Clinton Morrison
Encyclopedia
Clinton Hubert Morrison (born 14 May 1979) is an English-born
professional footballer who plays for Milton Keynes Dons, on loan from Sheffield Wednesday
. Morrison, a forward, plays international football for Ireland
due to his grandmother being from Dublin.
, capping his performance with an injury-time winner over opponents Sheffield Wednesday
. The next season (1998–99
, his first full year-long tenure at the club) was packed with 13 goals, turning Morrison into a light among the darkness for a team who were struggling both on and off the pitch. Whilst Palace were in administration Morrison agreed to play for the club for free.
14 goals during 1999–2000 continued this reputation, as he played more than 30 games, and scored 14 goals, including his only brace of the season at Swindon Town
.
His 2000–01
season gave him 14 goals but he really made a mark the following year with 26 goals, and a move to Premier league side Birmingham City
capped his season perfectly.
, then Palace manager, it was Birmingham City who fought and won his signature, for £4.25m, in exchange for Andrew Johnson. However, Morrison struggled somewhat more in the top league, scoring only six goals in his first, and four goals in his second season. However, following a spell on the sidelines with injury, during the 2004–05
season he began to form a decent partnership with striker Emile Heskey
.
and Southampton
. He claimed that a large part of his decision to return (besides his love for the club) was, ironically, due to being able to play alongside Andrew Johnson, the man Birmingham had originally swapped to get Morrison.
Morrison had a successful first season back at Palace, alternating with former strike-partner Dougie Freedman
in playing alongside Johnson, scoring 13 goals in 33 starts and 8 substitute appearances.
In season 2007–08, Morrison started the season brightly scoring twice in the first three games, taking himself to 99 goals in his Palace career, however the 100th goal became an albatross round his neck, and manager Peter Taylor dropped him from the starting line up for several games. It was under new manager Neil Warnock
that Morrison eventually grabbed his 100th Crystal Palace goal in the London derby against Queens Park Rangers
(a club he has a knack for scoring against) on 10 November 2007, with an 88th minute equaliser, making him the eighth player in the club's history to reach this milestone. He was given a Special Achievement Award to mark this feat at the end of the season's "Player of the Year" ceremony.
After breaking the 100th goal deadlock, Morrison hit a purple patch of scoring, and he finished his Palace career with 113 goals in all competitions for the club, the fifth-highest of any player in the club's history. He scored on the final day of the 2007-08 season in a 5-0 win over Burnley that confirmed Palace's play-off place. This meant that he had scored in his first and last league games for the club.
This was Morrison's last season at Palace, with his contract expiring at the end of the season. Morrison wanted to stay at Palace but manager Neil Warnock said that Morrison would have to fight for his place in the starting line-up. Morrison then took a higher wage offer to move to Coventry City.
and accompanied them on their pre-season tour of Switzerland
. He signed a two-year deal with the club on 7 August 2008. He wore the number 19 shirt during the 2008/09 season with a plus sign between the 1 and 9 (appearing on the back of his shirt as 1+9). The reason for this being that 1+9 equals 10, which was the number Morrison played with whilst at Palace. He changed to wearing number 11 for 2009/10.
At the end of the 2009–10 Coventry City told Morrison he was surplus to requirements and he was subsequently released.
, newly relegated to League One
. He scored on his league debut for the Owls in a 2–0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge. Morrison struggled to keep his place in the team towards the end of the season after new manager Gary Megson arrived, with Gary Madine and loan ace Neil Mellor kept him out the side.
, Trinidad and Tobago
and the Republic of Ireland
. He chose to play for Ireland, qualifying for that country because his grandmother was from Dublin.
Morrison made his debut for Ireland in a 2–2 draw on 15 August 2001 against Croatia
; he entered the game as a 52nd-minute substitute and scored the second Ireland goal. He also travelled to the 2002 World Cup
, but did not play.
Morrison's international career began to gain momentum during his time at Birmingham City
. He scored his first competitive international goal in a 4–2 European Championship qualifying defeat to Russia
in Moscow in September 2002. Morrison later became a key part of the side as the Republic competed for a place at World Cup 2006. He scored three goals in the qualifying campaign, but Brian Kerr's side finished fourth in a tight group that included Switzerland
, France
and Israel
.
Despite scoring in 11 out of 14 games for Palace, and calls from many supporters to recall him, he was not called into the Ireland squad to face Brazil
in a friendly in February 2008. However, his continued good form with Palace led to him being recognised by Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni
in his first provisional 40-man squad, though he did not make it to the 28-man squad.
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|}
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 for Milton Keynes Dons, on loan from Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
. Morrison, a forward, plays international football for Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
due to his grandmother being from Dublin.
First spell at Crystal Palace
Morrison, initially made his name as a player for Crystal Palace, making his debut on 10 May 1998 as an 82nd minute substitute for team-mate Neil ShipperleyNeil Shipperley
Neil Jason Shipperley is a retired English professional footballer, who played as a centre-forward. He is the former manager of Walton Casuals of the Isthmian League Division One South....
, capping his performance with an injury-time winner over opponents Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
. The next season (1998–99
1998-99 in English football
-Premier League:Manchester United overcame close competition from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea to win their fifth Premiership title in seven seasons thanks to the comeback of Roy Keane after his long-term injury and a transfer raid totalling nearly £30 million which netted Aston Villa striker...
, his first full year-long tenure at the club) was packed with 13 goals, turning Morrison into a light among the darkness for a team who were struggling both on and off the pitch. Whilst Palace were in administration Morrison agreed to play for the club for free.
14 goals during 1999–2000 continued this reputation, as he played more than 30 games, and scored 14 goals, including his only brace of the season at Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
.
His 2000–01
2000-01 in English football
The 2000–01 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Manchester United secured their 3rd Premiership title in succession and their 7th title in just nine seasons...
season gave him 14 goals but he really made a mark the following year with 26 goals, and a move to Premier league side Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
capped his season perfectly.
Birmingham City
With a tricky relationship becoming clear between Morrison and Trevor FrancisTrevor Francis
Trevor John Francis , is a former footballer who won the European Cup with Nottingham Forest and played for England 52 times. He was England's first £1 million player...
, then Palace manager, it was Birmingham City who fought and won his signature, for £4.25m, in exchange for Andrew Johnson. However, Morrison struggled somewhat more in the top league, scoring only six goals in his first, and four goals in his second season. However, following a spell on the sidelines with injury, during the 2004–05
2004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
season he began to form a decent partnership with striker Emile Heskey
Emile Heskey
Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey is an English footballer who plays for Aston Villa as a striker.Born in Leicester, Heskey started his career with hometown club Leicester City after progressing through their youth system, making his first team debut in 1995...
.
Return to Crystal Palace
Due to pressure for first team places Morrison left Birmingham on 24 August 2005. palace agreed a £2m fee for the 26-year-old, who was also linked with Norwich CityNorwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
and Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
. He claimed that a large part of his decision to return (besides his love for the club) was, ironically, due to being able to play alongside Andrew Johnson, the man Birmingham had originally swapped to get Morrison.
Morrison had a successful first season back at Palace, alternating with former strike-partner Dougie Freedman
Dougie Freedman
Douglas "Dougie" Freedman is a Scottish former professional football player who played as a striker. He is currently manager at Championship club Crystal Palace, where he spent ten of his sixteen years as a player.-Barnet:...
in playing alongside Johnson, scoring 13 goals in 33 starts and 8 substitute appearances.
In season 2007–08, Morrison started the season brightly scoring twice in the first three games, taking himself to 99 goals in his Palace career, however the 100th goal became an albatross round his neck, and manager Peter Taylor dropped him from the starting line up for several games. It was under new manager Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock is an English former footballer who is currently manager of English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers....
that Morrison eventually grabbed his 100th Crystal Palace goal in the London derby against Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
(a club he has a knack for scoring against) on 10 November 2007, with an 88th minute equaliser, making him the eighth player in the club's history to reach this milestone. He was given a Special Achievement Award to mark this feat at the end of the season's "Player of the Year" ceremony.
After breaking the 100th goal deadlock, Morrison hit a purple patch of scoring, and he finished his Palace career with 113 goals in all competitions for the club, the fifth-highest of any player in the club's history. He scored on the final day of the 2007-08 season in a 5-0 win over Burnley that confirmed Palace's play-off place. This meant that he had scored in his first and last league games for the club.
This was Morrison's last season at Palace, with his contract expiring at the end of the season. Morrison wanted to stay at Palace but manager Neil Warnock said that Morrison would have to fight for his place in the starting line-up. Morrison then took a higher wage offer to move to Coventry City.
Coventry City
In July 2008 Morrison trained with Coventry CityCoventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
and accompanied them on their pre-season tour of Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. He signed a two-year deal with the club on 7 August 2008. He wore the number 19 shirt during the 2008/09 season with a plus sign between the 1 and 9 (appearing on the back of his shirt as 1+9). The reason for this being that 1+9 equals 10, which was the number Morrison played with whilst at Palace. He changed to wearing number 11 for 2009/10.
At the end of the 2009–10 Coventry City told Morrison he was surplus to requirements and he was subsequently released.
Sheffield Wednesday
In July 2010, Morrison signed a two-year contract with Sheffield WednesdaySheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
, newly relegated to League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
. He scored on his league debut for the Owls in a 2–0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge. Morrison struggled to keep his place in the team towards the end of the season after new manager Gary Megson arrived, with Gary Madine and loan ace Neil Mellor kept him out the side.
Milton Keynes Dons
In September 2011, Morrison signed for Milton Keynes Dons on a one-month emergency loan. On his third appearance for the Dons he scored his first for the club against Notts County on 1 October 2011 as well as making one assist.International career
Apart from England, the country of his birth, Morrison was also eligible to represent JamaicaJamaica national football team
The Jamaica national football team is the national team of Jamaica and is controlled by the Jamaica Football Federation. After decades in CONCACAF obscurity, they gained many fans throughout the world after they qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup...
, Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago national football team
The Trinidad and Tobago national football team, nicknamed The Soca Warriors, is the national team of Trinidad and Tobago and is run by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation. It reached the first round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals...
and the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
. He chose to play for Ireland, qualifying for that country because his grandmother was from Dublin.
Morrison made his debut for Ireland in a 2–2 draw on 15 August 2001 against Croatia
Croatia national football team
The Croatia national football team represents Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by former player Slaven Bilić...
; he entered the game as a 52nd-minute substitute and scored the second Ireland goal. He also travelled to the 2002 World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
, but did not play.
Morrison's international career began to gain momentum during his time at Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
. He scored his first competitive international goal in a 4–2 European Championship qualifying defeat to Russia
Russia national football team
The Russia national football team represents Russia in association football and is controlled by the Russian Football Union , the governing body for football in Russia. Russia's home grounds are Luzhniki Stadium, Lokomotiv Stadium , and Petrovsky Stadium in St.Petersburg and their head coach is...
in Moscow in September 2002. Morrison later became a key part of the side as the Republic competed for a place at World Cup 2006. He scored three goals in the qualifying campaign, but Brian Kerr's side finished fourth in a tight group that included Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
, France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
and Israel
Israel national football team
The Israel national football team is the national football team of Israel, controlled by the Israel Football Association .Israel National Football is the direct successor of the Eretz Yisrael National Team during British Mandate...
.
Despite scoring in 11 out of 14 games for Palace, and calls from many supporters to recall him, he was not called into the Ireland squad to face Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
in a friendly in February 2008. However, his continued good form with Palace led to him being recognised by Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni
Giovanni Trapattoni
Giovanni Trapattoni , sometimes known as "Trap" or "Il Trap", is an Italian football coach and former player, considered the most successful club coach in the history of Serie A. As a player he was part of Italy's squad at the 1962 FIFA World Cup....
in his first provisional 40-man squad, though he did not make it to the 28-man squad.
Club career statistics
- (correct as of 5 September 2011)
Club Season League Cup Play-offs Football League Play-OffsThe Football League play-offs are an annual series of football matches to determine some of the promotion places within the Football League. Essentially, each division of the league offers a certain number of automatic promotion places to the top two or three clubs. A further promotion place is...Europe Total Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Crystal Palace Crystal Palace F.C.Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...1997–98 1997-98 in English footballThe 1997-1998 season was the 118th season of competitive football in England.-Premier League:Arsenal overhauled Manchester United's lead during the final weeks of the season to win the Premiership title...1 1 0 1 1 0 1998–99 1998-99 in English football-Premier League:Manchester United overcame close competition from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea to win their fifth Premiership title in seven seasons thanks to the comeback of Roy Keane after his long-term injury and a transfer raid totalling nearly £30 million which netted Aston Villa striker...37 12 ? 4 1 ? 41 13 1999–00 29 13 4 2 33 15 2000–01 2000-01 in English footballThe 2000–01 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Manchester United secured their 3rd Premiership title in succession and their 7th title in just nine seasons...45 14 11 5 56 19 2001–02 2001-02 in English footballThe 2001-02 season was the 122nd season of competitive football in England.-Arsenal cruise to title glory:In what had earlier been one of the most closely fought Premiership title races for years, Arsenal won the championship by seven points. Their crown was won in the penultimate game of the...45 22 0 4 2 0 49 24 0 Total 1997–2002 157 62 0 23 10 0 180 72 0 Birmingham Birmingham City F.C.Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...2002–03 2002-03 in English footballThe 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable...28 6 2 2 0 0 30 6 2 2003–04 2003-04 in English footballThe 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game....32 4 5 5 1 0 37 5 5 2004–05 2004-05 in English footballThe 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...26 4 3 3 1 0 29 5 3 2005–06 2005-06 in English footballThe 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...1 0 0 1 0 0 Total 2002–06 87 14 10 10 2 0 97 16 10 Crystal Palace Crystal Palace F.C.Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...2005–06 2005-06 in English footballThe 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...39 13 5 2 0 0 41 13 5 2006–07 2006-07 in English footballThe 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...41 12 1 3 0 0 44 12 1 2007–08 2007-08 in English footballThe 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...43 16 5 2 0 0 2 0 0 47 16 5 Total 2005–08 123 41 11 7 0 0 130 41 10 Coventry Coventry City F.C.Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...2008–09 45 10 4 7 2 0 52 12 4 2009–10 45 10 1 3 0 0 48 10 1 Total 2008–10 91 21 5 10 2 0 101 23 10 Sheffield Wednesday Sheffield Wednesday F.C.Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...2010–11 35 6 2 10 5 3 45 11 5 2011–12 5 1 1 2 1 0 7 2 1 Total 2010–present 40 7 3 12 6 3 52 13 6 Career totals 490 144 28 60 17 3 2 0 0 555 165 29
International statistics
|-|2001||3||1
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|2002||6||2
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|2003||6||2
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|2004||10||2
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|2005||8||2
|-
|2006||3||0
|-
!Total||36||9
|}
- Scores and results list Ireland's goal tally first.
Date Venue Opponent Result Competition Scored (Tally) 15 August 2001 Lansdowne Road Lansdowne RoadLansdowne Road was a stadium in Dublin owned by the Irish Rugby Football Union that has been the location of a number of sports stadiums. It was used primarily for rugby union and for association football matches as well as some music concerts...
, Dublin2–2 Friendly Match 1 (1) 27 March 2002 Lansdowne Road, Dublin 3–0 Friendly Match 1 (2) 7 September 2002 Dinamo Stadium, Moscow MoscowMoscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
2–4 UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying 1 (3) 12 February 2003 Hampden Park Hampden ParkHampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
, GlasgowGlasgowGlasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
2–0 Friendly Match 1 (4) 19 August 2003 Lansdowne Road, Dublin 2–1 Friendly match 1 (5) 4 September 2004 Lansdowne Road, Dublin 3–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 1 (6) 8 September 2004 St. Jakob Park, Basel BaselBasel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
1–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 1 (7) 26 March 2005 Ramat Gan Stadium, Ramat Gan 1–1 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 1 (8) 29 March 2005 Lansdowne Road, Dublin 1–0 Friendly match 1 (9)