George Friend
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | George Andrew Jordan Friend[1] | ||
Date of birth | [2] | 19 October 1987||
Place of birth | Barnstaple, England | ||
Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[3] | ||
Position(s) | |||
Team information | |||
Current team | Bristol Rovers (Director of Football) | ||
Youth career | |||
–2005 | Exeter City | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2005–2008 | Exeter City | 37 | (1) |
2008–2010 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 7 | (0) |
2009 | → Millwall (loan) | 6 | (0) |
2009 | → Southend United (loan) | 6 | (1) |
2009 | → Scunthorpe United (loan) | 4 | (0) |
2010 | → Exeter City (loan) | 13 | (1) |
2010–2012 | Doncaster Rovers | 59 | (1) |
2012–2020 | Middlesbrough | 266 | (9) |
2020–2023 | Birmingham City | 46 | (0) |
2023–2024 | Bristol Rovers | 12 | (0) |
Total | 456 | (13) | |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:46, 10 February 2024 (UTC) |
George Andrew Jordan Friend (born 19 October 1987) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. He is currently Director of Football at Bristol Rovers.
In the 2012–13 season, Friend won
Career
Exeter City
Friend was born in Barnstaple, Devon.[6] He began his career at then non-League Exeter City as a youth team player, signing a two-year professional contract in March 2006.[citation needed] Able to play left back, centre-back or left-sided midfield, he made his first-team debut on 17 April 2006 in a 0–0 draw at Forest Green Rovers.[7]
His Exeter career took off in the 2007–08 season when he was integral to the side that won promotion to the Football League after defeating Cambridge United in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium.[8] During that season he became the youngest ever captain in Exeter's history and scored his first goal for the club in a 4–4 draw with Burton Albion on 26 April 2008.[9]
Wolverhampton Wanderers
After playing in Exeter's opening matches in the Football League, he moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship on 1 September 2008, signing a two-year contract, with the option of a third year,[10] for an initial fee of £350,000.[11] He made six first team appearances for Wolves during the 2008–09 season as they were promoted to the Premier League as champions.[citation needed]
To gain regular playing time, he spent a month's loan at League One club Millwall during August to September 2009, before returning to Wolves.[12] He soon went out on a month's loan again on 18 September to another League One club, Southend United,[13] where he scored his first league goal with a free-kick against Southampton.[14] After a proposed extension to his stay with Southend was cancelled due to the club's financial troubles, he instead spent six weeks on loan at Championship club Scunthorpe United.[15]
Friend was recalled by Wolves as extra cover after injuries struck, giving him his first Premier League appearance on 15 December 2009 against Manchester United.[16] His surprise involvement in the game was just one factor behind the club eventually receiving a £25,000 suspended fine for fielding an under-strength side.[17] Friend did not feature again for Wolves before being loaned out once more, this time rejoining former club Exeter City for the rest of the season,[18] during which time he helped them avoid an instant return to League Two.[citation needed]
Doncaster Rovers
At the end of the 2009–10 season it was announced that his deal at Wolves would not be extended,[19] and Friend switched to Championship club Doncaster Rovers on a two-year contract[20] despite being linked with a return move to Exeter City.[21] Friend made his Doncaster debut in their 2–0 opening day win at Preston North End on 7 August 2010.[citation needed] On 11 September 2010, Friend scored his first goal in a 2–2 draw against Watford.[citation needed] The next game on 14 September 2010, Friend set up a goal for James Coppinger to score a second goal in a match with a 3–1 win over Norwich City.[citation needed] Following on from his debut, Friend established himself in the first team, playing at left-back.[citation needed] In a match with a 3–1 win over Scunthorpe United on 18 October 2011, Friend sustained an injury in early minutes and was substituted.[citation needed] After surgery, Friend was out for three months.[citation needed] On 25 January 2011, Friend made his return in a 2–0 loss against Burnley, coming on as a substitute in the early stages.[citation needed]
Friend was appointed captain at the beginning of 2011–12 following and won player of the year and supporters player of the year at the end of the season.[citation needed] Friend managed to regain his place in the starting eleven in the left back position but the club was relegated to League One after three seasons in the Championship.[citation needed]
Middlesbrough
On 23 July 2012, despite interest from Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest, it was announced that Doncaster had agreed a fee with Middlesbrough for Friend.[22] He signed for Middlesbrough on 30 July for an undisclosed fee,[4] reported as £100,000.[23] In August 2012, he made his debut in Capital One Cup against Bury.[24]
After completing a successful season, in which Friend became a fans' favourite because of his consistent performances, he was awarded the Community Player of the Year after attending numerous off-field events, as well as winning the players' player of the year award.[citation needed] For the 2013–14 season, Friend was issued the number 3 squad number previously worn by departing defender André Bikey.[citation needed] Friend scored his first goal for Boro in a 2–2 draw at Wigan on 25 August.[citation needed] It was his first goal since 2010.[citation needed] Friend scored his second goal for Boro with a 20-yard strike in a 2–2 draw against Nottingham Forest on 17 September 2013.[citation needed]
Friend captained Middlesbrough for the first time in a 2–0 victory against Rotherham United on 11 April 2015.[citation needed]
Birmingham City
Friend rejected an offer to remain at Middlesbrough after his contract expired, and became available on a free transfer.[23] On 15 August 2020, he signed a two-year deal with the option of a third with fellow Championship club Birmingham City, where the head coach was his former manager at Middlesbrough, Aitor Karanka.[5] Over the three years he spent with Birmingham, he made 52 appearances in all competitions. He was one of six senior professionals released at the end of the 2022–23 season.[25]
Bristol Rovers
On 4 July 2023, Friend signed for League One club Bristol Rovers on a one-year deal[26] following a successful trial period with the club.[27] He had previously played for the club twenty-six years prior, at Under-9s level, alongside new teammate Scott Sinclair.[28]
Post-playing career
On 28 February 2024, Friend announced his retirement from football with immediate effect, remaining with Bristol Rovers to take on the role of Director of Football.[29]
Career statistics
- As of match played 10 February 2024
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Exeter City | 2005–06[30] | Conference National
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
2006–07[31] | Conference National | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
2007–08[32] | Conference Premier
|
30 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5[a] | 0 | 37 | 1 | |
2008–09[33] | League Two | 4 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | |||
Total | 37 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 45 | 1 | ||
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2008–09[33] | Championship | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | ||
2009–10[34] | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
Total | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 0 | ||||
Millwall (loan) | 2009–10[34] | League One | 6 | 0 | — | — | 1[b] | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||
Southend United (loan) | 2009–10[34] | League One | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | |||
Scunthorpe United (loan) | 2009–10[34] | Championship | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 4 | 0 | |||
Exeter City (loan) | 2009–10[34] | League One | 13 | 1 | — | — | — | 13 | 1 | |||
Doncaster Rovers | 2010–11[35] | Championship | 32 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 35 | 1 | |
2011–12[36] | Championship | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 29 | 0 | ||
Total | 59 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 64 | 1 | |||
Middlesbrough | 2012–13[37] | Championship | 34 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 39 | 0 | |
2013–14[38] | Championship | 41 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 43 | 3 | ||
2014–15[39] | Championship | 42 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[c] | 0 | 48 | 1 | |
2015–16[40] | Championship | 40 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 45 | 1 | ||
2016–17[41] | Premier League | 24 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 27 | 0 | ||
2017–18[42] | Championship | 33 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | 39 | 2 | |
2018–19[43] | Championship | 38 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 43 | 3 | ||
2019–20[44] | Championship | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 15 | 0 | ||
Total | 266 | 9 | 12 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 299 | 10 | ||
Birmingham City | 2020–21[45] | Championship | 26 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 28 | 0 | |
2021–22[46] | Championship | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 17 | 0 | ||
2022–23[47] | Championship | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 7 | 0 | ||
Total | 46 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 52 | 0 | |||
Bristol Rovers | 2023–24[48] | League One | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
Career total | 456 | 13 | 20 | 1 | 23 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 510 | 14 |
- Conference Premier play-offs
- Football League Trophy
- ^ a b Appearances in Championship play-offs
Honours
Exeter City
Middlesbrough
Individual
- PFA Team of the Year: 2014–15 Championship,[51] 2015–16 Championship[52]
- Football League Team of the Season: 2015–16[53]
- Doncaster Rovers Player of the Year: 2011–12[54]
References
- ^ "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Middlesbrough" (PDF). English Football League. p. 23. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ "George Friend". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- ^ "George Friend: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- ^ a b "Middlesbrough sign Doncaster defender George Friend". BBC Sport. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ a b "George Friend: Birmingham City sign Middlesbrough defender on free transfer". BBC Sport. 15 August 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
- ^ "G. Friend: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
- ^ "Forest Green 0–0 Exeter". BBC Sport. 17 April 2006.
- ^ Whyatt, Chris (18 May 2008). "Exeter 1–0 Cambridge Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Burton 4–4 Exeter". BBC Sport. 26 April 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
- ^ Buy George! Wolves Sign A Friend Archived 3 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "City's £500,000 Friend". Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2008.
- ^ Millwall Find A Friend Archived 26 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Southend get a new friend". Southend United F.C. 18 September 2009. Archived from the original on 23 September 2009.
- ^ "Southend 1–3 Southampton". BBC Sport. 9 October 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
- ^ "Iron Friend!". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 30 October 2009. Archived from the original on 6 January 2010.
- ^ "Man Utd 3–0 Wolverhampton". BBC Sport. 15 December 2009.
- ^ "Wolves fined £25,000 over Old Trafford team selection". BBC Sport. 18 February 2010.
- ^ "Exeter City re-sign George Friend from Wolves". BBC Sport. 4 March 2010.
- ^ "Three to leave Molineux". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 13 May 2010. Archived from the original on 15 May 2010.
- ^ "Doncaster Rovers complete signing of George Friend". BBC Sport. 14 June 2010.
- ^ "Friend not ruling out Exeter". Sky Sports. 28 May 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ^ "Jewell confirms Friend bid". Sky Sports. 30 July 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ^ a b Wilson, Scott (16 August 2020). "George Friend leaves Middlesbrough to join Birmingham". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ "George Friend (July 2012 - Present) | Middlesbrough FC". mfc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- ^ "Blues Men's: Retained and released list". Birmingham City F.C. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ "Rovers Gain a New Friend". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 4 July 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
- ^ Piercy, James (1 July 2023). "Bristol Rovers to seal fourth summer signing as Joey Barton discusses triallist at Melksham". Bristol Post. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
- ^ "Friends Reunited". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 4 July 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
- ^ "Club Statement: Recruitment Update". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ "Games played by George Friend in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ISBN 978-1-869833-57-2.
- ISBN 978-1-869833-59-6.
- ^ a b "Games played by George Friend in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d e "Games played by George Friend in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ "Games played by George Friend in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ^ "Games played by George Friend in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ^ "Games played by George Friend in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ^ "Games played by George Friend in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ^ "Games played by George Friend in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
- ^ "Games played by George Friend in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ "Games played by George Friend in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
- ^ "Games played by George Friend in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ "Games played by George Friend in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
- ^ "Games played by George Friend in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ "Games played by George Friend in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
- ^ "Games played by George Friend in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ "Games played by George Friend in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ "Games played by George Friend in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
- ^ Whyatt, Chris (18 May 2008). "Exeter 1–0 Cambridge Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
- ISBN 978-1-4722-3395-0.
- ^ "PFA Championship Team of the Year: Deeney only Watford player". BBC Sport. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
- ^ "PFA awards: Leicester and Spurs dominate Premier League team". BBC Sport. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
- ^ "The Football League Awards 2016: Winners". English Football League. 17 April 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- ^ "One of Our Own: George Friend". Exeter City F.C. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
External links
- Profile at the Middlesbrough F.C. website