Chris Atkinson (footballer)

Chris Atkinson
Personal information
Full nameChristopher Roy Atkinson[1]
Date of birth13 February 1992
Place of birthHalifax, England
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Playing positionMidfielder
Club information
Current team
Crewe Alexandra
Number8
Youth career
2003–2010Huddersfield Town
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2010–2014Huddersfield Town10(1)
2011–2012→ Darlington (loan)15(0)
2012→ Chesterfield (loan)15(5)
2013–2014→ Tranmere Rovers (loan)26(2)
2014→ Bradford City (loan)4(0)
2014–Crewe Alexandra9(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13 September 2014 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Christopher Roy "Chris" Atkinson (born 13 February 1992 in Halifax, West Yorkshire) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for League One side Crewe Alexandra .

Playing career

Huddersfield Town

Halifax-born Atkinson originally joined Huddersfield Town's Academy as a seven-year-old, having played for local junior side Warley Rangers. In 2008, Atkinson joined the club's academy as a scholars.[3] A key member of the youth and reserve sides in the 2009–10 season, he made the step up to the first team in 2010–11 with a two-year professional contract[4] and manager Lee Clark spoke of his admiration for the youngster during pre-season.[5]

He made his début for the Terriers as a substitute in the 6–0 win over Macclesfield Town in the FA Cup at the Galpharm Stadium on 27 November 2010.[6] Though he made one appearance so far for the club, Manager Clark insists Atkinson will be staying at the club beyond the season after ruling him out to go on loan for first team experience.[7] He made his league debut in the 1–1 draw against Dagenham & Redbridge at The London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Stadium on 22 February 2011.[8] After making two appearance, Atkinson signed a new contract with the club, keeping him until 2013.[9]

He returned to the Galpharm on 4 January 2012[10] after making 15 appearances for the Conference National side he made his first appearances of the season for Huddersfield Town, as an 81st minute substitute for Anton Robinson during the clubs 1–0 win over Scunthorpe United on 21 April 2012 and would be his only appearance of the season as Huddersfield finished the season as Play-off champions winning promotion to the Championship after beating Sheffield United on penalties in the Wembley final.[11] Despite being given number 31 shirt for the 2012-13 season,[12] the club planned to loan out Atkinson for first team opportunities, having been limited by Manager Simon Grayson.[13]

After being recalled by Huddersfield Town when loaned at Chesterfield, it was later explained as a precaution in case an appeal for Keith Southern's red card against Charlton Athletic failed.[14] It did fail and Atkinson came off the bench in the second half of Town's 3–0 against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. He made his first league start for Town in the West Yorkshire derby against Leeds United at the John Smith's Stadium on 1 December and scored his first goal for the Terriers in the 12th minute, but Town eventually lost 4–2.[15] Despite the loss, Atkinson expressed joy of scoring his first goal nevertheless.[16] Then on 15 January 2013, Atkinson signed a contract extension that will keep him until 2014.[17]

In May 2014, after returning from his loan spell at Bradford, Atkinson was released by Huddersfield, ending his twelve years spell at the club, having joined them since he was seven.[18] After being released, Atkinson soon attracted interests from clubs in League One and League Two.[19]

Loan Spells

On 25 July 2011, he signed a six-month loan deal with Blue Square Bet Premier side Darlington in order to gain first team experience.[20] He made his debut for Darlington on 13 August 2011, in a 1–0 win over Braintree Town. Atkinson would went on to make fifteen appearance for the club and returned on 4 January 2012.[10]

On 12 September 2012, Atkinson joined his team-mate, Liam Ridehalgh on loan at Football League Two side Chesterfield.[21] Three days later, he scored on his début in the 3–1 win over Wycombe Wanderers.[22] His impressive display led the club extending his loan spell with Chesterfield for a further month.[23] He would score 4 more goals, as well as an own goal which gave Fleetwood Town a victory, in his 15 games. Atkinson would score 4 more goals against Aldershot Town,[24] Exeter City,[25] Oxford United[26] and Cheltenham Town.[27] After playing his last game against Plymouth Argyle for Chesterfield, He was recalled by Town on 26 November because of emergency crisis around the club/[14]

Atkinson completed a ‘window to window’ loan move to Football League One side Tranmere Rovers on July 18, 2013, until January 2, 2014.[28] Atkinson made his league debut in the opening game of the season, in a 3-1 win over Walsall.[29] He then scored his first goal in the first round of Football League Cup, in a 2-0 win over Mansfield Town.[30] Atkinson scored his first league goal, in a 4-3 loss to Brentford on 14 September 2013.[31] He then scored his second league goal on 2 November 2013, in a 1-1 draw against Preston North End.[32] After the match, Atkinson says he pleased to score, however, he was disappointed with outcome of the results.[33] He made 28 appearances, scoring 3 goals before returning to the Terriers.[34]

On 24 January 2014, Atkinson joined another Football League One side Bradford City on loan until the end of the season.[35] He made his debut on 1 February, replacing Aaron McLean in the second half of an away game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.[36] However, Atkinson made four appearance for the club before returning to Bradford City.

Crewe Alexandra

On 22 July 2014, Atkinson signed a 2-year contract with Crewe Alexandra after impressing on trial with the club.[37][38] His signing for the club came when Atkinson scored his first goal for them in a pre season friendly vs Chester on 19 July.[39] Upon joining the club, Atkinson was given number eight shirt ahead of a new season.[40]

However, Atkinson's debut was delayed because of hamstring injury he sustained during in a pre-season friendly.[41] Atkinson made his Crewe debut on 19 August 2014, in a 5-2 loss against Rochdale, where he came on for Anthony Grant as a substitute.[42]

Club statistics

As of match played 1 November 2014.[43]
Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
2010–11 Huddersfield Town League One 201000-30
2011–12 Darlington Conference National 1500010-160
2011–12 Huddersfield Town League One 100000-10
2012–13 Championship712000-91
2012–13 Chesterfield League Two 1550010-165
2013–14 Tranmere Rovers League One 222203110283
2013–14 Bradford City League One 400000-40
2014-15 Crewe Alexandra League One 400000-40
Career total 668505110779

References

  1. ↑ "Professional retain lists & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. May 2013. p. 15. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "PLAYER PROFILES – 2009/10". htafc.com. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  3. ↑ "Eight to join academy". Huddersfield Examiner. 12 May 2008. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  4. ↑ "Huddersfield Town youth trio handed first team contracts". Huddersfield Examiner. 21 April 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  5. ↑ "Chris Atkinson profile at Huddersfield Town Official Website". Huddersfield Town F.C. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  6. ↑ "FA Cup Match Report: Huddersfield Town 6-0 Macclesfield Town". BBC Sport. 27 November 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  7. ↑ "Atkinson going nowhere - Clark". Sky Sports. 23 December 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  8. ↑ "Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 Huddersfield Town". BBC Sport. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  9. ↑ "ATKINSON PENS TWO YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION". Huddersfield Town F.C. 4 June 2011. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "It could be the end, admits Gary Liddle". The Northern Echo. 2 January 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  11. ↑ "Chris Atkinson | Football Stats | Huddersfield Town | Age 21". Soccer Base.
  12. ↑ "2012/13 SQUAD NUMBERS RELEASED". Huddersfield Town F.C. 14 July 2012. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  13. ↑ "Huddersfield Town ready to loan out young prospects". Huddersfield Examiner. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "ATKINSON RETURNS TO TOWN". Huddersfield Town F.C. 26 November 2012. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  15. ↑ "Huddersfield Town 2 - 4 Leeds United". BBC Sport. 1 December 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  16. ↑ "Chris Atkinson’s delight at first Huddersfield Town goal dampened by derby defeat". Huddersfie;d Examiner. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  17. ↑ "ATKINSON SIGNS CONTRACT EXTENSION". Huddersfield Town F.C. 15 January 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  18. ↑ "Huddersfield Town's Retained List Confirmed". Huddersfield Town F.C. 5 May 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  19. ↑ "Transfer news: Crewe, Rochdale, Port Vale and Portsmouth linked with Chris Atkinson". Sky Sports. 5 July 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  20. ↑ "ATKINSON JOINS DARLINGTON ON LOAN". htafc.com. 25 July 2011. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  21. ↑ "ATKINSON JOINS CHESTERFIELD". Huddersfield Town F.C. 12 September 2012. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  22. ↑ "LOAN WATCH – CHRIS SCORES ON DEBUT". Huddersfield Town F.C. 17 September 2012. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  23. ↑ "Atkinson extends Spireites stay". Sky Sports. 20 October 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  24. ↑ "Aldershot 0-1 Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  25. ↑ "Exeter City 0-1 Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 20 October 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  26. ↑ "CHRIS NETS LATE CHESTERFIELD WINNER". Huddersfield Town F.C. 19 October 2012. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  27. ↑ "CHRIS ATKINSON NETS LATE CHESTERFIELD WINNER". Huddersfield Town F.C. 19 November 2012. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  28. ↑ "ATKINSON JOINS TRANMERE". Huddersfield Town F.C. 18 July 2013. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  29. ↑ "Walsall 3 - 1 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  30. ↑ "Tranmere Rovers 2–0 Mansfield Town". BBC Sport. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  31. ↑ "Full Time: Tranmere Rovers 3 Brentford 4". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 14 September 2013. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  32. ↑ "Match Report: Preston North End 1 Tranmere Rovers 1". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 2 November 2013. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  33. ↑ "Chris Atkinson: It Was A Nice Feeling". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 3 November 2013. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  34. ↑ "Tranmere Rovers Loan Latest". Tranmere Rovers F.C. 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  35. ↑ "Atkinson arrives at City". Bradford City A.F.C. 24 January 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  36. ↑ "Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 Bradford City" BBC Sport. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  37. ↑ "Steve’s Trialists Verdict". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 21 July 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  38. ↑ "Chris Atkinson Signs". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 22 July 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  39. ↑ "Chester FC 1-1 Crewe". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 19 July 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  40. ↑ "Crewe Alexandra Squad Numbers". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 31 July 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  41. ↑ "Haber And Atkinson Not Risked". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 11 August 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  42. ↑ "Match Report: Crewe 2-5 Rochdale". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 19 August 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  43. ↑ Chris Atkinson career statistics at Soccerbase

External links