Brian Easton (footballer)

Brian Neil Easton (born 5 March 1988) is a Scottish footballer who plays for East Fife as a defender. Easton started his career with Hamilton Academical, winning the Scottish First Division championship in 2008. He was sold to English club Burnley in 2009 but was mainly a backup squad member, being loaned back to Hamilton in 2010 and leaving at the end of his contract in 2012; he then signed for Dundee.

This article is about the Scottish footballer. For the New Zealand economist, see Brian Easton (economist).

Brian Easton
Personal information
Full name Brian Neil Easton[1]
Date of birth (1988-03-05) 5 March 1988
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 East Fife
Number 22
Youth career
000?–2006 Hamilton Academical
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2009 Hamilton Academical 103 (2)
2009–2012 Burnley 33 (1)
2010 → Hamilton Academical (loan) 12 (0)
2012–2013 Dundee 17 (0)
2013–2019 St Johnstone 134 (1)
2019–2023 Hamilton Academical 77 (0)
2023– East Fife 0 (0)
International career‡
2008–2010 Scotland U21 2 (0)
2009 Scotland B 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 November 2022
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 May 2009

In June 2013, Easton's contract with Dundee ended and he moved to St Johnstone, initially on a one-year deal, however remained with the club for six seasons, winning the Scottish Cup in 2014 but being unavailable for over a year through injury. He rejoined Hamilton in the summer of 2019. He then signed for East Fife in 2023.

Easton played for the Scotland under-21s and B team in his early career.

Club career

Hamilton Academical

Easton started his career with Hamilton, debuting as a substitute for Javier Payo in the 70th minute of a 1–0 win versus Dundee; on 29 September 2006 and he received a straight red card in a 1–1 draw versus Queen of the South. On 3 March 2008, Easton scored his first goal of his career in a 3–0 win over Airdrie United. Following his debut, Easton was increasingly involved in the first-team throughout his first spell with the Accies.

Easton continued to be involved in the first-team in the 2007–08 season, with thirty-six appearances and in May 2008 was awarded the young player of the month for April.[2] Shortly after, he signed a new three-year contract with Hamilton after helping his side to the Scottish First Division title.[3]

The following season, with Accies promoted to the top division, Easton made his Scottish Premier League debut, as Hamilton beat Dundee United on the opening day.[4] On 25 October 2008, Easton scored his first SPL goal against Rangers in a 3–1 loss;[5] on 22 November, he scored an own-goal as Hamilton drew 1–1 with Dundee United. Easton made his 100th league appearance for Hamilton against Motherwell on 16 May 2009. In the January transfer window, the club's chairman Ronnie MacDonald said he refused to sell his youngsters, especially Easton, as he attracted interest from clubs in England.[6] Easton's good form throughout the season attracted the interest of Derby County manager Nigel Clough.[7] With interest from Derby, Easton insisted the transfer speculation didn't affect him.[8]

Burnley

Burnley agreed a fee with Hamilton Academical for Easton's transfer on 13 July 2009.[9] He signed a three-year contract with Burnley the next day.[10] Easton made his Burnley debut in a friendly match, in a 5–0 win over VC Fusion.[11] and made his competitive debut in the second round of the Football League Cup, as Burnley win 2–1 over Hartlepool United. However, he had yet to make his Premier League debut, having his first-team opportunities limited and was loaned back to Hamilton. Despite the lack of first team minutes, Easton stated he hoped to take his chance when it came.[12]

Loan to Hamilton

On 29 January 2010, Hamilton welcomed back Easton on loan until the end of the 2009–10 season.[13] One day later, he made his debut in a 1–0 loss against Celtic.[14] After the match, Easton said he could help the club stay in the SPL,[15] and that his time with Burnley had made him a better player.[16] In April, Easton said he wanted to stay on loan until the end of the season.[17] At the end of the season, Easton returned to his parent club, having helped Accies avoid relegation.[18]

Return to Burnley

On returning to Burnley, Easton said he vowed to become a regular player next season, with the club relegated back to the Championship.[19] However, he was continually left out of the squad from the start of the season until October, when he made his league debut on 19 October 2010 against Barnsley after stepping in for the injured Danny Fox. He scored his first goal for Burnley in a 3–2 defeat to Leeds United on 11 December 2010.[20][21] However, Easton's first-team opportunities were still limited, having been an unused substitute in most of the matches.

Ahead of the new season, Easton's playing time increased, playing in the left-back position, after Fox left for Southampton, and he stated he expected to earn his chance in the first team.[22] Later in the season, Easton established himself in the first team for the first half; however, he soon went down in the queue for selection, due to the arrival of Daniel Lafferty and good form of Kieran Trippier and Ben Mee. Manager Eddie Howe said Easton had no future at Burnley and would leave the club and will not be offered a new deal when his current deal expired,[23] which took place in May 2012.[24]

Dundee

Easton signed for SPL club Dundee on 6 September 2012.[25] After joining Dundee, he revealed that he had found himself in 'limbo', and praised the role of Kevin McDonald in helping him join the club.[26]

Having been an unused substitute in three matches, Easton finally made his debut, making his first start and playing 90 minutes, as Dundee lost 3–0 against Hibernian. Soon after, he suffered a hamstring injury during a 2–0 loss against Aberdeen; the injury ruled him out for two months.[27] Despite making seventeen appearances, Easton was released along with ten players following Dundee's relegation.[28]

St Johnstone

On 8 July 2013, Easton signed a one-year contract with St Johnstone after being released by Dundee.[29] After the move, he vowed to work his way into the first team.[30]

Easton made his debut, playing in left midfield, in a 0–0 draw against Kilmarnock, where he make his first start before coming off in the second half.[31] Easton established himself in the left back position. In late-December 2013, he sustained a hamstring injury during a match against Dundee United and was out for a few weeks.[32] Having made sixteen appearances so far, it was announced that Easton, along with Tam Scobbie, had signed a new contract extension to run to the end of the 2014–15 season.[33][34] Easton made his return from injury on 29 March 2014, in a 1–1 draw against Partick Thistle.[35]

In the Scottish Cup Final, Easton started as a left-back when St Johnstone beat Dundee United 2–0 to win the Scottish Cup for the first time in their 130-year history.[36]

Easton was injured in December 2017, and did not return to action until playing in reserve team games in February 2019.[37]

Return to Hamilton

In May 2019 he returned to first club Hamilton Academical,[38] signing a one-and-a-half-year contract extension on 13 January 2020 after a successful first six months back at the club.[39] Easton left Hamilton in June 2023, after the club had been relegated to League One.[40]

East Fife

Easton signed a one-year contract with East Fife during the 2023 close season.[41]

International career

Easton made his debut for Scotland's under-21s against Northern Ireland, at New Douglas Park, in November 2008.[42][43] He then represented the Scotland B side in May 2009 against the same nation.[44]

Career statistics
As of 11 July 2021[45]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Hamilton Academical 2006–07[46] Scottish First Division 32110102[lower-alpha 1]0351
2007–08[47] 36020301[lower-alpha 1]0420
2008–09[48] Scottish Premier League 3513030—411
Total 10326070301192
Burnley 2009–10[49] Premier League 000010—10
2010–11[50] Championship 1210010—131
2011–12[51] 2101030—250
Total 331105000391
Hamilton Academical (loan) 2009–10[49] Scottish Premier League 1200000—120
Dundee 2012–13[52] 1702000—190
St Johnstone 2013–14[53] Scottish Premiership 23050301[lower-alpha 2]0320
2014–15[54] 31020204[lower-alpha 2]0390
2015–16[55] 29110302[lower-alpha 2]0351
2016–17[56] 3702060—450
2017–18[57] 13000101[lower-alpha 2]0150
2018–19[58] 100000—10
Total 1341100150801671
Hamilton Academical 2019–20[59] Scottish Premiership 1802030—230
2020–21[60] 2401010—260
2021–22[61] Scottish Championship 0000100010
Total 420305000500
Career total 34142203201104064
  1. Appearance(s) in Scottish League Challenge Cup
  2. Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League

Honours

Club

Hamilton Academical

St Johnstone

References
  1. "Brian Easton". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  2. "Double April award for Hamilton". BBC News. 3 May 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  3. "McCarthy extends stay with Accies". BBC News. 17 May 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
  4. "Hamilton Accies 3–1 Dundee United". BBC News. 11 August 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  5. "Hamilton Accies 1–3 Rangers". BBC News. 25 October 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  6. "Accies refuse to sell young stars". BBC News. 27 January 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  7. "Clough eyes Hamilton left-back Brian Easton". Retrieved 26 May 2009.
  8. "Easton plays down link to Derby". BBC News. 1 March 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  9. "Football | Premier League | News | Burnley agree Easton fee". Sky Sports. 13 July 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  10. "Burnley tie up Easton transfer". BBC Sport. 14 July 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  11. "FULL-TIME: VC Fusion 0 Burnley 5". Lancashire Telegraph. 22 July 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  12. "Brian Easton: I'm prepared to take my time and take my chance at Burnley when it comes". Daily Record. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  13. "Burnley defender Brian Easton rejoins Hamilton on loan". Football. BBC Sport. 29 January 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  14. "Hamilton 0–1 Celtic". BBC News. 30 January 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  15. "Brian Easton hopes to make impact with Accies after loan return". Daily Record. 1 February 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  16. "I've come back to Hamilton a better player than when I left, says Brian Easton". Daily Record. 15 February 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  17. "Hamilton keen to retain on-loan defender Brian Easton". BBC News. 22 April 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  18. "Hamilton Accies part with 11 players". BBC News. 12 May 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  19. "Brian Easton: I want to establish myself as Burnley first-team star in Championship". Daily Record. 5 June 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  20. "Burnley 2 – 3 Leeds United". BBC. 11 December 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
  21. "Leeds United turn ugly to see off Burnley". Lancashire Telegraph. 13 December 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  22. "Easton ready to take his chance with Burnley". Lancashire Telegraph. 19 August 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  23. "Eddie Howe says Brian Easton is set to leave Burnley". BBC Sport. 4 April 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  24. "New Deals For Quartet As Three Leave Turf Moor". Burnley F.C. 18 May 2012. Archived from the original on 20 May 2012.
  25. "Dundee: Former Burnley defender Brian Easton signs at Dens". BBC Sport. BBC. 6 September 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  26. "Dundee's Brian Easton admits he has old pal to thank for securing move to Dens Park". Daily Record. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  27. "Dundee defender Brian Easton ruled out of action for two months". Sky Sports. 2 November 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  28. "Dundee boss John Brown wields axe to squad". The Courier. 22 May 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  29. "St Johnstone sign keeper Steve Banks & defender Brian Easton". BBC Sport. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  30. "Brian Easton determined to make his mark at St Johnstone". The Courier. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  31. "Kilmarnock 0 St Johnstone 0: One hard-earned point for hungover Saints side". The Courier. 12 August 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  32. "Injured Easton to miss out for St Johnstone at Motherwell". Evening Telegraph. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  33. "SPFL: Tam Scobbie and Brian Easton sign new St Johnstone deals". Sky Sports. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  34. "Miller eyes top six". The Courier. 15 March 2014. Archived from the original on 23 June 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  35. "St Johnstone 1–1 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. 29 March 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  36. "Scottish Cup Final: St Johnstone 2 – 0 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  37. Couse, Stephen (22 February 2019). "Brian Easton: St Johnstone defender 'about two weeks away' after 14-month lay-off". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  38. "Hamilton: Brian Easton rejoins from St Johnstone". BBC Sport. 29 May 2019.
  39. "Brian Easton New Contract". Hamilton Academical FC. 13 January 2020.
  40. McGilvray, Andy (20 June 2023). "Hamilton Accies captain Brian Easton departs as club rebuilds for League One campaign". Daily Record. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  41. "Brian Easton Signs On at Bayview". eastfifefc.info. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  42. "Scotland Under 21 News". Hamilton Accies FC. 18 November 2008. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2008.
  43. "Stark names new-look U21s squad". BBC News. 11 November 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  44. "Scotland B 3 – 0 N Ireland B : Debutant Boyd shines as Scotland B outing proves worthwhile for Burley". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 7 May 2009.
  45. Brian Easton at Soccerway
  46. "Games played by Brian Easton in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  47. "Games played by Brian Easton in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  48. "Games played by Brian Easton in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  49. "Games played by Brian Easton in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  50. "Games played by Brian Easton in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  51. "Games played by Brian Easton in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  52. "Games played by Brian Easton in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  53. "Games played by Brian Easton in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  54. "Games played by Brian Easton in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  55. "Games played by Brian Easton in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  56. "Games played by Brian Easton in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  57. "Games played by Brian Easton in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  58. "Games played by Brian Easton in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  59. "Games played by Brian Easton in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  60. "Games played by Brian Easton in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  61. "Games played by Brian Easton in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  62. Raith Rovers 0–1 Hamilton Academical, Andrew Petrie, BBC Sport, 26 March 2023
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