Chris Higgins (footballer)
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Christopher James Higgins | ||
| Date of birth | 4 July 1985 | ||
| Place of birth | Broxburn, Scotland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
| Playing position | Centre back/Left back | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Queen of the South | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2001–2002 | Motherwell | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2002–2005 | Motherwell | 0 | (0) |
| 2005–2009 | Clyde | 129 | (5) |
| 2009–2011 | Dunfermline Athletic | 38 | (1) |
| 2011– | Queen of the South | 60 | (3) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:00, 7 April 2013. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Christopher James "Chris" Higgins (born 4 July 1985 in Broxburn) is a Scottish professional footballer, who currently plays for Queen of the South. A left sided player, he usually plays as a defender. Higgins has previously played for Motherwell, Clyde and Dunfermline.
Early years
Chris Higgins was born in Broxburn, West Lothian in 1985. He started his career as a youth team player with Motherwell, but didn't make any first team appearances.
Clyde
Higgins signed for Clyde in the summer of 2005, and made his début in a Scottish Challenge Cup clash against Brechin City. Higgins became a vital part of the team in his centre half role, and only missed 2 league games during the 2005–2006 season. He was part of the Clyde side to shock Celtic with a 2–1 win in the Scottish Cup in January 2006 on the Celtic debut of Roy Keane.
Higgins scored his first Clyde goal against Greenock Morton in the Scottish Challenge Cup 2006-07. He played in the club's run to the 2006 Scottish Challenge Cup Final, a game against Ross County that ended 1–1 at the end of extra time. The teams were still unseparable after the 5 alloted penalty kicks to each side. In the first set of sudden death penalties it was the unfortunate Higgins who was unable to convert his kick, allowing County to lift the trophy.
Higgins was once again very consistent in his second season at the club, missing only two games again due to suspension. He was an integral part of the Clyde defence that conceded the fewest goals in the division. He made his 100th Clyde appearance on Boxing Day 2007, in a Scottish First Division match against Hamilton Academical.[1]
Higgins captained Clyde on the final day of the season, coinciding with his 100th league appearance. Despite winning 3–0 against Stirling Albion, Clyde still finished in the playoff position due to Greenock Morton winning.[2]
He won the Clyde FC website Player of the Year award for the 2008–2009 campaign.[3] After Clyde's relegation to the Scottish Second Division, Higgins joined Dunfermline Athletic after making 159 appearances for the Bully Wee, scoring 7 goals.[4]
Dunfermline Athletic
Higgins spent two season with Dunfermline Athletic with the club achieving promotion to the Scottish Flight in his second season by winning the Scottish First Division. His only goal for Dunfermline came near the end of that promotion season in a 6–1 win away against Queen of the South.
Queen of the South
On 4 July 2011, manager Gus MacPherson announced on the website of Dumfries club, Queen of the South, that Higgins has agreed terms to join the Palmerston Park side. MacPherson commented, "He`s experienced, versatile and can play on three different areas on the left flank.".[5] His Queens debut was on 23 July 2011 the extra time 2–0 defeat away at Ayr United in the 2011-12 Scottish Challenge Cup.[6]
Statistics
Correct as of 1 June 2009
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Other[7] | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Motherwell | 2003–04 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004–05 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Clyde | 2005–06 | 34 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 0 |
| 2006–07 | 34 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 40 | 3 | |
| 2007–08 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 41 | 2 | |
| 2008–09 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 39 | 2 | |
| Total | 132 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 159 | 7 | |
| Dunfermline Athletic | 2009–10 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| 2010–11 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 1 | |
| Total | 170 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 200 | 8 | |
| Queen of the South | 2011–12 | 32 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 1 |
| Total | 199 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 234 | 8 | |
| Career Totals | 199 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 234 | 60 | |
Honours
- 2006 Scottish Challenge Cup Finalist
- 2010–11 Scottish First Division winner
- 2012–13 Scottish Second Division Winner
- 2013 Scottish Challenge Cup Final Winner
See also
- Clyde F.C. season 2005-06 | 2006–07 | 2007–08 | 2008–09
- Dunfermline Athletic F.C. season 2009–10
References
- ↑ Higgy's Hundred
- ↑ Clyde 3–0 Stirling Albion – BBC Sport Retrieved on 26 April 2008
- ↑ "Awards Presented" – clydefc.co.uk Retrieved on 1 June 2009
- ↑ "Pars swoop for defender" – Dunfermline Press Retrieved on 1 June 2009
- ↑ "A tough old start" www.qosfc.com 4 Jul 2011
- ↑ "Ayr United 2 – 0 Queen of the South" 23 Jul 2011 www.qosfc.com
- ↑ Includes Scottish Challenge Cup and Scottish Football League Playoffs
External links
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