Andy Griffin
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| Andy Griffin | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Andrew Griffin | |
| Date of birth | March 7, 1979 (age 28) | |
| Place of birth | Billinge Maternity Hospital, Wigan, England | |
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | |
| Playing position | Full back | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Stoke City (on loan from Portsmouth) |
|
| Number | 20 | |
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 1996-1998 1998-2004 2004- 2006-2007 |
Stoke City Newcastle United Portsmouth → Stoke City (loan) |
57 (2) 76 (2) 43 (0) 29 (2) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Andrew "Andy" Griffin, (born March 7, 1979 in Billinge Maternity Hospital, Metropolitan Borough of Wigan) is an English footballer at Stoke City on loan from Portsmouth.
Griffin began his career at Stoke City F.C., where he established a reputation as a solid wing-back defender. His impressive performances for the Potters meant he was signed by Newcastle United F.C. for a fee of £1.5million in January 1998.
He settled quickly into the side, earning call-ups to the England Under-18 and Under-21 teams. However, he suffered a series of injuries in the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons which hampered his progress and involvement with the first team.
Griffin enjoyed something of a resurgence under Sir Bobby Robson and made several solid performances during the 2002-03 season, including in the UEFA Champions League, when his winning goal against Juventus rekindled his side's campaign.
However, strong competition for places and yet another niggling injury took their toll in 2003-04, and when his contract expired at the end of the season he moved to Portsmouth on loan, having played 104 games for Newcastle, scoring three goals.
Initially he found himself under fire from supporters but gradually won them over with a tough-tackling and committed style. However, by the summer of 2006 he appeared to be out of Harry Redknapp's plans and in September of that year he was loaned to Stoke. He is remembered by Stoke fans from his loan deal for his brilliant displays, winning over the Stoke fans, and his wonder goal in the fog against Coventry from 35 yards out.
In an unfortunate accident while playing a casual game of football, a rash challenge from Michael Parker left Andrew with a broken 3rd metatarsal. He also damaged the cruciate ligaments in his left knee.
Griffin again joined Stoke City on loan on January 19, 2007 until June 2007, with a view to making his move permanent.
[edit] External links
| Stoke City F.C. - Current Squad |
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1 Simonsen | 2 Hoefkens | 3 Broomes | 4 Eustace | 5 Fortune | 6 Hill | 8 Parkin | 9 Sidibe | 10 Fuller | 14 Higginbotham | 15 Péricard | 16 Hendrie | 17 Russell | 18 Diao | 19 Matteo | 20 Griffin | 21 Martin | 22 Buxton | 23 Lawrence | 24 Delap | 25 Hoult | 26 A. Pulis | 27 Zakuani | 28 Wilkinson | 30 Paterson | 31 Dickinson | 32 Vass | 34 Rooney | 36 Hazley | 37 Thomas | Manager: T. Pulis |
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