Franck Queudrue

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Franck Queudrue

| image = FranckQueudrue.png

| caption = Queudrue in training with Lens in 2011

| full_name = Franck Roger Queudrue

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|8|27|df=y}}

| birth_place = Paris, France

| height = 1.83 m{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/2120/Franck-Queudrue/overview |title=Franck Queudrue: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=18 July 2022}}

| position = Left back{{Hugman|16229|access-date=18 July 2022}}

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Lens

| years1 = 1997–1999

| clubs1 = Lens B

| caps1 = 41

| goals1 = 7

| years2 = 1999–2002

| clubs2 = Lens

| caps2 = 42

| goals2 = 2

| years3 = 2001–2002

| clubs3 = → Middlesbrough (loan)

| caps3 = 28

| goals3 = 2

| years4 = 2002–2006

| clubs4 = Middlesbrough

| caps4 = 122

| goals4 = 9

| years5 = 2006–2007

| clubs5 = Fulham

| caps5 = 29

| goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2007–2010

| clubs6 = Birmingham City

| caps6 = 47

| goals6 = 3

| years7 = 2010

| clubs7 = → Colchester United (loan)

| caps7 = 3

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2010–2012

| clubs8 = Lens

| caps8 = 32| goals8 = 2

| years9 = 2012–2013

| clubs9 = Red Star

| caps9 = 25

| goals9 = 2

| totalcaps = 369

| totalgoals = 28

| nationalyears1 = 2000

| nationalteam1 = France B

| nationalcaps1 = 1

| nationalgoals1 = 0

}}

Franck Roger Queudrue (born 27 August 1978) is a French former professional footballer who played as a left back. He began his career with Lens, for whom he played in Ligue 1, and went on to play in the Premier League for Middlesbrough, Fulham and Birmingham City, and in the Football League for Colchester United. He returned to Lens in 2010, and joined Red Star on a free transfer in 2012. Queudrue retired at the end of the 2012–13 season.

Queudrue played one match for France at B international level,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/apr/05/newsstory.sport10|title=Queudrue's Irish dream scuppered|newspaper=The Guardian|date=5 April 2005|access-date=2 February 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4412831.stm|title=Queudrue's Republic hopes dashed|work=BBC Sport|date=5 April 2005|access-date=2 February 2014}} and considered playing for the Republic of Ireland until being deemed ineligible by FIFA to play for them.

Early life

Franck Roger Queudrue{{cite web |url=https://www.verif.com/dirigeants/Franck-QUEUDRUE-1873238/ |title=Franck Roger Queudrue |website=Verif.com |access-date=17 February 2025 |language=fr}} was born on 27 August 1978 in Paris.{{cite news |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur7526.html |title=Franck Queudrue |newspaper=L'Équipe |location=Paris |access-date=18 July 2022 |language=fr}}

Club career

=Lens=

Queudrue began his football career in the youth system of Lens. He made 41 appearances for the club's reserve team in the Championnat de France Amateur (CFA) from the 1997–98 season onwards, scoring seven goals,{{cite web |url=http://www.stat2foot.com/titrelens2.htm |title=Racing Club de Lens – Reserve Professionnelle |publisher=Stat2foot |access-date=30 May 2010 |archive-date=16 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516171526/http://www.stat2foot.com/titrelens2.htm |url-status=dead }} and stepped up to the first team during the 1999–2000 season. His debut in Ligue 1 came as a second-half substitute against Montpellier on 16 October 1999, and during that first season he played 16 league games, as well as six in the UEFA Cup.{{cite web |url=http://www.lfp.fr/joueur/queudrue-franck#bloc_temps&sai=68&com=D1&jou=2026 |title=Franck Queudrue: Temps de jeu: 1999/2000: Ligue 1 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) |access-date=23 March 2012}}{{cite web |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur7526.html |title=La fiche de Franck Queudrue |work=L'Équipe |access-date=30 May 2010}} His first league goal came in his third appearance, a 90th-minute winner away to Marseille.{{cite web |url=http://www.lfp.fr/ligue1/feuille_match/45213 |title=Ligue 1 : Olympique de Marseille / RC Lens – 20ème Journée – Feuille de match |publisher=LFP |access-date=23 March 2012}} He appeared frequently the following season,{{cite web |url=http://www.lfp.fr/joueur/queudrue-franck#bloc_temps&sai=69&com=D1&jou=2026 |title=Franck Queudrue: Temps de jeu: 2000/2001: Ligue 1 |publisher=LFP |access-date=23 March 2012}} but made only two substitute appearances in 2001–02{{cite web |url=http://www.lfp.fr/joueur/queudrue-franck#bloc_temps&sai=70&com=D1&jou=2026 |title=Franck Queudrue: Temps de jeu: 2001/2002: Ligue 1 |publisher=LFP |access-date=23 March 2012}} before leaving for England on loan.

=Middlesbrough=

Queudrue joined English Premier League club Middlesbrough on loan in October 2001,{{cite news |title=Boro bag Queudrue |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1593691.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=12 October 2001 |access-date=23 March 2012}} and the deal was made permanent at the end of the season.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1963888.stm |title=Queudrue signs for Boro |work=BBC Sport |date=2 May 2002 |access-date=30 May 2010}} He stayed until the summer of 2006. His preferred position was left-back, though he was comfortable at centre-back and, on certain occasions, played for Middlesbrough as a left or central midfielder. He was also renowned for his free kick and penalty converting ability.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

He became popular with fans when he scored in his second game for the club – against North East rivals Sunderland. Queudrue impressed enough to earn a permanent move in May 2002 for a fee of £2.5 million. However, he was also recognised for his poor disciplinary record. His five yellow and three red cards in the 2002–03 season contributed hugely to Middlesbrough missing out on a place in the UEFA Cup through the fair play league – although, conversely, he was a major reason they were high enough up the league to be in contention.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} He was part of the Middlesbrough side who beat Bolton Wanderers to win the 2004 League Cup final. He also started for Middlesbrough in the 2006 UEFA Cup final which they lost 4–0 to Sevilla in Eindhoven.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4759555.stm |title=Uefa Cup final clockwatch |website=BBC Sport |date=10 May 2006 |access-date=17 February 2025}}

In 2006, Queudrue announced that he was considering switching his nationality to British, after becoming eligible for UK citizenship. He had previously hoped to claim Irish citizenship, before revealing "unfortunately I am one generation out" to be eligible.

=Fulham=

Queudrue left for Fulham, signing a four-year contract in July 2006.{{cite news |title=Fulham complete Queudrue signing |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/5222648.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=27 July 2006 |access-date=2 February 2014}} Queudrue was a regular for Fulham under Chris Coleman, but he was made available for transfer by new manager Lawrie Sanchez, as he did not agree with Sanchez's long-ball game. He scored once in the league for Fulham, an injury time equaliser against Charlton Athletic.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6205581.stm |title=Charlton 2–2 Fulham |first=John |last=Sinnott |work=BBC Sport |date=27 December 2006 |access-date=2 September 2009}}

=Birmingham City=

File:FranckQueudrue 2009 pre-season cropped.jpg in 2009]]

On 3 August 2007, Queudrue signed a three-year contract with Birmingham City for a fee estimated at £2.5 million.{{cite news |title=Birmingham complete double swoop |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6927836.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=3 August 2007 |access-date=3 August 2007}} After Birmingham's relegation at the end of the 2007–08 season, co-owner David Sullivan claimed he should have intervened to stop manager Steve Bruce "buying a pile of rubbish"{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2300298/David-Sullivan-blames-Steve-Bruces-rubbish.html |title=David Sullivan blames Steve Bruce's 'rubbish' |first=Phil |last=Shaw |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=13 May 2008 |access-date=25 August 2020}} and singled out Queudrue as "a major disappointment".{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/3556730/sullivan-slams-bruces-buys |title=Sullivan slams Bruce's buys |publisher=Sky Sports |date=12 May 2008 |access-date=25 August 2020}} Sullivan's apology the next day was accepted,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/may/14/birminghamcityfc |title=Sullivan says sorry to Queudrue |first=Stuart |last=James |newspaper=The Guardian |date=14 May 2008 |access-date=25 August 2020}} but after Queudrue reported back late for pre-season training, he was told he could leave on a free transfer.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/franck-queudrue-and-olivier-kapo-miss-65653 |title=Franck Queudrue and Olivier Kapo miss pre-season training at Birmingham City |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=1 July 2020 |access-date=25 August 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/3823092/blues-free-queudrue |title=Blues free Queudrue |first=Graeme |last=Bailey |publisher=Sky Sports |date=15 July 2008 |access-date=25 August 2020}} However, he returned to the team the following season, produced man-of-the-match performances, and in October Sullivan issued a public apology in the match programme.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/local-news/franck-queudrue-david-sullivan-bury-3954697 |title=Franck Queudrue and David Sullivan bury the hatchet at Birmingham |first=Lisa |last=Smith |newspaper=Birmingham Post |date=27 October 2008 |access-date=2 February 2014}} Voted player of the season both by the fans and by the local newspaper, the Birmingham Mail,{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-citys-franck-queudrue-is-player-90236 |title=Birmingham City's Franck Queudrue is player of the season |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=15 April 2009 |access-date=2 February 2014}} Queudrue also received personal message of congratulation from Sullivan via the club website.{{cite web |title=Message from David Sullivan |url=http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1628282,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419101806/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1628282%2C00.html |archive-date=19 April 2009 |publisher=Birmingham City F.C |date=15 April 2009 |url-status=dead}}

In March 2010, Queudrue joined Colchester United of League One on loan for the remainder of the 2009–10 season,{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~2005150,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329015612/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~2005150%2C00.html |archive-date=29 March 2010 |title=Queudrue The U! |publisher=Birmingham City F.C |date=25 March 2010 |url-status=dead}} but injury restricted him to just three appearances. On his return to Birmingham, the club announced that he would be released when his contract expired at the end of June 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~2050780,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100517143503/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~2050780%2C00.html |archive-date=17 May 2010 |title=Quintet Depart |publisher=Birmingham City F.C |date=14 May 2010 |url-status=dead}}

=Return to Lens=

Queudrue had a trial at Peterborough United,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8824515.stm |title=Peterborough United take Franck Queudrue on trial |work=BBC Sport |date=15 July 2010 |access-date=16 July 2010}} but was reported to have joined Greece Super League club Panionios instead.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8863367.stm |title=Peterborough boss Gary Johnson wants defensive options |work=BBC Sport |date=28 July 2010 |access-date=27 September 2010}} However, he chose not to proceed with that move for family reasons, and after several weeks training with his first club, Lens, he rejoined them on 27 September until the end of the season.{{cite web |url=http://www.rclens.fr/infos_2010/09/27_arrivee_queudrue/index.php |title=Franck Queudrue de retour au bercail |language=fr |trans-title=Queudrue back in the fold |publisher=RC Lens |date=27 September 2010 |access-date=27 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304190343/http://www.rclens.fr/infos_2010/09/27_arrivee_queudrue/index.php |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}

=Red Star=

On 1 August 2012, Queudrue signed a two-year contract with Red Star on a free transfer. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win over Cherbourg, and his second in a 1–1 draw with Quevilly.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

International career

While a Lens player in 2000, Queudrue earned one cap for the France B national football team.{{Citation needed|date=May 2010}} He was hopeful of being able to represent Republic of Ireland as he believed he had an Irish grandfather, but it was later discovered he in fact had an Irish great-grandfather, thus making him ineligible.

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Europe !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="4"\|Lens \|1999–2000{{cite web \|title=Franck Queudrue » Club matches \|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/franck-queudrue/2/ \|website=worldfootball.net \|access-date=8 December 2020}} \|Division 1 \|16	1	1	0	1	0	6	0	24	1
2000–01 \|Division 1 \|24	1	1	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|–	25	1
2001–02 \|Division 1 \|2	0	0	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|–	2	0
colspan="2"\|Total !42	2	2	0	1	0	6	0	51	2
Middlesbrough (loan) \|2001–02{{Soccerbase season\|20101\|season=2001}} \|Premier League \|28	2	6	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|–	34	2
rowspan="5"\|Middlesbrough \|2002–03{{Soccerbase season\|20101\|season=2002}} \|Premier League \|31	1	1	0	1	1	colspan="2"\|–	33	2
2003–04{{Soccerbase season\|20101\|season=2003}} \|Premier League \|31	0	2	0	7	0	colspan="2"\|–	40	0
2004–05{{Soccerbase season\|20101\|season=2004}} \|Premier League \|31	5	2	0	1	0	9	0	43	5
2005–06{{Soccerbase season\|20101\|season=2005}} \|Premier League \|29	3	3	0	3	0	14	0	49	3
colspan="2"\|Total !122	9	8	0	12	1	23	0	165	10
Fulham \|2006–07{{Soccerbase season\|20101\|season=2006}} \|Premier League \|29	1	3	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|–	32	1
rowspan="4"\|Birmingham City \|2007–08{{Soccerbase season\|20101\|season=2007}} \|Premier League \|16	0	1	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|–	17	0
2008–09{{Soccerbase season\|20101\|season=2008}} \|Championship \|25	3	1	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|–	27	3
2009–10{{Soccerbase season\|20101\|season=2009}} \|Premier League \|6	0	0	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|–	7	0
colspan="2"\|Total !47	3	2	0	2	0	0	0	51	3
Colchester United (loan) \|2007–08 \|League One \|3	0	0	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|–	3	0
rowspan="3"\|Lens \|2010–11 \|Ligue 1 \|9	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	10	0
2011–12 \|Ligue 2 \|23	2	0	0	2	0	0	0	25	2
colspan="2"\|Total !32	2	1	0	2	0	0	0	35	2
Red Star \|2012–13{{cite web \|title=F. Queudrue \|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/franck-queudrue/2737/ \|website=Soccerway \|access-date=8 December 2020}} \|National \|25	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	25	2
colspan="3"\|Career total !328	21	22	0	17	1	29	0	396	22

Honours

Middlesbrough

Football League Cup: 2003–04{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/3507795.stm |title=Boro lift Carling Cup |website=BBC Sport |date=29 February 2004 |access-date=26 March 2024}}
UEFA Cup runner-up: 2005–06