Greening was born in Scarborough and began his career with York City in 1996 making 27 appearances and scoring 2 goals for the club. His early performances brought him to the attention of the Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. Following a successful trial, he signed for United in March 1998. As a Manchester United fan himself, he had no hesitation in signing and did so without an agent. He says that “It was a dream come true.”

He immediately found himself training with the first team squad making his first team debut in a 2-0 win against Bury in the League Cup in October 1998. His Premier League debut followed two months later in a 3-0 victory at home to Nottingham Forest.

At the conclusion of the 1998-99 season he was part of the squad that won the treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. Then in August 1999, he appeared as a substitute in a 1-0 defeat to Lazio in the UEFA Super Cup in Monaco. In total, he made 27 appearances for United.

Although he signed a new contract at the start of the 1999-2000 season, appearances were limited resulting in a transfer in August 2001 to Middlesbrough who were managed by Steve McClaren, the former Manchester United Assistant Manager. Over the next three seasons, he made 109 appearances for Middlesbrough scoring 4 goals and was named Club Player of the Year in 2002-03. He was also part of the 2004 League Cup winning squad.

Prior to the start of the 2004-05 season, Greening signed for West Bromwich Albion where he remained for four seasons making 224 appearances, scoring 8 goals. In 2007-08, he was named Captain and the club were promoted to the Premier League as Champions. At the conclusion of the season he was named in the Championship PFA Team of the Year.

The following season he signed on loan to Fulham, where he made 34 appearances and scored one goal. In particular he appeared as a substitute in the 2010 UEFA Europa League Cup Final defeat to Atletico Madrid. Although he signed a permanent contract with Fulham for the 2010-11 season, his appearances were limited.

It was therefore no surprise when he rejoined his former manager Steve McClaren at Nottingham Forest in July 2011. In the next 3 seasons, he made 55 appearances and commenced his coaching career with the Under 21 team. Further short spells followed at Barnsley and York City and he had two stints in the North East Counties League with Tadcaster Albion before retiring in 2017.

His performances at Manchester United and Middlesbrough also brought him international recognition. He made one appearance for the England Under 18 side, followed by 17 appearances for the Under 21’s between 1999 and 2002. He was in the England squad for the UEFA Under 21 Championships and played in a 3-1 defeat to Portugal. Then, in November 2002, he was called up to the full squad by Sven Goran Eriksson, but did not make an appearance.

Jonathan is a UEFA ‘A’ licensed coach and acts as a mentor for students on a pro level coaching programme with i2i International Soccer Academy based in York.

See Jonathan as part of the Manchester United Legends here at Emley on April 5th. Buy your tickets online here, in person at The Wentworth (opposite the football club) or phone 01484 506940