Jonathan Greening

Jonathan Greening

Greening in 2014
Personal information
Full nameJonathan Greening[1]
Date of birth2 January 1979[1]
Place of birthScarborough, England
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Playing positionMidfielder
Club information
Current team
Tadcaster Albion (player)
York City (coach)
Youth career
1994–1996York City
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1996–1998York City25(2)
1998–2001Manchester United14(0)
2001–2004Middlesbrough99(4)
2004–2010West Bromwich Albion196(7)
2009–2010→ Fulham (loan)23(1)
2010–2011Fulham10(0)
2011–2014Nottingham Forest49(0)
2012→ Barnsley (loan)6(1)
2014–Tadcaster Albion13(3)
National team
1998England U181(0)
1999–2002England U2117(3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:47, 10 December 2014 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Jonathan Greening (born 2 January 1979) is an English semi-professional footballer and coach who plays for Tadcaster Albion as a midfielder and is the Development Phase Coach at York City.

Greening began his career in 1996 with York City, but moved to Manchester United in 1998, with whom he won the 1998–99 UEFA Champions League as a non-playing substitute in the Final. However, he failed to make a breakthrough in the Manchester United first team and followed United assistant manager Steve McClaren to Middlesbrough in 2001. During his time at Middlesbrough, Greening earned his first call-up to the England national team, but he did not make an appearance. In 2004, he joined West Bromwich Albion for £1.25 million, and, in 2008, captained the team to the Championship title. Greening signed for Fulham in 2009 and helped them to the 2010 UEFA Europa League Final, before signing permanently the following summer. He signed for Nottingham Forest in 2011 and had a three-year spell with the club.

Club career

York City

Born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, Greening joined the York City youth system at the age of 15.[2] He signed with the club's Youth Training Scheme in December 1996 and broke into the first team towards the end of the 1996–97 season, making his debut as substitute in a 1–1 draw away at Bournemouth on 22 March 1997.[3]

Manchester United

Following a four-day trial with Manchester United in February,[2] he signed for the FA Premier League team on 25 March 1998 for what was understood to be an initial fee of £500,000, which could have potentially risen to £2 million dependent on appearances and international recognition, with a sell-on clause.[4] As an attacking midfielder, he faced massive competition from more established players in both positions and his first-team opportunities were restricted, although he did make the substitute's bench in the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final. He later admitted that he "felt a bit of a fraud" for picking up his winner's medal, having not played a single minute of European football that season.[5] He did however make a contribution to their victorious FA Cup campaign, coming on as a substitute at half-time in their fifth round tie with future club Fulham.[6]

Greening signed a new contract with United at the end of the 1999–2000 season, but by 2001 he had become frustrated by the lack of first team opportunities, and conceded that he would need to leave the club in order to play regularly.[7]

Middlesbrough

On 9 August 2001, Greening joined Middlesbrough for a combined fee of £3 million which saw both him and United teammate Mark Wilson head to Teesside to rejoin former Manchester United assistant manager Steve McClaren, who was by now the manager of Middlesbrough.[8] Greening remained on Teesside for three seasons, being voted Club Player of the Year for 2002–03 and also being selected for the full England squad (though he did not play).[9] But his first team chances were more limited during the 2003–04 season, after which he signed for West Bromwich Albion for an initial fee of £1.25 million.[10]

West Bromwich Albion

Greening in 2007

Greening made his Albion debut in a 1–1 draw away at Blackburn Rovers on the opening day of the 2004–05 Premier League season,[11] and quickly established himself as a key player in the Baggies' midfield, helping to secure their Premier League survival in his first season. He was named Albion's Player of the Year in the 2005–06 season,[12] in which he made 41 appearances and scored 2 goals as the club was relegated to the Championship.[13]

He signed a new three-year contract with Albion in August 2007,[14] and was made club captain for the 2007–08 season.[15] His performances during the campaign led to him being named in the Championship Team of the Week on several occasions.[16][17][18] Greening missed the fifth round FA Cup match at Coventry City due to suspension,[19] but it was the only match he missed during the campaign; he started all 46 league matches and also participated in eight out of nine cup games. He captained Albion in the FA Cup semi-final, where they lost 1–0 to Portsmouth,[20] and one month later led the team to promotion as winners of the Championship.[21] Greening was named in the 2007–08 Championship PFA Team of the Year, alongside teammates Paul Robinson and Kevin Phillips.[22] During the last two months of the season Greening suffered from a double hernia problem but played on until the end of the campaign, when he had an operation to rectify the injury.[23][24]

Towards the end of the 2008–09 season, Greening said he was looking to sign a new contract with Albion.[25] He was offered a new four-year contract by the club, but instead handed in a transfer request in July 2009.[26]

Fulham

On 14 July 2009, West Brom rejected a "derisory" bid from Fulham for Greening.[27] Nevertheless, on 24 August 2009, Greening joined Fulham on a season-long loan for the 2009–10 season, with a view to a permanent move upon completion of the loan period.[28] He scored his first and only league goal for Fulham against Portsmouth on 3 February 2010.[29] He also came off the bench in the 2010 UEFA Europa League Final defeat against Atlético Madrid.[30]

Greening signed a two-year contract with Fulham on 1 July after a successful loan spell the previous season.[31] After signing, he was mainly used as a substitute and was seen as a 'fringe' player. Under new manager Mark Hughes, he rarely featured, making only 10 league appearances in the 2010–11 season.

Nottingham Forest

Greening playing for Nottingham Forest in 2011

On 18 July 2011, Greening signed a three-year contract with Championship club Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee, reuniting with manager Steve McClaren for the second time after working with him at both Manchester United and Middlesbrough.[32] Greening said the move met his desire to seek regular football.[33] He took up a coaching role with Forest's under-21 team in July 2013, after attaining UEFA 'B' and 'A' Licences over the summer.[34] Greening made 13 appearance for Forest in the 2013–14 season before being released by the club in May 2014.[35][36]

International career

Greening made his only appearance for the England national under-18 team as a substitute for Danny Cadamarteri in a 1–0 home defeat to France on 23 April 1998.[37] His first cap for the under-21 team came after starting the 2–2 away draw with Hungary on 27 April 1999,[38] with his first goal coming in the 61st minute of a 6–1 home win over Georgia on 31 August 2000.[39] Greening was drafted into the England squad for the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Championship as a replacement for the injured Michael Carrick, two days prior to their first match of the tournament.[40] He played in the final Group A match, a 3–1 loss to Portugal on 22 May 2002, with England being eliminated from the tournament after finishing bottom of Group A.[41] This proved to be the final of his 17 appearances for the under-21s, for whom he scored three goals.[38][39][42][43]

Style of play

Although naturally right-sided, Greening can operate anywhere across the midfield.[44] Initially an attacking wide midfielder, he later moved to a central midfield holding role. Teammate Dean Kiely once described how Greening "sprays passes around like a quarterback" in Albion's style of attacking football under Tony Mowbray.[45]

Coaching career

Greening began assisting with coaching the Academy team of his former club York during the summer of 2014,[46] before retiring from playing professionally during September 2014.[47] He signed for Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division side Tadcaster Albion on 19 September 2014, where his younger brother Josh played, making his debut the next day in a 6–0 away win over Maltby Main.[47][48] Greening was appointed as Development Phase Coach at York's Academy on 22 December 2014,[49] a role focusing on the development of the team's players aged 16 to 18.[50]

Personal life

Greening married Anna Stubbings in North Yorkshire during q2 2002.[51][52] He was the joint best man at former York City teammate Richard Cresswell's wedding held June 2003.[53]

Career statistics

As of match played 6 December 2014.
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
York City 1996–97[54] Second Division 500000—0050
1997–98[55] Second Division 2020010—1[lower-alpha 1]0222
Total 2520010—10272
Manchester United 1997–98[56] Premier League 00————00
1998–99[57] Premier League 301030000070
1999–2000[58] Premier League 4000103[lower-alpha 2]01[lower-alpha 3]090
2000–01[59] Premier League 7000202[lower-alpha 4]000110
Total 14010605010270
Middlesbrough 2001–02[60] Premier League 3614010——411
2002–03[61] Premier League 3821000——392
2003–04[62] Premier League 2510040——291
Total 9945050——1094
West Bromwich Albion 2004–05[63] Premier League 3402010——370
2005–06[13] Premier League 3822010——412
2006–07[64] Championship 4224031—3[lower-alpha 5]0523
2007–08[65] Championship 4615030——541
2008–09[66] Premier League 3423010——382
2009–10[30] Championship 20—00——20
Total 196716091—302248
Fulham (loan) 2009–10[30] Premier League 23130107[lower-alpha 6]0—341
Fulham 2010–11[67] Premier League 1002120——141
2011–12[68] Premier League ———1[lower-alpha 6]0—10
Total 331513080—492
Nottingham Forest 2011–12[68] Championship 3102030——360
2012–13[69] Championship 500010——60
2013–14[35] Championship 1300000——130
Total 4902040——550
Barnsley (loan) 2012–13[69] Championship 61————61
Tadcaster Albion 2014–15[48] NCEL Premier Division 133———5[lower-alpha 7]0183
Career total 4351829128113010051520
  1. ↑ Appearance in Associate Members' Cup
  2. ↑ One appearance in UEFA Super Cup, two in UEFA Champions League
  3. ↑ Appearance in FIFA Club World Championship
  4. ↑ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  5. ↑ Appearances in Championship play-offs
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  7. ↑ Three appearances in FA Vase, two in West Riding County Cup

Honours

Manchester United

Middlesbrough

West Bromwich Albion

Individual

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 177. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Red raiders net Greening". Evening Press (York). 24 March 1998. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  3. ↑ Jarred, Martin & Windross, Dave (1997). Citizens and Minstermen, A Who's Who of York City FC 1922–1997. Selby: Citizen Publications. p. 42. ISBN 0-9531005-0-2.
  4. ↑ "Cash in reserve". Evening Press (York). 25 March 1998. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  5. ↑ "Greening attacks Man Utd youth policy". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 4 August 2001. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  6. ↑ Hodgson, Guy (14 February 1999). "Cole ends Fulham's fight". The Independent (London). Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  7. ↑ "Greening: I have to leave". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 28 March 2001. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  8. ↑ "Man Utd duo complete Boro move". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 9 August 2001. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  9. ↑ "Greening earns England call". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 11 November 2002. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  10. ↑ "Greening joins West Brom". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 29 July 2004. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  11. ↑ "Blackburn 1–1 West Brom". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 14 August 2004. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Player archive : Player of the Year awards". Albion Till We Die. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Games played by Jonathan Greening in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  14. ↑ "Greening signs new deal". West Bromwich Albion FC. 5 August 2007. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  15. ↑ "Greening to stay Albion skipper". Express & Star (Wolverhampton). 5 October 2007. Retrieved 9 October 2007.
  16. ↑ "Coca-Cola Championship Team of the Week (20/08/2007)" (PDF). The Football League. 20 August 2007. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  17. ↑ "Coca-Cola Championship Team of the Week (05/11/2007)" (PDF). The Football League. 5 November 2007. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  18. ↑ "Coca-Cola Championship Team of the Week (14/01/2008)" (PDF). The Football League. 14 January 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  19. ↑ "Greening out of cup clash". West Bromwich Albion FC. 11 February 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  20. ↑ McKenzie, Andrew (5 April 2008). "West Brom 0–1 Portsmouth". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  21. ↑ "QPR 0–2 West Brom". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 4 May 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Ronaldo named player of the year". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 27 April 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  23. ↑ "Greening reveals injury secret". West Bromwich Albion FC. 19 May 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  24. ↑ "Teixeira boost for Baggies". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 28 June 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  25. ↑ "Greening keen on West Brom stay". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 10 April 2009. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  26. ↑ "Greening eager to quit West Brom". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 15 July 2009. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  27. ↑ "Fulham bid for Greening rejected". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 14 July 2009. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  28. ↑ "Fulham capture Greening on loan". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 24 August 2009. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  29. ↑ "Fulham 1–0 Portsmouth". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 3 February 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 "Games played by Jonathan Greening in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  31. ↑ "Jonathan Greening move confirmed by Fulham". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 1 July 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  32. ↑ "Nottingham Forest wrap up deal for Jonathan Greening". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 18 July 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  33. ↑ "Greening's Eyeing Premier Return". Nottingham Forest F.C. 18 July 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  34. ↑ "Jonathan Greening takes Nottingham Forest coaching role". BBC Sport. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Games played by Jonathan Greening in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  36. ↑ "Nottingham Forest release seven including Greening and Moussi". BBC Sport. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  37. ↑ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (1998). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1998–99. London: Headline Publishing Group. p. 882. ISBN 9-780747-276524.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (1999). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1999–2000. London: Headline Publishing Group. p. 845. ISBN 9-780747-276272.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2001). Rothmans Football Yearbook 2001–2002. London: Headline Publishing Group. p. 869. ISBN 9-780747-272601.
  40. ↑ "Greening boosts Platt's plans". BBC Sport. 15 May 2002. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  41. ↑ "Portugal demolish England". BBC Sport. 22 May 2002. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  42. ↑ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2000). Rothmans Football Yearbook 2000–2001. London: Headline Publishing Group. p. 860. ISBN 9-780747-272328.
  43. ↑ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2002). Rothmans Football Yearbook 2002–2003. London: Headline Publishing Group. p. 888. ISBN 9-780755-311002.
  44. ↑ Taylor, Louise (19 January 2003). "Greening beats United boss in mind game". The Times (London). Retrieved 14 January 2008.
  45. ↑ Solhekol, Kaveh (14 January 2008). "Q&A: Dean Kiely, West Bromwich Albion". The Times (London). Retrieved 14 January 2008.
  46. ↑ "Academy manager outlines ambition to kick-start York City's production line of young talent". The Press (York). 25 July 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 "Former Boro midfielder Jonathan Greening signs for non-league side Tadcaster Albion". Teesside Gazette. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 "Jonathan Greening". Tadcaster Albion A.F.C. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  49. ↑ "Jonathan Greening Joins Youth Set Up". York City F.C. 22 December 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  50. ↑ Carroll, Steve (22 December 2014). "Jonathan Greening joins York City academy". The Press (York). Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  51. ↑ "England & Wales marriages 1837–2008 Transcription". Jonathan Greening. Marriage quarter: 2. Marriage year: 2002. District: North Yorkshire. County: Yorkshire. Page: 0881. Entry number: 025. Source code: A20. Retrieved 22 December 2014 – via Findmypast. (subscription required (help)).
  52. ↑ "Greening's wife gets the elbow!". Birmingham Mail. 24 March 2008. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  53. ↑ "It's a home match...". Bridlington Free Press. 19 June 2003. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  54. ↑ Batters, Dave (2008). York City: The Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. pp. 388–389. ISBN 978-1-85983-633-0.
  55. ↑ Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 390–391, 416–417.
  56. ↑ "Squad stats: 1997/98". Soccerbase. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  57. ↑ "Games played by Jonathan Greening in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  58. ↑ "Games played by Jonathan Greening in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  59. ↑ "Games played by Jonathan Greening in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  60. ↑ "Games played by Jonathan Greening in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  61. ↑ "Games played by Jonathan Greening in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  62. ↑ "Games played by Jonathan Greening in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  63. ↑ "Games played by Jonathan Greening in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  64. ↑ "Games played by Jonathan Greening in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  65. ↑ "Games played by Jonathan Greening in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  66. ↑ "Games played by Jonathan Greening in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  67. ↑ "Games played by Jonathan Greening in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 "Games played by Jonathan Greening in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 "Games played by Jonathan Greening in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2013.

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