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Chris Iwelumo

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Chris Iwelumo
Iwelumo playing for Watford in 2012
Personal information
Full name Christopher Robert Iwelumo[1]
Date of birth (1978-08-01) 1 August 1978 (age 46)[1]
Place of birth Coatbridge, Scotland
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
0000–1995 St Mirren
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–1998 St Mirren 31 (1)
1998–2000 Aarhus Fremad 27 (4)
2000–2004 Stoke City 84 (15)
2000 → York City (loan) 12 (2)
2001 → Cheltenham Town (loan) 4 (1)
2004 → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 10 (4)
2004–2005 Alemannia Aachen 9 (0)
2005–2007 Colchester United 92 (35)
2007–2008 Charlton Athletic 46 (10)
2008–2010 Wolverhampton Wanderers 46 (14)
2010 → Bristol City (loan) 7 (2)
2010–2011 Burnley 45 (11)
2011–2013 Watford 45 (4)
2012–2013 → Notts County (loan) 5 (0)
2013 → Oldham Athletic (loan) 7 (1)
2013–2014 Scunthorpe United 12 (2)
2014 St Johnstone 6 (0)
2014 Chester 10 (1)
Total 498 (107)
International career
2007 Scotland B 1 (0)
2008–2010 Scotland 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Christopher Robert Iwelumo (/ɪˈwɛləmoʊ/;[2] born 1 August 1978) is a Scottish former professional footballer, who played as a striker.

Iwelumo started his career with St Mirren before moving to Danish club Aarhus Fremad for two years. A move to Stoke City in 2000 saw him sent out on loan to several teams before a short-lived spell with 2. Bundesliga side Alemannia Aachen. After moving to the Football League Championship with Colchester United and then Charlton Athletic, he signed for Wolves in 2008 as they won promotion to the Premier League, winning Player of the Month in November 2008.

Iwelumo's father is Nigerian and his mother is Scottish. He won his first cap as a full Scottish international coming on as a substitute against Norway in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier in 2008, notable for his missing an open goal from only yards out as the match finished 0–0 an event which Iwelumo has said "tortured" him. He had his first international start in a friendly against Argentina in November the same year.

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Born in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire to a Nigerian father and a Scottish mother, Iwelumo started his career with Scottish Football League club St Mirren as a junior in their youth system before signing a professional contract on 5 August 1996.[1][3]

Iwelumo had only made nineteen appearances for St Mirren, scoring twice against Berwick in the Scottish League Cup[4] and Dundee in the Scottish Cup,[5] before his performances were being noticed and in early 1998, Aarhus Fremad of Denmark signed him up. Aarhus released him two years later in February 2000 and he had trials at Preston North End and Celtic – the team he supports – before signing a four-year deal with Stoke City.[6]

Stoke City

[edit]

After two years in Denmark, Iwelumo returned to the UK to join third tier Stoke City. He played as a substitute as Stoke won the 2000 Football League Trophy Final.[7] Later that year he was sent out on loan to York City where he made eleven appearances before returning to Stoke. He remained there before being loaned out again to Cheltenham Town in February 2001. He played four times for Cheltenham Town, scoring once against Mansfield[8] before being recalled back from his loan by Stoke City where he managed to build on his appearances without actually gaining a regular place in the first team, his most notable contribution possibly being the equaliser in the Potteries derby on 21 October 2001. He signed a two-year contract extension with Stoke in March 2002.[9]

Barnsley revealed an interest in signing Iwelumo in January 2004.[10] He was subject of a loan move once more when he moved to Brighton & Hove Albion in March 2004.[11] He helped the "Seagulls" to the 2004 Second Division play-off final in Cardiff, winning the penalty that gave Albion promotion.[12] When he returned to Stoke at the end of the season he was released, after four years at the club.

Alemannia Aachen

[edit]

2. Bundesliga side Alemannia Aachen signed Iwelumo on a free transfer in July 2004, after rejecting the offer of a two-year contract from Brighton.[13] However his stay at Aachen was short-lived, and he was released after just six months and nine substitute appearances.

Colchester United

[edit]

Iwelumo had his most successful period of his career at Colchester United, he signed for Colchester United in July 2005.[14] On 28 November 2006, the many highlights included, the four goals he scored as Colchester beat Hull City 5–1 in a Championship league match.[15] Iwelumo formed a formidable partnership with Jamie Cureton that season, with the U's eventually finishing 10th in The Championship. Whilst at Colchester, he helped them achieve promotion to the Championship in 2006 and finish in a club record 10th position the following season. Iwelumo rejected a new contract offer from Colchester on 21 May 2007,[16]

Charlton Athletic

[edit]

On the same day signed for Charlton Athletic on a free transfer.[17] In the 2007–08 season he featured in every league game and was the Addicks' top goalscorer; he was also named the Championship's player of the month for November 2007 after scoring last minute winning goals in two consecutive games.[18]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

[edit]

It was confirmed that Iwelumo could leave Charlton as part of cost-cutting measures and he eventually signed for fellow Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 2008 on a two-year deal.[19] Iwelumo scored a hat-trick for Wolves against Preston North End in a 3–1 win, taking his goal tally to eight for the season, where he was also sent off for an apparent head-butt on defender Sean St Ledger.[20] Wolves made an appeal against this, which was turned down, despite St Ledger stating that the clash of heads was accidental and Iwelumo served a three-match ban.[21]

His early season form in front of goal earned him November's Championship Player of the Month Award.[22] However, after this run of form he entered a goalless drought of 16 games before netting against his former club Charlton.

His season was ended prematurely after a high tackle from Lee Carsley in the game against promotion rivals Birmingham City left him with medial ligament damage.[23] In his absence the team secured promotion to the Premier League as champions.[24]

He regained fitness over the summer break but suffered more injury woe as he broke his metatarsal in Wolves' opening pre-season game against Australian club Perth Glory.[25] He eventually returned to first team contention and made his Premier League debut in a 1–1 draw against Aston Villa in October 2009, though again suffered an injury setback which put him on the sidelines for a further month.[26]

When fit, his Premier League appearance were limited to fleeting substitute roles and he instead moved on a month's loan to Championship side Bristol City in February 2010 to gain more playing time.[27] He scored the first of two goals for Bristol City in a 2–1 win over West Bromwich Albion on 21 February 2010.[28] He returned to Wolves to battle for his place, making a handful of further substitute appearances as the club confirmed their Premier League survival, but failing to score, meaning he had scored just once for Wolves in 18 months.

Burnley

[edit]
Iwelumo playing for Burnley in 2010

He signed for Championship side Burnley on 1 June 2010 on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[29] Iwelumo scored his first goal for Burnley on his debut on 7 August 2010, scoring the winner against Nottingham Forest in a 1–0 victory for Burnley. On 11 September 2010 Iwelumo scored a stunning hattrick against Preston North End in a 4–3 win for Burnley at home, with two fine headers and a volley. After a disappointing second half to the season, Iwelumo was subject to transfer speculation, with a failed move to Preston North End.

Watford

[edit]

Iwelumo signed for Championship rivals Watford on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee on 19 July 2011.[30] Iwelumo made his debut for Watford against former club Burnley on the opening day of the season. The game finished 2–2.[31] Iwelumo scored his first goal for Watford against Hull City in October and had to wait another five months before scoring again in which he bagged a brace against Leeds United on 31 March 2012.[32]

Following an injury to John Eustace at the start of the 2012–13 season and the departure of Martin Taylor, Iwelumo captained Watford for the first time against Derby County on 1 September 2012.

Iwelumo joined Notts County on loan on 23 November.[33] He returned to Watford after failing to score for the "Magpies" in five matches.[34] On 31 January 2013, Iwelumo joined Oldham Athletic on loan until the end of the 2012–13 season.[35]

Later career

[edit]

On 3 June 2013, Iwelumo joined League Two side Scunthorpe United on a one-year deal.[36] He spent six months at Scunthorpe before joining St Johnstone on 23 January 2014.[37] Iwelumo was an unused substitute as St Johnstone won the 2014 Scottish Cup Final. He joined Conference Premier side Chester on 30 June 2014,[38] but announced his retirement from football on 28 October 2014.[39]

International career

[edit]

Iwelumo was called up for the Scotland squad to tour South Korea in 2002 but had to withdraw as his club Stoke City were involved in the Football League Championship play-offs. In November 2007, he was named in the Scotland B team for a friendly against Republic of Ireland B,[40] which he featured in as Scotland drew 1–1.[41]

He was called up to the full Scotland squad for a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Norway at Hampden Park on 11 October 2008.[42] He came on as a 57th-minute substitute in that game to make his debut, but his performance was overshadowed by an open goal miss from three yards, in a match that finished 0–0.[43][44] For days after, Iwelumo constantly watched video replays of the incident but was determined not to be remembered for the miss, stated "I'm a proud Scot, I love my country and it's my dream to do well for them."[45] He was recalled for his first international start in a friendly against Argentina on 19 November 2008.[46]

Coaching and media career

[edit]

In October 2014, one day after he announced his retirement from playing, Iwelumo began working in the media department at his former club Stoke City.[47] In July 2015, Iwelumo was appointed head coach of the under-18 team at former club Wolverhampton Wanderers.[48] However, he quit the position less than a week later.[49] In November 2016 he re-joined former club Chester as assistant manager to Jon McCarthy but continued to work as a pundit for Channel 5's Football League Show. In June 2017, citing concerns from fans about his absence on matchdays, he moved into the role of first-team striker coach.[50][51]

Iwelumo graduated from Staffordshire University in 2016 with a first-class bachelor's degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting.[52]

Iwelumo can often be heard as a co-commentator on talkSPORT.

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
St Mirren 1995–96[53] Scottish First Division 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 1
1996–97[54] Scottish First Division 14 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 17 1
1997–98[55] Scottish First Division 12 0 2 1 1 0 1[c] 0 16 1
Total 31 1 4 1 3 1 1 0 39 3
Aarhus Fremad 1998–99 Danish Superliga 27 4 — — — 27 4
Stoke City 1999–2000[56] Second Division 3 0 0 0 0 0 1[d] 0 4 0
2000–01[57] Second Division 2 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 4 2
2001–02[58] Second Division 38 10 4 1 1 0 4[e] 1 47 12
2002–03[59] First Division 32 4 3 3 1 0 — 36 7
2003–04[60] First Division 9 0 1 0 2 1 — 12 1
Total 84 15 8 4 6 2 5 1 103 22
York City (loan) 2000–01[57] Third Division 12 2 4 1 0 0 0 0 16 3
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2000–01[57] Third Division 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1
Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 2003–04[60] Second Division 10 4 0 0 0 0 3[f] 0 13 4
Alemannia Aachen 2004–05 2. Bundesliga 9 0 1 0 — 4[g] 0 14 0
Colchester United 2005–06[61] League One 46 17 5 2 1 0 3[d] 0 55 19
2006–07[62] Championship 46 18 1 0 1 0 — 48 18
Total 92 35 6 2 2 0 3 0 103 37
Charlton Athletic 2007–08[63] Championship 46 10 2 0 2 0 — 50 10
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2008–09[64] Championship 31 14 2 0 2 2 — 35 16
2009–10[65] Premier League 15 0 2 0 0 0 — 17 0
Total 46 14 4 0 2 2 — 52 16
Bristol City (loan) 2009–10[65] Championship 7 2 0 0 0 0 — 7 2
Burnley 2010–11[66] Championship 45 11 3 0 2 0 — 50 11
Watford 2011–12[67] Championship 38 4 1 0 0 0 — 39 4
2012–13[68] Championship 7 0 0 0 1 1 — 8 1
Total 45 4 1 0 1 1 — 47 5
Notts County (loan) 2012–13[68] League One 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Oldham Athletic (loan) 2012–13[68] League One 7 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 9 1
Scunthorpe United 2013–14[69] League Two 12 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 14 2
St Johnstone 2013–14[69] Scottish Premiership 6 0 1 0 1 0 — 8 0
Chester 2014–15[70] Conference Premier 10 1 0 0 — — 10 1
Career total 498 107 37 8 20 6 16 1 571 122
  1. ^ Includes Scottish FA Cup, FA Cup, DFB-Pokal
  2. ^ Includes Scottish League Cup, Football League Cup
  3. ^ Appearance in Scottish Challenge Cup
  4. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  5. ^ One appearance and one goal in Football League Trophy, three appearances in Football League Second Division play-offs
  6. ^ Appearances in Football League Second Division play-offs
  7. ^ Appearances in UEFA Cup

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[71]
National team Year Apps Goals
Scotland 2008 2 0
2009 0 0
2010 2 0
Total 4 0

Honours

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Stoke City

St Johnstone

Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. p. 212. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. ^ "Chris Iwelumo Re-signs For Stoke City". 12 July 2004. Retrieved 29 October 2014 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ Spiers, Graham (3 October 2008). "Chris Iwelumo in surprise call-up for Scotland". The Times. London. Retrieved 23 October 2008.[dead link‍]
  4. ^ "Victory is Taylor made". Herald Scotland. 13 August 1996. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
  5. ^ "Kamikaze comeback ends in tears for nine-man Saints". Herald Scotland. 25 January 1998. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
  6. ^ "Crossing swords with Chelsea once more: the Scottish striker with a Nigerian name". The Independent. 18 February 2006. Retrieved 5 August 2011.[dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Looking Back Down 'Wembley Way'". stokecityfc.com. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  8. ^ "Mansfield 2–1 Cheltenham". BBC Sport. 13 February 2001. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  9. ^ "Iwelumo extends contract". BBC Sport. 4 March 2002. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  10. ^ "Barnsley eye Iwelumo". BBC Sport. 7 January 2004. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  11. ^ "Iwelumo moves to Albion". BBC Sport. 15 March 2004. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  12. ^ "Bristol City 0-1 Brighton". BBC Sport. 30 May 2004. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  13. ^ "Iwelumo joins Aachen". BBC Sport. 12 July 2004. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  14. ^ "Colchester complete Iwelumo deal". BBC Sport. 6 July 2005. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  15. ^ "Colchester 5–1 Hull". BBC Sport. 29 November 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  16. ^ "Iwelumo turns down new contract". BBC Sport. 21 May 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  17. ^ "Charlton snap up Varney & Iwelumo". BBC Sport. 21 May 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  18. ^ "Charlton star takes monthly award". BBC Sport. 4 December 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  19. ^ "Iwelumo completes Wolves switch". BBC Sport. 14 July 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  20. ^ "Preston 1–3 Wolves". BBC Sport. 20 September 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  21. ^ "FA reject Wolves' Iwelumo appeal". BBC Sport. 24 September 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  22. ^ "Iwelumo is Championship's Top Man". The Football League. 8 December 2008. Archived from the original on 11 December 2008.
  23. ^ "Birmingham 2–0 Wolves". BBC Sport. 6 April 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  24. ^ "Barnsley 1–1 Wolves". BBC Sport. 25 April 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  25. ^ "Wolves' Iwelumo breaks metatarsal". BBC Sport. 10 July 2009. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  26. ^ "Iwelumo suffers injury setback". Sky Sports. 5 November 2009.
  27. ^ "Bristol City sign Wolves striker Chris Iwelumo". BBC Sport. 13 February 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  28. ^ "Bristol City 2–1 West Brom". BBC Sport. 21 February 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  29. ^ "Burnley snap up Wolves striker Chris Iwelumo". BBC Sport. 1 June 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  30. ^ "Watford sign striker Chris Iwelumo from Burnley". BBC Sport. 19 July 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  31. ^ "Burnley 2–2 Watford". BBC Sport. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  32. ^ "Leeds 0–2 Watford". BBC Sport. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  33. ^ "Notts Seal Iwelumo Signing". Notts County F.C. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  34. ^ "Chris Iwelumo returns to Watford after Notts County choose not to extend loan deal". Mansfield Chad. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  35. ^ "Chris Iwelumo: Oldham Athletic sign Watford striker on loan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  36. ^ "Scunthorpe United: Chris Iwelumo joins on one-year deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  37. ^ "St Johnstone sign striker Chris Iwelumo". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  38. ^ "Chris Iwelumo signs for Chester FC". Chester F.C. Archived from the original on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  39. ^ Chris Iwelumo: Chester and Scotland striker retires, BBC Sport
  40. ^ "Scotland B squad announced". Scottish Football Association. 9 November 2007. Retrieved 14 July 2008.
  41. ^ Lindsay, Clive (20 November 2007). "Scotland B 1–1 Rep of Ireland B". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 July 2008.
  42. ^ "First Scotland call for Iwelumo". BBC Sport. 2 October 2008. Retrieved 2 October 2008.
  43. ^ Lindsay, Clive (11 October 2008). "Scotland 0–0 Norway". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 October 2008.
  44. ^ Forsyth, Roddy (12 October 2008). "George Burley's gamble fails to pay off as Scotland stutter in World Cup qualifier". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  45. ^ Duncan, Colin (18 November 2008). "Wife made me delete my Scotland horror miss from TV". Daily Record.
  46. ^ Campbell, Andy (19 November 2008). "Scotland 0–1 Argentina". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  47. ^ "Iwelumo Re-Signs For City". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  48. ^ "Iwelumo appointed Wolves u-18 head coach". 7 November 2016.
  49. ^ "Chris Iwelumo quits Wolves job". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  50. ^ Powell, Dave (29 November 2016). "Chris Iwelumo appointed as assistant manager at Chester FC". Cheshire Live. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  51. ^ Croasdale, Charlie (22 June 2017). "Chester FC: Chris Iwelumo admits he couldn't continue as assistant manager". The Leader. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  52. ^ Sutcliffe, Steven. "Chris Iwelumo graduates with First-class honours".
  53. ^ "1995-96".
  54. ^ "1996-97".
  55. ^ "Games played by Chris Iwelumo in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  56. ^ "Games played by Chris Iwelumo in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  57. ^ a b c "Games played by Chris Iwelumo in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  58. ^ "Games played by Chris Iwelumo in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  59. ^ "Games played by Chris Iwelumo in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  60. ^ a b "Games played by Chris Iwelumo in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  61. ^ "Games played by Chris Iwelumo in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  62. ^ "Games played by Chris Iwelumo in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  63. ^ "Games played by Chris Iwelumo in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  64. ^ "Games played by Chris Iwelumo in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  65. ^ a b "Games played by Chris Iwelumo in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  66. ^ "Games played by Chris Iwelumo in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  67. ^ "Games played by Chris Iwelumo in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  68. ^ a b c "Games played by Chris Iwelumo in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  69. ^ a b "Games played by Chris Iwelumo in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  70. ^ "Games played by Chris Iwelumo in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  71. ^ "Christopher Iwelumo – A Squad". Scotland FA. Retrieved 17 November 2010.
  72. ^ "Looking Back Down 'Wembley Way'". stokecityfc.com. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  73. ^ "St Johnstone 2-0 Dundee United". BBC. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  74. ^ "Player of the Month Awards 2007/08 - The Championship". Andysstats.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  75. ^ "Iwelumo wins player of the month". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 9 December 2008. Retrieved 7 November 2014.[permanent dead link‍]
[edit]
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