Aden Flint Explained

Aden Flint
Fullname:Aden Flint[1]
Birth Date:11 July 1989
Birth Place:Pinxton, England[2]
Height:1.97 m[3]
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Mansfield Town
Clubnumber:14
Years1:2007–2008
Clubs1:Pinxton
Years2:2008–2011
Clubs2:Alfreton Town
Caps2:67
Goals2:3
Years3:2008–2009
Clubs3:Matlock Town (loan)
Years4:2011–2013
Clubs4:Swindon Town
Caps4:64
Goals4:4
Years5:2011
Clubs5:Alfreton Town (loan)
Caps5:13
Goals5:1
Years6:2013–2018
Clubs6:Bristol City
Caps6:209
Goals6:36
Years7:2018–2019
Clubs7:Middlesbrough
Caps7:39
Goals7:1
Years8:2019–2022
Clubs8:Cardiff City
Caps8:86
Goals8:10
Years9:2020–2021
Clubs9:Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
Caps9:4
Goals9:0
Years10:2022–2023
Clubs10:Stoke City
Caps10:9
Goals10:0
Years11:2023
Clubs11:Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
Caps11:18
Goals11:1
Years12:2023–
Clubs12:Mansfield Town
Caps12:46
Goals12:2
Nationalyears1:2010
Nationalteam1:England C
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:19:14, 27 May 2024 (UTC)

Aden Flint (born 11 July 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Mansfield Town.

Club career

Early career

Flint began his career in the Central Midlands Football League with Pinxton before stepping up to the Conference North in the summer of 2008 when he joined Alfreton Town.[4] At Alfreton, Flint worked part-time tarmacking roads.[5]

Flint spent three months of his debut season at Alfreton on loan with Northern Premier League Premier Division side Matlock Town.[6] The adverse weather prevented Flint from playing many games but he scored in the 5–0 victory over Leigh Genesis in January 2009.[7] The following month saw Flint play in the 1–1 draw against Ilkeston Town,[8] and scored an own goal in the 2–0 loss at Whitby Town.[9] On 26 February 2009, Matlock manager Mark Atkins confirmed that Flint was among three players to have departed the club following the end of his loan.[10]

Flint spent the rest of his Alfreton career within its first team set-up helping reach the Conference North play-off final during the 2009–10 season where they lost 2–1 to Fleetwood Town.[11] He impressed many visiting scouts with bids being turned down from Derby County, Luton Town and ten other clubs according to Alfreton chairman, Wayne Bradley.[12]

Swindon Town

In January 2011, Colchester United manager John Ward confirmed that his club had been in talks with Flint over a move to the Essex club. Ward also announced that Flint was scheduled to travel to Wiltshire the next day to discuss a possible move with Swindon Town with Danny Wilson.[13]

Days later Swindon Town announced the signing of Flint on a -year contract and was issued the number 16 shirt which had been recently made available after the departure of on-loan Manchester City forward David Ball.[14]

Flint made his Swindon debut in the 1–1 draw with Rochdale and featured in the following fixture against Leyton Orient which resulted in a 3–0 loss for the Wiltshire club.

In March 2011, Flint returned to Alfreton Town on a loan until the end of the 2010–11 season. New Swindon manager Paul Hart was impressed with Flint's attitude in training but had decided to select more experienced players such as Andy Frampton instead.[15] Upon rejoining Alfreton, Flint was immediately handed the captaincy and led the club to promotion from the Conference North.

On 6 August 2011, Flint scored his first goal against Crewe Alexandra. He was a consistent performer in Town's 2011–12 title winning season. Flint scored twice in a 3–0 win against Stevenage at the County Ground on 20 April. The victory secured Swindon's place in the 2012–13 League One play-off.

Bristol City

Flint signed for Bristol City on 11 June 2013 for a fee of £300,000. Due to a sell on clause his previous club Alfreton Town received 20% of the fee (£60,000).[16] He made his debut on 3 August in a 2–2 draw against Bradford City at Ashton Gate.[17] He scored his first goal for the club on 21 September in a 3–2 defeat to former club Swindon Town.[18] On 8 February, he scored his second goal for the club in a 1–1 draw against Oldham Athletic.[19] He scored again in the following game three days later in a 3–1 win against Leyton Orient.[20]

Flint briefly sparked a hostile relationship with fans of his former team Swindon by stating in an interview that he did not wish for them to achieve promotion. On 3 May 2015, in the final game of the 2014–15 season (during which City won the league), he scored his first ever hat-trick in an 8–2 victory over Walsall, bringing his total for the season to 15.[21]

Aden Flint was awarded Player of the Year for the 2015–16 season,[22] in which he helped Bristol City narrowly avoid relegation back to League One.

Flint featured in every game as Bristol City reached the semi-finals of the 2017–18 EFL Cup with wins over Premier League opponents Watford,[23] Stoke City,[24] Crystal Palace[25] and Manchester United.[26] Flint scored in the semi-final defeat against Premier League leaders Manchester City.[27]

Middlesbrough

On 27 June 2018, Flint joined Championship club Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £7m, signing on a four-year contract.[28]

Cardiff City

Flint joined Cardiff City on 19 July 2019 on a three-year contract[29] He made his debut on the opening day of the 2019–20 season in a 3–2 defeat to Wigan Athletic.[30] In his second appearance, he scored his first goal for the club, scoring the opening goal in a 2–1 victory over Luton Town.[31]

Flint returned to Cardiff in January 2021 and became a key fixture of the side under new manager Mick McCarthy. He bagged his first goal following his return in a 1–0 victory over arch rivals Swansea City,[32] a goal which earned him cult status among City fans.

Flint began the 2021–22 season in fine form, scoring a late brace in an away match against newly-promoted Peterborough United to salvage a 2–2 draw for the Bluebirds. Flint doubled his tally a week later, grabbing another brace in a 3–1 home victory over Millwall. This briefly placed him atop the Championship's goalscoring charts. Flint announced on social media at the end of the 2021–22 season that he would be leaving the club on a free transfer.[33] On 10 June 2022, Cardiff announced Flint would leave the club when his contract expired on 30 June.[34]

Sheffield Wednesday (loan)

On 16 October 2020, Flint joined Sheffield Wednesday on a season-long loan.[35] He made his debut the day later, starting away to Birmingham City, helping to keep a clean sheet.[36] During the game away to Rotherham United, Flint would pick up a hamstring injury which would require surgery which would rule him out for a "few weeks minimum" according to manager Garry Monk.[37] He wouldn't play for Sheffield Wednesday again as his loan would be cut short on 4 January 2021.[38]

Stoke City

On 15 June 2022, Flint joined Stoke City a one-year contract.[39] After playing in nine matches at the start of the season, Flint quickly fell out of favour with Alex Neil and was released by Stoke at the end of the 2022–23 season, his final appearance coming in a 4–0 home loss to Watford.[40]

Return to Sheffield Wednesday

On 27 January 2023, Flint re-joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan for the rest of the season.[41] He made his second-debut against Fleetwood Town the following day coming off the bench.[42]

Mansfield Town

On 3 August 2023, Flint signed for League Two club Mansfield Town on an initial one-year deal with the option for a further season.[43]

International career

Flint's form at Alfreton Town during the early 2010–11 campaign earned him his first international call-up when Paul Fairclough named his within his 16-man England C squad for the friendly with Wales national semi-professional football team. He played the first 45 minutes in the 2–2 draw at Latham Park in Newtown, Wales.[44]

Flint was capped for a second and final time in October 2010 when he played the entire 90 minutes of England C's 1–0 away win at the Kadriorg Stadium, Tallinn against an Estonia U-23's in the International Challenge Trophy.[45]

When Flint signed for Swindon Town in January 2011, he became ineligible for selection for the England C squad so was unable to make the final squad for the International Challenge Trophy.[46]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Alfreton Town2008–09[47] Conference North1200020140
2009–10[48] [49] [50] Conference North3813160472
2010–11[51] [52] [53] Conference North3032051374
Total80451131986
Swindon Town2010–11League One3000000030
2011–12League Two322312031404
2012–13League One292103131364
Total644415162798
Bristol City2013–14League One343403020433
2014–15League One46145000615715
2015–16Championship4462010476
2016–17Championship4653040535
2017–18Championship3981061469
Total209361501418124638
Middlesbrough2018–19[54] Championship3912010421
2019–20Championship2633210305
2020–21Championship2210000221
2021–22Championship3861020416
Total86104230009312
Sheffield Wednesday (loan)2020–21Championship40000040
Stoke City2022–23Championship90000090
Sheffield Wednesday (loan)2022–23League One181100020211
Mansfield Town2023–24League Two462104030542
Career total5555832427232463468

Honours

Alfreton Town

2010–11[55]

Swindon Town

2011–12

Bristol City

2014–15

2014–15

Mansfield Town

Individual

March 2015

2014–15 League One,[57] 2023–24 League Two[58]

February 2016, September 2017[60]

2023–24[61]

Notes and References

  1. News: The Football League Limited: Club list of registered players as at 16th May 2015 . The Football League . 41 . 16 May 2015 . 20 June 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924042638/http://www.football-league.co.uk/documents/pages-from-fl-professional-retain-list-free-transfers-2014-15-2.pdf-...549-2491536.pdf . 24 September 2015 .
  2. Book: Glenda. Rollin. Jack. Rollin. Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013. 2012. Headline. London. 978-0-7553-6356-8. 540. 43rd.
  3. Web site: Aden Flint . Stoke City F.C. . live . 19 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220819185204/https://www.stokecityfc.com/players/first-team/adenflint . 19 August 2022.
  4. Web site: 4 February 2011 . Players Archive: Aden Flint . https://web.archive.org/web/20110124211411/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/players,adenflint.htm . 24 January 2011 . 4 February 2011 . Alfreton Town.
  5. Web site: From asphalt to Zlatan: Aden Flint's long road to facing Manchester United . The Guardian . 19 December 2017 . 6 August 2022.
  6. Web site: 'Warrior' Aden Flint's nightshift memories, secret scout reviews and what makes him swear . Teesside Live . 27 June 2018 . 6 August 2022.
  7. Web site: Matlock Town v Leigh Genesis . 24 January 2009 . Matlock Town . 4 February 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110719024331/http://www.matlocktownfc.co.uk/mtfcvleigh.html . 19 July 2011 .
  8. Web site: Matlock Town 1–1 Ilkeston Town . 14 February 2009 . Matlock Town . 4 February 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110719024338/http://www.matlocktownfc.co.uk/mtfcvilkeston.html . 19 July 2011 .
  9. Web site: 21st February 2009: Whitby Town 2–0 Matlock Town. 21 February 2009. Whitby Town. 4 February 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110718041618/http://www.whitby-town.com/matlock_home_08.php. 18 July 2011. dead.
  10. Web site: Latest News – 26/02/09 . 26 February 2009 . Matlock Town . 4 February 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110719024345/http://www.matlocktownfc.co.uk/news260209.html . 19 July 2011 .
  11. News: Fleetwood Town 2-1 Alfreton . BBC Sport . 9 May 2010 . 6 August 2022.
  12. Web site: Flint set for County Ground. 21 January 2011. Swindon Advertiser. 4 February 2011.
  13. Web site: Boss Eyes Defender Flint . 25 January 2011 . Colchester United F.C. . 4 February 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110210082116/http://www.cu-fc.com/page/News/0%2C%2C10424~2271339%2C00.html . 10 February 2011 .
  14. Web site: Flint Completes Town Switch . 27 January 2011 . Swindon Town F.C. . 4 February 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110124191759/http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10341~2272422%2C00.html . 24 January 2011 .
  15. Web site: Flint re-joins Alfreton on loan to bolster their title hopes. https://archive.today/20130505073019/http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Flint-joins-Alfreton-loan-bolster-title-hopes/article-3367825-detail/article.html. dead. 5 May 2013. 24 March 2011. This is Nottingham. 29 April 2011.
  16. News: Aden Flint: Bristol City sign Swindon Town defender. BBC Sport. 12 June 2013.
  17. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23474900 "Bristol City 2–2 Bradford City"
  18. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24089880 "Swindon Town 3–2 Bristol City"
  19. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25994419 "Oldham Athletic 1–1 Bristol City"
  20. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25817162 "Leyton Orient 1–3 Bristol City"
  21. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32471191 "Bristol City 8–2 Walsall"
  22. Web site: Flint lands Player of the Year award . 26 October 2016 . 26 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161026234415/http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/flint-lands-player-of-the-year-award-3085186.aspx . dead .
  23. News: Watford 2–3 Bristol City. BBC Sport.
  24. News: Bristol City 2–0 Stoke City. BBC Sport.
  25. News: Bristol City 4–1 Crystal Palace. BBC Sport.
  26. News: Bristol City 2–1 Manchester United. BBC Sport.
  27. News: Bristol City 2–3 Manchester City (Agg: 3–5). BBC Sport.
  28. Web site: Aden Flint Becomes Boro's Second Summer Signing | Middlesbrough FC.
  29. News: Done Deal - Aden Flint is a Bluebird. 19 July 2019. Cardiff City F.C.. 19 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190719133717/https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/2019/july/done-deal--aden-flint-is-a-bluebird/. 19 July 2019. dead.
  30. News: Wigan Athletic 3–2 Cardiff City . BBC Sport . 3 August 2019 . 3 August 2019.
  31. News: Cardiff City 2–1 Luton Town . BBC Sport . 10 August 2019 . 10 August 2019.
  32. News: Flint gives Cardiff victory at Swansea. BBC Sport.
  33. Web site: Aden Flint: Centre-back announces Cardiff City exit. BBC Sport. 21 May 2022. 22 May 2022.
  34. Web site: 2021/22 Retained List Cardiff . 10 June 2022 . www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk . en.
  35. Web site: Aden Flint completes Owls loan switch. . 16 October 2020.
  36. Web site: Report: Birmingham 0-1 Wednesday. . 17 October 2020.
  37. Web site: Owls suffer Flint blow. . 4 November 2020.
  38. Web site: Flint returns to Cardiff. . 4 January 2021.
  39. News: Aden Flint: Stoke City sign former Cardiff City defender . BBC Sport . 15 June 2022.
  40. News: Stoke City: Phil Jagielka, Morgan Fox & Nick Powell among seven released . BBC Sport . 10 May 2023 . 11 May 2023.
  41. News: Aden Flint completes Owls return. Sheffield Wednesday FC. 27 January 2023.
  42. News: Aden Flint transfer verdict delivered by Darren Moore after Sheffield Wednesday loan signing. YorkshireLive. 28 January 2023.
  43. Web site: Stags sign experienced defender. www.mansfieldtown.net. 3 August 2023. 3 August 2023.
  44. Web site: Fairclough's food for thought. 15 September 2010. The FA. 4 February 2011.
  45. Web site: England C into ICT semis. 12 October 2010. The FA. 4 February 2011.
  46. Web site: England C. 12 October 2010. The FA. 4 February 2011.
  47. Book: Tony . Williams . James . Wright . Non-League Club Directory 2010 . 2009 . Tony Williams Publications . 978-1-869833-66-4 . 180–181.
  48. Web site: 5 April 2010 . Alfreton Town FC Appearances & Goalscorers 2009/10 Season . https://web.archive.org/web/20100726220619/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/appearancesgoals0405.htm . 26 July 2010 . Alfreton Town FC.
  49. Matches after 5 April 2010:
    News: 10 April 2010 . Alfreton Town 3–2 Northwich Victoria . https://web.archive.org/web/20100821050321/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/northwichvictoriareport100410.htm . 21 August 2010 . Alfreton Town FC.
    News: 12 April 2010 . Droylsden 0–0 Alfreton Town . https://web.archive.org/web/20100821050114/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/droylsdenreport120410.htm . 21 August 2010 . Alfreton Town FC.
    News: 17 April 2010 . Ilkeston Town 0–0 Alfreton Town . https://web.archive.org/web/20100821050301/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/ilkestontownreport170410.htm . 21 August 2010 . Alfreton Town FC.
    News: 20 April 2010 . Southport 1–3 Alfreton Town . https://web.archive.org/web/20100821050400/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/southportreport200410.htm . 21 August 2010 . Alfreton Town FC.
    News: 24 April 2010 . Alfreton Town 3–2 Hinckley United . https://web.archive.org/web/20100821050236/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/hinckleyunitedreport240410.htm . 21 August 2010 . Alfreton Town FC.
    News: 28 April 2010 . Workington AFC 0–1 Alfreton Town . https://web.archive.org/web/20100821050457/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/workingtonafcreport280410.htm . 21 August 2010 . Alfreton Town FC.
    News: 2 May 2010 . Alfreton Town 3–1 Workington AFC . https://web.archive.org/web/20100506033137/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/workingtonafcreport020510.htm . 6 May 2010 . Alfreton Town FC.
    News: 9 May 2010 . Fleetwood Town 2–1 Alfreton Town . https://web.archive.org/web/20100821050144/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/fleetwoodtownreport090510.htm . 21 August 2010 . Alfreton Town FC.
  50. Breakdown of cup matches:
    News: 26 September 2009 . Alfreton Town 6–0 AFC Wulfrunians . https://web.archive.org/web/20100821050018/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/afcwulfruniansreport260909.htm . 21 August 2010 . Alfreton Town FC.
    News: 10 October 2009 . Alfreton Town 2–2 Southport . https://web.archive.org/web/20100821050350/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/southportreport101009.htm . 21 August 2010 . Alfreton Town FC.
    News: 13 October 2009 . Southport 2–1 Alfreton Town . https://web.archive.org/web/20100821050355/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/southportreport131009.htm . 21 August 2010 . Alfreton Town FC.
    News: 17 November 2009 . Alfreton Town 7–2 Holbrook MW . https://web.archive.org/web/20100821050241/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/holbrookmwreport171109.htm . 21 August 2010 . Alfreton Town FC.
    News: 21 November 2009 . Corby Town 1–1 Alfreton Town . https://web.archive.org/web/20100821050044/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/corbytownreport211109.htm . 21 August 2010 . Alfreton Town FC.
    News: 24 November 2009 . Alfreton Town 1–2 Corby Town . https://web.archive.org/web/20100821050049/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/corbytownreport241109.htm . 21 August 2010 . Alfreton Town FC.
  51. Web site: A. Flint - Profile with news, career statistics and history . 2023-03-06 . uk.soccerway.com.
  52. Web site: 9 April 2011 . Alfreton Town FC Appearances & Goalscorers 2010/11 Season . https://web.archive.org/web/20110411235213/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/appearancesgoals0405.htm . 11 April 2011 . Alfreton Town FC.
  53. Cup matches not on Soccerway:
    News: 25 September 2010 . Stalybridge Celtic 1–1 Alfreton Town . https://web.archive.org/web/20110427165722/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/stalybridgecelticreport250910.htm . 27 April 2011 . Alfreton Town FC.
    Web site: 28 September 2010 . Alfreton Town 1–2 Stalybridge Celtic. 6 March 2023 . Stalybridge Celtic.
    News: 20 November 2010 . Alfreton Town 4–0 Kendal Town . https://web.archive.org/web/20110427164913/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/kendaltownreport201110.htm . 27 April 2011 . Alfreton Town FC.
    News: 5 January 2011 . Alfreton Town 6–1 South Normanton Athletic . https://web.archive.org/web/20110427165646/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/southnormantonathleticreport050111.htm . 27 April 2011 . Alfreton Town FC.
  54. Web site: Aden Flint Football Stats Middlesbrough Season 2018/2019 Soccer Base. www.soccerbase.com. 17 December 2018.
  55. Web site: 23 April 2011 . Alfreton Town 4–0 Redditch United . https://web.archive.org/web/20110427165115/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/redditchunitedreport230411.htm . 27 April 2011 . Alfreton Town FC.
  56. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2024/april/boss-character-was-central-to-promotion/
  57. News: League One Team of the Year: Five Bristol City players selected . BBC Sport . 26 April 2015 . 8 May 2018.
  58. News: PFA League Two Team of the Year . PFA . 20 August 2024 . 21 August 2024.
  59. Web site: Club Records – Brisol City. 10 November 2023. 25 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220725204026/https://www.bcfc.co.uk/fanzone/club-history/club-records/. dead.
  60. News: September Award Winners Gallery. 6 October 2017 . EFL.
  61. News: See who made the EFL Team of the Season line-ups . EFL . 14 April 2024 . 14 April 2024.