Robert Duffy (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Robert "Rob" Duffy is a Welsh
professional footballer
who plays as a striker
for Conference National
side Grimsby Town
. He is a former Welsh Youth and Under-21
international, and has also played for Rushden & Diamonds
, Stamford
, Cambridge United
, Kettering Town
, Gainsborough Trinity
, Stevenage Borough
, Oxford United
, Wrexham
, Newport County and Mansfield Town
.
, played his junior football in Swansea
for Garden Village
. He came through the youth system at Charlton Athletic
, but was never offered a professional contract. Duffy followed Charlton's youth team manager Terry Westley
to Rushden & Diamonds
in 2001, where he made over 30 appearances, most as a substitute. He fractured his kneecap in a training ground accident in August 2003 and did not play again until January 2004, when he played most of a reserve game. He struggled to regain form, was loaned to non-league club Stamford
and had short spells with Cambridge United
and Kettering Town
before joining Gainsborough Trinity
in January 2006. Duffy ended the 2005–06 season at Stevenage Borough
.
by former youth development officer, Malcolm Elias
, and joined the club on a one-month trial in July 2006. He was signed by Oxford at the beginning of the 2006–07
season on a two-year contract, and was Oxford United's top scorer in that season, including a hat-trick against Forest Green Rovers
in October 2006. In September 2007, Duffy broke his left arm after falling awkwardly during a match, which sidelined him for two months. In November, he returned to action as a late substitute in the 78th minute against Ebbsfleet United, but was sent off just 20 seconds later after an off-the-ball incident with Ebbsfleet's Mark Ricketts as he went past him.
Duffy was placed on the transfer list in January 2008 as manager Darren Patterson
tried to free up funds to bring in new players, and joined Wrexham on loan later that month. He made only six substitute appearances for Wrexham and in April 2008, was released and returned to Oxford.
, he signed for Conference South
side Newport County
in July 2008.
, twin brother of his manager at Newport County, Dean Holdsworth
. Despite his lack of goals at Newport, David Holdsworth's faith in Duffy was repaid as he scored the winning goal on his Mansfield debut, going on to score eight further times as Mansfield pulled away from the Conference
relegation zone to finish in mid-table.
that Duffy had failed to agree personal terms with Grimsby Town
after a fee was agreed between the two clubs. After further negotiation, it was announced on 28th January that Duffy had signed a two-year deal with the Mariners. Duffy scored 28 seconds into his Grimsby debut in their 3-2 win over Eastbourne Borough
on 29th January 2011 and three days later he scored again as Town drew 2-2 away at Southport
.
Following the conclusion of the 10-11 season and despite being under contract, Duffy was told that he no longer had a future at the club and he was free to find himself a new one. On 16 May 2011 Town chairman John Fenty
mentioned that the club had made a mistake in signing Duffy and team mates Charles Ademeno
and Serge Makofo
.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
professional footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who plays as a striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
for 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 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...
. He is a former Welsh Youth and Under-21
Wales national under-21 football team
The Wales national under-21 football team, also known as the Wales U21s, is the national under-21 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
international, and has also played for Rushden & Diamonds
Rushden & Diamonds F.C.
Rushden & Diamonds Football Club was an association football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club played in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of...
, Stamford
Stamford F.C.
Stamford A.F.C. is an English football club based in Stamford, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of Division One South of the Northern Premier League and play at the Vic Couzens Stadium...
, Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
, 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...
, Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity F.C.
Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304...
, Stevenage Borough
Stevenage Borough F.C.
Stevenage Football Club is an English football club based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The club currently participate in League One, the third tier of English football, having won promotion from League Two in the 2010–11 season...
, Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
, Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
, Newport County and 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...
.
Early career
Robert Duffy, who is older brother to footballer Richard DuffyRichard Duffy
Richard Michael Duffy is a Wales international footballer who plays for Exeter City. He was originally on trial at League One side Exeter City and decided to join them on a permanent basis in July 2009...
, played his junior football in Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
for Garden Village
Garden Village F.C.
Garden Village Association Football Club is a football club, based in Swansea, south west Wales and currently playing in the Welsh Football League Division Two...
. He came through the youth system at Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
, but was never offered a professional contract. Duffy followed Charlton's youth team manager Terry Westley
Terry Westley
Terry Westley is an association football coach and manager. Until 2011 he was the Academy Director at Birmingham City.Westley previously worked at Rushden & Diamonds, Ipswich Town, Charlton Athletic, Luton Town and Derby County. At these clubs he was responsible for developing young players, who...
to Rushden & Diamonds
Rushden & Diamonds F.C.
Rushden & Diamonds Football Club was an association football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club played in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of...
in 2001, where he made over 30 appearances, most as a substitute. He fractured his kneecap in a training ground accident in August 2003 and did not play again until January 2004, when he played most of a reserve game. He struggled to regain form, was loaned to non-league club Stamford
Stamford F.C.
Stamford A.F.C. is an English football club based in Stamford, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of Division One South of the Northern Premier League and play at the Vic Couzens Stadium...
and had short spells with Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
and 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...
before joining Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity F.C.
Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304...
in January 2006. Duffy ended the 2005–06 season at Stevenage Borough
Stevenage Borough F.C.
Stevenage Football Club is an English football club based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The club currently participate in League One, the third tier of English football, having won promotion from League Two in the 2010–11 season...
.
Oxford United
Duffy was recommended to Oxford UnitedOxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
by former youth development officer, Malcolm Elias
Malcolm Elias
Malcolm Elias is the Head of Talent ID and Recruitment at Fulham Academy. He holds a UEFA A license.-Early career:Prior to joining Southampton, he was a youth development officer at Oxford United and Swansea City...
, and joined the club on a one-month trial in July 2006. He was signed by Oxford at the beginning of the 2006–07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
season on a two-year contract, and was Oxford United's top scorer in that season, including a hat-trick 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:...
in October 2006. In September 2007, Duffy broke his left arm after falling awkwardly during a match, which sidelined him for two months. In November, he returned to action as a late substitute in the 78th minute against Ebbsfleet United, but was sent off just 20 seconds later after an off-the-ball incident with Ebbsfleet's Mark Ricketts as he went past him.
Duffy was placed on the transfer list in January 2008 as manager Darren Patterson
Darren Patterson
Darren James Patterson is a Northern Irish former footballer and manager. As a player he was primarily a central defender who could also play at full back or as a defensive midfielder. He is the interim assistant manager at Bristol Rovers, where he has previously held the positions of Head of...
tried to free up funds to bring in new players, and joined Wrexham on loan later that month. He made only six substitute appearances for Wrexham and in April 2008, was released and returned to Oxford.
Newport County
He was released by Oxford at the end of the season and, after an unsuccessful trial at Mansfield TownMansfield 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...
, he signed for 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 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 July 2008.
Mansfield Town
On 7 January 2009 Duffy then signed permanently for Mansfield Town, managed by David HoldsworthDavid Holdsworth
David Gary Holdsworth is an English former footballer who is the current manager of Lincoln City.-Playing career:He played as a centre back for Watford, Sheffield United, Birmingham City, Walsall, Bolton Wanderers, Scarborough and Gretna, and was capped once for England at Under-21 level...
, twin brother of his manager at Newport County, Dean Holdsworth
Dean Holdsworth
Dean Christopher Holdsworth is an English former professional football player, now manager. As a striker he scored 193 goals in 610 league games over a 22 year career. Despite playing for 16 clubs in 19 spells the majority of his goals and appearances came at Brentford, Wimbledon, and Bolton...
. Despite his lack of goals at Newport, David Holdsworth's faith in Duffy was repaid as he scored the winning goal on his Mansfield debut, going on to score eight further times as Mansfield pulled away from the Conference
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...
relegation zone to finish in mid-table.
Grimsby Town
On Monday 24th January 2011 it was stated on BBC Radio HumbersideBBC Radio Humberside
BBC Radio Humberside is a BBC Local Radio service covering the area of the former English county of Humberside, which was returned to North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire the East Riding of Yorkshire and the City of Kingston upon Hull on 1 April 1996....
that Duffy had failed to agree personal terms with 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...
after a fee was agreed between the two clubs. After further negotiation, it was announced on 28th January that Duffy had signed a two-year deal with the Mariners. Duffy scored 28 seconds into his Grimsby debut in their 3-2 win over Eastbourne Borough
Eastbourne Borough F.C.
Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney...
on 29th January 2011 and three days later he scored again as Town drew 2-2 away at Southport
Southport F.C.
Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008...
.
Following the conclusion of the 10-11 season and despite being under contract, Duffy was told that he no longer had a future at the club and he was free to find himself a new one. On 16 May 2011 Town chairman John Fenty
John Fenty
John Shelton Fenty born is a Conservative councillor for the Humberston and New Waltham ward of North East Lincolnshire Council.-Business:...
mentioned that the club had made a mistake in signing Duffy and team mates Charles Ademeno
Charles Ademeno
Charles Adesola O. O. Ademeno is an English professional footballer of Nigerian descent who plays as a striker for Football League Two side AFC Wimbledon...
and Serge Makofo
Serge Makofo
Serge Makofo is a professional Congolese footballer, who plays as a midfielder or striker for Grimsby Town in the Conference National....
.
External links
- Robert Duffy profile at official Mansfield Town website