Lionel Morgan (footballer)

Lionel Morgan
Personal information
Full name Lionel Anthony Morgan[1]
Date of birth 17 February 1983 (1983-02-17) (age 29)
Place of birth London Borough of Enfield, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Playing position Winger
Youth career
1993–2000 Wimbledon
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2000–2004 Wimbledon 30 (2)
National team
2001–2002 England U19 3 (1)
2002–2003 England U20 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Lionel Anthony Morgan (born 17 February 1983) is an English former footballer who played as a winger for Wimbledon before injury forced him to retire from the game at the age of just 21. His career was short but he was believed by those who regularly watched him to be among the most talented young players in the game, and perhaps the best from the prolific production line at Wimbledon. This impression was endorsed by a televised appearance for England under-19s in which he received the man of the match award[3] and was compared by studio analysts to a young John Barnes.

Contents

Playing career

Morgan was born in the London Borough of Enfield and grew up in Tottenham. As a youngster he played for Broadwater United F.C., a community club on the Broadwater Farm Estate.[4] He joined Wimbledon's youth system at the age of 10, and went on to represent England at under-16 level.[5] He scored a goal on his full debut for Wimbledon's reserve team aged only 16, and impressed on his next appearance.[6]

His first-team debut came on 26 August 2000 in a goalless draw against Watford; the 17-year-old set up a chance from which John Hartson headed against the goalkeeper.[7] He played three more first-team games before breaking his ankle in an under-19 game.[8] He played twice more for the first team at the end of the 2000–01 season, then surgery to knee cartilage damaged in a pre-season friendly caused him to miss the first two months of the 2001–02 season.[9] He made an impressive return to the reserves,[10] and in November 2001 played for England under-19s in a European Championship qualifier against their Georgian counterparts.[11] The match, a 4–1 win, was televised, and Morgan was named by Sky Sports' Nigel Spackman as man of the match.[3]

He returned to first-team action as a substitute at the end of January 2002.[12] In February, Tottenham Hotspur made an offer of £750,000 for Morgan's services. Manager Terry Burton was unwilling to sell, but the club's reported £20,000-a-day losses prompted chairman Charles Koppel to consider the offer.[13] Koppel was later insistent that Morgan would only leave "at the right price"[14] and the player confirmed he was happy at the club.[15] Meanwhile, Morgan scored for England under-19s in a friendly against Germany,[16] and speculation in the press was that Wimbledon would not reach the play-offs unless Morgan was part of the starting eleven.[17] In March he scored his first senior goal, the only goal of the game against Rotherham United, from a free kick described by acting manager Stuart Murdoch as "Beckham-esque".[18] A few days later he damaged his cruciate ligament against Crewe Alexandra, an injury which required two operations and kept him out of first-team action for seven months.[19]

After scoring in his first league start of the season, he received a call-up to represent England under-20s, and played the whole of a 2–0 defeat to Switzerland under-20s.[20] In his third game back in first-team action after undergoing a knee cartilage operation in January 2003, he was forced out of the game with a bruised and lacerated ankle resulting from a foul tackle by Portsmouth's Tim Sherwood; manager Murdoch accused the player of singling Morgan out for rough treatment.[21] In April he underwent further surgery on his knee cartilage.[22]

In June 2003, Wimbledon F.C. went into administration; a proposed transfer to Tottenham, for a fee of £400,000, fell through when Morgan failed the medical, although it was reported that the deal could proceed once the player proved his fitness.[23] His next first-team comeback in September lasted just three games before a training-ground knock aggravated the knee problem and two more operations ensued, though the prognosis was hopeful.[24] However, the player's contract was due to expire at the end of the 2003–04 season, and the club chose not to renew it. Manager Murdoch said Morgan was attempting to regain fitness in time for pre-season training so that he could find another club,[25] but he has not played professionally since.

After playing

Morgan was for a time reserve team manager of Wingate and Finchley F.C.,[26] and had a brief involvement with managing the first team in the Isthmian League.[27] In 2008, Morgan was coaching at the Broadwater United football project alongside former teammate Jude Stirling, son of the programme's founder Clasford Stirling.[4][28] Morgan and former teammate Jobi McAnuff formed a management company, Infinite Sports Management, in 2011.[29]

References

  1. ^ Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 437. ISBN 1852916656. 
  2. ^ "Player profile: Lionel Morgan". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. http://www.mkdons.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10420~15072,00.html. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
  3. ^ a b "Lionel shines in England victory". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 8 November 2001. http://www.mkdons.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10420~122125,00.html. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
  4. ^ a b Evans, Richard (10 October 2005). "From tragedy to talent flow". The Times. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article576645.ece. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
  5. ^ Smith, Alison (24 June 2002). "Morgan eyes England berth". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wimbledon/2062286.stm. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
    "England believe Cup bid just the ticket" (reprint). Birmingham Post (The Free Library (Farlex)). 22 July 1999. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+England+believe+Cup+bid+just+the+ticket.-a060529316. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
  6. ^ "The Premiership today" (reprint). The Times (NewsBank): p. 63. 22 October 1999. http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:LTIB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F92994D60F41B5A&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815. Retrieved 12 November 2008. 
    "The Premiership today" (reprint). The Times (NewsBank): p. 55. 29 October 1999. http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:LTIB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F92A8F21C5C1B2A&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815. Retrieved 12 November 2008. 
  7. ^ Tennant, Ivo (27 August 2000). "Watford repel threat posed by lively Gayle" (reprint). The Times (NewsBank): Sport p. 5. http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:LSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F282CA7CCD63330&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815. Retrieved 12 November 2008. 
  8. ^ "I'm The Victim, Claims Vieira: Dialling The World Of Soccer" (reprint). Daily Mail (NewsBank). 5 October 2000. http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DAMC&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F2899C8F8E9B74A&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815. Retrieved 12 November 2008. 
  9. ^ "Lionel undergoes surgery". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 30 July 2001. http://www.mkdons.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10420~78448,00.html. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
  10. ^ "Damien comes through reserves run-out". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 17 October 2001. http://www.mkdons.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10420~110883,00.html. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
  11. ^ "Chopra spree too much for Georgia". The Football Association. 5 November 2001. Archived from the original on 8 April 2005. http://web.archive.org/web/20050408033612/http://www.thefa.com/England/U19s/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2001/11/1591.htm. 
  12. ^ "Reserves win at The Valley". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 9 January 2002. http://www.mkdons.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10420~152660,00.html. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
  13. ^ Spellman, Damian (6 February 2002). "Newcastle defend Jenas transfer". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/newcastle-defend-jenas-transfer-659623.html. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
  14. ^ Bailey, Graeme (22 February 2002). "Dons in no hurry to sell Lionel". Sky Sports. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11675_2231420,00.html. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
  15. ^ Seery, Philip (14 March 2002). "Dons rebuff Spurs Morgan bid". Sky Sports. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11675_2232919,00.html. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
  16. ^ "Lionel on target against Germans". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 15 February 2002. http://www.mkdons.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10420~173683,00.html. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
  17. ^ "Dons need to unleash Morgan" (reprint). The People (The Free Library (Farlex)). 3 March 2002. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+Dons+need+to+unleash+Morgan.-a083431298. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
  18. ^ "Stuart salutes Beckham-like Lionel". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 30 March 2002. http://www.mkdons.com/page/MatchReaction/0,,10420~199009,00.html. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
  19. ^ "Morgan on the comeback trail". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 23 May 2002. http://www.mkdons.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10420~220718,00.html. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
    "Focus on Lionel Morgan". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 8 November 2002. http://www.mkdons.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10420~298612,00.html. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
  20. ^ "Lionel gets an England call". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 1 December 2002. http://www.mkdons.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10420~309688,00.html. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
    Wright, James (13 December 2002). "U20s fall to Swiss". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 8 April 2005. http://web.archive.org/web/20050408032517/http://www.thefa.com/England/U20s/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2002/12/33917.htm. 
  21. ^ "Wimbledon v Grimsby: Preview". ESPNSoccernet. 10 January 2003. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=49535&league=ENG.2&&cc=5739. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
    Curtis, Adrian (5 March 2003). "Sherwood tackle has Murdoch fuming". Evening Standard (London). http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-3667489-details/Sherwood+tackle+has+Murdoch+fuming+/article.do. Retrieved 12 November 2008. 
  22. ^ "Injury woe continues". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 17 April 2003. http://www.mkdons.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10420~372964,00.html. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
  23. ^ Banks, Tony (11 July 2003). "Anderton considers return to his roots" (reprint). Daily Express (NewsBank). http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:EXSC&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0FC4AEFF1B34BC12&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815. Retrieved 12 November 2008. 
  24. ^ "Yet more surgery for Lionel". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 30 October 2003. http://www.mkdons.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10420~444859,00.html. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
    "Morgan boost". Milton Keynes Citizen. 5 February 2004. http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/mkdons/Morgan-boost.735152.jp. Retrieved 14 November 2008. 
  25. ^ O'Rourke, Peter (4 May 2004). "Dons release Morgan". Sky Sports. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11759_2297988,00.html. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
  26. ^ "Wingate & Finchley Res 3–1 Boreham Wood Res". Wingate & Finchley F.C. 21 August 2007. Archived from the original on 30 April 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080430045354/http://www.wingatefinchley.com/reports/reportresbwoodh.html. 
  27. ^ "Wingate & Finchley 0–0 Potters Bar Town". Wingate & Finchley F.C. 23 September 2007. Archived from the original on 7 May 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080507223531/http://www.wingatefinchley.com/reports/reportpottersh2.html. 
  28. ^ Phillips, Martin (21 April 2008). "Footie reduces street violence". The Sun. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/justice/article1066133.ece. Retrieved 12 November 2008. 
  29. ^ James, Stuart (12 March 2011). "Reading's Jobi McAnuff plots an FA Cup shock and an interesting future". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/12/jobi-mcanuff-reading-manchester-city. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 

External links