Guy Branston

Guy Branston
Personal information
Full name Guy Peter Bromley Branston[1]
Date of birth (1979-01-09) 9 January 1979[1]
Place of birth Leicester, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Playing position Centre back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–1999 Leicester City 0 (0)
1997 → Rushden & Diamonds (loan) ? (?)
1998 → Colchester United (loan) 12 (1)
1998 → Colchester United (loan) 1 (0)
1998–1999 → Plymouth Argyle (loan) 7 (1)
1999 → Rushden & Diamonds (loan) ? (?)
1999 → Lincoln City (loan) 4 (0)
1999 → Rotherham United (loan) 5 (0)
1999–2004 Rotherham United 99 (13)
2003 → Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 9 (0)
2004 → Peterborough United (loan) 14 (0)
2004–2005 Sheffield Wednesday 11 (0)
2004–2005 → Peterborough United (loan) 4 (1)
2005–2006 Oldham Athletic 45 (2)
2006–2007 Peterborough United 26 (0)
2007 → Rochdale (loan) 4 (0)
2007 → Northampton Town (loan) 3 (0)
2008 Notts County 1 (0)
2008–2009 Kettering Town1 39 (0)
2009–2010 Burton Albion 19 (0)
2010 → Torquay United (loan) 16 (0)
2010–2011 Torquay United 45 (2)
2011–2012 Bradford City 16 (1)
2011 → Rotherham United (loan) 2 (0)
2012–2013 Aldershot Town 3 (0)
2012 → Bristol Rovers (loan) 4 (1)
2013–2014 Plymouth Argyle 31 (0)
Total 420 (22)
Teams managed
2015–2016 Notts County (chief scout)
2016 Nuneaton Town (operations manager)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.


Guy Peter Bromley Branston (born 9 January 1979) is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre back.

He has played in the Football League for Colchester United, Plymouth Argyle, Lincoln City, Rotherham United, Wycombe Wanderers, Peterborough United, Sheffield Wednesday, Oldham Athletic, Rochdale, Northampton Town, Notts County, Burton Albion, Torquay United, Bradford City, Aldershot Town and Bristol Rovers. Born in Leicester, he has captained several clubs, won player of the year awards and been voted into the divisional PFA Team of the Year by his peers.[2]

Branston retired from professional football on 4 July 2014, following his release from Plymouth Argyle three months earlier.[3]

Career

Leicester City

Branston begain his career as a trainee at Leicester City, but never made a first team appearance for the club. He did however go out on loan on seven occasions including spells at Rushden & Diamonds (twice), Colchester United (twice), Plymouth Argyle, Lincoln City and finally Rotherham United, who he would then join permanently in November 1999.

Rotherham United

Branston established his career at Rotherham United after being bought for £50,000 from Leicester City, and enjoyed two successive promotions with the Millers in his first two years with the club, and kept his place in the team during the Championship years. In his final season at the club - 2003/04 - he went out on loan twice. He initially joined Wycombe Wanderers, where he scored once in the Football League Trophy against Cambridge United,[4] and then joined Peterborough United on loan; his first of what proved to be 3 spells at the club. Branston scored 13 goals in 104 league appearances for Rotherham.

Sheffield Wednesday

In June 2004 he was signed by Sheffield Wednesday. Whilst at Wednesday he made 11 league appearances and again went on loan to Peterborough United, where he scored once against Wrexham.[5]

Oldham Athletic

In February 2005 Branston joined Oldham Athletic, and went on to make 45 league appearances and score two goals.

Peterborough United

Branston joined Peterborough on 24 July 2006, from Oldham Athletic, after wanting to move closer to home.[6] He had impressed for Peterborough in two previous loan spells where he proved to be a leader and as a result was given the captain's armband.[7] He scored his first goal in his third spell at the club in a League Cup tie against Ipswich Town.[8]

After just one season though, he fell out of favour, and was loaned to both Rochdale and Northampton Town,[9][10] before being released from his contract on 13 December 2007.

Notts County

He signed for Notts County on 1 January 2008 for one month.[11]

Kettering Town

In February 2008, Branston joined Conference National side Kettering Town on an 18-month deal. He established himself in the starting XI, was assigned the captain's role, and following a string of impressive displays he signed a new, extended deal in December 2008, contracting him to the club until 2010, following interest from other clubs, including Conference rivals Stevenage Borough.[12]

Burton Albion

Branston signed for Burton Albion on 16 July 2009. Despite being in talks with Torquay United after a £10,000 fee was agreed for his transfer from Kettering, Burton were able to complete the signing on a free after it was discovered Branston had not been properly registered with The FA.[13]

Branston has already been sent off three times in his short Burton Albion career, taking his total career tally to 18 red cards. Whenever Branston gets sent off, Jeff Stelling, the presenter of Soccer Saturday states that Branston has got himself in a pickle, referring to the brand of pickle, Branston Pickle.

Branston joined Torquay United on loan at the end of January 2010. Having made 16 appearances for the club during the second half of the 2009–10 season, he was voted runner-up for the club's player of the year award.

Torquay United

Branston was released by Burton Albion on 20 July 2010 and subsequently signed a one-year deal with Torquay on 21 July 2010. He scored his first goal in four years and his first for Torquay in 2011 in a 3-3 draw with Macclesfield Town[14] and scored again four days later in the 2–1 win against Cheltenham Town.[15] In April 2011, he won the Torquay United player of the year award and was named in the PFA Team of the Year for League Two.[16][17]

Bradford City

In the summer of 2011, Branston signed for League Two side Bradford City, and scored his first goal for the club in a 4-2 win over Barnet.[18] However, manager Peter Jackson left his position and his replacement Phil Parkinson opted to loan Branston to Rotherham United.

Aldershot Town

On 25 June 2012, Branston joined Aldershot Town on a free transfer. He made his debut as an 88th minute substitute on 4 September in a victory over Exeter City in the Football League Trophy first round.

Branston joined Bristol Rovers on loan in November until the beginning of 2013.[19][20] "Guy is a very experienced centre half at this level," said Rovers manager Mark McGhee. "He is a straight forward uncompromising player, who competes well, and I think he will do a good job for us."[19] He scored on his debut in a 3–3 draw with former club Bradford City and was critical of Bradford manager Parkinson.[21][22] "I had a hard time at Bradford," said Branston. "He stitched me up last year and made me work really hard for something that was never going to materialise. The only way you can show them is by being on the pitch and playing well."[22] Branston made three more appearances for Rovers before McGhee was replaced by John Ward as manager, and returned to Aldershot when the loan expired.[23] In January, he had his contract with Aldershot cancelled by mutual consent after playing in five matches for the club.[24][25]

Plymouth Argyle

He rejoined Plymouth Argyle later that month on a contract until the end of the 2012–13 campaign.[26][27] "I know what Guy's all about, with his enthusiasm for the game. And he knows the game," said Argyle manager John Sheridan after Branston made his debut in a 2–1 win against Morecambe.[28][29] "He probably talks too much, but I like him as a lad. You could see the lift the players got from him. He gets on with everyone, he talks to the younger players and tell them off when he has to. But he'll give them a hug when he has to.[29] Branston was an ever-present in the team for the rest of the season, making a further 18 appearances as the club avoided relegation from the Football League.[30] He signed a one-year contract extension in May 2013.[31]

His 2013–14 season was disrupted by niggling ankle and calf injuries, which limited him to 13 appearances by March 2014.[32] A scan on Branston's ankle revealed he would not be able to play again for the rest of the season and, with little prospect of being offered a new contract,[32] he was released by mutual consent to continue his ankle rehabilitation at home.[33]

Post playing career

In February 2015 he joined Notts County as Chief Scout, being tasked with overseeing all areas of scouting and recruitment at Meadow Lane.[34] In May 2016 he parted company with the club.[35] In July 2016 he was appointed operations manager at Nuneaton Town. [36]

Career statistics

As of 18 December 2012[37]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other[A] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Leicester City 1997–98 Premier League0000000000
1998–99 Premier League0000000000
Rushden & Diamonds (loan) 1997–98 Conference311000000311
Colchester United (loan) 1997–98 Division 3131000000131
Colchester United (loan) 1998–99 Division 21000000010
Plymouth Argyle (loan) 1998–99 Division 37200001081
Rushden & Diamonds (loan) 1998–99 Conference0000000000
Lincoln City (loan) 1999–2000 Division 34000200060
Rotherham United (loan) 1999–2000 Division 35000000050
Leicester City Total 0000000000
Rotherham United 1999–2000 Division 3254000020274
2000–01 Division 2416302000466
2001–02 Division 1101001000111
2002–03 Division 1152002000172
2003–04 Division 180101000100
Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 2003–04 Division 290000021111
Peterborough United (loan) 2003–04 Division 2140000000140
Rotherham United Total 991340602011113
Sheffield Wednesday 2004–05 League One110101000130
Peterborough United (loan) 2004–05 League One4100000041
Sheffield Wednesday Total 110101000130
Oldham Athletic 2004–05 League One7100001081
2005–06 League One381201010421
Oldham Athletic Total 452201020502
Peterborough United 2006–07 League Two240302110301
2007–08 League Two2000000020
Rochdale (loan) 2007–08 League Two4000101060
Northampton Town (loan) 2007–08 League One3010000030
Peterborough United Total 260302110321
Notts County 2007–08 League Two1000000010
Total 1000000010
Kettering Town 2007–08 Conference North0000000000
2008–09 Conference390500010450
Total 390500010450
Burton Albion 2009–10 League Two190201010230
Torquay United (loan) 2009–10 League Two160000000160
Burton Albion Total 190201010230
Torquay United 2010–11 League Two452301040532
Total 452301040532
Bradford City 2011–12 League Two161001020191
Rotherham United (loan) 2011–12 League Two2020000040
Bradford City Total 161001020191
Aldershot Town 2012–13 League Two3000002050
Bristol Rovers (loan) 2012–13 League Two4100000041
Aldershot Town Total 3000002050
Career totals 4212423016119147926
A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals (including substitutes) in the Football League Trophy, FA Trophy and Football League play-offs.

Honours

Promotions

Individual

Notes

  1. ^ Branston's appearances for Kettering Town in the Conference North are unknown, so only his appearances in the Conference National are included.

References

  1. 1 2 Hugman, Barry (2007). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 57. ISBN 978-1-84596-246-3.
  2. 1 2 "Guy Branston". Plymouth Argyle F.C. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  3. ↑ "Guy Branston retires from football after 16 years and 19 clubs". bbc sport. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  4. ↑ "Wycombe 1-0 Cambridge". BBC. 14 October 2003. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "Peterborough 2-2 Wrexham". BBC. 11 January 2005. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  6. ↑ "Branston completes return to Posh". BBC News. 24 July 2006.
  7. ↑ "Posh secure Branston loan switch". BBC News. 31 December 2004.
  8. ↑ "Peterborough 2-2 Ipswich (aet)". BBC. 22 August 2006. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  9. ↑ "Guy Branston". Peterborough United F.C. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  10. ↑ Guy Branston joins rivals Northampton on loan – Peterborough Today
  11. ↑ "Magpies complete Branston signing". BBC News. 1 January 2008.
  12. ↑ http://www.northantset.co.uk/sport/Branston-signs-new-deal.4777716.jp
  13. ↑ Confirmation of Signing from the Official Burton Albion FC Website
  14. ↑ "Macclesfield 3 - 3 Torquay". BBC. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  15. ↑ "Torquay 2 - 1 Cheltenham". BBC. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  16. 1 2 "Guy Branston a target for league rivals Bradford City". Torquay Herald Express. Retrieved 2015-10-18.
  17. ↑ "Spurs' Gareth Bale wins PFA player of the year award". BBC. 17 April 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  18. ↑ "Bradford 4 - 2 Barnet". BBC. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  19. 1 2 "Branston Signs on Loan". Bristol Rovers F.C. 22 November 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  20. ↑ "Bristol Rovers sign Aldershot defender Guy Branston". BBC Sport. 22 November 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  21. ↑ "Bristol Rovers 3, Bradford City 3: Guy Branston scores within 30 seconds of debut". Bristol Post. 25 November 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  22. 1 2 "Guy Branston happy to score against Bradford for Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  23. ↑ McNamara, James (30 December 2012). "Bristol Rovers goalkeeper Scott Bevan closing in on a return to action". Bristol Post. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  24. ↑ "Guy Branston departs Aldershot Town after five games". BBC Sport. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  25. ↑ "Duo extend stays, Branston out". Sky Sports. BSkyB. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  26. ↑ Cowdery, Rick (11 January 2013). "Sheridan Brings Out The Branston". Plymouth Argyle F.C. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  27. ↑ Errington, Chris (11 January 2013). "Branston excited by reunion with Sheridan at Argyle". Plymouth Herald. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  28. ↑ "Plymouth 2–1 Morecambe". BBC Sport. 12 January 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  29. 1 2 McNichol, Rob (13 January 2013). "Fresh Faces Pay Off". Plymouth Argyle F.C. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  30. ↑ "Brano Signs On". Plymouth Argyle F.C. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  31. ↑ "Guy Branston awarded one year deal while John Sheridan signs at Plymouth Argyle". Plymouth Herald. 4 May 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  32. 1 2 Errington, Chris (17 March 2014). "Guy Branston 'still has a few years left' after Plymouth Argyle exit". Plymouth Herald. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  33. ↑ Harlow, Phil (17 March 2014). "Guy Branston: Released defender sets sights on finding new club". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  34. ↑ "Guy Branston Appointed Notts County Chief Scout". Notts County F.C. Official Website. 4 February 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  35. ↑ "Notts County understood to have parted company with Guy Branston". Nottingham Post. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  36. ↑ "Former Notts County head of recruitment Guy Branston lands new job". Nottingham Post. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  37. ↑ "Guy Branston Stats". Soccerbase.
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