Wikipedia

Chris Greenacre


Christopher Mark Greenacre (born 23 December 1977) is an English football manager and former player who is the head coach of the Wellington Phoenix FC Reserves.

Chris Greenacre
Greenacre playing for Wellington Phoenix in 2009.
Personal information
Full name Christopher Mark Greenacre
Date of birth (1977-12-23) 23 December 1977 (age 46)
Place of birth Wakefield, England
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team

Wellington Phoenix (assistant manager)

New Zealand Football Men's U20 Head Coach
Youth career
1994 Leeds United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–2000 Manchester City 8 (1)
1997 → Cardiff City (loan) 11 (2)
1998 → Blackpool (loan) 4 (0)
1998–1999 → Scarborough (loan) 12 (2)
1999 → Northampton Town (loan) 0 (0)
1999–2000 → Mansfield Town (loan) 10 (5)
2000–2002 Mansfield Town 111 (44)
2002–2005 Stoke City 75 (7)
2005–2009 Tranmere Rovers 142 (46)
2009–2012 Wellington Phoenix 84 (19)
Total 457 (126)
Managerial career
2012– Wellington Phoenix (assistant manager)
2013 Wellington Phoenix (interim)
2016–2017 Wellington Phoenix (joint interim)
2017 Wellington Phoenix (co-coach)
2017 Wellington Phoenix Reserves
2018 Wellington Phoenix (interim)
2021– Wellington Phoenix Reserves
2023 New Zealand Men's U23 Olympic Qualifiers (assistant coach)
2024 New Zealand Men's U20's (Head Coach)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Greenacre began his career with Manchester City in 1996. Whilst at Maine Road he was sent out on loan to Cardiff City, Blackpool, Scarborough, Northampton Town and Mansfield Town in order to gain first team experience. However, he failed to make the grade at Manchester City and so joined Mansfield Town on a permanent transfer. He became a prolific scorer for the "Stags" scoring 58 goals for the club in three seasons. This led to Division One side Stoke City signing him in August 2002. However, despite arriving with high expectations he struggled to cope with the higher level and managed just 9 goals in three seasons at the Britannia Stadium.

He left for Tranmere Rovers where he found his level and in four seasons at Tranmere Greenacre scored 53 goals. After his contract expired at Rovers he decided to join New Zealand based, A-League side Wellington Phoenix. He played three seasons for Wellington helping the club to three consecutive finals series places before retiring in 2012.

Club career

edit

Greenacre was born in Wakefield and at the age of 13 he signed schoolboy forms at Manchester City, having previously been on the books at Leeds United.[1] He signed as an apprentice at 16, and turned professional in 1995.[1] His senior debut came in February 1997 against Swindon Town, when he came on as a substitute, replacing Paul Dickov.[2] He made three further substitute appearances that season, without scoring. During his time at Manchester City most of his first team football came in the form of loan spells with lower league clubs. In his first start for Manchester City in October 1997, he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 win against Crewe Alexandra.[3] This was his only goal for the club, and he started only two further matches.

Greenacre subsequently went on to play on loan for Cardiff City, Blackpool and Scarborough before joining Mansfield Town in 2000. He became a prolific goalscorer at the Field Mill scoring nine goals in 1999–2000, 21 in 2000–01 and 28 in 2001–02. This attracted the attentions from bigger club's and in the summer of 2002 he joined Stoke City.[4] His start at Stoke was however hampered by injury.[5] Greenacre had a frustrating 2002–03 which saw him make 33 appearances scoring six goals which included a vital winner against Brighton & Hove Albion.[6] In 2003–04 he found himself out of the team after the arrival of Ade Akinbiyi and made 16 appearances scoring twice.[7] In 2004–05 he played in 34 matches but only scored once and was released at the end of the season.[8]

He joined Tranmere Rovers in July 2005.[9] Under the management of Brian Little, Tranmere finished 18th in League One in the 2005–06 season, but Greenacre himself finished top scorer with 18 goals in 49 games for the club. This included a hat-trick against Yeovil Town on 28 December and two goals against Oldham Athletic in August. In 2006–07 under Ronnie Moore when Greenacre again finished top scorer, this time with a total of 19 goals, and signed a two-year extension to his contract at Prenton Park. A further 14 goals in all competitions during the 2007–08 season saw him again finish the season as the club's top scorer. He scored his first goals for the 2008–09 season with a brace away at Peterborough in a 2–2 draw.

On 21 April 2009, it was announced that Greenacre had signed with Wellington-based, New Zealand A-League club Wellington Phoenix on a two-year contract.[10] He made his league debut on 9 August 2009 scoring in a losing effort to the Newcastle Jets FC. Before a bothersome knee injury, Greenacre had scored five goals in 16 appearances for the Phoenix.

Greenacre started season 2010–11 by scoring twice in the opening game of the season against the Gold Coast United FC at Westpac Stadium.[11]

Coaching career

edit

On 22 July 2011, Greenacre accepted a player/coaching role with his club Wellington Phoenix. Greenacre already holds a UEFA B coaching licence and will reportedly be coaching the forwards as well as playing when chosen.[12] On 18 July 2012 he announced his retirement from the game and accepted a position as assistant manager at Wellington Phoenix.[13]

In October 2012, Due to the absence of Ricki Herbert due to international duties, Greenacre was appointed as the caretaker manager of the Wellington Phoenix for their Round 2 clash with Melbourne Heart.[14] Despite missing 7 first team players due to international duties, and despite playing an away clash, the Phoenix managed to obtain a 1–1 draw with the Heart, courtesy of a Paul Ifill penalty.

On 26 February 2013, Greenacre was appointed interim manager of Wellington Phoenix until the end of the season after Ricki Herbert resigned.[15][16] He was replaced by Ernie Merrick for the 2013–14 A-League season.[17] Following Merrick's resignation on 5 December 2016, Greenacre was appointed as co-coach of the A-League side alongside Des Buckingham, originally as interim coaches, and in January 2017 confirmed for the roles until the end of the 2016-2017 season.[18] Greenacre and Buckingham applied for the role on a permanent basis at the end of the season, but were passed over in favour of Darije Kalezic.[19]

On 12 October 2017, Greenacre was appointed coach of Wellington Phoenix Reserves, taking over from Andy Hedge.[20]

New Zealand football announced in January 2018 Greenacre would be assistant to Des Buckingham for the New Zealand national under-20 football team for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup cycle. Greenacre would retain his position with the Wellington Phoenix while fulfilling this role.[21]

Greenacre began his third period with the Wellington Phoenix A-League side when he was again appointed interim head coach following the departure of Darije Kalezic on 5 March 2018.[22]

On 17 November 2021, Greenacre was confirmed as the head coach of the Wellington Phoenix FC Reserves. [23] In his first season in charge, he guided the team to a third placed finish.

Greenacre was appointed as an assistant coach to Darren Bazley's All Whites staff for the September 2023, Olympic Qualifiers in Auckland. New Zealand qualified in an unbeaten campaign and headed to Paris for the 2024, Olympic Games.They beat Fiji in the final.

Greenacre was appointed as the head coach of New Zealand's Men's U20's team in January 2024. He was placed in charge for the upcoming 2025 World Cup Qualifying campaign in Samoa. New Zealand became the champions of OFC where they beat New Caledonia in the final, 0-3. New Zealand qualified for the final by beating Fiji, 1-0 after a Ryan Watson goal secured qualification. Greenacre will lead the team for the 2025 U20 Men's World Cup in Chile.

Personal life

edit

Greenacre is a Leeds United supporter.[24]

Career statistics

edit

Source:[25]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester City 1996–97[26] First Division 4 0 0 0 0 0 — 4 0
1997–98[27] First Division 3 1 1 0 0 0 — 4 1
1998–99[28] Second Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 8 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 9 1
Cardiff City (loan) 1997–98[27] Third Division 11 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 2
Blackpool (loan) 1997–98[27] Second Division 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Scarborough (loan) 1998–99[28] Third Division 12 2 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 13 2
Mansfield Town 1999–2000[29] Third Division 31 9 0 0 0 0 2[a] 0 33 9
2000–01[30] Third Division 46 19 2 1 4 1 1[a] 0 53 21
2001–02[31] Third Division 44 21 3 5 1 2 0 0 48 28
Total 121 49 5 6 5 3 3 0 134 58
Stoke City 2002–03[32] First Division 30 4 3 2 0 0 — 33 6
2003–04[33] First Division 13 2 2 0 1 0 — 16 2
2004–05[34] Championship 32 1 1 0 1 0 — 34 1
Total 75 7 6 2 2 0 — 83 9
Tranmere Rovers 2005–06[35] League One 45 16 1 1 1 0 2[a] 1 49 18
2006–07[36] League One 44 17 2 2 1 0 2[a] 0 49 19
2007–08[37] League One 40 11 2 3 1 0 1[a] 0 44 14
2008–09[38] League One 13 2 2 0 1 0 4[a] 0 20 2
Total 142 46 7 6 4 0 9 1 162 53
Wellington Phoenix 2009–10 A-League 24 6 — — — 24 6
2010–11 A-League 31 8 — — — 31 8
2011–12 A-League 29 5 — — — 29 5
Total 84 19 — — — 84 19
Career total 457 126 19 14 11 3 13 1 500 144
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Appearances in Football League Trophy

Managerial statistics

edit
As of 23 October 2022
Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Wellington Phoenix 26 February 2013 31 March 2013 6 2 1 3 033.33
Phoenix Reserves 17 November 2021 22 11 5 6 050.00
Total 29 13 7 9 044.83

Honours

edit

New Zealand

Individual

Men's U23 Olympic Games Paris Qualification, 2023

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "New in blue: Chris Greenacre". CITY Magazine. 1 (2): 37. October 1995.
  2. ^ James, Gary (2006). Manchester City – The Complete Record. Derby: Breedon. p. 461. ISBN 1-85983-512-0.
  3. ^ James, Manchester City – The Complete Record, p. 463.
  4. ^ "Greenacre joins Stoke". BBC Sport. 4 July 2002. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  5. ^ "Stoke's Greenacre frustration". BBC Sport. 10 September 2002. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  6. ^ "Stoke 1–0 Brighton". BBC Sport. 5 March 2003. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  7. ^ "Greenacre still in the frame". BBC Sport. 12 February 2004. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  8. ^ "Greenacre is released by Potters". BBC Sport. 22 May 2005. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  9. ^ "Tranmere sign top summer target". BBC Sport. 13 July 2005. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  10. ^ Wellington Phoenix Sign English Striker Chris Greenacre
  11. ^ "Wellington, Gold Coast draq". A-League. 13 August 2010. Archived from the original on 25 February 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  12. ^ "Greenacre joins Phoenix coaching staff". wellingtonphoenix.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  13. ^ "Greenacre takes up coaching role - Football Australia 2011". www.footballaustralia.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  14. ^ "Depleted Phoenix won't 'park the bus' : The World Game SBS | A-League, Champions League & EPL Soccer Coverage". Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  15. ^ "Herbert calls time on Phoenix role". Football Federation Australia. 26 February 2013. Archived from the original on 28 February 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  16. ^ Stoney, Emma (26 February 2013). "Herbert exit shocks players". Football Federation Australia. Football Federation Australia. Archived from the original on 28 February 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  17. ^ "Wellington Phoenix appoints Ernie Merrick". theguardian.com.au. 20 May 2013. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  18. ^ "Greenacre, Buckingham confirmed as new Phoenix coaches". No. 2 Jan 2017. tvnz.co.nz. TVNZ. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  19. ^ "Wellington Phoenix confirm Darije Kalezic as new head coach". espn.com. ESPN. 7 June 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  20. ^ "Chris Greenacre takes over as Wellington Phoenix national league coach". stuff. 12 October 2017.
  21. ^ "Former Wellington Phoenix coaches Des Buckingham and Chris Greenacre reunited at New Zealand under-20 helm". News Hub. 26 January 2018. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  22. ^ "Chris Greenacre determined to help Wellington Phoenix return to winnings ways". NewsHub. 10 March 2018. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  23. ^ "WELLINGTON PHOENIX CONFIRMS BACKROOM STAFF FOR 2021/22 SEASON". Wellington Phoenix. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  24. ^ "Leeds fan Chris Greenacre relishing a reunion". Liverpool Echo. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  25. ^ Chris Greenacre at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  26. ^ "Games played by Chris Greenacre in 1996/1997". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  27. ^ a b c "Games played by Chris Greenacre in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  28. ^ a b "Games played by Chris Greenacre in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  29. ^ "Games played by Chris Greenacre in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  30. ^ "Games played by Chris Greenacre in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  31. ^ "Games played by Chris Greenacre in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  32. ^ "Games played by Chris Greenacre in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  33. ^ "Games played by Chris Greenacre in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  34. ^ "Games played by Chris Greenacre in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  35. ^ "Games played by Chris Greenacre in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  36. ^ "Games played by Chris Greenacre in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  37. ^ "Games played by Chris Greenacre in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  38. ^ "Games played by Chris Greenacre in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  39. ^ "PFA teams send Hatters mad". The Guardian. 15 April 2002. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chris_Greenacre&oldid=1236598890"