Alex Stavrinou
Encyclopedia
Alexander "Alex" Michael Stavrinou (13 September 1990) is an English
professional footballer, who plays as a midfielder
for Ebbsfleet United. He has also represented Cyprus
youth at international level.
from the age of 13, rising through into the Reserves
. In the 2008–09
season, he made 23 appearances for the under-18 team scoring once, and a further 12 appearances in the reserves. He signed his first professional
contract for Charlton Athletic
in June 2009. Stavrinou made his first-team debut for Charlton in their 1–0 away against Herford United
in the League Cup
on 11 August. Charlton manager, Phil Parkinson
praised Stavrinou saying; "Alex Stavrinou came in for his debut and I thought it was an absolutely terrific performance". Stavrinou signed for Conference National
club Ebbsfleet United on a one-month loan in November 2009.
In October 2010, Stavrinou joined Cambridge United
on a one-month loan deal. His loan was later extended until 9 January 2011. In May 2011, Stavrinou played for Aldershot Town
in a reserve game against Brentford
, losing 4–1. On 12 August 2011, Stavrinou signed for his former loan club Ebbsfleet United following a vote by members of My Football Club, which owns Ebbsfleet United, to increase the playing budget.
, Stavrinou has represented Cyprus under-17, qualifying through his father's Cypriot
heritage. Stravrinou has also been approached to feature for Cyprus under-21
, but stated that he'd like to concentrate on his career with Charlton Athletic
. He said; "They've spoken to my parents about possibly featuring for the U21s but as I've only got a year here I really need to be pushing on and focusing all my efforts on Charlton."
, before his under-16 manager Steve Avory converted him into a midfielder
. Martin Ling
described him as; "tenacious but also technical central midfielder who can do both sides of the game".
, Essex
and attended St Bonaventure's Catholic Comprehensive School
in Forest Gate
. He is of Cypriot
heritage.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer, who plays as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
for Ebbsfleet United. He has also represented Cyprus
Cyprus national football team
The Cyprus national football team represents Cyprus in association football and is controlled by the Cyprus Football Association, the governing body for football in Cyprus. Cyprus' home ground is the GSP Stadium in Nicosia and the current coach is Nikos Nioplias...
youth at international level.
Club career
Stavrinou started his career in the Charlton Athletic Youth AcademyCharlton Athletic F.C. Academy
Charlton Athletic Football Club Youth Academy are the youth team of Charlton Athletic. Their Under-18 team play in the highest level of youth football in England, the FA Premier Academy League, however the academy takes boys from the ages of 9 upwards....
from the age of 13, rising through into the Reserves
Charlton Athletic F.C. Reserves
Charlton Athletic F.C. Reserves were the reserve team of Charlton Athletic. From 1999 until 2007, Charlton Reserves were members of the FA Premier Reserve League Southern however due to the relegation of the first team at the end of the 2006/2007 season, from the Premier League to the Football...
. In the 2008–09
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
season, he made 23 appearances for the under-18 team scoring once, and a further 12 appearances in the reserves. He signed his first professional
Professional sports
Professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
contract for Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
in June 2009. Stavrinou made his first-team debut for Charlton in their 1–0 away against Herford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
on 11 August. Charlton manager, Phil Parkinson
Phil Parkinson
Philip John "Phil" Parkinson is an English football manager and former player who currently manages Bradford City.-Playing career:...
praised Stavrinou saying; "Alex Stavrinou came in for his debut and I thought it was an absolutely terrific performance". Stavrinou signed for Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
club Ebbsfleet United on a one-month loan in November 2009.
In October 2010, Stavrinou joined Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
on a one-month loan deal. His loan was later extended until 9 January 2011. In May 2011, Stavrinou played for Aldershot Town
Aldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...
in a reserve game against Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
, losing 4–1. On 12 August 2011, Stavrinou signed for his former loan club Ebbsfleet United following a vote by members of My Football Club, which owns Ebbsfleet United, to increase the playing budget.
International career
Although born in EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Stavrinou has represented Cyprus under-17, qualifying through his father's Cypriot
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
heritage. Stravrinou has also been approached to feature for Cyprus under-21
Cyprus national under-21 football team
The Cyprus national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team for Cyprus and like the senior team, is controlled by the Cyprus Football Association....
, but stated that he'd like to concentrate on his career with Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
. He said; "They've spoken to my parents about possibly featuring for the U21s but as I've only got a year here I really need to be pushing on and focusing all my efforts on Charlton."
Style of play
As a youth player, Stavrinou played as a centre backDefender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, before his under-16 manager Steve Avory converted him into a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. Martin Ling
Martin Ling
Martin Ling is an English football manager and former player, who is currently manager of Torquay United in League Two. He played in over 100 Football League matches for Exeter City, Southend United, Swindon Town and Leyton Orient, before moving into management where he led Orient for over five...
described him as; "tenacious but also technical central midfielder who can do both sides of the game".
Personal life
Stavrinou was born in HarlowHarlow
Harlow is a new town and local government district in Essex, England. It is located in the west of the county and on the border with Hertfordshire, on the Stort Valley, The town is near the M11 motorway and forms part of the London commuter belt.The district has a current population of 78,889...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
and attended St Bonaventure's Catholic Comprehensive School
St Bonaventure's Catholic Comprehensive School
St. Bonaventure's Roman Catholic Comprehensive School, also known informally as St. Bon's, is located in Forest Gate, London Borough of Newham, United Kingdom. It is a voluntary-aided Catholic comprehensive secondary school for boys aged 11–18. The school has had Technology College status since...
in Forest Gate
Forest Gate
Forest Gate is a residential area in the London Borough of Newham, 7 miles northeast of Charing Cross. It is bordered by Manor Park to the east and and to the west lies Stratford town centre. The northern half of the busy Green Street runs through it.-History:...
. He is of Cypriot
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
heritage.