Wikipedia

Glen Little

For the Ringling Brothers clown, see Glen Little (clown). For the Canadian politician, see Glen Little (politician).

Glen Matthew Little (born 15 October 1975) is an English former footballer who played as a winger. Born in Wimbledon, London, he began his career in Northern Ireland with Derry City and Glentoran, before returning to England to play for Burnley, Reading, Bolton Wanderers, Portsmouth, Sheffield United and Aldershot Town. He finished his career in non-league football with Wrexham, Wealdstone, Grays Athletic and Heybridge Swifts.

Glen Little
Personal information
Full name Glen Matthew Little
Date of birth (1975-10-15) 15 October 1975 (age 49)
Place of birth Wimbledon, London, England
Position(s) Winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–1996 Crystal Palace 0 (0)
1994–1995 → Derry City (loan) 1 (0)
1995–1997 Glentoran 75 (26)
1997–2004 Burnley 246 (32)
2003 → Reading (loan) 6 (1)
2003 → Bolton Wanderers (loan) 4 (0)
2004–2008 Reading 96 (5)
2008–2009 Portsmouth 5 (0)
2009 → Reading (loan) 8 (0)
2009–2010 Sheffield United 16 (0)
2010–2011 Aldershot Town 14 (1)
2011–2013 Wrexham 35 (1)
2013–2014 Wealdstone 31 (3)
2014 Heybridge Swifts 0 (0)
2014 Grays Athletic 17 (0)
2015 Welling United 0 (0)
2015–2016 Grays Athletic 25 (0)
2016–2017 Heybridge Swifts 26 (2)
Total 605 (71)
Managerial career
2018–2019 Wingate & Finchley
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Crystal Palace and Ireland

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Little made his Derry City debut on 20 November 1994 on loan from Palace. While at Irish League club Glentoran, Little scored a memorable goal to win the 1995–96 Irish Cup.[1]

Burnley

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Little moved from Glentoran to Burnley in November 1996 for a £100,000 fee. After Stan Ternent's arrival at Turf Moor in summer 1998, he became a fixture in the right-wing slot, linking up especially well with full-back Dean West. In Burnley's 1999–2000 Second Division promotion season, Little scored a memorable goal at home to Bristol Rovers. He also helped Burnley beat Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup in 2002 after a game-turning performance when brought on as a substitute. Little attracted attention during this time, and his club was reported to have turned down big money offers for his signature.

In early 2003, Little joined Reading on loan. In September 2003 he moved to Premier League club Bolton Wanderers on loan in a deal which involved Delroy Facey and Gareth Farrelly moving to Burnley. Little made his Premiership debut for the Trotters against Wolverhampton Wanderers and set up the equalising goal for Kevin Davies but his time with Sam Allardyce's team was brief.

Reading

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After eight years at Burnley, Little left on a Bosman transfer to sign for Reading in the summer of 2004. Little's talents were widely regarded as one of the main reasons behind Reading's record breaking 106-point Championship lifting 2005–06 season, with Little scoring five goals and setting up fourteen, more than any other player in the league. Little started the 2006–07 season on the sidelines due to an injury sustained during the close season. Seol Ki-hyeon took Little's place in the Reading team while he was out injured, but due to an injury to Dave Kitson, Seol was pushed up front, freeing the right wing for Little to return to the starting line-up. In November 2006, Little signed a one-year extension to his contract with Reading, keeping him at the Madejski Stadium until the summer of 2008.[2] He went on to make 24 top flight appearances in the season.

Portsmouth

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Following Reading's narrow relegation in 2008, and Little's injuries leading to a lack of first team action during the 2007–08 season, he opted to sign for Portsmouth on a one-year contract, on 20 June 2008.[3] Little played in some big European games for Portsmouth in their only European season when he played against Milan, he played a part in the first Pompey goal, passing the ball to Nwankwo Kanu who crossed the ball for Younès Kaboul to put Pompey 1–0 up. The game finished 2–2 at Fratton Park. However, he found opportunities limited at Pompey, so in March 2009 he rejoined Reading on loan until the end of the 2008–09 season.[4] Reading, however, failed to gain promotion so Little returned to Portsmouth, where he was released at the end of the 2008–09 season playing in just one game for the FA Cup holders.

Sheffield United

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In July 2009, Little had a trial with Sheffield United[5] and subsequently signed a one-year contract at Bramall Lane.[6] Despite this, he struggled to make an impact and made only 16 league appearances for the Blades, many as a late substitute and was released by the South Yorkshire club when his contract expired.

Aldershot Town

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In July 2010, Little signed for Aldershot Town on a one-year deal. He struggled with injury during his short stay, meaning he never secured a place in the side, despite his obvious potential. He was released by new manager Dean Holdsworth on 26 January 2011.

Wrexham

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In March 2011, Little joined Conference National side Wrexham on trial in the hope of earning a contract.[7] However, due to the club's financial position and having been placed under a transfer embargo, nothing came of the initial trial.

In June, Little rejoined the Welsh club for pre season training, where he impressed in games against Aberystwyth, Rochdale and Wolves, and earned a short-term contract with the club just before the beginning of the new season. Unfortunately, he pulled a hamstring on the same day, so his debut for the club was delayed.[8]

Little eventually made his debut for Wrexham on 10 September 2011, in a 3–1 loss at Barrow; he appeared sporadically over the first half of the 2011–12 season, usually coming on as a late substitute. Little scored his first goal for Wrexham in December 2011 in a 2–1 loss to Hinckley United in the FA Trophy.

In February 2012, Little committed himself to Wrexham signing a deal keeping him with the club until the end of the season.[9] In the 2012–13 season, Little started well in pre-season scoring a penalty against Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock in July 2012. Little was well prepared for the new season and scored his first league goal for the Dragons during a 2–0 win over Hyde when he tucked away a penalty after coming on as a substitute. His goal put the Reds 1–0 up before Jay Harris scored in injury time to seal the three points. In September 2012, Little picked up a slight knee injury and was not sure how long he would be on the sidelines.

On Boxing day 2012 and after three months out with his knee injury Little returned to action in a 4–1 home league win against AFC Telford United. On 24 March 2013 Little picked up only his third honour in his 18-year career, as Wrexham won the FA Trophy by beating Conference promotion rivals Grimsby Town on penalties. Little did not play in the final at Wembley Stadium but played in earlier rounds against Sutton United and was an unused substitute in other rounds against Southport and in both legs of the semi-final against Gainsborough Trinity. In May 2013 Little played at Wembley for the first time in his career as Wrexham played in the Conference National play-off final having defeated Kidderminster Harriers over the two semi-final legs which Little played a part in (coming on as a sub in the 85th minute of the second leg). Little came on as a substitute for Dean Keates in the 80th minute, unfortunately for Little, opponents Newport County scored twice in the last four minutes to secure promotion condemning Wrexham to non-League football for the sixth-straight season. The game at Wembley was Little's last in a Wrexham shirt as it was revealed on 20 May 2013 Little had been released from the Racecourse Ground, but Little stated we would like to carry on his career, despite being 37 years old.[10]

Wealdstone

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In August 2013, Little signed for Isthmian Premier League club Wealdstone to bolster their squad for another push for promotion to the Conference South. His first involvement in a Royals shirt was in a pre-season game against Uxbridge, he scored in pre-season against Hayes in a 3–2 loss. Little made his competitive debut in an Isthmian Premier League game against Wingate & Finchley. He came on as a sub in the 2–2 draw. His first start for the club came in a 7–1 win over Cray Wanderers. He picked up an injury against AFC Hornchurch on 10 September, he returned from injury appearing as an unused sub against Lewes, he then returned to action starting in The Royals' first loss of the season, 1–0 against Margate on 5 October 2013.[11] His first goal in a royals shirt came in an FA Trophy First Qualifier Round, a competition Little had won last season with Wrexham, he scored in a 3–0 win over Leiston.

However, with his fitness regained, Little stamped his influence in the team from the end of October onwards. Coming on with his team 1-0 down at home to Grays Athletic, Little pulled all the strings in a 3–1 win, showing his true class. The team then went on a 9-game unbeaten run, largely orchestrated by Little and Tom Pett. This run included Little's first and second League goals for the club in a 4–1 win away at Dulwich Hamlet. Each time he chipped the huge Dulwich keeper, the second goal coming after a run by Little from the edge of his own area which beat six opponents.

Wealdstone' good form continued for the rest of that season and they were crowned Champions after a 1–0 away win at Margate.

Heybridge Swifts

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Upon the conclusion of the 2013–14 season, Little left Wealdstone for personal reasons signing a contract at Isthmian League North side Heybridge Swifts in May 2014.[12] Little stayed at the club for just over a month before he decided to leave after the departure of manager Jody Brown to Grays Athletic; Little did not make any appearances for the Swifts.

Later career

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In July 2014 Little opted to follow manager Jody Brown to Essex-based Isthmian League Premier Division side Grays Athletic.[13] Little left Grays in December 2014, following Jody Brown to Welling United, where he became assistant manager.[14] Brown, however, was sacked in March 2015 by Welling and Little followed. Subsequently, Little rejoined Grays Athletic as a player/coach, before being promoted to player/assistant manager. Little later returned to Heybridge Swifts as a player/coach.[15][16]

Managerial career

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On 8 October 2018, Little was appointed joint-manager of Wingate & Finchley, along with Nicky Shorey.[17] On 29 October Shorey resigned, leaving Little in sole charge.[18] Despite leading the club to their best ever performance in the FA Trophy, Little was sacked in January 2019 due to their lowly league position.[18]

Career statistics

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Burnley 1996–97[19] Second Division 9 0 2 0 0 0 1[a] 0 12 0
1997–98[20] Second Division 24 4 0 0 2 0 3[a] 1 29 5
1998–99[21] Second Division 34 5 1 0 2 0 0 0 37 5
1999–2000[22] Second Division 41 3 4 0 2 0 1[a] 0 48 3
2000–01[23] First Division 34 3 2 0 3 0 — 39 3
2001–02[24] First Division 37 9 2 1 1 0 — 40 10
2002–03[25] First Division 33 5 4 2 3 0 — 40 7
2003–04[26] First Division 34 3 2 0 2 0 — 38 3
Total 246 32 17 3 15 0 5 1 283 36
Reading (loan) 2002–03[25] First Division 6 1 0 0 0 0 1[b] 0 7 1
Bolton Wanderers (loan) 2003–04[26] Premier League 4 0 0 0 0 0 — 4 0
Reading 2004–05[27] Championship 35 0 3 0 1 0 — 39 0
2005–06[28] Championship 35 5 1 0 2 0 — 38 5
2006–07[29] Premier League 24 0 2 0 2 0 — 28 0
2007–08[30] Premier League 2 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 0
Total 96 5 6 0 5 0 — 107 5
Portsmouth 2008–09[31] Premier League 5 0 0 0 0 0 3[c] 0 8 0
Reading (loan) 2008–09[31] Championship 8 0 0 0 0 0 1[d] 0 9 0
Sheffield United 2009–10[32] Championship 16 0 1 0 1 0 — 18 0
Aldershot Town 2010–11[33] League Two 14 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 16 1
Wrexham 2011–12[34] Conference Premier 17 0 2 0 — 2[e] 1 21 1
2012–13[35] Conference Premier 18 1 0 0 — 4[f] 0 22 1
Total 35 1 2 0 — 6 1 43 2
Wealdstone 2013–14[36][37][38] Isthmian League Premier Division 31 3 1 0 — 5[g] 1 37 4
Welling United 2014–15[39] Conference Premier 0 0 — — 0 0 0 0
Grays Athletic 2014–15[40] Isthmian League Premier Division 21 0 2 1 — 5[h] 0 28 1
2015–16[40] Isthmian League Premier Division 21 0 2 0 — 4[i] 1 27 1
Total 42 0 4 1 — 9 1 55 2
Heybridge Swifts 2016–17[41] Isthmian League Division One North 26 2 2 0 — 1[j] 0 29 2
Career total 529 45 35 4 21 0 31 4 616 53
  1. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Appearance(s) in First Division play-offs
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Appearance(s) in Championship play-offs
  5. ^ One appearance and one goal in FA Trophy, one appearance in Conference Premier play-offs
  6. ^ Two appearances in FA Trophy, two appearances in Conference Premier play-offs
  7. ^ Three appearances and one goal in FA Trophy, one appearance in Isthmian League Cup, one appearance in Middlesex Senior Cup
  8. ^ Two appearances in FA Trophy, two appearances in Isthmian League Cup, one appearance in Essex Senior Cup
  9. ^ Three appearances and one goal in Isthmian League Cup, one appearance in Essex Senior Cup
  10. ^ Appearance(s) in FA Trophy

Honours

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Glentoran
Burnley
Reading
Wrexham

Individual

References

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  1. ^ Morton, Johnny (29 March 2024). "Declan Devine recalls special memories from Glentoran's Irish Cup success in 1996 as interim boss chases special achievement". www.newsletter.co.uk. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Little and Hahnemann sign new deals". Reading F.C. 27 November 2006. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2006.
  3. ^ "Portsmouth land Reading's Little". BBC Sport. 20 June 2008. Retrieved 5 November 2008.
  4. ^ "Winger Little returns to Reading". BBC Sport. 8 March 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  5. ^ "Little offered Blades trial". Sky Sports. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2009.
  6. ^ "Little and Walker in". Sheffield United F.C. 5 August 2009. Archived from the original on 10 August 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  7. ^ "Ex Portsmouth and Reading ace Glen Little offered Wrexham trial". Daily Post. 12 March 2011. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  8. ^ "Wrexham FC's Glen Little pulls hamstring on first day of training". Daily Post. 12 August 2011. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  9. ^ "Mark Creighton and Glen Little sign new Wrexham deals". BBC. 2 February 2012.
  10. ^ http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/122863/no-hard-feelings-as-little-leaves-wrexham-fc.aspx [dead link‍]
  11. ^ "Wealdstone FC » Wealdstone 0 – 1 Margate". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013.
  12. ^ "Wealdstone FC » Glen Little moves on from Wealdstone". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014.
  13. ^ "StackPath".
  14. ^ "Little follows Brown to Wings as number two - the Pitching in Isthmian Football League". 23 December 2014.
  15. ^ "Heybridge Swifts on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  16. ^ Byrom, David (16 October 2017). "Who are Heybridge Swifts? The team Exeter City have drawn". DevonLive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  17. ^ "Wingate & Finchley FC on X". Twitter. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  18. ^ a b "News 2018/19". Wingate and Finchley FC. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019.
  19. ^ a b "The English National Football Archive". www.enfa.co.uk. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  20. ^ "Games played by Glen Little in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  21. ^ "Games played by Glen Little in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  22. ^ "Games played by Glen Little in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  23. ^ "Games played by Glen Little in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  24. ^ "Games played by Glen Little in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Games played by Glen Little in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Games played by Glen Little in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  27. ^ "Games played by Glen Little in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  28. ^ "Games played by Glen Little in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  29. ^ "Games played by Glen Little in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  30. ^ "Games played by Glen Little in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  31. ^ a b "Games played by Glen Little in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  32. ^ "Games played by Glen Little in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  33. ^ "Games played by Glen Little in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  34. ^ "Glen Little | Player Statistics 2011–12". www.wrexhamafcarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  35. ^ "Glen Little | Player Statistics 2012–13". www.wrexhamafcarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  36. ^ "20140426_Canvey_Island_Match_Programme_Pt_1.pdf" (PDF).
  37. ^ "Wealdstone 2-0 Canvey Island". WFC History. 27 April 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  38. ^ "Hampton & Richmond Borough 3 – 2 Wealdstone". WFC History. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  39. ^ "Welling FC Player Appearances | Past & Present | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  40. ^ a b "Statistics: Grays Athletic". www.graysath-online.com. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  41. ^ "Heybridge Swifts | Appearances | Glen Little | 2016-2017 | Football Web Pages". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  42. ^ "Cup Final Countdown: A Little Bit Special, 1996". Glentoran FC. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  43. ^ a b Glen Little at Soccerway. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  44. ^ "Keane claims award double". BBC Sport. 30 April 2000. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
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