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Jamie Pollock

[Player Picture]

 

Personalia:

Born: 16/2 1974
Birthplace: Stockton-on-Tees
Nationality: England (0/0)
Height: 5`10" (178cm)
Weight: 14st. 1lb (89kg)
Position: Defensive Midfield

League Appearances:

Season: Club: Games: Goals:
1989-1996 Middlesborough 155 17
1996-1997 Osasuna (SPA) 0 0
1996-1998 Bolton Wanderers 46 5
1997-1998 Manchester City 8 1
1998-1999 Manchester City 26 1
1999-2000 Manchester City 24 3
2000-2002 Crystal Palace 31 4
2000-2001 Birmingham City (loan) 5 0
Total: 295 31

A hard working midfielder who spent 7 years with Middlesborough, before losing his place when they started to import players like Juninho and Ravanelli. Before that he had represented England at U-18 and U-21 levels. A number of foreign clubs was attracted when his contract with Middlesborough was terminated, and he decided to join Spanish side Osasuna. It proved to be an unsuccessful stay, as he only played 2 games for them before returning to England and Premiership promoters Bolton. Pollock himself rates his stay in Spain as enjoyable, much helped by the big sign-on fee...;-)

Many were surprised when he signed for Manchester City for £1 million, at a time when they struggled hard to avoid relegation to 2nd division. But Jamie was not fit enough for the Premiership, and when Royle wanted him as captain and cornerstone in the City midfield, he must have seen this as a chance to get a leading role again. The presence of the slightly overweighted star lifted City at the end of the 1997/98 season, but was not enough to rescue the place.

Before the 2nd division campaign Jamie was fitter and stronger than before, and the opening games has shown him from his better side. But after a couple of suspensions and a hernia operation kept him out of the game for 5 weeks he struggled to get back to full match fitness. The introduction of Andy Morrison as captain also ment that Jamie had no free ride in the team, and with Ian Bishop filling the midfield position with great bravure, it must have been hard to not get the chance to play in the vital play-off matches at the end of the season.

The following season Pollock seemed even further away from a regular place in the team. This time due to the introduction of the Horlock/Jeff Whitley partnership and 6 clean sheets in a row at the start of the season. Heavy speculation suggested that WBA was after his services, but so far the big midfielder is keeping an eye on a place in the City promotion chasing team, claiming that when he is called upon he'll go for it with all he's got.

In august 2000 Jamie accepted an offer to join Crystal Palace and City recieved £750,000 for the midfielder and former captain.

March 1st 2002: Former Manchester City midfielder Jamie Pollock has announced his retirement from professional football. Pollock, 28, has been without a club since he left Crystal Palace by mutual consent last season. He was training with Grimsby but has opted instead to play non-league football and become a director in his family's glass-making business.


Provided by: Svenn A. Hanssen, svenn@hanssen.priv.no