In his first season at Fratton Park, the central defense made 49 appearances and scored four goals. Rich Hughes was’surprised’ by the player’s title-winning performance.
Conor Shaughnessy’s 89th-minute headed goal against Barnsley sealed the League One title while also finishing a fantastic personal season for the centre-back.
Few expected the superb 27-year-old, who joined on a free transfer from Burton in June 2023, to be such an inspirational signing, including Hughes.
Shaughnessy did not make the 18-man squad for the season’s first match against Bristol Rovers, but he went on to be named Pompey Players’ Player of the Season and EFL League One Team of the Season.
Hughes, who oversaw the Irishman’s recruitment, admitted he didn’t expect the former Leeds player to reach such heights at Fratton Park.
Pompey’s sporting director stated, “We really liked him and felt he could definitely compete alongside a group of center-halves at the top end of League One based on various factors.” The player’s absence from the first game of the season has been widely reported.
‘We had seen a lot of his work at Burton when he was in a three; on occasion, he played as a six in front of the back three due to the nature of their game. We noticed many items that we liked.
‘Shocks had a couple of ankle problems, and we honestly believed that if we could get him out of them, we’d have a centre-back capable of competing at the top of League One.
Were we astonished at how well he performed? Absolutely! We knew he could compete with League One’s elite players, but we didn’t expect him to be unanimously named Players’ Player of the Season and League One Team of the Year.He has completely deserved every award he has received because he has been exceptional, but it is a credit to him and the effort that goes on behind the scenes to assist him.
‘Shocks is careful with his game; he watches things back.
He learns and asks questions – these are the players you want. When they have that much potential for growth, they tend to do really well.
Shaughnessy started 45 of Pompey’s 46 League One games, totaling 49 appearances and four goals.
Of course, the one league game he missed was the opening day 1-1 tie with Bristol Rovers.
Hughes added: ‘Credit to Shocks, he knocked on John’s door after the Bristol Rovers game when he wasn’t in the squad, and then applied himself really well against Forest Green, looking like a really great player.
‘Then he got himself into the team against Leyton Orient and never looked back.
‘We may discuss what we see as a recruitment team – and John and his coaching staff are part of that – but, ultimately, we give the players the opportunity, and they seize it.
‘Shocks took the opportunity, got himself into the team, and then offered John no excuse to leave him out.’
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