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United Kingdom Rory Delap is a former professional footballer recognized for his distinct long throw-in ability and subsequent transition into coaching roles within professional football clubs.
Rory Delap is a patron of the Donna Louise Trust, a charity that provides end-of-life care for children. He has actively participated in fundraising efforts, including a 202-mile bike ride from Newcastle upon Tyne to Edinburgh in 2009 and 2010, which raised over £7,000.
Rory Delap competed in and won Marco Pierre White's Stoke Kitchen contest, with the proceeds benefiting Caudwell Children.
As an ambassador for 'Back in Play', a campaign aimed at raising awareness of Ankylosing Spondylitis, Rory Delap leverages his athletic background to support the initiative.
Rory John Delap, born on July 6, 1976, in Sutton Coldfield, England, commenced his football journey at Carlisle United, progressing through their youth ranks before making his senior debut. His early career saw him contribute to Carlisle United’s promotion to Division Two and a Football League Trophy victory in 1997. In 1998, Delap transferred to Premier League side Derby County for £200,000, where he spent three years and became the club’s top scorer during the 1999-2000 season with eight goals. His consistent performances as a midfielder led to a significant move to Southampton in 2001 for a then-club-record fee of £4 million.
At Southampton, Delap made 132 appearances over five years, reaching the FA Cup Final in 2003, though he missed the match due to injury. His career then took him to Sunderland in 2005, followed by a loan spell and permanent transfer to Stoke City in 2007. It was at Stoke City that Delap became most renowned for his exceptionally long and flat throw-ins, often dubbed the “Delap Special” or “Human Slingshot.” These throws proved to be a potent offensive weapon, instrumental in Stoke’s promotion to the Premier League in 2008 and their subsequent consolidation in the top flight, including an FA Cup Final appearance in 2011.
After six seasons and 180 league appearances with Stoke City, Delap concluded his playing career with brief stints at Barnsley and Burton Albion, retiring in December 2013. Following his retirement, Delap transitioned into coaching, returning to Derby County where he coached the U18 and U21 teams, winning the U21 Premier League 1 Division 2 title in 2016. He later served as a first-team coach for Stoke City and had a caretaker managerial role. In 2023, he joined Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. as an assistant head coach alongside Robbie Keane, contributing to a league and Toto Cup victory before his departure.
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