Wikipedia

Craig Forsyth

Craig Forsyth (born 24 February 1989) is a Scottish professional footballer who captains and plays as a left-sided defender for EFL Championship club Derby County.

Craig Forsyth
Forsyth with Watford in 2012
Personal information
Full name Craig Forsyth[1]
Date of birth (1989-02-24) 24 February 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Left back, Centre Back, Left midfield
Team information
Current team
 Derby County
Number 3
Youth career
0000–2006 Carlogie Boys Club
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2011 Dundee 59 (10)
2008 → Montrose (loan) 9 (0)
2008–2009 → Arbroath (loan) 26 (2)
2011–2013 Watford 24 (3)
2012 → Bradford City (loan) 7 (0)
2013 → Derby County (loan) 10 (0)
2013– Derby County 297 (11)
International career‡
2014–2015 Scotland 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:06, 9 November 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:40, 15 October 2015 (UTC)

He previously played for Dundee before joining Watford in 2011, before joining Derby County in 2013. He has also had loan spells at Montrose, Arbroath, Bradford City and Derby County. Forsyth has also received 4 international caps by Scotland.

Club career

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Dundee

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Forsyth began his career with Carlogie Boys Club before joining First Division side Dundee in 2006.[3] He was given his debut by manager Alex Rae at the age of 17 in a 3–2 win at Livingston on 11 November 2006.[4] He joined Third Division club Montrose on loan in February 2008 until the end of the season.[3] He made nine league appearances for Montrose and one in the play-offs.[5][6] The following season, Forsyth was loaned out to Arbroath.[7] He scored his first senior goal in a 1–0 win at Brechin City on 28 March 2009.[8] Having scored two goals in 26 league appearances for Arbroath,[9] Forsyth returned to Dundee and established himself in the club's first team under the management of Jocky Scott.[3] Having scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 League Cup win against Aberdeen,[10] Forsyth managed five more goals during the 2009–10 season, including the winner against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Challenge Cup Final.[11] He helped Dundee finish sixth in the First Division the following season, despite the club being docked 25 points for entering administration.[12] Forsyth made 33 league appearances and scored eight goals, including a brace in a 3–2 win against Partick Thistle on 30 April 2011.[13]

Watford

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In June 2011, Forsyth joined Watford for an undisclosed compensation fee,[14] and signed a three-year contract.[15] He scored on his debut against Burnley on the first day of the season.

Bradford City (loan)

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On 19 October 2012, Forsyth joined Bradford City on a two-month loan deal.[16] He made his debut the following day, helping the team to a 3–1 win at home to Cheltenham Town.[17] He scored his first goal for the club on 4 December, completing a 2–0 win against Port Vale in the Football League Trophy.[18]

Derby County (loan)

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On 4 March 2013, Forsyth joined Derby County on loan, ahead of their match against Cardiff City the following day, subject to clearance from The Football League.[19] Forsyth started against Cardiff City, before being replaced at 71 minutes in the 1–1 draw.[20] Forsyth started as a makeshift left-back in his third game for Derby County against Leicester City on 16 March 2013, assisting Derby's second goal which was scored by fellow loanee Chris Martin in a 2–1 victory. Forsyth was recalled by Watford on 29 April 2013, a game before the end of the regular season.[21] He played 10 times for Derby during his loan spell.

Derby County

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On 1 July 2013, Forsyth joined Derby County from Watford on a three-year contract for a reported fee of £150,000.[22] Forsyth went into the 2013–14 season as first choice left back, with Clough stating Forsyth was also considered as an option at centre back in case of injuries and suspensions.[23] Forsyth started the opening game a 1–1 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers, his first game as a permanent player.[24]

On 27 June 2014, Forsyth extended his contract at Derby County as he signed a new four-year contract to stay at the club until the end of the 2017–18 season.[25] Forsyth suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in November 2015,[26] which kept him sidelined for nine months.[27] On 22 August 2016, he suffered yet another serious injury,[28] he did not return to action for another 12 months, after which he signed a contract extension in December 2017 until June 2020.[29]

On 10 November 2018, Forsyth suffered his third serious knee ligament injury during his Derby career,[30] ruling him out of action for 379 days.[31] He then had competition for the left back role in the form of academy graduates Max Lowe and Lee Buchanan during the 2019–20 season, he made 25 appearances during this season as his contract was extended until June 2022.[32] In June 2020, Forsyth made his 200th appearance for Derby County.[33]

Lowe departed in August 2020, and Buchanan and Forsyth competed for the left-back role at the club, Forsyth played 21 times during the 2020–21 season. Then he played 29 times, scoring 3 times during the 2021–22 season in a season Derby were relegated to League One after being deducted 21 points due to financial issues, Forsyth's second season playing for a club under administration.[33]

On 27 July 2022, Forsyth signed a new one-year deal with the club that would take his time with the Rams to ten years.[34] Under new manager Paul Warne Forsyth was regularly used as central defender.[33] On 18 March 2023, Forsyth made his 300th appearance for the club against Fleetwood Town,[35] becoming the 30th player in Derby County history to do so.[33]

On 10 May 2023, after impressing in his new role at centre back and making 52 appearances during the 2022–23 season as Derby narrowly missed out on a play-off place, Forsyth was rewarded with a new contract until June 2024.[36] This extended his stay into an eleventh year, during which he was given a testimonial match.[36] It was played against Stoke City during the 2023–24 pre-season on 22 July 2023 at Pride Park.[37] Derby won the game 3–0, which featured guest appearances from former teammates Martyn Waghorn, Craig Bryson, Bradley Johnson and David Nugent (Waghorn later signed again for the club).[38] The game had an attendance of 9,119 fans.[39]

On 5 August 2023, Forsyth scored an equalising goal in Derby's first League One game of the season against Wigan Athletic, although Derby went on to lose the game 2–1.[40] Forsyth scored in wins over Barnsley on 11 November 2023[41] and Oxford United on 29 December 2023.[42] He started in 24 of Derby's first 25 League One matches of the season, but that run of starts was ended when he sustained a calf muscle injury at Fleetwood Town on 6 January 2024. Paul Warne said that Forsyth would be out of the "foreseeable" with the injury.[43] Forsyth returned to action on 12 March 2024, after two months on the sidelines,[44] but suffered another calf injury later on in March.[45] He was unable to make a return to action that season, when Derby won automatic promotion to the Championship.[46] Forsyth made 32 appearances for Derby with three goals during 2023–24.

On 18 May 2024, it was announced that Forsyth had trigged a one-year performance-based clause to extend his contract at Derby until June 2025, the 2024–25 season will be his 13th at the club.[47] On 28 September 2024, Forsyth made his 300th league appearance for Derby, in a 3–2 loss to Norwich City, Forsyth had involvements in both Derby goals in the match with a goal and an assist.[48]

International career

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Forsyth was capped four times by Scotland from 2014 to 2015.[33][49] Three of his four caps came in friendly matches, against Nigeria, Northern Ireland and Qatar.[50] His last appearance for Scotland was in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland.[50]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 9 November 2024[51]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup[A] Other[B] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Dundee 2006–07[52] Scottish First Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2007–08[53] Scottish First Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
2008–09[54] Scottish First Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2009–10[55] Scottish First Division 24 2 2 1 3 1 2 1 31 5
2010–11[56] Scottish First Division 33 8 1 0 1 0 0 0 35 8
Total 59 10 3 1 4 1 3 1 69 13
Montrose (loan) 2007–08[53] Scottish Third Division 9 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 10 0
Watford 2011–12[57] Championship 20 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 22 5
2012–13[58] Championship 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 4 0
Total 22 3 1 2 3 0 0 0 26 5
Bradford City (loan) 2012–13[58] League Two 7 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 8 1
Derby County (loan) 2012–13[58] Championship 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Derby County 2013–14[59] Championship 46 2 1 0 3 0 3 0 53 2
2014–15[60] Championship 44 1 2 0 5 0 0 0 51 1
2015–16[61] Championship 12 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 13 1
2016–17[62] Championship 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 0
2017–18[63] Championship 31 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 35 0
2018–19[64] Championship 13 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 15 0
2019–20[65] Championship 22 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 25 0
2020–21[66] Championship 20 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 21 0
2021–22[67] Championship 26 3 1 0 2 0 0 0 29 3
2022–23[68] League One 41 0 5 0 3 0 3 0 52 0
2023–24[69] League One 26 3 2 0 1 0 3 0 32 3
2024–25[70] Championship 13 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 15 1
Total 297 11 14 0 23 0 11 0 345 11
Career total 404 24 18 3 30 1 16 2 468 30
A. ^ The "League Cup" column constitutes appearances and goals (including substitutes) in the EFL Cup and Scottish League Cup.
B. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals (including substitutes) in the Scottish Challenge Cup, Scottish Second Division Play-offs, English Football League play-offs and EFL Trophy.

International

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Source:[71][49]

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Scotland 2014 1 0
2015 3 0
Total 4 0

Honours

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Dundee

Derby County

References

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  1. ^ "Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 18 May 2013. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  2. ^ "Craig Forsyth". Derby County F.C. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Craig Forsyth". Dundee. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  4. ^ "Livingston 2–3 Dundee". BBC Sport. 11 November 2006. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  5. ^ "Craig Forsyth". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  6. ^ "Montrose". Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  7. ^ "Dodds in, Forsyth out at Dens". BBC Sport. 27 September 2008. Retrieved 27 September 2008.
  8. ^ "Brechin City 0–1 Arbroath". BBC Sport. 28 March 2009. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  9. ^ "Arbroath". Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  10. ^ "Dundee 3–2 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 22 September 2009. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  11. ^ "Dundee 3–2 Inverness CT". BBC Sport. 22 November 2009. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  12. ^ "Dundee docked 25 points by Scottish FA for going into administration". The Daily Telegraph. London. 1 November 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  13. ^ "Dundee 3–2 Partick". BBC Sport. 30 April 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  14. ^ Smith, Frank; Bass, Matt (21 June 2011). "Dundee midfielder Craig Forsyth becomes Watford boss Sean Dyche's first signing". Watford Observer. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  15. ^ "Watford capture Dundee midfielder Craig Forsyth". BBC Sport. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  16. ^ "Bradford City sign Craig Forsyth on loan from Watford" BBC Sport. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  17. ^ "Bradford 3–1 Cheltenham" BBC Sport. 20 October 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  18. ^ "Port Vale 0–2 Bradford" BBC Sport. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  19. ^ "Derby Bring in Forsyth". Derby County F.C. 4 March 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  20. ^ "Cardiff 1–1 Derby" BBC Sport. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  21. ^ "Forsyth Recalled By Watford". Derby County F.C. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  22. ^ "Craig Forsyth joins Derby County from Watford". BBC Sport. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  23. ^ "Nigel Clough in no rush to land central defender for Derby County". Derby Telegraph. 29 July 2013. Archived from the original on 1 August 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  24. ^ "Derby 1–1 Blackburn". BBC Sport. 4 August 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  25. ^ "Craig Forsyth Signs A New Long Term Contract With Derby County". Derby County F.C. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  26. ^ "Craig Forsyth: Injured Derby defender set to miss rest of season". BBC Sport. 5 November 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  27. ^ "Derby County defender Craig Forsyth suffers serious knee injury".
  28. ^ "Craig Forsyth: Derby County defender suffers second knee ligament injury". BBC Sport. 22 August 2016.
  29. ^ "Forsyth Pens New Derby Deal". Derby County F.C. 29 December 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  30. ^ "Latest injury blow so cruel on Derby County stalwart Craig Forsyth". Derbyshire Live. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  31. ^ "Lowe Delighted to see the Reuturn of Forsyth". Derby County F.C. 26 November 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  32. ^ "Cocu Praises Forsyth after earning new Derby deal". Derby County F.C. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  33. ^ a b c d e "On this day: Ten years since Forsyth joined Derby". Derby County F.C. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  34. ^ "Derby's Longest Serving Player Forsyth Pens New Deal". Derby County F.C. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  35. ^ "300 Up For Derby's Longest Serving Player Forsyth". Derby County F.C. 19 March 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  36. ^ a b "Derby's Longest Serving Player Forsyth Pens New Deal and Granted Testimonial". Derby County F.C. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  37. ^ "Craig Forsyth testimonial game confirmed as Derby County announce details". Derbyshire Live. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  38. ^ "Quartet of Forsyth's Former Team-Mates Set to Feature in Testimonial". Derby County F.C. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  39. ^ "Pre-Season Match Report: Derby County 3–0 Stoke City". Derby County F.C. 22 July 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  40. ^ "Derby County 1–2 Wigan Athletic". BBC Sport. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  41. ^ "Derby County 3–0 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 11 November 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  42. ^ "Oxford United 2–3 Derby County". BBC Sport. 29 December 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  43. ^ "Derby County could be without four players for Burton Albion clash after injury update". Derbyshire Live. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  44. ^ "Paul Warne names Derby County team to face Reading as easy decision made". Derbyshire Live. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  45. ^ "Derby County injury latest v Blackpool amid Max Bird and Josh Vickers update and double boost". Derbyshire Live. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  46. ^ a b "Breaking: Derby County promoted as duo seal it for Paul Warne's side". Derby Telegraph. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  47. ^ "Derby County Retained List: 2023/24 Season". Derby County. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  48. ^ "Derby County 2–3 Norwich City". BBC Sport. 28 September 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  49. ^ a b "Craig Forsyth". Scottish FA. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  50. ^ a b Tossani, Gabriele (29 March 2024). "Scotland International Matches 2011-2015". rsssf.org. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  51. ^ "Craig Forsyth Stats". Soccerbase.
  52. ^ "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  53. ^ a b "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  54. ^ "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  55. ^ "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  56. ^ "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  57. ^ "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  58. ^ a b c "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  59. ^ "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  60. ^ "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  61. ^ "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  62. ^ "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  63. ^ "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  64. ^ "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  65. ^ "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  66. ^ "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  67. ^ "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  68. ^ "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  69. ^ "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  70. ^ "Games played by Craig Forsyth in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  71. ^ "Craig Forsyth". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
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