One to Watch – George Boyd

Name: George Boyd

Date of Birth: 2/10/1985

Nationality: Scotland

Former Clubs: Stevenage Borough, Peterborough United, Nottingham Forest, Hull City

League Appearances (Goals): 441 (98)

International Appearances (Goals): 2 (0)

Stat of the Day George Boyd ran further than any player in any other Premier League game this season in his last league match against Newcastle

Player Profile: Nobody will forget the ‘holy trinity` that formed a lethal attacking combination at Peterborough United and earned The Posh back-to-back promotions in an unstoppable four years from 2007-2011. While Craig Mackail-Smith and Aaron McLean have since struggled to foster greater callings, George Boyd has continued his rise from non-league prospect to Premier League regular. Whilst his journey hasn`t been without its mishaps – a bizarre ‘inconclusive vision test` thwarted a permanent transfer to Forest in 2013 and a maligned spitting incident last season – Body finally seems to be reclaiming the form that saw him labelled as the ‘White Pele` during his time at non-league Stevenage.

The midfielder has matured from a scraggy haired, skinny winger who would breeze past lumbering defenders in League Two into an intuitive, all-round top division player. He developed with ease as Peterborough moved up the leagues and his left foot has finally established the wizardry that was esteemed at The Posh under Sean Dyche at Burnley. The 29-year-old has bought into The Claret`s work ethic since his £3 million move in the summer and with four goals to his name this campaign will be hoping to continue his run in the side and steer Burnley clear of the drop.

Playing Career

George Boyd started his career as a part of Charlton`s youth system, but having been released opted to join Conference side Stevenage Borough. He made his debut at the age of 17 and went on to become an integral part of both Graham Westley and Mark Stimson`s Stevenage sides. He spent five years at Broadhall way, making over 100 league appearances and in 2007 earned a move to Peterborough United for a record Football Conference transfer fee of £260,000.

Boyd played an instrumental part in helping Peterborough to promotion to League One during the 2007/2008 campaign, where he scored 15 times in 53 appearances, as well as being named in the League Two PFA Team of the Year. He replicated his impressive form the following season, earning The Posh a successive promotion and himself a place in the League One PFA Team of the Year. He continued his fine form at London Road but spent a short loan spell at Nottingham Forest in 2010, scoring once in six appearances.

He returned to Peterborough and helped his side win promotion back to the Championship during their successful 2010/2011 campaign. In January 2013 Peterborough received transfer bids from numerous clubs and was set to return to Nottingham Forest for a fee of £500,000 until the club pulled out of the deal two hours before the transfer deadline, stating Boyd had failed a medical due to an ‘inconclusive eye test`. Having made over 250 league appearances at Peterborough, Hull City moved to sign the attacking midfielder on loan, before signing him on a permanent basis at the end of the season following their promotion to the Premier League. Boyd spent a season at The KC before moving to Burnley in 2014 for £3 million.