Michael Liddle
Michael William Liddle (born 25 December 1989) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for National League North club Darlington. He began his club career with Sunderland, though appeared only once for the first team, and spent time on loan at Carlisle United, Leyton Orient, Gateshead and Accrington Stanley, before joining the latter club on a permanent basis in 2012. He then moved into non-league football with Dunston UTS, Blyth Spartans and most recently Darlington.
![]() Liddle playing for Accrington Stanley in 2014 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Michael William Liddle[1] | ||
Date of birth | [1] | 25 December 1989||
Place of birth | Hounslow,[2] England | ||
Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[1] | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Darlington | ||
Number | 3 | ||
Youth career | |||
2006–2008 | Sunderland | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2008–2012 | Sunderland | 0 | (0) |
2008–2009 | → Carlisle United (loan) | 22 | (0) |
2010 | → Leyton Orient (loan) | 1 | (0) |
2011 | → Gateshead (loan) | 23 | (2) |
2012 | → Accrington Stanley (loan) | 12 | (0) |
2012–2015 | Accrington Stanley | 66 | (0) |
2016 | Dunston UTS | 10 | (0) |
2016–2019 | Blyth Spartans | ||
2019– | Darlington | 29 | (1) |
National team | |||
2008–2009 | Republic of Ireland U21 | 5 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:50, 13 January 2021 (UTC) |
He has played for Ireland at under-18, under-19 and under-21 level.
Club career
Sunderland
Liddle started his footballing career with Haydon Bridge and Sunderland, whom he joined as a youth player.[3] At Sunderland he progressed through the youth side and was given a professional contract ahead of the 2008–09 season.[4] It took until January 2010 for him to make his first-team debut, in a FA Cup third-round match at home to Barrow; he came on as a substitute late in the game which Sunderland won 3–0.[5]
Loan spells
On 14 November 2008, Liddle joined League One club Carlisle United on two months' loan; he joined up with fellow Sunderland loanee Graham Kavanagh.[6] His debut came the following day, in the starting eleven for Carlisle's 3–1 win against Brighton & Hove Albion.[7] The loan was first extended until 14 February 2009,[8] and then to the end of the season; he went on to make 22 appearances.[9]
Liddle signed a four-month youth loan with another League One club, Leyton Orient, on 5 August 2010,[10] but returned to Sunderland after only a month because of a groin injury. His only appearance was in the starting eleven against Yeovil Town.[11]
On 6 January 2011, Liddle joined Gateshead on a 28-day loan.[12] He made his debut two days later in a 2–2 draw with Kidderminster Harriers, and "curl[ed] a beauty into the far corner with the outside of his boot" for his first senior goal,[13] which was voted Gateshead's goal of the season.[14] His loan was extended to the end of the 2010–11 season, which he finished with 22 Conference Premier appearances.[15][16]
Accrington Stanley
Liddle joined League Two club Accrington Stanley on loan for an initial month on 24 February 2012,[17] and made his debut the next day in a 2–0 loss against Swindon Town. He was sent off against Southend United on 10 March, and after he served his suspension, his loan was extended to the end of the season.[18] He made 12 appearances, all in league competition.[19]
He signed a one-year permanent deal with Stanley in July 2012; the fee was undisclosed.[20] He began the season as a regular in the starting eleven until 18 September, when the second sending-off of his Stanley career, just before Chesterfield scored a winning goal, resulted in a three-match ban.[21] He finished the season with 36 appearances in all competitions.[22]
Liddle signed a new one-year contract with the club ahead of the 2013–14 season.[23] He appeared in the first five matches of the season before an ankle injury was to keep him out for two months;[24] he returned to the first team as a late substitute against Wycombe Wanderers.[25] He lost his place to short-term signing Lee Naylor, and the rest of Liddle's season was disrupted by hamstring trouble and competition from Laurence Wilson.[26]
After signing on for a third year,[27] Liddle started the opening game of the season, but a "succession of niggling injuries" were to keep him out for three months. He made his first-team return in the FA Cup first round, a goalless draw with Notts County in which manager John Coleman thought he was the best player.[28] He finished the season with 15 league appearances, more than half as a substitute, and was released when his contract expired.[1][29]
Later career
Liddle went on trial at Scottish Championship club Hibernian,[30] However, he suffered a knee injury during a development match and the club offered hin support during his recovery period.[31]
After a spell with Northern League club Dunston UTS towards the end of the 2015–16 season,[32][33] Liddle joined Blyth Spartans of the Northern Premier League in June 2016.[34] He made his debut in the opening game of the season, in a 3-1 win over Coalville Town.[35] He spent three seasons with Spartans and then signed for National League North club Darlington in May 2019.[36]
International career
Liddle, although born in England, qualifies to play for Ireland due to his Irish mother.[37] After playing in the under-18s and under-19s for his country, Liddle was called up to Ireland's under-21 squad for a friendly against Austria under-21 on 19 August 2008.[38] At this stage he had not made an appearance for his club after being signed on a professional contract in the 2008–09 season.[39] Sunderland manager, Roy Keane, commented that "The young players have done well. It's a real plus for us and I have no doubts that some of them will be able to handle it at the top level".[38] He started against Austria, in a 1–1 draw,[40] Liddle expressed his surprise after the call up, saying "The call-up came as a big surprise. I didn't expect it. When I was named in the starting eleven I [sic] buzzing!"[37] He made further appearances against Bulgaria, Portugal, Lithuania and Germany.[41]
Career statistics
- As of match played 6 February 2021
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Sunderland | 2008–09[39] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
2009–10[5] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | ||
2010–11[16] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||||
2011–12[19] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
Total | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |||
Carlisle United (loan) | 2008–09[39] | League One | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 23 | 0 | ||
Leyton Orient (loan) | 2010–11[16] | League One | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
Gateshead (loan) | 2010–11[1][16] | Conference Premier | 23 | 2[lower-alpha 1] | — | — | 5[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 28 | 2 | ||
Accrington Stanley (loan) | 2011–12[19] | League Two | 12 | 0 | — | — | — | 12 | 0 | |||
Accrington Stanley | 2012–13[22] | League Two | 32 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 |
2013–14[25] | League Two | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 3] | 0 | 22 | 0 | |
2014–15[43] | League Two | 15 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
Total | 78 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 89 | 0 | ||
Dunston UTS | 2015–16[33] | Northern League Div One | 10 | 0 | — | — | — | 10 | 0 | |||
Blyth Spartans | 2016–17[44] | Northern Premier League | 39 | 0 | ||||||||
2017–18[1][44] | National League North | 33 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 1[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 34 | 2 | ||
2018–19[1][44][45] | National League North | 32 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | 4[lower-alpha 2] | 1 | 39 | 2 | ||
Total | 65 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 112 | 4 | ||||
Darlington | 2019–20[1][46] | National League North | 21 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — | 4[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 29 | 1 | |
2020–21[1][47] | National League North | 8 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | 1[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 13 | 1 | ||
Total | 29 | 1 | 8 | 1 | — | 5 | 0 | 42 | 2 | |||
Career total | 228 | 6 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 306 | 8 |
- Figure includes the first goal against Luton Town on 23 January 2011, which Gateshead F.C. attribute to Liddle,[42] though statistics databases give it to another player.
- Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
- Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
References
- "M. Liddle". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- "Michael Liddle". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- "Michael Liddle". Sunderland A.F.C. Archived from the original on 17 December 2008. Retrieved 15 November 2008.
- "Sunderland tie up academy deals". BBC Sport. 30 May 2008. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
- "Games played by Michael Liddle in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Carlisle loan for Liddle". Sky Sports. 14 November 2008. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Carlisle United vs Brighton & Hove Albion". Carlisle United F.C. 15 November 2008. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
- "Liddle stays with Carlisle". Sky Sports. 5 January 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- Colman, Jon (3 February 2009). "Michael Liddle to stay with Carlisle Utd for rest of season". Cumberland News. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
- "Leyton Orient sign Sunderland's Liddle". BBC Sport. 5 August 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
- "Liddle back with Black Cats". Sky Sports. 8 September 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- Bowron, Jeff (6 January 2011). "Gateshead bring in Black Cat on loan". Gateshead F.C. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
- Bowron, Jeff (9 January 2011). "Gateshead 2–2 Kidderminster Harriers". Gateshead F.C. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
- Bowron, Jeff (6 May 2011). "Gateshead FC 2010/11 Awards". Gateshead F.C. Archived from the original on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
- Bowron, Jeff (31 January 2011). "Michael Liddle stay extended". Gateshead F.C. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
- "Games played by Michael Liddle in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Liddle makes Stanley move". Sky Sports. 24 February 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Liddle extends Stanley stay". Sky Sports. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Games played by Michael Liddle in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Sunderland's Michael Liddle joins Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Blues net thrilling last gasp winner". Derbyshire Times. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
Flanagan, Chris (21 September 2012). "Depleted Accrington Stanley are eager to give it a shot". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 14 June 2013. - "Games played by Michael Liddle in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Liddle means a lot to Stanley". Sky Sports. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Chesterfield v Accrington preview". Sky Sports. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Games played by Michael Liddle in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- Jewell, Dan (16 January 2014). "Lee Naylor leaves club". Accrington Stanley F.C. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014.
"Accrington v Morecambe preview". Sky Sports. 19 March 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2019. - "Liddle latest to stay". Accrington Stanley F.C. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- Marshall, Tyrone (12 November 2014). "Accrington Stanley defender Michael Liddle delighted with return to action". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Joyce could leave Accrington". Sky Sports. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- McGlade, Neil (15 August 2015). "Defender Michael Liddle handed trial at Hibs". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- Hardie, David (15 August 2015). "Hibs will help trialist Michael Liddle after injury". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- Simpson, Ray (11 March 2016). "Leaders Shildon face tough away game". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Dunston UTS FC Player Stats 2015–2016 Northern League Only". Dunston UTS FC. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- Bowron, Jeff (15 June 2016). "Former Newcastle United midfielder signs for Blyth Spartans in major coup for club". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
- Maxwell, Glen (13 August 2016). "Match Report: Blyth Spartans 3–1 Coalville Town". Blyth Spartans A.F.C. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- Loughlin, Nick (27 May 2019). "Quakers sign Blyth defender Liddle". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
- "I've had a Liddle taste of glory & I liked it". Daily Mirror. 23 August 2008. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- "Irish under-21 call-up for Liddle". BBC Sport. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- "Games played by Michael Liddle in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Stoppage-time equaliser denies Irish U21s victory in Austria". Football Association of Ireland. 19 August 2008. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008.
- "Republic of Ireland U21 (Men's) UEFA Championship 2011 – Results – Seasons 2008/2009/2010". Football Association of Ireland. Archived from the original on 2 April 2009.
- Bowron, Jeff (23 January 2013). "Luton Town 2–2 Gateshead". Gateshead F.C. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- "Games played by Michael Liddle in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Michael Liddle". Blyth Spartans A.F.C. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- "Match Report: Spartans come from behind to earn replay". Blyth Spartans A.F.C. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
O'Brien, Liam (28 September 2018). "Match Report: Maguire's late heroics secure Spartans' path in FA Cup". Blyth Spartans A.F.C. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
"Blyth Spartans v Marske United". Blyth Spartans A.F.C. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2019. - For FA Cup qualifying rounds: Simpson, Ray (21 September 2019). "Quakers win first FA Cup tie in five years". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
Simpson, Ray (5 October 2019). "Tyrone and Justin put Quakers through". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
Simpson, Ray (19 October 2019). "Two from Tyrone help to fire Quakers into the first round". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
For FA Trophy third qualifying round: Simpson, Ray (23 November 2019). "Sub Justin scores the winner". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 25 November 2019. - For FA Cup 2nd and 3rd qualifying rounds: Simpson, Ray (3 October 2020). "Quakers win penalty shootout to go through in Cup". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
Simpson, Ray (13 October 2020). "Early Liddle goal sets up Quakers goal spree". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 14 October 2020.}}