Jump to content

Chris Basham

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Chris Basham
Personal information
Full name Christopher Paul Basham[1]
Date of birth (1988-07-20) 20 July 1988 (age 36)[2]
Place of birth Hebburn, England
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.90 m)[3]
Position(s) Defensive midfielder / Centre back[4]
Youth career
Newcastle United
Bolton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2010 Bolton Wanderers 19 (1)
2006–2007Stafford Rangers (loan) 3 (0)
2007–2008Rochdale (loan) 13 (0)
2010–2014 Blackpool 85 (5)
2014–2024 Sheffield United 344 (11)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 9 October 2023 (UTC)

Christopher Paul Basham (born 20 July 1988) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder or centre back. He spent the majority of his professional career at Sheffield United where he became best known as a pioneer of the role of the overlapping centre back (usually on the right flank), a position he developed under Chris Wilder during the 2016–17 season.[5]

Having started as a junior with Newcastle United, he played for Bolton Wanderers, as well as having loan spells at Stafford Rangers and Rochdale, prior to joining Blackpool in August 2010.

Career

[edit]

Bolton Wanderers

[edit]

Basham was a member of the youth team at Newcastle United before being released at age sixteen.[6] Soon after, he joined Bolton Wanderers, where he signed his first professional contract with the club, signing a two-year deal.[7] In November 2006 Basham joined Conference National side Stafford Rangers on a month's loan, making his debut on 25 November in a 2–2 home draw with St Albans City. After four appearances for Rangers, Basham returned to Bolton when his loan deal expired.

On 7 February 2008, Basham joined League Two side Rochdale on loan until the end of the 2007–08 season.[8] Making his debut on 12 February 2008 in a 4–2 home defeat to Hereford United,[9] Basham went on to make a total of 13 appearances for his temporary employers, helping Rochdale to finish fifth in the league and qualify for the League Two play-offs.

The following season saw Basham make his senior debut for Bolton Wanderers as an 89th-minute substitute in the 4–1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on 29 November 2008.[10] He scored his first goal on 11 April 2009, in a 4–3 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge,[11] and eventually made a total of eleven appearances that season.

The following season saw Basham making his first appearance came on 29 August 2009, where he came on as a substitute in the second half, in a 3–2 loss against Liverpool,[12] followed up by assisting a winning goal for Gary Cahill, in a 3–2 win over Portsmouth on 12 September 2009.[13] On 6 November 2009, and after 17 appearances for the club, Basham signed a contract extension with Bolton until the summer of 2012.[14] Remaining on the fringes of the first-team Basham made a total of eight league and two cup appearances in the 2009–10 season before an injury kept him out for the rest of the season.[15]

Blackpool

[edit]

On 6 August 2010, Bolton Wanderers turned down a bid from newly promoted Premier League side Blackpool.[16] Eventually, Blackpool made a second bid for Basham, which was accepted by the club[17] and the next day, on 13 August 2010, Basham signed a three-year contract with Blackpool for a fee reported to be in the region of £1million.[18]

The following day after signing for the club, Basham made his debut as a 60th-minute substitute for Marlon Harewood as Blackpool marked their Premier League debut on the opening day of the 2010–11 season with a 4–0 win over Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.[19] It wasn't until 10 November when he made his second league appearance, playing the whole game against Aston Villa in a 3–2 loss.[20] However, Basham spent most of the season on the reserve bench or injured[21] and at the end of the season, the club were relegated to the Championship.

After appearing in three matches at the start of the 2011–12 season, Basham suffered an injury that kept him out for a month. He was expected to be sent out on loan following his recovery,[22] however he was recalled to the first team due to the club's injury crisis.[23] On 10 December 2011, Basham scored his first goal for Blackpool, heading the first equaliser of a 2–2 away draw at Southampton.[24] His second goal for the club came on 21 January 2012, in a 2–1 win over Crystal Palace.[25] He made 21 appearances during the season in all competitions, scoring twice.

In the 2012–13 season, Basham appeared in and out of the first team at the start of the season, due to being on the sidelines and played in the reserve.[26][27] By the time he suffered ankle injury in early-December, he made seven appearances.[28] After returning from injury, Basham then scored his first Blackpool on 29 December 2012, in a 4–2 loss against Middlesbrough.[29] As the 2012–13 season progressed, Basham remained in the first team despite suffering from injuries during a match against Leicester City that kept him out for a month[30] and went on to finish the 2012–13 season, making 28 appearances and scoring once in all competitions. Following this, Blackpool opted to take up their option of a contract extension, keeping Basham under contract until summer 2014.[31]

In the 2013–14 season, Basham began to establish himself in the first team and started well, helping the club go unbeaten for the first six matches to the start of the season, including scoring his first goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Middlesbrough on 17 August 2013.[32] After appearing four matches throughout September, including scoring another against Leicester City,[33] Basham's performance earned him Wonga.com Player of the Month award for September.[34] Despite missing out on two occasions, due to injury[35] and suspension,[36] Basham continued to be in the first team throughout the season and went on to make 42 appearances in all competitions.

At the end of the 2013–14 season, Basham was offered a new contract by the club.[37]

Sheffield United

[edit]

On 5 June 2014, Basham signed a three-year deal with Sheffield United on a free transfer after his contract with Blackpool came to an end.[38] Upon joining the club, Basham was given number six shirt for the new season.[39]

Basham made his Sheffield United debut in a 2–1 loss against Bristol City in the opening game of the season, playing 86 minutes before being substituted.[40] He became a first team regular at the club and was praised by manager Nigel Clough,[41] playing most of the season in midfield or centre-back positions.[42] As the 2014–15 season progressed, he continued to be in the first team unless suspended[43][44] or injured.[45] In the League One play-offs, Basham played both legs against Swindon Town and scored in the second leg, a 5–5 draw.[46] However, this was not enough to progress, having previously lost the first leg 2–1.[47] He finished his first season at the club making 50 appearances in all competitions (37 in the league).

In the 2015–16 season, Basham continued to be a first team regular following the arrival of manager Nigel Adkins. He captained the club for the first time against Doncaster Rovers on 26 September 2015, also scoring his first goal of the season in a 3–1 win.[48] Basham went on to captain the team on five occasions following Jay McEveley's absence.[49] His second goal of the season came on 28 November 2015, in a 1–1 draw against Barnsley.[50] Basham also scored against Walsall in April.[51] Despite missing two league matches due to injuries,[52][53] he made 49 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals.

In the 2016–17 season, Basham retained his place under manager Chris Wilder and played in midfield alongside Paul Coutts.[54][55] Basham scored his first goal of the season – but was later sent off – in a 2–2 draw against Scunthorpe United on 24 September 2016.[56] After serving a three-match league suspension,[57] Basham returned on 18 October 2016 in a 3–0 win against Shrewsbury Town.[58] This was followed by scoring in the next game, a 3–3 draw against Bradford City.[59] Two weeks later, on 6 November 2016, Basham scored and registered an assist in a 6–0 win over Leyton Orient in the first round of the FA Cup.[60] Due to his impressive performances, Wilder hinted that Basham could be earning a new contract, with a year to his current deal remaining.[61] As the 2016–17 season progressed, Basham began to play in defence as a centre-back, alongside teammates such as Jack O'Connell, Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Jake Wright.[62][63] In a 3–0 win over Port Vale on 14 April 2017, Basham produced an impressive display when he set up two goals.[64] At the end of the season Sheffield United were crowned champions of League One, with Basham making 48 appearances and scoring three goals in all competitions.

In July 2017, Basham penned a new two-year contract with the Blades having played a key role in United's promotion to the Championship.[65] On 28 April 2019, Basham saw his second promotion in three seasons with United as the Blades were promoted to the Premier League.[66] On 1 August 2020, Basham signed a new two-year deal at Sheffield United.[67] Basham won the Player of the Year award and Players' Player of the Year award for the 2019–20 season. On 12 May 2022, Basham signed a new two-year deal at Sheffield United, committing his future to the summer of 2024.[68] On 7 October 2023, he sustained ankle dislocation and ligament damage during a 3–1 defeat against Fulham.[69] On 12 October 2023, it was announced that Basham had undergone two surgeries to repair the damage caused by his ankle dislocation and accompanying ligament damage.[70]

On 29 May 2024, the club announced he would be leaving in the summer when his contract expired.[71]

Personal life

[edit]

Basham was born in Hebburn, Tyne and Wear.[72] He grew up supporting Sunderland.[73] Basham considers Alan Cork as a great influence and is indebted to Cork for guiding him throughout his professional football career.[74]

Having two years away from football, after leaving Newcastle United at sixteen, Basham worked at McDonald's[7] and enrolled at Gateshead College[75] and trained with their Academy for Sport.[citation needed]

In late 2014, Basham became a father.[41]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of 7 October 2023
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Stafford Rangers (loan) 2006–07[76] Conference National 3 0 1 0 4 0
Rochdale (loan) 2007–08[77] League Two 13 0 13 0
Bolton Wanderers 2008–09[78] Premier League 11 1 11 1
2009–10[79] Premier League 8 0 1 0 1 0 10 0
Total 19 1 1 0 1 0 21 1
Blackpool 2010–11[80] Premier League 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 0
2011–12[81] Championship 17 2 3 0 1 0 21 2
2012–13[82] Championship 26 1 2 0 0 0 28 1
2013–14[83] Championship 40 2 1 0 1 0 42 2
Total 85 5 6 0 3 0 94 5
Sheffield United 2014–15[84] League One 37 0 5 0 4 0 4[a] 1 50 1
2015–16[85] League One 44 3 3 0 1 0 1[b] 0 49 3
2016–17[86] League One 43 2 2 1 1 0 2[c] 0 48 3
2017–18[87] Championship 45 2 3 0 2 0 50 2
2018–19[88] Championship 41 4 1 0 1 0 43 4
2019–20[89] Premier League 38 0 4 0 0 0 42 0
2020–21[90] Premier League 31 0 3 1 1 0 35 1
2021–22[91] Championship 28 0 1 0 2 0 2[d] 0 33 0
2022–23[92] Championship 29 0 6 0 0 0 35 0
2023–24[93] Premier League 8 0 0 1 0 0 9 0
Total 344 11 28 3 12 0 9 1 394 14
Career total 464 17 36 3 16 0 9 1 526 20
  1. ^ 2 appearances in Football League Trophy, 2 appearances and 1 goal in League One play-offs
  2. ^ Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  3. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy
  4. ^ Appearances in Championship play-offs

Honours

[edit]

Sheffield United

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Updated squad lists for 2019/20 Premier League". Premier League. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Chris Basham: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Chris Basham: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Chris Basham: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Wilder explains history of overlapping centre-back system still used today". 7 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Chris Basham: Sheffield United star's rise from Newcastle reject and fast food worker". Sky Sports.
  7. ^ a b "Basham goes from Big Mac to big break". The Bolton News. 15 November 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  8. ^ "Rochdale bring in Bolton's Basham". BBC Sport. 7 February 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  9. ^ "Rochdale 2 - 4 Hereford United". BBC Sport. 12 February 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  10. ^ "Sunderland 1 - 4 Bolton Wanderers". BBC Sport. 29 November 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  11. ^ "Chelsea 4 - 3 Bolton Wanderers". BBC Sport. 11 April 2009. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  12. ^ "Bolton Wanderers 2 - 3 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 29 August 2009. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  13. ^ "Portsmouth 2 - 3 Bolton Wanderers". BBC Sport. 12 September 2009. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  14. ^ "Basham pens Bolton extension". Sportbox. 6 November 2009. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  15. ^ "Basham injury adds to Whites woes". The Bolton News. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  16. ^ "Bolton Wanderers reject bid for Basham". The Bolton News. 6 August 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  17. ^ "Basham still on Seasiders' wanted list". The Bolton News. 12 August 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  18. ^ "Blackpool FC closing in on Bolton Wanderers defender Chris Basham". Click Lancashire. 13 August 2010. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  19. ^ Sanghera, Mandeep (14 August 2010). "Wigan 0-4 Blackpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  20. ^ "Aston Villa 3 - 2 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 10 November 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  21. ^ "Basham fights back from leg-break". Blackpool Gazette. 24 March 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  22. ^ "Basham seeking action". Blackpool Gazette. 6 October 2011. Archived from the original on 12 December 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  23. ^ "Problems at the back for Pool". Blackpool Gazette. 2 December 2011. Archived from the original on 12 December 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  24. ^ "Southampton 2-2 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 10 December 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  25. ^ "Blackpool 2 - 1 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. 21 January 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  26. ^ "Bruna Hat-Trick Inspires Pool Victory". Blackpool F.C. 16 October 2012. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  27. ^ "Give me another Basham, please". Blackpool Gazette. 14 December 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  28. ^ "Blackpool sweat over duo's fitness". Blackpool Gazette. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  29. ^ "Middlesbrough 4 - 2 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 29 December 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  30. ^ "Pool midfielder injury shock". Blackpool Gazette. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  31. ^ "Thomas Ince & Matt Phillips: Blackpool take up one-year options". BBC Sport. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  32. ^ "Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 17 August 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  33. ^ "Blackpool 2 - 2 Leicester City". BBC Sport. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  34. ^ "Basham Collects September Award". Blackpool F.C. 2 October 2013. Archived from the original on 12 December 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  35. ^ "Nottingham Forest Preview". Blackpool F.C. 1 November 2013. Archived from the original on 12 December 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  36. ^ "Big Preview: Sheffield Wednesday". Blackpool F.C. 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 12 December 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  37. ^ "Retained List". Blackpool F.C. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  38. ^ "Sheffield United: Butler and Basham become Blades". Sheffield Star. 5 June 2014. Archived from the original on 31 October 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  39. ^ "Squad numbers". Sheffield United F.C. 1 August 2014. Archived from the original on 14 December 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  40. ^ "Sky Bet League One: Bristol City edge out Sheffield United at Bramall Lane". Sky Sports. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  41. ^ a b "Praise for Basham". Sheffield United F.C. 23 October 2014. Archived from the original on 14 December 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  42. ^ "Chris Basham on role". Sheffield United F.C. 19 November 2014. Archived from the original on 14 December 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  43. ^ "Blades will cope without Basham". Sheffield United F.C. 29 November 2014. Archived from the original on 14 December 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  44. ^ "Boss on defensive options". Sheffield United F.C. 12 March 2015. Archived from the original on 14 December 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  45. ^ "Blades 1-1 Chesterfield - report". Sheffield United F.C. 3 May 2015. Archived from the original on 14 December 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  46. ^ "Swindon Town 5-5 Sheffield United (7-6 agg)". BBC Sport. 11 May 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  47. ^ "Sheffield United 1-2 Swindon: Nathan Byrne's late strike hands Robins advantage". Sky Sports. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  48. ^ "Sheffield United 3 - 1 Doncaster Rovers". BBC Sport. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  49. ^ "Captain Bash". Sheffield United F.C. 2 October 2015. Archived from the original on 14 December 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  50. ^ "Barnsley 1-1 Sheffield United: Late strike from Tykes blunts Blades". BBC Sport. 28 November 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  51. ^ "Sheffield United 2-0 Walsall: Blade dent Saddlers' promotion hopes". Sky Sports. 2 April 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  52. ^ "Trio expected to return". Sheffield United F.C. 29 January 2016. Archived from the original on 14 December 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  53. ^ "Blades boss reveals his trust in latest starlet Ben Whiteman". The Star. 15 March 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  54. ^ "Sheffield United: Louis Reed hopes for more of a chance under Blades boss Chris Wilder". The Star. 11 September 2016. Archived from the original on 17 October 2016.
  55. ^ "Sheffield United: John Fleck set to receive the go-ahead". The Star. 18 October 2016. Archived from the original on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  56. ^ "Scunthorpe United 2 – 2 Sheffield United". BBC Sport. 24 September 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  57. ^ "Sheffield United: Chris Basham will not face internal investigation after being sent-off at Scunthorpe United". The Star. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  58. ^ "Billy Sharp doubles-up to tame Shrews - Shrewsbury Town 0 Sheffield United". The Star. 18 October 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  59. ^ "Bradford City 3 - 3 Sheffield United". BBC Sport. 22 October 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  60. ^ "Sheffield United 6 - 0 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. 6 November 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  61. ^ "Sheffield United: Blades stars are set for new deals". The Star. 14 December 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  62. ^ "Sheffield United: Leon Clarke out for a month with ankle injury". The Star. 25 November 2016. Archived from the original on 2 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  63. ^ "Sheffield United: Former Bolton star Chris Basham wants to prove nice guys can finish first". The Star. 24 February 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  64. ^ "Match Report: Port Vale 0, Sheffield United 3". The Star. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  65. ^ "New Contracts". Sheffield United FC. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  66. ^ "Sheffield United promoted to Premier League after Leeds draw". BBC Sport. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  67. ^ FC, Sheffield United (August 2020). "New deal for popular Bash". Sheffield United FC.
  68. ^ "New contract for Bash". 12 May 2022.
  69. ^ "Chris Basham: Sheffield United captain suffers severe lower-leg injury against Fulham". BBC Sport. 7 October 2023.
  70. ^ Ridley, Nathan (12 October 2023). "Chris Basham offers update from hospital bed after two surgeries on horror injury". The Mirror. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  71. ^ FC, Sheffield United (29 May 2024). "Retained and released list". Sheffield United FC. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  72. ^ "Chris Basham". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  73. ^ "Sunderland fan can't wait for crack at Newcastle". Blackpool Gazette. 28 July 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  74. ^ "Sheffield United: Why Chris Basham owes a debt of gratitude to Alan Cork". The Star. 2 December 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  75. ^ "I went from Newcastle trainee to Serving Nicky Butt at McDonalds and now to the Premier League". The Athletic. 5 August 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  76. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  77. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  78. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  79. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  80. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  81. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  82. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  83. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  84. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  85. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  86. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  87. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  88. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  89. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  90. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  91. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  92. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  93. ^ "Games played by Chris Basham in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  94. ^ Anderson, John, ed. (2017). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2017–2018. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 326–327. ISBN 978-1-4722-3397-4.
  95. ^ Anderson, John, ed. (2019). Football Yearbook 2019–2020. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 320–231. ISBN 978-1-4722-6111-3.
  96. ^ a b FC, Sheffield United (31 July 2020). "Player of the Year Awards". Sheffield United FC.
[edit]