Graham Hockless
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Graham Hockless | ||
| Date of birth | 20 October 1982 | ||
| Place of birth | Hull, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Port Melbourne Sharks | ||
| Number | –– | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2000–2001 | Hull City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2001–2005 | Grimsby Town | 20 | (2) |
| 2004 | → Leigh RMI (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2005–2006 | North Ferriby United | ||
| 2006–2007 | Richmond | 40 | (3) |
| 2008–2009 | Heidelberg United | 43 | (13) |
| 2010–2012 | Green Gully Cavaliers | 54 | (12) |
| 2013– | Port Melbourne Sharks | 20 | (6) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11 October 2013. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Graham Hockless (born 20 October 1982 in Hull, England) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Australian side Port Melbourne Sharks. He notably played as a professional in England for Grimsby Town between 2001 and 2005.
Career
Grimsby Town
Hockless was brought through the youth ranks at his hometown club of Hull City but despite being a regular in the clubs, youth and reserve teams in 2000, he was allowed to join Grimsby Town on a free transfer along with Chris Bolder.
The Mariners at the time, were playing in the First Division three divisions higher than Hull so the youngster had taken a big step up in joining them. In his first season, Graham failed to make a single appearance for the club and spent the season in the reserve side. It wasn't until 18 months after signing for the club that he made his debut against Reading. Grimsby would end up relegated at the end of the 2002–03 season
In the following season manager Paul Groves gave Hockless more of a chance within the first team, and after playing in a handful of games he began to become a regular with his performances making an impact in the team as well. In the second to last game of the season Hockless came to prominence when his curling cross setup Isaiah Rankin to score a last gasp winner against Brentford to take the 2003–04 relegation battle down to the last day of the season.
Grimsby were unable to avoid relegation after suffering a 2–1 defeat against Tranmere Rovers on the final day of the 2003–04 season, thus meaning the club and Graham's second succcesive relegation. Hockless went on to receive the "Supporters Young Player Of The Season Award" . This was something that would attract other clubs in summer 2004, and rumours circulated in the local media that Sheffield Wednesday and former club Hull City (who were now in a higher league than Grimsby) were to swoop for Graham in the transfer window. Despite the interest, Hockless committed himself to the club and signed a one year contract extension..
Russell Slade took over as the club's manager for the start of the 2004–05 season but rarely included Hockless, and despite confusion for his prolonged absence by the club's supporters the player was constantly looked past in favour of players such as Thomas Pinault and Ashley Sestanovich. Hockless was eventually allowed to leave the club on loan and joined Conference National outfit Leigh RMI, but after featuring in only 2 games for Leigh he returned to Grimsby.
North Ferriby United
In June 2005, Hockless left Town and signed for non league side North Ferriby United, which was too come as a shock for many following the players rumoured transfer activity 12 months earlier. Chris Bolder the player who joined Grimsby from Hull with him in 2001 also made the move too North Ferriby following a season with Ossett Town.
Australia
After one full season with United, Hockless emigrated to Australia signing for Richmond SC before moving to Heidelberg United in 2008 where he picked up the Gold Medal for the best player in the Victorian Premier League. In 2010 he signed for Green Gully Cavaliers.
Honours
Grimsby Town
- Supporters Young Player of the Year: 2004
Victorian Premier League
- Gold Medal Winner (VPL Player of the Year): 2008
External links
- Graham Hockless career stats at Soccerbase
- electronicfishcake.com Player Profile