Kirk Broadfoot

Kirk Broadfoot
Personal information
Full nameKirk John Broadfoot[1]
Date of birth8 August 1984
Place of birthIrvine, Scotland
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Playing positionDefender
Club information
Current team
Rotherham United
Number5
Youth career
2000–2002Hibernian
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2002–2007St. Mirren154(13)
2007–2012Rangers80(1)
2012–2014Blackpool65(2)
2014–Rotherham United25(0)
National team‡
2006Scotland U215(0)
2006–2007Scotland B3(0)
2008–2010Scotland4(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:53, 18 May 2013 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 30 August 2010

Kirk John Broadfoot (born 8 August 1984 in Irvine, North Ayrshire) is a Scottish football player who plays as a defender for Rotherham United.

Broadfoot started his senior career with St. Mirren and he helped the club gain promotion to the Scottish Premier League by winning the 2005–06 Scottish First Division. He moved to Rangers as a free agent in 2007 and enjoyed success with the Ibrox club until he left Rangers by mutual consent in August 2012, after the club entered administration. Broadfoot then joined English club Blackpool, but was released by them in May 2014, moving on to Rotherham.

He made his debut for the Scotland national team on 10 September 2008 against Iceland, a game in which he scored.

Early life

Broadfoot was brought up in the Ayrshire village of Drongan. He formerly played at boys club level for Coyle Thistle, Ayr Valspar,[2] Auchinleck Talbot and Queen of the South.[3]

Club career

St. Mirren

Broadfoot initially signed for Scottish Premier League side Hibernian as a sixteen-year-old apprentice, but he was released and signed for St. Mirren on 1 July 2002.[4][5] He went on to make 174 appearances for the club and was team captain for the 2006–07 season, replacing team-mate Kevin McGowne. Broadfoot was part of the St. Mirren side which gained promotion to the Scottish Premier League for the 2006–07 season, and the team that won the 2005 Scottish Challenge Cup Final in November 2005.[6]

Rangers

In March 2007, Broadfoot signed a pre-contract agreement to join Rangers in the summer.[7] Broadfoot officially joined Rangers on 1 July that year. He made his Rangers debut against FK Zeta in a UEFA Champions League qualifier, on 31 July 2007[8] and scored his first Rangers goal in a 7–2 victory against Falkirk in the Scottish Premier League.[9] In the early part of the season, Broadfoot's first team opportunities were limited, suffering a hamstring injury which caused him to miss three games.

After Alan Hutton left for Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window, Broadfoot replaced him at right-back and was praised by Walter Smith.[10] After making an appearance in the Scottish Cup against Hibernian early in 2008, he made only his second League start against Falkirk during a 2–0 win on 9 February and Rangers gave him the Man of the Match award.[11] Following that, he was a regular in the side during the 2008–09 season. Broadfoot played in the 2008 Scottish League Cup Final helping Rangers to a 3–2 penalty shootout win at Hampden Park against Dundee United. He also played a significant role in Rangers' run to the 2008 UEFA Cup Final, but had to settle for a runners-up medal as the side lost 2–0 to Russian outfit Zenit Saint Petersburg. Broadfoot was dropped, however, for the 2008 Scottish Cup Final against Queen of the South.

He played regularly for Rangers in the 2008–09 season and made his international debut early that season. Broadfoot provided an assist for Kenny Miller in a 4-2 Old Firm victory.[12] He was sent off in the 2009 Scottish League Cup Final for a professional foul on Aiden McGeady, who converted the resulting penalty kick to give Celtic a 2–0 victory. During that match, Broadfoot was playing with a foot injury which ended his season after starting 28 league matches during the campaign.[13] The extent of the foot injury meant Broadfoot was not fully fit to play until November 2009 in a closed doors match.[14] During his injury rest, Broadfoot needed hospital treatment for scalds after an egg he was poaching in the microwave sprayed hot liquid into his face.[15]

Broadfoot made his return to the Rangers' first team on 12 December 2009, nearly nine months after his last game, in a 3–0 victory against St. Johnstone.[16] After the match, Broadfoot said his foot injury resulted in the 'toughest period in his life'.[17] On 21 June 2010, Broadfoot signed a new three-year contract with Rangers; his original deal was due to expire at the end of that month.[18]

During Rangers' match with Manchester United on 14 September, Broadfoot made an innocuous challenge on Antonio Valencia that resulted in his opponent suffering a broken ankle.[19] Broadfoot was visibly distressed by the injury suffered by Valencia.[19] In his Rangers Champions League next match, Broadfoot provided an assist for Steven Naismith in a 1–0 win over Turkish side Bursaspor at Ibrox to gain them their first win in 12 UEFA Champions League matches.[20] Soon afterwards, Broadfoot's injury jinx struck again, resulting him being out until January.[21] However, he then suffered a hairline fracture of his heel and his return was further delayed with Broadfoot out for the rest of the season.[22]

Ahead of the new season, Broadfoot made his first appearance from injury in a 1–0 loss against German side Sportfreunde Lotte [23] Broadfoot noted his future at Rangers could be in doubt if his first team opportunities were limited.[24] After a 2–0 win over Kilmarnock, Broadfoot was in an altercation with opponent Manuel Pascali after the full-time whistle, with manager Ally McCoist describing the pair's actions as 'handbags'[25] Broadfoot criticised Kilmarnock manager, Kenny Shiels – after he described Broadfoot as "the ugly boy from Rangers" and "the male model from Ayrshire" in a radio interview – as immature and also claimed that Pascali made a threat towards him saying "in my face, saying he was going to kill me".[26] In response, Pascali branded Broadfoot as a publicity-seeking coward.[27] After a 1–0 loss to Kilmarnock on 29 November 2011 when he clashed with Rangers' fans, he was forced to have clear-the-air talks with McCoist.[28]

During the season, Rangers went into administration over financial problems and a dispute with HMRC, leading to a 10-point deduction. On 14 June 2012, Rangers entered liquidation and its business and assets were then sold to a new company, Sevco Scotland Limited. Many players lodged an objection against their contracts being transferred from Rangers to Sevco, leading them to become free agents. Broadfoot's future at Rangers was unclear but he was one of several players who continued to train with Rangers.[29] In June, he rejected a move to Hungarian side Debreceni, insisting he was happy at Rangers[30]

Having made two appearances for Rangers in the new season, Broadfoot left the club by mutual consent on 28 August 2012 [31] He explained that the move was aimed at earning an international recall but he would welcome an eventual return to Rangers [32][33]

Blackpool

One week after leaving Rangers, Broadfoot signed until the end of the 2012–13 season with Championship side Blackpool.[34] He also revealed that he had been close to signing for the Seasiders two years earlier. Of the move, he said: "I think it’s got something special about it, Blackpool, it just seems to have this aura about it that everyone seems to enjoy themselves here and I wanted to be part of that."[35] However, his debut was delayed by injuries.[36]

Broadfoot had to wait until 29 September 2012, making his first start and playing 90 minutes in a 3–0 loss to Cardiff City; he made his home debut in a 1–1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on 27 October 2012. After the match, Broadfoot said he wanted to play an important role for the club.[37] On 15 December 2012, Broadfoot scored his first goal in a 2–0 win over Blackburn Rovers, giving new manager Michael Appleton his first home success.[38] However, Appleton's stay as manager was short-lived.[39] Later in the 2012-13 season, Broadfoot continued to be a regular in the first team, playing in both central and right defence. On 5 March 2013, Broadfoot scored his second goal for the club, in a 1-1 draw against Birmingham City.[40] In mid-April, Broadfoot was among 7 players offered a new contract.[41] At the end of the 2012-13 season, Broadfoot was linked with Championship rival's Ipswich Town[42] and Barnsley.[43] Eventually, Broadfoot ended transfer speculation by signing a one-year extension with the club.[44] After signing a new contract, Broadfoot revealed that lots of clubs were interested in signing him and express delight signing a new contract.[45]

At the start of the 2013-14 season, Broadfoot switched his number from forty-two to six.[46] Broadfoot continued to be in the first team, mostly he was in the right-back and center-back position. In a match against Huddersfield Town, Broadfoot made an assist for Ricardo Fuller to make 1-0, which the results was 1-1 at the end.[47] However, he discipline issues, which he was sent-off twice during the season; was disciplined by Manager Paul Ince after sent-off in a 1-0 loss to Yeovil Town[48] and another came when he lunged at Žaliūkas in the last minutes of the second half, in a 1-1 draw against Leeds United on 26 December 2013.[49] After serving his suspension,[50] Broadfoot captained five matches for Blackpool in absent of his team-mate Gary MacKenzie. However, Broadfoot will miss the rest of the season with a knee problem.[51] At the end of the season, Broadfoot was released by the club after they decided not to offered a new contract.[52]

Rotherham United

Broadfoot signed a two-year contract with Rotherham United on 9 June 2014.[53] Upon joining Rotherham United, Broadfoot said he joined "The Millers" for new challenges and play as many games as possible.[54]

Broadfoot made his league debut for the club, in the opening game of the season, as a right back, as Rotherham United lost 1-0 to Derby County.[55]

International career

In November 2006, Broadfoot was called up to the Scotland B squad and played in the 0–0 draw with Republic of Ireland B.[56] He made his second B team appearance in a 1–1 draw, also against the Republic of Ireland a year later.[57] He has also won Scotland under–21 international caps. In September 2008, Broadfoot was called up to the Scotland senior squad to replace David Weir.[58] Broadfoot made his debut for the senior side on 10 September 2008 against Iceland, and he scored the opening goal in a 2–1 Scotland win.[59] Broadfoot retained his place for Scotland's next two matches, a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Norway, and a friendly match against Diego Maradona's Argentina side.

International goals

Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 10 September 2008 Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík  Iceland 1–0 2–1 FIFA World Cup 2010 qualifying

Career statistics

As of 15 January 2013
Club Season League Cup League Cup Other[60] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
St. Mirren 2002–03 231101000251
2003–04 313101020363
2004–05 364301010414
2005–06 272002040332
2006–07 373102000403
Total 1541360707017413
Rangers 2007–08 1515020120341
2008–09 27010402[61]0340
2009–10 120400000160
2010–11 80002040140
2011–12 160000010170
2012–13 2000102050
Total 801100902101201
Blackpool 2012–13 322200000342
2013–14 330001000340
Total 652201000682
Career total 2991618017028036216

Honours

St. Mirren

Rangers

References

  1. ↑ "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/09/2012 and 30/09/2012" (PDF). The Football Association. Retrieved 2012-11-01.
  2. ↑ "Valspar Boys Club hail Kirk Broadfoot's call-up" Ayrshire Post. 12 September 2008.
  3. ↑ "Girl power backing for Kirk Broadfoot" Ayrshire Post. 19 September 2008.
  4. ↑ "Football Transfers". BBC Sport. 31 August 2002.
  5. ↑ Scottish Football League (October 2004). The Bell's Scottish Football Review 2004/05. CRE8. ISBN 0-9548556-0-4.
  6. ↑ "St Mirren 2–1 Hamilton Accies". BBC Sport. 6 November 2005.
  7. ↑ "Rangers sign Buddies' Broadfoot". BBC Sport. 6 March 2007.
  8. ↑ "Rangers 2–0 FK Zeta". BBC Sport. 31 July 2007.
  9. ↑ "Rangers 7–2 Falkirk". BBC Sport. 18 August 2007.
  10. ↑ "Broadfoot fills Hutton void". Sky Sports. 16 February 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  11. ↑ "Rangers 2–0 Falkirk" BBC Sport. 9 February 2008.
  12. ↑ "Celtic 2–4 Rangers". BBC Sport. 31 August 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  13. ↑ "Broadfoot blow for Gers". Sky Sports. 21 May 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  14. ↑ "Broadfoot injury blow for Rangers". BBC Sport (BBC). 21 May 2009.
  15. ↑ "Gers star hurt by exploding egg". BBC News. 15 May 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  16. ↑ "Rangers 3–0 St Johnstone". BBC Sport (BBC). 12 December 2009.
  17. ↑ "Broadfoot glad to be back". Sky Sports. 23 December 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  18. ↑ "Broadfoot to stay on at Rangers". BBC Sport (BBC). 21 June 2010.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Man Utd's Antonio Valencia set to miss rest of season". BBC Sport (BBC). 14 September 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  20. ↑ "Rangers 1 – 0 Bursaspor". BBC Sport. 29 September 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  21. ↑ "Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot ruled out until 2011". BBC Sport. 2 December 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  22. ↑ "Rangers lose Kirk Broadfoot and Vladimir Weiss". BBC Sport. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  23. ↑ "Broadfoot happy to be back". Sky Sports. 8 July 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  24. ↑ "Defender Kirk Broadfoot unsure of Rangers future". BBC Sport. 18 July 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  25. ↑ "McCoist dismisses tunnel row". Sky Sports. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  26. ↑ "KIRK BROADFOOT CALLS KILMARNOCK BOSS KENNY SHIELS 'IMMATURE'". Daily Express. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  27. ↑ "Pascali – Broadfoot is a liar". Sky Sports. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  28. ↑ "Ally McCoist warns Kirk Broadfoot over public bust-up with fans after Kilmarnock loss". Daily Record. 29 November 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  29. ↑ "Rangers: Players attend Murray Park for fitness tests". BBC Sport. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  30. ↑ "BROADFOOT REJECTS SWITCH TO HUNGARIAN CHAMPIONS". Express. 7 June 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  31. ↑ "Kirk and Mo on Way Out". Rangers Official Page. 29 August 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  32. ↑ "Kirk Broadfoot: I had to leave Rangers to keep Scotland cap hope alive". Daily Record. 6 September 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  33. ↑ "Kirk Broadfoot reveals he'd love a Rangers return after 'emotional' summer departure from Ibrox". Daily Record. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  34. ↑ "Broadfoot Completes Blackpool Move". Blackpool F.C. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  35. ↑ "Broadfoot: Holloway blew me away". Blackpool F.C. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  36. ↑ "Broadfoot Hoping For More Starts". Blackpool F.C. 1 November 2012. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  37. ↑ "Kirk Broadfoot hopes to keep his first-team spot at Blackpool". Sky Sports. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  38. ↑ "Blackpool 2 Blackburn 0". Blackpool Gazette. 15 December 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  39. ↑ "Broadfoot's Appy with life at Pool". Blackpool Gazette. 17 December 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  40. ↑ "Birmingham 1-1 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  41. ↑ "Thomas Ince & Matt Phillips: Blackpool take up one-year options". BBC Sport. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  42. ↑ "Ipswich Town closing in on Kirk Broadfoot and Joel Grant". EADT. 19 June 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  43. ↑ "Transfer news: Barnsley are chasing Blackpool defender Kirk Broadfoot". Sky Sports. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  44. ↑ "Blackpool defender Kirk Broadfoot signs new contract after Gary MacKenzie return". Sky Sports. 6 July 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  45. ↑ "Championship: Blackpool's Kirk Broadfoot admits he had options to leave". Sky Sports. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  46. ↑ "Shirt Numbers Confirmed". Blackpool F.C. 2 August 2013. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  47. ↑ "Huddersfield Town 1 - 1 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 27 September 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  48. ↑ "Blackpool manager Paul Ince to discipline three dismissed players". BBC Sport. 3 December 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  49. ↑ "Blackpool 1-1 Leeds United". BBC Sport. 26 December 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  50. ↑ "Broadfoot Relishing Return". Blackpool F.C. 18 January 2014. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  51. ↑ "Ferguson Challenge For Grandin". Blackpool F.C. 25 March 2014. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  52. ↑ "Retained List". Blackpool F.C. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  53. ↑ "Rotherham United sign Blackpool defender Kirk Broadfoot". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  54. ↑ "Broadfoot looking to call on experience". Rotherham United. 10 June 2014. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  55. ↑ "Derby County 1-0 Rotherham United". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  56. ↑ "Rep of Ireland B 0–0 Scotland B". BBC Sport. 14 November 2006.
  57. ↑ "Scotland B 1–1 Rep of Ireland B". BBC Sport. 20 November 2007.
  58. ↑ "Broadfoot 'duped' by Scots call" BBC Sport. 3 September 2008.
  59. ↑ "Iceland 1–2 Scotland" BBC Sport. 10 September 2008.
  60. ↑ Includes European and Scottish Challenge Cup matches
  61. ↑ Total includes both matches versus FBK Kaunas. Broadfoot started both legs per the BBC match reports (1st leg)(2nd leg), but it is not recorded by soccerbase (1st leg); (2nd leg).

External links

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