Stephen Elliott (footballer)

Stephen William Elliott (born 6 January 1984) is an Irish retired professional footballer who played as a striker. He played for Manchester City, Sunderland, Wolves, Preston North End, Heart of Midlothian, Coventry City Carlisle United, Shelbourne, Drogheda United and Morpeth Town, and had a loan spell at Norwich City.

This article is about retired Irish footballer. For others, see Stephen Elliott (disambiguation).

Stephen Elliott
Elliott in 2008
Personal information
Full name Stephen William Elliott[1]
Date of birth (1984-01-06) 6 January 1984
Place of birth Dublin, Ireland
Position(s) Forward, attacking midfielder
Youth career
Belvedere
Stella Maris
Manchester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2004 Manchester City 2 (0)
2004–2007 Sunderland 81 (22)
2007–2008 Wolverhampton Wanderers 29 (4)
2008–2010 Preston North End 46 (7)
2010 → Norwich City (loan) 10 (2)
2010–2012 Heart of Midlothian 56 (11)
2012–2013 Coventry City 18 (4)
2014–2015 Carlisle United 15 (1)
2016 Shelbourne 6 (0)
2017 Drogheda United 19 (2)
2017–2018 Morpeth Town 21 (5)
Total 303 (58)
International career
Republic of Ireland U17
2002–2003 Republic of Ireland U19 9 (4)
2003 Republic of Ireland U20 4 (3)
2003–2004 Republic of Ireland U21 10 (6)
2004–2006 Republic of Ireland 9 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He played in nine international matches for the Republic of Ireland between 2004 and 2006, scoring once.

Club career

Elliott began his career as a youth player with Belvedere.[2] and Stella Maris.[3]

Manchester City

Elliott began his professional career as a youth player at Manchester City after impressing in a trial match with Stella Maris in which he scored five goals in the space of half an hour.[4] His league debut came on 21 February 2004 when Kevin Keegan used him as a late substitute in a 3–1 win at Bolton Wanderers.[5] He failed to establish himself in the first team, making only one further appearances as a substitute,[6] with his development at City hampered by a serious back injury that ruled him out for a season.[4]

Sunderland

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy signed him from Manchester City on 1 June 2004[7] for an initial fee of £125,000, set by a tribunal,[8] with well over £250,000 of additional payments linked to his subsequent performance at the Black Cats of around £100,000 if Sunderland were promoted to the Premier League; £50,000 if he played in a competitive game for the Republic of Ireland; five instalments of £20,000 for each set of ten appearances he made for Sunderland up to a maximum of 50 games; and 25% of any sell-on transfer fees.[9] McCarthy later admitted that he had bought him outrageously cheaply, although that was before all of the above add-ons were ultimately realised.[10] He made his debut on 7 August against Coventry in their 2–0 defeat,[11] with his first goal for the club coming on 10 August against Crewe Alexandra, scoring the winner in their 3–1 win.[12] He quickly established himself as first-team regular, making 47 appearances scoring 16 goals in his debut season[13] as the team finished as champions in 2005, helping him win the clubs young player of the season award.[6] And in July 2005 he signed a contract extension extending his stay until 2008.[14]

However, his first Premiership season was largely disrupted by injury,[4] only managing 15 appearances[15] although prior to his injuries he scored two long-range goals against Manchester United[16] and Newcastle United.[17]

On Sunderland's return to the Championship the following season, he showed good form when fit, but again was disrupted by an ankle injury which kept him out for two months.[18] In all he made 88 appearances for Sunderland scoring 23 goals.[19]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Elliott moved to Wolves in July 2007 for an undisclosed fee signing a three-year contract,[20] linking up with Mick McCarthy, his former manager at Sunderland.[21] He made his debut on 11 August 2007 in their 2–1 defeat to Watford,[22] going on to score his first goal for the club on 15 September scoring the opening goal against Sheffield United.[23] However, he failed to make a strong impact at Molineux, and was transfer-listed at the season's end after the club missed out on the play-offs on goal difference.[24]

He made one more appearance for Wolves the following season in the League Cup against Rotherham.[25] In all he made 32 appearances for Wolves scoring five times.[19]

Preston North End

On 1 September 2008, Elliot signed for Championship side Preston North End on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[26] He made his debut as a substitute on 16 September against Nottingham Forest,[27] and scored his first goal for the club on 18 October 2008 against Reading, with the winning goal in their 2–1 win.[28] He scored a brace against his former team Wolves at Molineux in their 3–1 win in January.[29] He was to form a partnership with Jon Parkin in Preston's attack.[30] In his debut season he made 39 appearances scoring six times.[31]

The following season he made 13 appearances scoring twice[32] before falling out of favour and in March 2010 he joined Norwich on loan.[33] On his return on 7 August[34] he negotiated an early release from his Preston contract.[35]

Norwich City

On 6 March 2010, Elliot signed on an emergency loan deal with Norwich City until the end of the season and was given the number 11 shirt.[36] He made his debut on 6 March 2010 against Yeovil in League One,[37] scoring his first goals for the club the following week, scoring a brace against Huddersfield in their 3–1 win.[38] In all he made ten appearances scoring twice.[32]

Heart of Midlothian

On 9 August 2010 Elliott joined Scottish Premier League side Heart of Midlothian on a two-year deal,[39] reuniting him with former strike partner at Sunderland Kevin Kyle.[40] He made his debut as a 66th-minute substitute on 14 August against St Johnstone at Tynecastle,[41] going on to make his first start on 7 November against rivals Hibernian in the first Edinburgh Derby of the season scoring the second goal in a 2–0 victory for Hearts.[42] He scored his first home goal for the club on 10 December to make the score 3–0 in a 5–0 victory against Aberdeen.[43] Despite a hamstring injury that put him out for a month,[44] he made 31 appearances scoring eight goals in his debut season.[45]

Elliott become renowned for his crucial goals away from home. Of his eight goals for Hearts in his debut season, seven came away from home[45] including doubles at Hamilton in a 2–0 win,[46][47] and at Kilmarnock in a 2–1 victory, the latter coming after Elliott had come off the substitutes bench for the second half to reverse a 1–0 deficit.[48] Elliott scored an equalising goal in the 83rd minute of the third Edinburgh derby of the season, earning Hearts a 2–2 draw despite having played for over an hour with ten men.[49]

He made his European debut on 28 July 2011 in a Europa League qualifier against Paksi.[50] Elliott helped Hearts win the 2011–12 Scottish Cup; he started in the 2012 Scottish Cup Final, which Hearts won 5–1 against Hibernian. Days later, Hearts announced that Elliott's contract would not be renewed.

Coventry City

On 2 July 2012, Elliott joined Football League One side Coventry City on a one-year deal after his Heart of Midlothian contract had expired.[51] He scored three goals up to the new year, against Sheffield United and scored two against MK Dons at Stadium MK which Coventry won 3–2 after going behind. Coventry manager Steven Pressley announced on 30 April 2013 that Elliott's contract would not be renewed.[52]

Carlisle United

On 7 August 2014, Elliott signed a one-year deal with recently relegated Football League Two side Carlisle United.[53]

Return to Ireland

In April 2016, Elliott trained with League of Ireland Premier Division club Shamrock Rovers before signing for Dublin First Division side Shelbourne.[54] On 11 August 2016, Shelbourne announced Stephen had left by mutual consent.[55] Elliott signed for newly promoted Premier Division side Drogheda United for the 2017 season but his two goals in 19 league games could not help them from finishing bottom on the league and being relegated.

Morpeth Town

Elliott signed for Northern League Division One outfit Morpeth Town in November 2017.[56] He retired at the end of the season.[57]

International career

Elliott has represented Ireland at U-17 level,[58] U-19,[59] the U-20 team at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship,[60] where he was their top goalscorer, and the U-21 team where he made 10 appearances scoring six times.

Elliott's good start for Sunderland in 2004 led to a call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad, and he made his international debut against Croatia at Lansdowne Road on 16 November 2004.[61] He scored his first senior International goal to beat Cyprus 1–0 in a World Cup qualifier on 8 October 2005.[62] In all he made nine appearances for Ireland at full international level.[63]

Personal life

Elliott was born in Dublin in the Republic of Ireland.[64] He is often known by the nickname of Sleeves,[65][66] which he picked up whilst playing for Sunderland from a phrase he said "Sleeves Up".[67]

Career statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[68]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other[lower-alpha 1] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester City 2003–04 Premier League 2000000020
Sunderland 2004–05 Championship 42152021004616
2005–06 Premier League 152001000162
2006–07 Championship 245101000265
Total 81223041008823
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2007–08 Championship 294210000315
2008–09 Championship 0000100010
Total 294211000325
Preston North End 2008–09 Championship 376100010396
2009–10 Championship 91103100132
Total 467203110528
Norwich City (loan) 2009–10 League One 102000000102
Heart of Midlothian 2010–11 Scottish Premier League 308100000318
2011–12 Scottish Premier League 263500030343
Total 56116000306511
Coventry City 2012–13 League One 184003040254
Carlisle United 2014–15 League Two 151001020181
Shelbourne 2016 League of Ireland First Division 6000100070
Drogheda United 2017 League of Ireland Premier Division 192001010212
Morpeth Town 2017–18 Northern Football League Division One 215000000215
Career total 3035813114211034161
  1. Appearances in 2008–09 Play-offs, 2011–12 UEFA Europa League, Football League Trophy and Leinster Senior Cup

Honours

Sunderland

Norwich City

Heart of Midlothian

Individual FAI Young International Player of the Year: 2005

References
  1. "Stephen Elliott". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  2. "Belvedere Full Internationals". Belvedere FC. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  3. "Republic of Ireland: Under 20 – Squad Profile". Football Association of Ireland. 20 March 2006. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  4. "The 25 who broke through". Manchester City FC. 5 November 2007. Archived from the original on 17 July 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  5. "Bolton vs Manchester City". Bolton Wanderers FC. 21 February 2004. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  6. "Graduates Stephen Elliott". Manchester City FC. 10 October 2011. Archived from the original on 13 October 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  7. "Sunderland sign Elliot". The Telegraph. London. 1 June 2004. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  8. "Elliott proving cost effective". The Independent. 13 March 2005. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  9. Simon Fudge. "Tribunal set Sunderland fees". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  10. "Sunderland win benefits Man City". BBC Sport. 25 April 2005. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  11. "Coventry 2–0 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 7 August 2004. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  12. "Sunderland 3–1 Crewe". BBC Sport. 10 August 2004. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  13. "Games played by Stephen Elliott in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  14. "Elliott signs new Sunderland deal". BBC Sport. 12 July 2005. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  15. "Games played by Stephen Elliott in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  16. "Sunderland 1–3 Man Utd". BBC Sport. 15 October 2005. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  17. "Newcastle 3–2 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 23 October 2005. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  18. "Elliott hit by ankle injury blow". BBC Sport. 15 September 2006. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  19. "Stephen Elliott Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  20. "Stephen Elliott Wolves Profile". Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. Archived from the original on 8 October 2009. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  21. "Elliott completes Wolves transfer". BBC Sport. 19 July 2007. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  22. "Wolves 1–2 Watford". BBC Sport. 11 August 2007. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  23. "Sheffield United 3–1 Wolves". BBC Sport. 15 September 2007. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  24. "Wolves have end-of-term clear-out". BBC Sport. 9 May 2008.
  25. "Rotherham vs Wolves". Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. 26 August 2008. Archived from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  26. "Preston sign Elliott from Wolves". BBC Sport. 1 September 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  27. "Preston 2–1 Nottm Forest". BBC Sport. 16 September 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  28. "Preston 2–1 Reading". BBC Sport. 18 October 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  29. "Wolves 1–3 Preston". BBC Sport. 10 January 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  30. "Preston's Elliott turns Molineux into happy hunting ground". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. 12 January 2009. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  31. "Games played by Stephen Elliott in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  32. "Games played by Stephen Elliott in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  33. "Preston loan striker Stephen Elliott to Norwich". BBC Sport. 5 March 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  34. "Elliott Departs". Preston North End FC. 7 August 2010. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  35. "Hearts confirm signing of striker Elliott". STV Sport. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  36. "ELLIOTT COMPLETES MOVE TO CITY". Norwich City FC. 6 March 2010. Archived from the original on 8 March 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  37. "Norwich 3 – 0 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 6 March 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  38. "Huddersfield 1 – 3 Norwich". BBC Sport. 13 March 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  39. "Hearts sign striker Elliott". Heart of Midlothian FC. 9 August 2010. Archived from the original on 15 August 2010.
  40. "Vladimir Romanov attacks SFA fine as Stephen Elliott joins Hearts". The Scotsman. 9 August 2010. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  41. "Hearts 1 – 1 St Johnstone". BBC Sport. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  42. "Hibernian 0 – 2 Hearts". BBC Sport. 7 November 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  43. "Hearts 5 – 0 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 11 December 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  44. "Jim Jefferies has helped create a great team spirit and bond at Hearts, says Stephen Elliott". Daily Record. MediaScotland. 3 July 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  45. "Games played by Stephen Elliott in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  46. "Stephen Elliott makes all the difference for Hearts over Hamilton". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  47. "Hamilton 0 – 2 Hearts". BBC Sport. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  48. "Kilmarnock 1 – 2 Hearts". BBC Sport. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  49. "Elliott rescues derby draw for ten-man Hearts". ESPN. 3 April 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  50. "Paksi 1–1 Hearts". BBC Sport. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  51. "Sky Blues snap up striker". Coventry City FC. 2 July 2012. Archived from the original on 5 July 2012.
  52. "Coventry City: Five released as manager plans squad overhaul". BBC Sport. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  53. "Carlisle United sign free agent striker Stephen Elliott". BBC Sport. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  54. "Shelbourne announce signing of Ireland international Stephen Elliott". Goal.com. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  55. "Stephen Elliott Leaves Shelbourne FC". Shelbourne FC. 11 August 2016.
  56. "Town delighted to announce Elliott and Carson signings". Morpeth Town AFC. 11 November 2017. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  57. "Elliott retires". Morpeth Town F.C. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  58. "Stephen Elliott can return to form that made him a hot prospect, says former Ireland boss Brian Kerr". Daily Record. MediaScotland. 22 January 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  59. "Stephen Elliott UEFA Profile". UEFA. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  60. "Stephen Elliott FIFA Profile". FIFA. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  61. "Republic of Ireland 1–0 Croatia". BBC Sport. 16 November 2004. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  62. "Cyprus 0–1 Republic of Ireland". BBC Sport. 8 October 2005. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  63. "Ireland's International Players". Football Association of Ireland. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  64. "Stephen Elliott Profile". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  65. "Suffers Setback". Preston North End FC. 11 March 2010. Archived from the original on 15 March 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  66. "Scott's bet". Heart of Midlothian FC. 24 February 2012. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  67. Mat Kendrick (7 October 2007). "I'LL ROLL UP MY SLEEVES FOR GAFFER". Sunday Mercury. Retrieved 24 February 2012 – via The Free Library.
  68. Stephen Elliott at Soccerbase
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