Nicky Summerbee

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Personal information
Nicky Summerbee
Full name	Nicky Summerbee
Date of birth	26 August 1971
Place of birth	Altrincham, England
Position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	None
Youth clubs
1989-1994	Swindon Town
Professional clubs*
Years	Club	Apps (goals)
1989-1994 1994-1997 1997-2001 2001 2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2006 2005 2005 2006	Swindon Town Manchester City Sunderland Bolton Wanderers Manchester City Nottingham Forest Leicester City Bradford City Swindon Town (loan) Tranmere Rovers (loan) Tamworth	112 (6) 131 (6) 94 (7) 9 (1) - (-) 17 (2) 29 (0) 68 (4) 1 (0) 6 (0) 4 (0)
* Professional club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:07, 2 September 2006 (UTC).

1 Early career
2 Sunderland
3 Summerbee, Sykes, and the end of his Sunderland career
4 External links

[edit] Early career

Born in Manchester on 26th August 1971, Summerbee had trials at Manchester United, Leicester City, and Norwich City, before joining Swindon Town, where his father, former England international Mike Summerbee, had connections. Summerbee played 112 games in seven years for the Robins, scoring six goals before Manchester City paid £1.3million for his services. In 1997, Summerbee reached the pinnacle of his playing career when he joined Sunderland in a £1million-rated swap deal involving Craig Russell.

[edit] Sunderland

Summerbee made his Sunderland debut on 15th November 1997, against Portsmouth at Fratton Park, as a second half substitute for Martin Smith. With trademark un-tucked shirt and orange edged boots, Summerbee capped his debut by notching the final goal in a 4-1 victory, scoring with a satisfying low drive. Nicky played out the rest of the season on the right hand side of midfield, quietly effective but overshadowed by the flair of Allan Johnston on the opposite flank.

His nonchalant, some might say lazy-looking, style of play made him an easy target for the Wearmouth boo-boys, anxious for prey since the departure of Gareth Hall. Summerbee also fell foul of the Maine Road faithful at times, not least because he always played in the imposing shadow of his father.

The following season saw his treatment from sections of the crowd improve, before finally winning the boo boys over once and for all with an excellent display in the 2-2 draw at Norwich.

Promotion to the Premier League saw Summerbee shine and become an exceptionally under-valued player. Statistics showed him to be a better crosser of the ball than David Beckham, with a crossing accuracy of 36% to Becks's 27. As well as crossing, his shooting abilities outshone those of Beckham's, by 53% to 48.

[edit] Summerbee, Sykes, and the end of his Sunderland career

During that season, an injured Summerbee enjoyed a well-publicised liaison with Tv presenter, Melanie Sykes. However, it came at a cost. Summerbee lost his place in the team following his capital night out with Mel and a 4-1 defeat at Arsenal. Whilst he returned after one match, Nicky was substituted in both of his next two games and was relegated to the bench for the next four. He returned triumphantly to the starting eleven by scoring his first goal of the season against Everton. Sadly, it turned out to be his last as a Sunderland player. After this goal, Nicky was in and out of the side. He finished the season on a high note though, starting in - and starring in - the final three games.

Summerbee was left in the wilderness by boss Peter Reid the following Season. He sat on the sidelines for 6 months until he was given a game for the Reserves against Newcastle United. Summerbee was clearly unfit and unhappy, he lashed out at Newcastle United defender Andy Griffin and was immediately substituted before he could be sent off.

Free transfers and quick stays at the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Leicester City and Nottingham Forest were followed by a two and a half year stay at Bradford City, which included loan spells at Swindon Town and Tranmere Rovers.

Summerbee was recently playing for Nationwide Conference side Tamworth, but was released at the end of the 2005-06 season.

Persondata
NAME	Summerbee, Nicky
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Professional soccer player
DATE OF BIRTH	26 August 1971
PLACE OF BIRTH	England
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH