George Friend Explained

George Friend
Fullname:George Andrew Jordan Friend[1]
Birth Date:19 October 1987[2]
Birth Place:Barnstaple, England
Height:1.88m (06.17feet)[3]
Position:Left back, centre back
Currentclub:Bristol Rovers (Director of Football)
Youthyears1:–2005
Youthclubs1:Exeter City
Years1:2005–2008
Clubs1:Exeter City
Caps1:37
Goals1:1
Years2:2008–2010
Clubs2:Wolverhampton Wanderers
Caps2:7
Goals2:0
Years3:2009
Clubs3:Millwall (loan)
Caps3:6
Goals3:0
Years4:2009
Clubs4:Southend United (loan)
Caps4:6
Goals4:1
Years5:2009
Clubs5:Scunthorpe United (loan)
Caps5:4
Goals5:0
Years6:2010
Clubs6:Exeter City (loan)
Caps6:13
Goals6:1
Years7:2010–2012
Clubs7:Doncaster Rovers
Caps7:59
Goals7:1
Years8:2012–2020
Clubs8:Middlesbrough
Caps8:266
Goals8:9
Years9:2020–2023
Clubs9:Birmingham City
Caps9:46
Goals9:0
Years10:2023–2024
Clubs10:Bristol Rovers
Caps10:12
Goals10:0
Totalcaps:456
Totalgoals:13
Club-Update:21:46, 10 February 2024 (UTC)

George Andrew Jordan Friend (born 19 October 1987) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. He is currently Director of Football at Bristol Rovers.

In the 2012–13 season, Friend won Middlesbrough players' player of the season award. The following season, Friend won it again along with the Player of the Season award. Friend was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year two years running, in the 2014–15 season, where he helped Middlesbrough reach the play-off final, and the 2015–16 season, where he was part of the Middlesbrough team that won promotion to the Premier League. After leaving Middlesbrough in 2020, he spent three years with Birmingham City.

Career

Exeter City

Friend was born in Barnstaple, Devon.[4] He began his career at then non-League Exeter City as a youth team player, signing a two-year professional contract in March 2006. Able to play left back, centre-back or left-sided midfield, he made his first-team debut on 17 April 2006 in a 0–0 draw at Forest Green Rovers.[5]

His Exeter career took off in the 2007–08 season when he was integral to the side that won promotion to the Football League after defeating Cambridge United in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium.[6] During that season he became the youngest ever captain in Exeter's history and scored his first goal for the club in a 4–4 draw with Burton Albion on 26 April 2008.[7]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

After playing in Exeter's opening matches in the Football League, he moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship on 1 September 2008, signing a two-year contract, with the option of a third year,[8] for an initial fee of £350,000.[9] He made six first team appearances for Wolves during the 2008–09 season as they were promoted to the Premier League as champions.

To gain regular playing time, he spent a month's loan at League One club Millwall during August to September 2009, before returning to Wolves.[10] He soon went out on a month's loan again on 18 September to another League One club, Southend United,[11] where he scored his first league goal with a free-kick against Southampton.[12] After a proposed extension to his stay with Southend was cancelled due to the club's financial troubles, he instead spent six weeks on loan at Championship club Scunthorpe United.[13]

Friend was recalled by Wolves as extra cover after injuries struck, giving him his first Premier League appearance on 15 December 2009 against Manchester United.[14] His surprise involvement in the game was just one factor behind the club eventually receiving a £25,000 suspended fine for fielding an under-strength side.[15] Friend did not feature again for Wolves before being loaned out once more, this time rejoining former club Exeter City for the rest of the season,[16] during which time he helped them avoid an instant return to League Two.

Doncaster Rovers

At the end of the 2009–10 season it was announced that his deal at Wolves would not be extended,[17] and Friend switched to Championship club Doncaster Rovers on a two-year contract[18] despite being linked with a return move to Exeter City.[19] Friend made his Doncaster debut in their 2–0 opening day win at Preston North End on 7 August 2010. On 11 September 2010, Friend scored his first goal in a 2–2 draw against Watford. The next game on 14 September 2010, Friend set up a goal for James Coppinger to score a second goal in a match with a 3–1 win over Norwich City. Following on from his debut, Friend established himself in the first team, playing at left-back. In a match with a 3–1 win over Scunthorpe United on 18 October 2011, Friend sustained an injury in early minutes and was substituted. After surgery, Friend was out for three months. On 25 January 2011, Friend made his return in a 2–0 loss against Burnley, coming on as a substitute in the early stages.

Friend was appointed captain at the beginning of 2011–12 following and won player of the year and supporters player of the year at the end of the season. Friend managed to regain his place in the starting eleven in the left back position but the club was relegated to League One after three seasons in the Championship.

Middlesbrough

On 23 July 2012, despite interest from Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest, it was announced that Doncaster had agreed a fee with Middlesbrough for Friend.[20] He signed for Middlesbrough on 30 July for an undisclosed fee,[21] reported as £100,000. In August 2012, he made his debut in Capital One Cup against Bury.[22] On 15 August 2020, he signed a two-year deal with the option of a third with fellow Championship club Birmingham City, where the head coach was his former manager at Middlesbrough, Aitor Karanka.[24] Over the three years he spent with Birmingham, he made 52 appearances in all competitions. He was one of six senior professionals released at the end of the 2022–23 season.[25]

Bristol Rovers

On 4 July 2023, Friend signed for League One club Bristol Rovers on a one-year deal[26] following a successful trial period with the club.[27] He had previously played for the club twenty-six years prior, at Under-9s level, alongside new teammate Scott Sinclair.[28]

Post-playing career

On 28 February 2024, Friend announced his retirement from football with immediate effect, remaining with Bristol Rovers to take on the role of Director of Football.[29]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Exeter City2005–06Conference National10000010
2006–07[30] Conference National20000020
2007–08[31] Conference Premier301200050371
2008–09League Two401050
Total371201050451
Wolverhampton Wanderers2008–09Championship601070
2009–10Premier League100010
Total701080
Millwall (loan)2009–10League One601070
Southend United (loan)2009–10League One6161
Scunthorpe United (loan)2009–10Championship4040
Exeter City (loan)2009–10League One131131
Doncaster Rovers2010–11Championship3212010351
2011–12Championship2700020290
Total5912030641
Middlesbrough2012–13Championship3401040390
2013–14Championship4131010433
2014–15Championship421201030481
2015–16Championship4011040451
2016–17Premier League2402010270
2017–18Championship332202020392
2018–19Championship3823120433
2019–20Championship1400010150
Total26691211605029910
Birmingham City2020–21Championship2601010280
2021–22Championship1401020170
2022–23Championship60100070
Total4603030520
Bristol Rovers2023–24League One120000000120
Career total4561320123011051014

Honours

Exeter City

Middlesbrough

Individual

2014–15 Championship,[34] 2015–16 Championship[35]

2015–16[36]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Middlesbrough . English Football League . 23 . 18 June 2018.
  2. Web site: George Friend . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 5 April 2020.
  3. Web site: George Friend: Overview . Premier League . 5 April 2020.
  4. Web site: G. Friend: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 5 April 2020.
  5. News: Forest Green 0–0 Exeter . BBC Sport . 17 April 2006.
  6. News: Chris. Whyatt. Exeter 1–0 Cambridge Utd. BBC Sport. 18 May 2008. 10 February 2021.
  7. Web site: Burton 4–4 Exeter . BBC Sport . 26 April 2008 . 30 May 2010.
  8. http://www.wolves.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~1382155,00.html Buy George! Wolves Sign A Friend
  9. Web site: City's £500,000 Friend . 3 September 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171005202321/http://www.exeter.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=123515 . 5 October 2017 . dead .
  10. http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~1751020,00.html Millwall Find A Friend
  11. Web site: Southend get a new friend . Southend United F.C. . 18 September 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090923171929/http://www.southendunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10444~1800658%2C00.html . 23 September 2009 . dead.
  12. Web site: Southend 1–3 Southampton . BBC Sport . 9 October 2009 . 25 November 2009.
  13. Web site: Iron Friend! . Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. . 30 October 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100106052821/http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/News/0%2C%2C10307~1842338%2C00.html . 6 January 2010 . dead.
  14. Web site: Man Utd 3–0 Wolverhampton . BBC Sport . 15 December 2009.
  15. News: Wolves fined £25,000 over Old Trafford team selection . 18 February 2010 . BBC Sport .
  16. Web site: Exeter City re-sign George Friend from Wolves . BBC Sport . 4 March 2010.
  17. Web site: Three to leave Molineux . Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. . 13 May 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100515061004/http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/News/0%2C%2C10307~2051576%2C00.html . 15 May 2010 . dead.
  18. News: Doncaster Rovers complete signing of George Friend . BBC Sport . 14 June 2010.
  19. News: Friend not ruling out Exeter . Sky Sports . 28 May 2010 . 31 July 2012.
  20. News: Jewell confirms Friend bid . Sky Sports . 30 July 2012 . 31 July 2012.
  21. News: Middlesbrough sign Doncaster defender George Friend . BBC Sport . 30 July 2012 . 13 September 2020.
  22. News: George Friend leaves Middlesbrough to join Birmingham . Scott . Wilson . The Northern Echo . 16 August 2020 . 13 September 2020.
  23. Web site: George Friend (July 2012 - Present) | Middlesbrough FC . mfc.co.uk . 2021-02-07.

    After completing a successful season, in which Friend became a fans' favourite because of his consistent performances, he was awarded the Community Player of the Year after attending numerous off-field events, as well as winning the players' player of the year award. For the 2013–14 season, Friend was issued the number 3 squad number previously worn by departing defender André Bikey. Friend scored his first goal for Boro in a 2–2 draw at Wigan on 25 August. It was his first goal since 2010. Friend scored his second goal for Boro with a 20-yard strike in a 2–2 draw against Nottingham Forest on 17 September 2013.

    Friend captained Middlesbrough for the first time in a 2–0 victory against Rotherham United on 11 April 2015.

    Birmingham City

    Friend rejected an offer to remain at Middlesbrough after his contract expired, and became available on a free transfer.[22]

  24. News: George Friend: Birmingham City sign Middlesbrough defender on free transfer . BBC Sport . 15 August 2020 . 5 September 2020.
  25. Web site: Blues Men's: Retained and released list . Birmingham City F.C. . 22 May 2023 . 1 July 2023.
  26. Web site: Rovers Gain a New Friend. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 4 July 2023. 4 July 2023.
  27. Web site: Bristol Rovers to seal fourth summer signing as Joey Barton discusses triallist at Melksham. Bristol Post. Piercy. James. 1 July 2023. 4 July 2023.
  28. Web site: Friends Reunited. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 4 July 2023. 4 July 2023.
  29. Web site: Club Statement: Recruitment Update. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 28 February 2024. 28 February 2024.
  30. Book: Mike . Williams . Tony . Williams . Non-League Club Directory 2008 . 2007 . Tony Williams Publications . Kingsbridge . 978-1-869833-57-2 . 82–83.
  31. Book: Mike . Williams . Tony . Williams . Non-League Club Directory 2009 . 2008 . Tony Williams Publications . 978-1-869833-59-6 . 172–173.
  32. News: Exeter 1–0 Cambridge Utd . Chris . Whyatt . BBC Sport . 18 May 2008 . 11 February 2019.
  33. Book: John . Anderson . Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2016–2017 . 2016 . Headline Publishing Group . London . 978-1-4722-3395-0 . 234–235.
  34. News: PFA Championship Team of the Year: Deeney only Watford player . BBC Sport . 26 April 2015 . 7 May 2018.
  35. News: PFA awards: Leicester and Spurs dominate Premier League team . BBC Sport . 21 April 2016 . 7 May 2018.
  36. Web site: The Football League Awards 2016: Winners . . 17 April 2016 . 29 April 2022 .
  37. News: One of Our Own: George Friend . Exeter City F.C. . 11 June 2021 . 28 February 2023.