Rob Purdie

Rob Purdie
Personal information
Full nameRobert James Francis Purdie
Date of birth28 September 1982
Place of birthLeicester, England
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Playing positionUtility
Club information
Current team
Tamworth
Youth career
2001–2002Leicester City
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2002–2007Hereford United184(21)
2007–2009Darlington79(5)
2009–2011Oldham Athletic0(0)
2010→ Hereford United (loan)6(2)
2011–2012Hereford United53(5)
2012–2013Shrewsbury Town23(0)
2013–2014Hereford United29(0)
2014–Tamworth16(0)
National team
2004England C2(0)
Teams managed
2014Tamworth (caretaker)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:32, 15 April 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Robert James 'Rob' Purdie (born 28 September, 1982 in Leicester) is an English footballer, who currently plays for Conference North side Tamworth, where he plays as a left back.

Purdie is a versatile utility player who plays primarily as an attacking midfielder, but he can also play in the left back and right back position, in central midfield, in the wide right or left position, or in the 'hole' as a striker.

Playing career

Hereford United

He began his career at Leicester City where he played for the U19 and reserve teams, but not for the first team. In his final season he played several matches for Hereford United's reserves before signing for them in July 2002. In his first season at Hereford most of his appearances were as a substitute, but as the season progressed he started matches more regularly. He started the 2003–04. playing alongside Steve Guinan up front, a partnership that saw the team top the Conference in the first part of the season. He moved back into midfield for the latter part of that season, finishing with 9 goals from 41 appearances. Unfortunately the team failed to progress in the play-offs despite finishing the season with 91 points and equalling the record for goals scored in a season.

The 2004–05 season was less successful as he was in and out of the side due to injuries, and Hereford again failed to gain promotion as they missed out in the play-offs. The 2005–06 season saw Purdie make more appearances than any other Hereford player, he missed only one match due to injury. His season finished with an eventful play-off final in his home city of Leicester. While Halifax Town were taking the lead he was off the field receiving treatment, after he got knocked in the face. This broke his front teeth, and the bleeding from this caused him to change his shirt 3 times during the match. In the second half he had a decent shout for a penalty which was not given, when he went down in the penalty area. Not that it mattered, as Hereford went on to win the match.

He signed a new contract in June 2006 and was made club captain after the departure of Tony James. His first season in the Football League saw him appear in 44 out of 46 league matches with a further 7 appearances in cup competitions, thus making more first team appearances than any other player. He scored 9 goals in all competitions, 8 of which were from the penalty spot, which made him the second highest goalscorer for Hereford. Midway through the season he was moved from a midfield role into the left-back position, underlining his versatility. At the end of the season he was voted the Supporters Player of the Year, and also picked up the award for Away Player of the Year. At the time of his departure, he was the longest serving player at the club, and his 223 first team appearances rank him 33rd on the all-time list of appearances for Hereford United.

Darlington

In June 2007 Purdie turned down a new contract at Hereford to sign a two-year deal with fellow League Two side Darlington.[1] He was voted player of the season in 08-09.

Oldham Athletic

Purdie became Dave Penney's first signing for Oldham Athletic, signing a two-year contract on 22 May 2009.[2]

Purdie announced his retirement from non-league international football on Tuesday 24 November 2009 claiming his main aim was to get fit and play for Oldham.

In July 2010 he was transfer-listed by the club, along with five other first team players.[3]

He re-joined Hereford United on loan on 29 October 2010[4] and scored two goals in his first game for the club against Stockport County the next day.[5]

On 31 January 2011, Purdie was released by Oldham Athletic after having never played a first team game for the club over a period of two years there.[6] He then re-signed for Hereford United.[7]

Shrewsbury Town

On 3 July 2012, Purdie signed for Shrewsbury Town on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at Hereford United, linking up with Turner and Trewick once more. Purdie went on the explain he "jumped at the chance" to sign after having an injury ravaged time with Oldham Athletic and that Graham Turner knows what he is getting with a player like him; "I'm honest off the pitch, hardworking, and will do my job, and I think [Graham Turner] understands that."[8]

After a very positive start to the season, playing mainly at left back before switching to the left/right wing around the New Year period, Purdie struggled to keep his place in the team and fell out of favour in the second half of the 2012/13 season, making only sporadic substitute appearances in his final months, despite his generally good form and consistency. Purdie was released on 29 April 2013.[9]

Hereford United

In the summer of 2013 Rob signed yet again for Hereford United. This time round Purdie will take up two roles as both a player and a coach, Martin Foyle says that he believes Purdie has in him what it takes to become a future manager of Hereford. This is Purdie's third spell with Hereford United having played over 200 league games for them. [10]

Tamworth

On July 26, 2014, Purdie signed a contract with Conference North side Tamworth, he was signed predominately as a left back.[11] Following a disappointing start to the season, manager Dale Belford left the club, and Purdie was asked to take over on a caretaker basis, with Paul Green acting as caretaker assistant manager.[12] The pair only led the team for one game, a 1-1 home draw with Colwyn Bay.[13]

Honours

Hereford United

Career statistics

Managerial statistics

Competitive matches only – Correct as of 23 September 2014.
Team Nat From To Record
PWDLGFGAWin %
Tamworth (caretaker) England 16 September 2014 23 September 2014 1 0 1 0 1 1 0.00
Total 1 0 1 0 1 1 0.00

References

  1. ↑ Quakers bring in Bulls midfielder
  2. ↑ "Penney drops in for Purdie". Sky Sports. 22 May 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
  3. ↑ "Transfer-listed Players". Oldham Athletic AFC. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
  4. ↑ "Purdie goes out on loan". Oldham Athletic. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
  5. ↑ "Stockport 0–5 Hereford". BBC Sport. 30 October 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
  6. ↑ "Purdie Leaves Latics". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  7. ↑ "Purdie Signs Permanent Deal". Hereford United FC. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  8. ↑ http://www.shrewsburytown.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10443~2833110,00.html
  9. ↑ http://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/article/29apr13-player-contracts-799145.aspx
  10. ↑ http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/team/player-profile/index.aspx?playerid=248246&tcmuri=896212
  11. ↑ "Tamworth FC land former Hereford United ace". Tamworth Herald. 26 July 2014.
  12. ↑ "Tamworth FC injuries and suspensions will test caretaker Purdie". Tamworth Herald. 18 September 2014.
  13. ↑ "Purdie reflects of Tamworth FC draw". Tamworth Herald. 22 September 2014.

External links