Chris Shuker

Chris Shuker

Shuker warming up for Port Vale before the match against Northampton Town on 20 April 2013.
Personal information
Full name	Christopher Alan Shuker
Date of birth	9 May 1982
Place of birth	Huyton, Liverpool, England
Height	5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)[1]
Playing position	Midfielder
Youth career
	Everton
1999–2000	Manchester City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2000–2004	Manchester City	5	(1)
2001	→ Macclesfield Town (loan)	8	(1)
2003	→ Walsall (loan)	5	(0)
2003	→ Rochdale (loan)	14	(1)
2003–2004	→ Hartlepool United (loan)	14	(1)
2004–2006	Barnsley	100	(17)
2006–2010	Tranmere Rovers	123	(14)
2010–2011	Morecambe	27	(2)
2012–2014	Port Vale	55	(1)
2014–2015	Tranmere Rovers	3	(0)
Total		354	(37)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (goals)

Christopher Alan "Chris" Shuker (born 9 May 1982) is an English football coach and former football midfielder who made 402 appearances in a 14-year career in the Football League; he is a coach for Conference Premier side Tranmere Rovers.

He began his career at Manchester City, making his Premier League debut in 2002. He enjoyed loan spells out at Macclesfield Town, Walsall, Rochdale, and Hartlepool United, before signing a contract with Barnsley in March 2004. A key player at the club, he helped the "Tykes" to promotion out of the League One play-offs in 2006. He left the club after Barnsley withdrew their offer of a contract, and subsequently signed with Tranmere Rovers. He played 144 games for Rovers in league and cup competitions, before transferring to Morecambe for the 2010–11 season. He joined Port Vale on non-contract terms in February 2012, and helped the club to secure promotion out of League Two in 2012–13. He retired in May 2014 due to a chronic knee injury, but, having rejoined Tranmere Rovers as a coach in October 2014, returned to playing two months later.

Playing career

Manchester City

A right-sided midfielder from Huyton, Liverpool, Shuker left the Everton academy at age 16 to begin his career in the Premier League with Manchester City, signing professional forms at the age of 17.^[2] He was loaned out to Third Division club Macclesfield Town in March 2001, where he made his competitive debut under Gil Prescott on 24 March, in a 2–1 win over Blackpool at Moss Rose, after replacing Richard Tracey on 79 minutes.^[3] Prescott handed Shuker first start seven days later, in a 1–0 defeat at Carlisle United.^[4] He scored his first senior goal in his third appearance for the club, his header was the only goal of a 1–0 home win, and "capped off a fine all-round performance" against Kidderminster Harriers.^[5] He returned to Maine Road at the end of the 2000–01 season having made eight appearances for Macclesfield; during his absence Manchester City had lost their top-flight status.

He marked his "Blues" debut with a goal five minutes after coming onto the pitch, as Kevin Keegan put him on for Eyal Berkovic 59 minutes into a 4–2 win over Notts County in the League Cup on 11 September 2001.^[6] He played cameo roles in 3–0 wins over Walsall and Barnsley, but played a total of just three games in 2001–02, as City won promotion out of the First Division. He signed a new one-year deal in January, along with fellow youth team graduate Joey Barton.^[7]

After scoring past Rochdale and Tranmere Rovers in pre-season friendlies,^[8][9] he was given his Premier League debut on the opening day of the 2002–03 season, as City were beaten 3–0 by Leeds United at Elland Road.^[10] He got his first start for the club on 15 September, as City drew 2–2 at home to Blackburn Rovers; he was taken off for Danny Tiatto on 61 minutes.^[11][12] He made his final appearance for the club thirteen days later, as Michael Owen scored a hat-trick in 3–0 home defeat to Liverpool.^[13] He was sent out on a one-month loan to Colin Lee's Walsall in March 2003,^[14] and played five First Division games for the "Saddlers" before returning to Manchester. He signed a new one-year contract, despite raising concerns over a lack of first team opportunities.^[15]

He joined Alan Buckley's struggling Third Division Rochdale on a one-month loan at the start of the 2003–04 campaign, having scored against the club in a pre-season friendly.^[16][17] Booked in his first three games, he was sent off 67 minutes into a 2–2 draw with Cambridge United at Spotland. The loan was extended to three months,^[18] and on 30 September, he scored at former club Macclesfield, in a 2–1 defeat, as he "danced into the box before gleefully steering the ball into the far corner".^[19] He returned to Manchester in November after turning down the opportunity to add to his fifteen appearances for the "Dale",^[20] and was sent out on loan to Neale Cooper's Second Division Hartlepool United the following month.^[21] He played fifteen games for the "Pools", scoring one goal in a 5–2 thrashing of Port Vale at Vale Park.^[22]

Barnsley

He left Victoria Park in March 2004, and later in the month signed a short-term contract with Paul Hart's Barnsley, also of the Second Division.^[23] He played nine games for the "Tykes", to finish the campaign with 39 appearances spread across three different clubs.

On 10 August 2004, Shuker scored both of Barnsley's goals in a 2–1 win over Bristol City at Oakwell.^[24] He continued to impress, though was sent off in a 2–2 draw with Swindon Town on 23 October, after what the club website described as a "ridiculous refereeing decision".^[25] Playing despite sufferering from mumps,^[26] he ended the 2004–05 League One campaign with eight goals in 48 games, including a 30-yard strike against Peterborough and a "beautiful volley" against Stockport County.^[27][28] For his performances, the club named him 'Player of the Season' and eventually offered him a new one-year contract, which he signed "after weeks of uncertainty".^[29][30][31]

Barnsley won promotion under Andy Ritchie in 2005–06, and Shuker played a total of 57 competitive games in league and cup competitions, and was an ever-present in the league. He scored a total of ten goals, including braces against Oldham Athletic and Swindon Town; Barnsley won every game in which Shuker found the net. He played in both legs of the play-off semi-final win over Huddersfield Town, and also played in the Millennium Stadium final, scoring a penalty in the shoot-out victory over Swansea City.^[32] He was offered a new contract,^[33] however the club withdrew the offer after four weeks; Shuker said that "the manager wanted me back, the lads as well, it seems the chairman is running the club, picking the players. Money wasn't the issue, I turned down an extra £500 from another club because I wanted to stay."^[34] A year later, former teammate Daniel Nardiello also criticized Chairman Sheperd, saying "He's made promises to me in the past and not kept them, but I never made a fuss and just got on with things. I didn't like the way he treated my mate Chris Shuker a couple of seasons ago either."^[35]

Tranmere Rovers

Shuker switched clubs to Tranmere Rovers in July 2006, then managed by Ronnie Moore, signing a two-year deal.^[36] He played 50 games in 2006–07, scoring seven goals, as Rovers missed out on the play-offs by eight points. For his performances he was named on the PFA Team of the Year,^[37] and was handed a new three-year contract.^[38] He was limited to 27 appearances in 2007–08, having picked up a knee injury in December.^[39]

Despite missing pre-season training due a muscle injury,^[40] he started the 2008–09 season in fine form, causing manager Ronnie Moore to remark that "Shuker looked like Shuker today and it has been coming. He's a menace, he's a threat, he can go round people, they didn't know what to do with him."^[41] He played a total of 35 games as Rovers missed out on the play-offs by two points. However he was ruled out for the rest of the season having broke his arm in March 2009 "after messing about with his girlfriend".^[42] He scored in a pre-season friendly against Liverpool in July 2009.^[43] However the club struggled in 2009–10 under John Barnes and then Les Parry, avoiding relegation by a single point; despite making 32 appearances, Shuker was released at the end of the season.

Morecambe

He had a trial with Scottish Premier League club Motherwell,^[44] scoring in a friendly win over Forfar Athletic.^[29] However a deal was not agreed, and so he instead considered a move to New Zealand.^[29] Shuker eventually signed for Morecambe of League Two in August 2010. Sammy McIlroy's side struggled, and avoided losing their Football League status by only four points. Shuker played 30 games, but was not offered a contract for the following season.^[45]

"I had a bit of a bad time mentally in the game with a few things that happened at Tranmere and then I went to Morecambe, where I didn't enjoy it. The training was poor and I basically spent my time thinking that I didn't want to be there. It wasn't a confidence issue with me it was more to do with the training and being unfit because of it. It was a bit of a bad 18 months for me. Players who don't have your ability, but who want it more, become better than you so I had to sort that out. They wanted it more than me there because that was where they loved playing and basically I didn't want to be at the club. That wasn't down to ability – if I wanted to I could turn it on. We did the same thing every day – playing 15-a-side games on a postage stamp. Touching the ball was like murder, and playing on a mud bath every single day was terrible."

— Shuker fell out of live with the game on the west coast.^[46]

Port Vale

Pre-season interest from Bury came to nothing, and Shuker then spent some months out of the game.^[47] In December 2011, he joined League Two side Port Vale on trial.^[48] He joined the club on non-contract terms on 14 February 2012.^[49] He scored his first goal for the "Valiants" in his fourth game for the club, hitting a long-range effort in a 2–2 draw with Accrington Stanley at the Crown Ground.^[50] He stayed at Vale Park, despite a financial crisis leaving manager Micky Adams unable to promise Shuker the payment of his wages as listed in the player's contract.^[51] He finished 2011–12 with 16 appearances and one goal to his name. He agreed to sign a two-year deal with the club in May 2012.^[52]

He began the 2012–13 season in a central midfield partnership with Sam Morsy, rather than in his usual position on the wing.^[53] He then was in-and-out of the starting line-up, as Ryan Burge staked his claim for a first team spot. Shuker featured 34 times by the end of the campaign, as Vale secured promotion with a third-place finish.

Shuker rarely featured in the first half of the 2013–14 campaign, but began to feature regularly as a substitute in January.^[54] Manager Micky Adams revealed Shuker had been absent from first team squad contention due to a chronic knee injury Shuker had been suffering with for years, but had become more serious with time to the point where his future as a footballer was in doubt.^[55] Shuker announced his retirement at the end of the season on account of the knee injury.^[56]

Tranmere Rovers return

In October 2014, Shuker joined the coaching staff at former club Tranmere Rovers, linking up with Micky Adams, his former manager at Port Vale.^[57] He returned to playing professionally on 26 December, when he replaced Steve Jennings 60 minutes into a 2–0 defeat at Burton Albion.^[58] Rovers were relegated out of the Football League at the end of the 2014–15 season.

Style of play

In February 2012, Barnsley and Port Vale teammate Marc Richards described 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) Shuker as "small, nippy, tricky and he's got a quality right foot."^[1]

Statistics

Season	Club	Division	League		FA Cup		League Cup		Other[59]		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
2000–01[60]	Manchester City	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2000–01[60]	Macclesfield Town (loan)	Third Division	8	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	1
2001–02[61]	Manchester City	First Division	2	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	3	1
2002–03[62]		Premier League	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
2002–03[62]	Walsall (loan)	First Division	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
2003–04[63]	Manchester City	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2003–04[63]	Rochdale (loan)	Third Division	14	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	15	1
2003–04[63]	Hartlepool United (loan)	Second Division	14	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	15	1
Total			5	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	6	1
2003–04[63]	Barnsley	Second Division	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	9	0
2004–05[64]		League One	45	7	1	0	2	1	0	0	48	8
2005–06[65]			46	10	5	0	2	0	4	0	57	10
Total			100	17	6	0	4	1	4	0	114	18
2006–07[66]	Tranmere Rovers	League One	46	6	1	0	1	0	2	1	50	7
2007–08[67]			23	3	2	0	1	0	1	0	27	3
2008–09[68]			28	3	3	1	0	0	4	1	35	5
2009–10[69]			26	2	4	1	2	0	0	0	32	3
Total			123	14	10	2	4	0	7	2	144	18
2010–11[70]	Morecambe	League Two	27	2	0	0	2	0	1	0	30	2
Total			27	2	0	0	2	0	1	0	30	2
2011–12[71]	Port Vale	League Two	16	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	16	1
2012–13[72]			29	0	1	0	1	1	3	0	34	1
2013–14[73]		League One	10	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	12	0
Total			55	1	2	0	1	1	4	0	62	2
2014–15[74]	Tranmere Rovers	League Two	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
Total			3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
Career total			354	37	19	2	13	3	16	2	402	44

Honours

Individual

• Barnsley F.C. Player of the Season: 2004–05

with Manchester City

• Football League First Division champion: 2001–02

with Barnsley

• Football League One play-off winner: 2006

with Port Vale

• Football League Two third-place promotion: 2012–13^[75]

References

1. "Port Vale: Richards hoping Vale promotion is a 'Shu' in". The Sentinel. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
2. Shaw, Steve (24 March 2012). "Shuker grateful for his break with City". The Sentinel Green UN.
3. "Macclesfield 2-1 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 24 March 2001. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
4. "Carlisle 1-0 Macclesfield". BBC Sport. 31 March 2001. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
5. "Macclesfield 1–0 Kidderminster". BBC Sport. 7 April 2001. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
6. "Notts County 2–4 Man City (aet)". BBC Sport. 11 September 2001. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
7. "Keegan rewards starlets". BBC Sport. 10 January 2002. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
8. "Man City rout Tranmere". BBC Sport. 7 August 2002. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
9. "Man City cruise past Rochdale". BBC Sport. 6 August 2002. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
10. Taylor, Daniel (19 August 2002). "Venables plots winning course by catching Keegan off balance". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
11. "Man City peg back Rovers". BBC Sport. 15 September 2002. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
12. Taylor, Daniel (16 September 2002). "Maine Road door slams shut on Dunne and Tiatto". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
13. Fifield, Daniel (30 September 2002). "Owen's relief obvious but Reds advance by stealth". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
14. "Shuker joins Saddlers". BBC Sport. 27 February 2003. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
15. "Shuker agrees Man City deal". BBC Sport. 21 May 2003. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
16. "Rochdale 0-4 Man City". BBC Sport. 5 August 2003. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
17. "Rochdale bring in Shuker". BBC Sport. 7 August 2003. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
18. "Shuker stays at Rochdale". BBC Sport. 2 September 2003. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
19. "Macclesfield 2–1 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 30 September 2003. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
20. "Shuker shuns Dale extension". BBC Sport. 5 November 2003. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
21. "Pool extend Shuker stay". BBC Sport. 10 February 2004. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
22. "Port Vale 2–5 Hartlepool". BBC Sport. 27 January 2004. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
23. "Tykes complete Shuker deal". BBC Sport. 17 March 2004. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
24. "Barnsley 2-1 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 10 August 2004. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
25. "Barnsley vs Swindon Town". barnsleyfc.co.uk. 23 October 2004. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
26. "Shuker set for amazing comeback". BBC Sport. 29 April 2005. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
27. "Barnsley vs Peterborough". barnsleyfc.co.uk. 18 December 2004. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
28. "Barnsley vs Stockport". stockportcounty.com. 28 December 2004. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
29. Ferguson, Peter. "The Graduates: No. 3 Chris Shuker". mcfc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
30. "Shuker signs new Tykes contract". BBC Sport. 20 June 2005. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
31. "Shuker keen to extend Tykes stay". BBC Sport. 22 March 2005. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
32. "How Lge 1 play-off final unfolded". BBC Sport. 28 May 2006. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
33. "Barnsley offer new deals to seven". BBC Sport. 31 May 2006. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
34. "Colgan extends Barnsley contract". BBC Sport. 5 July 2006. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
35. "Nardiello upset with Tykes chief". BBC Sport. 28 June 2007. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
36. "Shuker seals switch to Tranmere". BBC Sport. 8 July 2006. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
37. "Ronaldo secures PFA awards double". BBC Sport. 22 April 2007. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
38. "Shuker pens new Tranmere contract". BBC Sport. 6 August 2007. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
39. "Tranmere wait for news on Shuker". BBC Sport. 27 December 2007. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
40. "Shuker set to miss season opener". BBC Sport. 30 July 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
41. "Moore praises Shuker's influence". BBC Sport. 22 October 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
42. "Rovers winger Shuker breaks arm". BBC Sport. 16 March 2009. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
43. "Benitez buoyed by Gerrard verdict". BBC Sport. 24 July 2009. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
44. "Well take a look at duo". Sky Sports. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
45. "Shrimps announce released list". morecambefc.com. 17 May 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
46. "Port Vale: Shuker eager to make most of Valiants opportunity". The Sentinel. 18 February 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
47. "Port Vale: Shuker determined to make up for lost time". The Sentinel. 17 February 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
48. Qustier, Joe (13 December 2011). "Reserves Host Burton". port-vale.co.uk. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
49. "Port Vale sign Shuker and Marshall on non-contract terms". BBC Sport. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
50. "Accrington twice came from behind against Port Vale to secure their first point under new manager Paul Cook.". BBC Sport. 3 March 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
51. "Port Vale: Shuker will stick with Vale despite crisis". The Sentinel. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
52. "Chris Shuker and Louis Dodds sign up for Port Vale's new era". The Sentinel. 26 May 2012. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
53. "Chris Shuker relishing his new role as the man in the middle for Valiants". The Sentinel. 8 September 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
54. "Chris Shuker keen to be in shake-up for FA Cup clash with Brighton". The Sentinel. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
55. Baggaley, Mike (6 February 2014). "Vale midfielder Chris Shuker's long-term future in doubt because of injury". The Sentinel. Retrieved 6 February 2014.
56. Baggaley, Michael (1 May 2014). "Port Vale midfielder Chris Shuker announces retirement". The Sentinel. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
57. "Chris Shuker returns to Tranmere Rovers as coach". football-league.co.uk. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
58. "Burton 2 - 0 Tranmere". BBC Sport. 26 December 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
59. Includes other competitive competitions, including the Football League Trophy
60. "Games played by Chris Shuker in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
61. "Games played by Chris Shuker in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
62. "Games played by Chris Shuker in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
63. "Games played by Chris Shuker in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
64. "Games played by Chris Shuker in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
65. "Games played by Chris Shuker in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
66. "Games played by Chris Shuker in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
67. "Games played by Chris Shuker in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
68. "Games played by Chris Shuker in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
69. "Games played by Chris Shuker in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
70. "Games played by Chris Shuker in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
71. "Games played by Chris Shuker in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
72. "Games played by Chris Shuker in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
73. "Games played by Chris Shuker in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
74. "Games played by Chris Shuker in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
75. Sherwin, Phil; Johnson, Dave (2013), Port Vale This Side Up: 2012-2013 Promotion Celebration, BGL, ISBN 978-0-9926579-0-1

External links

• Chris Shuker career statistics at Soccerbase