George Long (footballer)

George Martin Long (born 5 November 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for EFL Championship club Norwich City.

George Long
Long training with the England under 20 team
Long training with the England national under-20 team at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup
Personal information
Full name George Martin Long[1]
Date of birth (1993-11-05) 5 November 1993[2]
Place of birth Sheffield, England
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)[3]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Norwich City
Number 12
Youth career
2002–2011 Sheffield United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2018 Sheffield United 100 (0)
2014 → Oxford United (loan) 10 (0)
2015 → Motherwell (loan) 13 (0)
2017–2018 → AFC Wimbledon (loan) 45 (0)
2018–2021 Hull City 57 (0)
2021–2023 Millwall 36 (0)
2023– Norwich City 2 (0)
International career
2011 England U18 1 (0)
2013 England U20 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:00, 25 October 2023 (UTC)

Born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, he came through the youth ranks at his hometown Sheffield United before making the break into the first team, and has also represented England at Under 18 level. Long has previously had loan spells at Oxford United, Motherwell and AFC Wimbledon.

Club career
Long playing for Sheffield United
George Long playing for Sheffield United in November 2012 at Stadium mk.

Long made his début for the Blades at the beginning of May 2011, starting the last game of the 2010–11 season against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium,[4] in doing so becoming the youngest goalkeeper to play in a league game for the Blades in the club's history at just 17 years 183 days. Long was a member of the team that reached the final of the FA Youth Cup in 2011, only to lose to Manchester United.[5] After a couple more first-team appearances he was handed a new long-term deal in February 2012 to keep him at Bramall Lane until the summer of 2016.[6]

Long started the following season as second choice behind Mark Howard but, after an injury to Howard in October 2012, became the side's regular stopper. During his initial run in the team he conceded only one goal in 5 league appearances and was subsequently awarded League One 'Player of the Month' for October,[7] followed by the Blades supporters' Player of the Month for November 2012.[8] Long retained his place in the first team, despite the signing of experienced former Welsh international keeper Danny Coyne,[9] and in March 2013 he was named Football League Young Player of the Month for February, following six consecutive clean sheets over the period.[10] Long remained United's first-choice keeper and finished the season having played 44 times in all competitions.[11]

On 25 July 2014, Long joined Oxford United on a six-month loan deal to play first-team football having dropped to second-choice keeper at Bramall Lane behind Mark Howard.[12] In November, Blades manager Nigel Clough recalled Long from his loan spell after Oxford manager Michael Appleton revealed that Long was no longer part of his plans and had been dropped from the first team to make way for further loan signings.[13]

On 2 February 2015, Long signed for Scottish Premiership club Motherwell on loan until the end of the 2014–15 season.[14] Long helped Motherwell preserve their top flight status with a 6–1 aggregate win over Rangers in the Scottish Premiership playoff Final.

After returning to Sheffield United, Long started the 2015–16 season as first choice keeper after impressing new manager Nigel Adkins. However, after a disappointing loss to Gillingham in the first match of the season, Long was replaced by Mark Howard. Long was still used in cup matches and performed well saving two out of five penalties in a shoot out against Hartlepool United in the Football League Trophy. Long returned to first choice in November 2015 against Southend United. Some good performances led to him twice being named in the Sky Bet Football League Team of the week in December 2015. On 6 February 2016 the goalkeeper made his 100th starting appearance for Sheffield United in a League 1 game against Wigan Athletic. United lost 0–2, though he did save a penalty in the game. On 9 June 2016 Long signed a two-year contract (with a club option for a third year) under new manager Chris Wilder.[15]

On 4 July 2017, he joined AFC Wimbledon on a one-season loan.[16] He was transfer-listed by Sheffield United at the end of the 2017–18 season after the club had triggered his contract option year for the season 2018–19.[17]

On 18 July 2018, Long joined fellow EFL Championship club Hull City on a three-year contract.[18] He made his Hull debut on 28 August 2018 in the Second round of the EFL Cup at home to Derby County which Hull lost 0–4.[19]

On 25 May 2021, it was announced that Long had opted not to sign a new contract with Hull City and instead signed for Millwall on a free transfer.[20]

International career

Long made his England U18 début in April 2011, coming on as a second-half substitute during a 1–1 draw with Italy in Carpi.[21] Following a successful 2012–13 season, Long was selected in the provisional 35-man squad for the 2013 FIFA Under 20 World Cup,[22] and was later confirmed as part of the 21-man squad for the finals themselves.[23] Long featured in a pre-tournament practice match against Uruguay,[24] but failed to make any competitive appearances during the tournament.[25] On 8 August 2013 Long got his first call up to the England U21 team for the match against Scotland U21s on 13 August at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane.[26] Upon his first call up to the U21s Long stated "It makes it a bit more special that it's at Bramall Lane. There will be a great atmosphere there and a packed stadium, so I'm looking forward to it."[27] On 27 August 2013 Long was called up for the England U21s again under new boss Gareth Southgate for matches against Moldova U21s and Finland U21s for Group 1 2015 U-21 Euro Qualifier matches[28] and once more in November for matches against San Marino U21s and Finland's U21s again.[29]

Career statistics
As of match played 24 October 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sheffield United 2010–11[30] Championship 1000000010
2011–12[31] League One 2000002[lower-alpha 1]040
2012–13[32] League One 36040004[lower-alpha 2]0440
2013–14[33] League One 270400000310
2014–15[34] League One 000000— 00
2015–16[35] League One 31030103[lower-alpha 1]0380
2016–17[36] League One 3000101[lower-alpha 1]050
Total 1000110201001230
Oxford United (loan) 2014–15[34] League Two 10000001[lower-alpha 1]0110
Motherwell (loan) 2014–15[34] Scottish Premiership 130— — 2[lower-alpha 3]0150
AFC Wimbledon (loan) 2017–18[37] League One 450301000490
Hull City 2018–19[38] Championship 401010—|60
2019–20[39] Championship 4501000—|460
2020–21[40] League One 8020102[lower-alpha 1]0130
Total 570402020650
Millwall 2021–22[41] Championship 001030—40
2022–23[42] Championship 3600010—370
Total 3601040—410
Norwich City 2023–24[43] Championship 200020—40
Total 200020—40
Career total 26301901101503080
  1. Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  2. Two appearances in the Football League Trophy and two in the League One play-offs
  3. Appearances in the Scottish Premiership relegation play-offs

Honours

Hull City

Individual

References
  1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Hull City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 35. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  2. "FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013 List of Players: England" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 23 June 2013. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 June 2013.
  3. "George Long". AFC Wimbledon. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  4. "Swansea V Sheffield United". BBC Sport. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
  5. "Blades 2–2 Man Utd – match report". Sheffield United F.C. 20 May 2011. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  6. "New deal for young keeper". Sheffield United FC Official Web Site. 16 June 2012. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  7. "Long named Player of the Month". The Football League. 18 November 2012. Archived from the original on 28 March 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  8. "November Player of the Month". Sheffield United FC Official Web Site. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  9. "Coyne lands Blades deal". The Sheffield Star. 17 November 2012. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  10. "Long named Young Player of the Month". The Football League. 22 March 2013. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  11. "Games played by George Long in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  12. "George Long: Oxford United sign Sheffield United keeper on loan". BBC Sport. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  13. "Sheffield United: Blades hold financial talks over goalkeeper". Sheffield Star. 25 November 2014. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  14. "'Keeper Long joins from Sheff Utd". Motherwell F.C. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  15. "'Stopper signs". Sheffield United F.C. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  16. "Dons sign new goalkeeper". AFC Wimbledon. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  17. "Clayton Donaldson: Sheffield United release striker and transfer list seven". BBC Sport. 11 May 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  18. "GEORGE LONG JOINS HULL CITY". Hull City. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  19. "Hull City 0–4 Derby County". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  20. "Long Leaves For Millwall". Hull City A.F.C. 25 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  21. "Italy vs England". thefa.com. 2 April 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  22. "England recognition for George". Sheffield United FC Official Web Site. 17 May 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  23. "World Cup awaits George". Sheffield United FC Official Web Site. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  24. "Training win for Three Lions". The FA. 16 June 2013. Archived from the original on 24 June 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  25. "George Long". The FA. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  26. "Long earns England call". thestar.co.uk. 8 August 2013. Archived from the original on 13 August 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  27. "Watching and learning". The Football Association Official Website. 12 August 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  28. "England call for George". Sheffield United FC Official Website. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
  29. "SUFC Long in England squad". vitalfootball.co.uk. 8 November 2013. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  30. "Games played by George Long in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  31. "Games played by George Long in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  32. "Games played by George Long in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  33. "Games played by George Long in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  34. "Games played by George Long in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  35. "Games played by George Long in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  36. "Games played by George Long in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  37. "Games played by George Long in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  38. "Games played by George Long in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  39. "Games played by George Long in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  40. "Games played by George Long in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  41. "Games played by George Long in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  42. "Games played by George Long in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  43. "Games played by George Long in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  44. "Hull City 3–1 Wigan Athletic". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 May 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
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