One to Watch – Clinton Morrison

Name: Clinton Hubert Morrison
Date of Birth: 14 May 1975 (Tooting)
Former Clubs: Crystal Palace, Birmingham
Appearances (Goals): 422 (133)

The striker started his career in the Crystal Palace youth academy. His achievements in the youth and reserve teams earned him his first game for Palace towards the end of the 1997-8 season. Although this appearance was only for the last 11 minutes of the game, he managed to score a debut goal helping Palace seal a win over Sheffield Wednesday.

His injury time winner and success outside the first team earned him a first team position for the following season. He helped move Palace to the top of Division One (Championship) in October but although Palace were unable to keep their form, Morrison went on to score 13 in his team’s first season back in the Division One.

With Palace going into to administration, the future looked bleak for both Morrison and his team. Morrison went on to score 15 goals in 32 games, including the only goal in a 1-0 win at Loftus Road, helping save a very troubled Palace from relegation. The 2000-1 season saw Morrison score 19 goals, missing just one game all season. Once again, Morrison scored Palace’s only goal at Loftus Road, earning his team a point.

The 2001-2 season has been Morrison’s most prolific season to date in which he scored 24 goals for his club. His club success earned him his first cap for the Republic of Ireland and scored a debut goal. He was part of the squad that went to the 2002 World Cup but was unable to make an appearance.

The attention gained from his success was not limited to just playing for his country, with premiership clubs showing an interest in the young striker. Birmingham made a bid of £4,250,000 for the striker which was accepted due to differences between the player and his manager at Crystal Palace. Although Morrison was a prominent member of the first team for Birmingham, he only managed to score 16 goals in his three full seasons with the club. Although his club form was not at its best, his international career was impressive with the striker scoring 3 in the World Cup Qualifiers establishing himself as a key player for his country.

On being told he would be unable to hold a first team spot, Morrison returned to his beloved Palace in the summer of 2005. In the 2005-6 season Morrison scored 13 goals while playing alongside Andrew Johnson, helping Palace reach the playoffs. His return to the championship meant that he would face the mighty Hoops and on our visit to Selhurst Park, he scored Palace’s opening goal.

The 2006-7 season saw the striker score 12 goals with 16 goals scored the season after. Morrison scored a goal in each of the four games against the Superhoops including his 100th goal for Crystal Palace. Morrison was out of contract in the summer and although he wanted to stay, he was released since the manager no longer saw him as a first team player.

After being linked to QPR, Morrison signed a two year contract with Coventry City. He has a good start to life at Coventry being the clubs top scorer last season with 12 goals. The striker is in top form this season, scoring 6 goals in just 9 appearances for the Sky Blues. His form and the fact that he has scored 7 goals against the Superhoops makes him our one to watch for our game against the Sky Blues.




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