Jobi McAnuff

Joel Joshua Frederick Melvin "Jobi" McAnuff (born 9 November 1981) is a professional footballer who plays for League Two club Leyton Orient. He is predominantly a winger but he has also played as an occasional central midfielder.

Jobi McAnuff
McAnuff playing for Reading in 2013
Personal information
Full name Joel Joshua Frederick Melvin McAnuff[1]
Date of birth (1981-11-09) 9 November 1981[2]
Place of birth Edmonton, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Leyton Orient
Number 7
Youth career
0000–2000 Wimbledon
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2004 Wimbledon 96 (13)
2004 West Ham United 13 (1)
2004–2005 Cardiff City 43 (2)
2005–2007 Crystal Palace 75 (12)
2007–2009 Watford 82 (5)
2009–2014 Reading 189 (14)
2014–2016 Leyton Orient 51 (6)
2016–2017 Stevenage 31 (4)
2017– Leyton Orient 99 (13)
National team‡
2002–2016 Jamaica 32 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:38, 17 January 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:38, 13 February 2017 (UTC)

He began his career at Wimbledon, making over 100 appearances for the club before brief spells at West Ham United and Cardiff City. McAnuff joined Crystal Palace in 2005, spending two years there before moving again, this time to Watford before joining Reading in 2009. He was appointed captain in 2011 and went on to make over 200 appearances in all competition for the Royals. Prior to Reading's promotion to the Premier League in 2011–12 he had spent his entire career playing in England's second tier, amassing over 400 league appearances. He joined Leyton Orient in 2014.

Born in London, McAnuff has represented Jamaica, his father's country of birth, at international level. He made his debut in May 2002 although his next appearance did not come until nearly eleven years later in February 2013. He was part of their squads which won the 2014 Caribbean Cup and competed at the 2015 Copa América.

Club career

Early career

Born in Edmonton, London, McAnuff made his professional debut in the 2001–02 season with First Division side Wimbledon.[2] He played 104 games and scored 15 goals for the club, staying until Wimbledon's last season, 2003–04. In March 2003, Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp agreed a deal to bring McAnuff and teammate Nigel Reo-Coker to the south coast club in preparation for their first Premiership season.[3] Financial problems resulted in the player remaining at Wimbledon despite having already signed contracts with Portsmouth.[4]

In the January 2004 transfer window, with Wimbledon now in administration, West Ham manager Alan Pardew signed McAnuff for West Ham United joining fellow former Wimbledon players, Nigel Reo-Coker, and Adam Nowland.[5] He played only 14 games for the club, scoring 1 goal against Crewe.[6] In order to generate funds for future transfers Pardew was forced to sell McAnuff[7] and on 12 August 2004 he joined Cardiff City for a fee of £250,000 and was a virtual ever-present in his first year at the club. He made his debut against Ipswich Town, scoring his first goal against his former side West Ham United during a 4–1 win.[8] He played 48 games and scored 3 goals and picked up numerous player of the month awards. With Cardiff in financial difficulty, McAnuff left the club at the end of the 2004–05 season to join Crystal Palace for a fee of around £600,000.[9]

Crystal Palace

In his first season at Selhurst Park, McAnuff played 43 games and scored eight goals. His performances in the Championship understandably led to interest from a number of clubs and in the summer of 2006 being linked with moves to Watford, Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic, the latter managed by his former boss at Palace Iain Dowie. However, it was announced during the summer 2006 transfer window that he would stay at Crystal Palace, and play for the Eagles under new boss Peter Taylor.

Watford

After a less successful 2006–07 campaign, McAnuff moved to Watford in June 2007 in a deal worth an initial £1.75 million.[10]

McAnuff playing for Watford in 2008

McAnuff endured a slow start to his Watford career and found himself out of the side for the early part of the season due to the loan arrival of young Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson. After Johnson's loan ended prematurely in November, McAnuff returned to the side and scored two important goals – the winner away at Sheffield Wednesday and a last minute long-distance strike to save a point at home to Cardiff City.

Reading
McAnuff playing for Reading in 2010

McAnuff joined Reading on 27 August 2009, then managed by former Watford boss Brendan Rodgers, on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[11] He made his debut against his former club Watford on 26 September 2009 with his first goal coming a month later in a 3–1 win over Coventry City on 31 October.[12]

He scored the third goal against Cardiff City in the 2011 play-off semi final with a storming run, sealing a 3–0 victory and sending Reading to Wembley for the final against Swansea City.[13] McAnuff started in the final and provided assists for both Reading goals but was unable to prevent them losing the game 4 – 2.[14] Ivar Ingimarsson and Matt Mills both left the club in the months following the play-off final defeat and on 13 July 2011, days after extending his contract until 2014, McAnuff was named as the new Reading captain.[15] On being named captain he paid tribute to his predecessors and described it as a "massive honour".[16]

The 2012–13 season saw McAnuff playing in the Premier League for the first time in his twelve-year career. By 27 November he had laid on four goals for his teammates, lying joint third in the league assists table.[17] He had to wait until February for his first goal of the season, scoring in Reading's 2–1 FA Cup fifth round defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.[18]

He left the club at the end of the 2013–14 season.[19] McAnuff gave an exclusive interview to Get Reading saying he is fine over not getting a renewed contract, though he went on to say: "My time at Reading has been fantastic. It's been a thoroughly enjoyable chapter of my life, a stable one as well. Five seasons is a large chunk of my career. I've captained the club with massive amounts of pride and enjoyment. I've had many great times, the Championship win obviously, and also some bad ones as well. But it's been a fantastic experience. It's a time of my career I'll never forget."[20]

Leyton Orient

On 25 July 2014, McAnuff signed a two-year deal with League One side Leyton Orient.[21] In May 2016, he was released from Leyton Orient when it was announced that he would not be retained when his contract expired.[22]

Minnesota United FC

McAnuff began trialing with Minnesota United FC of the North American Soccer League in June, 2016.[23] McAnuff made an appearance for Minnesota United in an international friendly against Liga MX side Club León on 25 June 2016 in the first ever football match at Target Field.[24]

Stevenage

On 19 July 2016 McAnuff signed for League Two team Stevenage on a free transfer.[25]

Return to Leyton Orient

On 20 July 2017, it was announced that McAnuff would return to Leyton Orient on. He then captained the side in the 2018-19 season and went on to win the league title. He has since signed a further contract extension and moved into a player/coach role.

International career

Born in England, McAnuff qualifies to play for Jamaica through his Jamaican born father.[26] He made his international debut on 18 May 2002 in the 'Unity Cup', an exhibition game against Nigeria at Loftus Road, coming on as a substitute in the 55th minute replacing Omar Daley.[27] On 24 January 2013, more than ten years after he won his first cap, McAnuff was called up to the Jamaica squad to face Mexico on 7 February alongside fellow Reading players Adrian Mariappa and Garath McCleary.[28] He started the game and helped Jamaica to a 0–0 draw in the Estadio Azteca.[29][30] McAnuff was in the Jamaican squad which won the 2014 Caribbean Cup on home soil, scoring in the penalty shootout following their goalless draw against Trinidad and Tobago in the final in Montego Bay.[31] At the 2016 Copa América held in the United States he made appearances in all 3 of Jamaica's group games.[32]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 7 March 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Wimbledon 2001–02[33] First Division 3842000— 404
2002–03[34] First Division 3141121— 346
2003–04[35] First Division 2753000— 305
Total 96136121— 10415
West Ham United 2003–04[35] First Division 121——1[lower-alpha 1]0 131
2004–05[36] Championship 10——— 10
Total 131——10 141
Cardiff City 2004–05[36] Championship 4322130— 483
Crystal Palace 2005–06[37] Championship 41721202[lower-alpha 2]0 478
2006–07[38] Championship 3452100— 366
Total 7512422020 8314
Watford 2007–08[39] Championship 39220002[lower-alpha 2]0 432
2008–09[40] Championship 4033020— 453
2009–10[41] Championship 30—10— 40
Total 825503020 925
Reading 2009–10[41] Championship 36350—— 413
2010–11[42] Championship 40440003[lower-alpha 2]1 475
2011–12[43] Championship 4051010— 425
2012–13[44] Premier League 3801120— 411
2013–14[45] Championship 3520000— 352
Total 189141113031 20616
Leyton Orient 2014–15[46] League One 34300202[lower-alpha 3]0 383
2015–16[47] League Two 173200000 193
Total 516202020 576
Stevenage 2016–17[48] League Two 314002000 334
Leyton Orient 2017–18[49] National League 37600—3[lower-alpha 4]0 406
2018–19[50] National League 38510—3[lower-alpha 4]0 425
2019–20[51] League Two 10000000 10
Total 7611100060 8311
Career total 65668315171161 72075
  1. Appearance in the First Division play-offs
  2. Appearances in the Championship play-offs
  3. Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  4. Appearances in the FA Trophy

International
As of match played 6 September 2016.[52]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Jamaica 200210
201370
201440
2015121
201680
Total321

International goals
As of match played 29 March 2016. Jamaica score listed first, score column indicates score after each McAnuff goal.[52]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 8 June 2015StubHub Center, Carson, United States17 Costa Rica2–22–22015 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Honours

Club

Reading

Football League Championship 2011-12

Leyton Orient

References
  1. "The Football League Limited: Club list of registered players as at 16th May 2015" (PDF). The Football League. 16 May 2015. p. 50. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  2. Badgerson, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 385. ISBN 1-85291-665-6.
  3. "Pompey agree Reo-Coker fee". BBC Sport. 16 June 2003. Retrieved 3 June 2007.
  4. "Pompey concede Dons duo defeat". BBC Sport. 8 August 2003. Retrieved 3 June 2007.
  5. "West Ham sign McAnuff". BBC Sport. 2 March 2004. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  6. "West Ham 4–2 Crewe". BBC Sport. 16 March 2004. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  7. "Pardew haunted by McAnuff". thisislondon.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  8. "Cardiff 4–1 West Ham". BBC Sport. 3 November 2004. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
  9. "McAnuff completes Palace switch". BBC Sport. 31 May 2005. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
  10. "Winger McAnuff signs for Watford". BBC Sport. 5 June 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2007.
  11. "Reading sign McAnuff and Rasiak". BBC Sport. 27 August 2009. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  12. "Coventry 1 – 3 Reading". BBC. 31 October 2009. Retrieved 20 November 2009.
  13. "Two-goal Long ends Reading FC's Wembley wait". Get Reading. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  14. "Reading 2 – 4 Swansea". BBC. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  15. "McAnuff picked as new Reading FC captain". Get Reading. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  16. "McAnuff honoured to be named Reading FC captain". Get Reading. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  17. "Our Assists King". Reading FC. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  18. "Man Utd 2–1 Reading". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  19. "Jobi, Mikele & Kaspars to move on". Reading F.C.
  20. "McAnuff: I'll never forget my five 'fantastic' years at Reading FC". Get Reading. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  21. "NEWS: Jobi McAnuff Signs". Leyton Orient F.C. 25 July 2014. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  22. "Leyton Orient: Mathieu Baudry among eight players to leave League Two club". BBC Sport. 17 May 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  23. Burdine, Wes (23 June 2016). "Minnesota United Want-Ad: "Some F*cking Barn-Burners"". FiftyFive.One. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  24. "LOONS AND LEÓN BATTLE IN FRONT OF 18,505 AT TARGET FIELD". Minnesota United FC. 25 June 2016. Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  25. "Jobi McAnuff: Stevenage sign Jamaica winger on free transfer". BBC Sport. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  26. "Jobi raring to go for Reggae Boyz". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  27. "Jamaica International Matches Details 1998–2010". rsssf.com. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  28. "Pearce earns call up". Reading FC. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  29. "Jamaica Starting 11 vs Mexico". Jamaica Football Federation. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  30. "Reggae Boyz hold Mexico nil all at the Azteca". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  31. "Jamaica claims Caribbean Cup crown on PKs". CONCACAF. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  32. Toyn, Dave. "Stevenage sign Jamaican international winger Jobi McAnuff".
  33. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  34. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  35. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  36. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  37. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  38. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  39. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  40. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  41. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  42. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  43. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  44. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  45. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  46. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  47. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  48. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  49. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  50. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  51. "Games played by Jobi McAnuff in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
  52. "McAnuff, Jobi". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  53. "National League: 2018/19: Current table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
    "Leyton Orient FC: Squad". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  54. Stevens, Rob (19 May 2019). "AFC Fylde 1–0 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
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