Glen Little

For the Ringling Brothers clown, see Glen Little (clown). For the Canadian politician, see Glen Little (politician).
Glen Little
Personal information
Full nameGlen Matthew Little
Date of birth15 October 1975
Place of birthWimbledon, London, England
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Playing positionWinger / Deep-lying playmaker
Club information
Current team
Grays Athletic
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1994–1996Crystal Palace0(0)
1994–1995→ Derry City (loan)1(0)
1995–1997Glentoran75(26)
1997–2004Burnley246(32)
2003→ Reading (loan)7(1)
2003→ Bolton Wanderers (loan)4(0)
2004–2008Reading96(5)
2008–2009Portsmouth8(0)
2009→ Reading (loan)8(0)
2009–2010Sheffield United16(0)
2010–2011Aldershot Town14(1)
2011–2013Wrexham38(1)
2013–2014Wealdstone28(4)
2014Heybridge Swifts0(0)
2014Grays Athletic17(0)
2015Welling United0(0)
2015–Grays Athletic4(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11:44, 27 April 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Glen Matthew Little (born 15 October 1975) is an English footballer who plays as a winger for Grays Athletic. Born in Wimbledon, London he also previously played for Burnley, Derry City, Glentoran, Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, Wrexham and Aldershot Town. He has also appeared in the Premier League for Bolton Wanderers, Reading and Portsmouth.

Career

Crystal Palace and Ireland

Little made his Derry City debut on 20 November 1994 on loan from Palace. While at Irish Premier League club Glentoran. One of the top footballers to play in the Irish League in the 1990s, Little scored a memorable goal to win the 1996 Irish Cup.

Burnley

Little moved from Glentoran to Burnley in November 1996 for a £100,000 fee. After Stan Ternent's arrival at Turf Moor in summer 1998, he became a fixture in the right-wing slot, linking up especially well with full-back Dean West. In Burnley's 1999–2000 Second Division promotion season, Little scored a memorable goal at home to Bristol Rovers. He also helped Burnley beat Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup in 2002 after a game-turning performance when brought on as a substitute. Little attracted attention during this time, and his club was reported to have turned down big money offers for his signature.

In early 2003, Little joined Reading on loan. In September 2003 he moved to Premier League club Bolton Wanderers on loan in a deal which involved Delroy Facey and Gareth Farrelly moving to Burnley. Little made his Premiership debut for the Trotters against Wolverhampton Wanderers and set up the equalising goal for Kevin Davies but his time with Sam Allardyce's team was brief.

Reading

After eight years at Burnley, Little left on a Bosman transfer to sign for Reading in the summer of 2004. Little's talents were widely regarded as one of the main reasons behind Reading's record breaking 106-point Championship lifting 2005–06 season, with Little scoring five goals and setting up fourteen, more than any other player in the league. Little started the 2006–07 season on the sidelines due to an injury sustained during the close season. Seol Ki-Hyeon took Little's place in the Reading team while he was out injured, but due to an injury to Dave Kitson, Seol was pushed up front, freeing the right wing for Little to return to the starting line-up. In November 2006, Little signed a one-year extension to his contract with Reading, keeping him at the Madejski Stadium until the summer of 2008.[1] He went on to make 24 top flight appearances in the season.

Portsmouth

Following Reading's narrow relegation in 2008, and Little's injuries leading to a lack of first team action during the 2007–08 season, he opted to sign for Portsmouth on a one-year contract, on 20 June 2008.[2] Little played in some big European games for Portsmouth in their only European season when he played against AC Milan, he was a part in first Pompey goal passing the ball to Nwankwo Kanu who crossed the ball for Younes Kaboul to put Pompey 1-0 up. The game finished 2-2 at Fratton Park. However, he found opportunities limited at Pompey, so in March 2009 he rejoined Reading on loan until the end of the 2008–09 season.[3] However, Reading failed to gain promotion so Little returned to Portsmouth, where he was released at the end of the 2008–09 season playing in just one game for the FA Cup holders.

Sheffield United

In July 2009, Little had a trial with Sheffield United[4] and subsequently signed a one-year contract at Bramall Lane.[5] Despite this he struggled to make an impact and made only sixteen appearances for the Blades, many as a late substitute and was released by the South Yorkshire club when his contract expired.

Aldershot Town

In July 2010, Little signed for Aldershot Town on a one-year deal. He struggled with injury during his short stay, meaning he never secured a place in the side, despite his obvious potential. He was released by new manager Dean Holdsworth on 26 January 2011.

Wrexham

In March 2011 Little joined Conference National side Wrexham on trial in the hope of winning a contract.[6] However, due to the club's financial position and having been placed under a transfer embargo, nothing came of the initial trial.

In June, Little rejoined the Welsh club for pre season training, where he impressed in games against Aberystwyth, Rochdale and Wolves, and earned a short term contract with the club just before the beginning of the new season. Unfortunately, he pulled a hamstring on the same day, so his debut for the club was delayed.[7]

Little eventually made his debut for Wrexham on 10 September 2011, in a 3–1 loss at Barrow; he appeared sporadically over the first half of the 2011–12 season, usually coming on as a late substitute. Little scored his first goal for Wrexham in December 2011 in a 2–1 loss to Hinckley United in the FA Trophy.

In February 2012, Little committed himself to Wrexham signing a deal keeping him with the club until the end of the season.[8] In the 2012–13 season, Little started well in pre-season scoring a penalty against Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock in July 2012. Little was well prepared for the new season and scored his first league goal for the Dragons during a 2–0 win over Hyde when he tucked away a penalty after coming on as a substitute. His goal put the Reds 1-0 up before Jay Harris scored in injury time to seal the three points. In September 2012, Little picked up a slight knee injury and was not sure how long he would be on the sidelines. On Boxing day 2012 and after three months out with his knee injury Little returned to action in a 4–1 home league win against AFC Telford United. On 24 March 2013 Little picked up only his third honour in his 18-year career, as Wrexham won the FA Trophy by beating Conference promotion rivals Grimsby Town on penalties. Little did not play in the final at Wembley but played in earlier rounds against Sutton United and was an unused substitute in other rounds against Southport and in both legs of the semi-final against Gainsborough Trinity. In May 2013 Little played at Wembley for the first time in his career as Wrexham played in the Conference National play-off final having defeated Kidderminster Harriers over the two semi-final legs which Little played a part in (coming on as a sub in the 85th minute of the second leg). Little came on as a substitute for Dean Keates in the 80th minute, unfortunately for Little, opponents Newport County scored twice in the last 4 minutes to secure promotion condemning Wrexham to non-league football for the sixth straight season. The game at Wembley was Little's last in a Wrexham shirt as it was revealed on 20 May 2013 Little had been released from the Racecourse Ground, but Little stated we would like to carry on his career even though he was 37 years old.[9]

Wealdstone

In August 2013, Little signed for Isthmian Premier League club Wealdstone to bolster their squad for another push for promotion to the Conference South. His first involvement in a Royals shirt was in a pre-season game against Uxbridge, he scored in pre-season against Hayes in a 3-2 loss. Little made his competitive debut in an Isthmian Premier League game against Wingate & Finchley. He came on as a sub in the 2-2 draw. His first start for the club came in a 7-1 win over Cray Wanderers. He picked up an injury against AFC Hornchurch on 10 September, he returned from injury appearing as an unused sub against Lewes, he then returned to action starting in The Royals' first loss of the season, 1-0 against Margate on 5 October 2013.[10] His first goal in a royals shirt came in an FA Trophy First Qualifier Round, a competition Little had won last season with Wrexham, he scored in a 3-0 win over Leiston. Little scored his first goal in an Isthmian Premier League game in a 4-1 win away at Dulwich Hamlet, he scored twice in the match.

Heybridge Swifts

Upon the conclusion of the 2013–14 season, Little left Wealdstone for personal reasons signing a contract at Isthmian League North side Heybridge Swifts in May 2014.[11] Little stayed at the club for just over a month before he decided to leave after the departure of manager Jody Brown to Grays Athletic, Little didn't make any appeearances for the Swifts.

Grays Athletic, Welling United and returning to Grays

In July 2014 Little opted to follow manager Jody Brown to Essex-based Isthmian League Premier Division side Grays Athletic.[12] Little left Grays in December 2014, following Jody Brown to Welling United where he became assistant manager.[13] However, Brown was sacked in March 2015 by Welling and Little followed. Subsequently, Little rejoined Grays Athletic as a player/coach.

Honours

References

External links