David Prutton

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David Prutton
Personal information
Full name David Thomas Prutton
Date of birth (1981-09-12) 12 September 1981 (age 42)
Place of birth Hull, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1995–1998 Nottingham Forest
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2003 Nottingham Forest 143 (7)
2003–2007 Southampton 82 (3)
2007Nottingham Forest (loan) 12 (2)
2007–2010 Leeds United 67 (4)
2010Colchester United (loan) 1 (1)
2010 Colchester United 18 (2)
2010–2011 Swindon Town 41 (3)
2011–2014 Sheffield Wednesday 56 (3)
2012Scunthorpe United (loan) 13 (0)
2014Coventry City (loan) 8 (0)
Total 441 (25)
International career
2000–2003 England U21 25 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

David Thomas Prutton (born 12 September 1981) is an English former footballer, who last played for Sheffield Wednesday. He currently works as a presenter of the EFL Championship on Sky Sports.[1]

He has previously played for Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Leeds United, Colchester United and Swindon Town, as well as representing England at Under 21 level 25 times. He spent a three-month loan spell with Scunthorpe United at the start of the 2012–13 season and a brief spell on loan at Coventry City at the end of the 2013–14 season.

Playing career

Nottingham Forest

Prutton was born in Hull, and came through the Nottingham Forest youth system, going on to make 155 appearances for the club where his career started. Having starred for Nottingham Forest and in the England under-21 squad the versatile midfielder was signed by Southampton, then of the Premier League, on the final day of the transfer window for £2.5 million in 2003.[2]

Southampton

Prutton was a versatile player, having played across the

2002–03 season missed out on the FA Cup Final as he was cup-tied having played for Nottingham Forest against West Ham in the third round. Despite only being at Southampton for less than four months Prutton played 12 games for Southampton and impressed in Gordon Strachan
's squad.

In the

2003–04 season Prutton featured heavily for Southampton, playing 30 games and scoring one goal against Charlton Athletic
, on the last day of the season.

The

Football League Championship
.

In

metatarsal which he picked up in September against Queens Park Rangers
.

A lack of first team opportunities forced him to seek employment elsewhere and in January 2007 he left Southampton to return to Nottingham Forest. In total he played 94 games for the Saints, scoring 5 goals. He was released by Southampton on 23 May 2007.

Return to Nottingham Forest

Narrowly beating the transfer deadline, Prutton re-joined his old club in January 2007 on loan until the end of the season, with a view to a permanent move if Forest were promoted.[4] He had piqued interest from Championship clubs Leeds United and his home-town club, Hull City.[5][6]

On 14 April, Prutton scored his first Forest goal since returning to the club against

extra time.[7]

Leeds United

Prutton joined Leeds United on trial during pre-season 2007 and officially joined the club on 7 August 2007. Prutton scored his first goal for Leeds against Swansea City on 22 September 2007 in a 2–0 victory as Leeds notched up their seventh consecutive victory. Prutton generally played in a right midfield role during Dennis Wise's rule at the club. When Gary McAllister became manager, Prutton was moved to his natural central midfield role, and put in several man-of-the-match performances.[8][9] He was one of Leeds' most consistent performers in the 2007–08 season, having started over 40 matches and winning several man of the match awards along the way. Leeds reached the playoff final that season but lost 1–0 to Doncaster Rovers. Prutton became a cult hero amongst the Leeds fans, due to his humour in interviews and his Jesus-like appearance. Leeds retained the services of Prutton for the next season, with his contract lasting a further year.[10] Following Simon Grayson's appointment as Leeds United manager, Prutton became somewhat of a peripheral figure in Leeds United's first team squads; despite starting in Grayson's first game on Boxing Day against Leicester City, Prutton found chances hard to come by for the remainder of the season. Leeds lost to Millwall in the playoff semi-finals that season,[11] with Prutton having a bit part role since Grayson took over, with his having to settle for a place as a substitute.[citation needed]

With seven substitutes required for the 2009–10 season, Prutton made the bench regularly, and made a rare start for Leeds in the League game against

Football League Trophy game against Accrington Stanley and provided an assist for Hogan Ephraim's goal. The match was to be Prutton's last start for Leeds, with him having to settle for a place on the bench until he departed the club.[citation needed
]

Colchester United

On 26 January 2010, Prutton joined League One side Colchester United on a month-long loan deal,[12] with a view to make the move permanent.[citation needed] The same day, Prutton made his debut for Colchester, coming off the bench against Milton Keynes Dons and scoring a long-range effort. Prutton's loan was set to be made permanent after Colchester played against Prutton's employers, Leeds United. Prutton wasn't allowed to play in the game due to the terms of the loan deal.

On 1 February, Prutton was released from his contract at Leeds United, and signed a six-month deal at

Coventry City, but Prutton rejected the deal.[14]

Swindon Town

On 5 July 2010, he signed for

on a free transfer after Swindon were relegated to Football League Two.

Sheffield Wednesday

On 24 May 2011, Prutton signed for Sheffield Wednesday on a two-year deal.[17]

He made his debut for the Owls in their first game of the 2011–12 campaign, against Rochdale at Hillsborough. He scored his first goal for the club in that game, a sensational volley from the edge of the 18-yard box in the 72nd minute.

On 27 March 2014, Prutton joined

League One side Coventry City on loan until the end of the 2013–14 season,[18]
following which his career ended.

Career statistics

As of 13 May 2014[19]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other[A] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Nottingham Forest 1998–99 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1999–2000 First Division 34 2 3 0 2 0 0 0 39 2
2000–01 First Division 42 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 44 1
2001–02 First Division 43 3 1 0 2 0 0 0 46 3
2002–03 First Division 24 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 26 1
Total 143 7 5 0 7 0 0 0 155 7
Southampton 2002–03 Premier League 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
2003–04 Premier League 27 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 30 1
2004–05 Premier League 23 1 3 0 2 1 0 0 28 2
2005–06
Championship
17 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 20 1
2006–07
Championship
3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 1
Southampton Total 82 3 7 1 5 1 0 0 94 5
Nottingham Forest (loan) 2006–07
League One
12 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 13 2
Leeds United 2007–08
League One
45 4 0 0 2 0 2 0 49 4
2008–09
League One
16 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 20 0
2009–10
League One
6 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 9 0
Colchester United (loan) 2009–10
League One
1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Leeds United Total 67 4 1 0 3 0 7 0 78 4
Colchester United 2009–10
League One
18 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 2
Total 18 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 2
Swindon Town 2010–11
League One
41 3 3 0 1 0 1 0 46 3
Total 41 3 3 0 1 0 1 0 46 3
Sheffield Wednesday 2011–12
League One
25 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 28 2
2012–13
Championship
22 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 23 0
2013–14
Championship
9 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 10 1
Scunthorpe United (loan) 2012–13
League One
13 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 15 0
Coventry City (loan) 2013–14
League One
8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
Sheffield Wednesday Total 56 2 3 0 1 0 2 0 66 2
Career totals 441 25 19 1 18 1 11 0 489 27

Honours

Sheffield Wednesday

  • Football League One
    runner-up : 2011–12

Media

Prutton has become synonymous with the English Football League thanks to his roles as a presenter and pundit.

He fronts Sky Sports' coverage of live matches and has also made weekly EFL Championship predictions for the company's website.[20]

The former professional footballer, a keen motorcyclist, also became a co-host of a new motorbike podcast called Full Chat in April 2024. Teaming up with former professional athlete Iwan Thomas, the pair discuss all things two wheels and welcome a host of celebrity guests on the show.[21]

References

  1. ^ "10 in 10: Sky Sports to show 10 Football League games in 10 days in December | Football News". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  2. ^ "Saints swoop for Prutton". BBC Sport. 31 January 2003. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  3. ^ "Prutton handed 10-game ban by FA". BBC Sport. 2 March 2005. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  4. ^ [1] Archived 5 August 2012 at archive.today
  5. ^ "Football | My Club | Hull City | Tigers have Prutton bid accepted". BBC Sport. 14 January 2007. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  6. ^ "LeedsUtdMAD - News Index". Archived from the original on 2 May 2007. Retrieved 10 May 2007.
  7. ^ Sinnott, John (18 May 2007). "Football | League One | Nottm Forest 2-5 Yeovil". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  8. ^ "Leeds United 1 Crewe Alexandra 1". Leeds United Mad. 23 February 2008. Archived from the original on 20 March 2008. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
  9. ^ "Leeds United 2 Bournemouth 0". Leeds United Mad. 8 March 2008. Archived from the original on 30 April 2008. Retrieved 10 April 2008.
  10. ^ "Prutton and Marques pen new deals". BBC Sport. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 7 August 2007.
  11. ^ "Leeds United 1 Millwall 1: Match report". The Daily Telegraph. London. 14 May 2009.
  12. ^ "Leeds United's David Prutton joins Colchester on loan". BBC Sport. 26 January 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  13. ^ "Prutton completes Colchester move". BBC Sport. 1 February 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  14. Green 'Un
    . 28 June 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
  15. ^ "Prutton agrees to Town move". Swindon Town official website. 5 July 2010. Archived from the original on 8 July 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  16. ^ "Prutton pleased to open Town account". Swindon Town FC. 21 August 2010. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  17. ^ "Sheffield Wed | News | Latest News | Latest News | Owls secure double deal". Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  18. ^ "David Prutton seals Coventry City loan". Coventry City FC. 27 March 2014.
  19. ^ David Prutton at Soccerbase
  20. ^ "David Prutton Football Pundit". Sky Sports. 5 November 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  21. ^ "Full Chat: A brand new motorbike podcast". Bikesure. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.

External links