James Tunnicliffe

James Mark Tunnicliffe (born 17 January 1989) is an English former professional footballer.

James Tunnicliffe
Tunnicliffe playing for Stockport County in 2013
Personal information
Full name James Mark Tunnicliffe
Date of birth (1989-01-17) 17 January 1989
Place of birth Denton, England
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
000?–2005 Stockport County
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2009 Stockport County 41 (0)
2007 → Northwich Victoria (loan) 3 (0)
2009–2011 Brighton & Hove Albion 17 (2)
2010 → Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 9 (1)
2010–2011 → Bristol Rovers (loan) 25 (0)
2011–2012 Wycombe Wanderers 17 (1)
2012 → Crewe Alexandra (loan) 2 (0)
2012–2014 Stockport County 55 (3)
2013–2014 → Stalybridge Celtic (loan) 10 (1)
Total 179 (8)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:24, 14 September 2015 (UTC)

Early life

Born in Denton, Greater Manchester, Tunnicliffe attended Denton West End Primary School, where he left in 2000. He then attended Audenshaw School in Audenshaw. He grew up with his younger brother Jordan, who played football for West Bromwich Albion F.C., Barnsley F.C. and Stalybridge Celtic F.C.[1]

Football career

Early career

Tunnicliffe played for his local amateur football team, Reddish Villa, with his younger brother Kristian, until the age of 11 when scouted by Stockport County. Tunnicliffe progressed through Stockport County's Centre of Excellence youth system.

Stockport

Tunnicliffe made his debut for Stockport as a substitute in a 2–0 defeat at Notts County in 2005 aged just 16. He had a trial at Liverpool in October 2005,[2] but did not impress enough for Liverpool to meet Stockport's price demands.[3] A similar trial at Southampton followed, with Tunnicliffe this time rejecting the offer, feeling that the move wasn't right for his career or him personally.

He was used sparingly in Stockport's first team prior to the 2008–09 season, where injuries to other defenders led to Tunnicliffe making a handful of appearances early in the season, and later the departure of Gareth Owen resulted in him being thrust into regular first team participation. His bright start was rewarded with a two-year contract extension in November 2008, which would keep him with Stockport until May 2011. Stockport manager Jim Gannon said at the time that Tunnicliffe was one of the players that the club needed to retain and build around, and that he had all the attributes of a top class modern-day central defender.

Brighton & Hove Albion

On 25 June 2009, Tunnicliffe joined League One side Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract.[4] After losing his place in the Brighton starting XI under manager Gus Poyet, Tunnicliffe was permitted to leave Brighton on a short-term loan deal to gain more first-team experience. Tunnicliffe initially joined fellow League One club Milton Keynes Dons on loan for a month beginning on 11 February 2010.[5] Poyet stated that "He is joining a good club and we will make sure we keep an eye on his progress and performances while he is there. We will see how things go, but we may extend the deal until the end of the season – but he will be back with us this summer, getting ready for next season."[6]

Wycombe Wanderers

On 22 June 2011, it was confirmed that Tunnicliffe had signed for recently promoted League One side Wycombe Wanderers. Tunnicliffe's debut came in the 1–1 draw with Scunthorpe United at the start of the 2011–12 season. He scored Wycombe's only goal of the game from a corner taken by Scott Donnelly.[7][8] On 9 February 2012, he joined League Two side Crewe Alexandra on a one-month loan deal.[9]

He was released by Wycombe in May 2012.[10]

Stockport County

On 28 June 2012, Tunnicliffe rejoined his former club in the Conference National on a two-year contract, having rejected offers from Football League sides.[11]

Stalybridge Celtic

On 14 November 2013, Tunnicliffe joined Stalybridge Celtic on loan. He scored one goal in eleven appearances for the club before he returned to Stockport. At the end of February he left Stockport after his contract was cancelled by mutual agreement.[12]

Retirement

Tunnicliffe is said to have retired from the game.

References
  1. Jordan, brother of Celtic`s James Tunnicliffe
  2. Tunnicliffe stays on at Anfield
  3. Reds reject Hatters youth
  4. Duo Sign on the Dotted Line Archived 28 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine, Seagulls World, 25 June 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009
  5. "Albion Defender joins Dons". The Argus. 11 February 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
  6. "Tunnicliffe loaned out". Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. 11 February 2010. Archived from the original on 13 February 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
  7. "Tunnicliffe agrees transfer". Wycombe Wanderers F.C. 22 June 2011. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  8. "New defender looking to play the right way".
  9. "Alex Agree Tunnicliffe Loan". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 9 February 2012. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  10. "Relegated Wycombe Wanderers release six players". BBC. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  11. "Hatters sign Tunnicliffe". Stockport County F.C. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  12. "Tunnicliffe leaves County". Pitchero Non League. 15 February 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
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