Steven Caldwell

For other people named Steven Caldwell, see Steven Caldwell (disambiguation).
Steven Caldwell

Caldwell in 2012 pre-season with Birmingham
Personal information
Full name Steven Caldwell[1]
Date of birth (1980-09-12) 12 September 1980[1]
Place of birth Stirling, Scotland
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Playing position Defender
Youth career
000?–1997 Newcastle United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2004 Newcastle United 28 (1)
2001 → Blackpool (loan) 6 (0)
2001–2002 → Bradford City (loan) 5 (0)
2002 → Bradford City (loan) 4 (0)
2004 → Leeds United (loan) 13 (1)
2004–2007 Sunderland 76 (4)
2007–2010 Burnley 104 (5)
2010–2011 Wigan Athletic 10 (0)
2011–2013 Birmingham City 77 (1)
2013 → Toronto FC (loan) 6 (0)
2013–2015 Toronto FC 40 (1)
Total 369 (13)
National team
2001–2011 Scotland 12 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14 July 2015 (UTC).


Steven Caldwell (born 12 September 1980) is a retired Scottish footballer who played as a defender, predominantly as a centre back. Caldwell won 12 caps for the Scotland national team and has played over 300 league matches in his career, primarily in the top three tiers of English football.

His younger brother Gary was also a defender and Scotland international and was formerly the manager of Wigan Athletic.

Club career

Newcastle United

Born in Stirling, Caldwell began his career in England with Premier League club Newcastle United, along with his younger brother Gary. He was released by Newcastle in 2004, having previously been loaned out to Blackpool, where he scored his first career goal, against Stoke City in the Football League Trophy,[2] and Bradford City. In 2004 he joined fellow Premier League club Leeds United on loan as part of a loan swap for Michael Bridges who went in the opposite direction, Caldwell was unable to prevent Leeds being relegated to the Championship. During his loan spell he scored once in the league, against Blackburn Rovers, which helped earn Leeds a 2–1 victory.[3] For Newcastle he made 28 league appearances and scored twice, against Bradford City in the League Cup[4] and Middlesbrough in the league.[5] Once released by Newcastle, he joined local rivals Sunderland.

Sunderland

Caldwell joined Sunderland from local rivals Newcastle United in 2004. During his time at the club Caldwell was known for his whole-hearted approach to the game and the solid partnership he formed with Gary Breen. On 23 April 2005, he scored Sunderland's winning goal against Leicester City to send his team back to the Premiership.[6]

An injury-plagued season saw Caldwell fall out of favour, and he rarely featured in Roy Keane's first team when fit. He was linked with a move away from the club: Sunderland accepted bids from Championship rivals Burnley and Coventry City.

Burnley

Burnley completed the signing of Caldwell from Sunderland, minutes before the transfer deadline in January 2007. He signed a three-and-a-half year deal at Turf Moor for an initial £200,000. A further £200,000 would be payable to Sunderland at a later date. He was shortly thereafter named club captain and endeared himself to the team's fans with his uncompromising tackling and commitment.

The 2008–09 season saw Caldwell play a major role, captaining his side to promotion to the Premier League. Making 57 starts throughout the season, the Scottish international was a virtual ever-present in the Clarets back-line.

His only two goals of the campaign came at home to local rivals Preston North End in September 2008 and away at Plymouth Argyle in March 2009.

The highlight of Caldwell's Burnley career was lifting the Football League Championship play-off trophy as captain in May 2009.[7] He was released by Burnley at the end of his contract following the 2009–10 season.

Wigan Athletic

On 23 August 2010, he signed a one-year deal with Wigan Athletic, again joining up with his brother Gary.[8] He made his Wigan debut on 24 August, a day after signing, against Hartlepool United in the League Cup second round match, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–0 victory. He made his League debut for Wigan on 16 October 2010 away against Newcastle, his former club, at St James Park in a 2–2 draw as Newcastle came from 2–0 down to gain a point. Caldwell was released when his contract expired at the end of the season.[9]

Birmingham City

Caldwell training at St Andrew's, 2011

On 7 July 2011, Caldwell signed a two-year contract with Birmingham City, newly relegated to the Championship.[9] He made his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2010–11 season, playing the whole of a 2–1 defeat at Derby County.[10] He came close to opening the scoring in the Europa League play-off round first leg against Portuguese club Nacional, the first time that Birmingham had participated in major European competition for nearly 50 years, when his placed header struck the foot of the post.[11] He scored his first goal for Birmingham on 14 August 2012 in a 5–1 win over Barnet in the League Cup.[12]

Toronto

In May 2013, Birmingham confirmed that they would not be taking up their option to extend Caldwell's contract,[13] and he signed for Canadian club Toronto FC of Major League Soccer on loan for the remaining few weeks of that contract.[14] He made his debut on 18 May, in the starting eleven at home to the Columbus Crew, and was "bitterly disappointed" by the 1–0 defeat.[15] After his contract expired with Birmingham, Caldwell signed a two-and-a-half-season contract with Toronto, after helping improve the team's goals-against average from 1.5 to 1.0 goals a game.[16][17] Caldwell scored his first goal with Toronto on 3 July 2013 in a 3–3 home draw to Canadian rivals Montreal Impact.[18] On 13 July 2013, Caldwell became Toronto FC's sixth team captain in the franchise's history after incumbent captain Darren O'Dea was transferred to another club.[19]

In December 2013, readers of "Waking the Red", a Toronto FC news site, voted Caldwell the team's best player of the 2013 season.[20] He was given a similar honour by the Red Patch Boys.[21]

He was demoted from team captain following the promotion to captain of designated player and American national team mainstay Michael Bradley. He retired in July 2015.[22]

International career

Caldwell won twelve caps for Scotland at senior international level. He made his debut in a 1–1 draw away in Poland at the Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak Stadium on 25 April 2001 after breaking into the Newcastle United first team. His home debut came on 12 February 2003 in a 2–0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland at Hampden Park.[23]

He played twice in Scotland's qualification for the 2006 World Cup, in a 1–1 draw with Moldova at the Zimbru Stadium in Chişinău and a 3–0 away win over Slovenia at the Arena Petrol in Celje. He took part in Scotland's 2010 World Cup qualification, playing in a 4–0 defeat to Norway[23] as Scotland finished third, behind, Norway, in their qualifying group.[24] He briefly captained Scotland when a substitution took place in a 3-0 win against the Faroe Islands on 16 November 2010. tHis twelfth and, as of March 2013, last full cap came against Northern Ireland in the 2011 Nations Cup.[23][25]

Honours

Sunderland
Burnley
Individual

Career statistics

As of match played 14 March 2015
Club statistics
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Newcastle United 1998–99[27] Premier League 0000000000
1999–2000[28] Premier League 0000000000
2000–01[29] Premier League 900011—101
2001–02[30] Premier League 0000003[lower-alpha 1]030
2002–03[31] Premier League 14100102[lower-alpha 2]0171
2003–04[32] Premier League 5000101[lower-alpha 3]070
Newcastle United total 281003160372
Blackpool (loan) 2001–02[30] Division Two 60——1[lower-alpha 4]171
Bradford City (loan) 2001–02[30] Division One 90———90
Leeds United (loan) 2003–04[32] Premier League 131———131
Sunderland 2004–05[33] Championship 4141021—445
2005–06[34] Premier League 2400020—260
2006–07[35] Championship 1100000—110
Sunderland total 7641041—815
Burnley 2006–07[35] Championship 170———170
2007–08[36] Championship 2921020—322
2008–09[37] Championship 45240503[lower-alpha 5]0572
2009–10[38] Premier League 1310000—131
Burnley total 10455070301195
Wigan Athletic 2010–11[39] Premier League 1002030—150
Birmingham City 2011–12[40] Championship 43030006[lower-alpha 6]0520
2012–13[41] Championship 3412021—382
Birmingham City total 771502160902
Toronto FC (loan) 2013[26] Major League Soccer 60———60
Toronto FC 2013[26] Major League Soccer 171———171
2014[26] Major League Soccer 21030——240
2015[26] Major League Soccer 2000——20
Toronto FC total 46130——491
Career total 3691316019316142017
  1. ↑ Appearances in the UEFA Intertoto Cup
  2. ↑ Appearances in the UEFA Champions League
  3. ↑ Appearances in the UEFA Cup
  4. ↑ Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  5. ↑ Appearances in the Football League Championship play-offs
  6. ↑ Appearances in the UEFA Europa League

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  2. ↑ "Blackpool 3–2 Stoke". BBC Sport. 16 October 2001. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  3. ↑ "Blackburn 1–2 Leeds". BBC Sport. 10 April 2004. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  4. ↑ "Newcastle 4–3 Bradford". BBC Sport. 2 November 2000. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  5. ↑ "Newcastle outsmart Boro". BBC Sport. 4 November 2002. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  6. ↑ "Sunderland 2–1 Leicester". BBC Sport. 23 April 2005. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  7. 1 2 Cryer, Andy (26 May 2009). "Burnley 1 Sheffield United 0: Caldwell's plotting survival bid". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  8. ↑ "Latics swoop for Caldwell". Sky Sports. 23 August 2010. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  9. 1 2 "Defender Steven Caldwell moves to Birmingham City". BBC Sport. 7 July 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  10. ↑ "Derby 2–1 Birmingham". BBC Sport. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  11. ↑ Tattum, Colin (19 August 2011). "Nacional 0, Birmingham City 0". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  12. ↑ Tattum, Colin (15 August 2012). "Birmingham City 5 Barnet 1". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  13. ↑ "Birmingham City: Steven Caldwell to go in St Andrew's shake-up". BBC Sport. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  14. ↑ "New Defender Joins Reds On Loan". torontofc.ca. MLS. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  15. ↑ Davidson, Neil (18 May 2013). "Columbus Crew continue mastery over Toronto FC with win at BMO Field". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. The Canadian Press. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  16. ↑ "Toronto FC sign defender Steven Caldwell, acquire midfielder Michael Thomas from Sporting KC". MLSsoccer.com. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  17. ↑ Rowaan, Dave (2 July 2013). "Toronto FC extend Steven Caldwell's stay". Waking The Red. SB Nation. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  18. ↑ "Impact erase 2-goal deficit to salvage draw with Toronto FC". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  19. ↑ Lalas, Greg (13 July 2013). "Toronto FC announce Darren O'Dea set to transfer as midseason changes to continue". MLSSoccer.com. Major League Soccer. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  20. ↑ Fletcher, Duncan (9 December 2013). "Toronto FC 2013 Top 36 Countdown: Number 1 – Steven Caldwell". Waking The Red. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  21. 1 2 Larson, Kurtis (29 November 2013). "Toronto FC's Caldwell confident team is on upswing". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  22. ↑ http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2015/07/steven-caldwell-announces-his-retirement
  23. 1 2 3 "Profiles: Steven Caldwell". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  24. ↑ "2010 FIFA World Cup: Preliminaries: Europe: Groups and Standings". FIFA. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  25. ↑ "Scotland 3–0 Northern Ireland". BBC Sport. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 "S. Caldwell". Soccerway. Global Sports Media. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  27. ↑ "Newcastle Player Appearances 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  28. ↑ "Newcastle Player Appearances 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  29. ↑ "Games played by Steven Caldwell in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  30. 1 2 3 "Games played by Steven Caldwell in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  31. ↑ "Games played by Steven Caldwell in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  32. 1 2 "Games played by Steven Caldwell in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  33. ↑ "Games played by Steven Caldwell in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  34. ↑ "Games played by Steven Caldwell in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  35. 1 2 "Games played by Steven Caldwell in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  36. ↑ "Games played by Steven Caldwell in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  37. ↑ "Games played by Steven Caldwell in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  38. ↑ "Games played by Steven Caldwell in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  39. ↑ "Games played by Steven Caldwell in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  40. ↑ "Games played by Steven Caldwell in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  41. ↑ "Games played by Steven Caldwell in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Darren O'Dea		 Toronto captain
2013–2014 		Succeeded by
Michael Bradley
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