Blair David Sturrock (born 25 August 1981) is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a forward. His previous clubs include Dundee United, Brechin City, Plymouth Argyle, Kidderminster Harriers, Rochdale, Swindon Town, AFC Bournemouth, Torquay United, Mansfield Town, Southend United. His father, Paul Sturrock, a former player who was a Scotland international was also the Manager of Southend United signing Blair and then ultimately releasing him.
Career
Dundee United
Sturrock started off as a trainee for Dundee United before briefly going on loan to Brechin City in the 2000–01 season.
Plymouth Argyle
He then moved to Plymouth for three years and made 64 appearances for the club during the years 2001–2004, but mostly as a substitute. He scored two goals in his time at Plymouth.
Kidderminster Harriers
He then moved to Kidderminster Harriers in 2004 where he spent nine months, playing 22 games and scoring five goals.
Rochdale
Nine months after signing for Kidderminster he signed for Rochdale for the 2005–06 season where he made 33 appearances, scoring six goals in 15 starts for the club. He later got a knee injury that ended his spell at the club and was released. After being released by Rochdale, Sturrock had a short trial with Wrexham in July.
Swindon Town
In November 2006, Sturrock signed for Swindon Town the club his father was the manager of. Having overcome a groin injury, he made 25 appearances for the Wiltshire club in his first season scoring five goals, with 12 starts. Sturrock made his debut as a second-half substitute in a 2–1 defeat at Macclesfield Town on 23 December, his first goal coming in mid-January, when he netted within seconds of coming on to wrap up a 3–1 win at Boston. He then later signed a contract extension to take him through to the end of the 2008–09 season. He was released by Swindon in May 2009.
Mansfield Town
On 1 September 2009, Blair signed for Conference National outfit Mansfield Town after leaving Torquay United, signing on the first transfer deadline day of the 2009–10 football season. He made his debut as a substitute in the 1–1 draw with Grays Athletic on 5 September 2009.
Southend United
Sturrock signed for Southend United during the summer of 2010,[3] the fourth time he has signed for a club managed by his father, Paul Sturrock. On 7 August, he made his debut, coming off the bench to score the equaliser in the fifth minute of injury time against Stockport County, in the 1–1 draw. On 25 September, Sturrock scored in a 3–1 win over Hereford United, and again in Southend's 1–0 win over Rotherham on 30 October. Sturrock scored a consolation goal in Southend's 3–1 defeat against Burton Albion. On 31 June 2011, Sturrock extended his contract with Southend until the end of the 2011–12 season.[4][5]
On 18 May 2012, Sturrock was one of eleven players to be released at the end of their contract.[6]
After Southend
On 16 October 2012 Blair signed for Conference North side, Bishop's Stortford. Following his spell at Bishop's Stortford, Sturrock joined Essex Senior League side Basildon United as Assistant Manager. For the 2013 summer season, Blair signed for the Victoria Highlanders of the North American USL PDL league, moving to Canada to be a player-coach for the club.[7]
Honours
Plymouth Argyle
- 2001–02 Division Three Champions
- 2003–04 Division Two Champions
Swindon Town
- 2006–07 League Two 3rd Place – Promotion
References
- ^ "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/08/2010 and 31/08/2010" (PDF). The Football Association. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
- ^ "Blair Sturrock". Southend United F.C. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
- ^ "Five sign Southend United pre-contracts". BBC Sport. 17 July 2010. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
- ^ "Blair Extends Stay". Southend United F.C. 30 June 2011. Archived from the original on 5 July 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
- ^ "Craig Easton out, Blair Sturrock stays at Southend United". BBC Sport. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
- ^ "Blues axe falls". echo-news.co.uk. 18 May 2012.
- ^ "Blair Sturrock Joins Victoria". Victoria Highlanders F.C. 30 April 2013. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
External links
- Blair Sturrock at Soccerbase
