Alan Stubbs

Infobox Football biography
playername = Alan Stubbs


fullname = Alan Stubbs
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1971|10|6|df=y
cityofbirth = Kirkby, Merseyside
countryofbirth = England
height = height|ft=6|in=2
position = Defender (retired)
currentclub =
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1990–1996
1996–2001
2001–2005
2005–2006
2006–2008
2008
clubs = Bolton Wanderers
Celtic
Everton
Sunderland
Everton
Derby County
Total
caps(goals) = 202 0(9)
093 0(3)
124 0(3)
010 0(1)
045 0(3)
009 0(0)
483 (19)
nationalyears = 1994
nationalteam = England B
nationalcaps(goals) = 001 0(0)
pcupdate = 14:39, 20 August 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 14:39, 20 August 2008 (UTC)

Alan Stubbs (born 6 October 1971 in Kirkby, Merseyside) is a former English footballer, playing in central defence. He was forced to retire from professional football due to a troublesome knee injury on the August 20 2008. The final match of his career was against Doncaster Rovers on August 9 2008.

He is now on the coaching staff at Everton.

Playing career

Bolton Wanderers

Stubbs started his career at Bolton Wanderers, where he made over 200 appearances. As the captain of the side he led them in the 1995 Coca-Cola Cup final defeat against Liverpool at Wembley Stadium. His second trip to the twin towers that year was more memorable as he guided the Wanderers to a thrilling 4-3 win over Reading in the Divisional Play Offs. However, during the summer and into the beginning of the next season he made no secret of his desire to leave the club, which did not go down well with fans who made their feelings clear for the rest of the season. [ [http://mannyroad.wordpress.com/2008/08/25/bolton-wanderers-alan-stubbs/ In defence of Alan Stubbs] . "Manny Road", August 25 2008.] He got his wish when he left after Bolton's immediate relegation back to the Football League.

Celtic

He joined Celtic in May 1996. He won several medals with Celtic including the domestic treble and twice overcame testicular cancer.

Everton

He joined Everton in July 2001. On his arrival at Goodison Park, Stubbs stated it had always been his dream to play for the club. Stubbs confirmed at the time part of his motive for moving to Everton was that he wanted to return home to his native Merseyside with his wife Mandy.

Stubbs quickly became a regular member of the team and excelled during his first season. Stubbs continued to be a consistent performer in the heart of the Toffees defence during the 2002/03 and 2003/04 seasons.

The 2004/05 season was another successful campaign for Stubbs. Although a shoulder injury kept him out in April, he made 36 appearances and even rose from defence to score - in a 2-1 win against Portsmouth. He was set to continue as a vital part of the squad in 2005/06, but refused to sign a new contract as the club were willing to offer him only a one-year deal, and later revelations suggested a "cancer clause" in the contract that Stubbs was unhappy with.

underland

Stubbs signed for Sunderland on the August 2 2005.Generally, Stubbs' time with Sunderland was an unhappy one. Despite a promising start, Stubbs form dipped, and he often found himself out of the team. In the weeks leading up to the January transfer window, Stubbs was constantly linked with a move back to Everton, and was spotted by the Sky Sports cameras at Goodison Park when Sunderland weren't playing. This led to a fierce denial from Stubbs, claiming he was only at Goodison because his daughter was an Everton fan. However, Stubbs' final appearance at the Stadium of Light was to be the 3-0 victory over Northwich Victoria in the FA Cup, and Stubbs returned to Everton shortly after.

Everton

Upon re-signing, Stubbs claimed his time spent at Sunderland was like "being injured for 6 months", and said the cancer clause incident was an "unfortunate mistake." He later went on to say his denial over the transfer was a lie, and that he had cheered when new team-mate Tim Cahill scored a last minute winner for Everton against Sunderland on New Year's Eve - whilst Stubbs was still a Sunderland player. This left him very unpopular with the Sunderland fans, who booed his every touch during the 2-2 draw with Everton on April 1 2006.

Despite the arrival of Joleon Lescott that summer - Stubbs maintained his place in starting line up and proved to be a pivotal figure behind Everton's push for a UEFA Cup place.

In September 2007 after the murder of Rhys Jones, Stubbs delivered a reading at his funeral to a packed Liverpool Cathedral including members of Everton and Liverpool. [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2163508,00.html Rhys funeral bishop warns of teenage lawlessness | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited ] ]

Derby County

On January 31, 2008, Stubbs moved to Derby County in a 18 month deal on a free transfer. [ [http://www.dcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~1230028,00.html Stubbs Brings Steel | Derby County | News | Latest | Latest ] ] Derby's relegation from the Premiership with eleven points meant that Stubbs had been involved in the campaigns of the teams with two lowest points totals attained since the league's inception. On 20 August 2008 it was announced that a recurring knee injury had forced him to retire from playing football.

International career

Stubbs won an England 'B' cap on May 10 1994 in a match against Northern Ireland 'B' at Hillsborough. England won the match 4-2.

Coaching career

Everton

In September 2008, not long after retiring from playing, Alan found himself back at Everton, in the role of Coach [ [http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport-news/everton-fc/2008/09/23/alan-stubbs-back-at-everton-55578-21886941/ Alan Stubbs back at Everton] . "Daily Post", September 23 2008.] . More specifically, he's currently assisting Reserve Team Coach Andy Holden, as well as assisting with the Under 18 players.

References

External links

*soccerbase|id=7696|name=Alan Stubbs