Duane Courtney

Duane Courtney

Courtney in 2011
Personal information
Full nameDuane Jerome Courtney[1]
Date of birth7 January 1985[2]
Place of birthOldbury, England
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Playing positionDefender
Club information
Current team
Alfreton Town
Number4
Youth career
1999–2001Derby County
2001–2004Birmingham City
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2004–2005AFC Telford United
2005–2006Burnley7(0)
2006–2009The New Saints73(4)
2009–2010Kidderminster Harriers41(1)
2010–2011York City7(0)
2011–2014Tamworth95(3)
2014–Alfreton Town14(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:32, 26 April 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Duane Jerome Courtney (born 7 January 1985) is an English semi-professional footballer who plays as a defender for Alfreton Town.

Courtney started his career in the youth system of Derby County as a schoolboy and later played for Birmingham City as a trainee. He played for AFC Telford United in the 2004–05 season and after being named their Player of the Season he joined Burnley in the Football League. After making eight appearances for them in one season he was released and joined Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints in 2006. He played for them for three seasons before returning to England with Conference Premier team Kidderminster Harriers in 2009. He left Kidderminster after one season to sign for York City, who released him in 2011. He then played for Tamworth but left after their relegation to the Conference North to join Alfreton Town in 2014.

Career

Early career

Courtney joined the Derby County youth system as a schoolboy in 1999 before joining Birmingham City as a trainee in 2001.[3][4] He was also a reserve team player for Birmingham.[5] He went on trial with Second Division team Colchester United in April 2004 after being recommended to the club by former Birmingham player Craig Fagan.[6] Released by Birmingham in the summer of 2004 after not being offered professional terms,[7] Courtney considered giving up football before joining Northern Premier League First Division team AFC Telford United in August following a trial.[8][9][10] He scored for Telford in a 4–2 defeat to Kidsgrove Athletic in the FA Trophy preliminary round in October, which was the team's first game in the competition.[11] Courtney played in the 2–1 win over Kendal Town in the 2005 Northern Premier League First Division play-off Final, seeing the club promoted to the Northern Premier League Premier Division.[12] He received Telford's Supporters' Player of the Season, Manager's Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season awards for the 2004–05 season and he signed a new one-year contract in the summer of 2005.[13][14]

Burnley

He drew attention from Football League clubs and on 31 August 2005 he signed for Championship team Burnley on a two-year contract for an initial fee of £25,000 with a sell-on clause after having a trial with the club, having opted not to join Wolverhampton Wanderers.[3][8][15][16] He made his first team debut as a substitute in the 89th minute of a 1–0 victory at Leicester City on 18 October,[17] which was followed by a stoppage time appearance in a 1–0 defeat at Aston Villa in the League Cup on 25 October.[18] His first and only start for Burnley came in a 3–2 victory at Luton Town on 5 November, in which he gave a solid performance.[2][19] Having struggled to break into the team Courtney finished the season with eight appearances, seven coming from the substitutes' bench, and was placed on the transfer list in May 2006.[2][20][21] He rejected an offer from Conference National team Kidderminster Harriers in July 2006 on the advice of his agent and was eventually released by Burnley on 17 August after having his contract cancelled.[22][23]

The New Saints

Following a trial with League Two team Bury,[24] Courtney signed for Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints (TNS) on a free transfer on 20 September 2006 and he believed playing in this league was an "ideal shop window in which to develop his career and showcase his talent".[25][26] He finished the 2006–07 season with 29 appearances and three goals in all competitions and he was named in the Welsh Premier League Team of the Year for the season, having been a key member of the team that won the League and the FAW Premier Cup.[27][28] Courtney played for TNS in both legs of their 4–4 draw on aggregate with FK Ventspils in the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League first qualifying round, a result that ended the team's involvement in the tournament due to the away goal rule.[29][30] He finished the 2007–08 season with 29 appearances and one goal in all competitions.[27] Two further European appearances came in the 2008–09 season, playing in both legs of the 2–0 defeat on aggregate to FK Sūduva in the 2008–09 UEFA Cup first qualifying round.[31][32] Courtney came on as a 90th minute substitute for TNS in the 2009 Welsh League Cup Final, which the side won with a 2–0 victory over Bangor City.[33] He made 40 appearances and scored one goal in all competitions and the club announced in April 2009 that he would be released when his contract expired on 30 June, having made 98 appearances and scored five goals in all competitions for the club.[27][34]

Kidderminster Harriers

After "composed performances" on trial in pre-season, Courtney signed a one-year contract with Conference Premier club Kidderminster Harriers on 20 July 2009.[35][36] He made his debut as a substitute in the 66th minute of a 1–0 victory over Hayes & Yeading United on 8 August 2009, which was followed by his first start in a 1–0 defeat to Salisbury City on 11 August due to Liam Dolman not being fit.[37][38][39] He played against Tamworth on 31 August 2009 despite an injury and although he was still suffering this injury he was able to play in the next game, a 2–0 defeat to Eastbourne Borough.[37][40][41] Courtney commented in September 2009 that Kidderminster's defence was taking time to gel, saying "We've all played at a high standard, individually and collectively we are good, but there's something missing. I think it's communication between us, which is why we're making mistakes."[42] His first and only goal for Kidderminster came with a low shot at Kettering Town in a 2–0 victory on 21 November 2009 and manager Mark Yates said "It was a good finish by Duane, he does it in training quite often".[37][43][44] He missed a game against AFC Wimbledon on 28 November 2009 due to illness and he returned to the team in a 0–0 draw with Tamworth on 1 December.[37][45] He played for Kidderminster in their run to the FA Trophy semi-final, in which they were beaten 5–1 on aggregate by Stevenage Borough.[37] Courtney suffered an ankle injury against Cambridge United on 30 March 2010 and returned in the following game against Altrincham on 3 April, in which he was forced to be substituted due to his ankle.[46][47][48] He did not miss any further playing time as he featured in the following game, a 1–1 draw with Rushden & Diamonds on 5 April 2010.[37] He finished the 2009–10 season with 49 appearances and one goal for Kidderminster.[37]

York City

Courtney playing for York City in 2010

Following the signing of Lee Vaughan in the summer of 2010, Courtney's position at Kidderminster looked tenuous and the club stalled on a new contract as they were finalising their budget for the forthcoming season.[49][50] He joined Conference Premier rivals York City on a one-year contract on 24 May 2010.[50][51] He made his debut in a 2–1 defeat to former club Kidderminster as a 76th minute substitute on 14 August, the opening day of the 2010–11 season, and he conceded a penalty kick in the 89th minute that was scored by the opposition.[52][53] His first start for the club came in a 1–1 draw at Wrexham on 11 September 2010.[52] Having made seven appearances for York, Courtney was made available for loan on 28 October 2010.[54] He went on trial with League Two club Cheltenham Town in January 2011, who were managed by Yates, Courtney's manager at Kidderminster.[55] He impressed playing in central defence in Cheltenham's reserve game against Coventry City.[56] Courtney was released by York after his contract was cancelled on 21 January 2011,[57] after which he agreed to train with Cheltenham for one week.[58] However, Cheltenham decided to not offer him a contract.[59]

Tamworth

Courtney signed with Conference Premier club Tamworth on 3 February 2011 and he made his debut as a 75th minute substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Histon two days later.[60][61] He finished the season with 18 appearances for Tamworth.[61]

Courtney signed a new two-year contract with Tamworth on 22 June 2011, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2013.[62] On 1 January 2012, he scored his first goal for the club with a shot into the bottom corner in a 2–2 draw with Alfreton Town.[1][63] Courtney made 44 appearances and scored one goal in 2012–13 and won the club's Players' Player of the Year, Manager's Player of the Year and Supporter's Player of the Year awards.[1][64] He made 23 appearances and scored two goals for Tamworth in the 2013–14 season, which finished with the club's relegation to the Conference North, and he missed a number of matches due to hamstring problems.[1][65]

Alfreton Town

Courtney signed for Conference Premier club Alfreton Town on 4 June 2014 and made his debut in a 2–0 away defeat to Forest Green Rovers on 16 August.[1][65]

Style of play

Courtney primarily plays as a right-back and is a versatile player, also being able to play at left back and centre-back.[66][67] He is an attacking player and has pace and athleticism.[66][68] Courtney said of his play "I can run for 90 minutes up and down and get forward quite well, as well as getting back. I'm strong, quick and quite good in the air for my height" in 2010.[66] York manager Martin Foyle described him as "exciting" and said "He's got the energy to get forward".[69]

Personal life

Born in Oldbury, West Midlands,[2] Courtney lived in nearby Birmingham with his partner and two children up until 2010 when he moved to York following his transfer to York City.[70][71] However, he failed to settle in York and after leaving the club in 2011 he returned to live in Birmingham.[58]

Career statistics

Courtney playing for Tamworth in 2011
As of match played 18 April 2015.
Club statistics
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Burnley 2005–06[20] Championship 700010—80
The New Saints 2006–07[27] Welsh Premier League 222103130293
2007–08[27] Welsh Premier League 231103020291
2008–09[27] Welsh Premier League 281307020401
Total 7345013170985
Kidderminster Harriers 2009–10[37] Conference Premier 41120—6[lower-alpha 1]0491
York City 2010–11[52] Conference Premier 7000—0070
Tamworth 2010–11[61] Conference Premier 180———180
2011–12[1] Conference Premier 19130—1[lower-alpha 1]0231
2012–13[1] Conference Premier 39010—4[lower-alpha 1]1441
2013–14[1] Conference Premier 19230—1[lower-alpha 1]0232
Total 95370—611084
Alfreton Town 2014–15[1] Conference Premier 14020—2[lower-alpha 1]0180
Career total 237816014121128810
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Appearance(s) in FA Trophy

Honours

AFC Telford United

The New Saints

Individual

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "D. Courtney". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2006). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2006–07. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 92. ISBN 1-84596-111-0.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "WPL career details for Duane Courtney". Welsh Premier League. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  4. ↑ "Duane Courtney –". St@tto's Kidderminster Harriers Site. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  5. ↑ Cartlidge, Brian (4 February 2004). "Upson On Comeback Trail". Birmingham City Mad. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  6. ↑ Cartlidge, Brian (6 April 2004). "Youngster On Trial At U's". Birmingham City Mad. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  7. ↑ Scholes, Tony (14 July 2011). "Duane Courtney". Clarets Mad. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "I wanted to pack it in". Preston and Leyland Citizen. 6 September 2005. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  9. ↑ "Gresley sign Dodd". Non-League Daily. 12 August 2004. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  10. ↑ "City fall at the first hurdle". Non-League Daily. 12 August 2004. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  11. ↑ "First ever FA Trophy win for 'Grove". Non-League Daily. 8 October 2004. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Football: Bucks fizzing; Party time as Parrish lifts Telford AFC Telford 2 Kendal 1.". Sunday Mercury (Birmingham). 8 May 2005. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Burnley have completed a £25,000 deadline day swoop for AFC Telford United defender Duane Courtney.". Lancashire Telegraph (Blackburn). 1 September 2005. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  14. ↑ "Dream move for Courtney?". Non-League Daily. 26 August 2005. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  15. ↑ "Dream move for Courtney". Non-League Daily. 1 September 2005. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  16. ↑ Goss, Patrick (2 September 2005). "Duane explains Burnley move". Sky Sports. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  17. ↑ "Leicester 0–1 Burnley". BBC Sport. 18 October 2005. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  18. ↑ "Aston Villa 1–0 Burnley". BBC Sport. 25 October 2005. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  19. ↑ "Luton 2–3 Burnley". BBC Sport. 5 November 2005. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Games played by Duane Courtney in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  21. ↑ "Quartet listed by Burnley manager". BBC Sport. 3 May 2006. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  22. ↑ York, Gary (21 July 2006). "Courtney rejects Harriers move". Lancashire Telegraph (Blackburn). Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  23. ↑ "Burnley release defender Courtney". BBC Sport. 17 August 2006. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  24. ↑ Fudge, Simon (30 August 2006). "Casper trials quintet". Sky Sports. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
  25. ↑ "Saints capture defender Courtney". BBC Sport. 20 September 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  26. ↑ "Saints swoop for former Claret". The New Saints F.C. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 27.5 "Profile: Duane Courtney, #2". The New Saints F.C. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 "Duane Courtney". Welsh Premier League. Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  29. ↑ "The New Saints 3–2 FK Ventspils". BBC Sport. 17 July 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  30. ↑ "FK Ventspils 2–1 The New Saints". BBC Sport. 25 July 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  31. ↑ "FK Suduva 1–0 The New Saints". BBC Sport. 17 July 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  32. ↑ "TNS 0–1 Suduva (agg 0–2)". BBC Sport. 31 July 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "Bangor City 0–2 The New Saints". Welsh Premier League. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  34. ↑ "Quartet shown exit by New Saints". BBC Sport. 21 April 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  35. ↑ "Courtney signs on at Aggborough". The Shuttle (Kidderminster). 20 July 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
  36. ↑ "Harriers sign Hadley and Courtney". BBC Sport. 20 July 2009. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 37.5 37.6 37.7 Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2010). Non-League Club Directory 2011. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 112–113. ISBN 978-1-869833-68-8.
  38. ↑ "Kidderminster 1–0 Hayes & Yeading". BBC Sport. 8 August 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  39. ↑ "Don't miss a minute of Harriers at Salisbury". The Shuttle (Kidderminster). 11 August 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  40. ↑ McKinney, Peter (2 September 2009). "Stand up and be counted!". The Shuttle (Kidderminster). Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  41. ↑ "Eastbourne in wounded Harriers' sights". The Shuttle (Kidderminster). 4 September 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  42. ↑ McKinney, Peter (17 September 2009). "Harriers pay price for mad moment". The Shuttle (Kidderminster). Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  43. ↑ "Kettering 0–2 Kidderminster". BBC Sport. 21 November 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  44. ↑ "Yates praises duo after Kettering win". The Shuttle (Kidderminster). 21 November 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  45. ↑ "Harriers looking for redemption against poor travellers". The Shuttle (Kidderminster). 30 November 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  46. ↑ McKinney, Peter (1 April 2010). "Hunt on for Burr-gains". The Shuttle (Kidderminster). Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  47. ↑ "Squad to be tested – Burr". The Shuttle (Kidderminster). 4 April 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  48. ↑ "Smikle considers Harriers deal". The Shuttle (Kidderminster). 15 April 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  49. ↑ "Courtney joins York". The Shuttle (Kidderminster). 24 May 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 "Harriers' Duane Courtney off to York". Express & Star (Wolverhampton). 25 May 2010. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
  51. ↑ "York City sign Duane Courtney and Greg Young". BBC Sport. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 Appearances and goals for this season are taken from:
    Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2011). Non-League Club Directory 2012. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 156–157. ISBN 978-1-869833-70-1.
    Flett, Dave (13 September 2010). "Match report: Wrexham 1, York City 1". The Press (York). Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  53. ↑ "York 1–2 Kidderminster". BBC Sport. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  54. ↑ "York City make Duane Courtney available for loan". BBC Sport. 28 October 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  55. ↑ "Cheltenham Town: I'd play for Robins for free – Duane Courtney". Gloucestershire Echo (Cheltenham). 20 January 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  56. ↑ "Strong showing helps Duane Court Robins". Gloucestershire Echo (Cheltenham). 19 January 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  57. ↑ "York City release Duane Courtney". The Press (York). 21 January 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 "Cheltenham Town: Defender Courtney to train with Robins". Gloucestershire Echo (Cheltenham). 22 January 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  59. ↑ "Cheltenham Town: Green aiming to follow in Constable's footsteps". Gloucestershire Echo (Cheltenham). 1 February 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  60. ↑ "Courtney signs for the Lambs". Tamworth F.C. 3 February 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 61.2 Williams; Williams (eds.). Non-League Club Directory 2012. pp. 144–145.
  62. ↑ "Squad & Backroom Additions". Tamworth F.C. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  63. ↑ "Tamworth 2 – 2 Alfreton Town". BBC Sport. 1 January 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 "End of Season Awards". Tamworth F.C. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 "Courtney joins Alfreton after Tamworth FC departure". Tamworth Herald. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 66.2 Flett, Dave (3 June 2010). "Duane Courtney aims to relaunch League career with York City". The Press (York). Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  67. ↑ "McKenna savours his Claret". The New Saints F.C. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  68. ↑ "York City: Andy Porter interview". Yorkshire Evening Post (Leeds). 14 June 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  69. ↑ "Ex-TNS defender Duane joins Minstermen". The New Saints F.C. 24 May 2010. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  70. ↑ "York City signing Duane Courtney targets promotion". BBC Sport. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  71. ↑ "York City: Duane Courtney interview". Yorkshire Evening Post (Leeds). 21 June 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2011.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Duane Courtney.