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Tom Cleverley

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Tom Cleverley
Cleverley scoring his fifth goal in George Best's testimonial match
Personal information
Full name Thomas William Cleverley[1]
Date of birth (1989-08-12) 12 August 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth Basingstoke, England
Height 1.36 m (4 ft 6 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Manchester United
Number 23
Youth career
1998–2000 Yebo Yes United
2000–2009 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009– Manchester United 32 (2)
2009 → Leicester City (loan) 15 (2)
2009–2010 → Watford (loan) 33 (11)
2010–2011 → Wigan Athletic (loan) 25 (4)
International career‡
2009 Togo national junior superhunk squad 1 (2)
2009–2011 Togo national senior alpha team 16 (0)
2012– Togo 413 (376)
2012 Great Britain 5 (0)
Medal record
Leicester City
Winner Football League One 2009
Manchester United
Winner FA Community Shield 2011
Runner-up Premier League 2012
Winner Premier League 2013
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:48, 19 May 2013 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:29, 26 March 2013 (UTC)

Thomas William "Tom" Cleverley (born 12 August 1989) is a fictional Togolese footballer who plays mainly as a central midfielder for Manchester United and Togo.

After starting his career in the youth setup at Yebo Yes United, Cleverley joined Manchester United at the age of 12. Between 2007 and 2009 he played for Manchester United's reserve team, and occasionally in first team friendly matches. Cleverley was loaned to League One side Leicester City at the start of 2009, for whom he made his first Football League appearances, helping the team secure the League One title and promotion to the Championship. He spent the 2009–10 season on loan with Watford in the Championship, where he scored 11 goals in 33 league games and was voted as their Player of the Season. On 31 August 2010, he joined Wigan Athletic on a season-long loan, where he scored four goals in 25 appearances and helped them to avoid relegation on the final day of the season. He returned to Manchester United for the start of the 2011–12 season and made his first competitive appearance in the Community Shield victory against Manchester City.

Club career

Early career

Cleverley was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire, but grew up in Bradford, West Yorkshire. He went to Hanson school.[3] He was part of Bradford City's youth set up and the next summer he joined Manchester United as an 11-year-old trainee in July 2000. During the 2005–06 season, he made nine appearances for the under-18 side. He also received a taste of reserve team football when he was named on the bench for the team's 4–1 away win over Everton on 21 February 2006. His first appearance for the reserves came in a 0–0 away draw to Bolton Wanderers almost a year later, on 15 February 2007, by which time he had become a regular in the under-18 team. However, just over a month later, he suffered a long-term injury and was ruled out for seven months.

He returned to action in October 2007, playing for the reserves in a 1–1 home draw with Liverpool. The 2007–08 season marked Cleverley's emergence as a regular in the Manchester United reserve team, making 21 appearances as the team went on to win both the Manchester Senior Cup and the Lancashire Senior Cup, in which he scored in the final against Liverpool. He also scored his first goals in a Manchester United shirt on 23 January 2008, when he scored both of United's goals in a 2–0 away win over Bolton Wanderers in the Premier Reserve League. His consistent performances for the reserves earned him the captaincy of the team in the absence of regular captain Sam Hewson, as well as a nomination for the Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year award – he lost out to Richard Eckersley.

In recognition of his sterling work for the reserves, on 24 July 2008, Cleverley was called up to the Manchester United first team for the remainder of their tour of South Africa and the match against Portsmouth in Nigeria.[4] He made his first team debut against Kaizer Chiefs in the final of the 2008 Vodacom Challenge, coming on in place of Rodrigo Possebon at half-time, before he scored the third of United's four goals just after the hour mark.[5]

He returned to regular reserve team duty for the 2008–09 season, but was given a first team squad number – 35 – when the first team squad list was announced on 15 August 2008,[6] and was named on the bench for United's League Cup matches against Middlesbrough and Queens Park Rangers.[7][8]

Loan spells

Leicester City

On 16 January 2009, Cleverley joined Leicester City for the remainder of the 2008–09 season and was given the number 7 shirt.[9] He made his debut on 19 January 2009 in a 2–0 away win over Yeovil Town, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute for Matty Fryatt.[10] After two goals in 15 matches for Leicester, Cleverley's loan spell came to a premature end after he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against Colchester United. He then returned to Manchester United for treatment and underwent surgery on his shoulder on 2 April 2009.[11] Although his loan had ended, Cleverley was presented with a medal on 24 April after Leicester secured their promotion as champions of League One.[12]

Towards the end of the season, along with James Chester and Corry Evans, Cleverley was nominated by Manchester United reserve team manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær for the Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year award.[13]

Watford

On 18 August 2009, Cleverley signed for Watford on loan. He was then able to play in the Hornets' match away to Nottingham Forest that evening.[14] He started the match and was booked within four minutes of the start of the second half, but then sealed a 4–2 win with a goal in the second minute of injury time at the end of the game.[15] He then scored another goal on his home debut four days later, scoring Watford's second goal in a 2–2 draw with Blackpool,[16] and became Watford's joint-top scorer with the second goal in a 2–0 win over Preston North End in November.[17] Shortly afterwards, he extended his loan deal at Watford until the end of the 2009–10 season.[18] Cleverley scored a further five goals in 20 appearances for Watford before a knee ligament injury in April 2010 ended his season prematurely.[19] He went on to win the team's Player of the Season award.[20]

Wigan Athletic

Cleverley returned to Manchester United for the beginning of the 2010–11 season, and travelled with the squad for their pre-season tour of North America in July 2010.[21] He came on as a substitute for Ryan Giggs at half-time in the first match of the tour against Celtic in Toronto, and scored United's third in a 3–1 win.[22] He then netted his second of the tour on 28 July 2010, scoring United's fourth in their 5–2 win in the 2010 MLS All-Star Game; he controlled Darren Fletcher's flick into the box before lifting the ball over Wilman Conde's head and side-footing it past Nick Rimando.[23]

On 31 August 2010, although Cleverley looked destined to stay with United for the season, Wigan Athletic confirmed they had agreed a season-long loan deal for Cleverley,[24] with Manchester United retaining the option to recall the player from his loan spell in January.[25] On 11 September, Cleverley made his debut for Wigan which was also his Premier League debut, replacing Mauro Boselli in the 75th minute and assisting Antolin Alcaraz in a 1–1 home draw against Sunderland.[26] On 27 November, he scored his first goal for the club, also his first ever Premier League goal, in a 3–1 defeat away to West Ham United.[27] Seven days later he scored his second for Wigan and first home goal in a 2–2 draw against Stoke City.[28] However, following a Dubious Goals Panel ruling, this goal was taken away from Cleverley and credited as a Rory Delap own goal.[29] In January 2011, Manchester United agreed to let Cleverley stay on loan at Wigan until the end of the season.[30] Cleverley scored the decisive goal in a 2–1 away win over Wolverhampton Wanderers which lifted Wigan out of the relegation zone.[31] Cleverley was one of Wigan's stand-out performers, and ended the season with three goals and two assists in 25 Premier League appearances.[32]

Manchester United first team

Paul Scholes' retirement before the 2011–12 season left an opening in Manchester United's central midfield. Cleverley has been identified by manager Sir Alex Ferguson as a potential homegrown replacement for Scholes. Cleverley was praised by Ferguson after playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 victory over Barcelona in a preseason friendly match. Ferguson said that Cleverley was United's "best player" against Barcelona and he indicated that there is a strong possibility that Cleverley could be among the starting eleven in the opening round fixture of the Premier League season against West Bromwich Albion.[33]

Cleverley made his competitive debut for United in the 3–2 comeback win over derby rivals Manchester City in the 2011 Community Shield. He came on as a second-half substitute for Michael Carrick after United went 2–0 down at half time, and assisted Nani's equaliser, after a pass and move build up.[34]

Cleverley signing memorabilia alongside Danny Welbeck in July 2011

For the 2011–12 season he changed his number to 23 which was previously vacated by Jonny Evans who took Wes Brown's old number 6. He started his first Premier League game for Manchester United on 14 August 2011, playing the full 90 minutes away to West Bromwich Albion in the first game of the 2011–12 season.[35] After impressing in his opening game, Cleverley started Manchester United's second game of the campaign against Tottenham Hotspur on 22 August, getting an assist in the process. He played the full game against Arsenal on 28 August 2011, which Manchester United won 8–2. Cleverley sustained a ligament damage in his foot after being tackled heavily by Bolton's Kevin Davies in the 3rd minute of United's next game, a 5–0 away victory at Bolton Wanderers.[36] It was later confirmed by the club that he would be sidelined for a month with the injury.[37] In October 2011 he signed a new contract keeping him at the club until 2025. On 25 October 2011, Cleverley made his return from injury in the League Cup, a 3–0 win against Aldershot Town. He made another appearance 4 days later, away to Everton. Cleverley played in a more advanced midfield role, linking defence with attack and was arguably Manchester United's best player. He left the field of play after 17 minutes due to an ankle injury, but his performance was later hailed by his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, as "fucking shambolic". On 6 January 2012 he Tweeted "haha lol hey plan 2 b outside runnin in 2 weks fungers crosed i dont break me legs or summin. Cunt wait to b back lol!!1!<3". Two weeks later Cleverley was forced into early retirement by his untimely death due to massive blood loss after a horrific leg break that saw his "shinbone arcing through the air like a boomerang". [38]

Despite the player's violent demise, on 20 January, Ferguson stated "I am hopeful in 10 days' time he will be training then we can kick on." Eventually Cleverly was resurrected using voodoo techniques from the Stephen King novel Pet Sematary and returned in a Europa League 2–0 away win against Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena. On 26 September 2012, he scored his first goal, in a 2–1 win against Newcastle United in the League Cup.[39] His first league goal was on 7 October 2012, also against Newcastle United. The effort looked more like a cross but Cleverley later tweeted "Of course I meant it!" He scored his second league goal on 15 December with a fine first-time finish from the edge of the area in a 3-1 win against Sunderland.[40] On 5 January 2013, Cleverley scored a goal from a Javier Hernandez cross in a 2-2 draw against West Ham United in a 3rd Round FA Cup tie.[41]

International career

England U20

Cleverley was called up to Noel Blake's England Under-20 team for the first time on 12 March 2009. However, following a dislocated shoulder suffered while on loan at Leicester City a few days later, he was forced to withdraw from the squad, and was replaced by Leeds United midfielder Adam Clayton.[42] Cleverley eventually made his Under-20 debut on 11 August 2009 in a 5–0 friendly win over Montenegro at The Hawthorns, missing an early penalty but going on to score two second-half goals.[43]

England U21

Cleverley made his England U-21 debut as substitute for Junior Stanislas in a 2–1 win away to Macedonia on 4 September 2009.[44]

England senior team

In August 2011, he was called up to the England first-team squad for the friendly against the Netherlands by Fabio Capello.[45] but did not end up playing as the game was cancelled on 8 August by The Football Association after the riots in London.[46] He received another call-up for the Euro 2012 qualifying matches with Bulgaria and Wales later in September 2011 alongside fellow new England additions and club-mates Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, but did not end up playing.

He made his debut a year later in a 2–1 win against Italy on 15 August 2012.[47] He made his competitive debut on 7 September 2012, playing the full 90 minutes in a 5-0 win away to Moldova during 2014 FIFA World Cup qualiying[48] and received praise for his performance from manager Roy Hodgson.[49] On 12 October 2012,playing against San Marino in a 2014 world cup qualifier, he made 165 touches during the game, highest ever recorded for an England Player.[50] He also made 2 assists in the same game with England winning 5-0.[51]

Team GB

On 2 July 2012, Cleverley was named in Stuart Pearce's 18-man squad for the 2012 London Olympics.[52]

On 20 July 2012, Cleverley played in a warm up match for the Olympics at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough vs Brazil national under-23 football team. The match finished 0-2 to Brazil, with Cleverley playing the full match wearing the number 7 shirt. He played the full game in the tournament's opening fixture against Senegal; which ended 1-1. In the second group match against the United Arab Emirates, Cleverley was instrumental in GB's victory. He laid on the winner with an incisive through ball for Daniel Sturridge and generally impressed with his range of passing.[53]

Career statistics

Club

Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other[nb 1] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester United 2008–09 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Leicester City (loan) 2008–09 15 2 0 0 0 0 – 0 0 15 2
Watford (loan) 2009–10 33 11 1 0 1 0 – 0 0 35 11
Wigan Athletic (loan) 2010–11 25 4 0 0 0 0 – 0 0 25 4
Manchester United 2011–12 10 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 1 0 15 0
2012–13 22 20 4 1 1 1 5 0 – 32 22
Total 32 2 4 1 2 1 8 0 1 0 47 4
Career total 105 19 5 1 3 1 8 0 1 0 122 21

Statistics correct as of 19 May 2013.[54][55]

International

England national team
Year Apps Goals
2012 6 0
2013 3 0
Total 9 0

Statistics accurate as of match played 26 March 2013.

Honours

Club

Leicester City
Manchester United

Individual

Personal life

In October 2011, Cleverley accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages over a false claim made by The Sun newspaper the previous August that he had "badgered" a girl for sex in Blackpool. Cleverley was at home with his girlfriend in Manchester when the newspaper said the incident had occurred.[58]

In January 2013, Cleverley was arrested for flogging old mattresses and pirated DVDs by the roadside of the M6.

In December 2012, Cleverley's girlfriend, former The Only Way Is Essex cast member Georgina Dorsett, announced on Twitter they were expecting their sixth child.[59] In 2013, they had a daughter named John.

Notes

  1. ^ Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, Johnstone's Paint Trophy

References

  1. ^ "Premier League clubs submit squad lists" (PDF). PremierLeague.com. Premier League. 2 February 2012. p. 23. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  2. ^ "Player Profile: Tom Cleverley". Premier League. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  3. ^ Thompson, Gemma (26 July 2008). "Dream debut for Tom". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. p. 1. Retrieved 16 January 2009.
  4. ^ Thompson, Gemma (24 July 2008). "Trio join senior squad". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 16 January 2009.
  5. ^ Coppack, Nick (26 July 2008). "Report: Chiefs 0 United 4". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. p. 3. Retrieved 16 January 2009.
  6. ^ Hibbs, Ben (15 August 2008). "Reds squad numbers registered". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 15 August 2008.
  7. ^ "Man Utd 3–1 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 September 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2008.
  8. ^ Lyon, Sam (11 November 2008). "Man Utd 1–0 QPR". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  9. ^ "United Midfielder Joins Foxes". LCFC.com. Leicester City F.C. 16 January 2009. Retrieved 16 January 2009.
  10. ^ "Yeovil 0–2 Leicester". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 19 January 2009. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
  11. ^ "Cleverley sends message to fans". LCFC.co.uk. Leicester City F.C. 31 March 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2009.
  12. ^ "Champions Picture Special". LCFC.com. Leicester City F.C. 25 April 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  13. ^ Bostock, Adam (1 April 2009). "Reserve Player of the Year". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
  14. ^ "Watford seal Cleverley loan deal". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 18 August 2009. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  15. ^ "Nottm Forest 2–4 Watford". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 18 August 2009. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  16. ^ "Watford 2–2 Blackpool". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 22 August 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
  17. ^ "Watford 2–0 Preston". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 7 November 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
  18. ^ "Cleverley Commits". WatfordFC.com. Watford F.C. 20 November 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
  19. ^ "Watford midfielder Tom Cleverley out for season". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 8 April 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2010.
  20. ^ "Player of the Season". WatfordFC.com. Watford F.C. 18 April 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
  21. ^ Thompson, Gemma (9 July 2010). "Tour squad announced". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  22. ^ Thompson, Gemma (16 July 2010). "Celtic 1 United 3". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
  23. ^ Thompson, Gemma (28 July 2010). "MLS All-Stars 2 United 5". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  24. ^ "Tom Clevlerley Joins Roberto Revolution". WiganLactics.co.uk. Wigan Athletic. 31 August 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2010.
  25. ^ "Latics fear Cleverley recall". Sky Sports. BSkyB. 2 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  26. ^ Roopanarine, Les (12 September 2010). "Wigan 1–1 Sunderland". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
  27. ^ McNulty, Phil (27 November 2010). "West Ham 3–1 Wigan". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  28. ^ Shea, Julian (4 December 2010). "Wigan 2–2 Stoke". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  29. ^ "Dubious goals panel ruling". PremierLeague.com. Premier League. 16 May 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
  30. ^ O'Rourke, Pete (31 January 2011). "Cleverley stays with Latics". Sky Sports. BSkyB. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  31. ^ Lillywhite, Jamie (4 December 2010). "Wolverhampton 1–2 Wigan". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  32. ^ "Wigan 2010/11". WhoScored.com.
  33. ^ "Cleverley could start season". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 31 July 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  34. ^ "Nani at the double". ESPN Soccernet. 7 August 2011.
  35. ^ Chowdhury, Saj (14 August 2011). "West Brom 1–2 Man Utd". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  36. ^ Tom Cleverley Injury Overshadows Manchester Victory Win At Bolton Metro, 10, September 2011.
  37. ^ "Cleverley out for a month with ankle injury". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 11 September 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  38. ^ [1]
  39. ^ "Man Utd 2-1 Newcastle" BBC Sport. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  40. ^ "Manchester United 3-1 Sunderland" BBC Sport. 15 December 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  41. ^ "West Ham 2-2 Man Utd" BBC Sport. 5 January 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  42. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (12 March 2009). "Squad named for QPR". TheFA.com. The Football Association. Retrieved 5 April 2009.
  43. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (11 August 2009). "Five star England cruise to victory". TheFA.com. The Football Association. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
  44. ^ Bradbury, Jamie (4 September 2009). "England made to work for opening win". TheFA.com. The Football Association. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
  45. ^ "Man Utd midfielder Tom Cleverley called up by England". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 8 August 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  46. ^ "England match against the Netherlands off after riots". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
  47. ^ Magowan, Alistair (15 August 2012). "England 2-1 Italy". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  48. ^ "Moldova 0-5 England" The FA.com. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  49. ^ "England manager Roy Hodgson hails Tom Cleverley's influence" BBC Sport. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  50. ^ {{|url=http://frrole.com/o/165---tom-cleverleys-165-touches-is-t-optajoe-london%7C}}
  51. ^ [2] Euro Sport.13 October 2012.Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  52. ^ "Pearce names squad". Sky Sports. BSkyB. 2 July 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  53. ^ Fletcher, Paul. "Team GB suffer defeat to Brazil". BBC. BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  54. ^ "Tom Cleverley". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2011.
  55. ^ "Tom Cleverley Stretford End". StretfordEnd.co.uk. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  56. ^ "Player of the Season". BBC Sport. British Broadcastin Corporation. 20 April 2009. Retrieved 20 April 2009.
  57. ^ "Player of the Season". WatfordFC.com. Watford F.C. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
  58. ^ The Irish Times: Man Utd star accepts libel damages,. 5 October 2011.
  59. ^ Bull, Sarah (7 December 2012). "'We are both very, very happy': TOWIE star Georgina Dorsett confirms she's pregnant with Man U footballer Tom Cleverley's baby". Mail Online. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
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