 Connell came through the youth academy at Tottenham Hotspur but received his first professional contract from Ipswich Town, despite this he failed to make an appearance and joined Bournemouth in 2002 where despite making over 50 league appearances he was largely used as a back-up striker.This prompted him to move to Torquay United in 2005 after three years with Bournemouth.A year later he moved on again to Hereford United before re-signing for Bournemouth in 2008.