Jack Hobbs (footballer)

Jack Hobbs

Hobbs in Nottingham Forest kit, 2016
Personal information
Full name	Jack Hobbs[1]
Date of birth	18 August 1988[1]
Place of birth	Portsmouth, England
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current team	Nottingham Forest
Number	25
Youth career
1999–2004	Lincoln City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2004–2005	Lincoln City	1	(0)
2005–2009	Liverpool	2	(0)
2008	→ Scunthorpe United (loan)	9	(1)
2008–2009	→ Leicester City (loan)	44	(1)
2009–2011	Leicester City	70	(0)
2011	→ Hull City (loan)	13	(0)
2011–2014	Hull City	62	(1)
2013–2014	→ Nottingham Forest (loan)	25	(1)
2014–	Nottingham Forest	39	(0)
National team
2007–2008	England U19	3	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 9 May 2016 (UTC).

Jack Hobbs (born 18 August 1988) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Championship side Nottingham Forest.

Club career

Lincoln City

Hobbs was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire,^[1] He progressed through the youth set-up and, at the age of 14, scored his first goal in his fourth appearance for the Lincoln City U19 side in a 1–1 draw with Bradford City U19 on 22 March 2003.^[2] In March 2004 he accepted a three-year scholarship with the Imps, commencing at the start of the 2004–05 season.^[3] He made his league debut on 15 August 2005 against Bristol Rovers, coming as a substitute for Matthew Bloomer. At 16 years and 149 days, he became the youngest ever debutant for the club.^[4]

Liverpool

At the end of the season, Hobbs was linked with a move to the Premier League with Arsenal. However the deal fell through because of the club demanding the removal of a sell-on clause from the transfer deal.^[5] Tottenham Hotspur and Bolton Wanderers also expressed their desire to sign the defender.^[6] He finally signed for Liverpool on his 17th birthday on 18 August 2005. About the transfer he commented that he was "pinching himself and it is a real opportunity for" him to represent the club.^[7] He made his debut for the reserves in a 2–3 defeat at the hands of Everton. Praising his performance, coach Hughie McAuley said that he played "very well".^[8] He was also a part of the reserve squad which won the 2006 FA Youth Cup by defeating Manchester City 3–2 in the final.^[9] In a friendly match against German club 1.FC Kaiserslautern in June 2006, Hobbs did an "error", which allowed Ricardo Villar to score past goalie Jerzy Dudek.^[10] Hobbs was deployed in the back alongside Gabriel Paletta in the following friendly against Grasshopper Club Zurich. Liverpool Echo wrote that he "made a spirited recovery" and was "blameless on this occasion".^[11]

Hobbs made his debut against Reading in the Football League Cup on 25 September 2007, coming as a substitute in the 4–3 win.^[12] Hobbs later made his first full debut with Liverpool against Cardiff City in the League Cup on 31 October 2007, playing all 90 minutes and gaining praise from pundits and teammates for his composed performance.^[13] On 2 December, Hobbs made his league debut against Bolton, replacing Jamie Carragher in the home match. He made his first start for the team a week later, in an away match to Reading.^[14] In January 2008, he signed for Championship club Scunthorpe on a loan deal till the end of the season. Manager Nigel Adkins said that Hobbs is a composed player, and they have signed him to retain their Championship status.^[15] He scored his first senior goal on 15 February against Stoke City.^[16] In his spell with Scunthorpe, Hobbs made nine appearances, scoring one goal.^[14]

Leicester City

"When I heard of Leicester's interest they were the club I wanted to join. They're a massive club"

Hobbs about his Leicester move^[17]

On 16 May 2008, BBC wrote that Hobbs was indecisive about whether to fight for first team opportunities in Liverpool or to join another club for more playing opportunities. Hobbs said wherever he went, he would look to play first team football.^[18] On 25 May, Hobbs signed for League One club Leicester City on a season long loan deal. On joining the club, he said that he wanted to help Leicester to win promotion to the Championship.^[19] He made his debut for the club in a pre-season match against Kettering Town, playing 80 minutes of a 4–1 victory.^[17] His debut came on 9 August in a 2–0 victory over MK Dons, where he came as a 88th minute susbstitue for Aleksander Tunchev.^[20][21] Hobbs scored his first goal on 24 January 2009, scoring the last goal in a 4–2 victory over Huddersfield Town.^[21][22] In February 2009, he was red carded in a match against Bristol Rovers for fouling Darryl Duffy. However the resultant penalty shot of Rickie Lambert was saved by Mark Dunn.^[23] Leicester manager Nigel Pearson commented that the decision was unfortunate, as according to him the foul was not intentional.^[24] In his first season with the club, besides winnin the League One and winning promotion to the Championship, Hobbs was also included in the PFA Team of the Year.^[25] He was also voted as the Young Player of the year, as he made 44 appearances, where his team conceded 37 goals.^[26]

Hobbs playing for Leicester City in 2010

On 24 April 2009, Hobbs signed permanently with Leicester City, penning a four-year contract. Upon his signature, he said that he believed that with Leicester he could win promotion to the Premier League.^[27] He played his first league match against Swansea City in a 2–1 victory.^[21] Playing along with Wayne Brown in the centre back position, Hobbs missed two league games in the 2008–09 season^[28] and made a total of 49 appearances.^[21] At the end of the season, he won the Player of the Year award, and also shared the Players's Player award along with Andy King.^[28] On winning the Player of the Year award, Hobbs said that he was "honoured to win" that "prestigious award".^[29]

Hull City

Hobbs playing for Hull City in 2012

In the 2010–11 season, Hobbs started 23 times for Leicester City. However, with the arrival of Sol Bamba, he found his playing time increasingly limited. With the speculation of Leicester signing Chelsea defender Jeffrey Bruma on loan, new manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said that he could join another club.^[30] But after having played 30 times for the club, Hobbs joined Hull City in a season long loan deal.^[31] He made his debut for the club in a 1–0 away win against Derby County. Failing to break in the first team due to competition from James Chester and Anthony Gerrard, he expressed his desire to return to Leicester once the loan spell ended.^[32] Nevertheless, he made 13 appearances for the club in his loan spell.^[21]

On 23 July, Hobbs signed permanently for the club, penning a contract keeping him at the club till 2014. On joining the club, he said that he was delighted to be a Hull City player^[33] He was also appointed as the club captain for the 2011–12 season.^[34] He made his debut for the club in a 1–0 defeat against Blackpool coming as a 87th-minute substitute for Matty Fryatt.^[21][35] On 11 February, he scored his first league goal in three years in a 3–0 victory over Bristol Rovers heading a Robert Koren cross from the penalty box.^[36] In the following month, in a match against Coventry City, he injured himself while tackling Alex Nimely in the stoppage time of the first half, and was taken out of the match.^[37] He was substituted by debutant Sonny Bradley. However, two days later, it was announced that he was ruled out of the rest of the season owing to the knee injury sustained in the match. With his injury along with Joe Dudgeon ruled out of the season due to a hamstring injury and James Chester struggling with the same problem, Hull City found themselves in a difficult situation.^[38]

Recovering from injury, Hobbs played his first match in November 2012, in a reserve team match against Peterborough.^[39] On 9 December, his first league match came in a 2–1 defeat against Watford, pairing with Alex Bruce at the centre back position.^[40] After this match, he started in a match against Huddersfield Town. Praising Hobbs for his fitness even after not playing eight months for an injury, Hull Daily Mail wrote that he was "the professional of the professionals".^[41] He played 22 times for the club in the season, which saw Hull City getting promoted to the Premier League.^[42]

Nottingham Forest

"I just want to play in the Premier League and I'm playing somewhere I think I can achieve"

Hobbs about playing for Nottingham Forest^[43]

After Hull City was promoted to the Premier League, the club informed Hobbs that he was no longer a part of their Premier League plans.^[42] In July 2013, Sky Sports reported that Nottingham Forest were interested in signing him.^[44] He ultimately signed a loan deal with Nottingham Forest, with a condition that the deal will turn to permanent at the end of the 2013–14 season, with Hobbs signing a two-year contract. Manager Billy Davies said that he was pleased to bring Hobbs to the club.^[45] Hobbs said that it would be an honour for him "to play for a club the size of Nottingham Forest".^[46] He made his debut for the club in a 1–0 victory over Huddersfield Town, where he blocked a strike of opposition striker James Vaughan.^[47] He scored his first goal on 28 September in a 1–0 victory over Derby County heading a corner strike of Andy Reid before half time.^[48] This goal was voted as the Bed Chambers Dream Moment of the Month for the month of September.^[49] However, on 24 January 2014, he was recalled by Hull due to an injury to defender James Chester.^[50] However, on the deadline day of the transfer window, (31 January), Hobbs signed permanently for Nottingham Forest on a four and a half year contract in a deal reported by Sky Sports "close to £1million".^[51] He said that he was thrilled and always wanted to play for this club.^[52] After signing permanently for the club, he could play twice before being ruled out of the rest of the season due to an ankle fracture in March.^[53]

In August 2014, Hobbs played his first match after injury in the reserve team 0–0 draw against Burton Albion.^[54] However, he injured himself during the East Midlands derby in September. In the following month he had a surgery which ruled him out of action for three months.^[55]

International career

On 18 March 2010, it was announced that England U21 manager Stuart Pearce was looking to give him a call to the squad. He has been described by him and his coaches as a fantastic young prospect, who will be capable of Premier League Football in the future.^[56]

Career statistics

As of 9 May 2016^[57]

Club statistics

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Lincoln City	2004–05	League Two	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Liverpool	2005–06	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2006–07	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2007–08	Premier League	2	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	5	0
	Total		2	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	5	0
Scunthorpe United (loan)	2007–08	Championship	9	1	0	0	0	0	–		9	1
Leicester City (loan)	2008–09	League One	44	1	2	0	1	0	2	0	49	1
Leicester City	2009–10	Championship	44	0	2	0	1	0	2	0	49	0
	2010–11	Championship	26	0	2	0	2	0	–		30	0
	Total		114	1	6	0	4	0	4	0	128	1
Hull City (loan)	2010–11	Championship	13	0	0	0	0	0	–		13	0
Hull City	2011–12	Championship	40	1	2	0	1	0	–		43	1
	2012–13	Championship	22	0	0	0	0	0	–		22	0
	Total		75	1	2	0	1	0	–		78	1
Nottingham Forest (loan)	2013–14	Championship	25	1	1	0	1	0	–		27	1
Nottingham Forest			2	0	0	0	0	0	–		2	0
	2014–15	Championship	17	0	1	0	1	0	–		19	0
	2015–16	Championship	20	0	2	0	1	0	–		23	0
	Total		64	1	4	0	3	0	–		71	1
Career total			265	4	12	0	11	0	4	0	293	4

Honours

Liverpool

• FA Youth Cup: 2005–06

Leicester City

• Football League One: 2008–09

Individual

• Football League One Team of the Year: 2008–09
• Leicester City Fan's Player of the Year: 2009–10
• Leicester City Players' Player of the Year: 2009–10

References

1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 199. ISBN 9781845966010.
2. "Youth Team Held By Bantams". Lincoln City F.C. 24 March 2003. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2008.
3. "Five Youngsters Offered Scholarships". Lincoln City F.C. 10 March 2004. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2008.
4. "Teenager Hobbs Makes History". Lincoln City F.C. 17 January 2005. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2008.
5. "Hobbs eyes new top-flight switch". BBC. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
6. "Hobbs eyes new top-flight switch". BBC. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
7. "Hobbs completes move to Liverpool". BBC. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
8. "Liverpool 2 – 3 Everton". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
9. "Where are they now: Liverpool FC's FA Youth Cup 2006 winning side". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
10. "Reina plays in midfield as Liverpool defeated". ESPN. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
11. "Grasshopper 2, Liverpool 0 (Echo)". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
12. "Jack Hobbs ready for big stage – Jamie Carragher". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
13. Barrett, Tony (1 November 2007). "Sami Hyypia: Jack's the lad for me!". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 28 October 2008.
14. "Jack Hobbs". Liverpool. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
15. "Adkins' high hopes for Hobbs". Sky Sports. 25 January 2008. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
16. "Stoke 3–2 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 February 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2009.
17. "Hobbs relishing Leicester chance". BBC. 25 July 2008. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
18. "Hobbs uncertain of Anfield future". BBC. 16 May 2008. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
19. "Liverpool's Hobbs joins Leicester". BBC. 25 July 2008. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
20. "Leicester 2–0 MK Dons". BBC. 9 August 2008. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
21. "Jack Hobbs". Soccerway. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
22. "Foxes extend lead at top". Sky Sports. 24 January 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
23. "Bristol Rovers 0–1 Leicester". BBC. 21 February 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
24. "Pearson pins hopes on Hobbs boost". BBC. 23 February 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
25. "Wolves dominate PFA Championship team of the year awards". Birmingham Mail. 27 April 2009.
26. "Trio Honoured At Supporters' Club Awards Night". Leicester City. 23 April 2009. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
27. "Liverpool's Jack Hobbs signs for Leicester City". Telegraph. 24 April 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
28. "Awards Picture Special!". Leicester City. 28 April 2010. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
29. "Young defender Jack Hobbs is named Leicester City's player of the season". Leicester Mercury. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
30. "Jack Hobbs poised to leave Leicester on loan deal". BBC. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
31. "Tigers Bring In Hobbs". 15 February 2011. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
32. "Hull's on-loan defender Hobbs expects Leicester return". BBC. 25 February 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
33. "Hobbs Signs in With City". Hull City A.F.C. 30 June 2011. Archived from the original on 3 September 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
34. "Jack Hobbs signs for Nottingham Forest". Winner Sports. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
35. "Hull 0 – 1 Blackpool". BBC. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
36. "Tigers maul rotten Robins". Sky Sports. 11 February 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
37. "Triumphant Sky Blues climb clear". Sky Sports. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
38. "Jack Hobbs knee injury adds to Hull City's worries". BBC. 2 April 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
39. "Hobbs is on the comeback trail after recovering from a serious knee injury". Sky Sports. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
40. "Hull put smile back on Steve Bruce's face with defeat of Watford". The Guardian. 9 December 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
41. "Peter Swan: Jack Hobbs' superb return for Hull City has highlighted his class". Hull Daily Mail. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
42. "Jack Hobbs: Nottingham Forest new boy eyes double promotion". BBC. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
43. "Nottingham Forest's Jack Hobbs vows to prove Hull City wrong and win promotion". Sky Sports. 2 November 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
44. "Nottingham Forest closing on loan signing of Hull City defender Jack Hobbs". Sky Sports. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
45. "Jack Hobbs On Board". Nottingham Forest. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
46. "Hobbs On Huddersfield". Nottingham Forest. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
47. "Forest 1-0 Huddersfield". Nottingham Forest. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
48. "A Jack Hobbs header shortly before half-time saw Nottingham Forest defeat 10-man Derby, their first win against their local rivals since January 2011.". BBC. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
49. "Jack's Derby Day Dream". Nottingham Forest. 23 October 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
50. "Jack Hobbs: Hull City recall Nottingham Forest's loan defender". BBC. 24 January 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
51. "Championship: Forest clinch signing of Jack Hobbs". Sky Sports. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
52. "Hobbs: "I Always Wanted To Be Here"". Nottingham Forest. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
53. "Jack Hobbs: Nottingham Forest defender out for season". BBC. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
54. "Trio step-up recovery". Nottingham Forest. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
55. "Jack Hobbs: Nottingham Forest defender out until Christmas". BBC. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
56. "Jack Hobbs,Leicester City,defender,England,Nigel Pearson,Stuart Pearce – Leicester Mercury". Leicester Mercury.
57. "Jack Hobbs - Football Stats - Nottingham Forest - Age 28 - Soccer Base".

External links

• Jack Hobbs profile at Hull City A.F.C.
• Jack Hobbs career statistics at Soccerbase
  
• Lincoln City F.C. Official Archive Profile
• LFChistory.net player profile