Craig Bellamy: Difference between revisions
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He made his senior debut for Wales in 1998 and since then has turned out a total of 69 times for his country, scoring 19 goals, though 14 years on he has still yet to play in a major international tournament. He was a member of the Great Britain Olympic Football Team at the 2012 Games in [[London]], appearing five times and scoring once. |
He made his senior debut for Wales in 1998 and since then has turned out a total of 69 times for his country, scoring 19 goals, though 14 years on he has still yet to play in a major international tournament. He was a member of the Great Britain Olympic Football Team at the 2012 Games in [[London]], appearing five times and scoring once. |
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==Club career== |
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===Norwich City=== |
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Bellamy began his footballing career as a nine-year-old at [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]], and spent two years at the club before being brought into the youth system of [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-478100/Bellamy-keen-Rovers-return.html |title=Bellamy keen on Rovers return |work=Daily Mail |date=27 August 2007 |accessdate=9 July 2008 | location=London}}</ref> |
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His first team debut for the Canaries came at [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] on 15 March 1997. The 18 year-old Bellamy became a first team regular during the [[1997–98 in English football|1997–98]] season, making 38 appearances with 13 goals. On 22 August 1998, Bellamy scored Norwich's 5000th league goal in competitive football, scoring the second (a penalty) in the Canaries 4–2 win over [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] Despite this personal high, he missed two months of that season through injury after a clash with [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] defender [[Kevin Muscat]], but still managed to have a successful season, amassing 17 goals in 38 appearances. |
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[[1999-2000 in English football|1999–2000]] again saw Bellamy miss a substantial amount of the season after sustaining a knee injury during a pre-season game against [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]]. He only returned to action in April 2000, though still managed to find the net twice in the final four games of the season following his comeback. The summer of 2000 saw much transfer speculation surrounding Bellamy with [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]], [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]], [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] and [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]] all reportedly interested. Bellamy eventually completed a move to [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] for a sum of £6,500,000, financed through the sale of [[Robbie Keane]] to [[F.C. Internazionale Milano|Inter Milan]] for a fee of around £13,000,000 in the same summer. In 2002, Norwich fans voted Bellamy into the [[Norwich City F.C. Hall of Fame|Norwich City Hall of Fame]]. |
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===Coventry City=== |
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After becoming the club's record signing,<ref>{{cite web|author=Adrian Milledge at Highfield Road |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2000/dec/11/match.coventry |title=Relief for Strachan as Sky Blues move out of relegation zone | Football |publisher=The Guardian |date= }}</ref> Bellamy had a poor start to his career with Coventry, scoring only three league goals by the start of December, two of which were penalties. On 10 December 2000, he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 victory over [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] to gain his side a crucial three points. Bellamy's form improved after the arrival of his Wales strike partner [[John Hartson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11710_2208836,00.html |title=BELLAMY NOT WILD ON NATIONWIDE | Coventry City News, Fixtures, Results, Transfers |publisher=Sky Sports |date= }}</ref> However, Coventry were relegated at the end of the 2000–01 season as the team finished 19th in the Premier League, ending 34 consecutive years in the English top flight. Bellamy ended his only season at the club with a disappointing 8 goals from 39 appearances. |
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After leaving the club Bellamy was quoted as saying "I never once enjoyed it at Coventry. I felt quite demoralised. I had enjoyed myself so much at Norwich – but I found I had taken a backward step."<ref>{{cite web|last=Phillips |first=Terry |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city/cardiff-city-fc/2010/10/18/craig-bellamy-prepared-for-hot-coventry-reception-91466-27490380/ |title=Craig Bellamy prepared for hot Coventry reception - Cardiff City News - Cardiff City - Football |publisher=WalesOnline |date= }}</ref> |
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===Newcastle United=== |
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Bellamy moved to [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] in July 2001. [[Sir Bobby Robson]] later wrote that he was "a great player wrapped round an unusual and volatile character."<ref name="Robson 2009-10-23">{{cite book|last=Robson|first=Bobby|coauthors=Paul Hayward|title=Farewell but not Goodbye|publisher=Hodder & Stoughton|year=2005|page=214|chapter=Jekyll and Hyde|isbn=0-340-82346-1}}</ref> His Newcastle career got off to a flying start as he scored on his home debut in their 1–0 win over Belgian side [[K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen|Lokeren]] in the Intertoto Cup in July. |
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Bellamy scored his first [[Premier League]] goal for Newcastle in the [[Tyne–Wear derby]] at [[St James' Park]], making him an instant crowd favourite.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1930876.stm |title=BBC SPORT | ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP | Bellamy's transformation |publisher=BBC News |date=15 April 2002 }}</ref> On 18 December 2001, Bellamy was sent off for the first time as a Newcastle United player in a 3–1 win at [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1711251.stm |title=BBC SPORT | ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP | Newcastle hit top spot |publisher=BBC News |date=18 December 2001 }}</ref> Under manager [[Bobby Robson]] he formed a very productive striking partnership with [[Alan Shearer]], Bellamy's pace complementing the former [[England national football team|England]] captain's guile. At the end of his first season, Bellamy had scored 14 goals for the Magpies, and was awarded the [[PFA Young Player of the Year]] award. |
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At the start of his second season at Newcastle, Bellamy again opened his goalscoring account in a home derby with [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/2269779.stm |title=BBC SPORT | Football | Eng Prem | Newcastle sink Sunderland |publisher=BBC News |date=21 September 2002 }}</ref> |
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During his second season Bellamy also made his [[UEFA Champions League]] debut. On 13 November 2002, he scored two goals, including a 90th minute winner, in a 3–2 win over [[Feyenoord Rotterdam|Feyenoord]], which took Newcastle through to the second group stage of the tournament].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2002/nov/14/championsleague.sport3?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487|title=Newcastle celebrate Bellamy's £10m jackpot winner|date=14 November 2002|work=Guardian|accessdate=6 March 2012}}</ref> |
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In the next match in the group, a 4–1 home defeat to [[Internazionale]], he was sent off for kicking out at Inter defender [[Marco Materazzi]], which resulted in a three-match ban. |
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In March 2004, he threw a chair at then first-team coach [[John Carver (footballer)|John Carver]] after a public falling out between the two. The altercation occurred with the club on the way to play a [[Uefa Cup]] fixture with [[Real Mallorca]] and Bellamy refused to travel. However, [[Sir Bobby Robson]] managed to persuade him to come after a lengthy discussion. Bellamy praised Robson's man management abiity for his handling of the incident.<ref>"[http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Craig-Bellamy-Exclusive-Interview-Part-II-I-never-felt-the-same-about-Newcastle-after-Bobby-Robson-was-sacked-article269941.html Craig Bellamy Exclusive Interview PART II]", ''The Mirror'', 29 December 2009. Retrieved 29 April 2011</ref> |
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Bellamy again managed nine goals as his team reached the [[UEFA Cup]] semi-finals, eventually losing out 2–0 on aggregate to Marseille, though he also played considerably fewer games from his two previous seasons at Newcastle United, a sign of things to come, as Bellamy's career was blighted by injury in the next few years.<ref>"[http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1397077,00.html?gusrc=rss Newcastle ready to offload Bellamy]", ''The Guardian'', 24 January 2005. Retrieved 22 February 2007</ref> |
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After Bobby Robson's controversial sacking in August 2004, Bellamy had a very public falling-out with his replacement as Newcastle manager, [[Graeme Souness]], who also had altercations with stars including [[Laurent Robert]] and [[Olivier Bernard]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}} Despite the two claiming that the rift had been healed after Bellamy scored a last-minute winner in a 4–3 victory over [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] in late October, it was announced on 23 January 2005 that the player had been omitted from the team for a Premier League match with [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] at Highbury stadium, a game that ended 1–0 in the Gunners' favour. Before the match, Souness said that Bellamy had been left out due to a hamstring problem, but contradicted himself in a post-match interview, claiming that Bellamy was benched for being unwilling to play as a right-sided [[midfielder]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Football |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2354225/Bellamy-left-out-after-refusing-to-play-on-right.html |title=Bellamy left out after refusing to play on right |publisher=Telegraph |date= }}</ref> Minutes later, Bellamy gave an interview saying he was prepared to play in any position for his club. However, with his Newcastle United career hanging in the balance, he later admitted that he had threatened to fake injury ahead of the Arsenal match, though in a later interview accused Souness of lying about him and his commitment to the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/print?id=322837&type=story |title=ESPNsoccernet - England - Bellamy accuses Souness of lying |publisher=Soccernet.espn.go.com |date=24 January 2005 }}</ref> Souness responded by stating that Bellamy would never play in a Newcastle United shirt again while he was manager and consequently the club fined Bellamy two weeks' wages (about £80,000). Bellamy's last goal for the club came in a UEFA Cup group stage match against [[Sporting CP]] in December, in a 1–1 draw at St. James Park, his 10th goal for Newcastle that season. Bellamy ended his Newcastle career with a total of 42 goals from 128 appearances.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4194437.stm Newcastle fine Bellamy after row]", BBC Sport, 25 January 2005. Retrieved 22 February 2007.</ref> |
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Bellamy made himself further unwelcome at St James' Park when some abusive text messages were allegedly sent from his phone to club captain [[Alan Shearer]] after Newcastle's FA Cup semi-final defeat by [[Manchester United]] in April 2005, while the player was still on-loan to Celtic for the remainder of that season.<ref name="text">"[http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=15436726&method=full&siteid=106694&headline=drunken-bellamy-in-text-rant-at-shearer-name_page.html Drunken Bellamy in Text Rant at Shearer]", ''Sunday Mirror'', 24 April 2005; Retrieved 22 February 2007</ref> At the time, Bellamy was with the Celtic squad in Ireland for [[Jackie McNamara]]'s testimonial golf day. Bellamy's agent insisted his mobile had been lost at the time and that he was not responsible for the texts.{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}} Kenneth Shepherd, son of Newcastle chairman Freddy, also claimed he received gloating text messages. Shearer was alleged to have threatened to "knock his block off" should the player have returned to [[Newcastle United]].<ref>"[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4153/is_20050427/ai_n14603084 I'll knock your block off, Shearer warns Bellamy]", ''Evening Standard'', 27 April 2005. Retrieved 22 February 2007</ref> |
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===Celtic loan=== |
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On 31 January 2005 ([[Transfer window|transfer deadline day]]) Bellamy was sent out on loan to [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] of the [[Scottish Premier League]] for the remainder of the season. It was later announced by the player that he had shunned a move to [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] to move to the Scottish Club.{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}} |
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He scored nine goals for Celtic in the remainder of the 2004–05 season, getting his first in a 5–0 win against then Scottish First Division side Clyde in the Scottish Cup on 27 February 2005. He also put in notable performances away to Dundee United, a game in which he scored a hat-trick in a 3–2 victory for the Bhoys, and a 2–1 victory over fierce old-firm rivals Rangers at Ibrox, where he scored the opener in a crucial game for his club. He ultimately lost out on winning the SPL as Celtic suffered a 2–1 defeat to [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]] on the final day of the season. He did end the season on a personal high though, as he won the [[Scottish Cup]], his first ever major career trophy after his team beat Dundee United, this time 1–0 at Hampden Park. The Glasgow club were keen to sign him permanently, but on 7 July 2005 it was announced that he was to return to the [[Premier League]] with [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] for a transfer fee believed to be to be around £5 million. It had been reported that Bellamy was keen on a return to Celtic after his departure from Newcastle United,{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}} however a move back north wasn't to be. |
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Despite the controversy, that 2004–05 season proved to be Bellamys most fruitful to date, as he won that Scottish Cup winners medal as well as scoring 22 goals altogether for Newcastle, Celtic and Wales. |
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===Blackburn Rovers=== |
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Bellamy signed a four year contract with [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], where he was reunited with former Wales manager and team-mate [[Mark Hughes]]. He scored 17 goals for Rovers in 2005–06 (including two terrific efforts against Portsmouth at Fratton Park on 8 April 2006) in all competitions, in a highly successful but injury-tempered season, where the club finished in sixth place in the Premier League, marking a vast improvement on the previous seasons 15th position, qualifying for the 2006–07 Uefa Cup in the process. He formed a strong partnership with [[Shefki Kuqi]]. Bellamy provided a core part of the team, alongside goalkeeper [[Brad Friedel]], defender [[Ryan Nelsen]] and midfielders [[Robbie Savage]], [[Brett Emerton]], [[Steven Reid]] and [[Morten Gamst Pedersen]]. Bellamy's rejuvenation sparked renewed interest in him from a handful of top clubs including Liverpool and Arsenal.{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}} |
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===Liverpool=== |
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On 20 June 2006 he was the subject of a transfer bid from [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], reportedly in the region of £6,000,000 triggering a clause in Bellamy's contract that obliged Blackburn to allow him permission to talk to the club.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/5097454.stm |title=BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Liverpool | Liverpool wrap up Bellamy switch |publisher=BBC News |date=22 June 2006 |accessdate=1 September 2011}}</ref> |
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He officially became a Liverpool player on 1 July 2006. Bellamy got off to a slow start for Liverpool, despite scoring on his debut against [[Maccabi Haifa F.C.|Maccabi Haifa]] in the Champions League 3rd qualifying round first leg on 9 August 2006, Bellamy however struggled for Premier League goals, eventually scoring his first in mid October, against former club Blackburn Rovers. After the match against Haifa, Bellamy set up the winner for Peter Crouch in the 81st minute of the [[2006 FA Community Shield]] with a great cross from the left-hand corner of the 18 yard box. |
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Bellamy finally made an impact for Liverpool, against [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]], inspiring them Reds to a 4–0 victory with two goals and one assist, on 2 December 2006. It was his first game after being cleared of supposedly assaulting a woman in a Cardiff bar. He scored again two weeks later against Charlton Athletic and then got a fourth in four games against [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] on 23 December 2006, followed by another goal on 13 January 2007 also against Watford to bring his season tally for Liverpool up to seven. |
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In February 2007 it was alleged that Bellamy attacked team mate [[John Arne Riise]] with a golf club during a team training session in Portugal.<ref>[http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2016248,00.html Bellamy faces uncertain future as Liverpool reel from golf club attack]", ''The Guardian'', 19 February 2007. Retrieved 22 February 2007.</ref> Both players were fined two weeks wages by the club.<ref>"[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=436992&in_page_id=1771 Bellamy fined £80,000 and facing axe over Riise bust-up]", ''The Daily Mail'', 19 February 2007. Retrieved 22 February 2007.</ref> The incident earned him the nickname "The Nutter with the [[Putter]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-city/6219576/Manchester-Citys-Craig-Bellamy-is-rewarding-unwavering-trust-shown-by-Mark-Hughes.html |title=Manchester City's Craig Bellamy is rewarding unwavering trust shown by Mark Hughes |first=Mark |last=Ogden |work=Telegraph.co.uk |publisher=Telegraph Media Group |date=23 September 2009 |accessdate=1 November 2010 |location=London}}</ref> Manager [[Rafael Benítez]] accepted the players' apology.<ref>"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6373689.stm Benítez accepts players' apology]", BBC Sport, 21 February 2007. Retrieved 22 February 2007.</ref> In the first match following the incident, away at [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in a Champions League last-16 round first leg, Bellamy celebrated his 1–1 equalizer, after [[Deco]] had headed Barça into the lead, by emulating a golf stroke. He also set up the other goal, almost inevitably, for John Arne Riise. |
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It was reported that Bellamy had announced to football results television programme "Wales on Saturday" on 28 April 2007 that he would leave Liverpool in the summer 2007 transfer window. His supposed given reasons were lack of communication with Benítez and conflicting opinions on how Bellamy could be best utilised.<ref>"[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVcGO7mC26Q Bellamy announces plans to leave Liverpool FC]", Wales on Saturday, 28 April 2007. Retrieved 29 April 2007</ref> |
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The next day, Bellamy angrily dismissed this story on the club's official website. He said that he was disappointed that he had to deal with this issue while preparing for such as big a match as the [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] semi-final against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]. Bellamy reassured the fans that he was 100% committed to the club. He even stated that Benítez was the manager he had admired most during his career and wishes to emulate Benitez if he ever chooses to pursue a career in football management.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6605145.stm |title=BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Liverpool | Bellamy dismisses bust-up reports |publisher=BBC News |date=29 April 2007 |accessdate=1 September 2011}}</ref> |
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Liverpool went on to win the semi-final, and while on the sidelines, Bellamy could be seen talking to Benítez, and their relationship seemed to look fine. He was, however, left on the bench as an unused substitute in the [[2007 UEFA Champions League Final]], as Liverpool lost 2–1 to [[A.C. Milan|AC Milan]]. |
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In the summer of 2007, Bellamy was the subject of a bid from [[West Ham United]]. The bid was accepted and Bellamy was on the move again after signing for the London club |
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===West Ham United=== |
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Bellamy completed a move to [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] for a fee of £7,500,000 on 10 July 2007, signing a five-year contract with the club and reuniting with former Norwich teammate [[Robert Green]]. This was at the time the Hammers' record signing.<ref>{{cite news | date=10 July 2007 | url=http://www.whufc.com/news/?page_id=9271 | title=Bellamy completes Hammers move | publisher=West Ham United FC | accessdate=10 July 2007}}</ref> |
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Bellamy made his [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham]] debut in an opening day 2–0 home defeat by [[Manchester City]] on 11 August 2007.<ref>{{cite news | date=11 August 2007 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6931065.stm | title=West Ham 0–2 Man City| publisher=BBC Sport | accessdate=12 August 2007 | first=Chris | last=Bevan}}</ref> |
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His first two goals for [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham]] were scored in a 2–1 [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] victory against [[Bristol Rovers]] on 28 August 2007.<ref>{{cite news | date=28 August 2007 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6963487.stm| title=Bristol Rovers 1–2 West Ham | publisher=BBC Sport | accessdate=29 August 2007}}</ref> Injury blighted Bellamy's first season with West Ham. He managed only 9 games, scoring 4 goals and in February 2008 was ruled out of action until the beginning of season 2008–09. His only goals for the club in 2007–08 were the brace against Rovers, the opener against Reading in early September and the opener against Middlesbrough a week later. Both matches finished 3–0 to the hammers.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/feb/12/newsstory.westhamunited Bellamy out for rest of season but Dyer recovery softens blow to West Ham] The Guardian, 12 February 2009</ref> Bellamy returned to action in the third game of the 2008–09 season for the Hammers, scoring the third [[Goal (sport)|goal]] that made sure they beat [[Blackburn Rovers]]. They won 4–1 after [[Carlton Cole]] added a fourth (Bellamy's goal had come two minutes into stoppage time). It was his first goal in 6 months but his fifth goal for the Hammers in only his 10th appearance for the club since joining in July 2007. |
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After a string of impressive performances, Bellamy was reported to have attracted the attention of several clubs, and in the 2009 January transfer window he was linked to a host of clubs, including [[Tottenham Hotspur]] and Manchester City. His manager [[Gianfranco Zola]] was reportedly unhappy with the way he felt Tottenham had tried to approach Bellamy,<ref>[http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/12827/Zola_clams_rivals_and_sees_no_use_for_transfer_window.aspx Zola clams rivals and sees no use for transfer window] Sport.co.uk, 18 January 2009</ref> although he denied reports that Bellamy had gone on strike in protest at not being allowed to move – after Bellamy stormed out of training in protest.<ref>[http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/9098312/Zola-wants-quick-Bellamy-solution?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=433 Zola wants quick Bellamy solution]{{Dead link|date=October 2010}} Fox Sports</ref> Two offers from Manchester City were rejected before on 18 January 2009, a third undisclosed bid, purported to be around £14 million was accepted by West Ham from City.<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/bellamy-to-seal-16314m-city-switch-1419310.html Bellamy to seal £14m City switch] The Independent, 19 January 2009</ref> In total, Bellamy made 26 appearances for the Hammers, scoring 9 goals, a strike rate of just under a goal every 3 games. |
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===Manchester City=== |
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On 19 January 2009, Bellamy completed his move to [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] on a four and a half-year deal for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £14,000,000<ref>{{cite news | date=19 January 2009| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/7825118.stm | title=Man City complete Bellamy signing | publisher=BBC Sport | accessdate=14 January 2010}}</ref> On signing for the club his new manager Mark Hughes stated, "I'm sure Craig will be excellent for us, I think people will soon see why I wanted to bring him to the club. The fee that gets mentioned is invariably the wrong figure, it keeps being quoted as £19million, but that was not the price we paid for him."<ref>[http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pageid=115&pagegid=%7BDBD12D53%2D8346%2D431D%2DA04F%2D5D0F8664DE80%7D&newsid=6627010&siteid=&pageno=&newscategory=&frommonth=12&fromyear=2008&tomonth=2&toyear=2009 Fire in the Bellamy!]{{Dead link|date=October 2010}}</ref> This took his career total of transfers to £47m.<ref>[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2009/01/17/craig-bellamy-set-to-be-43m-man-for-spurs-91466-22712726/ Craig Bellamy set to be £43m man for Spurs] WalesOnline, 17 January 2009</ref> Bellamy became the second major signing by Manchester City of the transfer window after [[Wayne Bridge]] from Chelsea. |
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Bellamy marked his debut for City on 28 January with a goal against his former club [[Newcastle United]] at The City of Manchester Stadium in a 2–1 win scoring the winner, making him only the fifth player in Premier League history to have scored for six different top-flight clubs.<ref>[http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4818831,00.html Bellamy seals City switch] Sky Sports, 19 January 2009</ref> Bellamy's next goal came against Middlesbrough in the Premier League where Bellamy sealed the three points in a 1–0 win for City. On 22 February 2009, he scored against his former club Liverpool at Anfield in a 1–1 draw, ironically denting his former employers title chances. He went on to score a brace for City on his European home debut just four days later on 26 February, dedicating the goals to his cousin who had died the previous night. |
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Bellamy opened his account for the 2009–10 season with a goal in City's 4–2 win over [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] on 12 September 2009, before setting up [[Shaun Wright-Phillips]] for City's 4th goal, with a brilliant run from his own half.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8246825.stm|title=Man City 4 – 2 Arsenal|date=12 September 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=21 September 2009 | first=Phil | last=McNulty}}</ref> He followed that up a week later with two goals against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in a 4–3 derby defeat. His first was a brilliant 20-yard strike from the edge of the 18-yard box, his second came after [[Rio Ferdinand]] gifted possession to [[Martin Petrov]], who played the ball through to Bellamy who rounded United keeper [[Ben Foster (footballer)|Ben Foster]], to make the score 3–3 in the first minute of injury-time. The former goal was later named ''Goal of the Month'' for September 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/6207330/Manchester-United-4-Manchester-City-3-match-report.html|title=Manchester United 4 Manchester City 3|date=20 September 2009|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=21 September 2009 | first=Henry | last=Winter | location=London}}</ref> After this derby a fan invaded the pitch but was dealt with by stewards quickly. While the fan was being escorted from the field, TV footage showed that Bellamy slapped the fan in the face. He was given a warning by the FA about his future conduct,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/09/20/1512741/manchester-citys-craig-bellamy-in-post-match-altercation|title=Manchester City's Craig Bellamy In Post-Match Altercation With Fan |date=20 September 2009|publisher=Goal.com|accessdate=21 September 2009}}</ref> however Manchester City stated they would not discipline Bellamy, instead offering their support to him.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/8265810.stm Man City will not punish Bellamy] BBC Sport, 21 September 2009</ref> |
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As he became ever more popular with the Manchester City fans, Bellamy's next goal came at [[Villa Park (stadium)|Villa Park]] on 5 October 2009, earning a point for his team after being 1–0 down at half-time. On 7 November 2009, Bellamy scored in a 3–3 draw against [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] at the City of Manchester Stadium. He then scored again on 19 December against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] in the 4–3 victory, which turned out to be Mark Hughes' last game in charge of the club. Bellamy was said to be upset at Hughes' dismissal, and has subsequently been linked with a move to [[Tottenham Hotspur]], [[Everton F.C|Everton]] and [[Arsenal F.C|Arsenal]] and dropped to the bench in [[Roberto Mancini]]'s first game in charge against [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]].<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1238371/Sacked-Manchester-City-boss-Mark-Hughes-tells-loyalists-Go-win-Premier-League-title-me.html Sacked Manchester City boss Mark Hughes tells loyalists: Go win Premier League title for me] Mail Online, 26 December 2009</ref> However, he played in matches under Mancini and made clear his desire to stay at Manchester City for the foreseeable future. He scored the equaliser against [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]], before losing 3–1 in Fifth round replay of the [[FA Cup]]. Bellamy then scored two goals at [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]] in the 4–2 win against Chelsea, giving Manchester City their first win at Stamford Bridge in 17 years.<ref>[http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Match-reports/2010/February/Chelsea-v-City Chelsea 2 City 4] Manchester City FC, 27 February 2010</ref> |
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In August 2010, Bellamy stated that he feared that he would be omitted from Manchester City's 25-man squad for the [[2010-11 Premier League]] season and even hinted at retirement.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/8902161.stm|title=Craig Bellamy talks of quitting football |date=10 August 2010|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=11 August 2010}}</ref> On 11 August 2010, he was left out of Manchester City's 23 man [[Europa League]] squad to face [[FC Timişoara|Timisoara]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/8906622.stm|title=Craig Bellamy left out of Man City's European squad|date=11 August 2010|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=11 August 2010}}</ref> The next week Bellamy was allowed to train with [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]], fueling speculation that he might sign for his hometown club. When asked about such a move, Bellamy said that he would "love to play for Cardiff".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8915964.stm|title=Craig Bellamy set to train with Cardiff City |date=16 August 2010|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=16 August 2010}}</ref> |
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===Cardiff City loan=== |
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[[File:Craig Bellamy February 2011.jpg|thumb|Craig Bellamy playing for Cardiff]]On 17 August 2010, Bellamy signed for his hometown club, [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] on a season-long loan from [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8919925.stm|title=Craig Bellamy moves to Cardiff City on loan |date=17 August 2010|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=17 August 2010}}</ref> The deal kept him at the club until the end of the 2010–11 season.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~2125334,00.html |title=Craig Bellamy comes home |publisher=Cardiff City FC |date=17 August 2010|accessdate=17 August 2010}}</ref> Cardiff manager [[Dave Jones (football manager)|Dave Jones]] confirmed that Bellamy would become team captain for the season with former captain [[Mark Hudson (footballer born 1982)|Mark Hudson]] named club captain.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8926215.stm |title=Craig Bellamy to lead Cardiff City on debut |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 August 2010|accessdate=20 August 2010}}</ref> He made his debut for the club on 21 August in a 4–0 win over [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]], in which he scored from a 35-yard free kick.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8918035.stm |title=Cardiff 4–0 Doncaster |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 August 2010|accessdate=21 August 2010 | first=Peter | last=Shuttleworth}}</ref> After playing the subsequent game against [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]], Bellamy missed the next five games due to a knee injury but came back and scored in a 2–1 win against [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]] on 2 October.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/9041360.stm |title=Barnsley 1–2 Cardiff |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 October 2010|accessdate=2 October 2010}}</ref> Bellamy went on to score in four consecutive home league matches against Coventry, Leeds, Watford and Reading. Bellamy scored the winning goal in the [[South Wales derby]] against {{afc|Swansea City}} on 6 February 2011 with a typical Bellamy long shot in the dying minutes of the match. |
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Bellamy played a huge part in Cardiff's end of season push for promotion to the Premier League, creating numerous chances for team mates which lead to several assists and man of the match worthy performances. His talismanic influence was particularly evident in the 2–2 draw with league leaders {{fc|Queens Park Rangers}} in April in which he scored the second goal. However, Cardiff led twice in the game before [[Adel Taarabt]]'s brace held them to a draw.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13102880.stm |title=Cardiff 2–2 QPR |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 October 2010|accessdate=2 October 2010}}</ref> Automatic promotion was still a possibility if Cardiff won their remaining games in the season. However a horrendous 3–0 home defeat to Middlesbrough condemned Cardiff to settle for a 4th place finish and a play off spot for the second season running. Bellamy scored his last goal of the season with a superbly taken volley in the 90th minute to salvage a draw away at Turf Moor against Burnley. Going into the play offs, Bellamy suffered a hamstring injury in the first leg away to Reading, which meant he had to leave the field during the first half of the game. Cardiff went on to draw the match but then failed to capture promotion after losing 3–0 to {{fc|Reading}} in the second leg of the semi-final, with Bellamy sorely missed by [[Cardiff City|the Bluebirds]] due to his absence with a hamstring injury. |
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Bellamy stated that he would like to stay at Cardiff City beyond his loan spell to achieve his dream of them one day playing in the [[Premier League]]. After Cardiff manager [[Dave Jones (football manager)|Dave Jones']] sacking, Bellamy became a surprise favourite to take over.<ref>{{cite news |title=Craig Bellamy is surprise favourite to succeed sacked Jones at Cardiff |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/30/craig-bellamy-favourite-cardiff-city-manager |publisher=The Guardian |date=30 May 2011 |accessdate=30 May 2011 |first=Stuart |last=James}}</ref> However, the new Cardiff boss, [[Malky Mackay]], who knew Bellamy from their days at Norwich, did not say whether he would attempt to sign Bellamy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cardiff City match new manager Malky Mackay's ambitions |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13814758.stm |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=17 June 2011 |accessdate=17 June 2011}}</ref> Bellamy asked Manchester City to let him go on a free transfer after they put a £4,000,000 price tag on him.<ref>{{cite news |title=Craig Bellamy 'pleading' with Manchester City for a free transfer |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2011/06/19/craig-bellamy-pleading-with-manchester-city-for-a-free-transfer-91466-28904236/ |publisher=[[South Wales Echo]] |date=19 June 2011 |accessdate=7 June 2011}}</ref> |
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===Return to Liverpool=== |
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[[File:Craig Bellamy.JPG|thumb|Bellamy warming up before facing [[Fulham FC|Fulham]]]] |
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On transfer deadline day, 31 August 2011, Bellamy returned to Liverpool on a free transfer and took the number 39 shirt.<ref>{{cite news|date=31 August 2011|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/bellamy-signs-for-lfc|title=Bellamy signs for LFC|publisher=Liverpoolfc.tv|accessdate=31 August 2011}}</ref> The following day, boyhood club [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] revealed that they had failed in a last minute bid for the striker.<ref>{{cite news |title=Craig Bellamy: Cardiff City reveal late bid for player |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14750601.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2011 |accessdate=1 September 2011}}</ref> Bellamy commented on the move "I've grown up with [[Kenny Dalglish]], now to be signed by him is a massive honour. It's been a long couple of months, I had to be patient and believe something like this could happen."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14730645.stm |title=BBC Sport – Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy rejoins Liverpool |publisher=BBC News |date= 31 August 2011|accessdate=3 September 2011}}</ref> Bellamy's returning debut came against [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] in a 1–0 defeat at the [[Britannia Stadium]]. He scored his first goal for Liverpool following his return against [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]] in the [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] in the seventh minute of the game. He also rattled the bar from a 40 yard free kick. He scored his first league goal of his second spell on 22 October 2011 against [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] in a 1–1 draw. On 27 November 2011, Bellamy was withdrawn from the team for the game against Manchester City due to the death of his friend and coach [[Gary Speed]]. Two days later, he returned to the team and recorded assists for both Liverpool goals in a 2–0 win over [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] in the [[2011–12 Football League Cup|Carling Cup]] quarter-final.<!-- Is what you add to this section ENCYCLOPEDIC and relevant for his CAREER, or just from the MOST RECENT game? Please add only ENCYCLOPEDIC info. --> On 30 December 2011, Bellamy scored two crucial goals, a low drive and a free kick, against [[Newcastle United]] at home, securing a very much needed home win for Liverpool. On 6 January 2012, Bellamy scored his 150th goal in [[English football]] at Anfield against [[Oldham Athletic F.C.|Oldham Athletic]]. On 21 January he scored against [[Bolton Wanderers]] in Liverpool's 3–1 loss. On 25 January 2012, he scored the equalizing goal against Manchester City to give Liverpool a 3–2 win on aggregate in the Carling Cup semi-final match. He was also issued Man Of The Match for his performance to help Liverpool face his home town club Cardiff in the [[2012 Football League Cup Final|Final]] at [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]] on 26 February 2012. On 31 January 2012, Bellamy scored his 7th consecutive goal in his last 7 starts, with Liverpool beating Wolves with a 3-0 score at the [[Molineux Stadium]]. On 26 February 2012 Craig won the Football League Cup 2-2 (3-2 on penalties) against his favourite and former club Cardiff City. On 14 April 2012, Bellamy provided the assist for [[Andy Carroll]] to score the winner as Liverpool beat rivals Everton 2-1 at Wembley, to reach their first [[FA Cup]] final in 6 years.<ref>{{cite news|date=18 April 2012|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/04/18/3044584/dalglish-hails-bellamy-impact-in-liverpools-fa-cup-semi|publisher=goal.com|accessdate=18 April 2012}}</ref> |
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===Return to Cardiff=== |
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New Liverpool boss [[Brendan Rodgers]] confirmed that talks were taking place with [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] and Bellamy over a possible transfer.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rodgers confirms Bellamy talks |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11669/7973033? |work=Sky Sports |accessdate=8 August 2012}}</ref> |
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On 10 August 2012, Bellamy completed his free transfer to Cardiff City on a two-year deal.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~2877395,00.html | title=Bellamy rejoins Cardiff City | publisher=Cardiff City F.C. | date=10 August 2012 | accessdate=10 August 2012}}</ref> He made his first appearance in Cardiff's new home colours on 17 August in a 1–0 win against [[Huddersfield Town F.C.|Huddersfield Town]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Cardiff 1-0 Huddersfield|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19205087|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=18 August 2012}}</ref> He scored his first goal back at Cardiff on 15th September with a 20 yard free kick against Leeds United, Cardiff went on to win the game 2-1. |
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==International career== |
==International career== |
Revision as of 08:28, 20 September 2012
![]() Bellamy playing for Wales in 2011. | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Craig Douglas Bellamy[1] | ||
Date of birth | [1] | 13 July 1979||
Place of birth | Cardiff, Wales | ||
Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
Position(s) | Forward | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Cardiff City | ||
Number | 39 | ||
Youth career | |||
1990–1996 | Norwich City | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1996–2000 | Norwich City | 84 | (32) |
2000–2001 | Coventry City | 34 | (6) |
2001–2005 | Newcastle United | 93 | (28) |
2005 | → Celtic (loan) | 12 | (7) |
2005–2006 | Blackburn Rovers | 27 | (13) |
2006–2007 | Liverpool | 27 | (7) |
2007–2009 | West Ham United | 24 | (7) |
2009–2011 | Manchester City | 40 | (13) |
2010–2011 | → Cardiff City (loan) | 35 | (11) |
2011–2012 | Liverpool | 27 | (6) |
2012– | Cardiff City | 3 | (1) |
International career‡ | |||
1997–1998 | Wales U21 | 8 | (1) |
1998– | Wales | 70 | (19) |
2012 | Great Britain | 5 | (1) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:52, 16 September 2012 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 August 2012 |
Craig Douglas Bellamy (born 13 July 1979) is a Welsh footballer who plays as a forward for Cardiff City and the Welsh national team.
Born in Cardiff, Bellamy was the captain of the Welsh national side for four years after taking over from Ryan Giggs in 2007, but stood down in January 2011 due to injuries.[2]
Since making his professional debut for Norwich City in 1997, he has played for a number of clubs in England, making his name at Newcastle United when signed by Bobby Robson in 2001 and has also had a loan spell with Scottish Premier League side Celtic in 2005. On 31 August 2011, Bellamy completed a move back to former club Liverpool from Manchester City.
During his career, Bellamy has won one League Cup, one Scottish Cup and one FA Community Shield. He also has been a runner-up in both the FA Cup and the Champions League. He has been criticised for his behaviour both on and off the pitch, but has accumulated millions of pounds for various charities and also established a football academy in Sierra Leone.
He made his senior debut for Wales in 1998 and since then has turned out a total of 69 times for his country, scoring 19 goals, though 14 years on he has still yet to play in a major international tournament. He was a member of the Great Britain Olympic Football Team at the 2012 Games in London, appearing five times and scoring once.
International career
Wales
Bellamy made his international debut for Wales on 25 March 1998, in a friendly game against Jamaica at Ninian Park as a substitute in place of Gareth Taylor.[3] He scored his first goal for his country in his next match on 4 June 1998 during a 3–0 win over Malta. He added goals against Denmark, Norway and Argentina before, on 16 October 2002, he scored possibly his most famous goal for Wales in their Euro 2004 qualifying victory over Italy, rounding Gianluigi Buffon to score Wales' winning goal.[4][5]
In October 2006, Bellamy was awarded the captain's armband by Welsh manager John Toshack when Ryan Giggs was unavailable through injury for the Euro 2008 qualifying match against Slovakia on 7 October 2006. His captaincy got off to a poor start with a 5–1 defeat at home to the Slovaks.[6] However, just four days later, in his second game as captain against Cyprus, Wales won 3–1, with Bellamy scoring the third for his country, after setting up Robert Earnshaw for his side's second.[7] In June 2007, Ryan Giggs announced his retirement from international football which resulted in Bellamy being named permanent captain by Toshack.[8] He earned his 50th international cap in a friendly against Iceland in May 2008.
In October 2010 a 'club v country' row emerged as Bellamy played a full match for Cardiff City, despite his manager Dave Jones claiming Bellamy was too injured to play for Wales.[9] Bellamy stood down as Wales captain on 6 January 2011 due to knee injuries.
Bellamy is currently the fifth highest goalscorer in Wales' history, behind Ian Rush, Trevor Ford, Ivor Allchurch and Dean Saunders.
Wales international goals
Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 3 June 1998 | Ta' Qali National Stadium, Attard, Malta | ![]() |
1–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
2. | 10 October 1998 | Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark | ![]() |
2–1 | 2–1 | UEFA Euro 2000 Qual. |
3. | 5 September 2001 | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway | ![]() |
2–1 | 2–3 | 2002 World Cup Qual. |
4. | 13 February 2002 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales | ![]() |
1–0 | 1–1 | Friendly |
5. | 16 October 2002 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales | ![]() |
2–1 | 2–1 | UEFA Euro 2004 Qual. |
6. | 29 March 2003 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales | ![]() |
1–0 | 4–0 | UEFA Euro 2004 Qual. |
7. | 18 August 2004 | Skonto Stadium, Riga, Latvia | ![]() |
2–0 | 2–0 | Friendly |
8. | 9 February 2005 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales | ![]() |
1–0 | 2–0 | Friendly |
9. | 2–0 | |||||
10. | 11 October 2006 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales | ![]() |
3–0 | 3–1 | UEFA Euro 2008 Qual. |
11. | 14 November 2006 | Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Wales | ![]() |
3–0 | 4–0 | Friendly |
12. | 26 May 2007 | Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Wales | ![]() |
1–1 | 2–2 | Friendly |
13. | 2–2 | |||||
14. | 12 September 2007 | Štadión Antona Malatinského, Trnava, Slovakia | ![]() |
2–1 | 5–2 | UEFA Euro 2008 Qual. |
15. | 3–1 | |||||
16. | 19 November 2008 | Brøndby Stadium, Brøndby, Denmark | ![]() |
1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly |
17. | 10 October 2009 | Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland | ![]() |
1–1 | 1–2 | 2010 World Cup Qual. |
18. | 11 August 2010 | Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, Wales | ![]() |
5–1 | 5–1 | Friendly |
19. | 12 November 2011 | Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales | ![]() |
2–0 | 4–1 | Friendly |
Great Britain
On 28 June 2012, Bellamy was confirmed as one of the three over-aged players selected for Great Britain to compete at 2012 Summer Olympics alongside Micah Richards and Ryan Giggs.[10]
On 26 July 2012, Bellamy scored Great Britain's first goal at an Olympic Games since 1960 in a 1–1 draw with Senegal.[11]
On 1 August 2012, Bellamy captained Great Britain to a 1–0 victory over Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium in his home city of Cardiff.[12] The result saw Great Britain progress to a quarter final with the Republic of Korea.
Great Britain international goals
Goal | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 26 July 2012 | Old Trafford, Manchester, England | ![]() |
1–0 | 1–1 | 2012 Summer Olympics |
Personal life
Bellamy was raised in Menai Way, Trowbridge, Cardiff, where his family still live today. He attended Baden Powell Primary School, Trowbridge Junior School and Rumney High School.[13] He played football at a junior level for Caer Castell FC, where his father was manager. He was said to have been a keen Liverpool supporter in his youth, alongside his hometown club, Cardiff City.
Bellamy married his teenage sweetheart Claire Jansen in June 2006 at St Bride's Church in the village of St Bride's-super-Ely, near Cardiff.[14] The couple have three children, sons Ellis, who is currently a member of the youth development system at Cardiff City,[15] and Cameron and daughter Lexie.[16] Prior to his move to Cardiff City, Bellamy lived in Manchester for most of the week, while his wife and children lived in the family home in Peterston-super-Ely.
In March 2012 Ellis Bellamy was selected for the Wales Under 16 squad.[17]
Alleged violence
Although Bellamy has never been convicted of assault, he is alleged to have been involved in several violent incidents.
- On 29 November 2006, after a trial lasting five days, a court cleared him assaulting two women in Cardiff.[18]
- On 1 March 2007, Bellamy allegedly drunkenly confronted then-Liverpool team-mate John Arne Riise with a golf club.[19]
- On 22 September 2009, during a game against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Bellamy clashed with a pitch invader.[20]
- On 12 January 2011, Bellamy was arrested on Caroline Street, Cardiff, and bailed on an alleged assault claim, in which two men suffered facial injuries.[21]
Sierra Leone football academy
On 6 May 2008 plans were announced for the building of the Craig Bellamy Foundation for disadvantaged children in Freetown, Sierra Leone.[22] Bellamy has visited the war-torn West African country and has invested £1.2m of his own money since 2007 to help build a not-for-profit football academy in the Kono region and, along with Unicef, a national league in a country where the existing top-flight league has been suspended due to lack of funds.[23][24][25][26]
Honours
Club
- Scottish Cup (1): 2004–05
- League Cup (1): 2011–12
- FA Community Shield (1): 2006
Individual
- PFA Young Player of the Year Award (1): 2001–02
- Scottish Premier League Player of the Month Award (1): March 2005
- Blackburn Rovers Player of the Season (1): 2005–06
- Wales Player of the Year Award (1): 2007
- Premier League Goal of the Month (2): April 2006, September 2009
Career statistics
Last Updated 15 August 2012[27] Template:Football player statistics 1 Template:Football player statistics 2 |- |1996–97||rowspan="5"|Norwich City||rowspan="5"|First Division||3||0||colspan="2"|-||colspan="2"|-||colspan="2"|-||3||0 |- |1997–98||36||13||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|-||38||13 |- |1998–99||40||17||colspan="2"|-||5||2||colspan="2"|-||45||19 |- |1999–2000||4||2||colspan="2"|-||colspan="2"|-||colspan="2"|-||4||2 |- |2000–01||1||0||colspan="2"|-||colspan="2"|-||colspan="2"|-||1||0 |- |2000–01||Coventry City||rowspan="5"|Premier League||34||6||2||1||3||1||colspan="2"|-||39||8 |- |2001–02||rowspan="4"|Newcastle United||27||9||3||0||3||4||6||1||39||14 |- |2002–03||29||7||1||0||colspan="2"|-||6||2||36||9 |- |2003–04||16||5||colspan="2"|-||colspan="2"|-||8||5||24||10 |- |2004–05||21||7||1||0||2||0||5||3||29||10 Template:Football player statistics 2 |- |2004–05||Celtic||Scottish Premier League||12||7||3||2||colspan="2"|-||colspan="2"|-||15||9 Template:Football player statistics 2 |- |2005–06||Blackburn Rovers||rowspan="6"|Premier League||27||13||1||2||4||2||colspan="2"|-||32||17 |- |2006–07||Liverpool||27||7||colspan="2"|-||2||0||12||2||41||9 |- |2007–08||rowspan="2"|West Ham United||8||2||colspan="2"|-||1||2||colspan="2"|-||9||4 |- |rowspan="2"|2008–09||16||5||1||0||||||||||17||5 |- |rowspan="2"|Manchester City||8||2||colspan="2"|-||0||0||3||2||11||4 |- |2009–10||32||10||3||1||5||0||colspan="2"|-||40||11 |- |2010–11||Cardiff City||Championship||35||11||colspan="2"|-||colspan="2"|-||colspan="2"|-||35||11 |- |2011–12||Liverpool||Premier League||24||6||3||1||6||2||colspan="2"|-||33||9 |- |2012–13||Cardiff City||Championship||3||1||colspan="2"|-||colspan="2"|-||colspan="2"|-||3||1 |- !colspan="3"|Premier League !268!!80!!13!!5!!25!!11!!40!!15!!346!!128 |- Template:Football player statistics 3388||124||14||5||31||13||40||15||473||157 Template:Football player statistics 412||7||3||2||colspan="2"|-||colspan="2"|-||15||9 Template:Football player statistics 5402||131||17||7||31||13||40||15||488||166 Template:Football player statistics end
References
- ^ a b Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 53. ISBN 1-85291-665-6.
- ^ "Bellamy no longer Wales captain". BBC News. 6 January 2011.
- ^ "doubtful for Wales friendly in Croatia". BBC Sport. 5 May 2010. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
- ^ "Bellamy burst stuns the Azzurri". BBC Sport. 16 October 2002. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
- ^ "Video of Craig Bellamy's goal as Wales play Italy at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in a qualifier for the Euro 2004 football championships". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
- ^ Davies, Sean (7 October 2006). "Wales 1–5 Slovakia". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
- ^ Hughes, Dewi (11 October 2006). "Wales 3–1 Cyprus". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
- ^ "Wales captain plans to lead Germany revolt". The Daily Mirror. 15 October 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2010.
- ^ "Bellamy return leaves Wales boss Flynn with egg on his face". Walesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
- ^ "David Beckham not selected for London 2012 football squad". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ Fletcher, Paul (26 July 2012). "BBC Sport - London 2012: Great Britain denied by late Senegal strike". Bbc.co.uk.
- ^ Fletcher, Paul (1 August 2012). "BBC Sport - Olympics football: GB beat Uruguay to reach quarter-finals". Bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Craig Bellamy". Rumney High School. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ^ "Wedding bells for Bellers". Wales on Sunday. 4 June 2006. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ^ "Bellamy junior called up for Wales development squad". South Wales Echo. 13 January 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ Ley, John (12 September 2007). "Proud moment awaits Craig Bellamy". London: Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ^ Ellis Bellamy Wales Under 16
- ^ "Craig Bellamy cleared of assault". BBC News. 29 November 2006.
- ^ "Bellamy explains row with Riise". BBC News. 2 March 2007.
- ^ "Manchester derby pitch invader handed three-year stadium ban after Craig Bellamy clash". Daily Mail. London. 30 September 2009.
- ^ "Craig Bellamy arrested over Cardiff assault claim". BBC News. 12 January 2011.
- ^ "Craig Bellamy Foundation". Retrieved 10 March 2010.
- ^ Walker, Michael (30 January 2012). "Craig Bellamy's seeing a psychologist, dealing with the loss of his mentor and donating £1.2m to an African football school". Daily Mail UK. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
- ^ "Bellamy plans academy in Africa". BBC Sport. 5 May 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2008.
- ^ Slot, Owen (22 September 2009). "World in motion: Craig Bellamy". London: The Times. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ Developments: One World a Million Stories, p 14 Issue 49 2010, Published by Dfid
- ^ Player Profiles – Craig Bellamy West Ham United
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Craig Bellamy profile Liverpool FC
- Wales profile
- Craig Bellamy – FIFA competition record (archived)
- Craig Bellamy at Soccerbase
- The Craig Bellamy Foundation
- Use dmy dates from August 2012
- 1979 births
- Living people
- Sportspeople from Cardiff
- Welsh footballers
- Wales under-21 international footballers
- Wales international footballers
- Association football forwards
- Bristol Rovers F.C. players
- Norwich City F.C. players
- Coventry City F.C. players
- Newcastle United F.C. players
- Celtic F.C. players
- Blackburn Rovers F.C. players
- Liverpool F.C. players
- West Ham United F.C. players
- Manchester City F.C. players
- Cardiff City F.C. players
- The Football League players
- Premier League players
- Scottish Premier League players
- Olympic footballers of Great Britain
- Footballers at the 2012 Summer Olympics