Bobby Olejnik
Olejnik training with York City in 2015
Personal information
Full name Robert Olejnik[1]
Date of birth (1986-11-26) 26 November 1986 (age 37)[2]
Place of birth Vienna, Austria
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[3]
Position(s) Goalkeeper[4]
Youth career
0000–2003 Austria Wien
2003–2006 Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2007 Aston Villa 0 (0)
2007 → Lincoln City (loan) 0 (0)
2007–2011 Falkirk 102 (0)
2011–2012 Torquay United 46 (0)
2012–2015 Peterborough United 88 (0)
2014–2015 → Scunthorpe United (loan) 13 (0)
2015 → York City (loan) 16 (0)
2015–2017 Exeter City 63 (0)
2017–2020 Mansfield Town 29 (0)
Total 357 (0)
International career
2008–2009 Austria U21 13 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Robert Olejnik (born 26 November 1986) is an Austrian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Olejnik came through the youth teams of Austria Wien and Aston Villa and has played professionally for Falkirk, Torquay United, Peterborough United, Scunthorpe United, York City, Exeter City, and Mansfield Town. He also represented the Austria national under-21 team.

Club career

Youth career

Olejnik was born in Vienna[5] and started playing football from a young age first playing for Rapid Vienna. He moved to Austria Wien's youth system where he remained until 2003 when Olejnik moved to England to join Aston Villa's youth system after impressing goalkeeping coach Eric Steele, before landing his first professional contract.[citation needed]

Aston Villa

Olejnik is a product of Aston Villa's youth system. He joined League Two club Lincoln City on a loan deal until the end of the 2006–07 season, to help The Imps in their promotion push.[6] Whilst there, he helped their Reserve side to lift the Pontin's Reserves League Cup. They had beaten Premiership sides Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers on the way. After a 1–1 draw in 90 minutes against Hartlepool United, the match went to a penalty shoot-out. Olejnik saved two of the first five, making it 3–3 after each side having taken five. The scores made it to 6–6 before Olejnik saved a penalty, to then step up himself and score the winning goal.[citation needed]

Falkirk

However, on 30 May 2007, Olejnik was released by Villa manager Martin O'Neill and the following day joined Scottish club Falkirk.[7] At the start of the season, Olejnik became second choice to Tim Krul who made 22 appearances. Olejnik made his debut for the club in a 1–0 win over Kilmarnock on 2 January 2008, coming on a substitute for Russell Latapy after Krul got sent off for unsportsmanlike conduct. Krul would later return to his parent club after suffering a shoulder injury[8] and Olejnik would later become a first choice goalkeeper for the rest of the season. Olejnik managed to keep his first clean sheet for the club in a 0–0 draw against Aberdeen on 5 January 2008.[citation needed]

The following season, Olejnik managed to get playing time as a first choice goalkeeper. Because of that, this led the club signing Scott Flinders from Crystal Palace and replacing Olejnik as a first choice goalkeeper until Olejnik made a return in goal in a 1–1 draw against Inverness Caledonian Thistle At the end of the season on 11 June 2009, Olejnik signed a two-year extension with the club, keeping him at the club until 2011.[9]

The following season with Mallo left Falkrik, Olejnik resumed his first choice goalkeeper status, having played all 38 games in the league. However, the club was relegated after failing to beat Kilmarnock on 9 May 2010 in a 0–0 draw. During the season, Olejnik made his European debut in the UEFA Europa League in the second round against Vaduz. In the first leg, Falkirk won 1–0, giving Olejnik his first clean sheet in Europe competition on 16 July 2009. In the second leg on 23 July 2009, Vaduz strike back and won 2–0, eliminating Falkirk in the Europa League, in process. In a 0–0 draw against Aberdeen, Olejnik was in a confrontation with team-mate Scott Arfield, who he believed had not properly defended a cross. As a result, referee Alan Muir booked the pair. After the match, Olejnik made an apology for an incident[10]

Falkirk manager, Steven Pressley confirmed Olejnik would be leaving the club after his contract ran out on 30 June 2011.[11] At the club, Olejnik made over 100 league appearances.[citation needed]

Torquay United

On 1 July 2011, Olejnik signed with League Two club Torquay United.[12] Olejnik made his debut in a 2–1 friendly win over Tiverton Town. He started his first League Two match of the season with Torquay, at home to Burton Albion. Despite conceding two goals, he received the man of the match award. The following season, he helped the team set a new club record of 20 clean sheets. On 16 February 2012, Olejnik signed a contract extension, set to keep him at the club until 2014.[13]

In April 2012, Olejnik was named in the PFA Team of the Year for League Two along with teammate Kevin Nicholson, Eunan O'Kane and Lee Mansell.[14]

Peterborough United

Olejnik playing for Peterborough United in 2014

On 18 June 2012, Olejnik signed a three-year contract with Championship side Peterborough United for an undisclosed fee.[15][16] Olejnik was a replacement for both Joe Lewis and Paul Jones, who left for Cardiff City and Crawley Town respectively. Olejnik made his debut for Peterborough United on 14 August 2012 with a clean sheet in a 4–0 win over Southend United in the cup. He made his Championship debut against Leicester City six days later. Manager Darren Ferguson was later quoted saying "Bobby's a really good goalkeeper. The save he made in the first-half was outstanding, but he also gives us something we haven't had from our goalkeepers in recent seasons and that's excellent communication skills".[17]

Olejnik was one of Posh's most prominent players during the 2012–13 campaign, making 275 saves, the most by any goalkeeper in the Championship.[18]

At the end of the 2013–14 season he received the club's Player of the Year award.[19] During the first leg of the 2013–14 League One play-off semi-final against Leyton Orient, he was awarded Man of the Match for a performance which helped Peterborough draw the game 1–1.[20] At the end of the 2013–14 campaign, however, to the surprise of the fans,[21] Olejnik was told that he was not going to be offered a new contract and would be put on the transfer list. He had kept 22 clean sheets during the campaign,[22] equalling the club record.

On 19 July 2014 Olejnik signed on a 28-day emergency loan with Scunthorpe United and made his debut against Fleetwood Town on the same day.[23] On 1 September Scunthorpe extended his loan until January 2015.[24]

Olejnik joined League Two York City on loan until the end of the 2014–15 season on 5 January 2015, being reunited with manager Russ Wilcox, who had signed him for Scunthorpe.[25] He received the club's player of the month award for January 2015, his first month with the club.[26]

Exeter City

Olejnik signed for League Two club Exeter City on 2 June 2015 after his contract with Peterborough expired.[27] He was released by Exeter at the end of 2016–17, despite the club hoping to be able to offer him a new contract.[28]

Mansfield Town

On 8 June 2017, Olejnik signed for League Two club Mansfield Town.[29] He was released by Mansfield at the end of the 2019–20 season.[30]

Retirement

In July 2020 Olejnik announced his retirement from professional football, aiming to focus on a career in the technology sector, he attributed the career move in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.[31]

International career

Olejnik was also called up for the Austria U-21 squad to play Italy U-21 in late August 2006.[citation needed]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Aston Villa 2006–07[32] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Lincoln City (loan) 2006–07[32] League Two 0 0 — — — 0 0
Falkirk 2007–08[33] Scottish Premier League 13 0 1 0 0 0 — 14 0
2008–09[34] Scottish Premier League 15 0 1 0 2 0 — 18 0
2009–10[35] Scottish Premier League 38 0 1 0 1 0 2[c] 0 42 0
2010–11[36] Scottish First Division 36 0 2 0 3 0 1[d] 0 42 0
Total 102 0 5 0 6 0 3 0 116 0
Torquay United 2011–12[37] League Two 46 0 2 0 1 0 2[e] 0 51 0
Peterborough United 2012–13[38] Championship 46 0 1 0 2 0 — 49 0
2013–14[39] League One 42 0 4 0 3 0 8[f] 0 57 0
2014–15[40] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 88 0 5 0 5 0 8 0 106 0
Scunthorpe United (loan) 2014–15[40] League One 13 0 0 0 1 0 2[g] 0 16 0
York City (loan) 2014–15[40] League Two 16 0 — — — 16 0
Exeter City 2015–16[41] League Two 45 0 4 0 2 0 2[g] 0 53 0
2016–17[42] League Two 18 0 1 0 1 0 3[h] 0 23 0
Total 63 0 5 0 3 0 5 0 76 0
Mansfield Town 2017–18[43] League Two 1 0 0 0 1 0 4[i] 0 6 0
2018–19[44] League Two 17 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 21 0
2019–20[45] League Two 11 0 0 0 0 0 3[i] 0 14 0
Total 29 0 2 0 3 0 7 0 41 0
Career total 357 0 19 0 19 0 27 0 422 0
  1. ^ Includes Scottish Cup, FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes Scottish League Cup, League/EFL Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Appearance in Scottish Challenge Cup
  5. ^ Appearances in League Two play-offs
  6. ^ Six appearances in Football League Trophy, two in League One play-offs
  7. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  8. ^ One appearance in EFL Trophy, two in League Two play-offs
  9. ^ a b Appearances in EFL Trophy

Honours

Peterborough United

Individual

References

  1. ^ "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Robert Olejnik: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Bobby Olejnik". Mansfield Town F.C. Archived from the original on 10 April 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Bobby Olejnik". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Bobby Olejnik". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Villa keeper heads to Lincoln". Sky Sports. 8 March 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  7. ^ "A saving grace". Falkirk Herald. 31 May 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  8. ^ "Krul faces long spell on sidelines". Falkirk Herald. 24 January 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  9. ^ "Bairns keeper agrees new deal". Sky Sports. 11 June 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  10. ^ "Bairns minder says sorry". Falkirk Herald. 17 September 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  11. ^ "Bairns keepers will not be kept". Falkirk Herald. 5 May 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  12. ^ "Gulls reel in young stopper". Sky Sports. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  13. ^ "Olejnik pens new Gulls deal". Sky Sports. 16 February 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  14. ^ a b "Arsenal striker Robin van Persie named PFA Player of the Year". BBC Sport. 22 April 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  15. ^ "Posh complete Olejnik deal". Sky Sports. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  16. ^ "Posh have bid accepted". Sky Sports. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  17. ^ "Bobby revels in the atmosphere". Peterborough Today. 19 August 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  18. ^ "Peterborough United FC Player Profiles". Theposh.com. 3 September 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  19. ^ "Bobby Olejnik Scoops Foreverposh Player of the Year". Theposh.com. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  20. ^ "Posh player ratings: The O's are thwarted by Bobby O - Peterborough Telegraph". Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  21. ^ Alan Swann Email (14 May 2014). "Posh retained list: Olejnik available for transfer, Alcock to leave, but Little and Swanson can stay – Peterborough Telegraph". M.peterboroughtoday.co.uk. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  22. ^ "Peterborough United: Tommy Rowe among five released". BBC Sport. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  23. ^ "Bobby Olejnik: Scunthorpe sign Peterborough goalkeeper on loan". BBC Sport. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  24. ^ "Peterborough United goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik staying with Scunthorpe United until January". Scunthorpe Telegraph. 1 September 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  25. ^ "Bobby Olejnik: York City sign Peterborough goalkeeper on loan". BBC Sport. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  26. ^ Dave Flett. "Loan ace Bobby Olejnik hails York City's 'awesome' support (From York Press)". M.yorkpress.co.uk. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  27. ^ Pilnick, Brent (2 June 2015). "Bobby Olejnik: Exeter City sign former Peterborough keeper". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  28. ^ "Exeter City release Bobby Olejnik but hope to offer keeper new deal". BBC Sport. 5 June 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  29. ^ "Bobby Olejnik: Mansfield Town agree deal for Exeter goalkeeper". BBC Sport. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  30. ^ "Mansfield Town announce retained list". Mansfield Town F.C. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  31. ^ Oliver, David (9 July 2020). "Former Falkirk goalkeeper Olejnik quits football for new career". Falkirk Herald. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  32. ^ a b "Games played by Bobby Olejnik in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  33. ^ "Games played by Bobby Olejnik in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  34. ^ "Games played by Bobby Olejnik in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  35. ^ "Games played by Bobby Olejnik in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
    "Falkirk 1–0 Vaduz". BBC Sport. 16 July 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
    "Vaduz 2–0 Falkirk (agg 2–1)". BBC Sport. 23 July 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  36. ^ "Games played by Bobby Olejnik in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
    "Stirling Albion 0–0 Falkirk". Scottish Professional Football League. 24 July 2010. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  37. ^ "Games played by Bobby Olejnik in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  38. ^ "Games played by Bobby Olejnik in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  39. ^ "Games played by Bobby Olejnik in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  40. ^ a b c "Games played by Bobby Olejnik in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  41. ^ "Games played by Bobby Olejnik in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  42. ^ "Games played by Bobby Olejnik in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  43. ^ "Games played by Bobby Olejnik in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  44. ^ "Games played by Bobby Olejnik in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  45. ^ "Games played by Bobby Olejnik in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  46. ^ Woodcock, Ian (30 March 2014). "Chesterfield 1–3 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  47. ^ "Posh awards: Bobby and Britt win top honours - Peterborough Telegraph". Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.

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