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Francis Jeffers

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Francis Jeffers
Personal information
Full name Francis Jeffers
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Free Agent
Youth career
Everton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2001 Everton 49 (18)
2001–2004 Arsenal 22 (4)
2003–2004 → Everton (loan) 18 (0)
2004–2006 Charlton Athletic 20 (3)
2005 → Rangers (loan) 8 (0)
2006–2007 Blackburn Rovers 10 (0)
2007 → Ipswich Town (loan) 9 (4)
2007–2010 Sheffield Wednesday 54 (5)
2010–2011 Newcastle United Jets 9 (1)
2011 Motherwell 10 (1)
International career‡
1999–2001 England U21 16 (13)
2003 England 1 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 June 2011
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 24 April 2010

Francis Jeffers (born 25 January 1981 in Liverpool, England) is an English football striker who is a free agent after his release from Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League. In his career Jeffers has turned out for Barclays Premier League teams Everton and Arsenal.He also has one cap for England, scoring one goal in that solitary cap against Australia. In July 2011 he accompanied Burnley on their South-West England Tour with a view to signing a contract at the Lancashire club.

Club career

Everton

Born in Liverpool, Merseyside, Jeffers began his career at Everton, making his debut as a half-time substitute (for Dave Watson) on Boxing Day 1997 at Old Trafford at the age of 16 years 335 days.[2] Showing a lot of early promise and talent, he scored 20 goals in 60 matches for the Toffees. However, after a much publicised row with manager Walter Smith over a pay rise, he was dropped from the team for half a season and subsequently rarely performed as well.

Arsenal

His performances had caught the eye of Arsène Wenger and he signed for Arsenal in 2001 for £8million – making him one of the club's most expensive signings yet.[3]

However, Jeffers did not live up to the "fox in the box" tag, and his time at Arsenal was dogged by injury. He was forced out of the side by the form of fellow strikers like Thierry Henry and Sylvain Wiltord.[4] Arsenal won three trophies during Jeffers' spell at the club. However, Jeffers did not pick up any medals. Arsenal won the FA Cup in 2002 and 2003 but Jeffers was left out of both match day squads. This was despite him contributing heavily to their 2003 triumph in which he scored three goals en route to the final, scoring two against Farnborough[5] and one against Chelsea.[6] He also started the semi final against Sheffield United.[7] Arsenal also won the 2001-02 Premier League title, but Jeffers only played 6 league games that season, meaning he was not eligible for a medal. His final appearance for Arsenal came in the 2003 FA Community Shield, coming on as a substitute but then getting sent off.[8] Days later he would rejoin Everton on loan.

Return to Everton, Charlton and Rangers loan

He returned to Everton for 2003–04 on loan, but only scored twice (with both goals coming against Fulham in the FA Cup, once in the original tie[9] and again in the replay)[10] in 22 appearances for his side, before falling out with manager David Moyes and prematurely returning to London. He was sold for £2.6m to Charlton Athletic in the summer of 2004. In 2004–05 he scored 5 goals in 24 matches. He joined Rangers on loan on 31 August 2005 for six months but returned in December after his performances in the Scottish Premier League failed to live up to expectation.[citation needed] Charlton manager Alan Curbishley allowed Jeffers' contract to expire at the end of the 2005–06 season.[citation needed]

Blackburn Rovers

Jeffers signed for Blackburn Rovers in June 2006 on a two-year contract.[11] He scored his first and only Blackburn goal in the UEFA Cup against Basle.[12]

He joined Championship side Ipswich Town on a one month loan deal in March 2007, scoring his first goal for Ipswich on his full debut away at

and receiving the man of the match award. Ipswich went on to win the game 5–2. He returned to Blackburn after suffering a hamstring injury against Southend United, but having made a quick recovery, he was allowed to return to Ipswich on loan until the end of the 2006–07 season.

Ipswich had tried to negotiate a permanent move for Jeffers but after having two bids rejected, Ipswich Chairman David Sheepshanks accused Blackburn of holding his club to ransom.[citation needed] Ipswich did however make a third and final bid for Jeffers but after all the wrangling between the two clubs, personal terms could not be agreed.[citation needed]

Sheffield Wednesday

On 9 August 2007 for a fee believed to be in the region of £700,000 on a three-year deal, and was given the number-9 shirt to take the place of the Scottish footballer Steve MacLean, a former fan favourite. Jeffers made his debut in an opening-day 4–1 defeat at Ipswich Town. He sustained an injury which kept him out of action for all but 20 minutes of the first month of the 2007–08 season.

On returning from injury Jeffers was originally subjected to a level of criticism by some Wednesday fans. However, he managed to wipe away most of that with a 25-yard screamer against Hull City after flicking the ball on to his strike partner Deon Burton for the lay off. The goal brought an end to a six-game losing streak at the start of the 2007–08 Football League Championship season.

After a lively start against Stoke City, Jeffers was on the end of a bad tackle from Ryan Shawcross and was stretchered off with a broken ankle. He was out for roughly three months, a big blow after he had caused Stoke's defence lots of trouble in his 40 minutes on the pitch, helping Sheffield Wednesday to a 4–2 away win.

Jeffers came back as a substitute versus Hull City, but ended up on the losing side after a 1–0 loss. Just 48 hours later Jeffers played at Hillsborough for the first time in two months, and not only played for 45 minutes of the game, but also scored the winning goal after 82 minutes from the penalty spot. This was Jeffers' second goal for the Owls.

In the summer of 2008, Jeffers had more problems with his ankle and also picked up a groin injury, leaving him injured until September 2008. Jeffers returned to first team action with a twenty five minute substitute appearance in a 6–0 defeat at Reading in mid September and then a further ten minutes against his former club Ipswich Town. Jeffers bagged his third goal for the Owls on 17 January 2009 in a 4–1 win over Charlton at Hillsborough getting his first goal for the club since New Year's Day 2008, but was sent off in the next game against Nottingham Forest.

On 25 August 2009 Jeffers was sent off for headbutting Port Vale player Tommy Fraser during the 2–0 League Cup defeat. Manager Brian Laws considered his behaviour unacceptable, fined the player the maximum permissible amount and placed him on the transfer list.[13][14]

Jeffers was released by the Owls on 3 May 2010 after the club's relegation was confirmed to League One. After being released by Wednesday, Jeffers had a trial at newly promoted Blackpool. Ian Holloway wanted to give Jeffers a chance to prove himself but the trial proved to be unsuccessful and he was released.[15] He then returned to Everton – but only to join in with the Toffees’ training at Finch Farm in a bid to keep his fitness levels up.[16]

Newcastle Jets

After unsuccessful trials at both Blackpool and Everton, Jeffers agreed to trial with Australian A-League side Newcastle Jets. On 29 October 2010, he signed a 10-match guest contract with the club.[17] He made his debut for the club on 13 November 2010, helping Newcastle to a 3–1 victory over Adelaide United. Jeffers delivered the killer blow, setting up striker Marko Ješić for Newcastle's third goal of the match with a curling, defence-splitting through ball in the 52nd minute.

He scored his first goal on 8 December 2010 against the Melbourne Heart. He then provided an assist as he played a fantastic through ball to Marko Ješić for Newcastle's second. Although Newcastle and Jeffers were both keen on extending his contract, they failed to come to an agreement and Jeffers left the club after making a positive impact.[18][19]

Motherwell

In February 2011 Jeffers joined Scottish Premier League club Motherwell.[20][21] He made his debut coming on as a second half sub for John Sutton in the 6-0 defeat to former club Rangers. His first goal for Motherwell came against Aberdeen on 15 February 2011.[22] Jeffers also scored the third goal in a 3-0 win against Dundee United in the Scottish Cup quarter-final replay.[23] Jeffers was released by Motherwell on 1 June 2011.[24]

International career

He has one full cap for England, scoring a consolation goal in a defeat by Australia in 2003.[25] Jeffers is the joint, all-time leading scorer for England Under-21s with 13 goals, a record he shares with Alan Shearer.

International goal

# Date:2/2/69 Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 12 February 2003 Boleyn Ground, London, England  Australia
1–2
1–3
Friendly

References

  1. ^ "Francis Jeffers Bio". Soccernet. 26 December 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  2. ^ "Results/fixtures: English Premier — Man Utd 2–0 Everton at Old Trafford on 26-12-1997". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 August 2009.
  3. ^ Williamson, Laura; "You can't put a price on silver — Spurs have spent £150million more…". Daily Mail. 9 February 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2009.
  4. ^ Whatever happened to Francis Jeffers?
  5. ^ "Arsenal cruise through". BBC. 13 February 2003. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  6. ^ "Chelsea hold Arsenal". BBC. 8 March 2003. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  7. ^ "Arsenal sink brave Blades". BBC. 13 April 2003. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  8. ^ "Man Utd win Community Shield". BBC. 10 August 2003. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  9. ^ "Everton 1–1 Fulham". BBC Sport. 25 January 2004. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  10. ^ "Fulham 2–1 Everton (aet)". BBC Sport. 4 February 2004. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  11. ^ "Blackburn snap up striker Jeffers". BBC Sport. 3 July 2006. Retrieved 24 August 2009.
  12. ^ "Blackburn 3–0 Basle". BBC Sport. 2 November 2006. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  13. ^ "Jeffers transfer-listed by Owls". BBC Sport. 26 August 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  14. ^ "Jeffers fined and transfer listed". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. 26 August 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  15. ^ "Blackpool give trial chance to Jeffers". Sport.com. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
  16. ^ "Jeffers makes Everton return 8 September 2010". Sport.com. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
  17. ^ "Jeffers joins Jets". Hyundai A-League. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
  18. ^ http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/jeffers-preparing-to-take-off/2030684.aspx?storypage=0
  19. ^ http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/jeffers-gone-in-blow-to-jets/2038001.aspx
  20. ^ "Jeffers deal done". Motherwell F.C. Official Website. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
  21. ^ "Francis Jeffers set for Motherwell". STV Sport. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  22. ^ "Aberdeen 1-2 Motherwell". BBC Sport. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
  23. ^ "Motherwell 3-0 Dundee Utd". BBC Sport. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  24. ^ "Craigan and Jennings offered new deals at Motherwell". BBC Sport. 1 June 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  25. ^ "Aussies stun England". BBC Sport. 13 February 2003.

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