Chris Priest (footballer)

Chris Priest
Personal information
Full nameChristopher Priest[1]
Date of birth18 October 1973 [1]
Place of birthLeigh, England
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Playing positionMidfield
Youth career
?–1992Everton
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1992–1994Everton0(0)
1995–1999Chester City155(26)
1999–2004Macclesfield Town150(13)
2004–2006Bangor City?(?)
2006–?Colwyn Bay?(?)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:02, 13 May 2009 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Christopher Priest (born 18 October 1973, Leigh) is an English former professional footballer who is believed to have scored the final Football League goal of the 20th Century when playing for Macclesfield Town.[2]

Playing career

A midfielder, Priest began his career as an apprentice with Everton, where he turned professional in June 1992. However, he failed to make a first–team appearance and his first taste of league action was to come when on loan at Football League Division Two strugglers Chester City during 1994–95. He spent two months on loan with the club early in the season, scoring in a shock 2–0 win over league leaders Oxford United, and then signed on a permanent basis later in the campaign.

Priest remained with Chester for four years, playing regularly before opting to join fellow Third Division side Macclesfield Town on the Bosman ruling in July 1999.[3] Priest would again give long service to his employers, with his five years at Moss Rose including his historic last minute winner against Carlisle United on 28 December 1999, and a televised FA Cup tie against West Ham United on 6 January 2002.

His final appearance for the Silkmen against Bury on 8 May 2004 was to also be his final Football League appearance, as he was released and joined Bangor City in the Welsh Premier League. After two years with the Citizens, Priest signed for Colwyn Bay.

He no longer plays football but has started to coach a small Sunday League football team called Newhall Rovers F.C.

External links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2003). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004. Queen Anne Press. p. 344. ISBN 1-85291-651-6.
  2. "Macclesfield football team information". football.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-05-11.
  3. "Midfielder Priest on the move". www.chester-city.co.uk. 1999-07-06. Retrieved 2008-05-11.