Greg Halford

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Greg Halford
Greg Halford (cropped).jpg
Halford playing for Portsmouth
Personal information
Full name Gregory Halford
Date of birth 8 December 1984 (1984-12-08) (age 27)
Place of birth Chelmsford, England
Height 1.94 m (6 ft 4 1⁄2 in)
Playing position Defender
Club information
Current club Portsmouth
Number 15
Youth career
2001–2002 Colchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2002–2007 Colchester United 150 (10)
2003 → Braintree Town (loan) 1 (0)
2007 Reading 3 (1)
2007–2009 Sunderland 8 (2)
2008 → Charlton Athletic (loan) 16 (2)
2008–2009 → Sheffield United (loan) 41 (4)
2009–2011 Wolverhampton Wanderers 17 (0)
2010–2011 → Portsmouth (loan) 33 (5)
2011– Portsmouth 25 (3)
National team
2005 England U20 4 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:50, 28 January 2012 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Gregory "Greg" Halford (born 8 December 1984) is an English footballer who plays for Portsmouth. He is naturally a right wingback or winger, but has played a number of other positions throughout his career, including striker[1] and centre back.[2]

Contents

[edit] Club career

[edit] Colchester United

Halford started his football career in July 2001 when he joined Colchester United's youth team.[3] He signed a professional contract on 1 August 2002,[3] made his first team debut on in a 5–0 home defeat to Luton Town on 21 April 2003,[3] and scored his first senior goal in a 2–1 defeat at home to Hartlepool United.[3]

Halford continued his progress at Colchester, picking up the Young Player of the Year award for the 2004–05 season,[3] and being named in the PFA League One Team of the Year.[4]

In over 150 games in five years for the first team at Layer Road, he gained the reputation of being a 'utility man' having played in defence, midfield and attack for club and country, his last manager, Geraint Williams, preferring to play him at right back. He also had a reputation for a long throw, with a high percentage of Colchester's goals in the 2005–06 season coming from Halford's long throw. He said "I tried measuring it one time – it was half the pitch, 50 yards."[5]

[edit] Reading

After helping the U's to gain promotion to the Championship last term, Halford handed in a transfer request in August 2006 after interest from several Premier League clubs. Keen to prove himself at a higher level, the England U20 international stated his wish to play in the Premier League, but the transfer request was rejected despite Halford reporting that Colchester had received a "big offer" from Sheffield United. He was linked with a number of Premier League clubs, but on 30 January 2007, Reading completed the signing of Halford for an undisclosed fee,[6] believed to be at least £2.25million,[7] on a contract that would keep him at Reading until June 2010. His debut for Reading came as a substitute appearance in their 0–0 home draw with Portsmouth on 17 March 2007, where he played for the last few minutes on the left wing.[8] He made his full debut in Reading's 1–0 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur on 1 April 2007, where he conceded a penalty due to a controversial hand ball decision.[9]

[edit] Sunderland

Halford signed a four year deal with Sunderland after making only three appearances for Reading in his short spell there. He was confirmed as Sunderland's first signing of the summer transfer window on 11 June 2007, and cost the club £3.5 million. Roy Keane had previously tracked Halford and was extremely pleased to capture him, rating him very highly and expecting much from him in the 2007–08 season.[10] Reading's Director of Football, Nick Hammond, revealed that Halford had not fitted in with the rest of the Reading squad, and had failed to make the impact both Reading and Halford had desired.[11]

He made his debut for Sunderland on 15 August 2007 in a 2–2 draw with Birmingham City at St Andrews.[12] However, on 11 January 2008, it was announced that Sunderland would listen to offers, following reported interest in him from Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic.[13] He moved on loan to Charlton at the end of January 2008,[14] scoring twice against West Bromwich Albion[15] and Wolverhampton Wanderers.[16]

[edit] Sheffield United

On 2 July 2008, Halford moved to Championship side Sheffield United a season-long loan[17] and subsequently made his debut for them in the opening game of the season at Birmingham City.[18] Halford scored his first goal for the club against Blackpool on 23 August.[19] His goal in the semi-final play-off against Preston North End meant that Sheffield United earned a place in the 2008–09 playoff final.[citation needed]

[edit] Wolverhampton Wanderers

Halford signed for newly-promoted Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers on 3 July 2009 in a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[20] He made his debut on 15 August 2009 against West Ham United, going on to make 17 Premier League appearances for Wolves, along with three in cup competitions. He mostly played on the right of midfield or at right back. As with earlier in his career, long throw-ins were a strong feature of his game.[21][22]

[edit] Portsmouth

Unable to stake a claim to regular football at Molineux he went out on loan at Championship side Portsmouth in October 2010 for two months. He made his debut for the Fratton Park club in a victory over Millwall and scored his first goal for the club on 23 October 2010 when he struck the winner in a 2–1 win at Hull City. On November 17, the loan was extended for one-month.[23]

In January 2011, Halford rejoined Portsmouth on a loan until the end of the season.[24] He was used mostly as a centre back in 2011, with fellow loanee Ritchie De Laet preferred at right back.

On 11 July 2011, Halford joined Portsmouth on a permanent basis for a fee believed to be in the region of £1m, signing a three-year deal.[25]

[edit] International career

Halford has been capped for England at U20 level, making his debut against Portugal in the Toulon Tournament on 4 June 2005,[26] and scoring his first international goal in a 3–0 win against South Korea on 6 June 2005.[27]

[edit] Career statistics

[28]

As of 27 August 2011.
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other[29] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Colchester 2002–03 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2003–04 18 4 2 0 0 0 4 0 24 4
2004–05 44 4 5 4 3 1 1 0 53 9
2005–06 45 7 5 1 1 0 4 0 55 8
2006–07 28 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 30 3
Total 136 18 13 5 5 1 9 0 163 24
Reading 2006–07 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Total 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Sunderland 2007–08 8 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 9 0
Total 8 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 9 0
Charlton (loan) 2007–08 16 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 2
Total 16 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 2
Sheffield Utd (loan) 2007–08 41 4 4 3 1 0 3 1 49 8
Total 41 4 4 3 1 0 3 1 49 8
Wolves 2009–10 15 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 16 0
Total 15 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 16 0
Portsmouth (loan) 2010–11 35 5 0 0 2 0 0 0 37 5
Portsmouth 2011–12 13 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 14 1
Total 46 6 0 0 3 0 0 0 49 6

[edit] References

  1. ^ Sheffield United F.C. - Plymouth vs Sheffield Utd: "it was quickly apparent that Halford was partnering Lupoli in attack with Cotterill and Webber supporting from the flanks."
  2. ^ Portsmouth.co.uk - Rocha: Fatigue behind Boro blank: "Rocha’s pairing with Greg Halford has looked a solid combination in Pompey’s recent run."
  3. ^ a b c d e "Halford makes rapid return to Colchester to say goodbye to players & fans". Reading F.C.. 5 February 2007. http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~976122,00.html. Retrieved 5 February 2007. 
  4. ^ "The PFA Team of the Year: Coca-Cola League One". Professional Footballers' Association. 23 April 2006. Archived from the original on 20 October 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20061020114601/http://www.givemefootball.com/display.cfm?article=8212&type=1. Retrieved 5 February 2007. 
  5. ^ "Halford out to impress". Sky Sports. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11673_2404366,00.html. Retrieved 30 December 2007. 
  6. ^ "Royals pay new club record transfer fee to sign Colchester's Greg Halford". Reading F.C.. 30 January 2007. http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~973219,00.html. Retrieved 30 January 2007. 
  7. ^ "Halford: 'no pressure' from price tag". BBC Berkshire. 3 February 2007. http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/content/articles/2007/02/02/readingfc_070202_feature.shtml. Retrieved 3 April 2008. 
  8. ^ "Royals take a point from a disappointing game against Portsmouth". Reading F.C.. 17 March 2007. http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~998534,00.html. Retrieved 18 March 2007. 
  9. ^ "Highly controversial penalty decision gives Spurs a narrow victory". Reading F.C.. 1 April 2007. http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1005147,00.html. Retrieved 2 April 2007. 
  10. ^ "Halford seals Black Cats move". Sky Sports. 11 June 2007. http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=471316&CPID=8&clid=108&lid=2&title=Halford+seals+Black+Cats+move. Retrieved 11 June 2007. 
  11. ^ "Halford moves to Sunderland". Reading F.C.. 11 June 2007. http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1034954,00.html. Retrieved 11 June 2007. 
  12. ^ "Birmingham 2–2 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 15 August 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6941801.stm. Retrieved 29 August 2007. 
  13. ^ "Keane set to sell Halford". Evening Chronicle. 11 January 2008. http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/sunderland-afc/safc-news/tm_headline=keane-set-to-sell-halford&method=full&objectid=20339714&siteid=72703-name_page.html. Retrieved 14 January 2008. 
  14. ^ "Charlton snap up Halford on loan". BBC Sport. 31 January 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/charlton_athletic/7220117.stm. Retrieved 31 January 2008. 
  15. ^ "Charlton 1–1 West Brom". BBC Sport. 21 March 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7298082.stm. Retrieved 9 November 2009. 
  16. ^ "Charlton 2–3 Wolves". BBC Sport. 29 March 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7309391.stm. Retrieved 9 November 2009. 
  17. ^ "Boss makes double swoop". Sheffield United F.C.. 2 July 2008. http://www.sufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10418~1337595,00.html. Retrieved 2 July 2008. 
  18. ^ "Birmingham City 1 Sheffield United 0". The Star. 9 August 2008. http://www.thestar.co.uk/blades/Birmingham-City-1--Sheffield.4375099.jp. Retrieved 10 August 2008. 
  19. ^ "Blackpool 1–3 Sheff Utd". BBC Sport. 23 August 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7565035.stm. Retrieved 24 August 2008. 
  20. ^ "Hat Trick Halford!". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.. 3 July 2009. http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~1712716,00.html. 
  21. ^ http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10307~22871,00.html
  22. ^ http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~2388560,00.html
  23. ^ "Portsmouth extend Halford loan". BBC Sport. 17 November 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/9198641.stm. 
  24. ^ "Portsmouth re-sign Wolverhampton Wanderers' Halford". BBC Sport. 13 January 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/9359686.stm. 
  25. ^ "Portsmouth sign Greg Halford from Wolves". BBC. 11 July 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14113649.stm. 
  26. ^ "Portugal edge Toulon win". The Football Association. 4 June 2005. http://www.thefa.com/England/U20s/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2005/06/Toulon_EnglandvPortugal.htm. Retrieved 5 February 2007. [dead link]
  27. ^ "England through to semis". The Football Association. 6 June 2005. http://www.thefa.com/England/U20s/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2005/06/EngU20_vSouthKorea_MR.htm. Retrieved 5 February 2007. [dead link]
  28. ^ Greg Halford career stats at Soccerbase
  29. ^ Including Football League Trophy, Football League play-offs and UEFA Cup

[edit] External links
Portsmouth F.C. – current squad
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