Andy Griffin

Andrew "Andy" Griffin ( born March 7, 1979 in Higher End) is an English footballer who plays mainly in defense. Since 2012 he is at third division Doncaster Rovers under contract.

Career as a player

Stoke City

Griffin began his professional career at Stoke City, where he acquired a reputation as a solid full-back. His impressive way of working for " The Potter " ( nickname for Stoke City ) made ​​Newcastle United attentive. Finally, Griffin and Newcastle were able to agree in January 1998 on an exchange. The transfer fee was 1.5 million pounds.

Newcastle United

In Newcastle Griffin developed steadily, so that he was called to the English U-21 national team. Under Sir Bobby Robson he played a sovereign 2002/03 season, including the UEFA Champions League, where he was able to achieve the winning goal against Juventus and so was able to draw attention to themselves.

Portsmouth

However, his achievements were equalized by several injuries last season. When his contract at the end of the 2003/04 season ended, he did not extend this but changed, after 97 appearances for Newcastle United, free transfer to FC Portsmouth. In the summer of 2006, Griffin was informed that he would play no role in the planning of Harry Redknapp and was finally awarded on 19 January 2007 at Stoke City. At the end of the season 2006/ 07 returned to Portsmouth. The manager of Stoke City Toni sweaters made ​​at that time already hinted that he wanted Griffin necessarily get back to Stoke City.

Derby County

After three years in Portsmouth Andy Griffin signed on 31 July 2007 a ​​contract with a term of three years at Derby County.

Return to Stoke City

On 11th January 2008 confirmed Stoke City that Griffin would accrue back to the club in the future. The fee to have amounted to about 300,000 pounds. Griffin was equipped with a four- year contract. In the Potters, he received the jersey number 2 as on 31 January 2008 Stoke City's captain John Eustace moved to FC Watford, Griffin was appointed as the new captain .. Griffin described the appointment with the words "proud moment in my career " ( to German: a proud moment in my career ). Shortly after the turn of 2008 /09 Griffin lost his place. Previously, he held an open dispute with his teammate Ricardo Fuller on December 28, 2008, which was Griffin tackled physically in the game against West Ham United and had received the red card - Griffin later left injured the pitch and the subsequent waiver of Griffin explained coach Tony Pulis later with the shape of weakness.