Luke Guttridge

Luke Guttridge

Guttridge playing for Aldershot Town in 2010
Personal information
Full nameLuke Horace Guttridge
Date of birth27 March 1982
Place of birthBarnstaple, England
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Playing positionMidfielder
Club information
Current team
Luton Town
Number21
Youth career
1998–1999Torquay United
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1999–2000Torquay United1(0)
2000–2005Cambridge United136(17)
2005–2007Southend United64(5)
2006–2007→ Leyton Orient (loan)7(1)
2007Leyton Orient10(0)
2007–2008Colchester United14(0)
2008–2010Northampton Town56(6)
2010–2012Aldershot Town66(12)
2012–2013Northampton Town44(4)
2013–Luton Town56(16)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17 April 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Luke Horace Guttridge (born 27 March 1982) is an English footballer who plays for Luton Town as a midfielder, having previously played for Torquay United, Cambridge United, Southend United, Leyton Orient, Colchester United, Northampton Town and Aldershot Town. He has amassed more than 350 appearances in the Football League.

Career

Torquay United

Guttridge, a midfielder, began his career as a trainee with Torquay United after playing junior football for Paignton Pilgrims. He made his league debut whilst still a trainee as a late substitute, replacing Alex Watson in the 4–0 win against Mansfield Town on 10 April 2000. In May 2000, against the advice for a longer contract offer given by youth coaches Paul Compton and Richard Hancox, Guttridge was only offered a three-month professional contract by Torquay manager Wes Saunders, even though Cambridge United had offered him a one-year deal and the chance to play second division football.

Cambridge United

Unsurprisingly, Guttridge left for Cambridge, managed by Roy McFarland, on a free transfer. He had to wait until the following spring for his Cambridge league debut, after playing twice in the Football League Trophy, but when it came he scored within two minutes in a vital 2–0 home win against Oldham Athletic. In August 2001, McFarland, by now manager of Torquay, made a bid to bring Guttridge back to Plainmoor, but this was rejected and he remained at the Abbey Stadium. He became one of Cambridge's main performers to the extent that he was appointed captain of the side[1] and a move to Premier League club Charlton Athletic was in the pipeline, although in the end nothing materialised.[2]

Southend United

Guttridge joined Southend United in March 2005[3] and, after a slow start, firmly established himself as a mainstay in the side. A chance move to the centre of midfield from his usual wide berth (following a meeting with boss Steve Tilson) proved to be a turning point and Guttridge was a major factor in the Blues 2005/06 League One title winning side alongside Kevin Maher.

Leyton Orient

However, he lost his place in the Southend first team after their promotion and on 23 November 2006 was allowed to join Leyton Orient on loan,[4] scoring his first and what turned out to be only goal for the club against Nottingham Forest.[5] He returned in January 2007. On 30 January 2007, he left Southend to sign a permanent contract at Leyton Orient initially until the end of the 2006–07 season.[6] After rejecting a contract offer from Leyton Orient, he left the club in May 2007.[7]

Colchester United

Two months later Guttridge signed for Championship side Colchester United.[8] After only playing 14 league games in the season he was released.

Guttridge in action for Aldershot at Vale Park.

Northampton Town

Guttridge impressed during a trial period at Northampton Town, and on 4 August 2008 after two commanding performances in pre-season friendlies, he signed a contract with the Cobblers which will keep him at the club until at least the summer of 2010.[9] His first goal for the club came as part of a 4–0 win over Stockport County on 21 March 2009. He was released by the club on 12 May 2010 along with five other players.[10]

Aldershot Town

In July 2010, Guttridge joined Aldershot Town after signing a 2-year contract.[11][12] He was voted Supporters Player of the Season after an impressive first year with the Shots. Having made 80 appearances for Aldershot in all competitions, scoring 14 goals, Guttridge was released in January 2012 after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.[13]

Return to Northampton

He rejoined Northampton Town on 27 January 18-months after being released by former manager Ian Sampson, and signed a contract until the end of the 2012–13 season.[14] "Luke is a very experienced player and is just the sort of character we need," said Northampton manager Aidy Boothroyd.[15]

Luton Town

Guttridge signed for Conference Premier side Luton Town on a two-year contract on 5 July 2013.[16] He was played in an advanced creative midfielder role for much of the 2013–14 season, scoring 13 goals and assisting 9 others in 32 league games, helping Luton to win the Conference Premier title.[17][18] Guttridge's performances led his teammates to name him as the Players' Player of the Year.[19]

Honours

Club

Cambridge United[20]
Southend United[21][22]
Luton Town

References

  1. ↑ Mongin set for Cambridge BBC Sport. 23 July 2004. Retrieved 2010-01-30.
  2. ↑ U's deny Guttridge move BBC Sport. 16 April 2004. Retrieved 2010-01-30.
  3. ↑ Guttridge pens deal with Southend BBC Sport. 18 March 2006. Retrieved 2010-01-30.
  4. ↑ Guttridge signs Orient loan deal BBC Sport. 23 November 2006. Retrieved 2010-01-30.
  5. ↑ "Nottm Forest 1–3 Leyton Orient". BBC. 16 December 2006. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  6. ↑ Orient sign Southend's Guttridge BBC Sport. 30 January 2007. Retrieved 2010-01-30.
  7. ↑ Enger, Tron (29 May 2007) Five players reject new contracts Orient Supporter. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  8. ↑ Guttridge seals Colchester switch BBC Sport. 5 July 2007. Retrieved 2010-01-30.
  9. ↑ Bailey, Graeme (4 August 2008) Cobblers capture Guttridge Sky Sports. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  10. ↑ "Northampton Town release midfielder Luke Guttridge". BBC Sport. 12 May 2010.
  11. ↑ "Guttridge Signs". Aldershot Town FC. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  12. ↑ "Cobblers midfielder Guttridge signs for Shots". www.gethampshire.co.uk. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  13. ↑ "Luke Guttridge departs Aldershot Town by mutual consent". BBC Sport. 26 January 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  14. ↑ "Luke Guttridge makes Northampton Town return". BBC Sport. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  15. ↑ "Guttridge Returns". Northampton Town F.C. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
  16. ↑ "Luke Guttridge: Luton Town sign ex-Northampton Town midfielder". BBC Sport. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  17. ↑ "Luke Guttridge at ESPN". ESPN FC. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  18. ↑ "Luton Town win Conference Premier and Football League spot". BBC Sport. 15 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  19. ↑ "Gallery: Awards Night 2014". Luton Town F.C. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  20. ↑ "Associate Members Cup Finalists". Coludaybyday.co.uk.
  21. ↑ "Tier Three (League One) Honours". Coludaybyday.co.uk.
  22. ↑ "Division Three (League Two) Play-off Finalists". Coludaybyday.co.uk.

External links

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