Riccardo Scimeca
Encyclopedia
Riccardo Scimeca is an English
former professional footballer who played for Aston Villa
, Nottingham Forest
, Leicester City
, West Bromwich Albion
and Cardiff City
in a career spanning 16 years, making over 400 appearances. During his career, he also attained one cap for the England B
team.
, coming through the club's youth system, as a centre forward and was largely a squad player until his move to Nottingham Forest
in 1999 for £3 million. He spent four seasons at the City Ground
, and took over as captain when Steve Chettle
left in his first season. However Chris Bart-Williams
was appointed captain the following season. Scimeca was consistent and reliable in his spell at Forest, playing in various positions. He featured regularly in central defence and midfield. But also had spells at right back and right-midfield. He scored 4 goals in his second season. In the 2001/02 season he formed a solid defensive partnership with Jon Olav Hjelde
. In his last season 2002/03 which Forest made the play-offs, Paul Hart
deployed him in a defensive midfield role within a diamond 4-4-2 formation. He scored 4 goals during this season, and played a prominent role throughout his four years at the club.
He moved on to Leicester City
in 2003, on a free transfer after failing to agree a new deal. At Leicester he scored once in a 4–3 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on 25 October 2003. Scimeca then moved to West Bromwich Albion
a year later by activating a get-out clause in his contract which allowed him to leave Leicester, before his transfer to Cardiff City in early 2006.
, Scimeca became an important part of the Cardiff side under manager Dave Jones and also developed something of a goal scoring touch which he admitted surprised him. At the beginning of the 2007–08 season he was sidelined with a groin injury and started the season on the treatment table. He attempted a comeback in August in a reserve match against Plymouth Argyle
but only lasted twelve minutes after suffering a recurrence of the injury. He again came close to a return in December 2007 after having an operation on his groin injury but suffered another setback after he contracted the MRSA virus after the incision failed to fully heal. He made his long awaited return for Cardiff on 19 February 2008, by playing for 45 minutes against Newport County
in the FAW Premier Cup
, his first appearance for the Bluebirds for nearly a year. He went on to make a total of 11 appearances in all competitions during the season, mostly as a substitute in order to return to match fitness.
The start of the 2008–09 season looked to be more promising for Scimeca as he began the season fully fit and an injury to Gavin Rae
saw him back into the first team early in the year, but he went on to suffer another injury setback after seriously damaging ankle ligaments during a 2–1 victory over Milton Keynes Dons
in the second round of the Football League Cup
. He returned to the squad for the first time on 22 November 2008 when he was named on the bench for a 2–1 defeat against Plymouth Argyle but did not make an appearance until the following week when he came on as a late substitute in the South Wales derby
against Swansea City
on 6 December. Despite his return, he made just two more appearances for the side during the rest of the season. In the 2009–10 season Scimeca made his 400th career appearance against his former club Aston Villa
on 23 September 2009 in the League Cup
. He returned to the starting line-up on 5 December in a 1–0 win over Preston North End
and played in the following game against his former club West Bromwich Albion
, where Cardiff won 2–0. After suffering a recurrence of a groin injury, Scimeca announced his retirement as a player on 17 December 2009.
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...
former professional footballer who played for Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
, Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
, 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 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 a career spanning 16 years, making over 400 appearances. During his career, he also attained one cap for the England B
England B national football team
England B is a secondary football team run occasionally as support for the England national football team. At times they have played other nations' full teams; they have also played matches against 'B' teams from other football associations...
team.
Career
Scimeca started his career at Aston VillaAston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, coming through the club's youth system, as a centre forward and was largely a squad player until his move to Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
in 1999 for £3 million. He spent four seasons at the City Ground
City Ground
The City Ground is a football stadium in the West Bridgford area of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, on the banks of the River Trent. It has been home to Nottingham Forest Football Club since 1898, and has a capacity of 30,602 ....
, and took over as captain when Steve Chettle
Steve Chettle
Stephen "Steve" Chettle is an English former footballer who currently works as the U13 team coach at Nottingham Forest. He is best known for his time as a player at Forest...
left in his first season. However Chris Bart-Williams
Chris Bart-Williams
Christopher Gerald Bart-Williams is a Sierra Leonean-born English former footballer. His position was defence or midfield....
was appointed captain the following season. Scimeca was consistent and reliable in his spell at Forest, playing in various positions. He featured regularly in central defence and midfield. But also had spells at right back and right-midfield. He scored 4 goals in his second season. In the 2001/02 season he formed a solid defensive partnership with Jon Olav Hjelde
Jon Olav Hjelde
Jon Olav Hjelde is a Norwegian former footballer who played as a central defender.Hjelde began his career at his local team Vuku, which competed in the Norwegian Third Division. He joined Rosenborg in 1994, where he became backup to the team's regular central defenders Erik Hoftun and Bjørn Otto...
. In his last season 2002/03 which Forest made the play-offs, Paul Hart
Paul Hart
Paul Hart is an English football manager and former football defender, who is currently Academy Director at Charlton Athletic. The son of Johnny Hart, a football inside forward and manager, Hart had five-year spells with both Blackpool and Leeds United, while also playing for Nottingham Forest and...
deployed him in a defensive midfield role within a diamond 4-4-2 formation. He scored 4 goals during this season, and played a prominent role throughout his four years at the club.
He moved on to Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
in 2003, on a free transfer after failing to agree a new deal. At Leicester he scored once in a 4–3 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on 25 October 2003. Scimeca then moved to 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...
a year later by activating a get-out clause in his contract which allowed him to leave Leicester, before his transfer to Cardiff City in early 2006.
Cardiff City
In his first year at Ninian ParkNinian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
, Scimeca became an important part of the Cardiff side under manager Dave Jones and also developed something of a goal scoring touch which he admitted surprised him. At the beginning of the 2007–08 season he was sidelined with a groin injury and started the season on the treatment table. He attempted a comeback in August in a reserve match against Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
but only lasted twelve minutes after suffering a recurrence of the injury. He again came close to a return in December 2007 after having an operation on his groin injury but suffered another setback after he contracted the MRSA virus after the incision failed to fully heal. He made his long awaited return for Cardiff on 19 February 2008, by playing for 45 minutes against Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
in the FAW Premier Cup
FAW Premier Cup
The FAW Premier Cup is a defunct Welsh football cup competition, organised annually by the Football Association of Wales from 1997 to 2008...
, his first appearance for the Bluebirds for nearly a year. He went on to make a total of 11 appearances in all competitions during the season, mostly as a substitute in order to return to match fitness.
The start of the 2008–09 season looked to be more promising for Scimeca as he began the season fully fit and an injury to Gavin Rae
Gavin Rae
Gavin Paul Rae is a Scottish international footballer, who currently plays for Scottish First Division club Dundee. Rae started his career with Dundee, making over 200 league appearances for the club. He moved to Rangers in January 2004, but struggled to hold down a regular place in their team due...
saw him back into the first team early in the year, but he went on to suffer another injury setback after seriously damaging ankle ligaments during a 2–1 victory over Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
in the second round of the Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
. He returned to the squad for the first time on 22 November 2008 when he was named on the bench for a 2–1 defeat against Plymouth Argyle but did not make an appearance until the following week when he came on as a late substitute in the South Wales derby
South Wales derby
The South Wales derby is a football local derby between Welsh clubs Cardiff City and Swansea City and is regarded as one of the most fierce rivalries in British football....
against Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
on 6 December. Despite his return, he made just two more appearances for the side during the rest of the season. In the 2009–10 season Scimeca made his 400th career appearance against his former club Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
on 23 September 2009 in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
. He returned to the starting line-up on 5 December in a 1–0 win over Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
and played in the following game against his former club 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...
, where Cardiff won 2–0. After suffering a recurrence of a groin injury, Scimeca announced his retirement as a player on 17 December 2009.
Club statistics
As of 17 December 2009| Club | Season | 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... |
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... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Aston Villa Aston Villa F.C. Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder... |
1995–96 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| 1996–97 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | |
| 1997–98 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 26 | 0 | |
| 1998–99 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 2 | |
| Subtotal | 71 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 88 | 2 | |
| Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest F.C. Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship... |
1999–00 | 38 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 0 |
| 2000–01 | 36 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 4 | |
| 2001–02 | 37 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 | |
| 2002–03 | 42 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 4 | |
| Subtotal | 224 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 254 | 10 | |
| Leicester City Leicester City F.C. Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester... |
2003–04 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 1 |
| Subtotal | 253 | 10 | 14 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 285 | 11 | |
| 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... |
2004–05 | 33 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 |
| 2005–06 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| Subtotal | 288 | 10 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 325 | 11 | |
| 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... |
2005–06 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 |
| 2006–07 | 35 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 5 | |
| 2007–08 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2008–09 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2009–10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 358 | 16 | 20 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 403 | 17 | |
External links
- Riccardo Scimeca player profile at cardiffcityfc.co.uk
- Riccardo Scimeca player profile at wba.co.uk
- Riccardo Scimeca player profile at lcfc.co.uk