Chris Iwelumo

Chris Iwelumo

Iwelumo playing for Burnley
Personal information
Full name Christopher Robert Iwelumo[1]
Date of birth 1 August 1978 (1978-08-01) (age 33)[1]
Place of birth Coatbridge, Scotland
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current club Watford
Number 10
Youth career
000?–1995 St. Mirren
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1995–1998 St. Mirren 31 (1)
1998–2000 Aarhus Fremad 27 (4)
2000–2004 Stoke City 84 (15)
2000 → York City (loan) 12 (2)
2001 → Cheltenham Town (loan) 4 (1)
2004 → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 10 (4)
2004–2005 Alemannia Aachen 9 (0)
2005–2007 Colchester United 92 (35)
2007–2008 Charlton Athletic 46 (10)
2008–2010 Wolverhampton Wanderers 46 (14)
2010 → Bristol City (loan) 8 (2)
2010–2011 Burnley 45 (11)
2011– Watford 17 (1)
National team‡
2007 Scotland B 1 (0)
2008–2010 Scotland 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 5 December 2011.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19 July 2011

Christopher Robert "Chris" Iwelumo (born 1 August 1978) is a Scottish footballer who plays for Watford as a striker.

Iwelumo started his career with St Mirren before moving to Danish club Aarhus Fremad for two years. A move to Stoke City in 2000 saw him sent out on loan to several teams before a short-lived spell with 2. Fußball-Bundesliga side Alemannia Aachen. After moving to the Football League Championship with Colchester United and then Charlton Athletic, he signed for Wolves in 2008 as they won promotion to the FA Premier League, winning Player of the Month in November 2008.

Iwelumo's father is Nigerian and his mother is Scottish. He won his first cap as a full Scottish international coming on as a substitute against Norway in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier in 2008, notable for his missing an open goal from only yards out as the match finished 0–0 an event which Iwelumo has said "tortured" him. He had his first international start in a friendly against Argentina in November the same year.

Contents

Club career

Early career

Born in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire to a Nigerian father and a Scottish mother, Iwelumo started his career with Scottish Football League club St Mirren as a junior in their youth system before signing a professional contract on 5 August 1996.[1][2]

Iwelumo had only made nineteen appearances for St Mirren, scoring twice against Berwick in the Scottish League Cup[3] and Dundee in the Scottish Cup,[4] before his performances were being noticed and in early 1998, Aarhus Fremad of Denmark signed him up. Aarhus released him two years later in February 2000 and he had trials at Preston North End and Celtic – the team he supports – before signing a four year deal with Stoke City.[5]

Stoke City

After two years in Denmark, Iwelumo returned to the UK to join third tier Stoke City. Later that year he was sent out on loan to York City where he made eleven appearances before returning to Stoke. He remained there before being loaned out again to Cheltenham Town in February 2001. He played four times for Cheltenham Town, scoring once against Mansfield[6] before being recalled back from his loan by Stoke City where he managed to build on his appearances without actually gaining a regular place in the first team, his most notable contribution possibly being the equaliser in the Potteries derby on 21 October 2001. He signed a two-year contract extension with Stoke in March 2002.[7]

Barnsley revealed an interest in signing Iwelumo in January 2004.[8] He was subject of a loan move once more when he moved to Brighton & Hove Albion in March 2004.[9] and when he returned to the club two months later, he was released, after four years at the club.

From Germany to Colchester United

2. Fußball-Bundesliga side Alemannia Aachen signed Iwelumo on a free transfer in July 2004, after rejecting the offer of a two-year contract from Brighton.[10] However his stay at Aachen was short-lived, and he was released after just six months and nine substitute appearances.

Colchester United

Iwelumo arguably had his most successful period of his career at Colchester United, he signed for Colchester United in July 2005.[11] On 28 November 2006, the many highlights included, the four goals he scored as Colchester demolished Hull City 5–1 in a Championship league match.[12]

Iwelumo formed a formidable partnership with Jamie Cureton that season, with the U's eventually finishing 10th in The Championship.

Whilst at Colchester, he helped them achieve promotion to the Championship in 2006 and finish in a club record 10th position the following season.

Iwelumo rejected a new contract offer from Colchester on 21 May 2007,[13]

Charlton Athletic

On the same day signed for Charlton Athletic on a free transfer.[14] In the 2007–08 season he featured in every league game and was the Addicks' top goalscorer; he was also named the Championship's player of the month for November 2007 after scoring last minute winning goals in two consecutive games.[15]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

It was confirmed that Iwelumo could leave Charlton as part of cost-cutting measures and he eventually signed for fellow Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 2008 on a two-year deal.[16] Iwelumo scored a hat-trick for Wolves against Preston North End in a 3–1 win, taking his goal tally to eight for the season, where he was also sent off for an apparent head-butt on defender Sean St Ledger.[17] Wolves made an appeal against this, which was turned down, despite St Ledger stating that the clash of heads was accidental and Iwelumo served a three-match ban.[18]

His early season form in front of goal earned him November's Championship Player of the Month Award.[19] However, after this run of form he entered goalless drought of 16 games before netting against his former club Charlton.

His season was ended prematurely after a dreadful high tackle from Lee Carsley in the game against promotion rivals Birmingham City left him with medial ligament damage.[20] In his absence the team secured promotion to the Premier League as champions.[21]

He regained fitness over the summer break but suffered more injury woe as he broke his metatarsal in Wolves' opening pre-season game against Australian club Perth Glory.[22] He eventually returned to first team contention and made his Premier League debut in a 1–1 draw against Aston Villa in October 2009, though again suffered an injury setback which put him on the sidelines for a further month.[23]

When fit, his Premier League appearance were limited to fleeting substitute roles and he instead moved on a month's loan to Championship side Bristol City in February 2010 to gain more playing time.[24] He scored the first of two goals for Bristol City in a 2–1 win over West Bromwich Albion on 21 February 2010.[25] He returned to Wolves to battle for his place, making a handful of further substitute appearances as the club confirmed their Premier League survival, but failing to score, meaning he had scored just once for Wolves in 18 months.

Burnley

He signed for Championship side Burnley on 1 June 2010 on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[26] Iwelumo scored his first goal for Burnley on his debut on 7 August 2010, scoring the winner against Nottingham Forest in a 1-0 victory for Burnley. On 11 September 2010 Iwelumo scored a stunning hattrick against Preston North End in a 4-3 win for Burnley at home, with two fine headers and a volley. After a disappointing second half to the season, Iwelumo was subject to transfer speculation, with a failed move to Preston North End.

Watford

Iwelumo signed for Championship rivals Watford on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee on 19 July 2011.[27]

International career

Iwelumo was called up for the Scotland squad to tour South Korea in 2002 but had to withdraw as his club Stoke City were involved in the Football League Championship play-offs. In November 2007, he was named in the Scotland B team for a friendly against Republic of Ireland B,[28] which he featured in as Scotland drew 1–1.[29] He was once again called up to the full Scotland squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Norway at Hampden Park on 11 October.[30] He came on as a 57th minute substitute in that game to make his debut, his performance was overshadowed by his open goal miss from three yards, in a match that finished 0–0.[31]

For days after, Iwelumo constantly watched video replays of the incident but was determined not to be remembered for the miss, stated "I'm a proud Scot, I love my country and it's my dream to do well for them."[32]

He was recalled for his first international start in a friendly against Argentina on 19 November 2008.[33]

Honours

Brighton & Hove Albion
Colchester United
Wolverhampton Wanderers

Career statistics

Club

As of 5 December 2011
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
St. Mirren 1995–96 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 1
1996–97 14 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 17 1
1997–98 13 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 17 1
Total 32 1 4 1 3 1 0 0 1 0 40 3
Aarhus Fremad 1998–99 27 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 4
1999–2000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 27 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 4
Stoke City 1999–2000 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 0
2000–01 2 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 4 2
2001–02 38 10 4 1 1 0 0 0 4 1 47 12
2002–03 32 4 3 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 36 7
2003–04 9 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 12 1
Total 84 15 8 4 6 2 0 0 5 1 103 22
York City (loan) 2000–01 12 2 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 3
Total 12 2 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 3
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2000–01 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1
Total 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1
Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 2003–04 10 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 13 4
Total 10 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 13 4
Alemannia Aachen 2004–05 9 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 14 0
Total 9 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 14 0
Colchester United 2005–06 46 17 5 2 1 0 0 0 3 0 55 19
2006–07 46 18 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 48 18
Total 92 35 6 2 2 0 0 0 3 0 103 37
Charlton Athletic 2007–08 46 10 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 50 10
Total 46 10 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 50 10
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2008–09 31 14 2 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 35 16
2009–10 15 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 0
Total 46 14 4 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 52 16
Bristol City (loan) 2009–10 8 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 2
Total 8 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 2
Burnley 2010–11 45 11 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 50 11
Total 45 11 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 50 11
Watford 2011–12 17 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 1
Total 17 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 1
Career totals 432 100 32 8 17 5 4 0 12 1 497 114

International

As of 17 November 2010.[34]
National team Season Apps Goals
Scotland 2008 2 0
2009 0 0
2010 2 0
Total 4 0

References

  1. ^ a b c d Hugman, Barry J., ed (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. p. 212. ISBN 9781845964740. 
  2. ^ Spiers, Graham (2008-10-03). "Chris Iwelumo in surprise call-up for Scotland". The Times (London). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article4870258.ece. Retrieved 2008-10-23. 
  3. ^ "Victory is Taylor made". Herald Scotland. 1996-08-13. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/victory-is-taylor-made-1.441300. Retrieved 2010-02-14. 
  4. ^ "Kamikaze comeback ends in tears for nine-man Saints". Herald Scotland. 1998-01-25. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/kamikaze-comeback-ends-in-tears-for-nine-man-saints-1.357868. Retrieved 2010-02-14. 
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  6. ^ "Mansfield 2–1 Cheltenham". BBC Sport. 2001-02-13. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/1166756.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
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  8. ^ "Barnsley eye Iwelumo". BBC Sport. 2004-01-07. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3376253.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  9. ^ "Iwelumo moves to Albion". BBC Sport. 2004-03-15. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3513322.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  10. ^ "Iwelumo joins Aachen". BBC Sport. 2004-07-12. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3888139.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  11. ^ "Colchester complete Iwelumo deal". BBC Sport. 2005-07-06. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4655015.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  12. ^ "Colchester 5–1 Hull". BBC Sport. 2006-11-29. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6183358.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  13. ^ "Iwelumo turns down new contract". BBC Sport. 2007-05-21. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6676057.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  14. ^ "Charlton snap up Varney & Iwelumo". BBC Sport. 2007-05-21. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6676699.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  15. ^ "Charlton star takes monthly award". BBC Sport. 2007-12-04. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7126729.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  16. ^ "Iwelumo completes Wolves switch". BBC Sport. 2008-07-14. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7505174.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  17. ^ "Preston 1–3 Wolves". BBC Sport. 2008-09-20. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7613993.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  18. ^ "FA reject Wolves' Iwelumo appeal". BBC Sport. 2008-09-24. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7629282.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  19. ^ "Iwelumo is Championship's Top Man". The Football League. 2008-12-08. http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/ChampionshipPlayeroftheMonth/0,,10794~1481139,00.html. 
  20. ^ "Birmingham 2–0 Wolves". BBC Sport. 2009-04-06. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7972882.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  21. ^ "Barnsley 1–1 Wolves". BBC Sport. 2009-04-25. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8001872.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  22. ^ "Wolves' Iwelumo breaks metatarsal". BBC Sport. 2009-07-10. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8144655.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  23. ^ "Iwelumo suffers injury setback". Sky Sports. 2009-11-05. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5676383,00.html. 
  24. ^ "Bristol City sign Wolves striker Chris Iwelumo". BBC Sport. 2010-02-13. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8514105.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  25. ^ "Bristol City 2–1 West Brom". BBC Sport. 2010-02-21. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8524204.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  26. ^ "Burnley snap up Wolves striker Chris Iwelumo". BBC Sport. 2010-06-01. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8716685.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  27. ^ "Watford sign striker Chris Iwelumo from Burnley". BBC Sport. 2011-07-19. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14200193.stm. Retrieved 2011-07-19. 
  28. ^ "Scotland B squad announced". Scottish Football Association. 2007-11-09. http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news.cfm?newsid=3363. Retrieved 2008-07-14. 
  29. ^ Lindsay, Clive (2007-11-20). "Scotland B 1–1 Rep of Ireland B". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7100835.stm. Retrieved 2008-07-14. 
  30. ^ "First Scotland call for Iwelumo". BBC Sport. 2008-10-02. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7648194.stm. Retrieved 2008-10-02. 
  31. ^ Lindsay, Clive (2008-10-11). "Scotland 0–0 Norway". BBC Sport. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7654327.stm. Retrieved 2008-10-11. 
  32. ^ Duncan, Colin (2008-11-18). "Wife made me delete my Scotland horror miss from TV". Daily Record. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/scotland/2008/11/18/chris-iwelumo-wife-made-me-delete-my-scotland-horror-miss-from-tv-86908-20904079. 
  33. ^ Campbell, Andy (2008-11-19). "Scotland 0–1 Argentina". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7731484.stm. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
  34. ^ "Christopher Iwelumo - A Squad". Scotland FA. http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football_player_profile.cfm?page=462&playerID=15753. Retrieved 2010-11-17. 

External links

Watford F.C. – current squad