Scott Quigley Explained

Scott Quigley
Full Name:Scott David Quigley[1]
Birth Date:2 September 1992
Birth Place:Shrewsbury, England[2]
Height:[3]
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Eastleigh
Clubnumber:20
Youthyears1:2009–2012
Youthclubs1:The New Saints
Years1:2012–2017
Clubs1:The New Saints
Caps1:86
Goals1:25
Years2:2011–2012
Clubs2:Caersws (loan)
Years3:2012
Clubs3:Carmarthen Town (loan)
Caps3:5
Goals3:0
Years4:2013–2014
Clubs4:Cefn Druids (loan)
Years5:2017–2019
Clubs5:Blackpool
Caps5:9
Goals5:0
Years6:2018
Clubs6:Wrexham (loan)
Caps6:17
Goals6:8
Years7:2018–2019
Clubs7:Port Vale (loan)
Caps7:11
Goals7:0
Years8:2019
Clubs8:FC Halifax Town (loan)
Caps8:15
Goals8:2
Years9:2019–2021
Clubs9:Barrow
Caps9:73
Goals9:35
Years10:2021–2023
Clubs10:Stockport County
Caps10:33
Goals10:6
Years11:2022–2023
Clubs11:Rochdale (loan)
Caps11:26
Goals11:5
Years12:2023–
Clubs12:Eastleigh
Caps12:40
Goals12:11
Club-Update:16:51, 28 April 2024 (UTC)

Scott David Quigley (born 2 September 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Eastleigh.

A pacey two-footed striker, he had a three-year scholarship with The New Saints before becoming professional at the club in 2012. Following loan spells with Caersws, Carmarthen Town and Cefn Druids, he went on to score 61 goals in 122 appearances for TNS. During his five years at the club, he won five Welsh Premier League titles, three Welsh Cup titles and three Welsh League Cup titles, including two successive trebles in the 2014–15 and 2015–16 seasons. He was signed by Blackpool in 2017 and spent time on loan at Wrexham, Port Vale, and FC Halifax Town. He signed for Barrow in 2019. He helped the club to win promotion to the Football League as champions of the National League in the 2019–20 season. He left Barrow to sign with Stockport County in 2021 and won the National League title for the second time in three seasons in 2021–22. He was loaned to Rochdale for the 2022–23 campaign. He returned to non-League football after signing with Eastleigh in July 2023.

Career

The New Saints

Quigley joined New Saints in 2009 on a three-year scholarship programme.[4] He went on loan to Cymru Alliance side Caersws in September 2011, though inadvertently cost the "Bluebirds" a three-point deduction after the club made an error during his registration.[5] He signed a two-year professional contract with TNS in May 2012.[4] He made his debut for the club on 12 September, coming on as an 86th-minute substitute for Simon Spender in a 1–0 defeat at Prestatyn Town.[6] On 11 October 2012, he joined Welsh Premier League rivals Carmarthen Town on a one-month loan deal.[7] He made an "explosive start" to his time at Richmond Park, helping to create a goal a minute after coming on as a half-time substitute during at 4–2 defeat to Connah's Quay Nomads.[8] He made five appearances for Mark Aizlewood's "Old Gold", and went on to make a total of seven appearances for TNS by the end of the 2012–13 season as the Oswestry based club won the league title by a 22-point margin over Airbus UK Broughton.

On 16 August 2013, he went out on loan to Cymru Alliance side Cefn Druids.[9] He scored two goals in six appearances for TNS during the 2013–14 campaign, with his first goals for the club coming in a 9–1 victory at Bangor City on 18 April.[10] TNS again won the league under the stewardship of Craig Harrison, this time finishing 14 points clear of second-place Airbus UK Broughton. On 22 July 2014, he appeared in the UEFA Champions League for the first time, during the second round of qualification, as the Saints lost 2–0 at home to Slovakian side ŠK Slovan Bratislava.[11] He was named as the club's Young Player of the Year for the 2014–15 season, having scored 12 goals in 36 games.[12] He also won his third Welsh Premier League title as TNS finished 18 points ahead of runners-up Bala Town. Two of his goals came in the final of the Welsh League Cup on 25 January, as the Saints triumphed 3–0 over Bala Town.[13] On 2 May, he appeared as a 71st-minute substitute for Adrian Cieslewicz in the final of the Welsh Cup at Latham Park, which ended in a 2–0 victory over Newtown to secure TNS the domestic treble.[14]

On 1 July 2015, he scored his first goal in European competition, as the Saints recorded a 2–1 win at Faroe Islanders B36 Tórshavn in the opening round of qualification.[15] He received the first sending off of his career on 23 October, during stoppage time in a 4–0 win at Aberystwyth Town.[16] He scored 18 goals from 39 appearances in the 2015–16 campaign, helping TNS to a fifth consecutive league title. He again appeared in the final of the Welsh League Cup, as TNS defeated Denbigh Town 2–0 at Maesdu Park on 25 January.[17] They also retained their Welsh Cup title to complete their second-successive domestic treble, with Quigley scoring the second goal of a 2–0 victory over Airbus UK Broughton at the Racecourse Ground.[18] He scored 16 goals in 26 games in the 2016–17 season, including two goals against San Marino side Tre Penne during Champions League qualification.[19] TNS were again dominant in the league, finishing 27 points ahead of second-place Connah's Quay Nomads after recording a World record 27 consecutive top-flight wins.[20] They also secured a third straight Welsh League Cup title with a 4–0 win over Barry Town United at Cyncoed Stadium.[21] However, they lost the Welsh Cup final, falling 2–1 to Bala Town at Nantporth.[22] He opened the 2017–18 season in good form by scoring three goals during Champions League qualification as the Saints defeated Gibraltar side Europa in the first round.[23] [24] [25] Manager Scott Ruscoe said that he was "absolutely made up for the lad" after Quigley secured a move into the English Football League following his eight-year spell at Park Hall.[26]

Blackpool

On 16 August 2017, Quigley signed a two-year contract (with the option of a third) with League One side Blackpool after being signed for an initial fee of £35,000 (potentially rising to £50,000).[27] [28] Manager Gary Bowyer said that "he's a young, powerful forward who fits in with the model we're trying to develop at the club".[29] He made his debut for the "Tangerines" on 29 August, playing the first 70 minutes of an EFL Trophy match against Wigan Athletic at Bloomfield Road, which went on to end as a penalty shoot-out defeat following a 1–1 draw.[30] He made his first league appearance on 12 September, coming on as an injury time substitute for Kyle Vassell in a 3–1 victory at Plymouth Argyle.[31] On 16 January 2018, Quigley joined National League side Wrexham on loan for the remainder of the 2017–18 season.[32] Manager Dean Keates said that "all being the well the frustration that he has had from the first half of the season [with limited first-team opportunities at Blackpool] he can take it out on our opposition for the rest of the season for us".[33] Having failed to score in nine substitute league appearances and five EFL Trophy starts for the "Seasiders", he rediscovered his form with the "Dragons" and scored eight goals in 17 National League fixtures.[34]

On 5 July 2018, Quigley joined League Two club Port Vale on loan for the whole of the 2018–19 season, where he was reunited with former TNS teammate Connell Rawlinson.[35] Manager Neil Aspin stated that he had been recommended by coach Gary Brabin.[36] Upon joining the "Valiants" Quigley said "It’s going to be my first proper stint in the Football League and I can’t wait to get started".[37] He scored his first and only goal for the club on 13 November, opening the scoring during a 2–1 win at Walsall in the EFL Trophy.[38] He was recalled to Blackpool in January after making just one league start and 12 further appearances at Vale Park.[39]

On 3 January 2019, Quigley returned to the National League on loan, this time at FC Halifax Town; manager Jamie Fullarton said that "not only will Scott add another dimension to our squad and hopefully bring goals, his personality and character will fit seamlessly into the group. He is a great addition and a real coup for us to get such a signing across the line".[40]

Barrow

On 20 May 2019, Quigley signed for National League side Barrow on a three-year deal.[41] He was the division's top-scorer with 20 goals by the time the National League was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, though Quigley himself was also suspended following a red card in a 1–0 home defeat to Notts County on 7 March.[42] Though the season was not resumed, Barrow went on to be promoted to the Football League as National League champions.[43] He signed a new three-year contract in July 2020.[44] He was voted as Barrow's Fans' Player of the Year.[45] He was also named on the National League Team of the Year, along with teammates Josh Kay and John Rooney.[46]

He took until late November to score his first goal of Barrow's return to the Football League, though manager David Dunn believed it would kick-start the striker's season.[47] Dunn was sacked a few weeks later though, and new appointment Michael Jolley said that Quigley was "a focal point for the team, he's a threat and a real handful. He takes a lot of heat on behalf of the team... I'm really looking forward to working with him".[48] Jolley's reign lasted just two months, but caretaker manager Rob Kelly kept faith in Quigley, who scored 15 goals from 41 appearances to help Barrow to finish above the League Two relegation zone at the end of the 2020–21 season.[49] [50]

Stockport County

On 15 July 2021, Quigley announced his departure from Barrow and returned to the National League to join Stockport County for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year deal.[51] He cited "family reasons" as the reason for his move to Edgeley Park and urged Barrow fans not to listen to "lies" to the contrary as new Barrow manager Mark Cooper stated that Stockport had offered a contract that Barrow could not compete with.[52] On 17 November, he scored two goals as Stockport overturned a 3–1 deficit to beat League One side Bolton Wanderers in the first round of the FA Cup.[53] He scored ten goals in 37 appearances throughout the 2021–22 season as Dave Challinor's "Hatters" secured a return to the Football League as champions of the National League.

Having been limited to four substitute appearances after Stockport's return to the EFL, Quigley joined Rochdale on a season-long loan on 1 September 2022.[54] Manager Jim Bentley commented that "Scott is a player I’ve always admired and have come close to signing previously".[55] He scored five goals in twenty starts and seven substitute appearances for Rochdale in the 2022–23 campaign as the club were relegated out of the Football League in last place.

Eastleigh

On 17 July 2023, Quigley returned to the National League when he joined Eastleigh.[56] He scored 11 goals in 46 games during the 2023–24 season.

Style of play

Quigley is a pacey two-footed forward.[57] Despite being, he prefers to play with the ball on the ground.[58]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
The New Saints2012–13[59] Welsh Premier League600010000070
2013–14Welsh Premier League620000000062
2014–15Welsh Premier League286324410003612
2015–16Welsh Premier League289344441003918
2016–17Welsh Premier League188343142212616
2017–18Welsh Premier League000000430043
Total86259101291362112261
Carmarthen Town (loan)2012–13Welsh Premier League5000000050
Blackpool2017–18League One90000050140
2018–19League One0000000000
Total9000000050140
Wrexham (loan)2017–18National League178000000178
Port Vale (loan)2018–19League Two110001011131
FC Halifax Town (loan)2018–19National League152000000152
Barrow2019–20National League352010103720
2020–21League Two38151000204115
Total7335200000307835
Stockport County2021–22National League31644203710
2022–23League Two2000200040
Total316442000203910
Rochdale (loan)2022–23League Two265000010275
Eastleigh2023–24National League401150104611
2024–25National League00000000
Total4011500000104611
Career total315922114159136152379121

Honours

The New Saints[59]

2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17

2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16; runner-up: 2016–17

2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17; runner-up: 2012–13

Barrow

2019–20[43]

Stockport County

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Notification of shirt numbers: Barrow . English Football League . 6 . 17 September 2020.
  2. Web site: FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2018/2019 . www.footballsquads.co.uk . 1 February 2021.
  3. Web site: Scott Quigley - Forward - First Team - Blackpool FC . www.blackpoolfc.co.uk . 10 July 2018.
  4. News: Doman . Robert . Saints sign Stockport sensation after loan success . 10 July 2018 . Border Counties Advertizer . 28 May 2012.
  5. Web site: Bluebirds could face points deduction. 16 September 2011. Welsh Premier Football. 16 September 2017.
  6. Web site: Prestatyn Town vs. The New Saints - 12 September 2012 . uk.soccerway.com . 11 July 2018.
  7. Web site: Quigley joins Carmarthen - Christopher moves back to County. 11 October 2011. Welsh Premier Football. 16 September 2017.
  8. News: wpl1213_gqn_h_13oct . 11 July 2018 . carmarthentownafc.co.uk . 13 October 2012.
  9. Web site: Saints loan out youngsters. 13 August 2013. The New Saints. 16 September 2017.
  10. Web site: Bangor City vs. The New Saints - 18 April 2014 - Soccerway . uk.soccerway.com . 11 July 2018.
  11. Web site: The New Saints vs. Slovan Bratislava - 22 July 2014 - Soccerway . uk.soccerway.com . 11 July 2018.
  12. Web site: Scott Quigley: 2017/2018 Biography & Statistics - Welsh Premier League . www.wpl.cymru . 10 July 2018.
  13. Web site: Bala Town vs. The New Saints - 25 January 2015 - Soccerway . uk.soccerway.com . 11 July 2018.
  14. Web site: The New Saints vs. Newtown - 2 May 2015 - Soccerway . uk.soccerway.com . 11 July 2018.
  15. Web site: B36 vs. The New Saints - 1 July 2015 - Soccerway . uk.soccerway.com . 11 July 2018.
  16. Web site: Aberystwyth Town vs. The New Saints - 23 October 2015 - Soccerway . uk.soccerway.com . 11 July 2018.
  17. Web site: The New Saints vs. Denbigh Town - 23 January 2016 - Soccerway . uk.soccerway.com . 11 July 2018.
  18. News: Williams . Aled . Welsh Cup final: The New Saints 2-0 Airbus UK Broughton . 11 July 2018 . BBC Sport . 2 May 2016.
  19. Web site: Tre Penne vs. The New Saints - 5 July 2016 - Soccerway . uk.soccerway.com . 11 July 2018.
  20. News: New Saints' world-record run of victories is ended by 3-3 draw with Newtown - BBC Sport. 14 January 2017. BBC Online. 14 January 2017.
  21. News: FAW / TNS beat Barry Town United to lift first silverware of season . 11 July 2018 . www.faw.cymru . 22 January 2017.
  22. Web site: Bala Town vs. The New Saints - 30 April 2017 - Soccerway . uk.soccerway.com . 11 July 2018.
  23. Web site: Europa vs. The New Saints - 4 July 2017 - Soccerway . uk.soccerway.com . 11 July 2018.
  24. News: Champions League qualifying: The New Saints 1-2 Europa FC . 11 July 2018 . BBC Sport . 27 June 2017.
  25. News: Field . Carl . The New Saints progress in the Champions League . 11 July 2018 . walesonline . 4 July 2017.
  26. News: 'I'm absolutely made up for the lad.' Scott Ruscoe on Quigley's Blackpool switch. - Welsh Premier League . 11 July 2018 . www.wpl.cymru . 17 August 2017.
  27. Web site: Scott Quigley: Blackpool sign forward from The New Saints. 16 August 2017. BBC Sport. 21 August 2017.
  28. News: Scott Quigley Completes Transfer From TNS . 10 July 2018 . blackpoolfc.co.uk . 16 August 2017.
  29. News: Baggaley . Michael . Tall, quick and scored in Champions League! A look at Port Vale's Scott Quigley . 11 July 2018 . Stoke Sentinel . 5 July 2018.
  30. Web site: Match report: Blackpool 1 Wigan Athletic 1 (Wigan win 5-4 on penalties). 30 August 2017. Blackpool Gazette Sport. 17 September 2017.
  31. Web site: Plymouth Argyle 1-3 Blackpool. 12 September 2017. BBC Sport. 16 September 2017.
  32. News: Scott Quigley: Blackpool striker in Wrexham loan move . 10 July 2018 . BBC Sport . 16 January 2018.
  33. News: Dean Keates ready to unleash new Wrexham AFC striker on the National League . Daily Post . Rob . Griffiths . 16 January 2018 . 16 January 2018.
  34. News: Baggaley . Michael . Port Vale complete deal for Blackpool striker Scott Quigley . 11 July 2018 . Stoke Sentinel . 5 July 2018.
  35. News: Scott Quigley: Port Vale sign Blackpool's ex-TNS striker on season-long loan . 11 July 2018 . BBC Sport . 5 July 2018.
  36. News: Baggaley . Michael . Port Vale hoping their homework on Scott Quigley will pay off . 1 January 2019 . Stoke Sentinel . 12 July 2018.
  37. News: Baggaley . Michael . Port Vale's Scott Quigley determined to prove himself in Football League . 11 July 2018 . Stoke Sentinel . 6 July 2018.
  38. News: Baggaley . Michael . Walsall 1, Port Vale 2 Checkatrade report: Vale top group and 15-year-old plays . 14 November 2018 . Stoke Sentinel . 13 November 2018.
  39. News: Baggaley . Michael . Striker Scott Quigley recalled by Blackpool from loan at Port Vale . 1 January 2019 . Stoke Sentinel . 31 December 2018.
  40. News: Scargill . Tom . FC Halifax Town: Shaymen sign striker on loan from Blackpool . 3 January 2019 . Halifax Courier . 4 January 2019.
  41. News: Wright . Matt . Striker Scott Quigley signs for Barrow AFC, while Dior Angus returns on a permanent transfer . 21 May 2019 . Halifax Courier . 25 January 2019.
  42. News: Williams . Richard . Former Wrexham AFC striker Scott Quigley gutted he won't be facing his former club when Barrow continue title push . 3 April 2020 . The Leader . 13 March 2020.
  43. News: Baggaley . Michael . Port Vale's message to Barrow after they clinch promotion with former Valiants . 18 June 2020 . Stoke Sentinel . 18 June 2020.
  44. News: Scott Quigley: Barrow striker signs new three-year contract with newly-promoted club . 30 July 2020 . BBC Sport . 22 July 2020.
  45. News: Quigley And Brough Take Top Awards . Barrow AFC . 21 May 2021 . 1 March 2023.
  46. News: Moors duo named in Team of the Season . 23 August 2020 . www.solihullmoorsfc.co.uk.
  47. News: Colman . Jon . Scott's off and running, says AFC boss . 14 May 2021 . The Mail . 25 November 2020.
  48. News: MacDermott . Shane . Jolley is excited to work with in-form forward . 14 May 2021 . The Mail . 1 January 2021.
  49. News: Kelly kept faith in Bluebirds' striker . 14 May 2021 . The Mail . 22 December 2020.
  50. News: Goulding . Neil . Job done for Bluebirds as huge victory ensures Football League survival . 14 May 2021 . The Mail . 27 April 2021.
  51. Web site: County add prolific striker Quigley. www.stockportcounty.com. 15 July 2021.
  52. News: Colman . Jon . Goal ace Quigley joins Stockport after leaving Bluebirds . 15 July 2021 . The Mail . 15 July 2021.
  53. News: Quigley departs in permanent move . 17 July 2023 . Stockport County . 17 July 2023.
  54. News: Rochdale sign Quigley on loan from Stockport . 3 September 2022 . BBC Sport . 1 September 2022.
  55. News: Scott Quigley Joins On Loan . 2 September 2022 . Rochdale A.F.C. . 1 September 2022.
  56. Web site: Scott Quigley Joins The Spitfires. www.eastleighfc.com. 17 July 2023. 17 July 2023.
  57. News: Scott Quigley leaves The New Saints for the Football League . 11 July 2018 . www.clwbpeldroed.org . 16 August 2017.
  58. News: Scargill . Tom . FC Halifax Town: Striker Quigley confident the goals will start to flow . 21 May 2019 . The Mail . 20 May 2019.
  59. Web site: S. Quigley . Soccerway . Perform Group . 17 January 2018.
  60. Web site: National League: 2021/22: Current table . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 15 May 2022.
    Web site: Stockport: Squad details: 2021/22 . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 15 May 2022.