| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Christopher Marsden | ||
| Date of birth | 3 January 1969 | ||
| Place of birth | Sheffield, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1987–1988 | Sheffield United | 16 | (1) |
| 1988–1994 | Huddersfield Town | 121 | (9) |
| 1993 | → Coventry City (loan) | 7 | (0) |
| 1994 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 8 | (0) |
| 1994–1996 | Notts County | 10 | (0) |
| 1996–1997 | Stockport County | 66 | (3) |
| 1997–1999 | Birmingham City | 52 | (3) |
| 1999–2004 | Southampton | 129 | (6) |
| 2004 | Busan I'Park | 2 | (1) |
| 2004–2005 | Sheffield Wednesday | 15 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Christopher "Chris" Marsden (born 3 January 1969) is an English former footballer who played in the Football League and Premier League for Sheffield United, Huddersfield Town, Coventry City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Notts County, Stockport County, Birmingham City, Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday,[1] and in the Korean K-League for Busan I'Park.[2] He led Southampton to the 2003 FA Cup Final, which they lost 1–0 to Arsenal.
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Marsden was born in Sheffield and started his career with Sheffield United, going on to play for Huddersfield Town, Coventry City, Wolves, Notts County, Stockport County, Birmingham City, Southampton and Busan I'Park in South Korea.
Chris ended his career playing for Football League One club Sheffield Wednesday, of whom he is a lifelong fan.
He made 424 appearances in the Football League and scored 22 goals as a left footed midfield player and occasional defender. He first made an impression with Huddersfield Town in the early 1990s before successful spells at Stockport County and Birmingham City.
Marsden did not reach the heights of the Premiership until he was 30 when he was brought to Southampton by then manager Dave Jones.
Marsden will always be remembered for his Maradona-esque goal at Portman Road, when he rounded four defenders and the goalkeeper to slot home in a 3-1 romp by the Saints. That goal, combined with a string of outstanding performances for his club, prompted a brief campaign for his inclusion in the England squad for the 2002 World Cup. Despite being widely viewed as a serious candidate for the troublesome left midfield position his prospects were dismissed by Alan Mullery on the You're on Sky Sports television show, who stated that he "didn't have a cat in hell's chance" of selection.
The pinnacle of his career was when he captained Southampton in the 2003 FA Cup Final, which was lost 1-0 to Arsenal.
After a short and unsuccessful spell at Busan I'Park, Marsden was snapped up on a free by Chris Turner for Sheffield Wednesday, the team he had supported since boyhood. Chris acted as an inspirational captain for the side through eighteen games. However, his dream of playing for Sheffield Wednesday was cut short by a hamstring injury that forced him to retire.
His nickname was "Chrissy Marsden Football Genius", often shortened to CMFG, which was given to him by Southampton fans. He was also known as "the bald Beckenbauer" and "the Midfield General".
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Wayne Bridge |
Southampton F.C. player of the season 2001-02 |
Succeeded by James Beattie |
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