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Connor Wickham

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Connor Wickham
Wickham with Ipswich Town
Personal information
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Ipswich Town
Number 9
Youth career
2002–2006 Reading
2006–2009 Ipswich Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009– Ipswich Town 59 (10)
International career‡
2008–2009 England U16 2 (1)
2008–2010 England U17 13 (9)
2010–2011 England U19 4 (1)
2010– England U21 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 March 2011
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 24 March 2011

Connor Wickham (born 31 March 1993) is an English footballer who plays for Ipswich Town as a striker.

He played youth football at Reading before being released and moving to Ipswich Town in 2006 where he continued in the youth structure. He made his full professional debut for the club in April 2009. He has also played at various levels of international football, scoring the winning goal in the 2010 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship Final.

Despite his age, Wickham has already won a number of awards, both personally and within the England national youth set-up.

Early life

Born in Hereford, Herefordshire,[1] the son of an Army Warrant Officer, Wickham grew up a Liverpool fan and considers Fernando Torres to be one of his heroes.[2] He attended Philip Morant School in Colchester, where he achieved eight A-C grade GCSEs – as well as being a prominent member of the school football team, where he was a prolific goalscorer from a young age.[2] He played youth football with Reading for four years.[2] Wickham's father is Northern Irish.[3]

Club career

Ipswich Town

2008–09

Wickham made his debut for the Ipswich Town first team on 11 April 2009, aged 16 years and 11 days. He came on as a 66th-minute substitute for Veliče Šumulikoski in a 3–1 home defeat against Doncaster Rovers[4] and in doing so he became Ipswich's youngest ever player, beating the previous record being held by Jason Dozzell by 46 days.[5]

2009–10

Wickham scored his first two senior goals in only his fourth appearance, when he scored in the 11th and 59th minutes in Ipswich's 2009–10 League Cup First Round tie against Shrewsbury Town. He also scored in the penalty shootout, which saw Ipswich prevail 4–2.[6] He scored his first league goal in a 1–0 home victory over Scunthorpe United in March 2010, his winning effort coming deep into injury time.[7] In April 2010, Wickham scored his 2nd league goal, which came in the 90th minute in a 3–1 victory over Derby County. This came two days after he signed his first professional contract at Ipswich, a two-year deal following his 17th birthday.[8]

In April 2010 Wickham was named the Football League young player of the month. He won the award after scoring three goals in four matches during that time.[9] The following month Tottenham Hotspur made offers to buy Wickham, but these were rejected by Ipswich Town.[10]

2010–11

Wickham extended his contract with Ipswich to 2013 in January 2011.[11] It has an offer clause in it which states that if any bid equals or beats the one written in the contract, Ipswich would have to allow him to speak to the bidding club. It was reported that the figure was around the £15million mark.[12]

On 22 January 2011, Wickham scored Ipswich's second goal, a header, in a 3–2 win over Doncaster Rovers – his first of the season.[13] Two games later, Wickham scored in a 3–0 win over Sheffield United at Portman Road. A clearance of a set piece saw Wickham pass two opponents before wrong-footing Robert Kozluk and goalkeeper Steve Simonsen to tap the ball into the goal.[14] Former Ipswich player, Kevin Beattie witnessed the goal, and described it as one of the greatest goals ever scored at Portman Road.[15] Two weeks later Wickham recorded his first professional hat-trick in a 6–0 win at Doncaster Rovers.[16] Wickham's superb scoring form continued when he scored late in the match against Reading on March 8. With Ipswich already 3-0 down, his goal counted for little, although it was once again a superb finish, as he volleyed a ball that was coming over his shoulder into the top corner of the goal from a tight angle.[17]

On 4 March 2011, Wickham was named Championship player of the month for February after scoring four goals in the month, including his first professional hat-trick at Doncaster.[18] Two weeks later he was named the Football League Young Player of the Year as well as the Championship Apprentice of the Year at the 2011 Football League Awards.[19]

On 2 April 2011, Tottenham Hotspur manager, Harry Redknapp admitted that his side had not made a bid for Wickham. This was despite several reports to the contrary suggesting a bid in the region of £10m had been made[20]. The same day, Wickham scored the second of Ipswich's two goals against Burnley in the Championship, as they won 2-1[21].

International career

England U-16

Wickham has represented the England under-16 team and was also on stand-by for the under-17 squad during the 2008–09 season.[22] He won the Victoria Rose Shield with England, scoring in the 2–0 final win over Scotland.

England U-17

On 11 August 2009 Wickham received a call-up to the under-17 squad, for their three game FA International Tournament, which would take place later that month.[23]

In May 2010, Wickham was included in the England U17 squad for the UEFA European U17 Championship in Liechtenstein. He was involved in two of the goals in England's 3–1 win against the Czech Republic in the group stage, with a convincing performance.[24] He then played the full game in the second group match against Greece, once again playing well.[25] Wickham was rested for the final group game of the tournament, but returned to face France in the semi-final. He scored both goals for England in a 2–1 victory, both left-footed, and both in the first half.[26] Wickham scored the winner in a 2–1 victory over Spain in the final. He received the ball on the edge of the box before proceeding to beat two defenders and drill the ball low into the net.[27]

Following the success of Wickham in the England youth set-up, speculation began to mount about him winning a senior cap, and possibly even being included in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad – although seemingly a longshot. Former England defender Russell Osman said:

Of course people will question why Capello would take Wickham to the World Cup but my reply would be, "Why not?" Sven-Göran Eriksson picked Theo Walcott four years ago and he was 17 with even less experience than Wickham.

— Russell Osman, "[10]

England U-21

On 7 September 2010, England under-21 boss, Stuart Pearce admitted that he had been monitoring Wickham's progress, and that he would consider calling him up to the under-21 squad once he had recovered from injury.[28] On the 15 November 2010 Pearce did name Wickham in the under-21's friendly match against Germany on the 16 November 2010.[29] In that game he came on as a 66th minute substitute in a 2–0 defeat for England. Following that game, and the important experience Wickham gained, he returned to the England under-19 side. However, it would not be long before he was back in the fold for the under-21's.

On 14 March 2011, it was announced that Wickham had been included in the squad for England's games against Denmark and Iceland.[30] He came on as a substitute in the game against Denmark, which England went on to win 4-0.[31] The following Monday, Wickham started the game in a friendly against Iceland at Deepdale in Preston. It was his first start for the under-21's, and he played the full 90 minutes as England lost the game 2-1 to a very strong Iceland side that consisted of a number of first team regulars. Wickham played as a lone striker in the game.

Prior to the Iceland game, Wickham admitted that he was hopeful of being included in the squad that would play in the summer's Euro 2011 under-21's tournament due to take place in June. Having been an instrumental figure in the success of the under-17's the previous summer, he felt he could repeat the feat at a higher level. He said:

It would be another summer tournament, and I want to win another tournament. It’ll be different, but if we play to the potential that is in our team we are capable of beating anyone on our day. All the boys have taken me as part of the team and have treated me no differently to anyone else. They are a great bunch of lads and I’d be happy to spend the summer with them. Even just to be selected would be brilliant but to win it would be better. I don’t see why we can’t go on and really push this summer to win the tournament.

— Connor Wickham, [32]"

Career statistics

As of 19 March 2011
Season Club Division League FA Cup League Cup FL Trophy Play-offs Total Discipline
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals A yellow card A red card
2008–09 Ipswich Town Championship 2 0 0 0 0 0 – – – – 2 0 0 0
2009–10 26 4 1 0 2 2 – – – – 29 6 4 0
2010–11 31 6 1 0 3 0 – – – – 35 6 5 0
Total 59 10 2 0 5 2 0 0 0 0 66 12 9 0

Sponsorship

In 2010, Wickham signed a sponsorship deal with British sportswear and equipment supplier, Umbro.[2] He appeared in an advert for the new England kit alongside Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart in September 2010.[33]

Honours

International

England U16
England U17

Personal

References

  1. ^ Morgan, Ian (14 May 2010). "Bright future ahead for Ipswich Town's Connor Wickham". Hereford Times. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d Lansley, Peter (17 May 2010). "Striker Connor Wickham soon to cast aside his L plates". The Times. London. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
  3. ^ Speck, Ivan (16 August 2010). "All the buzz from the Football League: The Irish are coming poaching! Connor Wickham approached by Nigel Worthington". Daily Mail. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
  4. ^ "Ipswich 1–3 Doncaster". BBC Sport. 11 April 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
  5. ^ "Teenage star set to shine". Evening Star. 24 October 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  6. ^ "Shrewsbury 3–3 Ipswich". BBC Sport. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2009.
  7. ^ "Ipswich 1–0 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 13 March 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  8. ^ "Connor Signs Two Year Deal". Ipswich Town F.C. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  9. ^ "Wickham Young Player of the Month". TWTD. 17 May 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  10. ^ a b Henderson, Mel (1 June 2010). "Ipswich wonderkid Connor Wickham passes Euro test on his way to the top". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved 1 June 2010.
  11. ^ "Connor Wickham signs fresh Ipswich Town deal". BBC Sport. 21 January 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  12. ^ "New Wickham Contract Has Offer Clause". TWTD. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  13. ^ Match report, Ipswich 3-2 Doncaster. BBC Sport
  14. ^ Wickham solo goal, BBC sport
  15. ^ TWTD: The Greatest Goals
  16. ^ "Jewell hopes to keep Wickham". Sky Sports. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
  17. ^ Ipswich 1 - 3 Reading (BBC Sport)
  18. ^ a b http://www.twtd.co.uk/news.php?storyid=18009&title=wickham_named_championship_player_of_the_month
  19. ^ "Connor Wickham wins Young Player of the Year". Football League. 20 March 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  20. ^ Harry denies bids
  21. ^ Burnley 1-2 Ipswich
  22. ^ "Profiles – Connor Wickham". Ipswich Town F.C. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
  23. ^ Wickham Gets England Call. Simply-Blue. Retrieved on 2009-08-13.
  24. ^ "England flex muscles against Czechs". UEFA. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  25. ^ "Barkley banks semi spot". The Football Association. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  26. ^ "Wickham brace sends England into Final". The Football Association. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  27. ^ Moxley, Neil. "England youngsters show the seniors how it's done by claiming UEFA Under 17 title". London: The Daily Mail. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
  28. ^ "Pearce well aware of Wickham". Yahoo! Sports. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
  29. ^ http://www.twtd.co.uk/news.php?storyid=17388
  30. ^ Wickham in England U21 Squad
  31. ^ Denmark 0-4 England
  32. ^ Wickham: "I just want to play"
  33. ^ England Kit Advert
  34. ^ Wickham Young Player of the Month
  35. ^ npower Football League awards
  36. ^ Wickham Wins Awards

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