2015||1||0 |- !Total||3||0 |}
==Honours== '''Reading''' *Football League Championship: 2011–12<ref>{{cite book |editor1-first=Glenda |editor1-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |editor2-last=Rollin |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 |year=2012 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8 |pages=36, 318–319}}</ref>
'''Rotherham United''' *EFL League One play-offs: 2018<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44186999 |title=Rotherham United 2–1 Shrewsbury Town |first=Ged |last=Scott |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2018 |accessdate=27 May 2018}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *{{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cummings, Shaun}} Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Category:People from Hammersmith Category:English people of Jamaican descent Category:Sportspeople of Jamaican descent Category:Black British sportsmen Category:21st-century Black British people Category:English men's footballers Category:Jamaican men's footballers Category:Jamaica men's international footballers Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Men's association football full-backs Category:Chelsea F.C. players Category:Milton Keynes Dons F.C. players Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. players Category:Reading F.C. players Category:Millwall F.C. players Category:Rotherham United F.C. players Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:Premier League players Category:21st-century English sportsmen