Andrew Nelson (footballer)

Andrew George Robert Nelson (born 16 September 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for National League North club Darlington.

Andrew Nelson
Nelson in October 2023
Personal information
Full name Andrew George Robert Nelson[1]
Date of birth (1997-09-16) 16 September 1997[2]
Place of birth Stockton-on-Tees, England
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Darlington
Number 11
Youth career
0000–2016 Sunderland
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2019 Sunderland 0 (0)
2017 → Hartlepool United (loan) 4 (0)
2017 → Harrogate Town (loan) 4 (1)
2018 → Falkirk (loan) 12 (4)
2018–2019 → Darlington (loan) 5 (6)
2019–2020 Dundee 31 (6)
2020–2021 Torquay United 0 (0)
2021–2022 Darlington 6 (1)
2023– Darlington 25 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:13, 25 October 2023 (UTC)

He began his career with Sunderland, spending time on loan at Hartlepool United, for whom he made his Football League debut, Harrogate Town, Falkirk and Darlington. After 18 months with Dundee, he spent a season with Torquay United during which injury prevented him from playing at all, returned to Darlington in 2021 until injury again put a stop to his career, and rejoined the club in 2023.

Early and personal life

Nelson was born in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham,[2] and attended King James I Academy in Bishop Auckland.[3]

Career

Sunderland

He joined Sunderland's academy – in preference to those of Newcastle United and Middlesbrough – at the age of seven and took up a two-year scholarship with the club in July 2014.[4][5] In 2016, he signed a two-year professional contract which was later extended for a further year.[6][7]

Nelson made two substitute appearances for Sunderland's U23 team in the 2016–17 EFL Trophy, a competition involving senior teams from third- and fourth-tier clubs together with under-age teams from the higher divisions.[8] He moved on loan to Hartlepool United on 31 January 2017,[9] and made his club and Football League debut in the starting eleven at home to Yeovil Town four days later. He made the cross from which Hartlepool opened the scoring, and then conceded the penalty from which Yeovil secured a 1–1 draw.[10] He kept his starting place for the next two matches, without scoring, but in the next he injured his medial knee ligaments shortly after coming on as a substitute. He returned to his parent club for treatment and rehabilitation, and played no more football that season.[11][12]

In October 2017, he joined Harrogate Town of the National League North on loan for a month.[13] According to Harrogate manager Simon Weaver, during his debut Nelson "showed a good aggressive edge to his play, he was brave and his hold-up play was good."[14] During his loan spell he played in four National League North matches and scored once, with a close-range header in a 3–1 defeat away to Spennymoor Town.[15][16]

At the start of January 2018, Nelson moved on loan to Scottish Championship club Falkirk until the end of the season.[17] He was a fixture in the starting eleven, scoring four goals and making three assists in twelve Championship appearances,[18] until his loan spell was cut short by injury. A fractured cheekbone forced him to miss the last month of the season.[19]

After surgery in September on a foot injured in pre-season, Nelson eventually resumed training in November 2018.[20] In order to regain match fitness, he signed on a month's loan for another National League North club, Darlington, in December 2018.[21] He scored twice on debut away to Chorley, albeit in a losing cause,[22] and finished his loan spell with six goals from five league appearances.[15] Darlington's manager Tommy Wright praised Nelson, saying that it "[doesn't] get much better than what he did with us – six goals and two assists".[23]

Dundee

Nelson signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Scottish Premiership club Dundee in January 2019; the fee was undisclosed.[24][25] He scored a game-winning goal on his league debut, away to Heart of Midlothian on 23 January.[26] Dundee entered a long losing streak and were relegated to the Championship on 4 May 2019.[27]

The 2019–20 season was prematurely ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[28]

In July 2020, Nelson left Dundee by mutual agreement.[29]

Torquay United

Later that month he signed for Torquay United.[30] He injured a knee in a pre-season friendly, eventually had surgery once the exact problem had been established,[31] missed the entire season, and was released at its end.[32]

Darlington

Nelson trained with Darlington ahead of the 2021–22 season, and – still not completely fit – rejoined the club on 11 August 2021.[33] After nearly 18 months out of competitive football, he made his debut on 30 August, and scored his first goal two weeks later to secure Darlington's first point of the season with the equaliser away to Blyth Spartans.[15][34] He made eight appearances before the knee problem recurred,[35] and eventually decided to have surgery that would keep him out of the game for 15 months.[36] On 11 May 2022, Darlington announced that Nelson had been released by the club but would later be invited back for pre-season training to help with his rehabilitation from injury.[37]

On 3 March 2023, ten months after his release, a fully fit Nelson again signed for Darlington.[38] He made his third debut for the Quakers the following day as a substitute.[39] The following week, against AFC Fylde, Nelson twice gave Darlington a lead but Fylde won the match.[40] He finished the season with three goals from 12 appearances.[15] On 24 May 2023, Nelson signed a new two-year contract with Darlington.[41]

Career statistics
As of match played 24 October 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[lower-alpha 1] League cup[lower-alpha 2] Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sunderland U23/U21 2016–17[8] ———2[lower-alpha 3]020
2017–18[42] ———1[lower-alpha 3]010
Total ———3030
Sunderland 2016–17[8] Premier League 000000—00
2017–18[42] Championship 00—00—00
2018–19[43] League One 0000000000
Total 0000000000
Hartlepool United (loan) 2016–17[8] League Two 40———40
Harrogate Town (loan) 2017–18[15] National League North 41———41
Falkirk (loan) 2017–18[42] Scottish Championship 12430——154
Darlington (loan) 2018–19[15] National League North 56———56
Dundee 2018–19[43] Scottish Premiership 12420——144
2019–20[44] Scottish Championship 19200521[lower-alpha 4]0254
Total 316205210398
Torquay United 2020–21[45] National League 0000—0000
Darlington 2021–22[15][46] National League North 6120—0081
Darlington 2022–23[15] National League North 123———123
2023–24[15][47] National League North 13220—00152
Total 255200000275
Career total 872390524010525
  1. Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup
  2. Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup
  3. Appearances in EFL Trophy
  4. Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup

References
  1. "Squads for 2016/17 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  2. "Andrew Nelson". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  3. "Sports: Board of Honour". King James I Academy. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  4. Craig Johns (15 July 2018). "Andrew Nelson on the sacrifice and inspiration behind his dream rise towards Sunderland's first team". The Chronicle. Newcastle. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  5. "List of players under written contract registered between 01/07/2014 and 31/07/2014". The Football Association. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  6. Sam Lightle (4 July 2016). "Host of deals for academy prospects". Sunderland A.F.C. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  7. Richard Mennear (17 May 2018). "Loan interest in Sunderland youngsters with club set to grant more opportunities next season". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  8. "Games played by Andrew Nelson in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  9. "Andrew Nelson: Sunderland teenage striker joins Hartlepool on loan". BBC Sport. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  10. Nick Loughlin (6 February 2017). "Hartlepool: Boss Jones sees a bright future at Pools". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  11. Richard Mennear (22 February 2017). "Sunderland forward Andrew Nelson 'devastated' after knee injury ends Hartlepool United loan spell". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  12. David Oliver (4 January 2018). "Sunderland loan star Andrew Nelson: Huge crowd showed me Falkirk means a lot". Falkirk Herald. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  13. "Black Cats youngster Nelson signs for Harrogate". NonLeagueDaily.com. 23 October 2017. Archived from the original on 25 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  14. Richard Mennear (24 October 2017). "How did Sunderland striker Andrew Nelson do on his Harrogate Town debut?". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  15. "A. Nelson". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  16. John Harrison (12 November 2017). "Spennymoor Town 3–1 Harrogate Town". Harrogate News. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  17. "Falkirk: Andrew Nelson and Sean Welsh join as Conrad Balatoni leaves". BBC Sport. 2 January 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  18. Craig Johns (16 May 2018). "Jimmy Sinclair changing Sunderland's loan policy for the benefit of the academy stars' development". The Chronicle. Newcastle. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  19. Richard Mennear (12 April 2018). "Sunderland striker has surgery on broken cheekbone". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  20. Craig Johns (8 November 2018). "Sunderland academy star closing in on a return to action as he resumes training". The Chronicle. Newcastle. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  21. Richard Mennear (13 December 2018). "Sunderland striker joins Darlington on short-term loan as clubs in England and Scotland weigh up January move". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  22. Richard Mennear (16 December 2018). "Darlington manager hails 'outstanding' Sunderland loanee Andrew Nelson after debut brace". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  23. Craig Stoddart (11 January 2019). "Wright looking to make loan additions to Darlington squad". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  24. "Nelson signs". Dundee F.C. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  25. Richard Mennear (17 January 2019). "Sunderland sell striker Andrew Nelson to Scottish Premiership side Dundee". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  26. McLauchlin, Brian (23 January 2019). "Heart of Midlothian 1–2 Dundee". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  27. Watt, Martin (4 May 2019). "Dundee 0–1 Hamilton Academical". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  28. "SPFL resolution approved by clubs in all four divisions". BBC Sport. 15 April 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  29. "Nelson to depart". Dundee F.C. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  30. Hughes, Richard (29 July 2020). "Strength, quality and experience - Torquay United boss introduces new signings". DevonLive. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  31. Thomas, Dave (1 January 2021). "Nelson surgery on injured knee". Torbay Weekly. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  32. Henderson, Guy (23 June 2021). "Eight players leave as Torquay United manager Gary Johnson reveals retained list". DevonLive. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  33. Simpson, Ray (11 August 2021). "Andrew Nelson signs for the second time". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  34. Simpson, Ray (11 September 2021). "Nella earns Quakers' first point of the season". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  35. Stoddart, Craig (5 January 2022). "Sidelined Darlington striker to visit knee surgeon". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  36. Wilson, Scott (9 February 2022). "Darlington's Andrew Nelson to miss rest of season with knee injury". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  37. "Quakers announce retained list". Darlington F.C. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  38. Simpson, Ray (3 March 2023). "Andrew Nelson signs for a third time!". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  39. Simpson, Ray (4 March 2023). "Quakers settle for a point at Alfreton". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  40. Simpson, Ray (11 March 2023). "Nella puts Quakers in front twice, but Fylde hit back to win". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  41. Ray Simpson (24 May 2023). "Nella signs a two year contract for Quakers". Darlington FC. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  42. "Games played by Andrew Nelson in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  43. "Games played by Andrew Nelson in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  44. "Games played by Andrew Nelson in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  45. "Games played by Andrew Nelson in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  46. For FA Cup 2nd qualifying round: Simpson, Ray (18 September 2021). "Quakers held to a goalless draw in FA Cup". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
    Simpson, Ray (21 September 2021). "Quakers knocked out of Cup by lucky goal". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  47. For FA Cup: "Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round – Darlington 3–1 Workington AFC". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
    Simpson, Ray (30 September 2023). "Scarborough go through with late penalty". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  • Profile at Sunderland A.F.C. website
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