John Cunliffe (footballer, born 1984)

John Cunliffe (born 8 August 1984) is an English former professional footballer.

For other people named John Cunliffe, see John Cunliffe (disambiguation).

John Cunliffe
Personal information
Full name John Luke Cunliffe
Date of birth (1984-08-08) 8 August 1984
Place of birth Bolton, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
Manchester United
Blackburn Rovers
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2006 Fort Lewis Skyhawks
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005 Boulder Rapids Reserve 6 (2)
2005–2006 Rossendale United
2006 Boulder Rapids Reserve 15 (18)
2007 Chivas USA 15 (3)
2008 San Jose Earthquakes 12 (2)
2009 Carolina RailHawks 24 (3)
2010–2013 Chorley 41 (9)
Total 107 (35)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:20, 12 April 2016 (UTC)

Career

College and amateur

Born in Bolton, Cunliffe was a schoolboy trainee with both Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers, before moving to the United States to play college soccer in 2002. He was a pupil at Turton Media Arts College in Bromley Cross, Bolton before turning professional and moving to America to pursue a career in football.

After posting remarkable scoring totals at NCAA Division II Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and in the USL Premier Development League, for Boulder Rapids Reserve, Cunliffe was one of the leading prospects at the MLS combine prior to the 2007 MLS SuperDraft.

Cunliffe also had a brief spell at English Northern Premier League First Division North outfit Rossendale United in 2005–06.[1]

Professional

Cunliffe was drafted in the first round (7th overall) of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft by Chivas USA. He made his MLS debut on 7 April against Toronto FC and assisted on the clinching goal in a 2–0 win. He scored his first MLS goal against the Kansas City Wizards on 29 July 2007.

He was acquired by San Jose for Chris Pozniak on 28 March 2008, the day before the beginning of the 2008 season. He scored his first goal with the Earthquakes on 31 May 2008 in a 3–1 to loss to Real Salt Lake, a rocket shot from within the penalty area. He nearly scored a second goal later in the match with a shot that went slightly wide.[2] On 2 March 2009, just prior to the start of the 2009 season, Cunliffe was placed on waivers by the Earthquakes.[3]

He joined Carolina RailHawks for the 2009 season.

In December 2010, Cunliffe returned to England signing for Chorley.[4] In April 2013 Cunliffe announced his retirement from the game due to a long-standing ankle problem.[5]

References
  1. Stags Topple Leaders
  2. Real Salt Lake vs. San Jose Earthquakes recap, 5–31–08 Archived 2 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine (MLSnet.com)
  3. "Earthquakes acquire defender Leitch," San Jose Earthquakes Media Relations, Monday, March 2, 2009. Archived 19 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Flitcroft strengthens his squad". Chorley Guardian. 2 December 2010. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  5. "John Cunliffe retires". 11 April 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
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