Reece Styche (born 3 May 1989) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Southern Premier Central side AFC Telford United and the Gibraltar national team. Known as a physical attacker, he is also known as "Brutus" by fans in Gibraltar after the nickname was given to him by head coach Julio Cesar Ribas.[3]

Reece Alan Styche
Styche in 2022
Personal information
Full name Reece Styche[1]
Date of birth (1989-05-03) 3 May 1989 (age 35)[2]
Place of birth Sutton Coldfield, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
AFC Telford United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2008 Hednesford Town 7 (2)
2008Bromsgrove Rovers (loan) 3 (1)
2008–2009 Grantham Town 6 (2)
2009 Coalville Town 12 (1)
2009 Shepshed Dynamo 7 (1)
2009–2010 Chasetown 13 (10)
2010–2014 Forest Green Rovers 107 (35)
2014Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 14 (0)
2014–2016 Kidderminster Harriers 36 (6)
2014Tamworth (loan) 5 (2)
2015Tamworth (loan) 15 (4)
2015–2016Macclesfield Town (loan) 3 (0)
2016 Macclesfield Town 12 (4)
2016–2017 Gateshead 17 (2)
2016–2017Nuneaton Town (loan) 5 (1)
2017 Tamworth 27 (13)
2017–2018 Darlington 31 (16)
2018–2019 Alfreton Town 22 (11)
2019–2020 Hereford 22 (3)
2020 Bromsgrove Sporting 1 (0)
2020–2021 Buxton 7 (1)
2021 Hednesford Town 6 (1)
2021–2023 Stourbridge 53 (19)
2023 Matlock Town 11 (3)
2023–2024 AFC Telford United 27 (8)
2024 Stratford Town 6 (1)
2024– AFC Telford United 5 (0)
International career
2011 England C 1 (0)
2014– Gibraltar 31 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:48, 9 November 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:33, 27 March 2023 (UTC)

Club career

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Early career

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Born in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands,[2] Styche came through the youth system at Hednesford Town and made his debut for the club on 28 April 2007, coming off the bench and scoring twice in a 3–2 away win over Kendal Town.[4] A number of injury problems hampered his progress[5] and he spent a month on loan at Bromsgrove Rovers in September 2008.[6] He made four substitute appearances, three in the Southern League Midland Division and one in the Birmingham Senior Cup, and scored once, against AFC Sudbury.[7]

After two substitute appearances for Hednesford,[4] he joined Grantham Town permanently after a short trial period. Four months later he left Grantham and joined Coalville Town in February 2009. He ended the 2008–09 season with Coalville[citation needed] but then signed for Shepshed Dynamo.[8]

In October 2009, he joined Northern Premier League Division One South club Chasetown. He scored on his debut after just three minutes of an FA Trophy victory over Lincoln United.[9] His goalscoring success with the Scholars saw him find the back of the net 13 times in 15 appearances – 10 from 13 league matches[10] – and would earn him a move away from the club as a result.

Forest Green Rovers

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Styche playing for Forest Green Rovers in 2011

On 25 January 2010, Styche joined Conference Premier club Forest Green Rovers.[11] He made his debut the next day, scoring twice in a 3–2 away win over Hayes & Yeading United after coming on as a substitute for Craig Rocastle.[12] In May 2010, he agreed a new contract to stay with the club for the 2010–11 season.[13] He ended the 2010–11 campaign as the club's top goal scorer with 16 goals. His fine goalscoring form earned him a call-up to the England C squad for the final of the International Challenge Trophy against the Portugal under-23 team.[14] He appeared as a substitute in the final at Sixfields Stadium but couldn't prevent England C from suffering a 1–0 defeat.[15]

In August 2011, he was the subject of a bid from league rivals Luton Town which was rejected by Forest Green, and he signed a new three-year contract with the club.[16] In October 2011, having scored six times in nine appearances, he suffered a knee injury which was expected to rule him out for much of the season.[17] He returned to first-team action towards the end of the campaign,[2] and began the 2012–13 season with a first goal against AFC Telford United, albeit awarded as an own goal,[18] followed by a last-minute penalty at Gateshead which secured a 1–1 draw.[19]

In February 2013, he suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament which required surgery.[20] He returned from injury in October, and scored his first goal of the 2013–14 season in a 6–2 away win over Hyde on 18 January 2014.[2][21]

Wycombe Wanderers (loan)

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Styche playing for Wycombe Wanderers in 2014

A few days later, he joined League Two team Wycombe Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.[22] He made his debut against Mansfield Town and was replaced after 69 minutes of his first game in the Football League. He appeared 14 times for Wycombe, left the club at the end of his loan spell,[2] and was one of ten players released by Forest Green at the end of the season.[23]

Non-League football

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On 15 May 2014, Styche signed a two-year deal with Conference club Kidderminster Harriers.[24] He made his debut on 9 August, coming off the bench in a 0–0 draw with Lincoln City.[25] His first goal for Kidderminster came in a 4–0 home win over Altrincham on 16 September 2014.[2]

In October 2014, he joined Conference North club Tamworth on loan. He scored on his debut for Tamworth. He went on to make five appearances, scoring twice, during his loan spell. On 13 January 2015, Styche joined Tamworth on loan for a second spell until the end of the season.[2] On 8 August 2015 Styche scored on his return to the Harriers' first team in a 2–2 draw with Grimsby Town.[2]

On 30 October 2015, Styche joined Macclesfield Town of the National League on loan until January 2016.[26] Despite a contract offer to stay at Macclesfield, Styche signed for fellow National League club Gateshead in May 2016.[27] After his Gateshead contract was cancelled in January 2017, Styche signed for Tamworth, where he had previously spent time on loan.[28] In November 2017, he moved on to another National League North club, Darlington, for an undisclosed fee.[29] He scored 11 goals in 21 league matches in what remained of the season and, according to the Northern Echo, played a major role in the club avoiding relegation. In October 2018, Darlington accepted an offer for Styche's services from divisional rivals Alfreton Town, apparently for financial reasons.[30][31] He completed the move on 24 October and scored after seven minutes of his debut three days later.[32][33]

On 23 May 2019, it was announced that Styche had transferred to league rivals Hereford.[34] In February 2020, he joined Southern Premier Central side Bromsgrove Sporting.[35] However, he was only able to make one league appearance for the club before the season was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in June 2020 he moved again, this time to Buxton of the Northern Premier League Premier Division.[36][37] With another season curtailed by the pandemic, Styche moved once more in May 2021, this time returning to Hednesford Town after 13 years away.[38] His stay, however, was short-lived and early in the season he switched to league rivals Stourbridge. After a year and a half at the Glassboys, he moved once again in March 2023, this time joining Matlock Town.

International career

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In 2010, Styche received a call-up to the England C squad; he made his debut in the 2009–11 International Challenge Trophy final against Portugal U23 on 19 May 2011.[39][40] In January 2014, head coach Allen Bula named Styche as a player on his radar who could play with the Gibraltar national football team in the near future.[41] On 11 February, he was called up to the Gibraltar national squad for friendlies against the Faroe Islands and Estonia. He qualifies to play for Gibraltar through his grandmother.[42]

He made his Gibraltar debut on 1 March, starting in a 4–1 defeat against the Faroe Islands.[43] Upon the arrival of new national team coach Julio César Ribas in July 2018, Styche was included in his first open squad list.[44] He was subsequently called up to Ribas's first UEFA Nations League squad,[45] and came off the bench in both matches, against Macedonia and Liechtenstein.[46] He scored his first international goal on 18 November 2019, in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier against Switzerland.[47]

Career statistics

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As of match played 27 March 2023[48]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England C 2011 1 0
Total 1 0
Gibraltar 2014 1 0
2018 3 0
2019 3 1
2020 5 0
2021 9 2
2022 9 0
2023 1 0
Total 31 3
Scores and results list Gibraltar's goal tally first.
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 18 November 2019 Victoria Stadium, Gibraltar    Switzerland 1–3 1–6 UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
2. 27 March 2021 Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro   Montenegro 1–1 1–4 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
3. 7 September 2021 Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway   Norway 1–3 1–5

References

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  1. ^ "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/01/2014 and 31/01/2014" (PDF). The Football Association. p. 27. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "R. Styche". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  3. ^ Non-league striker reflects on 'amazing' World Cup qualifying experience Yahoo! Finance. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Reece Styche profile". hednesfordtown.com. Archived from the original on 3 January 2017.
  5. ^ "Pitmen hit for six over Styche". Express & Star. Wolverhampton. 21 September 2007. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
    "Hednesford Town 3 Matlock Town 1". PitmenWeb. 24 March 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  6. ^ Harrison, Dan (10 September 2008). "Brown targets four in time for Sutton clash". Bromsgrove Advertiser. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Statistics: Bromsgrove Rovers". BromsgroveFootball.org.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2018. Select 2008/09 season and competition(s) required via dropdown menus.
    Harrison, Dan (23 September 2008). "Recharged Rovers". Bromsgrove Advertiser. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  8. ^ "Shepshed Dynamo start to bring in new faces". Leicester Mercury. 4 July 2009. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  9. ^ "Lincoln United 1–2 Chasetown". Express & Star. Wolverhampton. 5 October 2009. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014.
  10. ^ "1st team: Reece Styche: Season 2009/10". Chasetown F.C. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  11. ^ "Hockaday swoops for striker Styche". Gloucestershire Gazette. 26 January 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  12. ^ "Hayes & Yeading United 2–3 Forest Green". BBC Sport. 26 January 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  13. ^ "Styche and Fowler stay as Dyer signs for Forest Green". Gloucestershire Gazette. 29 May 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  14. ^ "Forest Green striker Reece Styche called up to play for England C against Portugal". Gloucestershire Gazette. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  15. ^ Loveridge, Ashley (22 May 2011). "Styche achieves England dream". Gloucestershire Gazette. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  16. ^ "Forest Green Rovers striker Reece Styche signs new deal". BBC Sport. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  17. ^ "Forest Green Rovers' Reece Styche in injury blow". BBC Sport. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  18. ^ Light, John (20 August 2012). "Styche makes the difference for FGR". Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  19. ^ "Gateshead 1–1 Forest Green". BBC Sport. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  20. ^ "Reece Styche to undergo knee surgery". BBC Sport. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  21. ^ "Hyde 2–6 Forest Green". BBC Sport. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  22. ^ "Reece Styche: Wycombe take Forest Green striker on loan". BBC Sport. 26 January 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  23. ^ "Yan Klukowski exits with nine players". BBC Sport. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  24. ^ "Reece Styche signs two-year contract". BBC Sport. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  25. ^ "Lincoln City 0–0 Kidderminster". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  26. ^ "Reece Styche: Macclesfield sign Gibraltar international on loan". BBC Sport. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  27. ^ Bowron, Jeff (17 May 2016). "Gateshead FC make double transfer swoop as squad rebuilding continues at pace". The Chronicle. Newcastle. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  28. ^ "Styche signs". Tamworth F.C. 25 January 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  29. ^ Ellis, Adam (20 November 2017). "'He will become a cult hero', Wright on new Darlington striker Styche". The Non-League Football Paper. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  30. ^ Stoddart, Craig (21 October 2018). "Darlington beat Boston but lose Styche". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  31. ^ Stoddart, Craig (20 October 2018). "Reece Styche: 'I'm gutted to be leaving Darlington'". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  32. ^ "Reds move in for Styche". Alfreton Town F.C. 24 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  33. ^ Bowman, Jamie (27 October 2018). "Match report: Chester v Alfreton". The Standard. Chester. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  34. ^ Griffiths, Jamie (23 May 2019). "Styche Joins The Bulls!". Hereford F.C. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  35. ^ "Styche arrival can galvanise Rouslers' promotion bid - Kelly". Bromsgrove Standard. 21 February 2020.
  36. ^ Thirkill, Stephen (22 June 2020). "Reece Styche on why joining Buxton was a "no brainer"". Buxton Advertiser. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  37. ^ "Buxton – Appearances – Reece Styche". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  38. ^ "Welcome Back to the Pitmen - International Striker Reece Styche". Hednesford Town F.C. 26 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  39. ^ "Reece Styche". Forest Green Rovers F.C. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  40. ^ Phillips, Matt (19 May 2011). "Lions lose out to single goal". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 5 January 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  41. ^ "Football: Bula calls for new dynamics in football". Gibraltar Chronicle. 24 January 2014. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  42. ^ Pearson, James (14 February 2014). "Wycombe Wanderers striker Reece Styche delighted by Gibraltar call-up". Sky Sports. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
    "Euro 2016: Wycombe's Reece Styche delighted by Gibraltar draw". BBC Sport. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  43. ^ Carswell, Andy (5 March 2014). "Styche benched for Gibraltar friendly". Bucks Free Press. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  44. ^ "Julio gets straight to work". Gibraltar Football Association. 2 July 2018. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  45. ^ "Initial Gibraltar Squad for the Uefa Nations League". Gibraltar Football Association. 26 August 2018. Archived from the original on 27 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  46. ^ "Gibraltar vs Macedonia match report". Gibraltar Football Association. 6 September 2018. Archived from the original on 28 October 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
    "Liechtenstein vs Gibraltar match report". Gibraltar Football Association. 9 September 2018. Archived from the original on 28 October 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  47. ^ Gibraltar vs Switzerland UEFA.com. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  48. ^ "Styche, Reece". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
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