David Unsworth

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David Unsworth
David Unsworth.png
Personal information
Full name David Gerald Unsworth[1]
Date of birth 16 October 1973 (1973-10-16) (age 38)
Place of birth Chorley, England
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position Centre-back, left-back
Youth career
Everton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1991–1997 Everton 116 (11)
1997–1998 West Ham United 32 (2)
1998 Aston Villa 0 (0)
1998–2004 Everton 188 (23)
2004–2005 Portsmouth 15 (2)
2005 → Ipswich Town (loan) 16 (1)
2005–2007 Sheffield United 39 (4)
2007 Wigan Athletic 10 (1)
2007–2008 Burnley 29 (1)
2008–2009 Huddersfield Town 4 (0)
Total 449 (45)
National team‡
1994–1995 England U21 7 (0)
1995 England 1 (0)
Teams managed
2010–2011 Preston North End (caretaker)
2011-2012 Preston North End (caretaker)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12:25, 20 December 2009 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 8 August 2008

David Gerald Unsworth (born 16 October 1973) is an English former footballer who played in the position of centre-back or left-back, and a former first team coach at Preston North End.

He is best remembered for his time at Everton during the 1990s, where he was part of their FA Cup winning team of 1995. He has one full England cap, having played a full international in 1995.

Contents

[edit] Club career

[edit] Everton, West Ham and Villa

Born in Chorley, Unsworth began his career at Everton, and was part of the 1995 FA Cup winning team. After 133 league and cup games over several impressive seasons at Everton, Unsworth transferred to West Ham United for the 1997–98 season. He made his West Ham debut on 23 August 1997 against his old club, Everton. After receiving an ovation from Everton fans, Unsworth was on the losing side as West Ham lost 2-1.[2] After his family failed to settle in London and only one season and 41 games he asked for a move closer to his Merseyside home.[3] Rather than moving back to Merseyside, he was signed by Birmingham-based club Aston Villa for £3 million but his family did not settle in Birmingham. After only a month, before the season had even begun, citing problems with the lenghty commute from his home, he returned to Everton who paid Villa the same £3 million West Ham had accepted only a few weeks before.[3]

[edit] Return to Everton

Unsworth was a consistent performer in his second spell with Everton, being first choice left-back, but also scoring some vital goals in his role as dead-ball specialist, mostly penalties, he became a fan's favourite and still is a shown when he came onto the pitch at Goodison Park to an uproar of "Rhino" which was the nickname he received for his gutsy ruthless playing style and physique. At the end of the 2003–04 season, after a further 216 games and his contract expired, a disagreement with the club over the length of a new contract led to Unsworth leaving on a free transfer. Although his status as a hero waxed and waned during his second spell at The Toffees, 'Rhino' as he was known is still held in affection by the fans. He returned to Goodison Park the following season as a fan and was mobbed by Evertonians as he sat on the Gwladys Street Terrace for the derby game against Liverpool.

[edit] Portsmouth

He was signed by Portsmouth for the 2004–05 season. He made his debut in a 1–1 home draw with Birmingham City, scoring the equaliser from a penalty.[4] He also scored another spot-kick in Portsmouth's famous 2–0 victory over Manchester United in October 2004.[5] However, following the resignation of manager Harry Redknapp, Unsworth lost his place having played just 18 games, and spent the second half of the season on loan at Ipswich Town, making 16 appearances, scoring on his debut against Sheffield United.[6]

[edit] Sheffield United

At the start of the 2005–06 season he was signed by Sheffield United on a three-year contract after it became clear that Ipswich Town could not afford his wages.

[edit] Wigan Athletic

On 5 January 2007, Unsworth signed for Wigan Athletic from Sheffield United on a free transfer.[7] He played his first match on 13 January against Chelsea.[8] Unsworth had fallen down the pecking order at Sheffield United under the management of Neil Warnock, and he had been placed on the transfer list prior to the signing. On the last day of the 2006–07 Premier League season, in a twist of fate, Unsworth would score the penalty that sent down his former club Sheffield United, whilst simultaneously saving his new employers Wigan Athletic from relegation.[9] To make matters worse, Unsworth missed his penalty for United against Blackburn Rovers earlier in the season,[10] which could have made the difference.

[edit] Burnley

Unsworth was released by Wigan at the end of the 2006–07 season on 17 May 2007.[11] On 11 August, he signed for Burnley on a one-year contract,[12] scoring his first goal against Leicester City.[13] At the end of the season, he was offered a new deal as a player/coach by manager Owen Coyle, but he rejected the offer and left the club on 30 June 2008.[14]

[edit] Huddersfield Town

In 2008 he joined Huddersfield Town on trial after rejecting a player-coach role at Burnley. On 8 August 2008, he joined Huddersfield on a one-year deal after impressing in the Terriers' pre-season.[15] He along with five other players made his Town debut in a 1–1 draw against Stockport County at the Galpharm Stadium on 9 August 2008. Unsworth missed a penalty in Towns 2–1 defeat away at Millwall on the 30 August 2008 and dint feature for the terriers agin. He was released from his contract at the Terriers on March 30, 2009 after making four appearances for the Terriers.[16] He announced his retirement from football shortly afterwards.

[edit] International career

Unsworth played for the England under-21's between 1994 and 1995 making 7 appearances. Unsworth was also capped by England at full national team level. The 2–1 victory against Japan at Wembley on 3 June 1995 would, however, be Unsworth's only cap for the national side. Other debutants that day included Gary Neville and Stan Collymore.

He was part of England's U20 squad that finished third at the 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship in Australia. He scored England's first goal in their 2-1 third place play-off win over Australia at the Sydney Football Stadium.[17]

[edit] Coaching career

Unsworth announced his retirement on 3 April 2009.[18] After retiring, Unsworth joined Preston North End as development coach. He was promoted to first team coach following the departure of Alan Irvine, and appointed caretaker manager on 30 December 2010 following the departure of Darren Ferguson,[19] until the arrival of Phil Brown on 6 January 2011. On the dismissal of manager Phil Brown and Brian Horton as assistant manager, Unsworth was appointed caretaker manager in December 2011 with Graham Alexander. On the appointment of new manager Graham Westley, Unsworth was dismissed.[20]

[edit] Career statistics

[21]

Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
1991–92 Everton First Division 2 1 - - - 2 1
1992–93 Premier League 3 0 - - - 3 0
1993–94 8 0 1 0 2 0 - 11 0
1994–95 38 3 4 0 3 0 - 45 3
1995–96 31 2 2 0 - 3 1 36 3
1996–97 34 5 - 2 0 - 36 5
1997–98 West Ham United Premier League 32 2 4 0 5 0 - 41 2
1998–99 Everton Premier League 34 1 3 1 3 0 - 40 2
1999–00 33 6 5 3 1 0 - 39 9
2000–01 29 5 1 0 2 0 - 32 5
2001–02 33 3 3 1 - - 36 4
2002–03 33 6 1 0 3 1 - 37 7
2003–04 26 3 3 0 2 0 - 31 3
2004–05 Portsmouth Premier League 15 2 1 0 3 0 - 19 2
2004–05 Ipswich Town Championship 16 1 - - - 16 1
2005–06 Sheffield United Championship 34 4 - - - 34 4
2006–07 Premier League 5 0 - 1 0 - 6 0
2006–07 Wigan Athletic Premier League 10 1 - - - 10 1
2007–08 Burnley Championship 29 1 - 2 0 - 31 1
2008–09 Huddersfield Town League One 4 0 - - - 4 0
Total England 446 46 28 5 29 1 3 1 509 53
Career total 445 46 28 5 29 1 3 1 509 53

[edit] Honours

FA Cup: Everton 1995

Football League Championship Runners-Up: Sheffield United 2006

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. p. 417. ISBN 9781845964740. 
  2. ^ Walker, Paul (23 August 1997). "Everton 2 West Ham 1". www.sportinglife.com. http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/westham/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/97/08/23/SOCCER_Everton_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=westham&DIV=nat1&TEAM=WEST--HAM&RH=West--Ham&PREV_SEASON=1996. Retrieved 4 January 2012. 
  3. ^ a b McFarland, Ben. "Footballers whose loved ones have told them who to play for". www.guardian.co.uk. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/mar/05/theknowledge.sport. Retrieved 4 January 2012. 
  4. ^ "Portsmouth 1–1 Birmingham". BBC. 14 August 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3553176.stm. Retrieved 7 November 2009. 
  5. ^ "Portsmouth 2–0 Man Utd". BBC. 30 October 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3947403.stm. Retrieved 7 November 2009. 
  6. ^ "Sheff Utd 0–2 Ipswich". BBC. 5 February 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/4218215.stm. Retrieved 7 November 2009. 
  7. ^ "Wigan snap up defender Unsworth". BBC Sport. 5 January 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wigan_athletic/6234613.stm. Retrieved 2007-04-01. 
  8. ^ "Tactical Formation". Football-Lineups.com. http://www.football-lineups.com/wiki/_match3155.php. Retrieved 2007-01-20. 
  9. ^ "Sheff Utd 1–2 Wigan". BBC. 14 May 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6627849.stm. Retrieved 7 November 2009. 
  10. ^ "Sheff Utd 0–0 Blackburn". BBC. 9 September 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/5308200.stm. Retrieved 7 November 2009. 
  11. ^ "Unsworth and De Zeeuw leave Wigan". BBC Sport. 17 May 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wigan_athletic/6665927.stm. Retrieved 2007-05-17. 
  12. ^ BBC Radio Lancashire, 11 August 2007
  13. ^ "Burnley 1–1 Leicester". BBC. 4 December 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7122635.stm. Retrieved 7 November 2009. 
  14. ^ "Unsworth Leaves Burnley". Burnley FC. 30 June 2008. http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/LatestHeadlines/0,,10413~1336183,00.html. Retrieved 2008-06-30. 
  15. ^ Huddersfield Town – Unsworth Signs Up at Town
  16. ^ "Unsworth released by Huddersfield". BBC Sport. 2009-03-30. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/huddersfield_town/7972162.stm. Retrieved 2009-03-30. 
  17. ^ "World Youth Cup (U-20) 1993". RSSSF. http://www.rsssf.com/tablesw/wyc93.html. Retrieved 19 June 2011. 
  18. ^ http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/rhino-retires.html
  19. ^ "David Unsworth made Preston North End caretaker boss". BBC Sport. 2010-12-30. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/preston/9328098.stm. Retrieved 2011-01-11. 
  20. ^ "Preston North End's David Unsworth leaves club whilst Paul Coutts will captain the side". www.clicklancashire.com. http://www.clicklancashire.com/sport/preston-north-end-fc/1211356-preston-north-ends-david-unsworth-leaves-club-whilst-paul-coutts-will-captain-the-side.html. Retrieved 25 January 2012. 
  21. ^ David Unsworth | Burnley | Team | Profiles

[edit] External links
(c) caretaker
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