Quick Facts
Biography
Dean James Heffernan (born 19 May 1980 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) is a professional football (soccer) player who plays for Bankstown City in the National Premier Leagues NSW 2.
Currently the Technical Director with the Central Coast Football Academy working with Matt Crowell
Club career
With the Central Coast Mariners he scored 8 goals from left back in 24 games and was subsequently named in FourFourTwo's A-League dream team. In March 2006 he and team mate Michael Beauchamp had a ten-day trial with German Bundesliga club Nuremberg. On 1 July 2006 both players transferred to Nuremberg on season-long loans. Dean has struggled to get senior games only appearing on the bench for the first team, although he played 8 games in the Reserves scoring 5 goals.
Heffernan suffered a broken leg during the Mariners 4–5 loss to Sydney FC on 22 December 2007, due to a tackle by Ufuk Talay. As a result, he was unable to play in the rest of the 2007–08 A-League season. Since returning from fracturing his tibia, he was selected twice for the Socceroos and was a stand out for his club the Mariners in their 2010 Asian Champions League campaign.
With the Central Coast Mariners in the 2009–10 he had another stand out season, where he was named in the PFA team of the year and Four Four Two team of the year. Also scoring his first international goal for Australia against Kuwait. On 26 November 2009 Heffernan joined new A-league side, Melbourne Heart on a multi-year deal.
Huddersfield Town
Prior to joining Melbourne Heart, Heffernan joined English side Huddersfield Town in Football League One to help prepare for a World Cup call up for the Socceroos. He completed the deal on 28 January 2010 after receiving his international clearance. On 30 January 2010 He made his debut for the Terriers in their 1–0 win against Yeovil Town at Huish Park. His first home game for Huddersfield was in their 1–1 draw with Carlisle United. Heffernan's last game for the Terriers was in their 4–3 win over Walsall. After Town lost in the play-offs, Heffernan returned to Australia to join his new team-mates at Melbourne Heart after making 15 appearances for the Terriers.
Melbourne Heart
Heffernan left Huddersfield Town in the wake of their 2–0 defeat to Millwall in the play-off semi final. Heffernan had already signed for Melbourne Heart prior to joining Huddersfield so will play in the 2010–11 season for the Melbourne Heart. At Heart, he played most games in the first half of the season, but after getting sent off, his position was covered by Aziz Behich and he was not included in the starting lineup for many games afterwards.
Perth Glory
On 25 February 2011, Heffernan moved to A-League side Perth Glory for the 2011–12 season. He will join Perth Glory for pre season training in August after he completes a short term loan deal with Chinese Super League club Liaoning Whowin.
Liaoning Whowin
On 30 August 2011, it was announced Perth Glory had agreed to release Heffernan after the player decided he'd like to remain with Liaoning Whowin after the end of his loan deal.
Return to Perth Glory
On 3 January 2012 it was announced that he had returned to A-League club Perth Glory.
Western Sydney Wanderers
On Friday 28 June 2013 it was announced that Heffernan had signed a 1-year contract to play for Western Sydney Wanderers, following a short stint with Illawarra Premier League club Dapto Dandaloo Fury.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | A-League | Finals | Asia | Other1 | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Central Coast Mariners | 2005–06 | 19 | 7 | 4 | 1 | - | - | 5 | 0 | 28 | 8 |
| Club | Season | Bundesliga | German Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||
| 1. FC Nuremberg | 2006–07 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| Club | Season | A-League | Finals | Asia | Other1 | Total | |||||
| Central Coast Mariners | 2007–08 | 16 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 0 | 19 | 1 |
| 2008–09 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 | |
| 2009–10 | 20 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 20 | 1 | |
| Club subtotal | 61 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 81 | 10 | |
| Club | Season | League One | FA Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||
| Huddersfield Town | 2009–10 | 15 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 15 | 0 |
| Club | Season | A-League | Finals | Asia | Other | Total | |||||
| Melbourne Heart | 2010–11 | 13 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 13 | 0 |
| Club | Season | Chinese Super League | Chinese FA Cup | Asia | Other | Total | |||||
| Liaoning Whowin | 2011 | 22 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 22 | 0 |
| Club | Season | A-League | Finals | Asia | Other | Total | |||||
| Perth Glory | 2011–12 | 14 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 14 | 1 |
| Total | 128 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 145 | 11 | |
- NOTE: teams in Italics indicate loan period
1Includes A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup.
International career
Heffernan was selected to be part of the Socceroos in the Australia versus Argentina game on 11 September 2007. He got his first senior international cap for the Socceroos on 28 January 2009 in an AFC Asian Cup qualifying match versus Indonesia at the Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. He was then again selected for the Socceroos in January 2010 in an AFC Asian Cup qualifying match versus Kuwait. Heffernan scored in the fifth minute to open his international scoring account and help his side to a 2–2 draw.
| Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 January 2010 | Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Al Kuwayt, Kuwait |  Kuwait | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| # | Date | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Game time | Match Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29 January 2009 |  Indonesia | 0–0 | Draw | 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification |  76' | Report |
| 2 | 6 January 2010 | Kuwait | 2–2 | Draw | 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification | Full game | Report |
Honours
With Central Coast Mariners:
A-League Premiership: 2007–08
