Scott Flinders

Scott Liam Flinders (born 12 June 1986) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for League Two club Cheltenham Town.

Scott Flinders
Flinders playing for York City in 2016
Personal information
Full name Scott Liam Flinders[1]
Date of birth (1986-06-12) 12 June 1986[2]
Place of birth Rotherham, England
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)[3]
Playing position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Cheltenham Town
Number 1
Youth career
0000–2003 Barnsley
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2006 Barnsley 14 (0)
2006–2009 Crystal Palace 8 (0)
2006 → Gillingham (loan) 9 (0)
2007 → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 12 (0)
2008 → Yeovil Town (loan) 9 (0)
2008 → Blackpool (loan) 0 (0)
2008–2009 → Falkirk (loan) 8 (0)
2009–2015 Hartlepool United 252 (1)
2015–2017 York City 52 (0)
2016 → Macclesfield Town (loan) 5 (0)
2017 Macclesfield Town 18 (0)
2017– Cheltenham Town 112 (0)
National team
2005 England U20 5 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 07:10, 13 July 2020 (UTC)

Flinders has played for Barnsley, Crystal Palace, Gillingham, Brighton & Hove Albion, Yeovil Town, Blackpool, Falkirk, Hartlepool United, York City and Macclesfield Town. He has also played for the England national under-20 team.

Club career

Barnsley

Born in Rotherham, South Yorkshire,[2] Flinders started out at Barnsley, making his first-team debut in 2005, when he replaced the injured Ross Turnbull in the Barnsley goal. He made an instant impression, and played eleven matches in the next three months.

In the 2005–06 season, he was picked to play for a "Football League XI", in a match against their Italian counterparts. He also went back to being second choice at Barnsley, this time to Nick Colgan and was an unused substitute in Barnsley's play-off final win against Swansea City.[4] Because of this, he only made a few more league and cup appearances in which he again impressed, leading to trials at Chelsea and Wigan Athletic. Flinders moved to Crystal Palace as part of a deal that took Sam Togwell to Barnsley in the summer of 2006.

Crystal Palace

Flinders' transfer fee from Barnsley to Palace was believed to be for £250,000[5] but with a potential to rise to £1 million depending on appearances.

Flinders made his competitive debut for Palace in a League Cup tie with Notts County, playing the full match as Palace were beaten 2–1. This would be his last appearance before going on loan to League One club Gillingham, where he made his debut in a 2–1 away win against Doncaster Rovers on 9 September 2006. His loan with Gillingham was extended for a second month,[6] but this extended loan did not last its full spell. He returned to the Crystal Palace bench by 28 October.

For the next match, a trip to Sheffield Wednesday, Flinders made his league debut with The Eagles, while Gábor Király was dropped to the bench for a match which ended in a 3–2 defeat. This was quickly followed by a match at Loftus Road, against Queens Park Rangers, which ended in a 4–2 loss, after which he was dropped, not returning until late December.

On 20 February 2007, Flinders was sent out on loan again. He signed for Palace's rivals, Brighton & Hove Albion, after their first choice goalkeeper Michel Kuipers was injured. He made his Seagulls debut at his previous club Gillingham, a match which his new team won 1–0.

Flinders was sent out on loan again in February 2008, this time to Yeovil Town, after their first choice goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall was injured. However, despite Yeovil signing him for further month loan period, on 27 March, Championship club Blackpool signed him on loan until the end of the season as competition for first-choice keeper, Paul Rachubka. With Blackpool's next match being an away match at Crystal Palace he was not allowed to make his debut for the club until after that match.[7] However, his loan period finished without him making an appearance for Blackpool.

In August 2008, Flinders signed for Scottish Premier League club Falkirk on loan until January 2009, and he returned to Palace at the end of this spell.[8] Flinders was released by Crystal Palace on 6 May 2009.[9]

Hartlepool United
Flinders playing for Hartlepool United in 2011

On 26 June 2009, Flinders signed for League One club Hartlepool United.[10] He played every minute of the 2009–10 for Hartlepool in both league and cup, the next season he was limited to 26 league appearances due to an injury in mid-September which ruled him out until February which saw Pools boss Mick Wadsworth draft in Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Jake Kean on loan to cover for Flinders.[11]

Flinders became the first ever goalkeeper to score a goal from open play for Hartlepool when his 94th-minute header against Bournemouth on 30 April 2011 gained a point for his employers on the last home match of the season.[12] He nearly scored in consecutive home matches for the club when against Walsall on 13 August 2011, when his 5th minute clearance from 70 yards bounced over Saddlers' keeper Jimmy Walker only for striker Colin Nish to tap in on the line for Nish's first Hartlepool goal.[13]

Flinders signed a new contract with the club in May 2011.[14] Flinders was nominated for League One's Player of the Month for September 2011, along with Hartlepool manager Mick Wadsworth being nominated for Manager of the Month, after conceding only two goals in four matches which saw his team win all four matches. However, he was unsuccessful as Preston North End striker Neil Mellor won the accolade.[15]

In January 2013, Hartlepool manager John Hughes revealed to the Hartlepool Mail that club in the higher divisions were looking to sign Flinders with Hughes saying "I know there are a lot of clubs looking at big Scotty. It's no surprise others are looking at him and we're just grateful and thankful that he's in goal for Hartlepool. The way he conducts himself in his training and preparation and his values are first class."[16]

On April 2013, prior to Hartlepool's final home match of the season, Flinders was voted Player's Player, Supporter's Player and Away Player of the Year for the 2012–13 campaign.[17] Twelve days later, it was announced that Flinders had won the Hartlepool Mail SportsMail Player of the Year Award.[18]

After a 0–0 draw against Portsmouth in December 2013, Flinders broke a club record for the most clean sheets in the league for Hartlepool.[19]

Flinders became the first ever Hartlepool goalkeeper to make 200 Football League appearances for the club after a 4–0 win against Bristol Rovers in March 2014.

York City
Flinders playing for York City in 2015

On 23 June 2015, Flinders signed for Hartlepool's League Two rivals York City on a one-year contract, with the option of a further year.[20] He made his debut in the opening match of 2015–16, a 3–0 defeat away to Wycombe Wanderers on 8 August 2015.[21] He made 48 appearances in 2015–16,[22] as York were relegated into the National League with a 24th-place finish in League Two.[23] York had the second-poorest defensive record with 87 goals conceded;[23] however, Dave Flett of The Press defended Flinders, arguing that "without his saves, the club would have collected even fewer points".[24] York exercised their option to extend his contract for 2016–17.[25][26]

On 23 August 2016, Flinders was suspended for five matches by the Football Association (FA) after being found guilty of racial abuse during a match against AFC Wimbledon on 19 March 2016.[27] He was also fined £1,250 and ordered to attend an education course.[27] Flinders was swiftly suspended by York, being told to stay away from the club completely.[28] In September 2016, the suspension was lifted by the club and Flinders returned to training, although he had lost his place in the team to new signing Kyle Letheren.[29] Shortly after, Flinders was found guilty of racial abuse by the FA regulatory commission, having told AFC Wimbledon player Lyle Taylor that his wife "doesn't like your kind", after Taylor grabbed Flinders' testicles and goaded him.[30]

On 20 September 2016, Flinders joined York's National League rivals Macclesfield Town on a 28-day loan until 18 October.[31] He made his debut four days later when starting their 2–1 away win over Guiseley, finishing the loan with five appearances.[32] Macclesfield wanted to extend his loan, but did not have the funds to do so.[33] Flinders again lost his place in the York team in November 2016, and left the club by mutual consent on 5 January 2017.[34]

Macclesfield Town

On 6 January 2017, Flinders signed for Macclesfield Town permanently on a contract until the end of the 2016–17 season.[35] He was released at the end of the season.[36]

Cheltenham Town

Flinders signed for League Two club Cheltenham Town on 31 August 2017.[37]

International career

Flinders made his debut for the England national under-20 team in a 3–0 win over South Korea on 6 June 2005.[38] He finished his under-20 career with five caps, all earned in 2005.[38][39]

Personal life

Flinders is married with one son.[40]

Career statistics
As of match played 4 January 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup[lower-alpha 2] Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Barnsley 2003–04[41] Second Division 0000000000
2004–05[42] League One 110000000110
2005–06[43] League One 3020201[lower-alpha 3]080
Total 140202010190
Crystal Palace 2006–07[44] Championship 802010—110
2007–08[45] Championship 0010100020
2008–09[46] Championship 000000—00
Total 80302000130
Gillingham (loan) 2006–07[44] League One 90——1[lower-alpha 3]0100
Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 2006–07[44] League One 120———120
Yeovil Town (loan) 2007–08[45] League One 90———90
Blackpool (loan) 2007–08[45] Championship 00———00
Falkirk (loan) 2008–09[46] Scottish Premier League 80—10—90
Hartlepool United 2009–10[47] League One 46010201[lower-alpha 3]0500
2010–11[48] League One 26100201[lower-alpha 3]0291
2011–12[49] League One 45010101[lower-alpha 3]0480
2012–13[50] League One 46010101[lower-alpha 3]0490
2013–14[51] League Two 43030103[lower-alpha 3]0500
2014–15[52] League Two 46020101[lower-alpha 3]0500
Total 25218080802761
York City 2015–16[22] League Two 43010202[lower-alpha 3]0480
2016–17[32] National League 90——0090
Total 520102020570
Macclesfield Town 2016–17[32] National League 230——6[lower-alpha 4]0290
Cheltenham Town 2017–18[53] League Two 41010—1[lower-alpha 5]0430
2018–19[54] League Two 46030204[lower-alpha 5]0550
2019–20[55] League Two 250301000290
Total 11207030501270
Career total 49912101802305611
  1. Includes FA Cup
  2. Includes League Cup, Scottish League Cup
  3. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  4. Appearances(s) in FA Trophy
  5. Appearance in EFL Trophy

Honours

Individual

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gollark: Well, I mean, comparatively easy.
gollark: The limiting factor here is probably your key thing. There are only 4 billion possibilities for that, which is easy.
gollark: So effectively you just have a mildly larger key.

References
  1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Cheltenham Town" (PDF). English Football League. p. 17. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  2. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 152. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  3. "Scott Flinders". Cheltenham Town F.C. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  4. Swansea 2–2 Barnsley (aet)
  5. Pools sign Palace keeper Scott Flinders
  6. "Flinders stays on with Gillingham". BBC Sport. 5 October 2006. Retrieved 27 March 2008.
  7. "Deadline day latest". Blackpool F.C. 27 March 2008. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012.
  8. "Flinders leaves Bairns after loan". BBC Sport. 6 January 2009. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
  9. Striker one of six to get new deals but nine players released
  10. "Pools name fifth signing of summer". Hartlepool United F.C. 21 July 2009. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012.
  11. Blackburn goalkeeper Kean extends Hartlepool loan deal
  12. Bradbury proud to be in play-offs Archived 29 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  13. Hartlepool 1–1 Walsall
  14. Fresh Hartlepool deal for Gary Liddle
  15. Mellor named Player of the Month
  16. Scott Flinders is attracting interest from Championship and Premier League clubs
  17. Scott Flinders wins three Hartlepool United player of the year awards
  18. Hartlepool Utd's Flinders is SportMail Player of the Year
  19. Great Scott! – Boss praises Hartlepool Utd keeper Flinders after clean sheet against Portsmouth
  20. "Flinders signs City contract". York City F.C. 23 June 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  21. Flett, Dave (8 August 2015). "York City go down 3–0 at Wycombe on opening day". The Press. York. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  22. "Games played by Scott Flinders in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  23. "York City 2015–2016: Table: Final table". Statto Organisation. Archived from the original on 29 August 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  24. Flett, Dave (13 May 2016). "York City review of 2015/16: The unfunny tale of an Englishman, Irishman and a Scotsman". The Press. York. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  25. Flett, Dave (28 December 2015). "No talks over new contracts until York City's league status is secure". The Press. York. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  26. Flett, Dave (18 March 2016). "McNamara: York City need at least six more wins to stay in Football League". The Press. York. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  27. "Scott Flinders: York City goalkeeper suspended by FA for racial abuse". BBC Sport. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  28. Martini, Peter (23 August 2016). "Updated: York City keeper Scott Flinders banned by the club for racial abuse". The Press. York. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  29. Flett, Dave (7 September 2016). "Scott Flinders returns to training with York City after club suspension, but could be primed for loan move". The Press. York. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  30. Flett, Dave (7 September 2016). "Why Scott Flinders was found guilty of racial abuse – The FA's findings". The Press. York. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
  31. Appleyard, Ian (20 September 2016). "Updated:York City's out-of-favour goalkeeper Scott Flinders joins Macclesfield Town". The Press. York. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  32. "S. Flinders: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  33. Partington, Richard (19 October 2016). "Silkmen's John Askey positive ahead of weekend match". Macclesfield Express. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  34. Flett, Dave (5 January 2017). "Scott Flinders leaves York City by mutual consent". The Press. York. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  35. "Silkmen re-sign goalkeeper Scott Flinders and Bury forward Anthony Dudley". Macclesfield Town F.C. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  36. "Macclesfield Town: National League side to release five players". BBC Sport. 30 May 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  37. "Scott Flinders: Cheltenham Town sign goalkeeper on free transfer". BBC Sport. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  38. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2005). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2005–2006. London: Headline Publishing Group. p. 978. ISBN 0-7553-1384-4.
  39. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2006). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2006–2007. London: Headline Publishing Group. p. 981. ISBN 0-7553-1526-X.
  40. Carroll, Steve (25 June 2015). "Scott Flinders playing for keeps at York City". The Press. York. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  41. "Games played by Scott Flinders in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  42. "Games played by Scott Flinders in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  43. "Games played by Scott Flinders in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  44. "Games played by Scott Flinders in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  45. "Games played by Scott Flinders in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  46. "Games played by Scott Flinders in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  47. "Games played by Scott Flinders in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  48. "Games played by Scott Flinders in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  49. "Games played by Scott Flinders in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  50. "Games played by Scott Flinders in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  51. "Games played by Scott Flinders in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  52. "Games played by Scott Flinders in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  53. "Games played by Scott Flinders in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  54. "Games played by Scott Flinders in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  55. "Games played by Scott Flinders in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  56. "Scott Flinders wins THREE Hartlepool United player of the year awards". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
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