Simon Eastwood

Simon Christopher Eastwood (born 26 June 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for League One club Oxford United.

Simon Eastwood
Eastwood playing for Blackburn Rovers in 2015
Personal information
Full name Simon Christopher Eastwood[1]
Date of birth (1989-06-26) 26 June 1989[1]
Place of birth Luton, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Playing position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Oxford United
Number 1
Youth career
0000–2007 Huddersfield Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2010 Huddersfield Town 1 (0)
2008–2009 → Woking (loan) 12 (0)
2009 → Bradford City (loan) 22 (0)
2010–2011 Oxford United 0 (0)
2011–2012 F.C. Halifax Town 39 (0)
2012–2013 Portsmouth 27 (0)
2013–2016 Blackburn Rovers 13 (0)
2016– Oxford United 155 (0)
National team
2007 England U18 1 (0)
2007 England U19 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:28, 6 July 2020 (UTC)

Eastwood started his career as a youth player with Huddersfield Town. He went professional in 2007, but struggled to break into the first team and went on loan to Woking in 2008 then moved to Bradford City a year later. He made a permanent transfer to Oxford United in 2010 but did not make a first-team appearance, and in the following years he played for F.C. Halifax Town, Portsmouth, and Blackburn Rovers, before returning to Oxford in 2016.

Eastwood has played internationally for England twice at under-18 and under-19 levels.

Club career

Huddersfield Town

Born in Luton, Bedfordshire,[1] Eastwood was a Huddersfield Town academy goalkeeper who made two appearances on the substitutes' bench in the 2005–06 season at the age of just 16. At the start of the 2006–07 season, he was the third-choice goalkeeper behind Paul Rachubka and new signing Matt Glennon. After Rachubka's departure to Blackpool, Eastwood became second-choice goalkeeper behind Glennon.

Eastwood signed his first professional contract in the summer of 2007.[2][3] On 16 January 2008, he and fellow Huddersfield youngster Shane Killock signed new one-year contract extensions.[4] This was after he fell behind goalkeeper Alex Smithies in the pecking order. On 27 November 2008, he joined Conference Premier club Woking. His first appearance for Woking was in their 1–1 draw with Rushden & Diamonds on 9 December 2008. Following Huddersfield's 3–1 defeat by Crewe Alexandra on 21 February 2009, he was recalled by manager Lee Clark following an injury to Matt Glennon. Clark gave Eastwood his full debut on the last day of the 2008–09 season, as regular keeper Alex Smithies had a shoulder injury. The match was Huddersfield's 1–1 draw against Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road on 2 May 2009.

Eastwood was contracted to the club until the summer of 2011. He was officially made available for transfer along with seven other players by Town manager Lee Clark on 24 May 2010. On 4 June 2010 he left Huddersfield, having made only one first-team appearance for the club, to join Oxford United for the 2010–11 season.[5]

Bradford City (loan)

On 25 July, he joined League Two club Bradford City on loan until the end of the year. He made his debut in the 5–0 defeat by Notts County at Meadow Lane on 8 August 2009. After 28 appearances (22 in the league) he returned to the Galpharm on 31 December, after Bradford manager Stuart McCall said he needed a more experienced goalkeeper at the club.[6]

Oxford United

On 4 June 2010, Eastwood signed a two-year contract with Oxford United, newly promoted to League Two.[5] However, Eastwood was second-choice goalkeeper behind ever-present Ryan Clarke, who made 50 appearances in the 2010–11 season. After one season at Oxford, having failed to make a first-team appearance, Eastwood was released in May 2011 despite having a year left on his contract.[7]

F.C Halifax Town

On 21 June, Eastwood signed a one-year contract with Conference North club F.C. Halifax Town.[8] On 13 August he made his debut, against Corby Town. He won the competition for first-team place against Phil Senior, making 43 appearances (41 in the league), only missing three league matches. However, at the end of the season he opted to sign a contract with local side Bradford Park Avenue instead of signing again for F.C. Halifax.[9]

Portsmouth

On 8 July 2012, Eastwood agreed a contract with Conference North club Bradford Park Avenue.[10] However, just five days later, after Eastwood chose to take a trial with Portsmouth, his contract with Bradford was rescinded, the club stating that it would not stand in his way.[11] After featuring in all Portsmouth's preseason matches, Eastwood joined Pompey on 13 August 2012, on non-contract terms, one day ahead of their League Cup tie against Plymouth Argyle, in which he made his debut. On the eve of the new league season, Portsmouth signed their entire new squad, including signing Mikkel Andersen from Reading on loan. Andersen secured first place in the team, meaning Eastwood was on the bench.[12][13][14] Eastwood played his second match on 9 October, in a Football League Trophy second round match against Wycombe Wanderers; the club failed to progress after losing 3–1. However, Eastwood managed to save a penalty although the rebound was scored by Wycombe's Dean Morgan.[15]

Due to limited playing time, Eastwood was the main goalkeeper for Portsmouth's development squad. He made his third first-team appearance in a first round FA Cup match against Notts County, on 3 November.[16] On the following Tuesday, he made his league debut at Fratton Park against Brentford; Pompey lost the League One fixture 1–0.[17] On 20 November 2012, first-choice goalkeeper Andersen made his last appearance for Portsmouth in a 2–3 defeat to Leyton Orient before returning to Premier League club Reading, making Eastwood the only goalkeeper at Portsmouth, and securing his first-team place. Just after Andersen's departure, former Swindon Town goalkeeper Phil Smith was signed, initially as back-up for Eastwood.[18] Eastwood's position was under threat,[19] when former Portsmouth goalkeeper Alan Knight (famous for the most appearances for a Portsmouth player) came in as goalkeeper coach (after the departure of John Keeley).[20] Knight backed Eastwood,[21] and on 2 March 2013 Pompey won their first match in over four months (23 matches), a 2–1 win at Crewe Alexandra, Eastwood's first win as a Portsmouth player. In the next month he kept three clean sheets in six matches, against Bury, Preston North End and Tranmere Rovers. Following Portsmouth's relegation, Eastwood said he was determined to stay at the club for the next season.[22] He was offered a new contract with the club.[23]

Blackburn Rovers

Eastwood rejected Portsmouth's offer and on 13 May 2013 agreed a deal in principle to join Championship club Blackburn Rovers.[24] He made his debut for the club on 7 August 2013 in a first round League Cup tie against Carlisle United, which Blackburn lost on penalties after a 3–3 draw.[25] In December he displaced Jake Kean as first-choice goalkeeper, making his Championship debut for the club on 7 December 2013 in an away match against Queens Park Rangers, putting in an impressive performance and keeping a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw. After seven matches as first choice, Eastwood returned to being back-up as Paul Robinson returned from injury and reclaimed his number one spot. On 28 February 2014, Eastwood signed a new contract until the summer of 2016.[26]

Oxford United

In June 2016, Eastwood signed for Oxford United for the second time, on a one-year contract.[27] He was given the number 1 jersey and played every minute of all 62 first-team matches in 2016–17,[28] including the 2017 EFL Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium. He signed a two-year contract extension in February 2017,[29] and was voted the Supporters' and Players' Player of the Year at the club's end-of-season awards.[28] The following season he was again ever-present in league fixtures,[30] though he was rested for a couple of EFL Trophy games.[31] Eastwood signed a new three-year contract with Oxford in May 2018.[30]

Eastwood suffered a broken finger during the warm-up of the second League One fixture of the 2018–19 season on 11 August 2018, and second-choice goalkeeper Scott Shearer made his first league appearance since arriving at the club two seasons earlier, ending Eastwood's run of 93 consecutive league appearances.[32] Jonathan Mitchell was subsequently loaned from Derby County as emergency cover.[33]

International career

On 27 March 2007, he received his first call-up to the England under-18 team, where he played in their 4–1 win against the Netherlands at Huish Park. On 30 August 2007, he received his first call-up for the England under-19 team in a match against Belarus at Meadow Lane. He played the whole 90 minutes of the match on 11 September, and kept a clean sheet as England won 4–0.

Career statistics
As of match played 6 July 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Huddersfield Town 2007–08[34] League One 0000000000
2008–09[35] League One 1000000010
2009–10[36] League One 00———00
Total 1000000010
Woking (loan) 2008–09[37] Conference Premier 120——2[lower-alpha 1]0140
Bradford City (loan) 2009–10[36] League Two 22010104[lower-alpha 2]0280
Oxford United 2010–11[38] League Two 0000000000
F.C. Halifax Town 2011–12[39] Conference North 39030—4[lower-alpha 3]0460
Portsmouth 2012–13[40] League One 27010101[lower-alpha 2]0300
Blackburn Rovers 2013–14[41] Championship 701010—90
2014–15[42] Championship 605000—110
2015–16[43] Championship 000000—00
Total 1306010—200
Oxford United 2016–17[44] League One 46060208[lower-alpha 4]0620
2017–18[45] League One 46010104[lower-alpha 4]0520
2018–19[46] League One 34040004[lower-alpha 4]0420
2019–20[47] League One 29040403[lower-alpha 5]0400
Total 1550150701901960
Career total 26902601003003350
  1. One appearance in FA Trophy, one in Conference League Cup
  2. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  3. Two appearances in FA Trophy, two in Conference North play-offs
  4. Appearances in EFL Trophy
  5. One appearance in EFL Trophy, two in League One play-offs
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References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 132. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. "Academy's retained list announced". Huddersfield Town A.F.C. 5 May 2007. Archived from the original on 10 March 2012.
  3. "Worthington believes Ritchie will lift Town". Huddersfield Town A.F.C. 2 July 2007. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012.
  4. "Terriers youngsters sign on". Sky Sports. 16 January 2008. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  5. "Oxford United sign Huddersfield keeper Simon Eastwood". BBC Sport. 4 June 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  6. "Bantams let Eastwood go". Sky Sports. 29 December 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  7. "Oxford United release Midson, Sangare, Hanson, Eastwood". BBC Sport. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  8. "Shaymen Sign New Keeper". Football Conference. 21 June 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  9. "Shaymen release Eastwood". Blue Square Bet Premier. 14 May 2012. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013.
  10. "Avenue Sign Baldry, Eastwood and Walker". Bradford Park Avenue. 8 July 2012.
  11. Whiting, Ian (13 July 2012). "We won't stand in Simon Eastwood's way, says Bradford Park Avenue boss John Deacey". Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  12. "Pompey Sign Eastwood". Portsmouth F.C. 13 August 2012. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  13. Wilson, Steve (14 August 2012). "Eastwood arrival prevents old school rules for Blues". Portsmouth News. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  14. "Plymouth 3–0 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  15. "Pompey 1 Wycombe 3". Portsmouth F.C. 9 October 2012. Archived from the original on 25 December 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  16. "Portsmouth 0–2 Notts County". BBC Sport. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  17. "Portsmouth 0–1 Brentford". BBC Sport. 6 November 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  18. Wilson, Steve (17 November 2012). "Keeper eyes extended run". Portsmouth News. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  19. Cross, Jordan (5 December 2012). "Gauntlet thrown down to Pompey keeper". Portsmouth News. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  20. Wilson, Steve (25 January 2013). "Knight to make Pompey return". Portsmouth News. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  21. Wilson, Steve (26 February 2013). "Legend's backing for Blues keeper". Portsmouth News. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  22. Cross, Jordan (2 May 2013). "Eastwood sets his targets". Portsmouth News. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  23. Allen, Neil (8 May 2012). "Whittingham lines-up quadruple swoop". Portsmouth News. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  24. Allen, Neil (15 May 2013). "Eastwood rejects Pompey deal to join Blackburn". Portsmouth News. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  25. "Carlisle 3–3 Blackburn". BBC Sport. 7 August 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  26. "Keeper extends stay". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  27. "Simon Eastwood: Oxford United sign ex-Blackburn goalkeeper on one-year deal". BBC Sport. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  28. Pritchard, David (2 May 2017). "Double award so special for Oxford United's ever-present Simon Eastwood". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  29. "Simon Eastwood: Oxford United goalkeeper signs two-year contract extension". BBC Sport. 13 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  30. "Simon Eastwood: Oxford United goalkeeper signs new contract". BBC Sport. 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  31. Williams, Chris (3 October 2017). "REPORT Oxford United 2 Brighton & Hove Albion U21 2". Oxford United F.C. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  32. Pritchard, David (13 August 2018). "Oxford United sweat on Simon Eastwood news". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  33. "Jonathan Mitchell Joins Oxford United". Oxford United F.C. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  34. "Games played by Simon Eastwood in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  35. "Games played by Simon Eastwood in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  36. "Games played by Simon Eastwood in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  37. Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2009). Non-League Club Directory 2010. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 414–415. ISBN 978-1-869833-66-4.
  38. "Games played by Simon Eastwood in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  39. Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2012). Non-League Club Directory 2013. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 202–203. ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0.
  40. "Games played by Simon Eastwood in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  41. "Games played by Simon Eastwood in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  42. "Games played by Simon Eastwood in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  43. "Games played by Simon Eastwood in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  44. "Games played by Simon Eastwood in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  45. "Games played by Simon Eastwood in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  46. "Games played by Simon Eastwood in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  47. "Games played by Simon Eastwood in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
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