Paul Musselwhite
Encyclopedia
Paul Stephen Musselwhite (born 22 December 1968) is an English
footballer who plays for York City
as a goalkeeper, where he is also the club's Goalkeeping Coach.
He has the most league appearances of any goalkeeper for Port Vale
and as of 2010 has the 15th most league appearances of any Port Vale player, having made 312 league appearances between 1992 and 2000. He has also made 206 league appearances for Scunthorpe United
, playing for them between 1988 and 1992 and again from 2004 to 2006. With around 100 games for Hull City
between 2000 and 2004, he has made 614 appearances in the Football League
and well over 700 appearances in all competitions.
striker Duncan Ferguson
in an FA Cup
game in 1996.
, Hampshire
, Musselwhite started his career at his hometown club, Portsmouth
, as an apprentice in the club's youth system
before signing a professional contract on 1 December 1986. However, he did not make any appearances for the club in the first team and on 21 March 1988 he moved to Scunthorpe United
on a free transfer.
from the Fourth Division
at the end of the 1987–88 season. Just one point short of Bolton Wanderers
in third place, the Iron were then defeated by Torquay United
in the play-off semi-finals. Scunthorpe also moved from the Old Showground
to Glanford Park
, becoming the first Football League
club to move to a new stadium in over thirty years.
They suffered the same fate in 1988–89, one point off third place Crewe Alexandra
, again with superior goal difference to the team above them, they lost to Wrexham
in the play-off semi-finals.
The club fell away in 1989–90, finishing mid-table.
They pushed for promotion in 1990–91, in an unusual season an eight place finish was enough to see them into the play-offs. However, for third time in four years they lost in the semi-final stage to a team who would go on to lose in the final. Blackpool
suffering the heartbreak in 1991 to Torquay's benefit.
At the end of the 1991–92 season Scunthorpe might have considered themselves cursed. This time they beat Crewe Alexandra in the play-off semi-finals, they lost the final to Blackpool 4–3 on penalties, following a 1–1 draw.
Over the past four seasons, Musselwhite had made over 160 appearances for the Iron, 132 of which were in the league. On 30 July 1992 he did what his club failed to do and made it into the new Second Division
/old Third Division
(the league was restructured due to the creation of the Premier League, having been bought by John Rudge
's Port Vale
for a fee of £17,500.
, who had left for Cardiff City
, Musselwhite actually started the 1992–93
season as second choice behind Trevor Wood
. However, on 5 September, Wood conceded a penalty
at Vetch Field
in an 'off the ball' incident with a Swansea
player and was subsequently dropped in favour of Musselwhite. He made his Vale league debut in the next match, a 2–2 draw against Exeter City
on 12 September and despite a nervy performance, he remained an ever present in the Vale side for the rest of the season. Unfortunately for his new club he seemed to carry the play-off curse with him from Glanford Park, finishing one point off Bolton, they lost in the play-off final
3–0 to West Bromwich Albion
. Though they did have success at Wembley Stadium in the 1993 Football League Trophy Final
, recording a 2–1 victory over Stockport County
.
With Musselwhite between the sticks, Vale won promotion to the First Division
in 1993–94
, finishing in second place behind champions Reading
.
Both club and goalkeeper adapted well to the second tier, finishing ten points above the relegation zone in 1994–95
. When they played away at Charlton Athletic
on 29 April, he was rested to allow his understudy, Arjan van Heusden
, to gain some first-team experience in an end of season fixture.
The club finished comfortably in mid-table in 1995–96
and at 28, Musselwhite was approaching the peak of his goalkeeping prowess. He played in the 1996 Anglo-Italian Cup Final
, as Vale lost 5–2 to Genoa
.
The club achieved their highest post-war position in 1996–97
– eight in the second tier. Musselwhite made a total of 36 appearances that season, after missing out on the first six weeks.
He made 44 appearances in 1997–98
, keeping a clean sheet against Arsenal
in the FA Cup
on 3 January.
He made 40 appearances in 1998–99
, missing most of November and all of December.
In 1999–2000
the club suffered relegation, manager
Brian Horton
was unable to halt the decline at Vale Park
. Musselwhite played 32 games and was sent off against Grimsby Town
on 12 February 2000, 86 minutes into a 2–0 defeat at Blundell Park
. He was given a free transfer at the end of the season, the club looking to cut their wage bill.
and Sheffield Wednesday
, Musselwhite signed for Wednesday on a free transfer on 25 August. However, he left less than a month later after joining Brian Little
's Hull City
of the Third Division on 19 September 2000. He was the club's first choice keeper as the Tigers reached the play-offs, only to lose out to Leyton Orient
at the semi-final stage, after a sixth place finish in the 2000–01 season.
He played just 21 games in 2001–02, making his first appearance of the season on 29 December in a 3–0 win at Kidderminster Harriers
.
First choice keeper from September to January in 2002–03, he played 22 games. On Boxing Day
2002 he was in goal for the club's first competitive fixture at the KC Stadium
, keeping a clean sheet in a 2–0 win over Hartlepool United
.
In 2003–04 he made nineteen appearances, all in the first half of the season. The club finished second, winning promotion to the new League One
. At the end of the season he returned to Scunthorpe United after signing on 3 June 2004, 12 years since his departure from the club.
title winners Yeovil Town
. Musselwhite made a massive fifty appearances.
The club finished in the mid-section of League One
in 2005–06, Musselwhite making 32 appearances having missed December and January. In May 2006 he signed for Conference South
side Eastleigh
, but left shortly after as he was unable to sell his house in Scunthorpe
.
side Kettering Town
. However, was a free agent
by January 2007 when he received a phone call from his former teammate, the Port Vale manager Martin Foyle
, inviting him back to the club as cover for long-term injury victim Mark Goodlad
.
In June 2007 he joined up with Harrogate Town
of the Conference North. Here he was reunited with former Vale teammate Neil Aspin
, saying "I played with Neil Aspin for seven years when I was first at Port Vale, and that was one of the main attractions of coming here. Neil is putting a good squad together, and hopefully with a few more additions we can challenge this season." Musselwhite left Harrogate in January 2008 after being offered a better contract with Ian Bogie
's Gateshead
, playing in the Northern Premier League
Premier Division
, immediately being made the number one goalkeeper for the newly promoted side, and making 29 appearances before the season's end.
The club won their second successive promotion in 2008–09, beating AFC Telford United
1–0 in the Conference North play-off final. He left the club upon the season's conclusion, having already announced in February 2009 his move from player to coach at Lincoln.
under Peter Jackson at League Two side Lincoln City
. He signed a new contract that would keep him at the club until 2011 on 1 April 2010. On 29 September, Musselwhite was appointed assistant-caretaker manager
to Scott Lindsey
following Chris Sutton
's resignation. On 2 October, the 41 year old took to the field in a 1–0 defeat at Southend United
, following an injury to Joe Anyon
.
leaving the club, Musselwhite opted to sign for Conference club York City
as player-goalkeeping coach on 16 June 2011.
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...
footballer who plays for York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
as a goalkeeper, where he is also the club's Goalkeeping Coach.
He has the most league appearances of any goalkeeper for Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
and as of 2010 has the 15th most league appearances of any Port Vale player, having made 312 league appearances between 1992 and 2000. He has also made 206 league appearances for Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
, playing for them between 1988 and 1992 and again from 2004 to 2006. With around 100 games for Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
between 2000 and 2004, he has made 614 appearances in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
and well over 700 appearances in all competitions.
Playing style
Musselwhite was renowned as an excellent shot stopper, capable of making world class reaction saves, but who is equally susceptible to the occasional lapse of concentration. One example of this is when he dropped a routine catch at the feet of the EvertonEverton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
striker Duncan Ferguson
Duncan Ferguson
Duncan Cowan Ferguson is a Scottish former footballer. He was notorious for his "hardman" image and nicknamed "Big Dunc" and "Duncan Disorderly"....
in an FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
game in 1996.
Early career
Born in PortsmouthPortsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, Musselwhite started his career at his hometown club, Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
, as an apprentice in the club's youth system
Youth system
Youth system is a sporting terminology used to refer to a youth investment program within a particular team or league, which develops and nurtures young talent in farm teams, with the vision of using them in the first team if they show enough promise, and to fill up squads numbers in some teams...
before signing a professional contract on 1 December 1986. However, he did not make any appearances for the club in the first team and on 21 March 1988 he moved to Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
on a free transfer.
Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe missed out on promotionPromotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
from the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
at the end of the 1987–88 season. Just one point short of Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
in third place, the Iron were then defeated by Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
in the play-off semi-finals. Scunthorpe also moved from the Old Showground
Old Showground
The Old Showground was the original stadium of the English football club Scunthorpe United and had been built in c.1867.Scunthorpe United played at the Old Showground until 1988, when they moved to Glanford Park - the first newly-constructed Football League stadium since Southend United's Roots...
to Glanford Park
Glanford Park
Glanford Park is a football stadium in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, and the current home of Scunthorpe United. It is the smallest stadium by capacity in the Championship ....
, becoming the first Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
club to move to a new stadium in over thirty years.
They suffered the same fate in 1988–89, one point off third place Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
, again with superior goal difference to the team above them, they lost to Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
in the play-off semi-finals.
The club fell away in 1989–90, finishing mid-table.
They pushed for promotion in 1990–91, in an unusual season an eight place finish was enough to see them into the play-offs. However, for third time in four years they lost in the semi-final stage to a team who would go on to lose in the final. Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
suffering the heartbreak in 1991 to Torquay's benefit.
At the end of the 1991–92 season Scunthorpe might have considered themselves cursed. This time they beat Crewe Alexandra in the play-off semi-finals, they lost the final to Blackpool 4–3 on penalties, following a 1–1 draw.
Over the past four seasons, Musselwhite had made over 160 appearances for the Iron, 132 of which were in the league. On 30 July 1992 he did what his club failed to do and made it into the new Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
/old Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
(the league was restructured due to the creation of the Premier League, having been bought by John Rudge
John Rudge
John Robert Rudge is an English former football player and football manager. He is currently working as the director of football at Stoke City....
's Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
for a fee of £17,500.
Port Vale
Signed to replace the veteran Mark GrewMark Grew
Mark Stuart Grew is an English former football goalkeeper, now assistant manager to Micky Adams at Port Vale. On three occasions he has also served as the club's caretaker-manager, most recently from March to May in 2011....
, who had left 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...
, Musselwhite actually started the 1992–93
1992–93 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1992–93 season was Port Vale's eighty-first season of football in the Football League, and fourth successive season in the Second Division. John Rudge found new stars by bringing both Ian Taylor and Paul Musselwhite to the club at a combined fee of just £40,000. His team won the pre-season TNT...
season as second choice behind Trevor Wood
Trevor Wood
Trevor John Wood is a former international Northern Irish footballer, born in Jersey.-Playing career:Wood played for Brighton & Hove Albion before having a successful trial with Port Vale in May 1988. He kept a clean sheet on his debut; a 2–0 home win over Huddersfield Town on 3 October 1988...
. However, on 5 September, Wood conceded a penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
at Vetch Field
Vetch Field
The Vetch Field was a multi-purpose stadium in Swansea, Wales. It was used mostly for football matches and was the home ground of Swansea City until the Liberty Stadium opened in 2005. Opened in 1912, the ground held around 12,000 at the time of its closure, but upwards of 30,000 at its peak...
in an 'off the ball' incident with a Swansea
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
player and was subsequently dropped in favour of Musselwhite. He made his Vale league debut in the next match, a 2–2 draw against Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
on 12 September and despite a nervy performance, he remained an ever present in the Vale side for the rest of the season. Unfortunately for his new club he seemed to carry the play-off curse with him from Glanford Park, finishing one point off Bolton, they lost in the play-off final
1993 Football League Second Division play-off Final
The 1993 Football League Second Division play-off Final was a football match played at Wembley Stadium on 30 May 1993, to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from the Third Division to the Second Division of The Football League in the 1992–93 season...
3–0 to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
. Though they did have success at Wembley Stadium in the 1993 Football League Trophy Final
1993 Football League Trophy Final
The 1993 Football League Trophy Final was the 10th final of the domestic football cup competition for teams from Football League Second and Third Division, the Football League Trophy. The final was played at the Wembley Stadium in London on 22 May 1993. The match was contested by Port Vale and...
, recording a 2–1 victory over 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...
.
With Musselwhite between the sticks, Vale won promotion to the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
in 1993–94
1993–94 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1993–94 season was Port Vale's eighty-second season of football in the Football League, and fifth successive season in the Second Division. They won promotion to the First Division as the division's runners-up, just one point away from champions Reading...
, finishing in second place behind champions Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
.
Both club and goalkeeper adapted well to the second tier, finishing ten points above the relegation zone in 1994–95
1994–95 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1994–95 season was Port Vale's eighty-third season of football in the Football League, and first ever season in the First Division following their promotion from the Second Division. John Rudge led his team to safety in the league, whilst reaching the Second Round of the FA Cup and League Cup...
. When they played away at 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,...
on 29 April, he was rested to allow his understudy, Arjan van Heusden
Arjan van Heusden
Arjan van Heusden is a Dutch former professional football goalkeeper who played much of his career in the English Football League.-Playing career:...
, to gain some first-team experience in an end of season fixture.
The club finished comfortably in mid-table in 1995–96
1995–96 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1995–96 season was Port Vale's eighty-fourth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in the First Division. Despite a poor start to the season, John Rudge led his side to a twelfth place finish. The league highlights were two derby wins over Stoke City, had these...
and at 28, Musselwhite was approaching the peak of his goalkeeping prowess. He played in the 1996 Anglo-Italian Cup Final
1995–96 Anglo-Italian Cup
The 1995–96 Anglo-Italian Cup was the last ever Anglo-Italian Cup competition. The European football competition was played between eight clubs from England and eight clubs from Italy. Italian side Genoa lifted the trophy after beating English side Port Vale 5-2.-Format:For the competition there...
, as Vale lost 5–2 to Genoa
Genoa C.F.C.
Genoa Cricket and Football Club, commonly referred to simply as Genoa , is a professional Italian football club based in the city of Genoa, Liguria...
.
The club achieved their highest post-war position in 1996–97
1996–97 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1996–97 season was Port Vale's eighty-fifth season of football in the Football League, and third successive season in the First Division. John Rudge led the club to its joint-second highest ever league finish, as Vale finished in eighth spot, four points from the play-offs...
– eight in the second tier. Musselwhite made a total of 36 appearances that season, after missing out on the first six weeks.
He made 44 appearances in 1997–98
1997–98 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1997–98 season was Port Vale's eighty-sixth season of football in the Football League, and fourth successive season in the First Division. John Rudge managed to mastermind a final day escape from relegation, as rivals Stoke City instead lost their second tier status, leaving Vale as the top...
, keeping a clean sheet against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
on 3 January.
He made 40 appearances in 1998–99
1998–99 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1998–99 season was Port Vale's eighty-seventh season of football in the Football League, and fifth successive season in the First Division. It was the end of an era for the club, as manager of sixteen years John Rudge was sacked in January, and was replaced by Brian Horton...
, missing most of November and all of December.
In 1999–2000
1999–2000 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1999–2000 season was Port Vale's eighty-eighth season of football in the Football League, and sixth successive season in the First Division. Vale suffered relegation in 23rd place, some thirteen points adrift of safety. They also exited the FA Cup at the Third Round, and were knocked out of the...
the club suffered relegation, manager
Manager (association football)
In association football, a manager is responsible for running a football club or a national team. The manager of a professional club is responsible directly to the club president. The position of manager is almost exclusively used in British football...
Brian Horton
Brian Horton
Brian Horton is an English former footballer and manager, who is working as Phil Brown's assistant at Preston North End.Horton played for Hednesford Town, Port Vale, Brighton & Hove Albion, Luton Town and Hull City as a midfielder...
was unable to halt the decline at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
. Musselwhite played 32 games and was sent off against Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
on 12 February 2000, 86 minutes into a 2–0 defeat at Blundell Park
Blundell Park
Blundell Park is a football ground in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England and home to Grimsby Town Football Club. The stadium was built in 1898, but only one of the original stands remain. The current capacity of the ground is 9546, though with the introduction of all seating in the late...
. He was given a free transfer at the end of the season, the club looking to cut their wage bill.
Hull City
After having trials with former club Scunthorpe, DarlingtonDarlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
and 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...
, Musselwhite signed for Wednesday on a free transfer on 25 August. However, he left less than a month later after joining Brian Little
Brian Little (footballer)
Brian Little is an English former football player and manager who is currently without a job after being relieved of his duties as manager of Gainsborough Trinity on 22 August 2011. Little has previously managed Darlington, Leicester City, Aston Villa, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Hull City,...
's Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
of the Third Division on 19 September 2000. He was the club's first choice keeper as the Tigers reached the play-offs, only to lose out to Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
at the semi-final stage, after a sixth place finish in the 2000–01 season.
He played just 21 games in 2001–02, making his first appearance of the season on 29 December in a 3–0 win at Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
.
First choice keeper from September to January in 2002–03, he played 22 games. On Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
2002 he was in goal for the club's first competitive fixture at the KC Stadium
KC Stadium
The KC Stadium, often shortened to the KC, is a multi-purpose facility in the city of Kingston upon Hull , England. Conceived as early as the late 1990s, it was completed in 2002 at a cost of approximately £44 million. It is named after the stadium's sponsors, telecommunications provider KC,...
, keeping a clean sheet in a 2–0 win over Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
.
In 2003–04 he made nineteen appearances, all in the first half of the season. The club finished second, winning promotion to the new 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....
. At the end of the season he returned to Scunthorpe United after signing on 3 June 2004, 12 years since his departure from the club.
Return to Scunthorpe
Scunthorpe were in the basement division, where Musselwhite had left them. They were runners-up in 2004–05, just three points off League TwoFootball League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
title winners Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
. Musselwhite made a massive fifty appearances.
The club finished in the mid-section of 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....
in 2005–06, Musselwhite making 32 appearances having missed December and January. In May 2006 he signed for Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
side Eastleigh
Eastleigh F.C.
Eastleigh Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Silverlake Stadium.-History:...
, but left shortly after as he was unable to sell his house in Scunthorpe
Scunthorpe
Scunthorpe is a town within North Lincolnshire, England. It is the administrative centre of the North Lincolnshire unitary authority, and had an estimated total resident population of 72,514 in 2010. A predominantly industrial town, Scunthorpe, the United Kingdom's largest steel processing centre,...
.
Non-League spell
He spent part of the 2006–07 season with Conference NorthConference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
side Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
. However, was a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
by January 2007 when he received a phone call from his former teammate, the Port Vale manager Martin Foyle
Martin Foyle
Martin John Foyle is an English former footballer, turned football manager. In his 20 year playing career he played 533 League games, scoring 155 goals...
, inviting him back to the club as cover for long-term injury victim Mark Goodlad
Mark Goodlad
Mark Goodlad is a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Leaving Nottingham Forest for Port Vale in 2000 , he became the Vale's first choice keeper for a number of seasons until he was forced to retire due to injury in 2008...
.
In June 2007 he joined up with Harrogate Town
Harrogate Town F.C.
Harrogate Town Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The club was founded in 1914 and currently competes in the Conference North division of the Football Conference.-History:...
of the Conference North. Here he was reunited with former Vale teammate Neil Aspin
Neil Aspin
Neil Aspin is an English former professional footballer turned football manager, who is now managing Conference North club F.C. Halifax Town....
, saying "I played with Neil Aspin for seven years when I was first at Port Vale, and that was one of the main attractions of coming here. Neil is putting a good squad together, and hopefully with a few more additions we can challenge this season." Musselwhite left Harrogate in January 2008 after being offered a better contract with Ian Bogie
Ian Bogie
Ian Bogie is a former footballer, now football manager. He spent two decades as a professional player, from 1985 up until 2001 he was playing in the Football League, where he made 382 appearances....
's Gateshead
Gateshead F.C.
Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager....
, playing in the Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
Premier Division
Northern Premier League Premier Division
The Premier Division is the top division of the Northern Premier League. It is at Step 3 of the National League System, placing it six divisions below the Premier League...
, immediately being made the number one goalkeeper for the newly promoted side, and making 29 appearances before the season's end.
The club won their second successive promotion in 2008–09, beating AFC Telford United
A.F.C. Telford United
A.F.C. Telford United are an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire, playing in the Conference National league at the fifth level of the English football pyramid. The club plays its home matches in Wellington, which forms part of the new town of Telford...
1–0 in the Conference North play-off final. He left the club upon the season's conclusion, having already announced in February 2009 his move from player to coach at Lincoln.
Lincoln City
Following his release from Gateshead, Musselwhite became player-goalkeeping coachCoach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
under Peter Jackson at League Two side Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
. He signed a new contract that would keep him at the club until 2011 on 1 April 2010. On 29 September, Musselwhite was appointed assistant-caretaker manager
Caretaker manager
In association football, a caretaker manager is someone who takes temporary charge of the management of a football club, usually when the regular manager is dismissed or leaves for a different club. However, a caretaker may also be appointed if the regular manager is ill or unable to attend to his...
to Scott Lindsey
Scott Lindsey
Scott Lindsey is an English former footballer. He played as a midfielder in the Football League for Gillingham and was most recently first team coach at Lincoln City...
following Chris Sutton
Chris Sutton
Christopher Roy "Chris" Sutton is an English football manager and former player.In his career, Sutton played for Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea, Celtic, Birmingham City and Aston Villa. Sutton scored over 150 career goals in over 400 league appearances spanning 16 years in the English...
's resignation. On 2 October, the 41 year old took to the field in a 1–0 defeat at Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
, following an injury to Joe Anyon
Joe Anyon
Joseph "Joe" Anyon is an English football goalkeeper who plays for Conference National club Lincoln City.A youth player at Port Vale, he turned professional at the club in 2004, and was loaned out to non-league sides Stafford Rangers and Harrogate Town to gain experience...
.
York City
After a new contract offer from Lincoln was dependent on Joe AnyonJoe Anyon
Joseph "Joe" Anyon is an English football goalkeeper who plays for Conference National club Lincoln City.A youth player at Port Vale, he turned professional at the club in 2004, and was loaned out to non-league sides Stafford Rangers and Harrogate Town to gain experience...
leaving the club, Musselwhite opted to sign for Conference club York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
as player-goalkeeping coach on 16 June 2011.
Trophies
with Port Vale- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
winner: 19931993 Football League Trophy FinalThe 1993 Football League Trophy Final was the 10th final of the domestic football cup competition for teams from Football League Second and Third Division, the Football League Trophy. The final was played at the Wembley Stadium in London on 22 May 1993. The match was contested by Port Vale and... - Anglo-Italian CupAnglo-Italian CupThe Anglo-Italian Cup is a defunct European football competition that was played intermittently between 1970 and 1996 between clubs from England and Italy. Founded by Gigi Peronace in 1970, following the success of the Anglo-Italian League Cup, it was played as a professional tournament until 1973...
runner-up: 19961995–96 Anglo-Italian CupThe 1995–96 Anglo-Italian Cup was the last ever Anglo-Italian Cup competition. The European football competition was played between eight clubs from England and eight clubs from Italy. Italian side Genoa lifted the trophy after beating English side Port Vale 5-2.-Format:For the competition there...
Promotions
- 1993–941993–94 Port Vale F.C. seasonThe 1993–94 season was Port Vale's eighty-second season of football in the Football League, and fifth successive season in the Second Division. They won promotion to the First Division as the division's runners-up, just one point away from champions Reading...
: Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
Runner-up (promotion to First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
) – Port ValePort Vale F.C.Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... - 2003–04: Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
Runner-up (promotion to League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
) – Hull CityHull City A.F.C.Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football... - 2004–05: League TwoFootball League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Runner-up (promotion to League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
) – Scunthorpe UnitedScunthorpe United F.C.Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One.... - 2007–08: Northern Premier League Premier DivisionNorthern Premier League Premier DivisionThe Premier Division is the top division of the Northern Premier League. It is at Step 3 of the National League System, placing it six divisions below the Premier League...
Play-off Winner (promotion to Conference NorthConference NorthThe Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
) – GatesheadGateshead F.C.Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager.... - 2008–092008–09 in English footballThe 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...
: Conference NorthConference NorthThe Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
Play-off Winner (promotion to Conference NationalConference NationalConference 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...
) – GatesheadGateshead F.C.Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager....
External links
- Paul Musselwhite profile at the York City website