Luke Varney

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Luke Varney
LukeVarney.JPG
Varney at Charlton Athletic
Personal information
Full name Luke Ivan Varney
Date of birth 28 September 1982 (1982-09-28) (age 29)
Place of birth Leicester, England
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Playing position Striker / Winger
Club information
Current club Portsmouth
Number 11
Youth career
Quorn
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2000–2003 Quorn 33 (25)
2003–2007 Crewe Alexandra 95 (27)
2007–2009 Charlton Athletic 57 (10)
2008–2009 → Derby County (loan) 7 (1)
2009–2011 Derby County 5 (0)
2009–2010 → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 43 (11)
2010–2011 → Blackpool (loan) 30 (5)
2011– Portsmouth 17 (5)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 08:39, 4 March 2012 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Luke Ivan Varney (born 28 September 1982) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Portsmouth. He started his career with non-league Quorn, a club in his home county of Leicestershire, before moving to league football with Crewe Alexandra. His performances during Crewe's 2006/07 campaign, when Varney was named in the League One "Team of the Year" despite Crewe finishing only mid-table and scored against Manchester United in the League Cup saw him come to the attentions of bigger clubs and consecutive £1m-plus transfers to the Championship followed, as he joined Charlton Athletic and then Derby County. He had made over 200 league appearances, and scored his 50th career league goal, and career first top-flight goal, in the Premier League, with a 76th minute strike against Fulham on his debut for Blackpool.

Contents

[edit] Career

[edit] Crewe Alexandra

Varney was born in Leicester, and began his career as a semi-professional footballer at non-league level with Quorn before being spotted by Crewe's assistant manager Neil Baker. The Englishman signed for the Railwaymen in 2003 and spent four years at the club, appearing in 95 league games and scoring 27 goals. Varney signed for Crewe Alexandra from non-league Quorn F.C. in 2003 for £50,000. Varney's deal also had a 20% sell-on clause with the Leicestershire club.[2] Whilst at Quorn, he worked as a quality controller at a factory.[3] Varney made his Crewe debut five months later in a 3–1 away defeat to Wimbledon. The young Englishman also managed to get his first goal for the club four games after his debut in Crewe's 3–1 away win over Crystal Palace, Dean Ashton scoring the other two goals for The Railwaymen. Unfortunately, Varney picked up a shoulder injury during January 2004, denying him a chance of making any further appearances during the rest of the 2003–04 season.[4]

Varney recovered from his injury in time for the following season, making 26 appearances for Crewe, scoring four goals in those appearances. The striker also picked up two yellow cards during the course of the year. He became more involved in the first team during the 2004–05 season, making 27 appearances and scoring five goals.

In 2006, Crewe Alexandra were relegated to League One. Varney would make his name during the 2006–07 season, scoring 25 goals in all competitions during the season, which saw the Englishman take the honour of the League's third top goalscorer. Varney also formed a notable partnership with Nicky Maynard, as the two became League One's most productive partnership, scoring a total of 44 goals between them.

However, it was Varney's performance against Manchester United in the League Cup that gained attention from the bigger clubs as during the weeks following the game, which saw Varney score the goal that forced extra time,[5] FA Premier League clubs such as Portsmouth were reported to be interested in signing him.[6] On the contrary, however, Varney himself played down any talk of him moving clubs.[7] Varney's season however was cut short in March 2007 after breaking his toe in Crewe's 1–1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.

[edit] Charlton Athletic

Varney completed a move to Charlton Athletic for £2 million in May 2007 with a percentage of the fee going to Quorn, rising to £2.5 million depending on appearances.[8] Charlton manager Alan Pardew commented that "Luke is an exciting young player and perfectly fits the mould of a Charlton player".[8] "The deal was done very quickly" Dario Gradi recalled,[9] "Alan [Pardew] rang me out of the blue really and asked me about Luke. It was a surprise because I had no indication that they were interested before. I said what we wanted for him and then we discussed his strengths and his weaknesses" he added.[9] Varney's first goal for the Addicks came against Leicester City in September 2007, the club he had supported as a boy.[10] Varney scored 8 goals in 39 league appearances. In the 2008–09 season, Varney made a further 18 league appearances, scoring twice, joining Derby County on loan. .

[edit] Derby County

Varney while at Derby County

He signed for Derby County on loan on 27 November 2008 with a view to a £1m transfer in January 2009. On 6 December he scored on his home debut for Derby in a match against Crystal Palace. The move became permanent in January 2009 for a fee of just over £1 million.[11] After suffering from various niggling injuries, illness and a loss of form, Varney joined Sheffield Wednesday on a month's loan on 20 March 2009.[12] Varney made 4 appearances at Wednesday, scoring 2 goals – a brace against Southampton. He returned to Derby on 21 April 2009, saying that "The loan was enjoyable and now I’m fit and ready to put my all into the last few games with Derby. It feels like a fresh start, a clean slate. When you go out on loan you do think "am I needed here (at Derby)?", but the manager said I was 100% in his plans for next season. It has been an unsettling season as a whole coming from Charlton, the quick change of manager at Derby, and the injuries and illness. But I wish the season was not about to end because I’ve come into a bit of form and I’m enjoying my football." [13] He rejoined Sheffield Wednesday on a four-month loan on August 21, 2009. On his return to Derby he hinted at a return to Sheffield Wednesday either on loan or permanently, Sheffield Wednesday caretaker manager Sean Mcauley also hinted at this.[14] New permanent Wednesday manager Alan Irvine signed Varney on loan for the remainder of the season on January 21, 2010.[15] Despite Varney's goals he was unable to prevent Sheffield Wednesday slipping to relegation on the final day of the 2009–10 season and returned to Derby his future still very much up in the air.

Prior to the 2010/11 season, Varney was linked with a move to Southampton[16] but remained at Derby and played a part in the club's pre-season preparations, albeit often employed out of position at right back.[17] When employed up front, he put in a Man of the Match display during Derby's 3–1 Bass Charity Vase, scoring twice.[18] Despite this, he was still linked with a move away from the club, with Q.P.R. and Crewe Alexandra amongst those expressing an interest[19] before he made a surprise return to the Derby side with his first Derby appearance since 18 August 2010, and his first start since May 2009, in a 1–2 defeat to Cardiff City on 14 August 2010, in which he provided Tomasz Cywka for the Derby goal.[20]

[edit] Blackpool (loan)

On 27 August 2010, Varney joined newly-promoted Premier League club Blackpool on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent deal in the region of £500,000.[21] The following day he scored on his debut in the Seasiders first Premier League match at Bloomfield Road, a 2–2 draw with Fulham.[22] He scored his second league goal on 3 October 2010 as Blackpool defeated Liverpool 2–1 at Anfield with Varney's first half goal proving to be the winner, In a performance which saw him named in the week seven 2010–11 Premier League Team of the Week, alongside teammate Charlie Adam.[23][24] After scoring four times in his opening 11 appearances, Blackpool confirmed their desire to sign Varney on a permanent deal in the January 2011 transfer window.[25] Manager Ian Holloway claimed that Blackpool had a "massive clause" in the loan deal which meant they could sign Varney for just £250,000 in the January 2011 transfer window, though Derby denied this saying Varney could be sold to any club and that no deal is in place with Blackpool.[26] Varney scored his fifth for the club with the second in a 2-2 draw at Bolton Wanderers on 22 November 2010 before embarking on a fifteen match goalless run which saw him dropped to the bench for the 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle United on April 23, 2011. After appearing as a substitute versus Newcastle, and the following game against Stoke City, Varney made just one appearance in the remaining three games of the campaign, coming on for the last 15 minutes in a 4-2 defeat against Manchester United which confirmed Blackpool's relegation from the Premier League after one season.[27] Varney ended the season with 5 goals from 30 appearances, but enduring an 18-game goalless streak.

[edit] Portsmouth

After lengthy speculation,[28] it was confirmed on 6 July 2011, that Varney would join Portsmouth for a fee of £750,000.[29] Varney scored his first league goal for Portsmouth on the 6th August 2011 against Middlesbrough.He then scored his second goal for the club in a 4-3 away defeat to West Ham, deflecting in off Carlton Cole, after he volleyed Liam Lawrence's corner.[30] Most recently, he has been moved up front in a 4-4-2 formation after the departure of Steve Cotterill, where has scored 3 goals in 3 games, once in a televised home 2-0 victory over Barnsley,[31] and then a brace, again at home, in a 3-1 victory over Doncaster.[32]

[edit] Career statistics

As of match played 5 November 2011
All-time Club Performance
Club Season Domestic
League		 FA Cup League Cup Other[33] Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Portsmouth 2011–12 13 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 14 5
Total Subtotal 13 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 14 5
Blackpool (loan) 2010–11 30 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 5
Total Subtotal 30 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 5
Derby County 2010–11 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total Subtotal 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 2009–10 39 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 39 9
Total Subtotal 39 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 39 9
Derby County 2009–10 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
Total Subtotal 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 2008–09 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 2
Total Subtotal 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 2
Derby County 2008–09 10 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 12 1
Total Subtotal 10 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 12 1
Charlton Athletic 2008–09 18 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 19 3
2007–08 39 8 2 0 1 0 0 0 42 8
Total Subtotal 57 10 2 0 2 0 0 0 61 10
Crewe Alexandra 2006–07 34 17 0 0 3 1 5 7 42 25
2005–06 27 5 1 0 1 0 0 0 29 5
2004–05 26 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 27 4
2003–04 8 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 10 1
Total Subtotal 95 27 3 0 5 1 5 7 108 35
Career Total 03–present 250 59 7 0 9 1 5 7 271 67

[edit] Career honours and achievements

Crewe Alexandra
Individual

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Premier League Player Profile". Premier League. http://www.premierleague.com/page/PlayerProfile/0,,12306~23693,00.html. Retrieved 15 March 2011. 
  2. ^ "The stakes are high as Reds meet Quorn". F.C. United of Manchester. http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/feature.php?feature_id=137. Retrieved 2007-03-14. 
  3. ^ Turbervill, Huw (24 August 2008). "Luke Varney lives up to star billing as Charlton defeat Reading". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/championship/2614977/Luke-Varney-lives-up-to-star-billing-as-Charlton-defeat-Reading---Football.html. Retrieved 2008-08-24. [dead link]
  4. ^ "Varney Completes Charlton Switch". Crewe Alexandra F.C.. 21 May 2007. http://www.crewealex.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10414~1027870,00.html. Retrieved 2007-05-22. 
  5. ^ "Crewe 1–2 Man Utd (aet)". BBC Sport. 2006-10-25. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6072610.stm. Retrieved 2009-04-21. 
  6. ^ Sunday's (29 October 2006) football gossip BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 January 2007
  7. ^ "Varney brushes off transfer talk" BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 January 2007
  8. ^ a b "Addicks Wrap Up Striker Deals". Sky Sports. 21 May 2007. http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=467732&CPID=10&clid=99&lid=2&title=Addicks+wrap+up+striker+deals&channel=football_home&. Retrieved 2007-05-21. 
  9. ^ a b "Deal Was Done Quickly". Crewe Alexandra F.C.. 22 May 2007. http://www.crewealex.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10414~1028406,00.html. Retrieved 2007-05-22. 
  10. ^ "Late starter eyes early goal". Charlton Athletic F.C.. 21 September 2007. http://www.cafc.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=31287&newstype=x. Retrieved 2007-09-24. 
  11. ^ Hudd, Tony (29 December 2008). "Varney stays at Pride Park". Kent Online. http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/newsarchive.aspx?articleid=53998. Retrieved 2011-09-18. 
  12. ^ "Wednesday snap up striker Varney". BBC Sport. 2009-03-20. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_wed/7955611.stm. Retrieved 2009-03-20. 
  13. ^ "Varney: A fresh chance to shine". TheRams.co.uk. 2009-04-21. http://therams.co.uk/stories/varney-a-fresh-chance-to-shine. Retrieved 2009-04-21. 
  14. ^ "Varney returns on half-season loan". swfc.co.uk. 2009-08-21. http://www.swfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10304~1763344,00.html. Retrieved 2009-08-21. 
  15. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday re-sign Derby County's Luke Varney". BBC Sport. 2010-01-21. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_wed/8472240.stm. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
  16. ^ "Owls' demise leaves Luke in limbo". Eat Sleep Sport. 2010-05-04. http://www.eatsleepsport.com/derby-county/owls-demise-leaves-luke-in-limbo-1058959.html?. 
  17. ^ "Southend 1 – 1 Derby". Vital Football. 2010-07-09. http://www.derby.vitalfootball.co.uk/matchrep.asp?a=205388. 
  18. ^ "Burton 1 – 3 Derby". dcfc.co.uk. 2010-07-28. http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2104903,00.html. 
  19. ^ "Derby 1–2 Cardiff". BBC Sport. 2010-08-14. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8901705.stm. 
  20. ^ "Varney Joins Blackpool On Loan". Derby County F.C.. 27 August 2010. http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2134764,00.html. Retrieved 28 August 2010. 
  21. ^ "Blackpool 2–2 Fulham". BBC Sport. 28 August 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8946230.stm. Retrieved 28 August 2010. 
  22. ^ http://www.premierleague.com/page/TeamOfTheWeek/0,,12306~2175276,00.html
  23. ^ "Pressure mounts on Roy Hodgson as Liverpool lose to Blackpool". Guardian. 2010-10-03. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/oct/03/liverpool-blackpool-premier-league. Retrieved 2010-10-04. 
  24. ^ "Blackpool to seal Luke Varney move in January after he proves value-for-money". Daily Mail. 22 November 2010. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1331844/Blackpool-seal-Luke-Varney-January-proves-value-money.html. 
  25. ^ "Luke Varney move to Blackpool not done deal – Derby". BBC Sport. 24 November 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/9223668.stm. 
  26. ^ "Relegation Torment For Varney". dcfc.co.uk. 23 May 2011. http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2364998,00.html?. 
  27. ^ "Pompey set to replace Nugent with Blackpool hero". mirrorfootball.co.uk. 21 June 2011. http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/transfer-news/Portsmouth-set-to-replace-David-Nugent-with-Derby-striker-Blackpool-hero-Luke-Varney-article751178.html?. 
  28. ^ "Cotterill hails double swoop". portsmouth.co.uk. 6 July 2011. http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/pompey-past/great-matches/cotterill_hails_double_swoop_1_2835257. 
  29. ^ http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/LatestNews/news/West-Ham-4-Pompey-3-2545.aspx
  30. ^ http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/LatestNews/news/Pompey-2-Barnsley-0-2674.aspx
  31. ^ http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/LatestNews/news/Donny-Destroyer-s-Delight-2714.aspx
  32. ^ Includes Football League Trophy

[edit] External links

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