Cameron Jerome
Encyclopedia
Cameron Zishan Rana-Jerome (born 14 August 1986) is an English footballer who plays for Stoke City
as a striker. He also played for Cardiff City
in the Football League
, and for Birmingham City in the Football League and Premier League, and at international level has several caps
for the England under-21 team
.
, West Yorkshire
. As a youth, Jerome played for Stile Common, alongside Anthony Griffith
, Fraizer Campbell
, and Reuben Noble-Lazarus
; who all went on to enjoy careers as professional players. Griffith and Jerome also played for Yorkshire Counties. Jerome later joined home town club Westend Juniors before moving on to Huddersfield Town
as a junior, then moved on via Grimsby Town
, Sheffield Wednesday
and Middlesbrough
to gain a contract at Cardiff City
, after being recommended by reserve team manager Paul Wilkinson
. Jerome played under Wilkinson in Grimsby's youth system, but after Wilkinson left Blundell Park
to take up his position with Cardiff, Jerome was released by replacement Neil Woods
for being a disruptive influence.
as "one of Cardiff's rising stars", Jerome made his debut in a 0–0 draw with Leeds United
on 2 October 2004, as a substitute for Andy Campbell
, before going on to score seven goals in 32 appearances in the 2004–05 season, and was in a good run of form in the 2005–06 season, finishing top scorer for Cardiff with 20 goals.
Due to his hot form this ended him up by eventually signing for second-city club Birmingham City
. The move not only benefited Jerome but also helped Cardiff as they used the money to sign Michael Chopra
, Stephen McPhail
and Glenn Loovens
. Jerome appeared in an April 2005 FourFourTwo
article which heralded the Yorkshire forward as the eighth best player in the Football League.
, West Bromwich Albion
and Norwich City
were also said to be interested. Jerome made his debut as a 66th-minute substitute against Colchester United
at St Andrew's on 5 August. However, it was a debut to forget, as he was sent off within five minutes of entering play elbowing an opponent in the face. He netted his first goal for Birmingham against Queens Park Rangers
at Loftus Road
on 12 September. Jerome had a slow first season at St Andrew's by his own admission, scoring just 9 times in 44 games in all competitions. However, his large contribution to the Blues' promotion was well appreciated.
Jerome scored his first Premier League goal after 32 seconds of the away match against Derby County
on 25 August 2007; his second goal of that game confirmed Birmingham's first win of the 2007–08 season. He finished the season as Birmingham's second top goal scorer with 7 goals in 33 games as Birmingham were relegated. However, the Blues immediately bounced back in the 2008–09 season by finishing second in the Championship
. Jerome's 10 goals in 45 appearances was only bettered by veteran partner Kevin Phillips
in the Birmingham attack. He scored the first goal in the West Midlands derby match against Wolverhampton Wanderers as Birmingham won 2–0.
In July 2009, Jerome signed a new five-year contract with the club. He scored a spectacular first goal of the 2009–10 season to give his club a 2–1 lead against Liverpool
, described as "the kind of goal that only the likes of Gerrard
usually scores at Anfield"; he held off Javier Mascherano before "unleashing a 30-yard thunderbolt that flew beyond the reach of Reina and dipped under the crossbar". Jerome hit a purple patch as the Blues notched up a club-record fifteen consecutive games unbeaten in the Premier League, scoring crucial goals against Stoke City
, Manchester United
and two versus Blackburn Rovers
. His tenth goal of the season, a header from James McFadden
's cross, came in a 5–1 defeat away to Manchester City
. Two weeks after the final game of the season, Jerome was awarded an extra goal by the Dubious Goals Panel for his attempt against Burnley
, which had previously been attributed to a Brian Jensen own goal. This took his tally for the season to 11. Jerome was a 92nd-minute substitute as Birmingham won the 2011 League Cup
, defeating favourites Arsenal
2–1 at Wembley Stadium
.
to be £4 million. He scored on his Stoke City debut in the Europa League against Dynamo Kiev to earn his side a 1–1 draw away from home.
between 2005 and 2007 but failed to score.
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
as a striker. He also played for Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, and for Birmingham City in the Football League and Premier League, and at international level has several caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for the England under-21 team
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
.
Early career
Jerome was born in HuddersfieldHuddersfield
Huddersfield is a large market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, situated halfway between Leeds and Manchester. It lies north of London, and south of Bradford, the nearest city....
, West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
. As a youth, Jerome played for Stile Common, alongside Anthony Griffith
Anthony Griffith
Anthony James Griffith is an English-born Montserrat international footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He is also captain of his national team...
, Fraizer Campbell
Fraizer Campbell
Fraizer Lee Campbell is an English footballer who plays for Sunderland as a striker. He previously played for Manchester United, Royal Antwerp, Hull City and Tottenham Hotspur....
, and Reuben Noble-Lazarus
Reuben Noble-Lazarus
Reuben Courtney Noble-Lazarus is an English footballer who currently plays for Barnsley.- Career :At 15 years and 45 days old, he became the youngest player ever to feature in a Football League match when he came on as a substitute during Barnsley's 3–0 Championship defeat by Ipswich Town on 30...
; who all went on to enjoy careers as professional players. Griffith and Jerome also played for Yorkshire Counties. Jerome later joined home town club Westend Juniors before moving on to Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
as a junior, then moved on via Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
, Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
and Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
to gain a contract at Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, after being recommended by reserve team manager Paul Wilkinson
Paul Wilkinson (footballer)
Paul Wilkinson is a retired English football striker currently working as the reserve team manager for Cardiff City.-Career:He started his career with Grimsby Town before moving to Everton in March 1985...
. Jerome played under Wilkinson in Grimsby's youth system, but after Wilkinson left Blundell Park
Blundell Park
Blundell Park is a football ground in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England and home to Grimsby Town Football Club. The stadium was built in 1898, but only one of the original stands remain. The current capacity of the ground is 9546, though with the introduction of all seating in the late...
to take up his position with Cardiff, Jerome was released by replacement Neil Woods
Neil Woods
Neil Stephen Woods is a former English footballer who played as a striker and former manager of Grimsby Town where he also played between 1990 and 1998. He now works as the Head of Youth at Football League One side Walsall...
for being a disruptive influence.
Cardiff City
Described by the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
as "one of Cardiff's rising stars", Jerome made his debut in a 0–0 draw with Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
on 2 October 2004, as a substitute for Andy Campbell
Andy Campbell
Andrew Paul "Andy" Campbell is an English footballer, who plays for Whitby Town.-Career:Born in Middlesbrough, Campbell started his career with his hometown team Middlesbrough, whom he left for Cardiff City for £1m...
, before going on to score seven goals in 32 appearances in the 2004–05 season, and was in a good run of form in the 2005–06 season, finishing top scorer for Cardiff with 20 goals.
Due to his hot form this ended him up by eventually signing for second-city club Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
. The move not only benefited Jerome but also helped Cardiff as they used the money to sign Michael Chopra
Michael Chopra
Rocky Michael Chopra is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Ipswich Town. He is of mixed Indian and British descent....
, Stephen McPhail
Stephen McPhail
Stephen John Paul McPhail is an Irish footballer who plays for Cardiff City. He has won 10 caps for his country, the Republic of Ireland, and scored one goal...
and Glenn Loovens
Glenn Loovens
Glenn Loovens is a Dutch professional footballer currently playing as a centre back for Celtic in the Scottish Premier League...
. Jerome appeared in an April 2005 FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo
FourFourTwo is a football magazine published by Haymarket. Published monthly, costing £4.50, and at about 164 pages long, it published its 200th edition in February 2011...
article which heralded the Yorkshire forward as the eighth best player in the Football League.
Birmingham City
Jerome signed for Birmingham City on 31 May 2006, for a transfer fee reported as an initial £3 million, potentially rising to £4m. Sheffield UnitedSheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
, West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
and Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
were also said to be interested. Jerome made his debut as a 66th-minute substitute against Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
at St Andrew's on 5 August. However, it was a debut to forget, as he was sent off within five minutes of entering play elbowing an opponent in the face. He netted his first goal for Birmingham against Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
at Loftus Road
Loftus Road
Loftus Road is a football stadium in Shepherd's Bush, London. It is home to the English football team Queens Park Rangers of the Premier League and has a capacity of around 18,500. The four stands are called the Loftus Road End , Ellerslie Road Stand, South Africa Road Stand and the School End,...
on 12 September. Jerome had a slow first season at St Andrew's by his own admission, scoring just 9 times in 44 games in all competitions. However, his large contribution to the Blues' promotion was well appreciated.
Jerome scored his first Premier League goal after 32 seconds of the away match against Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
on 25 August 2007; his second goal of that game confirmed Birmingham's first win of the 2007–08 season. He finished the season as Birmingham's second top goal scorer with 7 goals in 33 games as Birmingham were relegated. However, the Blues immediately bounced back in the 2008–09 season by finishing second in the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
. Jerome's 10 goals in 45 appearances was only bettered by veteran partner Kevin Phillips
Kevin Phillips (footballer)
Kevin Mark Phillips is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Blackpool.Phillips was the Premier League top scorer in the 1999–2000 season with 30 goals for Sunderland, a tally which won him the European Golden Shoe. He remains the only Englishman to win the trophy...
in the Birmingham attack. He scored the first goal in the West Midlands derby match against Wolverhampton Wanderers as Birmingham won 2–0.
In July 2009, Jerome signed a new five-year contract with the club. He scored a spectacular first goal of the 2009–10 season to give his club a 2–1 lead against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, described as "the kind of goal that only the likes of Gerrard
Steven Gerrard
Steven George Gerrard MBE is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League club Liverpool. He also has 89 caps for the England national team. He has played much of his career in a centre midfielder role, but he has also been used as a second striker and right winger...
usually scores at Anfield"; he held off Javier Mascherano before "unleashing a 30-yard thunderbolt that flew beyond the reach of Reina and dipped under the crossbar". Jerome hit a purple patch as the Blues notched up a club-record fifteen consecutive games unbeaten in the Premier League, scoring crucial goals against Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and two versus Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
. His tenth goal of the season, a header from James McFadden
James McFadden
James McFadden is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Everton.McFadden started his career with Scottish Premier League club Motherwell. He came to prominence in the 2002–03 season by scoring 19 goals and winning the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year award....
's cross, came in a 5–1 defeat away to Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
. Two weeks after the final game of the season, Jerome was awarded an extra goal by the Dubious Goals Panel for his attempt against Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
, which had previously been attributed to a Brian Jensen own goal. This took his tally for the season to 11. Jerome was a 92nd-minute substitute as Birmingham won the 2011 League Cup
2011 Football League Cup Final
The 2011 Football League Cup Final was the final match of the 2010–11 Football League Cup, the 51st season of the Football League Cup, a football competition for the 92 teams in the Premier League and the Football League. The match was contested by Arsenal and Birmingham City, at Wembley Stadium in...
, defeating favourites Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
2–1 at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
.
Stoke City
On 31 August 2011, the last day of the transfer window, Jerome signed a four-year contract with Premier League club Stoke City for an undisclosed fee, believed by Sky SportsSky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
to be £4 million. He scored on his Stoke City debut in the Europa League against Dynamo Kiev to earn his side a 1–1 draw away from home.
International career
Jerome made 10 appearances for the England under-21 teamEngland national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
between 2005 and 2007 but failed to score.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Middlesbrough Middlesbrough F.C. Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889... |
2003–04 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
2004–05 | 29 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | – | 32 | 7 | |
| 2005–06 | 44 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | – | 47 | 20 | ||
| Total | 73 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 79 | 27 | |
| Birmingham City Birmingham City F.C. Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the... |
2006–07 | 38 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | – | 44 | 9 | |
| 2007–08 | 33 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 34 | 7 | ||
| 2008–09 | 43 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | – | 45 | 10 | ||
| 2009–10 | 32 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 36 | 11 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 Birmingham City F.C. season The 2010–11 season was Birmingham City Football Clubs seventh season in the Premier League and their 57th in the top tier of English football. It ran from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011. Led by Scotland national team manager Alex McLeish, the team finished in 18th place in the League, so were... |
34 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 0 | – | 42 | 5 | ||
| 2011–12 2011–12 Birmingham City F.C. season The 2011–12 season is Birmingham City Football Clubs 110th season in the English football league system. It runs from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012. After relegation from the Premier League in 2010–11 under previous manager Alex McLeish, the team will play in the Football League Championship under... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 181 | 37 | 12 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 202 | 42 | |
| Stoke City Stoke City F.C. Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts... |
2011–12 2011–12 Stoke City F.C. season The 2011–12 season is the 149th season in Stoke City F.C.s history, their fourth in the Premier League and 112th in the league system of English football. Their 13th place finish in the 2010–11 season means it is their fourth successive season in the Premier League... |
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 2 |
| Total | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 2 | |
| Career total | 259 | 61 | 14 | 3 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 291 | 71 | |
External links
- Profile at stokecityfc.com