James Morrison (footballer)

James Clark Morrison (born 25 May 1986) is a football coach and former player, who is currently a first-team coach with West Bromwich Albion and the Scotland national team. Morrison played as a midfielder for Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion between 2004 and 2019, and is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in West Bromwich Albion's history.[4] After representing various England junior sides, Morrison chose to play for Scotland at full international level and he made 46 full international appearances for them between 2008 and 2017.

For other people with the same name, see James Morrison.

James Morrison
Morrison in 2014
Personal information
Full name James Clark Morrison[1]
Date of birth (1986-05-25) 25 May 1986[2]
Place of birth Darlington, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 West Bromwich Albion (first-team coach)
Youth career
1998–2004 Middlesbrough
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2007 Middlesbrough 66 (3)
2007–2019 West Bromwich Albion 309 (34)
Total 375 (37)
International career
2002–2003 England U17 6 (0)
2004 England U18 2 (0)
2004–2005 England U19 8 (0)
2005 England U20 1 (0)
2008–2017 Scotland 46 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Middlesbrough

Morrison was born in Darlington, County Durham,[5] and attended Hummersknott School.[6] He is a product of Middlesbrough's youth academy. He starred in Middlesbrough's FA Youth Cup winning side in 2003–04, putting in several eye-catching performances throughout the cup run, notably scoring in the final first leg 3–0 win against Aston Villa.

His initial outings in the first team displayed some promise as well. He made his first-team debut on 3 January 2004, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 FA Cup victory against Notts County.[7] His Premiership debut came four months later, when he replaced Stewart Downing in a 5–1 defeat away at Portsmouth on the final day of the 2003–04 season.[8] Morrison's first European action for Boro was on 30 September 2004 in a UEFA Cup tie away at Banik Ostrava. He marked the occasion by scoring his first goal for the club, a last-minute equaliser that secured a 1–1 draw in the second leg and a 4–1 aggregate victory.[9] Morrison started for Middlesbrough in the 2006 UEFA Cup Final against Sevilla. On 19 March 2007, he was sent off in an FA Cup quarter-final replay against Manchester United for a kick out at Cristiano Ronaldo.

West Bromwich Albion

On 7 August 2007, Morrison signed a four-year contract with West Bromwich Albion, for an initial £1.5 million fee. This fee could rise by a further £700,000, depending on Morrison's appearances for the Baggies. Middlesbrough will also receive 15% of any sell-on fee.[10] Morrison made his Albion debut as a second-half substitute in a 2–1 defeat away at Burnley on the opening day of the 2007–08 season.[11] His first goal for the club was a second half winner in a 2–1 home victory over Blackpool on 23 October 2007,[12] a strike that won him the West Bromwich Albion Supporters Club's Goal of the Season award.[13] Morrison described it at the time as "the best goal I've scored in my career".[14]

Morrison impressed in the first team throughout the 2008–09 season. He scored three goals in total over the course of the season, including his goals home and away against Aston Villa. On New Years Day 2011, he scored a 20-yard volley in a 2–1 defeat against Manchester United.

After numerous impressive displays, on 14 September 2012, Morrison signed a new four-year deal until 2016.[15] For his performances in the 2014–15 season, Morrison won the official supporters player of the year award for the first time.[16]

On 23 August 2015, Morrison scored both of West Bromwich Albion's goals in a 3–2 home defeat to Chelsea, the first two-goal haul of his career and an equalling of his goal tally for the previous season. Earlier in the game, he had a penalty saved by Thibaut Courtois.[17] On 30 June 2016, Morrison signed a new two-year deal with West Brom keeping him at the club until at least the summer of 2018 with a one-year option.[18] He further extended this on 3 August 2018, keeping him at the Hawthorns until 2019.[19] He left the club after the 2018–19 season, with his final appearance coming in a play-off match against Aston Villa.[20]

Morrison said in September 2019 that he was considering retirement, having only received offers from lower league clubs during the summer.[21] On 29 October 2019, Morrison announced his retirement from professional football.[22]

International career
Morrison playing for Scotland in 2011

Morrison played at a number of youth levels for England. Along with Leicester City's Steve Howard and Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor, Morrison was one of a number of English Premier League players identified in June 2007 as being eligible to play for Scotland.[23] He qualifies to play for the team through his grandparents.[24] Morrison later chose to represent Scotland, claiming that he felt his "opportunities with England will be limited".[25]

After receiving international clearance from FIFA, Morrison joined up with the Scotland squad for training in August 2007.[26] He was unable to make his debut in the friendly against South Africa however, due to injury.[27] Morrison was named in the Scotland B squad to face the Republic of Ireland B team in November,[27] but injury forced him to withdraw from the squad again.[28] He finally made his debut in the friendly against the Czech Republic in Prague, on 30 May 2008.[29]

He scored his first goal for Scotland in the 3–1 win against Wales on 25 May 2011 in the Celtic Nations Cup tournament in Dublin.[30] He also scored for Scotland against England in the friendly game at Wembley Stadium on 14 August 2013.

Coaching career

After retiring as a player in October 2019, Morrison started working as a coach in the West Bromwich Albion academy.[22] He was promoted to a first-team coaching role in December 2020, following the appointment of Sam Allardyce as West Brom manager.[31]

Morrison joined the Scotland coaching staff during the June 2023 international break, replacing Steven Naismith.[32] Scotland won both of their matches during that period, and Morrison then joined their coaching staff on a permanent basis.[33]

Career statistics

Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Middlesbrough 2003–04[34] Premier League 101000—20
2004–05[35] Premier League 13020215[lower-alpha 1]3224
2005–06[36] Premier League 24131109[lower-alpha 1]0372
2006–07[37] Premier League 2827010—362
Total 66313141143978
West Bromwich Albion 2007–08[38] Championship 3546220—436
2008–09[39] Premier League 3030000—303
2009–10[40] Championship 1111000—121
2010–11[41] Premier League 3141000—324
2011–12[42] Premier League 3052010—335
2012–13[43] Premier League 3552000—375
2013–14[44] Premier League 3211020—351
2014–15[45] Premier League 3323210—374
2015–16[46] Premier League 1831100—194
2016–17[47] Premier League 3151010—335
2017–18[48] Premier League 410020—61
2018–19[49] Championship 19010202[lower-alpha 2]0240
Total 309341951102034139
Career total 3753732615116343847
  1. Appearances in UEFA Cup
  2. Appearances in Championship play-offs

International
Source:[50]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Scotland 200830
200920
201050
201191
201261
201341
201460
201560
201610
201740
Total463
Scotland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Morrison goal.[50]
List of international goals scored by James Morrison
No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetitionRef.
125 May 2011Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland13 Wales1–13–12011 Nations Cup[51]
212 October 2012Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales24 Wales1–01–22014 FIFA World Cup qualification[52]
314 August 2013Wembley Stadium, London, England28 England1–02–3Friendly[53]

Honours

Middlesbrough

West Bromwich Albion

Individual

See also

References
  1. "List of players given a free transfer: West Bromwich Albion" (PDF). English Football League. p. 101. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  2. "James Morrison: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  3. "James Morrison: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  4. Masi, Joseph. "West Brom squad of the century: The midfielders". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  5. "James Morrison: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  6. Tallentire, Philip (7 June 2013). "Former Boro star James Morrison to lead by example for Scotland". Teesside Live. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  7. "Middlesbro 2–0 Notts County". BBC Sport. 3 January 2004. Retrieved 7 August 2007.
  8. "Portsmouth 5–1 Middlesbro". BBC Sport. 15 May 2004. Retrieved 7 August 2007.
  9. "B Ostrava 1–1 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. 30 September 2004. Retrieved 7 August 2007.
  10. "Morrison secures move to Baggies". BBC Sport. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 7 August 2007.
  11. "Burnley vs WBA". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 11 August 2007. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
  12. "WBA vs Blackpool". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 23 October 2007. Archived from the original on 25 October 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2007.
  13. Lepkowski, Chris (25 April 2008). "Kevin Phillips named West Bromwich Albion Player of the Year". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
  14. "Morrison: Let's push on". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 25 October 2007. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2007.
  15. "West Brom's James Morrison signs new 4-year contract « Express & Star". expressandstar.com.
  16. Bill Howell (28 May 2015). "James Morrison wins West Brom Supporters' Player of the Season Award". birminghammail.
  17. Magowan, Alistair (23 August 2015). "West Brom 2–3 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  18. "Morrison signs new contract". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  19. "James Morrison: West Bromwich Albion midfielder signs new one-year contract". BBC Sport. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  20. Wilson, Matt (1 June 2019). "Exclusive James Morrison interview: 'I wanted the perfect ending at West Brom but realistically it doesn't always happen'". Express & Star. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  21. "James Morrison: Former Scotland midfielder hints at retirement after lack of offers". BBC Sport. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  22. "James Morrison: Former Scotland midfielder retires from playing at 33". BBC Sport. 29 October 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  23. "Scots consider Agbonlahor call-up". BBC Sport. 10 June 2007.
  24. Murray, Ewan (14 August 2007). "Morrison delay frustrates McLeish". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
  25. "Morrison chooses Scotland". Football.co.uk. 31 July 2007. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
  26. "Morrison steps into Scots unknown". BBC Sport. 20 August 2007. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
  27. "Scots B call-up for English trio". BBC Sport. 9 November 2007. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
  28. "Scotland jinx hits Morrison again". BBC Sport. 13 November 2007. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
  29. Lindsay, Clive (30 May 2008). "Czech Republic 3–1 Scotland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
  30. "James Morrison sent home". scotsman.com.
  31. "MOZZA AND STOCKDALE JOIN FIRST-TEAM COACHING STAFF". www.wba.co.uk. West Bromwich Albion F.C. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  32. Smith, Peter (6 June 2023). "West Brom legend summoned for Scotland training camp". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  33. "Scotland: James Morrison appointed as coach permanently after move up to 30th in rankings". BBC Sport. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  34. "Games played by James Morrison in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  35. "Games played by James Morrison in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  36. "Games played by James Morrison in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  37. "Games played by James Morrison in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  38. "Games played by James Morrison in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  39. "Games played by James Morrison in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  40. "Games played by James Morrison in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  41. "Games played by James Morrison in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  42. "Games played by James Morrison in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  43. "Games played by James Morrison in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  44. "Games played by James Morrison in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  45. "Games played by James Morrison in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  46. "Games played by James Morrison in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  47. "Games played by James Morrison in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  48. "Games played by James Morrison in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  49. "Games played by James Morrison in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  50. "Morrison, James". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  51. "Wales vs. Scotland 1–3: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  52. "Wales vs. Scotland 2–1: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  53. "England vs. Scotland 3–2: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  54. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 296. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  55. "Final: Middlesbrough 0–4 Sevilla: Updates". UEFA. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  56. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2008). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2008–2009. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 44, 400–401. ISBN 978-0-7553-1820-9.
  57. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2010). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2010–2011. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 36, 396–397. ISBN 978-0-7553-6107-6.
  58. International Player of the Year, Scottish Football Writers' Association. Retrieved 14 July 2021
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