Jeff Eckhardt
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey Edward Eckhardt (born 7 October, 1965 in Sheffield
) is a former English
professional footballer. A centre-half, he was highly regarded by fans both for his commitment and footballing skills.
before moving to Fulham
and then Stockport County
. He then moved to South Wales
where he signed for Cardiff City
in 1996 for £30,000. He spent five years at Cardiff before moving to Newport County
. He remained there for three years before leaving to join Merthyr Tydfil
. During the 2005 season he re-joined Newport on a short loan deal after the club appealed to any available players who would play for the club due to an injury crisis. He left Merthyr in 2006 and joined Risca
as player-manager and at that point in his career Eckhardt had made over 800 appearances in all competitions for his various clubs.
along with Paul Evans for a period of six weeks before resuming as a player. In January 2007 he was appointed player-manager of Risca United
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
) is a former English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
professional footballer. A centre-half, he was highly regarded by fans both for his commitment and footballing skills.
Club career
He began his career by coming through the youth system at Sheffield UnitedSheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
before moving to Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
and then Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
. He then moved to South Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
where he signed for Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
in 1996 for £30,000. He spent five years at Cardiff before moving to Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
. He remained there for three years before leaving to join Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil F.C.
Merthyr Tydfil Football Club was a Welsh football club based at the Penydarren Park ground in Merthyr Tydfil. In 2010 the club was liquidated and reformed under the name Merthyr Town, which was accepted into Division One of the Western League.-History:...
. During the 2005 season he re-joined Newport on a short loan deal after the club appealed to any available players who would play for the club due to an injury crisis. He left Merthyr in 2006 and joined Risca
Risca United F.C.
Risca United A.F.C. is a football club based in Risca. The team currently play in the Welsh Football League Division Three.-History:Risca United AFC are a Welsh League football club and also play in the FAW & Nathaniel Cups...
as player-manager and at that point in his career Eckhardt had made over 800 appearances in all competitions for his various clubs.
Managerial career
In 2006 he briefly took over as co-manager of Merthyr TydfilMerthyr Tydfil F.C.
Merthyr Tydfil Football Club was a Welsh football club based at the Penydarren Park ground in Merthyr Tydfil. In 2010 the club was liquidated and reformed under the name Merthyr Town, which was accepted into Division One of the Western League.-History:...
along with Paul Evans for a period of six weeks before resuming as a player. In January 2007 he was appointed player-manager of Risca United
Risca United F.C.
Risca United A.F.C. is a football club based in Risca. The team currently play in the Welsh Football League Division Three.-History:Risca United AFC are a Welsh League football club and also play in the FAW & Nathaniel Cups...