Luke Medley
Encyclopedia
Luke Anthony Cleve Medley (born 21 June 1989) is an English
footballer who plays for Lincoln City
on loan from Kidderminster Harriers
. As a junior, he was on the books of Welwyn Garden City
, Barnet
and Tottenham Hotspur. He joined Bradford City
in 2007, and later the same year scored with his first touch in league
football. He played on loan for Cambridge City
, but left Bradford after just one season to return to London
, and re-signed for Barnet. During his time with Barnet, he had loan spells twice at Havant & Waterlooville
and Woking
before he dropped back into non-league to sign for Mansfield Town.
, London
, Medley attended Southgate College
, where he played for the college football side which lost in the 2006 English Colleges' Football League Championship Final to Gateshead College
. Medley also played for Welwyn Garden City
, making his debut at the age of 16. During his time with Welwyn Garden City, the club were removed from the 2005–06 Football Association Challenge Vase
competition, after Medley played against Newmarket Town
despite being not registered by the qualification date.
Medley left Welwyn Garden City in 2006 to join Barnet
's London-based Protec Football Academy, where he stayed for eight months, before graduating to the youth side of Premier League's Tottenham Hotspur
, along with defender
Chris Casey. Medley was released by Tottenham and was instead picked up by Bradford City
under the caretaker management of David Wetherall
following a trial.
. The goal was scored with his first touch on his professional first team debut. He played another three games before he joined Cambridge City
on loan on 11 January 2008. He came close to scoring on his Cambridge debut the following day, when he struck the post in a 1–0 FA Trophy
defeat to Droylsden
, with his Bradford teammate Sean Taylforth
on the opposing side. Medley played six games during his loan spell, including five in the Conference South
, but failed to score.
He returned to Bradford, and made several more appearances as substitute. On 29 April 2008, Medley was offered a new contract to remain at Bradford, having played eight games for the club. Four days later, he scored on his first start for the club, when he converted a 44th minute penalty against Wycombe Wanderers
on the final day of the 2007–08
season. However, he decided to turn down City's contract offer, because he wanted to move closer to his London roots. He had scored two goals from just nine games during his time with Bradford.
as a second half substitute against Chesterfield
. Barnet lost the game 3–1. Medley's first goal for Barnet came in his eighth league game, as they defeated Rotherham United
4–3 despite playing the game with ten men for an hour. It was Medley's only goal from 20 appearances in all competitions, including 17 in the league, before Christmas; he was subsequently dropped from the team and found more competition for places when Barnet signed 40-year-old striker Paul Furlong
.
After failing to play for Barnet during 2009, he was loaned out to Conference South
side Havant & Waterlooville
in March for one month. Medley's debut came just one day after signing as he helped Havant to defeat Weston-super-Mare 1–0 in their fight against relegation, with Medley coming close to scoring. He scored his first goal for Havant on his home debut during a 3–3 draw with Maidenhead United
. His second goal came in a 3–0 win over Fisher Athletic
.
In July 2009, he joined Conference South
side Woking
on a six-month loan. Medley made his debut in the opening day of the season in Woking's first ever game in the Conference South—a game they won 2–1, before scoring his first goal in the club's second game just three days later against Chelmsford City
, which Woking went on to lose. Woking claimed to have cancelled the loan in September, with manager Graham Baker
confirming this was for disciplinary reasons. However, Barnet confirmed that the terms of the loan meant that it could not technically be cancelled, and therefore Woking decided to discipline Medley and make him available for selection again. He returned to the side and scored his first FA Cup
goal to help Woking defeat Maidstone United
and put them just one round away from the full stages of the competition. In February 2010, he rejoined Havant & Waterlooville on loan. He played 13 games during his loan spell but failed to score. Medley returned to Barnet in April and made his first appearance for the Bees in almost a year against Accrington Stanley
. However, Medley was one of a number of players that Barnet released at the end of the season.
, Gillingham
and Conference National
-side Mansfield Town
, before signing for the latter on a six-month deal thanks to fans group the 12th Stags, which helped to pay for some of his wages. Medley was a second-half substitute for Keigan Parker
when making his debut for Mansfield in a 3–1 victory against Forest Green Rovers
on the opening day of the 2010–11 Conference season. A week later, he scored his first goal and made another as Mansfield defeated Kidderminster Harriers
3–1. Medley had come on at half-time in the game, with Mansfield one goal down, and his performance was described as one that "terrified Kidderminster with his power and pace". After three appearances as substitute, Medley was rewarded for his display against Kidderminster by being given his first start for Mansfield in their next game, which finished in a 1–1 draw with Kettering Town
. Medley remained a squad member but was still regularly used as a substitute and in one such appearance at the end of September, he scored twice in a game for the first time, to help lift Mansfield to the top of the table. Medley's contract was also extended to the end of the season following a club takeover. However, in February 2011, he asked to go out on loan, with Mansfield's new manager Duncan Russell saying: "He is not training hard enough and he has upset other players. You are trying to do things but you have a young man bucking the trend. I have to be fair to everyone and Luke won't feature unless he changes his professional attitude and opinions."
on a one-year contract. In November 2011, Medley joined fellow Conference side Lincoln City
on loan until the New Year.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
footballer who plays for Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
on loan from Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
. As a junior, he was on the books of Welwyn Garden City
Welwyn Garden City F.C.
Welwyn Garden City F.C. is a football club based in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire . They currently play in Spartan South Midlands League Division One, Step 6 of the National League System.-External links:*...
, Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
and Tottenham Hotspur. He joined Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
in 2007, and later the same year scored with his first touch in 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...
football. He played on loan for Cambridge City
Cambridge City F.C.
Cambridge City Football Club is an English football club currently playing in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:The club was founded in 1908 Cambridge Town F.C., as Cambridge had not been granted city status at that point, and were committed to amateur sport...
, but left Bradford after just one season to return to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and re-signed for Barnet. During his time with Barnet, he had loan spells twice at Havant & Waterlooville
Havant & Waterlooville F.C.
Havant & Waterlooville Football Club are an English football club based in Havant, Hampshire. The club formed in 1998 after a merger between Havant Town and Waterlooville, and are currently members of the Conference South. Nicknamed The Hawks, they play at West Leigh Park.-History:In 1998 Havant...
and Woking
Woking F.C.
Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the...
before he dropped back into non-league to sign for Mansfield Town.
Early career
Born in GreenwichGreenwich
Greenwich is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.Greenwich is best known for its maritime history and for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Medley attended Southgate College
Southgate College
Southgate College campus is located in the London Borough of Enfield, and situated beside the Southgate's main shopping centre and within a 200m walk of the Southgate tube station on the Piccadilly Line...
, where he played for the college football side which lost in the 2006 English Colleges' Football League Championship Final to Gateshead College
Gateshead College
Gateshead College is a further education college in the town of Gateshead, England. Established on November 15, 1955 at Durham Road in Low Fell, Gateshead, the original campus was closed as part of a planned move in January 2008. The college moved into a £39 million new main site located at the...
. Medley also played for Welwyn Garden City
Welwyn Garden City F.C.
Welwyn Garden City F.C. is a football club based in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire . They currently play in Spartan South Midlands League Division One, Step 6 of the National League System.-External links:*...
, making his debut at the age of 16. During his time with Welwyn Garden City, the club were removed from the 2005–06 Football Association Challenge Vase
FA Vase
The Football Association Challenge Vase is an annual football competition for teams playing below Step 4 of the English National League System...
competition, after Medley played against Newmarket Town
Newmarket Town F.C.
Newmarket Town F.C. is an English football club based in Newmarket, Suffolk. The club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at Cricket Field Road.The club is affiliated to the Suffolk County FA.-History:...
despite being not registered by the qualification date.
Medley left Welwyn Garden City in 2006 to join Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
's London-based Protec Football Academy, where he stayed for eight months, before graduating to the youth side of Premier League's Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, along with defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
Chris Casey. Medley was released by Tottenham and was instead picked up by Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
under the caretaker management of David Wetherall
David Wetherall
David Wetherall is an English former footballer who played as a central defender, finishing his playing career with Bradford City at the end of the 2007–08 season. Born in Sheffield, he supported Sheffield Wednesday as a child, and started his playing career there...
following a trial.
Bradford City
Medley scored the winning goal on his Bradford debut in their 2–1 league victory over Wrexham on 25 August 2007, a volley from outside the area, just two minutes after coming on as a substituteSubstitute (football)
In association football, a substitute is a player who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. Substitutions are generally made to replace a player who has become tired or injured, or who is not performing well; there may also be tactical reasons such as...
. The goal was scored with his first touch on his professional first team debut. He played another three games before he joined Cambridge City
Cambridge City F.C.
Cambridge City Football Club is an English football club currently playing in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:The club was founded in 1908 Cambridge Town F.C., as Cambridge had not been granted city status at that point, and were committed to amateur sport...
on loan on 11 January 2008. He came close to scoring on his Cambridge debut the following day, when he struck the post in a 1–0 FA Trophy
FA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
defeat to Droylsden
Droylsden F.C.
Droylsden F.C. is an English football club based in Droylsden, near Manchester. As of the 2011–12 season, they play in the Conference North.-History:...
, with his Bradford teammate Sean Taylforth
Sean Taylforth
Sean James Taylforth is an English footballer playing for Northwich Victoria. He is a striker or a winger.-Career:Taylforth rose through the trainee ranks at Bradford City. He made his debut in a Football League Trophy game against Doncaster Rovers on 4 September 2007 which Bradford lost 5–1...
on the opposing side. Medley played six games during his loan spell, including five in the Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
, but failed to score.
He returned to Bradford, and made several more appearances as substitute. On 29 April 2008, Medley was offered a new contract to remain at Bradford, having played eight games for the club. Four days later, he scored on his first start for the club, when he converted a 44th minute penalty against Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
on the final day of the 2007–08
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
season. However, he decided to turn down City's contract offer, because he wanted to move closer to his London roots. He had scored two goals from just nine games during his time with Bradford.
Barnet
Less than three weeks later, Medley returned to former club Barnet, becoming the League Two side's first signing of the summer. Barnet eventually had to pay Bradford City £7,500 for Medley following a tribunal hearing. He made his Barnet debut on the opening day of the 2008–092008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
as a second half substitute against Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
. Barnet lost the game 3–1. Medley's first goal for Barnet came in his eighth league game, as they defeated Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
4–3 despite playing the game with ten men for an hour. It was Medley's only goal from 20 appearances in all competitions, including 17 in the league, before Christmas; he was subsequently dropped from the team and found more competition for places when Barnet signed 40-year-old striker Paul Furlong
Paul Furlong
Paul Furlong is an English professional footballer, currently playing for St Albans City in a player/coach role.-Career:...
.
After failing to play for Barnet during 2009, he was loaned out to Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
side Havant & Waterlooville
Havant & Waterlooville F.C.
Havant & Waterlooville Football Club are an English football club based in Havant, Hampshire. The club formed in 1998 after a merger between Havant Town and Waterlooville, and are currently members of the Conference South. Nicknamed The Hawks, they play at West Leigh Park.-History:In 1998 Havant...
in March for one month. Medley's debut came just one day after signing as he helped Havant to defeat Weston-super-Mare 1–0 in their fight against relegation, with Medley coming close to scoring. He scored his first goal for Havant on his home debut during a 3–3 draw with Maidenhead United
Maidenhead United F.C.
Maidenhead United Football Club is an English football club in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The club was founded in 1870 and moved to their current ground at York Road the following year...
. His second goal came in a 3–0 win over Fisher Athletic
Fisher Athletic F.C.
Fisher Athletic F.C. was a semi-professional football club from South East London, which last played in the Conference South, which is one of the two leagues that form the sixth tier of the English football league system. The Bermondsey-based club ground-shared at Champion Hill Stadium, the home...
.
In July 2009, he joined Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
side Woking
Woking F.C.
Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the...
on a six-month loan. Medley made his debut in the opening day of the season in Woking's first ever game in the Conference South—a game they won 2–1, before scoring his first goal in the club's second game just three days later against Chelmsford City
Chelmsford City F.C.
Chelmsford City F.C. is an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Chelmsford, Essex. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at the Melbourne Stadium.-Chelmsford:...
, which Woking went on to lose. Woking claimed to have cancelled the loan in September, with manager Graham Baker
Graham Baker
Graham Baker is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder for Southampton, Manchester City and Fulham.-Southampton:...
confirming this was for disciplinary reasons. However, Barnet confirmed that the terms of the loan meant that it could not technically be cancelled, and therefore Woking decided to discipline Medley and make him available for selection again. He returned to the side and scored his first FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
goal to help Woking defeat Maidstone United
Maidstone United F.C.
Maidstone United Football Club is an English football team from Maidstone, Kent.The current club is a continuation of the old Maidstone United, which was a member of the Football League between 1989 and 1992. The club was forced out of the league by financial ruin but the youth squad formed the...
and put them just one round away from the full stages of the competition. In February 2010, he rejoined Havant & Waterlooville on loan. He played 13 games during his loan spell but failed to score. Medley returned to Barnet in April and made his first appearance for the Bees in almost a year against Accrington Stanley
Accrington Stanley F.C.
Accrington Stanley is an English association football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the North West of England, who play in Football League Two, the fourth-highest division in the English football league system....
. However, Medley was one of a number of players that Barnet released at the end of the season.
Mansfield Town
Medley spent time on trial with HistonHiston F.C.
Histon Football Club is an English football club based in the twin villages of Histon and Impington, approximately north of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. From the 2007–08 season they competed in the Conference National, the highest level that the club has ever reached in the English football league...
, Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
and Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
-side Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
, before signing for the latter on a six-month deal thanks to fans group the 12th Stags, which helped to pay for some of his wages. Medley was a second-half substitute for Keigan Parker
Keigan Parker
Keigan Parker is a Scottish footballer who plays for non-league A.F.C. Fylde.-St. Johnstone:Parker, a striker, started his career with Scottish club St. Johnstone, where he made a promising start to his career and was being tipped by many to have a big future. While at St. Johnstone, he gained...
when making his debut for Mansfield in a 3–1 victory against Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers F.C.
Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...
on the opening day of the 2010–11 Conference season. A week later, he scored his first goal and made another as Mansfield defeated Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
3–1. Medley had come on at half-time in the game, with Mansfield one goal down, and his performance was described as one that "terrified Kidderminster with his power and pace". After three appearances as substitute, Medley was rewarded for his display against Kidderminster by being given his first start for Mansfield in their next game, which finished in a 1–1 draw with Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
. Medley remained a squad member but was still regularly used as a substitute and in one such appearance at the end of September, he scored twice in a game for the first time, to help lift Mansfield to the top of the table. Medley's contract was also extended to the end of the season following a club takeover. However, in February 2011, he asked to go out on loan, with Mansfield's new manager Duncan Russell saying: "He is not training hard enough and he has upset other players. You are trying to do things but you have a young man bucking the trend. I have to be fair to everyone and Luke won't feature unless he changes his professional attitude and opinions."
Kidderminster Harriers
Medley left Mansfield in the summer and joined Kidderminster HarriersKidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
on a one-year contract. In November 2011, Medley joined fellow Conference side Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
on loan until the New Year.
Career statistics
- Updated to 21 November 2010.
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C.Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....2007–08 Bradford City A.F.C. season 2007–08The 2007–08 season was the 105th season in Bradford City A.F.C.'s history, their 93rd in The Football League and 95th in the league system of English football. After finishing 22nd in League One during the 2006–07 season, Bradford City were relegated to League Two meaning the season...9 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 2 Cambridge City Cambridge City F.C.Cambridge City Football Club is an English football club currently playing in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:The club was founded in 1908 Cambridge Town F.C., as Cambridge had not been granted city status at that point, and were committed to amateur sport...
(loan)2007–08 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 Barnet Barnet F.C.Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....2008–09 18 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 20 1 Havant & Waterlooville Havant & Waterlooville F.C.Havant & Waterlooville Football Club are an English football club based in Havant, Hampshire. The club formed in 1998 after a merger between Havant Town and Waterlooville, and are currently members of the Conference South. Nicknamed The Hawks, they play at West Leigh Park.-History:In 1998 Havant...
(loan)2008–09 8 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 2 Woking Woking F.C.Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the...
(loan)2009–10 17 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 19 3 Havant & Waterlooville Havant & Waterlooville F.C.Havant & Waterlooville Football Club are an English football club based in Havant, Hampshire. The club formed in 1998 after a merger between Havant Town and Waterlooville, and are currently members of the Conference South. Nicknamed The Hawks, they play at West Leigh Park.-History:In 1998 Havant...
(loan)2009–10 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0 Barnet Barnet F.C.Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....2009–10 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Mansfield Town Mansfield Town F.C.Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...2010–11 16 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 5 Career totals 86 12 3 1 1 0 2 0 92 13