Andy Morrison

Born in Inverness though a native of Kinlochbervie, Morrison moved to Plymouth at the age of eight. At the age of 13, Morrison had a trial at Southampton along with 39 other hopefuls including Alan Shearer, Tim Flowers and Matt Le Tissier.{{cite web |url=http://mancitygifts.com/andy-morrison-10-things/ |title=Andy Morrison: 10 things you didn't know |work=mancitygifts.com|date=30 July 2015 }} Morrison began his career at Plymouth Argyle. He made his Football League debut as a substitute in a 5–2 defeat at Aston Villa, in 1987, in which David Platt scored the winning goal. Morrison did not establish himself in the Argyle first team until the 1989–90 season. An uncompromising centre-half with a broad Plymothian accent, Morrison scored his first senior goal in a 1–0 win at home to Ipswich Town in March 1990.

Morrison was a regular fixture in the Plymouth side under manager Dave Kemp, but the arrival of Peter Shilton as player-manager in February 1991 marked the beginning of the end of his time at Plymouth. Morrison took exception to Shilton's managerial style, while Shilton, for his part, was keen to cash in on one of his most saleable assets to bring in signings of his own.{{cite book |last=Shilton |first=Peter |date=2005 |title=Peter Shilton: The Autobiography |publisher=Orion |page=258 |isbn=9780752865720 }} Morrison spent one final season at Home Park following the club's relegation from the second tier in 1992, before Shilton accepted a £500,000 offer from Blackburn Rovers, then managed by Kenny Dalglish.

Morrison made 5 appearances for Blackburn Rovers in the 1993–94 season, in which the club finished second in the premier league. He made his Premier League debut for the club when he replaced Tim Sherwood in a 3–0 victory over Wimbledon F.C. in February 1994. Morrison started, and almost scored, in a 1–0 defeat to Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-fa-cup-pitcher-strikes-blackburn-out-of-fa-cup-ewood-ecstasy-for-charlton-as-they-march-1393040.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-fa-cup-pitcher-strikes-blackburn-out-of-fa-cup-ewood-ecstasy-for-charlton-as-they-march-1393040.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |last=Hodgson |first=Guy |title=Football / FA Cup: Pitcher strikes Blackburn out of FA Cup: Ewood ecstasy for Charlton as they march into the fifth round with a confident performance against Premiership opposition |work=Independent |date=9 February 1994 |access-date=28 April 2019}}{{cbignore}} He subsequently replaced Kevin Moran in a 1–0 defeat to Arsenal (in which Paul Merson scored the winner) and David Batty in a 3–1 defeat to Southampton (in which Stuart Ripley scored Blackburn's goal).{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-rovers-sense-of-loss-and-injustice-1370906.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-rovers-sense-of-loss-and-injustice-1370906.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |last=Haylett |first=Trevor |title=Football: Rovers' sense of loss and injustice |work=Independent |date=18 April 1994 |access-date=28 April 2019}}{{cbignore}} Morrison started for Blackburn in a 2–1 victory against West Ham United (in which Henning Berg and Ian Pearce scored Blackburn's goals) in April 1994. His last game for Blackburn was a 2–1 defeat to Coventry City, in May 1994, which ended Blackburn's title hopes that season. Morrison was given a 'torrid time' by Peter Ndlovu in the game{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-the-race-for-the-premiership-united-take-title-as-blackburns-chase-ends-darby-inspires-1433285.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-the-race-for-the-premiership-united-take-title-as-blackburns-chase-ends-darby-inspires-1433285.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |last=Shaw |first=Phil |title=Football / The Race for The Premiership: United take title as Blackburn's chase ends: Darby inspires Coventry to deny denuded Rovers and ensure championship stays in Manchester |work=Independent |date=3 May 1994 |access-date=24 April 2019}}{{cbignore}} and later claimed that Ndlovu had ruined his career with Blackburn.{{cite web |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/peter-ndlovu-ruined-career-says-3033627 |title=Peter Ndlovu ruined my career, says former Blackburn defender |work=Coventry Live |date=1 November 2011 |access-date=24 April 2019}} Morrison also played for Blackburn's reserve team, alongside Shay Given and former Plymouth teammate Nicky Marker. Morrison played in the reserve team defeat against Manchester United's reserve team, which featured Bryan Robson and Dion Dublin, in which Marker's tackle on Ben Thornley led to the latter being sidelined for over a year and ultimately to legal action.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rovers-facing-damages-claim-football-1264975.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rovers-facing-damages-claim-football-1264975.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |last=Nixon |first=Alan |title=Rovers facing damages claim: Football |work=Independent |date=3 April 1997 |access-date=13 May 2019}}{{cbignore}} Morrison was unable to break into the Rovers side on a regular basis, as he faced competition from Colin Hendry, Henning Berg and Ian Pearce.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/sep/25/newsstory.sport9 |last=Walker |first=Michael |title=Hard man cements his place in City's history |work=Guardian |date=25 September 1999 |access-date=20 April 2019}} Morrison began the 1994–95 season as a member of the Blackburn squad that went on to win the Premier League that season. He was an unused substitute in the 1994 FA Charity Shield in which Blackburn were beaten 2–0 by Manchester United after goals from Eric Cantona and Paul Ince.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-charity-shield-ince-quells-the-blackburn-resistance-seven-players-booked-under-the-new-1383553.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-charity-shield-ince-quells-the-blackburn-resistance-seven-players-booked-under-the-new-1383553.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |last=Shaw |first=Paul |title=Football / Charity Shield: Ince quells the Blackburn resistance: Seven players booked under the new rules as under-strength Rovers succumb to United's class |work=Independent |date=15 August 1994 |access-date=7 May 2019}}{{cbignore}} In December 1994 Morrison was bought by Sam Allardyce for Blackpool. The transfer fee was £245,000, which was then a Blackpool club-record. Celtic F.C. were also interested in Morrison, but ended up signing John Hughes from Falkirk F.C.{{cite web |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-manchester-city-player-andy-14166860 |last=Berry |first=Gavin |title=Former Manchester City player Andy Morrison on the time he battered a pub bouncer |work=Daily Record |date=21 March 2019 |access-date=20 April 2019}}

Allardyce described Morrison as a "horrible in-your-face" centre-back and a "complete nutter".{{cite book |last=Allardyce |first=Sam |date=2015 |title=Big Sam: My Autobiography |publisher=Headline |page=99 |isbn=978-1-4722-3267-0 }} Morrison made his debut for the Tangerines on 10 December, in a 3–1 victory over AFC Bournemouth. He was suspended for the next two games, however, after picking up a booking during the match and, thus, hitting the relevant number of disciplinary points. Morrison spent two years at Blackpool and was made club captain by Allardyce{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/16/sam-allardyce-sunderland-manager |last1=Taylor|first1= Louise|last2=Jackson|first2=Jamie |last3=Steinberg|first3=Jacob |title=Sam Allardyce: the inside story of his life as a manager before Sunderland |work=Guardian |date=16 October 2015 |access-date=20 April 2019}} In a match against Plymouth Argyle, in January of the 1994–95, Morrison was moved from defence into midfield, at half time (at which time Blackpool were losing 2–0), which proved to be the catalyst for a 5–2 victory.{{cite web |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/memory-match-blackpool-complete-remarkable-turnaround-against-plymouth-argyle-1995-1-9678413 |last=Scrafton |first=Matt |title=Memory Match: Blackpool complete remarkable turnaround against Plymouth Argyle, 1995 |work=Blackpool Gazette |date=29 March 2019 |access-date=25 April 2019}} In the 1995–96 season Blackpool finished in the playoff places. Blackpool won the first leg of their play-off game against Bradford City (who were managed by Chris Kamara) 2–0. Kamara changed his tactics in the second leg, to dissipate Morrison's influence in the game,{{cite web |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/bradford-city/bygones-route-map-to-wembley-put-bradford-city-back-on-course-to-play-off-final-1-7899568 |last=Sutcliffe |first=Richard |title=Bygones: Route-map to Wembley put Bradford City back on course to play-off final |work=Yorkshire Post |date=9 May 2016 |access-date=28 April 2019}} and Blackpool were defeated 3–0.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/bradford-triumph-against-odds-1347642.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/bradford-triumph-against-odds-1347642.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |last=Hadfield |first=Dave |title=Bradford triumph against odds |work=Independent |date=16 May 1996 |access-date=28 April 2019}}{{cbignore}} Bradford went on to beat Notts County in the final to earn promotion. Blackpool's defeat led to Allardyce's departure.{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/andy-morrison-reveals-why-sam-allardyce-1701238 |title=Andy Morrison reveals why Sam Allardyce got the chop from Blackpool |work=Daily Mirror |date=11 February 2013 |access-date=20 April 2019}} Morrison also moved on from Blackpool.

Morrison was signed by Brian Horton for Huddersfield Town in the 1996–97 season. Horton used the £2.7 million that Sheffield Wednesday had used to purchase Andy Booth from Huddersfield, to invest in Morrison as well as Marcus Stewart from Bristol Rovers and Andy Payton from Barnsley.{{cite web |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/day-andy-payton-hit-double-10273736 |last=Thomson |first=Doug |title=The day Andy Payton hit a double for Huddersfield Town to topple Ipswich Town at Portman Road |work=Huddersfield Daily Examiner |date=16 October 2015 |access-date=14 May 2019}} Horton, like Allardyce before him, also made Morrison captain. Morrison scored in his debut for Huddersfield against Charlton (which Huddersfield won 2–0). Morrison's Huddersfield teammate Ben Thornley described him as 'the hardest person to have ever played football'.{{cite book |last=Thornley |first=Ben |date=2018 |title=Ben Thornley: Tackled: The Class of '92 Star Who Never Got to Graduate |publisher=Pitch Publishing |isbn=978-1-78531-447-6 }} Morrison won the respect of fans 'with his braveheart style warrior performances'.{{cite web |url=https://metro.co.uk/2014/05/25/huddersfield-towns-top-five-centre-halves-since-1988-4738784/?ito=cbshare |last= Clegg |first=James |title=Huddersfield Town's top five centre-halves since 1988 |work=Metro |date=25 May 2014 |access-date=14 May 2019}} A knee injury restricted Morrison's appearances for Huddersfield in the 1996–97 season. He was replaced by Sam Collins in a 1–0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers in September 1996 and did not play for Huddersfield again until a 0–0 draw with Manchester City in November 1996,{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/city-panned-by-their-critics-1353352.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/city-panned-by-their-critics-1353352.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |last=Moore |first=Glenn |title=City panned by their critics |work=Independent |date=20 November 1996 |access-date=14 May 2019}}{{cbignore}} in which he was replaced by Kevin Gray just after half time. He did not play again until April 1997 when he replaced David Beresford, at half time, in a 2–1 defeat to Charlton Athletic. In the 1997–98 season, Morrison played in Huddersfield's 3–0 defeat to West Ham United in the League Cup, in which John Hartson scored a hat trick.{{cite web |url=http://www.westhamstats.info/westham.php?west=5&ham=4060&united=29_Sep_1997 |last=Lipton |first=Martin |title=West Ham 3 Huddersfield 0 (Agg 3–1) |work=Press Association |date=30 September 1997 |access-date=13 May 2019}} He also played in Huddersfield's 1–0 defeat to Wimbledon, in the FA Cup, in which Neal Ardley scored the only goal.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/50297.stm |title=Big clubs dominate FA Cup |work=BBC |date=24 January 1998 |access-date=13 May 2019}} Huddersfield's poor results in the league that season (they went nine games without a win) led to Horton being sacked. Horton was replaced by Peter Jackson, who managed to keep the team up. Morrison played in Huddersfield's first victory that season, a 3–1 win against Stoke City (in which Lee Richardson, Stewart and Paul Dalton scored Huddersfield's goals).{{cite web |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-town-vs-stoke-city-14167529 |last1=Parish |first1=Tegan |last2=Welton |first2=Blake |title=Huddersfield Town vs Stoke City: Memorable meetings between the Premier League rivals |work=Huddersfield Daily Examiner |date=17 January 2018 |access-date=13 May 2019}} He also played in Huddersfield's second win of the season, a 1–0 victory against Manchester City at Maine Road, in which Rob Edwards scored the winner.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/football-city-suffer-another-humiliation-1292814.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/football-city-suffer-another-humiliation-1292814.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |last=Allsop |first=Derick |title=Football: City suffer another humiliation |work=Independent |date=8 November 1997 |access-date=14 May 2019}}{{cbignore}} In the 1998–99 season, Morrison played in Huddersfield's 2–1 defeat to Everton, in the League Cup, in which Olivier Dacourt and Marco Materazzi scored Everton's goals and Stewart scored Huddersfield's goal.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-dacourt-drives-everton-through-1200301.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-dacourt-drives-everton-through-1200301.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |last=Shaw |first=Phil |title=Football: Dacourt drives Everton through |work=Independent |date=24 September 1998 |access-date=13 May 2019}}{{cbignore}} Morrison fell out with Jackson early that season when the latter decided to make Barry Horne Huddersfield captain, leading to Morrison's departure.{{cite web |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/andy-morrison-lifts-lid-huddersfield-4965716 |last=Thomson |first=Doug |title=Andy Morrison lifts the lid on his Huddersfield Town stint in new autobiography |work=Huddersfield Daily Examiner |date=8 October 2011 |access-date=20 April 2019}}

Morrison was signed by Joe Royle for Manchester City, in the 1998–99 season, following their relegation to Division Two. The transfer fee was £80,000. Morrison made his debut in a 2–1 victory against Colchester United in October 1998. Morrison headed in City's second goal of the game and received a man of the match award, which was presented to him by former City winger Dennis Tueart.{{cite web |url=https://www.citytilidie.com/latest/colchester-home-199899/ |title=Manchester City v Colchester 1998/99 |date=3 October 2010 |publisher=City Til I Die |access-date=2019-04-11}} Morrison also scored in his second game for City, a 3–0 victory against Oldham Athletic. Morrison endeared himself to the City fans and was soon made captain. He scored his third goal for City in a 1–1 draw with Luton Town. One fanzine asked: "Where can we get another half-dozen Andy Morrisons?"{{cite news|last=Szczepanik |first=Nick |title=Morrison stands his ground |work=The Times |date=15 February 1999}} According to goalkeeper Nicky Weaver: "Morrison was a huge signing for us. Joe made him captain straight away. He was an intimidating figure for the opposition and he could be intimidating as a team-mate as well. I'd stand behind him in the tunnel and he'd be beating his chest, ready for battle. The other team would be thinking, 'I don't fancy tangling with him today'. But to be fair to Andy, he wasn't just a brute and growling pitbull. He had a great touch, too."{{cite web |last=Moore |first=Nick |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/premier-league/when-manchester-city-were-rubbish-how-the-1998-99-season-changed-a-football-clubs-destiny/ar-BBPdiqX?li=BBoPWjP |title=When Manchester City were rubbish: how the 1998/99 season changed a football club's destiny |publisher=FourFourTwo |date=17 April 2019 |access-date=20 April 2019 }} In an 1–0 defeat to Wimbledon, in the FA Cup, Morrison was sent off after a scuffle with Carl Cort.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1144897.stm |title=Sport: Football FA Cup highlights |work=BBC News |date=3 January 1999 |access-date=23 April 2019}} Morrison scored his fourth goal of the season, via a thundering header from a corner, in a 6–0 victory against Burnley (Shaun Goater scored a hat trick and Kevin Horlock and Danny Allsopp scored the other goals).{{cite web |last=Daly |first=Kieran |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-goater-hat-trick-as-city-run-riot-1079675.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-goater-hat-trick-as-city-run-riot-1079675.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Football: Goater hat-trick as City run riot |work=The Independent |date=10 March 1999 |access-date=23 April 2019 }}{{cbignore}} City finished in the play-off places in the league. Morrison captained City to victory over Gillingham in the 1999 Football League Second Division play-off final at Wembley in May 1999. In the match Morrison's teammates Kevin Horlock and Paul Dickov scored late goals to take the match to extra time and penalties (which City won).{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/356672.stm |title=Sport: Football Shoot-out success for City |work=BBC News |date=30 May 1999 |access-date=28 April 2019}} Morrison was presented with the playoff trophy at the end of the game and became the fifth City captain (following Sam Cowan, Roy Paul, Tony Book and Mike Doyle) to lift a trophy at Wembley.{{cite web |last=Bardwell |first=Jason |url=https://mancitysquare.com/2017/10/31/manchester-city-day-andy-morrison/ |title=Manchester City on this day: Andy Morrison |publisher=ManCitySquare.com|date=31 October 2017 }} He has been succeeded, in this respect, by Carlos Tevez (who captained City to victory in the 2011 FA Cup Final) and Vincent Kompany (who has won the EFL Cup four times with City), although they captained City to victories at the new Wembley Stadium.

In City's first game in Division One, they lost 1–0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{cite web|last=Hadfield |first=Dave |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-manchester-city-0-wolverhampton-wanderers-1-city-are-thrown-to-the-wolves-1111608.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-manchester-city-0-wolverhampton-wanderers-1-city-are-thrown-to-the-wolves-1111608.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Football: Manchester City 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 – City are thrown to the Wolves |newspaper=Independent |date=9 August 1999 |access-date=13 May 2019}}{{cbignore}} Robbie Keane scored the only goal of the game. In City's second game in Division One, Morrison was famously sent off for sticking out his tongue at Stan Collymore in a 0–0 draw with Fulham.{{cite web|last=Tanner |first=Richard |url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/280006/The-day-Stan-Collymore-got-a-good-licking |title=The day Stan Collymore got a good licking |publisher=Daily Express |date=2011-10-27 |access-date=2019-04-11}} Morrison remonstrated angrily before leaving the pitch, pushing Collymore in the face as he left.{{cite web|last=Hatherall |first=Chris |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+Angry+Andy+sees+red+as+he+tries+to+collar+Colly%3B+Fulham+0+...-a060144608 |title=Football: Angry Andy sees red as he tries to collar Colly; Fulham 0 Manchester City 0. |publisher=The People |date=15 August 1999 |access-date=27 April 2019}} Collymore mentioned the incident in his autobiography, stating that Morrison 'stuck his tongue in my mouth' and that he was one of three players (along with Andy Todd and Darren Purse) who sought to 'prove that they were real hard men when they were up against me'.{{cite book |last=Collymore |first=Stan |date=2011 |title=Stan: Tackling My Demons |publisher=Willow |page=165 |isbn=978-0007198078 }} City's first victory of the season came in 6–0 defeat of Sheffield United.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/Observer_Match_Report/0,,-18116,00.html |title=Blades twice pay the penalty |work=The Guardian|date=21 August 1999 |access-date=20 April 2019}} Morrison's performances endeared him to then Scotland manager Craig Brown. Brown was reportedly interested in calling Morrison up to the international team to play in the UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying play-offs against England.{{cite web|last=De-Lar |first=Ian |url=https://plymouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/where-are-they-now-andy-jock-morrison/ |title=Where are they now- Andy 'Jock' Morrison |publisher=Vital Argyle |date=2015-02-16 |access-date=2019-03-31}} However, twelve games into the season, Morrison picked up an injury, in a 2–1 victory against Port Vale. As a result, Morrison was not available to be picked by Brown for Scotland{{cite web|last=Cameron |first=Neil |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/evening-times/20181116/282175062151471 |title=Meet the best and baddest Scot you've perhaps never heard of |work=Evening Times |date=16 November 2018 |access-date=28 April 2019}} and he missed the rest of the 1999–2000 season. The season ended with City being promoted to the Premier League (a rare second successive promotion). Morrison spent 14 months attempting to return to the Manchester City team, even requesting that Royle loan him out to his former club Blackpool{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/903378.stm |title=ENGLISH DIVISION 3 – Morrison moves to Blackpool |work=BBC Sport |date=2000-08-30 |access-date=2016-03-08}} who were managed by Steve McMahon at the time. Morrison played 6 times and scored once (in a game against Hartlepool United{{cite news

|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/916001.stm

|title=Blackpool 1–2 Hartlepool

|work=BBC

|date=9 September 2000 |access-date=27 September 2012}}) for Blackpool. In one of his appearances for Blackpool, they beat Kidderminster Harriers 4–1 with both Brett Ormerod and Paul Simpson scoring braces.{{cite web |url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/7514297.kidderminster-harriers-1-blackpool-4/|title=Kidderminster Harriers 1 Blackpool 4 |work=Worcester News |date=29 September 2000 |access-date=13 May 2019}} Morrison then joined Crystal Palace (then managed by Alan Smith), on a months loan in October 2000,{{cite web |url=https://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=82&story=142 |title=City defender joins |work=Holmesdale.net |date=10 October 2000 |access-date=29 April 2019}} to continue improving his match fitness.{{cite news |title=Morrison off to Palace |work=Manchester Evening News |date=11 October 2000}} Palace signed Morrison, on loan, as a replacement for Andy Linighan, who was sacked following a dispute with Palace Chairman Simon Jordan.{{cite web |last=Nixon |first=Alan |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/chelsea-search-ends-in-pound17m-jokanovic-deal-637216.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/chelsea-search-ends-in-pound17m-jokanovic-deal-637216.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Chelsea search ends in £1.7m Jokanovic deal |work=Independent |date=11 October 2000 |access-date=20 April 2019}}{{cbignore}} At Crystal Palace, Morrison played alongside both Neil Ruddock and Steve Staunton in defence. Morrison made his debut for Palace in a 2–1 defeat to Birmingham City.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/970410.stm |title=Birmingham 2–1 Crystal Palace |work=BBC News |date=14 October 2000 |access-date=23 May 2019}} In Morrison's second game for Palace, despite defending 'in a ruggedly efficient manner', they lost 3–1 to Fulham (with Louis Saha scoring once and Lee Clark scoring a brace for Fulham).{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/977527.stm |title=Fulham 3–1 Crystal Palace |work=BBC News |date=18 October 2000 |access-date=23 May 2019}} Morrison subsequently played in a 3–2 defeat to Portsmouth{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/981550.stm |title=Crystal Palace 2–3 Portsmouth |work=BBC News |date=21 October 2000 |access-date=23 May 2019}} and a 1–0 defeat to Grimsby Town{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/986706.stm |title=Crystal Palace 0–1 Grimsby |work=BBC News |date=24 October 2000 |access-date=23 May 2019}} After the defeat to Grimsby, Morrison farted during a team talk by Smith, enraging Simon Jordan.{{cite book |last=Jordan |first=Simon |date=2012 |title=Be Careful What You Wish For |publisher=Yellow Jersey Press |page=112 |isbn=9780224091817 }} Morrison's final game for Palace was a 3–3 draw with Bolton Wanderers, in which Dougie Freedman and Clinton Morrison scored late goals to earn a point.{{cite web |url=https://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=135&report=77 |title=Bolton Wanderers 3 – 3 Palace |work=Holmesdale.net |date=28 October 2000 |access-date=23 May 2019}} Morrison returned to City at the end of his loan spell.{{cite web |url=https://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=82&story=178 |title=Morrison to return |work=Holmesdale.net |date=30 October 2000 |access-date=29 April 2019}}

Morrison's absence had prompted Royle to sign Spencer Prior to help City earn promotion, and subsequently Steve Howey and Richard Dunne to help the team stay in the top flight. Morrison returned to the City team in a League Cup game against Ipswich in December 2000.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/1080334.stm |title=MAN CITY – Morrison delight at return |work=BBC Sport |date=2000-12-20 |access-date=2016-03-08}} However, due to the number of yellow cards he had picked up in reserve-team games{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1081824.stm |title=–ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP – English Premier League preview |work=BBC Sport |date=2000-12-23 |access-date=2016-03-08}} he could not play Premier League football until New Year's Day 2001, when he played in a 1–1 draw with Coventry City.{{cite web |last=Milledge |first=Adrian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/jan/02/match.sport |title=Edworthy strikes it lucky to deny Royle the spoils |work=Guardian |date=2 January 2001 |access-date=27 April 2019 }} In his next outing, an FA Cup game against Birmingham City, he scored with a bullet header in a 3–2 victory (Darren Huckerby and Shaun Goater scored the other goals for City).{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1102403.stm |title=FA CUP – Man City survive Birmingham comeback |work=BBC Sport |date=2001-01-06 |access-date=2016-03-08}} Morrison made two further appearances for City in the league: a 4–0 defeat to Leeds United{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1114453.stm |title=Leeds crush sorry City |work=BBC News |date=13 January 2001 |access-date=20 April 2019}} and a 1–1 draw with Liverpool.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1144897.stm |title=Man City stifle poor Liverpool |work=BBC News |date=31 January 2001 |access-date=20 April 2019}} In the latter, Morrison was replaced, by Andrei Kanchelskis (on loan from Rangers), at half time, due to a hamstring injury.{{cite news |title=City hit back to snatch vital point |work=Irish Independent |date=1 February 2001}} Morrison was forced to withdraw from the squad, which drew 1–1 with Middlesbrough in early February, due to the same hamstring injury (he was replaced, in the squad, by Shaun Wright-Phillips).{{cite news |title=FA panel overturn Wenger's 12-match ban |work=Irish Independent |date=3 February 2001}} Morrison played in City's 1–0 victory against Coventry City in the fourth round of the FA Cup (in which Goater scored the only goal).{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1138787.stm |title=Goater strike sinks Sky Blues |work=BBC News |date=27 January 2001 |access-date=20 April 2019}} Morrison also played in the fifth round of the FA Cup, against eventual winners Liverpool (which ended in a 4–2 defeat).{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1177440.stm |title=Liverpool too slick for City |work=BBC News |date=18 February 2001 |access-date=20 April 2019}} Morrison was spoken to by a police officer for squirting water at a Liverpool fan after he had been replaced by Tony Grant. After the game, Royle dismissed speculation that Morrison had played his last game for the club.{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/2204472/morrison-going-nowhere-royle |last=Higham |first=Paul |title=MORRISON GOING NOWHERE – ROYLE |work=Sky Sports |access-date=27 April 2019}} However, the defeat did prove to be Morrison's last appearance for City, as Royle became concerned about his injury record.{{cite book |last=Royle |first=Joe |date=2012 |title=Joe Royle The Autobiography |publisher=Random House |page=177 |isbn=978-1446416303 }} Morrison was subsequently loaned out to Sheffield United, who were then managed by Neil Warnock.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/3001492/Deadline-day-transfers.html |title=Deadline day transfers |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=22 March 2001 |access-date=27 April 2019}} Morrison played alongside another former Manchester City captain, Keith Curle, in defence at Sheffield United. The wisdom of allowing Morrison to be loaned out was questioned when Howey suffered an injury whilst playing for City.{{cite news|last=Bailey |first=Chris |title=No Positives from Villa Fiasco |work=Manchester Evening News |date=2 April 2001}} Morrison made his debut for Sheffield United in a 4–1 defeat to Gillingham.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1274207.stm |title=Gillingham 4–1 Sheff Utd |date=14 April 2001 |access-date=24 May 2019}} He came on as a substitute, replacing Gus Uhlenbeek, in a 1–0 defeat to Wimbledon in United's next game, in which he almost scored a late equaliser.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1280147.stm |title=Sheff Utd 0–1 Wimbledon |date=17 April 2001 |access-date=24 May 2019}}

In Morrison's third game for Sheffield United they beat Grimsby Town 1–0, with Peter Ndlovu scoring the only goal.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1285974.stm |title=Grimsby 0–1 Sheff Utd |date=21 April 2001 |access-date=24 May 2019}} In Morrison's final game for Sheffield United, a 2–0 victory against Burnley,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1297816.stm |title=Sheff Utd 2–0 Burnley |work=BBC News |date=28 April 2001 |access-date=20 April 2019}} Morrison picked up the injury that ended his career. City were subsequently relegated to Division One once more. Shaun Goater contended that City 'missed Andy Morrison's presence that season' and that 'with his motivational skills things might have turned out differently'.{{cite book |last=Goater |first=Shaun |date=2007 |title=Feed the Goat: The Shaun Goater Story |publisher=The History Press |page=123 |isbn=9780750948715 }}

Royle was sacked following City's relegation and Kevin Keegan became manager at Maine Road. It was speculated that Morrison's time at the club was over. Morrison was linked with moves to Burnley, Stoke City and Bristol City.{{cite news|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6026651.clarets-maine-road-raid/ |title=Clarets' Maine Road raid |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=5 June 2001 |access-date=29 April 2019}} Nevertheless, Keegan praised the Scot for his hard work in training,{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/s/30/30302_weaver_told_to_fight_for_his_place.html |title=Weaver told to fight for his place |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |access-date=2016-03-08}} and with City's defence leaking goals (they conceded 52 goals in the 2001–02 season), fans hoped Morrison would be given his chance. Keegan hoped that Morrison could provide leadership in the dressing room to address the drinking culture at the club, but lamented that he 'couldn't get him in the team' (due to his continuing injury woes), which led to the signing of Stuart Pearce.{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-kevin-keegan-transfers-15205721 |title=Kevin Keegan reveals his most important signing as Man City manager |publisher=Manchester Evening News |date=2018-10-04 |access-date=2019-04-11}}{{cite book |last=Keegan |first=Kevin |date=2018 |title=My Life in Football: The Autobiography |publisher=MacMillan |pages=251–252 |isbn=9781509877201 }} Morrison ultimately failed to recover from the injury that he sustained while he was at Sheffield United and he was released by the club at the end of the season. This was not before he was given his chance to say farewell to the Manchester City fans in a match against Crystal Palace.{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/s/9/9729_andy_salutes_blues_fans.html |title=Andy salutes Blues fans |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |access-date=2016-03-08}} Keegan said of Morrison: "Andy received cult status when the club gained promotion. He is a first-class professional and deserves a chance to further his career."{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/s/26/26962_morrison_handed_free_transfer.html |title=Morrison handed free transfer |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |access-date=2016-03-08}} City went on to win the 2001–02 Football League First Division, thereby earning promotion to the Premier League.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/3025467/Manchester-City-cruise-to-title.html |title=Manchester City cruise to title |work=The Daily Telegraph|date=2002-04-06 |access-date=2019-04-20}}

In late 2002, Morrison was given a trial at Bury. He played 45 minutes for Bury's reserve team, but his injury prevented him taking any further part.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bury/2498871.stm |title=Football – Teams – Bury – Morrison on trial at Bury |work=BBC Sport |date=2002-11-21 |access-date=2016-03-08}}

Morrison is remembered by Manchester City fans as one of their best-ever captains, and was voted so in the club's official magazine. Only Roy Paul and Tony Book were deemed to be better captains than him. The magazine also listed Morrison second in a list of hard men, behind Mike Doyle but above the likes of Stuart Pearce and Gerry Gow.{{cite news|last=Jolly |first=Richard |url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/support-that-never-wavered-for-man-city-1.356307 |title=Support that never wavered for Man City |publisher=The National |date=27 September 2011 |access-date=26 May 2019}} Some feel that it was Morrison's leadership skills and ability to get the players around him to raise their game that enabled Manchester City to return to the Premier League after their fall into Division Two. In an interview with the BBC on 23 September 2005, Joe Royle spoke of his sympathy for Nottingham Forest, a club which, like Manchester City, had fallen two divisions. He said, "Big clubs in that division are a scalp and everyone wants to beat them. We had that at City and it was hard for us, but we got the hang of it. The catalyst for us was signing Andy Morrison. He was the man for the job and the man for the division. He dragged us up kicking and screaming. He is the kind of player that Forest need – if they can find somebody like him. We only got him because of his injury record, and because he had had a major fall-out with the manager at Huddersfield. He was as strong as they come and feared nobody – he played a big part in turning things round for us."{{cite news|last=Bevan |first=Chris |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/nottm_forest/4273392.stm |title=Football – Royle sympathy for Megson's task |work=BBC Sport |date=2005-09-23 |access-date=2016-03-08}}

After Morrison's departure from Bury, he decided to retire from the playing side of the game. He became assistant manager to Andy Preece at Worcester City.

During a pre-season friendly match against Kidderminster Harriers on 5 August 2006, an incident in the changing-room area caused the game to be abandoned after 71 minutes. Harriers' manager Mark Yates called the referee over to him and said he was going to take his team off due to an off-the-field incident involving Morrison. On 17 August, Worcester City announced the results of an internal enquiry into the incident. The club fined Morrison the maximum allowed under FA guidelines, suspended him for three games, and warned him of his future conduct. The Football Association itself fined Morrison £750 and also gave him a six-match touchline ban.{{cite web | url = http://archive.worcesternews.co.uk/2006/8/24/424599.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120701150158/http://archive.worcesternews.co.uk/2006/8/24/424599.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 1 July 2012 | title = Worcester ban Morrison | publisher = Worcester News | access-date = 3 December 2009 | date = 24 August 2006 }}

Morrison resigned in April 2007.{{cite web | url = http://www.worcestercityfc.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?nid=269 | title = Andy Morrison resigns | publisher = worcestercityfc.co.uk }}{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In September 2010 it was announced that he had been appointed as manager of the Seychelles national football team. In fact, they had appointed Andrew Amers-Morrison who was visiting the country on holiday and whom the Seychellois football officials mistakenly believed was Andy Morrison.{{cite web |url=http://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/vics/news/8742207.Seychelles_FA_sticks_with_their_own_Morrison/ |title=Seychelles FA puts its own Andrew Morrison on trial |last=Simpson |first=Andrew |date=16 December 2010 |website=Northwich Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229135322/http://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/vics/news/8742207.Seychelles_FA_sticks_with_their_own_Morrison/ |archive-date=29 December 2010}} Suketu Patel, chairman of the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) conceded that "we thought we were getting the real Andy Morrison".{{cite news|title=The real Andy Morrison is not off to the Seychelles|work=Northwich Guardian|date=9 December 2010}} Initially the SFF offered Andrew Amers-Morrison a two-year contract, but they reduced it to six months when they realised their error.{{cite web|title=Amateur coach lands Seychelles job|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/article/26555/|publisher=Eurosport|date=24 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107214452/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/article/26555/ |archive-date=7 January 2011}} The SFF sacked Andrew Amers-Morrison two weeks later because they "could no longer be certain if he was still the right person to head the coaching staff of the national team".{{cite web|title=SFF terminates Amers-Morrison's contract|url=http://www.nation.sc/index.php?art=21972|publisher=Seychelles Nation|date=31 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110118000239/http://www.nation.sc/index.php?art=21972 |archive-date=18 January 2011}}

Morrison continued to be part of Andy Preece's management team, working with him at Northwich Victoria. He resigned from the club on 16 January 2012 along with the rest of the first team management, with the club reporting that Preece was expected to be appointed Director of Football at Welsh Premier League side Airbus UK Broughton the next day.{{cite web|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=81720 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104112242/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=81720 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 January 2013 |title=Preece quits as Northwich Manager |publisher=NonLeagueDaily.com |access-date=16 January 2012 }} The next day he was appointed as Assistant Manager at Airbus UK.{{cite web| url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=81720| title=Airfield stability the lure for Preece| publisher=Welsh Premier League| access-date=17 January 2012| url-status=usurped| archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104112242/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=81720| archive-date=4 January 2013| df=dmy-all}} Morrison left his role at Airbus in July 2015.{{cite news |first=Dave |last=Powell |url=http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/andy-morrison-departs-airbus-uk-9720162 |title=Andy Morrison departs as Airbus UK Broughton assistant manager |newspaper=The Chester Chronicle |date=24 July 2015 |access-date=24 October 2016 }}

On 2 November 2015 Morrison was appointed Director of Football at Welsh Premier League club Connah's Quay.{{cite web|last1=Green|first1=Jim|title=Andy Morrison returns to Welsh Premier League with Gap Connah's Quay |url=http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/andy-morrison-returns-welsh-premier-10377391|publisher=The Chester Chronicle|access-date=8 March 2016|date=3 November 2015}} Morrison led The Nomads to their highest ever finish in his first season in charge, leading the side to a fourth-placed finish in the Welsh Premier League, and winning the play-off final against Airbus UK Broughton, leading to the club's first ever venture into the UEFA Europa League. In 2016, Morrison won the 20th edition of the Footballers' Golf Classic at the world-famous La Manga Club in Spain, defeating his former boss Kenny Dalglish in the process.{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Roberts |url=https://www.golfmagic.com/golf-news/dalglish-denied-record-footballers-golf-classic |title=DALGLISH DENIED RECORD AT FOOTBALLERS GOLF CLASSIC |publisher=Golf Magic |date=21 June 2006 |access-date=24 May 2019 }}

Connah's Quay won its first Welsh Cup with a 4–1 victory over Aberystwyth Town on 6 May 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43981355|title=Connah's Quay Nomads 4–1 Aberystwyth Town|work=BBC|access-date=17 March 2019}}

The Nomads were the first non-Scottish side to reach the Scottish Challenge Cup Final,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47650632|title=Scottish Challenge Cup: Connah's Quay Nomads boss Andy Morrison eyes silverware against Ross County|work=BBC|date=23 March 2019|access-date=23 March 2019}} but lost to 3-1 Ross County on 23 March 2019. The final was held at the Caledonian Stadium in Inverness, the city of Morrison's birth.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47622909|title=Connah's Quay Nomads 1–2 Ross County|work=BBC|date=23 March 2019|access-date=23 March 2019}}

On 28 September 2021, Connah's Quay Nomads announced that Morrison had resigned from his position as manager.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-nomads.co.uk/news/article.php?id=1116|title = Morrison departs Deeside}}

On 11 May 2022, he was appointed as the new head coach of the Sri Lanka national football team.

In August 2006, Morrison pleaded guilty to four charges of fraud concerning income support, jobseeker's allowance, and council tax benefits, dating from August 2003 to July 2005. He failed to inform the Department for Work and Pensions and Vale Royal Borough Council in Cheshire that he had £58,000 in his bank account while he was still claiming benefits. He defrauded the authorities out of more than £6,500 and was ordered to pay £95 court costs and carry out a fifty-hour community punishment order. In mitigation it was said that he "was dissipating the capital very quickly, spending his own money on operations. He blames no-one apart from himself. He is not financially astute at all. He is very naive when it comes to finance. He has little or no knowledge of the financial world".{{cite web | url = http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/tm_objectid=17511893&method=full&siteid=50060-name_page.html | title = Ex-Town skipper's £6,500 benefits swindle | publisher = Huddersfield Examiner | date = 3 August 2006 | access-date =3 December 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812001217/http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/tm_objectid=17511893&method=full&siteid=50060-name_page.html |archivedate= 12 August 2011}}

Morrison was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Bloomfield Road when it was officially opened by former Blackpool player Jimmy Armfield in April 2006.{{cite book|title=Legends: The great players of Blackpool FC|editor=Singleton, Steve|work=Blackpool Gazette|location=Blackpool|year=2007|pages=110–113|edition=1|isbn=978-1-84547-182-8}} Organised by the Blackpool Supporters Association, Blackpool fans around the world voted on their all-time heroes. Five players from each decade are inducted; Morrison is in the 1990s.{{cite web|url=http://www.bsaweb.info/HOF90.aspx |title=The Hall Of Fame – 1980's |publisher=Blackpool Supporters Association |access-date=2 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610232536/http://www.bsaweb.info/HOF90.aspx |archive-date=10 June 2010 }}

In 2013, Morrison returned to Manchester City as the club's fan ambassador.{{cite web | url=https://www.mancity.com/news/club-news/club-news/2013/september/andy-morrison-appointed-official-fan-ambassador | title=Andy Morrison appointed official Fan Ambassador }}

Manchester City

• Division Two play-off final winner: 1998–99
• Division One runner-up (promoted): 1999–2000

Connah's Quay Nomads

• Cymru Premier: 2019–20, 2020–21
• Welsh Cup: 2017–18
• Welsh League Cup: 2019–20
• Cymru Premier Manager of the Year: 2019–20

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book|last=Calley|first=Roy|title=Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887–1992|publisher=Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd|date=20 October 1992|isbn=1-873626-07-X}}
• {{cite book|title=Legends: The great players of Blackpool FC|editor=Singleton, Steve|work=Blackpool Gazette|location=Blackpool|year=2007|edition=1|isbn=978-1-84547-182-8}}
• {{cite book|last=Morrison|first=Andy|title=The Good, the Mad and the Ugly - The Andy Morrison Story|publisher=Fort Publishing|year=2011|isbn=978-1-905769-27-8}}

• {{Soccerbase}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100610232536/http://www.bsaweb.info/HOF90.aspx Morrison in the Blackpool Supporters Association Hall of Fame]

{{Blackpool F.C. Hall of Fame}}

{{Connah's Quay Nomads F.C. managers}}

{{Sri Lanka national football team managers}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Morrison, Andy}}

Category:1970 births

Category:Living people

Category:Scottish men's footballers

Category:Footballers from Inverness

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players

Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. players

Category:Blackpool F.C. players

Category:Huddersfield Town A.F.C. players

Category:Manchester City F.C. players

Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players

Category:Sheffield United F.C. players

Category:Sri Lanka national football team managers

Category:Premier League players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Cymru Premier managers

Category:Connah's Quay Nomads F.C. managers

Category:Scottish football managers

Category:Scottish expatriate football managers