Chris Lines
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{good article}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Chris Lines
| image = Chris Lines 30-04-2016 1.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Lines playing for Bristol Rovers in 2016
| fullname = Christopher John Lines{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/202021/efl-squad-numbering-11.09.2020.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Northampton Town |publisher=English Football League |page=46 |access-date=23 September 2020}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|11|30|df=y}}{{cite book
| editor-first = Barry J.
| editor-last = Hugman
| title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11
| year = 2010
| publisher = Mainstream Publishing
| location = Edinburgh
| isbn = 978-1-84596-601-0
| page = 253 }}
| birth_place = Bristol, England{{cite web |title=FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2014/2015 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2014-2015/fltwo/portv.htm |website=www.footballsquads.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2021 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
| height = {{Height|ft=6|in=2}}
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Corsham Town
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2001–2002
| youthclubs1 = Bitton
| youthyears2 = 2002–2004
| youthclubs2 = Bristol Rovers
| years1 = 2004–2011
| clubs1 = Bristol Rovers
| caps1 = 168
| goals1 = 21
| years2 = 2011–2013
| clubs2 = Sheffield Wednesday
| caps2 = 47
| goals2 = 3
| years3 = 2013
| clubs3 = → Milton Keynes Dons (loan)
| caps3 = 16
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2013–2015
| clubs4 = Port Vale
| caps4 = 61
| goals4 = 3
| years5 = 2015
| clubs5 = → Bristol Rovers (loan)
| caps5 = 8
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2015–2019
| clubs6 = Bristol Rovers
| caps6 = 138
| goals6 = 9
| years7 = 2019–2021
| clubs7 = Northampton Town
| caps7 = 35
| goals7 = 3
| years8 = 2021–2022
| clubs8 = Stevenage
| caps8 = 51
| goals8 = 3
| years9 = 2022–2024
| clubs9 = Bath City
| caps9 = 44
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2024
| clubs10 = → Yate Town (loan)
| caps10 = 6
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2024–2025
| clubs11 = Roman Glass St George
| caps11 =
| goals11 =
| years12 = 2025–
| clubs12 = Corsham Town
| caps12 =
| goals12 =
| club-update = 19:17, 2 June 2025 (UTC)
}}
Christopher John Lines (born 30 November 1985) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for {{English football updater|CorshamT}} club Corsham Town.
Lines turned professional at Bristol Rovers and made his first-team debut in January 2006. He played in the 2007 Football League Trophy final defeat. He was an unused substitute in the League Two play-off final victory before becoming a first team regular from the 2007–08 season. He was sold on to Sheffield Wednesday for £50,000 in August 2011 and was a key first-team player as the "Owls" won promotion to the Championship at the end of the 2011–12 campaign. However, he lost his first-team place the following season and was loaned out to Milton Keynes Dons in January 2013.
He signed with Port Vale in July 2013. A key first-team player in the 2013–14 season, he lost his first-team place. He returned to Bristol Rovers on loan in March 2015, helping Rovers to win promotion out of the Conference Premier via the play-offs before rejoining Rovers permanently in the summer. He helped Rovers to achieve a second successive promotion in the 2015–16 campaign and left the club in May 2019 for the second time; then he joined Northampton Town. He helped Northampton to win promotion out of League Two via the play-offs in 2020 and then moved on to Stevenage for an 18-month stay in January 2021. He dropped into non-League football to play for Bath City in June 2022 and left the club in 2024 following a spell on loan at Yate Town. He joined Roman Glass St George in July 2024 and moved on to Corsham Town 11 months later.
Career
=Bristol Rovers=
Born in Bristol, Lines spent a year playing for Bitton as a 16-year-old,{{cite web |url=https://www.twitter.com/Linesy4/statuses/98070041853042688 |title=Twitter status update |date=1 August 2011 |access-date=1 August 2011 |publisher=Twitter |author=Chris Lines}} before graduating through the Bristol Rovers-backed Bristol Academy of Sport at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.{{cite web |last1=College |first1=South Gloucestershire and Stroud |title=SGS College {{!}} |url=https://www.sgscol.ac.uk/news/explayers |website=South Gloucestershire and Stroud College |access-date=29 October 2020}} He had previously been released from the Bristol Rovers youth programme, but was re-signed at the age of 16.{{cite news|title=An Interview With Chris Lines|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121110192433/https://bristolrovers.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=294931|archive-date =10 November 2012|url=http://www.bristolrovers.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=294931|access-date=7 July 2013|newspaper=bristolrovers.vitalfootball.co.uk}} He made his first-team debut for Rovers on 21 January 2006, playing the last five minutes of a 2–1 win over Chester City at the Memorial Stadium.{{cite web|title=Bristol Rovers v Chester City, 21 January 2006|url=http://www.11v11.com/matches/bristol-rovers-v-chester-city-21-january-2006-222319/|work=11v11.com|access-date=7 July 2013}} After two further substitute appearances in League Two, he made his first league start on 6 May, in a 3–2 home defeat to Macclesfield Town.{{cite web|title=Bristol Rovers vs. Macclesfield Town 2 – 3|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2006/05/06/england/league-two/bristol-rovers-fc/macclesfield-town-fc/269327/|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=7 July 2013}}
After three appearances in the 2006–07 campaign, he featured in six matches from March onwards, and was an extra time substitute for Lewis Haldane in the Football League Trophy final defeat to Doncaster Rovers at the Millennium Stadium.{{cite news|last=Hughes|first=Ian|title=Bristol Rovers 2–3 Doncaster AET|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6514043.stm|access-date=7 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=1 April 2007}} He was an unused substitute in the League Two play-off final, as Rovers won promotion with a 3–1 victory over Shrewsbury Town at Wembley.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6686951.stm |title=Bristol Rovers 3–1 Shrewsbury |first=Chris |last=Bevan |website=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2007 |access-date=29 June 2020}}
He became a first-team regular under manager Paul Trollope in the 2007–08 season, playing 27 League One games and featuring in eight of the "Gasheads" nine FA Cup games en route to the quarter-finals. BBC reporter Nathan Mercer credited Lines with an "excellent" performance as Rovers beat Premier League side Fulham on penalties in the Third Round on 22 January. Lines was fouled by Dejan Stefanović in an incident which saw the Serbian sent off.{{cite news|last=Mercer|first=Nathan|title=Bristol Rovers 0–0 Fulham (aet)|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7197850.stm|access-date=6 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=22 January 2008}} He scored his first goal in competitive football on 29 December, opening the scoring in a 3–0 home win over Carlisle United with a header.{{cite news|title=Bristol Rovers 3–0 Carlisle|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/7157301.stm|access-date=7 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=29 December 2007}} He played 48 games in the 2008–09 season, and missed only one league game due a suspension he picked up whilst celebrating an injury-time equaliser he scored against Swindon Town on 22 November.{{cite news|title=Bristol Rovers 2–2 Swindon|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/7727348.stm|access-date=7 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=22 November 2008}}
Lines was nominated for the League One Player of the Month award in November 2009 after scoring a goal in each of his three league games that month.{{cite news|title=Chris Hughton, Lee Clark and Ronnie Moore win awards|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8398111.stm|access-date=6 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=6 December 2009}} He signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Rovers in January 2010. He was described by director of football Lennie Lawrence as "a fundamental part of our plans to take this club forward."{{cite news|title=Midfielder Chris Lines signs new Bristol Rovers deal|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_rovers/8461943.stm|access-date=6 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=15 January 2010}} This came shortly after he was reported to be a transfer target for Southampton manager Alan Pardew.{{cite news|title=Alan Pardew confirms Southampton double bid|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/8439367.stm|access-date=6 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=4 January 2010}} The transfer rumours continued despite the new contract.{{cite news|title=Bristol Rovers' Chris Lines plays down transfer rumours|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_rovers/8806488.stm|access-date=6 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=9 July 2010}} In total he scored ten goals in 46 appearances in the 2009–10 campaign.
He was ruled out for two weeks with a toe injury in February 2011 but thanked manager Dave Penney after he immediately returned to the first team.{{cite news|title=Bristol Rovers' Chris Lines grateful for Penney backing|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_rovers/9405792.stm|access-date=6 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=23 February 2011}} Despite this praise he publicly supported the board's decision to sack Penney the following month, and went on to praise the impact of caretaker manager Stuart Campbell.{{cite news|title=Bristol Rovers' Chris Lines backs exit of Dave Penney|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_rovers/9419970.stm|access-date=6 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=9 March 2011}} Following Rovers' relegation to League Two at the end of the 2010–11 season, Lines spent seven days on trial at Championship side Crystal Palace.{{cite news |url=http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/story-12935815-detail/story.html |title=Lines impressing Freedman on trial in Exeter |work=This is Croydon |publisher=Northcliffe Media Limited |date=13 July 2011 |access-date=14 July 2011 |last=Jones|first=Daniel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404025018/http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/story-12935815-detail/story.html |archive-date=4 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|title=Chris Lines committed to Bristol Rovers despite Palace interest|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14308023|access-date=6 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=27 July 2011}} New Rovers boss Paul Buckle admitted that he was unlikely to keep Lines for the following season.{{cite news|title=Boss Buckle unsure if Lines will stay at Bristol Rovers|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14138201|access-date=6 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=13 July 2011}} He was still at the club though for the 2011–12 season opening victory over AFC Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow.{{cite news|title=AFC Wimbledon 2 – 3 Bristol Rovers|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/14351943.stm|access-date=7 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=6 August 2011}}
=Sheffield Wednesday=
File:Chris Lines 1.png in 2012]]
In August 2011, Lines joined League One club Sheffield Wednesday on a three-year contract for a £50,000 fee.{{cite news |last1=Wicks |first1=Alisha |title="I'm Happy To Be Staying" – Chris Lines Signs New Deal at Bristol Rovers |url=https://the72.co.uk/76678/chris-lines-signs-bristol-rovers/ |access-date=1 November 2020 |work=The 72 |date=7 March 2017 |language=en}}{{cite news|title=Sheffield Wednesday sign Bristol Rovers' Chris Lines|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14502819|access-date=6 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=12 August 2011}} He went on to score four goals in 47 appearances in the 2011–12 campaign as Wednesday secured promotion with a second-place finish and was twice named on the League One Team of the Week.{{cite web|title=League 1 Team of the Week|url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/league1/news/20120103/league-1-team-of-the-week_2293324_2565175|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130707100452/http://www.football-league.co.uk/league1/news/20120103/league-1-team-of-the-week_2293324_2565175|url-status=dead|work=football-league.co.uk|access-date=7 July 2013|archive-date=7 July 2013}}{{cite web|title=League 1 Team of the Week|url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/league1/news/20120423/league-1-team-of-the-week_2293324_2745645|work=football-league.co.uk|publisher=football-league.co.uk|access-date=7 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628162200/http://www.football-league.co.uk/league1/news/20120423/league-1-team-of-the-week_2293324_2745645|archive-date=28 June 2012|url-status=dead}} He made 12 assists in the campaign, just two fewer than divisional assist leader Stephen Quinn.{{cite news|title=Divisional Assists |url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/DivisionalAssists/0,,10794~201125,00.html |publisher=Football League |date=25 August 2011 |access-date=14 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110130807/http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/DivisionalAssists/0%2C%2C10794~201125%2C00.html |archive-date=10 January 2012 }}
{{Blockquote|quote="It's all new to me, I had one promotion before but this was amazing, Saturday was amazing, to have that kind of crowd in League One is unreal. There were some mad scenes at the end but it was a great day. I'm proud to be at this club."|source=Lines reflecting on the promotion success in May 2012.{{cite news|title=Sheffield Wednesday's Lines praises Dave Jones impact|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18034930|access-date=6 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=11 May 2012}}}}
He picked up a groin injury at the start of the 2012–13 season. He was out of action for three months.{{cite news|title=Injury blow for Sheffield Wednesday's Chris Lines|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19194836|access-date=6 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=9 August 2012}} Manager Dave Jones played Lines in six Championship games in the buildup to Christmas, though did not play him in the new year. On 22 January 2013, Lines joined League One Milton Keynes Dons on loan for the remainder of the season after manager Karl Robinson admitted that Lines was "a player I have admired for a number of years now".{{cite news|title=Sheffield Wednesday's Chris Lines joins MK Dons|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21161438|access-date=6 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=23 January 2013}} Robinson was in search of midfield options after Luke Chadwick and Stephen Gleeson both picked up injuries. He featured in 18 games for the MK Dons, including the 4–2 victory over Premier League side Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup.{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316134814/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21095857 |archive-date =16 March 2016|title=QPR 2 – 4 MK Dons|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21095857|access-date=7 July 2013|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=26 January 2013}} After returning from Stadium mk, Lines had his contract at Hillsborough cancelled by mutual consent in July 2013.{{cite news|title=Chris Lines leaves Owls|url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/sheffield-wednesday/sheffield-wednesday-chris-lines-leaves-owls-1-5826229|access-date=7 July 2013|newspaper=Sheffield Star|date=4 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707150139/http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/sheffield-wednesday/sheffield-wednesday-chris-lines-leaves-owls-1-5826229|archive-date=7 July 2013|url-status=dead}}
=Port Vale=
Lines signed a one-year contract with newly promoted League One side Port Vale in July 2013.{{cite news|last=Pearson|first=Guy|title=Chris Lines signs one-year deal with Valiants|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130717222640/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Chris-Lines-signs-year-deal-Valiants/story-19485817-detail/story.html|archive-date =17 July 2013|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Chris-Lines-signs-year-deal-Valiants/story-19485817-detail/story.html#axzz2YIXk1g7b|access-date=6 July 2013|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=6 July 2013}} In the first part of the 2013–14 season he began tracking back to help his defence whilst also being the key playmaker in central midfield, after a discussion with manager Micky Adams.{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203081130/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Midfielder-Chris-Lines-benefited-heart/story-19852984-detail/story.html |archive-date =3 December 2013|title=Midfielder Chris Lines benefited from a heart-to-heart with the management team|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Midfielder-Chris-Lines-benefited-heart/story-19852984-detail/story.html#axzz2fyl4xT00|access-date=27 September 2013|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=27 September 2013}} He scored his first goal for the "Valiants" with a "superb free-kick" from {{convert|25|yd}} in a 1–0 win over Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park on 29 September.{{cite news|title=Tranmere 0 – 1 Port Vale|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24185162|access-date=29 September 2013|website=BBC Sport|date=28 September 2013}} He went on to build a partnership in midfield with Anthony Griffith, who provided tough-tackling skills whilst Lines played as a creative playmaker.{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203100130/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Lines-says-Griff-perfect-midfield/story-20243480-detail/story.html |archive-date =3 December 2013|title=Lines says Griff is his perfect midfield partner|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Lines-says-Griff-perfect-midfield/story-20243480-detail/story.html|access-date=1 December 2013|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=28 November 2013}} He signed a new two-year contract in June 2014.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Chris Lines signs new Port Vale deal|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140715013703/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Chris-Lines-signs-new-Port-Vale-deal/story-21207899-detail/story.html|archive-date =15 July 2014|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Chris-Lines-signs-new-Port-Vale-deal/story-21207899-detail/story.html|access-date=9 June 2014|work=The Sentinel|date=9 June 2014}} He said that the good team spirit at the club was a major factor in him signing the contract.{{cite news|title=Chris Lines: Port Vale team spirit key to agreeing new contract|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28351351|access-date=20 July 2014|website=BBC Sport|date=20 July 2014}}
He remained a key first-team player in the first half of the 2014–15 season, being named on the Football League Team of the Week after he "pulled the strings" in a 4–1 win over Yeovil Town at Vale Park.{{cite news |last1=Percival |first1=Ryan |title=Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2014/october/sky-bet-football-league-team-of-the-week2/ |access-date=9 October 2019 |work=www.efl.com |date=13 October 2014 |language=en-gb}} However, he was sent off for violent conduct after thrusting his head towards Dele Alli in a 1–0 defeat to Milton Keynes Dons at Stadium mk on 22 November; manager Rob Page stated that he was disappointed in Lines.{{cite news |title=Vale boss Rob Page "disappointed" at Chris Lines red card against MK Dons |url=https://staffslive.co.uk/2014/11/vale-boss-rob-page-disappointed-chris-lines-red-card-mk-dons/ |access-date=1 November 2020 |work=StaffsLive Journalism |date=25 November 2014}} After returning from suspension he lost his midfield spot to Michael O'Connor and Michael Brown.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Chris Lines joins Bristol Rovers on loan|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150315013820/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Chris-Lines-joins-Bristol-Rovers-loan/story-26141541-detail/story.html|archive-date =15 March 2015|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Chris-Lines-joins-Bristol-Rovers-loan/story-26141541-detail/story.html|access-date=9 March 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=9 March 2015}}
=Return to Bristol Rovers=
On 9 March 2015, he rejoined his first professional club, Bristol Rovers, on loan until the end of the 2014–15 season.{{cite news|title=Chris Lines: Bristol Rovers re-sign Port Vale midfielder on loan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31801789|access-date=9 March 2015|website=BBC Sport|date=9 March 2015}} They ended the Conference Premier campaign in second place, but Lines scored a goal in a 3–0 aggregate victory over Forest Green Rovers in the play-off semi-finals to help Rovers to reach the play-off final at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news|title=Bristol Rovers 2 – 0 Forest Green|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32473545|access-date=3 May 2015|website=BBC Sport|date=3 May 2015}} He played in the 1–1 draw with Grimsby Town in the play-off final and converted the first penalty of the shoot-out, which Rovers won to regain their place in the English Football League.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32679757 |title=Bristol Rovers 1–1 Grimsby Town |first=Brendon |last=Mitchell |website=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2015 |access-date=29 June 2020}} He was signed by Rovers manager Darrell Clarke on a permanent basis in June 2015, after his contract with Port Vale was cancelled by mutual consent.{{cite news|title=Chris Lines: Bristol Rovers re-sign midfielder from Port Vale|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33327847|access-date=30 June 2015|website=BBC Sport|date=30 June 2015}} Lines made 36 appearances as Rovers won promotion with a third-place finish in 2015–16 and he would sign a new contract in June 2016.{{cite news |title=Chris Lines Signs New Deal With The Club |url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2016/june/chris-lines-signs-new-deal-with-the-club/ |access-date=1 November 2020 |work=www.bristolrovers.co.uk |date=22 June 2016 |language=en-gb}}
Lines scored his first goal since his full return to Bristol Rovers with a strike from {{convert|25|yd|m|}} in a 1–0 victory over Cardiff City in the first round of the EFL Cup on 11 August 2016.{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Phil|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/bristol-rovers-1-0-cardiff-11738677|title=Bristol Rovers 1 – 0 Cardiff City: Bluebirds booted out of EFL Cup by Chris Lines stunner at the Memorial Stadium|publisher=Wales Online|date=11 August 2016|access-date=5 April 2017}} The goal secured Rovers a trip to Stamford Bridge and a second round tie against Chelsea, which they ultimately lost 3–2.{{cite web|last1=Lewis|first1=Darren|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/chelsea-3-2-bristol-rovers-8691990|title=Chelsea 3 – 2 Bristol Rovers: Michy Batshuayi scores twice as Blues reach EFL Cup third round|publisher=Mirror|date=23 August 2016|access-date=5 April 2017}} He scored his first league goal since his return in a late 2–1 comeback victory over Gillingham on 15 October as he embarked on a run from deep before calmly tucking the ball beyond opposition goalkeeper Jonathan Bond.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37593801|title=Bristol Rovers 2 – 1 Gillingham – BBC Sport|website=BBC Sport|date=15 October 2016|access-date=4 April 2017}} His consistently good performances were rewarded with a new undisclosed-length contract in March 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39193955|title=Chris Lines: Bristol Rovers midfielder signs new deal at League One club|website=BBC Sport|date=7 March 2017|access-date=6 April 2017}}
Speaking as the oldest member of the squad at the age of 32 in September 2017, he admitted to becoming a vegetarian as he restricted his diet in an attempt to extend his playing career.{{cite news|last1=Vittles|first1=Jack|title=Lines reveals surprising changes he's made to try and prolong his career|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chris-lines-reveals-surprising-field-515455|access-date=12 May 2018|work=Bristol Post|date=22 September 2017}} On 2 April 2018, he was sent off during a 2–0 defeat at Fleetwood Town and was subsequently abused by some of the club's supporters on social media.{{cite news|last1=Vittles|first1=Jack|title=Full transcript as Chris Lines details horrific social media abuse|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/full-transcript-chris-lines-details-1461121|access-date=12 May 2018|work=Bristol Post|date=16 April 2018}} He ended the 2017–18 season with five goals in 47 appearances as Rovers posted a 13th-place finish in League One.{{cite web |title=2017–2018 League One Table |url=https://thefishy.co.uk/leaguetable.php?table=3&season=15 |website=thefishy.co.uk |access-date=1 November 2020}} On 21 August 2018, he scored a 76th-minute penalty in a 2–1 home defeat to Portsmouth, only to get sent off two minutes later for a studs up challenge on Brett Pitman.{{cite news |title=Bristol Rovers 1 – 2 Portsmouth |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45178106 |access-date=22 January 2019 |website=BBC Sport |date=21 August 2018}} However, he lost his first-team place after Graham Coughlan replaced Clarke as manager in December; the player and new manager would have a strained relationship, which led Lines to call Coughlan "embarrassing".{{cite news |last1=Piercy |first1=James |title='Embarrassing I'd say' – Lines hits back at Coughlan over 500th appearance jibe |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/embarrassing-id-say-bristol-rovers-2834523 |access-date=1 November 2020 |work=BristolLive |date=5 May 2019 |language=en}}
On 8 May 2019, Lines was announced to be one of nine players leaving the club at the end of their contract. Lines ended his second spell with his boyhood club having made over 350 appearances and having achieved three promotions during his two spells at the club.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2019/may/8.5.19-retained-list/|title=Retained List|website=www.bristolrovers.co.uk|date=8 May 2019|access-date=8 May 2019|archive-date=8 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508152401/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2019/may/8.5.19-retained-list/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48200414|title=Bristol Rovers: Chris Lines heads list of nine players to leave League One club|date=8 May 2019|access-date=9 May 2019|website=BBC Sport}}{{cite news |title=Rovers midfielder Lines to join Cobblers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48286613 |access-date=1 November 2020 |website=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2019}}
=Northampton Town=
On 15 May 2019, Lines signed a two-year deal with League Two side Northampton Town; manager Keith Curle said that "I think his attributes will really help us".{{cite news |title=Chris Lines: Northampton Town sign Bristol Rovers midfielder on two-year deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48286613 |access-date=16 May 2019 |website=BBC Sport |date=15 May 2019}} Darrell Clarke had tried to tempt him to join him at Walsall, but was unsuccessful.{{cite news |last1=Byrom |first1=David |title=Exclusive: Clarke made late move to take Chris Lines to Walsall |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/exclusive-darrell-clarke-made-late-2872737 |access-date=16 May 2019 |work=Bristol Post |date=16 May 2019}} He quickly established himself as a key first-team player under Curle, starting nine of Northampton's first ten league games of the 2019–20 season.{{cite news |last1=Heneghan |first1=James |title=Lines happy with his game-time but 'gutted' not to see out Crawley win |url=https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/lines-happy-his-game-time-gutted-not-see-out-crawley-win-938262 |access-date=6 April 2020 |work=Northampton Chronicle & Echo |date=24 September 2019 |language=en}} On 18 January, he scored a volleyed finish in a 4–1 victory over Morecambe, which was later voted as goal of the season (so far) by readers of the Northampton Chronicle & Echo during the COVID-19 pandemic in England.{{cite news |last1=Heneghan |first1=James |title=Lines 'showing why Cobblers signed him' after sensational strike against Shrimps |url=https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/lines-showing-why-cobblers-signed-him-after-sensational-strike-against-shrimps-1369873 |access-date=6 April 2020 |work=Northampton Chronicle & Echo |date=20 January 2020 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Heneghan |first1=James |title=Your View: Best player, best goal, best signing and more – Cobblers fans choose their award winners for 2019/20 |url=https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/your-view-best-player-best-goal-best-signing-and-more-cobblers-fans-choose-their-award-winners-201920-2528670 |access-date=6 April 2020 |work=Northampton Chronicle & Echo |date=4 April 2020 |language=en}} The season was curtailed and Northampton went on to qualify for the play-offs, though Lines was an unused substitute in the behind closed doors Wembley final as Northampton recorded a 4–0 victory over Exeter City to secure promotion into League One, the fifth promotion of Lines' career.{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Max |title=Chris Lines sets up potential Mem return after League Two play-off final win |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-rovers-legend-chris-lines-4276768 |access-date=1 November 2020 |work=BristolLive |date=30 June 2020 |language=en}} However, he featured in just four League One and six cup games in the first half of the 2020–21 campaign and decided to leave Sixfields in search of regular game-time elsewhere.{{cite news |last1=Heneghan |first1=James |title=Lines made decision to leave Cobblers due to lack of game-time |url=https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/lines-made-decision-leave-cobblers-due-lack-game-time-3086031 |access-date=5 January 2021 |work=www.northamptonchron.co.uk |date=5 January 2021 |language=en}}
=Stevenage=
Lines joined League Two club Stevenage on a six-month contract on 5 January 2021.{{cite news |title=Stevenage make triple swoop as Lines, Stevens & Norris join the Club |url=https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/2021/january/stevenage-football-club-january-transfer-window-player-signing-luke-norris-chris-lines-matty-stevens-sky-bet-league-two-efl-english-football-league-monday-4th-january-2021 |access-date=5 January 2021 |work=Stevenage FC |date=5 January 2021}} He played 21 games in the second half of the 2020–21 season, helping Stevenage finish in 14th-place, and signed a new contract with the club.{{cite web|url=https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/2021/june/luther-james-wildin-chris-lines-new-contracts-transfer-news-stevenage-fc-football-club-sky-bet-league-two-efl-english-football-league-saturday-26-june-2021/|title=Duo Sign New Contracts|publisher=Stevenage F.C.|date=26 June 2021}} Lines opened his account in the second match of the 2021–22 season, opening the scoring in the 88th minute of an eventual 2–0 win over Lines' two-time former and boyhood club Bristol Rovers.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58124810|title=Bristol Rovers 0–2 Stevenage|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 August 2021|access-date=20 October 2021}} Despite this however, Lines gave a lap of the pitch after the match, receiving applause from both sets of fans having walked out onto the pitch with his daughters before the match.{{cite web|last1=Frost|first1=Sam|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chris-lines-pays-tribute-bristol-5789050|title=Chris Lines pays tribute to Bristol Rovers fans after starring for Stevenage on Mem return|publisher=Bristol Post|date=15 August 2021|access-date=20 October 2021}} Manager Alex Revell said that it was "a great goal from Chris, he deserves it. He was a key part of us last year".{{cite news |last1=Yousif |first1=Layth |title=Stevenage boss Alex Revell hails Chris Lines after goalscoring return to Bristol Rovers |url=https://hitchin.nub.news/sports/football/stevenage-boss-alex-revell-hails-chris-lines-after-goalscoring-return-to-bristol-rovers |access-date=11 May 2022 |work=Hitchin Nub News |date=15 August 2021 |language=en}} Lines was one of 15 players to be released by new manager Steve Evans at the end of the 2021–22 season, having made 36 appearances as Stevenage posted a 21st-place finish.{{cite web|url=https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/2022/may/retained-released-stevenage-fc-football-club-sky-bet-league-two-efl-english-football-league-tuesday-10-may-2022/|title=Stevenage FC Retained & Released List 2021/22|website=www.stevenagefc.com|date=10 May 2022|accessdate=10 May 2022}}{{cite news |title=Stevenage release 15 and transfer list four more |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61396037 |access-date=11 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=10 May 2022}}
=Non-League =
On 19 June 2022, Lines agreed to join National League South club Bath City upon the expiration of his contract with Stevenage.{{cite web|url=https://www.bathcityfc.com/player-new-chris-lines/|title=Player News - Chris Lines|website=www.bathcityfc.com|date=19 June 2022}} This transfer saw Lines return to Twerton Park, as he had watched Bristol Rovers matches there as a child.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/chris-lines-bristol-rovers-bath-7225785|title=Chris Lines makes Bristol Rovers admission as he completes moves to Bath City|publisher=Bristol Post|last1=Piercy|first1=James|date=19 June 2022}} He made 38 appearances in the 2022–23 season, whilst also working in insurance.{{cite news |last1=Frost |first1=Sam |title=Gas legend Lines among players to slam 'awful' non-league contract changes |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-rovers-legend-chris-lines-8280938 |access-date=2 May 2023 |work=BristolLive |date=23 March 2023 |language=en}}
In March 2024, Lines joined Southern League Division One South club Yate Town on loan until the end of the 2023–24 season.{{cite web|url=https://yatetownfc.co.uk/1st-team/chris-lines-joins-on-loan-from-bath-city|title=Chris Lines joins on loan from Bath City|website=yatetownfc.co.uk|date=16 March 2024|accessdate=16 March 2024}} He played six games and then returned to Bath City, where he was released upon the expiry of his contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.bathcityfc.com/bath-city-fc-retained-list-2024-25/|title=Bath City FC Retained List 2024/25|website=www.bathcityfc.com|date=7 May 2024|accessdate=8 May 2024}}
In July 2024, he joined Hellenic Premier Division club Roman Glass St George, making his debut and scoring the first goal in a 6–1 opening day win over Cirencester Town.{{cite news |last1=Pyzer |first1=Dave |title=The Romans too strong for The Centurions |url=http://www.cirentownfc.com/centurion-football/firstteam/matchreport_20240731/ |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=Cirencester Town FC |language=en}}
On 2 June 2025, Lines joined Hellenic Premier Division side Corsham Town. {{cite tweet|number=1929584608535879892|title=🔴New Lines on the pitch at the Southbank⚪️ The club are excited to announce that Chris Lines has agreed to join the Quarrymen for the new 25/26 season. Linesy needs no introduction to our supporters having had a successful career at Bristol Rovers where he played over 300 games for them in 2 spells. He also played for Northampton Town, Port Vale and local sides Bath City and recently Roman Glass. Linesy will add some much needed experience to the side and we can’t wait to see him at the bank in just a few weeks. Chris said ‘It’s an exciting new project for me, which I am very much looking forward to. Having spoken with Marv and Ash who I know well, they have outlined the plans and the direction the club wants to move in, and I’m delighted to be here and help play my part in those plans’ Please welcome Chris to the club and we look forward to him netting our amazing supporters soon 🔴⚪️🔴|user=CorshamTownFC|author-link=Corsham Town F.C.|date=2 June 2025|accessdate=2 June 2025}}
Style of play
Lines has strong technical passing attributes and vision.{{cite news |last1=MacGregor |first1=Gregor |title=Exclusive: Bristol Rovers legend Chris Lines having medical at League Two club |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/exclusive-bristol-rovers-legend-chris-2867400 |access-date=1 November 2020 |work=BristolLive |date=14 May 2019 |language=en}} He has been described by the Sheffield Star's Paul Thompson as being a "cultured, creative, passing midfielder who gets on the ball and likes to dictate play... he's also very mobile and has decent vision". Port Vale manager Micky Adams described him as a "tall, strong central midfielder".{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Dave|title=Vale sign Sheffield Wednesday midfielder|url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/article/20130706-black-and-white-lines-898155.aspx|work=port-vale.co.uk|date=7 July 2013|access-date=7 July 2013}} He was described as a set piece specialist by The Sentinel correspondent Dave Johnson.
Personal life
Lines likes hip-hop and rap music and tends to be in charge of the playlist in club dressing rooms.{{cite news|title=Team-mates – Bristol Rovers midfielder Chris Lines|url=https://www.theleaguepaper.com/featured/9766/team-mates-bristol-rovers-midfielder-chris-lines/|access-date=12 May 2018|work=The League Paper|date=16 February 2018}} He worked in insurance after leaving full-time professional football.{{cite news |last1=Hargraves |first1=Daniel |title=Bristol Rovers legend Chris Lines makes local switch to help play-off push |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bristol-rovers-legend-makes-local-9173497 |access-date=28 April 2024 |work=Bristol Live |date=18 March 2024 |language=en}}
Career statistics
File:Chris Lines 30-04-2016 2.jpg in 2016]]
{{updated|match played 10 April 2024}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
Bristol Rovers
- Football League Two play-offs: 2007
- Conference Premier play-offs: 2015
- Football League Two third-place promotion: 2015–16{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2016–2017 |year=2016 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-3395-0 |pages=90–91}}
- Football League Trophy runner-up: 2006–07{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6514043.stm |title=Bristol Rovers 2–3 Doncaster Rovers AET |last=Hughes |first=Ian |website=BBC Sport |date=1 April 2007 |access-date=17 March 2024}}
Sheffield Wednesday
- Football League One second-place promotion: 2011–12{{cite book |editor1-first=Glenda |editor1-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |editor2-last=Rollin |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 |year=2012 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8 |pages=37, 338–339}}
Northampton Town
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lines, Chris}}
Category:Footballers from Bristol
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Bitton A.F.C. players
Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players
Category:Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players
Category:Milton Keynes Dons F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Northampton Town F.C. players
Category:Stevenage F.C. players
Category:Bath City F.C. players
Category:Yate Town F.C. players
Category:Roman Glass St George F.C. players
Category:Corsham Town F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Southern Football League players