Callum Morris

Callum Morris
Personal information
Date of birth3 February 1990
Place of birthNewcastle, England
Playing positionDefender
Club information
Current team
Dundee United
Number14
Youth career
Newcastle United
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2010–2011Blyth Spartans5(0)
2011Jerez Industrial
2011–2012Hayes & Yeading United3(0)
2012– 2014Dunfermline Athletic55(3)
2014–Dundee United21(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:31, 19 April 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Callum Morris (born 3 February 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays for Scottish club Dundee United, as a central defender.

Career

Morris started his career as a youth player with Premier League side Newcastle United.[1][2] He was given a twelve month extension to his scholarship in 2008.[3] While with Newcastle United reserves, Morris, along with Darren Lough, was described by coach Adam Sadler as "the next big thing".[4] Following Newcastle's relegation, Chronicle Live reported that Morris is believed to be one of the youngsters to play next season.[5]

It wasn't until 2010 when Morris was released by the club, having never featured in the first team.[6][7] Following his release, Morris then went on trial with Gateshead,[8] but left after failing to impress during that time.[9]

After an unsuccessful trial at Gateshead, Morris joined Blyth Spartans on 13 August 2010[10][11] After making five appearance for the club, Morris left the club to join the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain.[12][13]

While at the Glenn Hoddle Academy, Morris soon featured for the Spanish Fourth Division side for Jerez Industrial CF, where he gained full-time, senior football experience.[1] In November 2011, Morris joined Hayes & Yeading United.[14] After making two appearance for the club, Morris was released by the club.[15]

Dunfermline Athletic

After more than six-month without a club, Morris signed for Dunfermline Athletic on 31 August 2012.[16] He later cited Dunfermline had save his football career after considering giving up his dream.[17] Morris made his debut for the club, in the Fife derby, in a 3–1 win against Raith Rovers, where he made his first start and played 90 minutes. Since his debut, Morris continued to be in the first team at the club. On 8 December 2012, Morris received a straight red card after a foul on Stefan Scougall, in a 2–1 loss against Livingston.[18] On his return on 29 December 2012, Morris scored his first goal, in a 4–2 loss against Morton.[19] His second goal was also against Morton as well on 23 February 2013, where Dunfermline Athletic lost 4–1.[20]

However, the season was marked with financial problems, which led to the club entering administration. Morris wrote on Twitter over his frustrations of his wages delay.[21] It went worse when the club relegated to Scottish Division Two following a loss in the play-off, where Morris was absent for the four matches, due to a hamstring problem.[22] Despite the relegation, Morris was named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year in the First Division, representing Dunfermline Athletic.[23] Morris was also named the club’s player of the season.[24]

In his second season at Dunfermline Athletic, Morris rejected rumors that he left the club by appearing in the opening friendly against Hearts.[25] In his first appearance of the season, Morris scored the club's first goal in the Division One, as the club lost 3–2 against Arbroath.[26] As the season progress, Morris continued to be the regular in the first team until in mid-December when he suffered an Achilles tendon problem.[27] As a result making a return in the first team,[28] Morris was then offered a new contract with the club.[24][29] Morris, however, turned down a new contract with the club, which lead to attract interests from Dundee United.[30][31]

Despite this, Morris helped the club finished second, which they qualified for the Championship play-offs and helped them to win against Stranraer on aggregate.[32] Unfortunately, Dunfermline Athletic would remain in League One after losing in the Championship Play-offs final to Cowdenbeath 4–1 on aggregate, which Morris made his final appearance for the club.[33]

Dundee United

Morris signed a 2 year contract with Dundee United on 17 June 2014.[34] He made his debut on 10 August 2014, as Dundee United beat Aberdeen 3–0 in the opening game of the season.[35] His first goal for the club came on 21 September 2014, as Dundee United won 4–1 against city rivals Dundee in the Dundee derby.[36]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Callum Morris". DAFC.co.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  2. ↑ Callum Morris profile at Soccerway
  3. ↑ "Shola's chance to impress boss". Chronicle Live. 26 March 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  4. ↑ "Sadler tips NUFC reserves pair for big things". Chronicle Live. 23 July 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  5. ↑ "Focus on who'll stay and who'll leave United". Chronicle Live. 26 May 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  6. ↑ "Fabrice Pancrate leaves Newcastle United". Chronicle Live. 5 May 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  7. ↑ Callum Morris career statistics at Soccerbase
  8. ↑ "Gateshead interested in keeper Jaimez-Ruez". Chronicle Live. 26 July 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  9. ↑ "Gateshead release trialists Dowson and Morris". BBC Sport. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  10. ↑ "Spartans manager Tait in triple transfer swoop". Chronicle Live. 13 August 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  11. ↑ "Spartans chief hails summer signings". Journal Live. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  12. ↑ "Tough Droylsden test awaits Blyth Spartans". Chronicle Live. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  13. ↑ "Adios Callum". Blyth Spartans Website. 3 February 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  14. ↑ "United set to sign ex-Coventry City full-back". Uxbridge Gazette. 22 November 2011. Archived from the original on 22 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  15. ↑ "Ex-Aldershot Town man could stay at United after Blackpool trial". Uxbridge Gazette. 13 January 2012. Archived from the original on 22 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  16. ↑ "Defender signs ahead of derby crunch". Dunfermline Press. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  17. ↑ "Pars saved Callum from quitting football". Dunfermline Press. 23 November 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  18. ↑ "Livingston 2–1 Dunfermline". BBC Sport. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  19. ↑ "Morton 4 Dunfermline 2: Ton storm top of the table with win over poor Pars". Daily Record. 30 December 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  20. ↑ "Dunfermline 1 Morton 4: Greenock men stroll it as off-field problems start to affect East End Park club's form". Daily Record. 24 February 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  21. ↑ "BREAKING NEWS: Pars star hits out over wages 'shambles'". Dunfermline Press. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  22. ↑ "Callum Morris out of Dunfermline's play-off bid". Dunfermline Press. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  23. ↑ "Dunfermline Athletic star named in Team of the Year". Dunfermline Press. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Falkingham set to agree new deal". Dunfermline Press. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  25. ↑ "Morris quashes rumours of Dunfermline Athletic exit". Dunfermline Press. 12 July 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  26. ↑ "Dunfermline 2–3 Arbroath". BBC Sport. 17 August 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  27. ↑ "Dunfermline Athletic comfortably defeat Arbroath". Dunfermline Press. 21 December 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  28. ↑ "Latest: Pars lose to Airdrie wonder goal". Dunfermline Press. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  29. ↑ "Callum Morris deal next on Pars manager’s hit-list". The Courier. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  30. ↑ "Dunfermline boss disappointed after Callum Morris rejects new contract offer". The Courier. 12 March 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  31. ↑ "Dundee United target Dunfermline defender Callum Morris". The Courier. 15 March 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  32. ↑ "Stranraer 2 – 1 Dunfermline Athletic". SPFL Official. 24 May 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  33. ↑ "Dunfermline Athletic 0 – 3 Cowdenbeath". SPFL Official. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  34. ↑ "Morris pens United deal". BT Sport. 17 June 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  35. ↑ "ABERDEEN 0 DUNDEE UNITED 3". Dundee United F.C. 10 August 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  36. ↑ "Dundee 1–4 Dundee Utd". BBC Sport. 21 September 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.