Chris Humphrey

Christopher Charles Humphrey (born 19 September 1987 in Saint Catherine) is a Jamaican professional footballer and coach. He is currently the manager of Northern Premier League club Kendal Town.

For the American politician, see Chris Humphrey (politician). For people of a similar name, see Chris Humphries (disambiguation).

Chris Humphrey
Humphrey with Preston North End in 2016
Personal information
Full name Christopher Charles Humphrey[1]
Date of birth (1987-09-19) 19 September 1987[1]
Place of birth Saint Catherine, Jamaica
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)[1]
Position(s) Winger / Wing Back
Club information
Current team
 Kendal Town (manager)
Youth career
0000–2004 Walsall
2004–2006 West Bromwich Albion
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2009 Shrewsbury Town 74 (0)
2007 → Stafford Rangers (loan) 4 (0)
2009–2013 Motherwell 132 (8)
2013–2016 Preston North End 106 (7)
2016–2017 Hibernian 6 (0)
2017–2018 Bury 10 (0)
2018 → Barrow (loan) 1 (0)
2018–2019 East Kilbride
2019 Gretna 2008
2019–2020 Kelty Hearts
National team‡
2012–2015 Jamaica 12 (0)
Teams managed
2019 Gretna 2008
2020– Kendal Town
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:00, 24 September 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19:37, 6 May 2017 (UTC)

Humphrey has played for several clubs in the United Kingdom, including English clubs Shrewsbury Town, Preston North End and Bury, and Scottish clubs Motherwell and Hibernian. He also played for the Jamaica national team in 12 matches, having made his full international debut in 2012. Humphrey announced his retirement from football in October 2018, due to ongoing injury problems before returning to the game with East Kilbride.[2] Humphrey took over as player/manager of Lowland League side Gretna 2008 but was sacked in November 2019.[3]

Career

Born in Jamaica before moving to Walsall[4] at the age of 5, Humphrey was at Walsall's Centre of Excellence until he joined West Bromwich Albion.

Shrewsbury Town

After playing in a reserve team match against Shrewsbury Town on 4 September 2006, Shrewsbury manager Gary Peters was impressed by Humphrey's performance and inquired about his availability, discovering that he was out of contract. Two days later Humphrey had signed for Shrewsbury on a free transfer until the end of the 2006–07 season, with Peters joking that he had kidnapped Humphrey.[5][6]

Three days after signing, on 9 September, Humphrey made his debut as a 79th-minute substitute for Ben Herd in a 1–0 home defeat to Lincoln City.[7] On 8 February 2007, and having made nine substitute appearances, Humphrey's progress had pleased Peters sufficiently to earn him a one-year contract extension until summer 2008.[8]

In his first season, he made a total of 14 league appearances for Shrewsbury, all but one as a substitute. Humphrey played for Shrewsbury, as a late second-half substitute, in the 2007 Football League Two play-off Final. Shrewsbury lost 3–1 to Bristol Rovers at Wembley. A mistake was made on his shirt, spelling his surname as "Humphery".

After making three league and three cup appearances in the early part of the 2007–08 season Humphrey joined Conference National side Stafford Rangers on 2 November 2007 on loan for a month, playing four games. On 25 January 2008, his contract was extended by another year, until the end of the 2008–09 season.[9]

He scored his first goal on 25 October 2008, two minutes after coming on as a 78th-minute substitute for Shane Cansdell-Sherriff to earn Shrewsbury a 1–1 draw with Brentford at Griffin Park.[10] Late in the January 2009 transfer window, and with Humphrey about to be out of contract in summer, it was claimed that he had attracted the interest of various clubs, including Aston Villa, following a number of eye-catching performances that season.[11] On 2 May, Humphrey set up one goal and scored another as Shrewsbury beat Dagenham & Redbridge 2–1 to ensure the Shrews finished in seventh place in League Two, the fourth and final play-off spot.[12]

On 23 May 2009, Humphrey played for Shrewsbury in the League Two play-off Final at Wembley, which they lost 1–0 to Gillingham.[13] Shortly after the play-off, Humphrey was offered a new contract by the club.[14] On 25 June 2009, Sky Sports claimed that Shrewsbury had turned down a bid for Humphrey by Championship side Blackpool.[15] On 3 July, Shrews manager Paul Simpson confirmed the Blackpool approach.[16][17] The contract was soon stalled, as Humphrey was in favour of joining Scottish Premier League club Motherwell.[18]

Motherwell

On 15 July 2009, Motherwell announced Humphrey as new manager Jim Gannon's second signing of the summer.[19] Humphrey stated he was delighted to have made the move, hoping it would make him a better player.[20] The chance to play in Europe was one of his main reasons for joining Motherwell.[21]

On 23 July 2009, Humphrey made his debut for the club, starting in the second round of the Europa League in an 8–1 second leg win over Flamurtari Vlorë, giving Motherwell an 8–2 aggregate win.[22] His league debut for the club came on the opening day of the season, as a half-time substitute, in a 2–2 draw against St Johnstone. In September 2009 after Humphrey and his partner suffered personal tragedy, Motherwell gave him several weeks' compassionate leave. On his return Humphrey was keen to show his gratitude to his manager and the club for the support they gave him.[23][24] Shortly afterwards Humphrey picked up an injury that left him sidelined for several weeks.[25] Having found it difficult to gain a regular place in the team, the January transfer window saw a number of English clubs linked with a loan move for Humphrey.[26] Nothing came of the interest and Humphrey continued to be in and out of the team for the rest of the season.

After Jim O'Brien moved to Barnsley in 2010, Humphrey began to play more regularly for the first team. In the Europa League third round against Aalesunds FK, Humphrey played a key role, providing an assist in both legs helping 'Well ease into to the next round.[27][28] Having begun to nail down a regular place in the team, Humphrey scored his first goal for Motherwell, just three minutes into a 3–1 win against St Mirren.[29] On 28 January 2011, Humphrey was offered a one-year extension to his contract, an offer he was delighted to accept.[30][31] A few months later, on 30 March 2011, he scored his second goal of the season, in a Scottish Cup quarter-final replay against Dundee United, which Motherwell won 3–0 to send the club through to the semi-final. Days later, he scored his third goal of the season, in a 2–1 win over Aberdeen. Having previously gone 28 games without scoring, Humphrey incredibly made it 3 goals in 3 games when he scored against Dundee United in a 2–1 league win. In the final of the Scottish Cup, Humphrey started as Motherwell lost 3–0 against Celtic. After the match, Humphrey stated his disappointment at the loss, but praised his teammates and the fans.[32]

In the 2011–12 season, Humphrey continued to retain his first team place and scored his first goal of the season, in a 4–2 win over Dunfermline Athletic on 27 August 2011. During the season, Humphrey would again find himself linked with several English clubs.[33] As with previous links, no move would materialise and Humphrey would once again see out the season with Motherwell. On 24 January 2012, he scored his second goal of the season, Dunfermline Athletic the victims again, in a 3–1 win for Motherwell. At the end of the season, Motherwell finished in third place. This gave the club qualification to the Champions League qualifying rounds, due to second placed Rangers being in administration, preventing them from taking part.[34]

In the 2012–13 season, Humphrey would again play European football, featuring in a 2–0 loss against Greek side Panathinaikos in the first leg of the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round [35] and in both legs of the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League play-off round against Spanish side Levante. In the summer transfer window, he was linked with a move to Celtic.[36] The move however never materialised.[37] On 27 November 2012, he scored his first goal of the season, a stunner, in a 2–1 win over Dundee United.[38] Towards the end of the season, Humphrey's contract with the club was set to expire. He stated he would be happy to stay at the club.[39] On 27 February 2013, Humphery scored again, this time against Celtic, helping to earn the club a 2–1 win.[40] Motherwell would finish the season in second place in the league, qualifying for Europe again. On 12 May 2013, Humphrey scored and set up a goal for James McFadden, as Motherwell won 2–0 against Ross County.[41] At the end of the season, Humphrey was offered a new contract with the club.[42]

Preston North End

On 4 June 2013, it was announced that Humphrey would be leaving Motherwell to join Preston North End on a three-year contract.[43] Humphrey said he had turned down an offer from Rangers to join Preston.[44] Manager Craig Brown, who managed Humphrey during his time at Motherwell, told Evening Post that Humphrey will be a good signing for Preston.[45]

Humphrey made his debut in the opening game of the season, where he made his first start, playing in the right wing position, as Preston drew 0–0 with Wolves.[46] Three weeks later, on 25 August 2013, Humphrey scored his first goal for the club after coming on as a substitute in the second half, where he scored in injury time against Coventry City to make it 4–3 to Preston. However, a minute later, Coventry City scored another goal in injury time to make it 4–4.[47] After the match, Humphrey said that he was happy to score his first goal, though disappointed with the results.[48] He also scored in the following game, a 3–0 victory against Walsall.[49] Humphrey immediately became a regular player in the Preston first team. On 8 March 2014 he scored his first goal of 2014, in a 3–1 win over Oldham Athletic.[50] That goal was disputed as it was also claimed by teammate Keith Keane.[51]

Humphrey continued to play regularly for Preston during 2013–14 and 2014–15, and the club gained promotion from League One to the Championship in the latter season.[52] Humphrey featured less frequently in the team when it was in the Championship, and he left Preston North End on 30 December 2016 when his contract was terminated by mutual consent.[52]

Hibernian

Humphrey returned to Scottish football on 31 December 2016, signing a contract with Championship club Hibernian until the end of the 2016–17 season.[52][53] He made his first appearance for Hibs on 6 January, assisting the first two goals in a 3–0 win against Dundee United.[54] Humphrey suffered a calf injury in a Scottish Cup tie with Hearts in February, which caused him to miss nine first team matches.[55] Humphrey left Hibs at the end of the season and indicated that he was likely to return to English football.[56]

Bury & Barrow Loan

Humphrey signed a one-year contract with Bury in June 2017.[57] He was released by Bury at the end of the 2017–18 season. During his time at bury he had a loan spell at Barrow AFC but only appeared the once. [58]

Humphrey announced his retirement from football in October 2018, due to ongoing injury problems.[59]

East Kilbride

Humphrey had a change of heart and came out of retirement to play for East Kilbride.[60] EK went on to win the Lowland League during the 2018-19 season.[61]

Gretna 2008

Humphrey made his first step into management with Gretna 2008[62] but was sacked on 30 November 2019.[3]

Kelty Hearts

Humphrey signed for Kelty Hearts as a player on 10 December 2019.[63] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kelty were declared Lowland League champions on 13 April 2020 on a points per game average based on the current standings.[64]

Kendal Town

Humphrey was appointed as Kendal Town manager on 23 July 2020.[65]

International career

Impressive performances early in the 2010–11 season saw him linked with selection for the Scotland national football team. Humphrey would be eligible to play for Scotland because his mother was born in Kilmarnock.[66] No call-up was forthcoming though. Humphrey was given a call-up to the Jamaica squad in 2011, but passport issues prevented him from playing.[67] He was given another call-up a year later and made his debut in a 1–0 defeat to Panama. Humphrey made a second appearance against Panama, but was then dropped from the squad for breaking a curfew.[68]

Personal life

Humphrey was to become a father for the first time. However, the child died during birth.[23] Following Motherwell's qualification to the Champions League in May 2012, he became a father again after his wife gave birth to a boy.[69]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 4 February 2018
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Shrewsbury Town 2006–07[70] League Two 1200000—5[lower-alpha 1]0170
2007–08[71] League Two 2500020—1[lower-alpha 2]0280
2008–09[72] League Two 3721010—4[lower-alpha 3]0432
Total 7421030—100882
Stafford Rangers (loan) 2007–08[71] Conference Premier 4000——0040
Motherwell 2009–10[73] Scottish Premier League 28010103[lower-alpha 4]0—330
2010–11[73] Scottish Premier League 36361306[lower-alpha 4]0—514
2011–12[73] Scottish Premier League 3523020——402
2012–13[73] Scottish Premier League 33320103[lower-alpha 5]0—393
Total 132812170120—1639
Preston North End 2013–14[74] League One 4234020—2[lower-alpha 6]0503
2014–15[75] League One 4445010—6[lower-alpha 7]1565
2015–16[76] Championship 1000030——130
2016–17[77] Championship 100—40——140
Total 106790100—811338
Hibernian 2016–17[77] Scottish Championship 6021———81
Bury 2017–18[78] League One 1001000—20130
Career totals 3321725220012020140920
  1. Three appearances in Football League Trophy, two in League Two play-offs
  2. Appearances in Football League Trophy
  3. Two appearances in Football League Trophy, two in League Two play-offs
  4. Appearances in Europa League
  5. One appearance in Champions League, two in Europa League
  6. Appearances in League One play-offs
  7. Two appearances in League One play-offs, four in Football League Trophy

International
As of match played 8 September 2015.[79]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Jamaica 201220
201310
201440
201550
Total120

Honours

Preston North End

East Kilbride

Kelty Hearts

References
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