Gary Liddle
Liddle playing for Notts County in 2012
Personal information
Full name Gary Daniel Liddle[1]
Date of birth (1986-06-15) 15 June 1986 (age 37)[2]
Place of birth Middlesbrough, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[3]
Position(s) Centre-back / Midfielder[4]
Team information
Current team
 South Shields
Youth career
0000–2003 Middlesbrough
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2006 Middlesbrough 0 (0)
2006–2012 Hartlepool United 247 (18)
2012–2014 Notts County 78 (4)
2014–2016 Bradford City 61 (3)
2016–2017 Chesterfield 41 (1)
2017–2019 Carlisle United 101 (2)
2019–2020 Walsall 12 (0)
2019–2020 → Hartlepool United (loan) 15 (0)
2020–2022 Hartlepool United 55 (0)
2022– South Shields 65 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:37, 28 December 2023 (UTC)

Gary Daniel Liddle (born 15 June 1986) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or midfielder for Northern Premier League side South Shields. He has played in the English Football League for Hartlepool United, Notts County, Bradford City, Chesterfield, Carlisle United and Walsall.

Liddle came through the ranks at Middlesbrough where he won the FA Youth Cup in 2004. After leaving Middlesbrough, Liddle signed for local League Two side Hartlepool United where he would play an important role in Hartlepool's promotion to League One as runners-up. He would remain at the League One side for six seasons before departing for Notts County in 2012. Liddle won several individual awards in his first season with the Magpies and would stay with Notts County for two years before subsequently signing for Bradford City, Chesterfield, Carlisle United and Walsall. He was sent on loan to former club Hartlepool United in 2019 who were now in the National League. He then signed permanently for the club where he would play an integral role in central defence as Hartlepool won the 2021 National League play-off final. He left at the end of Hartlepool's first season back in the Football League having made 364 appearances over three spells at the club, making him the tenth highest appearance maker in the club's history. Liddle then joined Northern Premier League side South Shields.

Career

Middlesbrough

Liddle was born in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire.[5] He began his career with hometown side Middlesbrough. He was a regular in the academy sides and won the 2003–04 FA Youth Cup. He signed a professional contract with Middlesbrough on 14 July 2003.[6]

Hartlepool United

In August 2006, Liddle joined nearby League Two club Hartlepool United on a free transfer, signed by Danny Wilson.[7] He made his debut in a League Cup win at Burnley on 22 August 2006 in central defence.[8][9] He made a good impression during his first season with Hartlepool and performed well at right-back, centre-half and midfield. He shared the Players' Player of the Year award with Michael Nelson that year as Pools were promoted back to League One at the first attempt.[10][11] He remained a mainstay in the side in the following seasons. In 2010, Liddle was booked in a game at Leyton Orient, which meant an instant suspension was triggered after collecting his 10th yellow card of the season. However, no-one at the club realised he had been cautioned and he played 48 hours later against Brighton & Hove Albion. Pools then recognised later he should have not appeared and informed the FA. Pools were charged with fielding an ineligible player and deducted 3 points. That meant with 1 game of the season to go, they were in a relegation battle, but a draw at Brentford on the final day of the season kept them up.[12]

On 13 August 2011, while playing in a home league match against Walsall, Liddle suffered an injury, as his zygomatic bone became fractured in two places. He was able to complete the match, which ended in a 1–1 draw. However, he was sidelined afterwards. For his return to playing, he wore a protective mask.[13]

On 19 May 2012, it was announced that Liddle was released from Hartlepool United after six years after he rejected a new deal. He made 238 appearances for the club during his first spell with the club.[citation needed]

Notts County

Liddle signed for League One club Notts County on 21 June 2012 on a two-year contract. Liddle stated that it was Keith Curle's desire to manage in the Championship that played a big part in the switch. "Keith wants to manage in the Championship with Notts. That's why I came here. Hopefully I can help him do that".[14] Before the start of the 2012–13 season, Liddle admitted there was a challenge to earn a first team spot. "It's the most competitive squad I've ever been in, If I get the shirt I will have to play well to keep it and if I'm not in the team I'll have to work even harder in training to get in there."[15]

He made his competitive debut for the club in a 2–1 victory over Crewe Alexandra, partnering Dean Leacock in the centre of defence.[16] Liddle made a good start to his career at Notts County and was awarded the PFA Fans' Player of the Month for September, continuing to play at centre back, he ensured County remained unbeaten in that month.[17]

Liddle made his final and 46th league appearance of the season against Coventry City. It meant he had played every minute of the 2012–13 season, equalling a record last set by County's Pedro Richards 30 years ago. He then won four awards at the clubs' end of season award ceremony. Including; The Manager's Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year, Fans' Player of the Year and the Supporters' Club Player of the Year.[18]

Bradford City

Liddle signed for Bradford City on 9 June 2014 on a one-year contract with the option of an additional year.[19] He made his debut on 9 August 2016 in a 3–2 home win against Coventry City.[20]

Chesterfield

Liddle signed for Chesterfield on 1 February 2016 for an undisclosed fee.[21] He was named the club's captain. Liddle was sent off in his third appearance for the 'Spireites', on 16 February 2016 in an away game to Colchester United for an 18th minute foul.[22] Liddle scored his first goal for the club on 13 August 2016, scoring the first in a 3–1 victory over Swindon Town, heading into an empty net after a Ched Evans free kick was saved.[23]

Carlisle United

Liddle signed for League Two club Carlisle United on 13 January 2017 on a one-and-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[24] He was released by Carlisle at the end of the 2018–19 season.[25]

Walsall

On 26 July 2019, Liddle moved to Walsall, signed by his former Hartlepool teammate Darrell Clarke.[26] He made 16 appearances for The Saddlers, before leaving on loan for his former club Hartlepool United, in the National League where he played as a central defender.[27]

Return to Hartlepool United

Liddle re-signed for Hartlepool permanently for a second time after a successful loan spell in the previous season from Walsall.[28] Liddle's first appearance in his third spell at Hartlepool saw him reach the landmark of 300 appearances for Hartlepool United in a 2–1 win against Aldershot Town.[29][30] Liddle played in the 2021 National League play-off final as Hartlepool defeated Torquay United on penalties to earn promotion back to the Football League.[31] Following their promotion, Liddle signed a new one-year deal with the club.[32] On 5 March 2022, Liddle made his 700th career appearance in a 2–1 win at Harrogate Town.[33]

On 6 June 2022, it was announced that Liddle had decided to leave Hartlepool upon the expiration of his contract.[34] During his three spells with Hartlepool United, Liddle made 364 appearances, making him the tenth highest appearance maker in the club's history.[35]

South Shields

On the same day Liddle announced his departure from Hartlepool, he signed for South Shields.[36] He played every minute for Shields during the 2022–23 season and won the Player[37] and Players' Player of the Year Awards[38] as the club won promotion to the National League North.[39] Additionally, he was also named in the 2022–23 Northern Premier League team of the season.[40]

Career statistics

As of 26 December 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Hartlepool United 2006–07[41] League Two 42 3 2 0 2 0 1[a] 1 47 4
2007–08[42] League One 41 2 2 1 2 0 2[a] 0 47 3
2008–09[43] League One 43 0 5 1 3 0 1[a] 0 52 1
2009–10[44] League One 41 3 1 0 2 0 1[a] 0 45 3
2010–11[45] League One 42 6 4 0 2 0 3[a] 0 51 6
2011–12[46] League One 39 4 1 0 1 0 1[a] 0 42 4
Total 248 18 15 2 12 0 9 1 284 21
Notts County 2012–13[47] League One 46 0 3 0 0 0 2[a] 0 51 0
2013–14[48] League One 32 4 1 0 1 0 3[a] 0 37 4
Total 78 4 4 0 1 0 5 0 88 4
Bradford City 2014–15[20] League One 41 1 7 0 2 0 0 0 50 1
2015–16[49] League One 20 2 4 1 1 0 1[a] 0 26 3
Total 61 3 11 1 3 0 1 0 76 4
Chesterfield 2015–16[49] League One 15 0 — — — 15 0
2016–17[50] League One 26 1 2 0 1 0 2[b] 0 31 1
Total 41 1 2 0 1 0 2 0 46 1
Carlisle United 2016–17[50] League Two 21 1 — — 2[c] 0 23 1
2017–18[51] League Two 41 0 5 0 2 0 1[b] 0 49 0
2018–19[52] League Two 39 1 2 0 1 0 3[b] 0 45 1
Total 101 2 7 0 3 0 6 0 117 2
Walsall 2019–20[53] League Two 12 0 1 0 0 0 3[b] 0 16 0
Hartlepool United 2019–20[3] National League 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0
2020–21[3] National League 23 0 1 0 0 0 3[d] 0 27 0
2021–22[54] League Two 32 0 5 0 1 0 0 0 38 0
Total 70 0 6 0 1 0 3 0 80 0
South Shields 2022–23[55] NPL Premier Division 42 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 45 2
2023–24[3] National League North 23 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 25 0
Total 65 2 4 0 0 0 1 0 70 2
Career total 676 30 50 3 21 0 30 1 777 34
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  3. ^ Appearances in League Two play-offs
  4. ^ Appearances in National League play-offs

Honours

Middlesbrough

Hartlepool United

South Shields

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Notts County" (PDF). English Football League. p. 72. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  2. ^ "Gary Liddle". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d "G. Liddle: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  4. ^ "Gary Liddle". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  5. ^ Gallagher, Luke (10 June 2014). "10 things you should know about Gary Liddle". Bradford City A.F.C. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  6. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 252. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  7. ^ Joe Ramage (26 August 2023). "Gary Liddle reflects on his second Hartlepool United exit and the biggest 'disappointment' since". Hartlepool Mail via Yahoo! News. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  8. ^ Nick Loughlin (25 August 2009). "Liddle back on the defensive ahead of cup clash". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  9. ^ "Burnley 0–1 Hartlepool United - 22 August 2006". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Gary Liddle". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Wycombe Wanderers 0, Hartlepool United 1". ChronicleLive. 15 April 2007. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  12. ^ John Ashdown (6 May 2010). "Hartlepool deducted three points for fielding suspended player". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  13. ^ "Gary Liddle return delayed – Pools boss Mick Wadsworth". BBC Sport. 18 August 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  14. ^ "Notts County seal deal for Hartlepool's Gary Liddle". BBC Sport. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  15. ^ "Liddle: I face biggest fight of my career | This is Nottingham". Archived from the original on 5 May 2013.
  16. ^ "Crewe 1 Notts County 2". BBC Sport. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  17. ^ "Robin van Persie leads the way in monthly PFA Fans' awards". Sky Sports. 26 October 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
  18. ^ "Liddle Sweeps Up at Awards Night". Notts County F.C. 1 May 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  19. ^ "Bradford City sign Gary Liddle as Nathan Doyle exits". BBC Sport. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  20. ^ a b "Games played by Gary Liddle in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  21. ^ "Gary Liddle, Connor Dimaio and Tom Anderson join Chesterfield" BBC Sport. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  22. ^ "Colchester United 1–1 Chesterfield" BBC Sport. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  23. ^ "Chesterfield 3–1 Swindon Town" BBC Sport. 13 August 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  24. ^ "Gary Liddle: Carlisle bring in Chesterfield midfielder". BBC Sport. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  25. ^ "Carlisle United release eight players after League Two season completed". BBC Sport. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  26. ^ "Walsall: Zak Jules, Gary Liddle and Rory Holden all sign for League Two club". BBC Sport. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  27. ^ "Liddle happy to be back at Hartlepool". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  28. ^ "Pools sign Gary Liddle". Hartlepool United FC. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  29. ^ "Gary Liddle today celebrated his 300th appearance for Pools". Hartlepool United F.C. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2021 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ "Hartlepool 2–1 Aldershot - HUFC Appearance Stats". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  31. ^ "National League promotion final". BBC Sport. 20 June 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  32. ^ "Gary Liddle stays". www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk. 6 July 2021.
  33. ^ Joe Ramage (7 March 2022). "Graeme Lee hails 'unbelievable' Gary Liddle as the former Notts County, Bradford City, Chesterfield, Carlisle United and Walsall defender reaches landmark appearance". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  34. ^ "Gary Liddle: Hartlepool United defender to leave club". BBC Sport. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  35. ^ "Stats PLAYER - Most Games". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  36. ^ "Gary Liddle To Join On July 1st". South Shields FC. 6 June 2022.
  37. ^ a b @SouthShieldsFC (16 April 2023). "Player of the Year Winner: Gary Liddle Sponsored by Shaun Matthias and presented by Karen and Billy Skipper" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  38. ^ a b @SouthShieldsFC (16 April 2023). "Players' Player of the Year Winner: Gary Liddle Sponsored by 1st Cloud Accountants and presented by Steven Tuckwell" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  39. ^ a b Joe Ramage (11 April 2023). "Ex-Hartlepool United contingent earn promotion to National League North". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  40. ^ a b @NorthernPremLge (15 June 2023). "THE @PitchingIn_ NPL PREMIER DIVISION TEAM OF THE SEASON" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  41. ^ "Games played by Gary Liddle in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  42. ^ "Games played by Gary Liddle in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  43. ^ "Games played by Gary Liddle in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  44. ^ "Games played by Gary Liddle in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  45. ^ "Games played by Gary Liddle in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  46. ^ "Games played by Gary Liddle in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  47. ^ "Games played by Gary Liddle in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  48. ^ "Games played by Gary Liddle in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  49. ^ a b "Games played by Gary Liddle in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  50. ^ a b "Games played by Gary Liddle in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  51. ^ "Games played by Gary Liddle in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  52. ^ "Games played by Gary Liddle in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  53. ^ "Games played by Gary Liddle in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  54. ^ "Games played by Gary Liddle in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  55. ^ "South Shields | Appearances | Gary Liddle | 2022-2023 | Football Web Pages". www.footballwebpages.co.uk.
  56. ^ "FA Youth Cup: What happened to the Boro players who won the cup in 2004?". Teesside Live. Reach. 29 April 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  57. ^ "Wycombe 0–1 Hartlepool". BBC Sport. 14 April 2007. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  58. ^ Pilnick, Brent (20 June 2021). "Hartlepool United 1–1 Torquay United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  59. ^ a b c Vincent, Dane (1 May 2013). "Liddle sweeps up at awards night". Notts County F.C. Retrieved 3 August 2018.

External links

Hartlepool United F.C. Player of the Year
Notts County F.C. – Player of the Year
Categories