Robert Duffy (footballer)
{{short description|Welsh footballer and manager}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Rob Duffy
| image =
| caption =
| fullname =
| height =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|12|2|df=y}}
| birth_place = Swansea, Wales
| currentclub = Basford United
(Coach)
| clubnumber =
| position = Striker
| youthyears1= 1998–2001
| youthclubs1= Charlton Athletic
| years1 = 2001–2005 | years2 = 2005 | years3 = 2005 | years4 = 2005 | years5 = 2006 | years6 = 2006 | years7 = 2006–2008 | years8 = 2008 | years9 = 2008–2009 | years10 = 2009–2011 | years11 =2011–2012 | years12= 2012–2013 | years13= 2013–2014 | years14 = 2014–2015 | years15 = 2015–2016 | years16 = 2016–2018
| clubs1 = Rushden & Diamonds{{efn|name=R&D}} | clubs2 = → Stamford (loan) | clubs3 = Cambridge United{{efn|name=CAU}} | clubs4 = Kettering Town | clubs5 = Gainsborough Trinity | clubs6 = Stevenage Borough | clubs7 = Oxford United | clubs8 = → Wrexham (loan) | clubs9 = Newport County | clubs10 = Mansfield Town | clubs11 =Grimsby Town | clubs12 = Lincoln City| clubs13= King's Lynn Town | clubs14 = Ilkeston | clubs15 = Nuneaton Town | clubs16 = Basford United
| caps1 = 29 | goals1 = 1 | caps2 = 2 | goals2 = 2 | caps3 = 7 | goals3 = 0 | caps4 = 4 | goals4 = 1 | caps5 = ? | goals5 = ? | caps6 = 1 | goals6 = 0 | caps7 = 56 | goals7 = 24 | caps8 = 6 | goals8 = 0 | caps9 = 21 | goals9 = 1 | caps10 = 78 | goals10 = 28 | caps11 = 52 | goals11 = 8 | caps12= 3 | goals12= 0 | caps13 = 27 | goals13 = 12 | caps14 = 47 | goals14 = 21 | caps15 = 31 |goals15 = 11 | caps16 = 43 | goals16 = 13 | totalcaps = 407 | totalgoals = 122
| manageryears1 = 2017–2018
| managerclubs1 = Basford United (joint)
}}
Robert Duffy (born 2 December 1982) is a Welsh football coach and former professional footballer who is a first team coach at Basford United.
As a player he was a striker and is a Welsh former Youth and Under-21 international, and has also played for Rushden & Diamonds, Stamford, Cambridge United, Kettering Town, Gainsborough Trinity, Stevenage Borough, Oxford United, Wrexham, Newport County, Mansfield Town, Grimsby Town, Lincoln City, King's Lynn Town, Ilkeston, Nuneaton Town and Basford United.
Playing career
=Early career=
Robert Duffy, who is older brother to footballer Richard Duffy, played his junior football in Swansea for Garden Village. He came through the youth system at Charlton Athletic, but was never offered a professional contract. Duffy followed Charlton's youth team manager Terry Westley to Rushden & Diamonds in 2001, where he made over 30 appearances, most as a substitute.{{cite news| url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=32100| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614143701/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=32100| url-status=usurped| archive-date=14 June 2012|title=Trinity hand chance to Duffy|date=5 January 2006|publisher=Non League Daily|accessdate=2008-07-24}} He fractured his kneecap in a training ground accident in August 2003 and did not play again until January 2004, when he played most of a reserve game.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rushden_and_diamonds/3125129.stm|title=Talbot suffers Duffy blow|date=5 August 2003|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-07-24}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rushden_and_diamonds/3438857.stm|title=Duffy raring to go|date=28 January 2004|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-07-24}} He struggled to regain form, was loaned to non-league club Stamford and had short spells with Cambridge United and Kettering Town before joining Gainsborough Trinity in January 2006.{{cite news| url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=31881| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614143758/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=31881| url-status=usurped| archive-date=14 June 2012|title=Wilson finally gets his man|date=23 December 2005|publisher=Non League Daily|accessdate=2008-07-24}} Duffy ended the 2005–06 season at Stevenage Borough.
=Oxford United=
Duffy was recommended to Oxford United by former youth development officer, Malcolm Elias, and joined the club on a one-month trial in July 2006.{{cite news| url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=35935| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614143708/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=35935| url-status=usurped| archive-date=14 June 2012|title=U's hand duo a chance to impress|date=3 July 2006|publisher=Non League Daily|accessdate=2008-07-24}} He was signed by Oxford at the beginning of the 2006–07 season on a two-year contract,{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/o/oxford_utd/5243258.stm| title=Striker Duffy handed Oxford deal |date=4 August 2006|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-07-24}} and was Oxford United's top scorer in that season, including a hat-trick against Forest Green Rovers in October 2006.{{cite news|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=37742|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614143903/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=37742|url-status=usurped|archive-date=14 June 2012|title=Friday night's Nationwide Conference National round-up|date=7 October 2006|publisher=Non League Daily|accessdate=2008-07-24}} In September 2007, Duffy broke his left arm after falling awkwardly during a match,{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/o/oxford_utd/7021817.stm| title=Duffy sidelined with broken arm |date=1 October 2007|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-07-24}} which sidelined him for two months. In November, he returned to action as a late substitute in the 78th minute against Ebbsfleet United, but was sent off just 20 seconds later after an off-the-ball incident with Ebbsfleet's Mark Ricketts as he went past him.{{cite news|url=http://archive.theoxfordtimes.net/2007/11/17/201753.html|title=Oxford Utd 0, Ebbsfleet Utd 0|date=17 November 2007|work=The Oxford Times|accessdate=2008-07-24}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Duffy was placed on the transfer list in January 2008 as manager Darren Patterson tried to free up funds to bring in new players,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/o/oxford_utd/7190251.stm|title=Oxford put six on transfer list |date=15 January 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-07-24}} and joined Wrexham on loan later that month.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wrexham/7207008.stm| title=Wrexham net Oxford striker Duffy |date=24 January 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-07-24}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/o/oxford_utd/7242573.stm|title=Duffy extends Wrexham loan deal|date=13 February 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-07-24}} He made only six substitute appearances for Wrexham and in April 2008, was released and returned to Oxford.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wrexham/7352226.stm| title=Wrexham release loan strike trio |date=17 April 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=2008-07-24}}
=Newport County=
He was released by Oxford at the end of the season and, after an unsuccessful trial at Mansfield Town, he signed for Conference South side Newport County in July 2008.{{cite news|url=http://www.newport-county.co.uk/news_page_08-09.html|title=Robert Duffy Signs|date=24 July 2008|publisher=Newport County AFC|accessdate=2008-07-24 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080605012542/http://www.newport-county.co.uk/news_page_08-09.html |archivedate = 5 June 2008}}
=Mansfield Town=
On 7 January 2009 Duffy then signed permanently for Mansfield Town, managed by David Holdsworth, twin brother of his manager at Newport County, Dean Holdsworth.{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Stags-sign-striker-Duffy-say-Newport/article-592611-detail/article.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505081244/http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Stags-sign-striker-Duffy-say-Newport/article-592611-detail/article.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2013|title=Stags sign striker Duffy|date=7 January 2009|work=Nottingham Evening Post|publisher=Harmsworth Printing|accessdate=2010-01-10}} Despite his lack of goals at Newport, David Holdsworth's faith in Duffy was repaid as he scored the winning goal on his Mansfield debut, going on to score eight further times as Mansfield pulled away from the Conference relegation zone to finish in mid-table.{{cite news| url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=23802|title=Robert Duffy career statistics|work=Soccerbase|publisher=Centurycomm|access-date=2010-01-10}}
=Grimsby Town=
On Monday 24 January 2011 it was stated on BBC Radio Humberside that Duffy had failed to agree personal terms with Grimsby Town after a fee was agreed between the two clubs. After further negotiation, it was announced on 28 January that Duffy had signed a two-year deal with the Mariners.{{Cite web |url=http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10417~2278596,00.html |title=Grimsby Town | News | Latest News | Latest News | Town Sign Big Frontman |access-date=28 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202002227/http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10417~2278596,00.html |archive-date=2 February 2011 |url-status=usurped }} Duffy scored 28 seconds into his Grimsby debut in their 3–2 win over Eastbourne Borough on 29 January 2011 and three days later he scored again as Town drew 2–2 away at Southport.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/9376618.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=Eastbourne Boro 2–3 Grimsby | date=29 January 2011}}
Following the conclusion of the 10–11 season and despite being under contract, Duffy was told that he no longer had a future at the club and he was free to find himself a new one.{{cite web |url=http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10417~2352074,00.html |title=Grimsby Town | News | Latest News | Latest News | Seven Released |accessdate=2014-01-17 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110508001149/http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10417~2352074%2C00.html |archivedate=8 May 2011 }} On 16 May 2011 Town chairman John Fenty mentioned that the club had made a mistake in signing Duffy and teammates Charles Ademeno and Serge Makofo.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/grimsbytownnews/Signing-Serge-disaster-Town-8211-chairman/article-3559491-detail/article.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913233223/http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/grimsbytownnews/Signing-Serge-disaster-Town-8211-chairman/article-3559491-detail/article.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 September 2012|title=Signing of Serge Makofo was a disaster for Town – chairman|date=16 May 2011|work=Grimsby Telegraph}} Duffy however stayed for nearly the entire 11–12 campaign, and after playing a cameo role all season he was released before the final game of the season.[http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10417~2750099,00.html Article title]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
=Lincoln City=
On Monday 21 May 2012 Duffy signed a 1-year contract with Lincoln City.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Lincoln-City-sign-Gary-Mills-Ashley-Westwood/story-16144445-detail/story.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505132947/http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Lincoln-City-sign-Gary-Mills-Ashley-Westwood/story-16144445-detail/story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2013|title=Gary Mills, Ashley Westwood and Rob Duffy all join Lincoln City|date=21 May 2012|work=thisislincolnshire.co.uk}} On 9 April 2013 Duffy was released by the club after an injury hit season had restricted him to only 3 games during the 2012–13 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.redimps.co.uk/news/article/130409-duffy-departs-761384.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412133250/http://www.redimps.co.uk/news/article/130409-duffy-departs-761384.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 April 2013|title=Duffy Departs|last=LCFC|work=redimps.co.uk}}
=Non League=
In August 2013 he joined King's Lynn Town.{{cite web
|url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/kings-lynn-fc/king_s_lynn_town_land_former_wales_under_21_striker_rob_duffy_1_2339195
|title=King's Lynn Town land former Wales Under-21 striker Rob Duffy
|date=16 August 2013
|publisher=Eastern Daily Press
|accessdate=16 August 2013}} In March 2014, Duffy joined Ilkeston, debuting in the club's 2–0 home Northern Premier League defeat to Buxton on 15 March 2014. On 1 July 2015 he joined Nuneaton as a player coach.{{cite web
|url = http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Ilkeston-new-boy-save-Robins-defeat/story-20818609-detail/story.html
|title = Ilkeston new boy cannot save Robins from defeat
|date = 17 March 2014
|publisher = Derby Telegraph
|accessdate = 6 August 2014
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140808054135/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Ilkeston-new-boy-save-Robins-defeat/story-20818609-detail/story.html
|archive-date = 8 August 2014
|url-status = dead
}}
On 1 July 2015, Duffy joined Nuneaton Town.{{cite web|url=http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/Nuneaton-Town-New-player-coach-Boro/story-26814531-detail/story.html|publisher=MIG1-Nuneaton News|title=Nuneaton Town: New player-coach at the Boro|date=1 July 2015|accessdate=1 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702074321/http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/Nuneaton-Town-New-player-coach-Boro/story-26814531-detail/story.html|archive-date=2 July 2015|url-status=dead}} In June 2016 he moved on to join Basford United.{{cite web
|url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/impressive-new-recruits-for-basford-47865/
|title=Impressive new recruits for Basford
|date=18 June 2016
|publisher=NonLeague.pitchero.com
|accessdate=5 August 2016}}
Coaching career
Having previously co-managed with Martin Carruthers, Duffy re-joined Basford as a coach under Steve Chettle on 12 March 2020.Basford United
Personal life
He is also a qualified physiotherapist having graduated from the University of Salford in 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.thepfa.com/education/latestnews/article/2016/7/25/pfa-graduates-2016|title=PFA graduates 2016!|last=ThePFA.com|work=thepfa.com}}
Career statistics
{{Expand section|
- Stamford appearances
- Kettering Town appearances
- Gainsborough Trinity appearances
- Basford United appearances|date=July 2022}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
Rushden & Diamonds
- Football League Division Three: 2002–03
Grimsby Town
- Lincolnshire Senior Cup: 2011–12
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100425073718/http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10325~17418,00.html Robert Duffy profile] at official Mansfield Town website
- {{soccerbase|41821|Robert Duffy}}
- {{soccerbase|23802|Robert Duffy}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Duffy, Robert}}
Category:Footballers from Swansea
Category:Welsh men's footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Rushden & Diamonds F.C. players
Category:Stamford A.F.C. players
Category:Cambridge United F.C. players
Category:Kettering Town F.C. players
Category:Gainsborough Trinity F.C. players
Category:Stevenage F.C. players
Category:Oxford United F.C. players
Category:Wrexham A.F.C. players
Category:Newport County A.F.C. players
Category:Mansfield Town F.C. players
Category:Grimsby Town F.C. players
Category:Lincoln City F.C. players
Category:King's Lynn Town F.C. players
Category:Ilkeston F.C. players
Category:Nuneaton Town F.C. players
Category:Basford United F.C. players
Category:Alumni of the University of Salford