Callum Morris

Callum Morris (born 3 February 1990) is a professional footballer, who plays as a central defender for Ross County. Released by Newcastle United as a youngster, Morris played for Blyth Spartans then went to the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain, where he also played for Jerez Industrial. Returning to England, he joined Hayes & Yeading United before moving to Scotland in 2012, initially with Dunfermline Athletic before joining Dundee United in 2014. Morris moved to Aberdeen in the summer 2016, but did not play for the club. Morris returned to Dunfermline in December 2016, then moved to Ross County in June 2018.

Callum Morris
Personal information
Date of birth (1990-02-03) 3 February 1990
Place of birth Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
 Ross County
Number 5
Youth career
Newcastle United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 Blyth Spartans 5 (0)
2011 Jerez Industrial 0 (0)
2011–2012 Hayes & Yeading United 3 (0)
2012–2014 Dunfermline Athletic 55 (3)
2014–2016 Dundee United 38 (1)
2016 Aberdeen 0 (0)
2016–2018 Dunfermline Athletic 43 (2)
2018– Ross County 37 (0)
National team
Republic of Ireland U19
Republic of Ireland U21
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:19, 23 January 2021 (UTC)

Although born in England, Morris is of Irish descent and received his first call up to the Northern Ireland squad in 2016, having previously played for the Republic of Ireland under-21 team.

Club career

Early career

Morris started his career as a youth player with Premier League side Newcastle United.[1][2] He was given a twelve-month extension to his scholarship in 2008.[3] While with Newcastle United reserves, Morris and teammate Darren Lough were described by coach Adam Sadler as "the next big thing",[4] but he was released by the club in 2010, having never featured in the first team.[5][6]

Following his release from Newcastle, Morris had an unsuccessful trial with Gateshead,[7][8] before joining Blyth Spartans on 13 August 2010.[9][10] After making five appearance for Blyth, Morris left the club to join the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain.[11][12]

While at the Glenn Hoddle Academy, Morris also played for Spanish Fourth Division side Jerez Industrial CF, where he gained full-time, senior football experience.[1] In November 2011, Morris joined Hayes & Yeading United,[13] making three appearance for the club before being released in January 2012.[14]

Dunfermline Athletic

Following unsuccessful trials in England, Portugal and Greece, Morris had considered giving up professional football[15] before signing for Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish First Division on 31 August 2012.[16] He made his debut for the club in a 3–1 win against Raith Rovers and went on to be a first team regular. On 8 December 2012, he received a straight red card after a foul on Stefan Scougall, in a 2–1 loss against Livingston.[17] On his return on 29 December 2012, Morris scored his first goal, in a 4–2 loss against Morton.[18] His second goal was also against Morton on 23 February 2013, when Dunfermline Athletic lost 4–1.[19]

The season was marked with financial problems, which led to the club entering administration. Morris wrote on Twitter of his frustrations over wage delays.[20] The club were relegated following a defeat in the play-offs, where Morris was absent for all four matches due to a hamstring injury.[21] Despite relegation, he was named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year for the First Division.[22] He was also named the club's player of the season.[23]

In his second season at Dunfermline Athletic, Morris rejected rumours that he had left the club by appearing in the opening friendly against Hearts.[24] In his first competitive appearance of the season, Morris scored the club's first goal in League One, as the club lost 3–2 against Arbroath.[25] As the season progressed, Morris continued to be a regular in the first team until mid-December when he suffered an Achilles tendon injury.[26] After returning to the first team,[27] Morris was offered a new contract with the club.[23][28] His rejection of the offer led to interest from Dundee United.[29][30]

Morris helped Dunfermline to finish second in League One, qualifying for the Championship play-offs and then winning against Stranraer on aggregate.[31] The club remained in League One after losing 4–1 on aggregate to Cowdenbeath in the play-off final, in which Morris made his final appearance for the club.[32]

Dundee United

Morris signed a two-year contract with Scottish Premiership side Dundee United on 17 June 2014.[33] He made his debut on 10 August 2014, as Dundee United beat Aberdeen 3–0 in the opening game of the season.[34] His first goal for the club came on 21 September 2014, as Dundee United won 4–1 against city rivals Dundee in the Dundee derby.[35] Having established himself in central defence alongside Jarosław Fojut, Morris soon suffered an Achilles injury during a match against St Johnstone which kept him out for several weeks.[36] Morris made his return to the first team on 24 January 2015 in a 3–1 win over Motherwell.[37] He scored in the next game, in the semi-final of the Scottish League Cup, which saw Dundee United beat Aberdeen 2–1 to send them through to the final.[38] Morris then injured his knee,[39] but recovered in time to start in the League Cup Final as Dundee United lost 2–0 to Celtic.[40] Morris sustained a hamstring injury which kept him out for three weeks,[41] then made his return to the first team and played six matches before suffering another injury, ruling him out for the rest of the season.[42] Despite his injuries, Morris made 30 appearance and scored twice in all competitions.

Aberdeen

Morris signed a one-year contract with Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen in June 2016.[43] He made no appearances for the side, and was released on 30 December 2016.[44]

Dunfermline return

After leaving Aberdeen, Morris re-signed for Dunfermline Athletic on 31 December 2016 on a deal until the end of the 2016–17 season.[45][46] After helping the club finish fifth in the Scottish Championship, Morris signed a one-year contract extension keeping him at the club until May 2018.[47]

Prior to the start of the 2017–18 season, Morris was named captain of the club,[48] following the departures of Andy Geggan and Callum Fordyce. Morris spent the season with the Pars before leaving at the end of his contract in May 2018.[49]

Ross County

Morris signed for Ross County during the 2018 close season.[50] In his first season at the club Morris won the 2018-19 Scottish Championship and the 2018-19 Scottish Challenge Cup

International career

Although born in England, Morris has Irish ancestry through both his parents, his mother's family originating from Waterford and his father's from Belfast. He initially chose to represent the Republic of Ireland, and played for their under-19 and under-21 teams before deciding to switch his allegiance to Northern Ireland. On 31 August 2016, Morris was called up for the first time to the Northern Ireland squad for the World Cup qualifying game against the Czech Republic.[51]

Career statistics
As of 23 January 2021[52]
Club statistics
Club Season League Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Blyth Spartans 2010–11 Conference North 5000000050
Jerez Industrial 2010–11 Tercera División 0000000000
Hayes & Yeading United 2011–12[53] Football Conference 3000000030
Dunfermline Athletic 2012–13[54] Scottish Division One 262202000302
2013–14[55] Scottish League One 281402031372
Total 543604031674
Dundee United 2014–15[56] Scottish Premiership 2512031–302
2015–16[57] 1301011–151
Total 3813041–453
Aberdeen 2016–17[58] Scottish Premiership 000000–00
Dunfermline Athletic 2016–17[58] Scottish Championship 130310000161
2017–18[59] 302205030402
Total 432515030563
Ross County 2018–19[60] Scottish Championship 120005120191
2019–20[60] Scottish Premiership 1700020–190
2020–21 800050—130
Total 3700012120511
Career Total 18061412538122711

Hounors
Ross County

References
  1. "Callum Morris". DAFC.co.uk. Archived from the original on 8 June 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  2. Callum Morris at Soccerway
  3. "Shola's chance to impress boss". Chronicle Live. 26 March 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  4. "Sadler tips NUFC reserves pair for big things". Chronicle Live. 23 July 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  5. "Fabrice Pancrate leaves Newcastle United". Chronicle Live. 5 May 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  6. Callum Morris at Soccerbase
  7. "Gateshead interested in keeper Jaimez-Ruez". Chronicle Live. 26 July 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  8. "Gateshead release trialists Dowson and Morris". BBC Sport. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  9. "Spartans manager Tait in triple transfer swoop". Chronicle Live. 13 August 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  10. "Spartans chief hails summer signings". Journal Live. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  11. "Tough Droylsden test awaits Blyth Spartans". Chronicle Live. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  12. "Adios Callum". Blyth Spartans Website. 3 February 2011. Archived from the original on 22 January 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  13. "United set to sign ex-Coventry City full-back". Uxbridge Gazette. 22 November 2011. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  14. "Ex-Aldershot Town man could stay at United after Blackpool trial". Uxbridge Gazette. 13 January 2012. Archived from the original on 22 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  15. "Pars saved Callum from quitting football". Dunfermline Press. 23 November 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  16. "Defender signs ahead of derby crunch". Dunfermline Press. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  17. "Livingston 2–1 Dunfermline". BBC Sport. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  18. "Morton 4 Dunfermline 2: Ton storm top of the table with win over poor Pars". Daily Record. 30 December 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  19. "Dunfermline 1 Morton 4: Greenock men stroll it as off-field problems start to affect East End Park club's form". Daily Record. 24 February 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  20. "BREAKING NEWS: Pars star hits out over wages 'shambles'". Dunfermline Press. 28 February 2013. Archived from the original on 23 March 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  21. "Callum Morris out of Dunfermline's play-off bid". Dunfermline Press. 8 May 2013. Archived from the original on 24 July 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
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  23. "Falkingham set to agree new deal". Dunfermline Press. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
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  31. "Stranraer 2 – 1 Dunfermline Athletic". SPFL Official. 24 May 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  32. "Dunfermline Athletic 0 – 3 Cowdenbeath". SPFL Official. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  33. "Morris pens United deal". BT Sport. 17 June 2014. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  34. "ABERDEEN 0 DUNDEE UNITED 3". Dundee United F.C. 10 August 2014. Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  35. "Dundee 1–4 Dundee Utd". BBC Sport. 21 September 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
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  37. "Dundee United 3 – 1 Motherwell". BBC Sport. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  38. Wilson, Richard (29 June 2015). "Dundee United 2–1 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  39. "Jackie McNamara wants nine points in just over a week". Evening Telegraph. 21 February 2015. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  40. Wilson, Richard (29 June 2015). "Dundee Utd 0 – 2 Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
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  42. "Dundee United's Nadir Ciftci determined not to be distracted". The Courier. 16 May 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
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  60. "Games played by Callum Morris in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  61. "Ross County Secure title and promotion". BBC. 26 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  62. "Ross County lifted the Challenge Cup for a third time". BBC Sport. 23 March 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
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