Graham Stack (footballer)

Graham Christopher Stack (born 26 September 1981) is a professional football former player and coach, who is currently the assistant coach and the head of academy goalkeeping at Watford.[2] Stack played as a goalkeeper for Arsenal, Beveren, Millwall, Reading, Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Plymouth Argyle, Blackpool, Hibernian, Barnet, Kerala Blasters and Eastleigh. He also played in under-21 internationals for the Republic of Ireland.

Graham Stack
Stack warming up for Eastleigh in 2017
Personal information
Full name Graham Christopher Stack[1]
Date of birth (1981-09-26) 26 September 1981
Place of birth Hampstead, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Watford (Head of academy goalkeeping)
Youth career
1998–2000 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2006 Arsenal 0 (0)
2002–2003 → Beveren (loan) 24 (0)
2004–2005 → Millwall (loan) 26 (0)
2005–2006 → Reading (loan) 1 (0)
2006–2008 Reading 0 (0)
2006–2007 → Leeds United (loan) 12 (0)
2007–2008 → Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) 2 (0)
2008–2009 Plymouth Argyle 5 (0)
2008–2009 → Blackpool (loan) 0 (0)
2009 → Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) 0 (0)
2009–2012 Hibernian 56 (0)
2012–2016 Barnet 125 (0)
2016 Kerala Blasters 7 (0)
2017–2018 Eastleigh 51 (0)
Total 309 (0)
National team
2003 Republic of Ireland U21 7 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:12, 19 September 2018 (UTC)

Club career

Arsenal

Stack joined Arsenal in summer 1998, and signed his first professional contract in July 2000.[3] The 2002–03 season saw Stack loaned out to Belgian club Beveren, along with three other Arsenal players. In December 2002, Stack came under physical attack during a Beveren match, as hooligans charged at him. He punched one of the hooligans in the face, and riot police were quickly on the scene.[4]

His Arsenal debut came in a League Cup match against Rotherham on 28 October 2003, a match his team won 9–8 on penalties; Stack scored in the shootout.[5] He played in all of Arsenal's five matches in the competition, losing in the semi-finals to Middlesbrough. Stack was on the bench as Arsenal clinched the 2003–04 FA Premier League title at White Hart Lane on 25 April 2004.[6] Stack was loaned to Millwall for the entirety of the 2004–05 season. On his return, he was loaned to Reading, at the start of the 2005–06 season.[7]

Reading

Stack joined Reading permanently on 30 December 2005, on a two-and-a-half-year contract. During the 2005–06 season, he made four appearances in the League Cup and three in the FA Cup. On 27 October 2006, Stack signed a three-month loan deal with Championship side Leeds United, whose manager Dennis Wise had previously signed Stack for Millwall. The loan deal was extended to the end of the 2006–07 season on 29 January 2007.[8] Stack competed for the starting position with Neil Sullivan, Tony Warner and Casper Ankergren at various points of the season, but Leeds were relegated at the end of the season.

Shortly after returning to Reading, Stack was signed on a one-month loan by Wolverhampton Wanderers, following an injury to their first-choice goalkeeper Matt Murray.[9] His loan spell was later extended to January 2008,[10] and then again to the end of the 2007–08 season.[11] Stack was released by Reading, following their relegation from the Premier League, on 16 May 2008.[12]

Plymouth Argyle

Stack signed a two-year contract with Championship club Plymouth Argyle in July 2008, after training with the club.[13] He made his competitive debut for Argyle on 9 August 2008, with a start against former loan club Wolves. On 27 November 2008, Stack made Blackpool the sixth loan club of his career. However, a month later he returned to Plymouth without making an appearance for the Seasiders. He was loaned to Wolverhampton Wanderers for a second time towards the end of the season.[14] Plymouth released Stack from his contract with the club with effect from 1 August 2009.

Hibernian

On 24 July 2009, Stack agreed a two-year deal with Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.[15] He made his debut in the Scottish League Cup second round win against Brechin, and retained his place for the following league match against Celtic. Stack established himself as Hibs' first choice goalkeeper during the early part of the 2009–10 season, but then suffered recurring back problems.[16] Stack returned to the Hibs starting line up on 20 February in a 1–0 defeat against Motherwell, but was again sidelined when he suffered an eye injury in April.[17]

He made just one league appearance in the early part of the 2010–11 season, partly due to a recurrence of the back injury.[18] Stack regained his place in the Hibs team in February 2011, as new manager Colin Calderwood decided to give opportunities to each of his goalkeepers under a rotation policy.[19] Soon afterwards, however, Stack suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery.[20][21] Despite that setback, Stack agreed a new one-year contract with Hibs during May 2011.[22] Stack played regularly during the 2011–12 season, but suffered a thigh injury during the Scottish Cup semi-final that caused him to miss the last five league games and the 2012 Scottish Cup Final.[23] Stack left Hibernian at the end of his contract in May 2012.[24]

Stack playing for Barnet in 2013

Barnet

Stack had trials with Preston North End and Watford in the 2012–13 pre-season.[25] On 23 August 2012 he signed for League Two club Barnet.[26] He was sent off in a 2–1 defeat against Fleetwood Town on 29 September.[27] He was eventually handed the captaincy in the absence of both Edgar Davids and Barry Fuller (who was vice-captain). After a string of excellent performances, in January 2013, he was given a three-year contract extension until June 2016.[28] He saved a 94th minute penalty in the last ever game at Underhill Stadium, a 1–0 win against Wycombe Wanderers on 20 April 2013.[29][30] Stack started the game against Northampton in the final game of the season, which they went on to lose 2–0, thus relegating Barnet to the Conference. In the 2013–14 season, Stack became team captain after Edgar Davids' resignation.[31] Stack won promotion with the Bees by winning the Conference title of 2014–15 with the bees.[32][33] He lost his place to Jamie Stephens in the 2015–16 season, and left the club in July 2016 despite being offered a new deal.[34]

Kerala Blasters

Stack joined Kerala Blasters in a joint player/goalkeeping coach role in August 2016.[35]

Eastleigh

After the conclusion of the 2016 ISL season, Stack returned to England to sign for National League side Eastleigh.[36] On 7 April 2018, Stack was involved in an injury time equalising goal (which was credited to Ryan Cresswell) in a National League game against Wrexham.[37] Stack left Eastleigh in September 2018 to take a coaching position with Watford.[38]

Career statistics
As of 22:12, 19 September 2018 (UTC)
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Arsenal 2000–01 Premier League 0000000000
2001–02 0000000000
2003–04[39] 0000500050
Arsenal total 0000500050
Beveren (loan) 2002–03 First Division 240—240
Millwall (loan) 2004–05[40] Championship 26010102[lower-alpha 1]0300
Reading (loan) 2005–06[41] Championship 104030—80
Reading 2006–07[42] Premier League 000020—20
Leeds United (loan) 2006–07[42] Championship 1200000—120
Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) 2007–08[43] Championship 200020—40
Plymouth Argyle 2008–09[44] Championship 500010—60
Blackpool (loan) 2008–09[44] Championship 000000—00
Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan) 2008–09[44] Championship 000000—00
Hibernian 2009–10[45] Premier League 2000020—220
2010–11[46] 6000001[lower-alpha 2]070
2011–12[47] 3003000—330
Hibernian total 560302010620
Barnet 2012–13[48] League Two 42000001[lower-alpha 3]0430
2013–14[49] Conference Premier 31020—2[lower-alpha 4]0350
2014–15[49] 45030—00480
2015–16[50] League Two 7000100080
Barnet total 12505010301340
Kerala Blasters 2016[49] Indian Super League 7000001[lower-alpha 5]080
Eastleigh 2016–17[51] National League 14010——150
2017–18[49] 270———270
2018–19 100———100
Eastleigh total 51010——520
Total 3090140170703470
  1. Appearances in the UEFA Cup
  2. Appearance in the Europa League
  3. Appearance in the Football League Trophy
  4. Appearances in the FA Trophy
  5. Appearance in the 2016 Indian Super League playoffs

Honours

Club
Arsenal
Barnet[33]

Individual
  • PFA Community Champion: 2015-16[53]
gollark: Do you *not* like open source software?
gollark: But the thing is, you've already *done* the work, other people could benefit from it, and if it's private and you tell nobody about it you can hardly expect to get much back.
gollark: Me too!
gollark: *Vaguely* bees, possibly.
gollark: > and I don't want someone to use my hard workthat is somewhat bees.

References
  1. "Graham Stack". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  2. "Watford FC appoint former Kerala Blasters goalkeeper Graham Stack as assistant manager | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  3. "Arsenal reserves". arseweb.com.
  4. "Funny old round-up". BBC Sport. 4 December 2002. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  5. Clarke, Richard (28 October 2003). "Match Report – Arsenal v Rotherham United – 28 Oct 2003". Arsenal F.C. official website. Archived from the original on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  6. "Arsenal clinch title". BBC Sport. 25 April 2004. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  7. "Reading sign Stack in loan deal". BBC Sport. 7 July 2005. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  8. "Royals keeper Stack extends loan at Leeds until the end of the season". readingfc.co.uk. 29 January 2007. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2007.
  9. "Wolves sign Royals keeper on loan". BBC Sport. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2007.
  10. "MK Dons boss signs Wolves striker". BBC Sport. 31 August 2007. Retrieved 31 August 2007.
  11. "Keeper Stack extends Wolves stay". BBC Sport. 7 January 2008. Retrieved 7 January 2008.
  12. "Four offered deals, six released". readingfc.co.uk. 16 May 2008. Archived from the original on 28 September 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2008.
  13. "Stack completes Plymouth switch". BBC Sport. 18 July 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2008.
  14. "Stacky's Back!". wolves.co.uk. 26 March 2009. Archived from the original on 20 April 2010.
  15. "Keeper Stack agrees switch to Easter Road". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 24 July 2009.
  16. "Hibs manager John Hughes hoping jags have cured Graham Stack". Edinburgh Evening News. 14 January 2010.
  17. "Hibs keeper Stack may need eye surgery after freak accident". The Scotsman. 26 April 2010. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  18. "Back injury may have cost me chance of new deal, admits Hibs keeper Graham Stack". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. 8 December 2010. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
  19. Hardie, David (19 February 2011). "Hibs: I will be No.1 for keeps – Stack". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  20. Hardie, David (2 March 2011). "Hibs boss worried injured goalkeeper Graham Stack faces lengthy lay-off". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  21. Miller, Derek (15 March 2011). "Goalkeeper goes under the knife as Hearts prepare to work with the pen". The Herald. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  22. "Graham Stack extends stay at Hibernian". BBC Sport. 28 May 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  23. McLauchlin, Brian (16 April 2012). "Hibernian keeper Graham Stack to miss Scottish Cup final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  24. "Player Update". Hibernian FC. 23 May 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  25. "In Depth: Graham Stack On Watford, Arsenal & India". BBC Sport. 23 November 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  26. "Barnet sign Graham Stack on a free transfer". BBC Sport. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  27. "Fleetwood 2–1 Barnet". BBC Sport. 29 September 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  28. Portnoi, Doron. "STACK SIGNS THREE-YEAR DEAL".
  29. "Barnet 1 – 0 Wycombe". BBC Sport. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  30. "Barnet win last match at Underhill". BBC News. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  31. "Edgar Davids leaves Barnet FC". Barnet FC. Barnet FC. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  32. "Barnet 2-0 Gates". ESPN.co.uk.
  33. "Barnet 2-0 Gateshead". BBC Sport.
  34. "Graham Stack leaves Barnet".
  35. "Kerala Blasters FC on Twitter".
  36. "Graham Stack: Eastleigh to sign ex-Arsenal goalkeeper". BBC Sport. 22 December 2016. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  37. Hogan, Carl (8 April 2018). "Reaction". Wrexham AFC. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  38. Trehan, Dev (19 September 2018). "Watford recruit former Arsenal player Graham Stack as head of academy goalkeeping". Sky Sports. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  39. "Games played by Graham Stack in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  40. "Games played by Graham Stack in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  41. "Games played by Graham Stack in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  42. "Games played by Graham Stack in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  43. "Games played by Graham Stack in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  44. "Games played by Graham Stack in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  45. "Games played by Graham Stack in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  46. "Games played by Graham Stack in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  47. "Games played by Graham Stack in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  48. "Games played by Graham Stack in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  49. "G. Stack". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  50. "Games played by Graham Stack in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  51. "Games played by Graham Stack in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  52. "Class Of 2000". Arsenal.com.
  53. "A Special Award". LinkedIn.com.
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