Graham Alexander | Burnley
Whilst cementing his place in a pivotal midfield role, Graham Alexander endured a fantastic season at Turf Moor. Not only did the Clarets reach the semi-final of the Carling Cup but, to the dismay of many North Enders, sealed promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs. Thirty-seven-year-old Alexander has been offered a new one year deal with the East Lancashire side as he looks to help Burnley avoid the drop straight back to the Championship in what will be a long-awaited first season in the Premiership for the former Scottish international.
Games: 61 (0) Goals: 11 Yellow Cards: 1 Red Cards: 0
Craig Beattie | West Bromwich Albion & Crystal Palace & Sheffield United
Having fallen out of favour with Tony Mowbray, Craig Beattie spent two spells being loaned out to Championship clubs during the 08/09 season. His first stop was at Selhurst Park where he teamed up with Neil Warnock at Crystal Palace. The Eagles reached as high as 5th place in the Championship table during Beattie’s tenure before he was recalled back to West Brom in December. Palace finished the season in 15th place.
Due to injury concerns in the Hawthorns’ striking department, Beattie was thrown back into the mix at Albion to deputise for the injured Roman Bednar and Ishmael Miller. Despite scoring immediately on his return, the former Celtic man was unable to force his way into the starting line-up. It was then that Beattie moved to Sheffield United to help fire the Blades into the Premier League. However, The Blades suffered defeat to Burnley and, due to the absence of Darius Henderson and co, Beattie played the full ninety minutes of the Play-Off Final at Wembley.
Sheffield United
Games: 3 (13) Goals: 1 Yellow Cards: 1 Red Cards: 0
Crystal Palace
Games: 15 (0) Goals: 5 Yellow Cards: 1 Red Cards: 0
West Bromwich Albion
Games: 1 (9) Goals: 1 Yellow Cards: 1 Red Cards: 0
Matthew Hill | Wolverhampton Wanderers
The former Bristol City full-back moved to the Midlands during last year’s August transfer window which saw striker Stephen Elliott move the opposite way. Hill’s first season as a Wolves player can be considered a rather successful one by all accounts. Despite a slow start, Hill managed to force his way into Mick McCarthy’s first team during their Championship winning season.
Hill is yet to score for Wolves but, if his North End career is anything to go by, he will have hit the side-netting on numerous occasions.
Games: 14 (0) Goals: 0 Yellow Cards: 2 Red Cards: 0
Michael Ricketts | Walsall
The one-time England international joins the shortlist of former Preston players who have had their contracts cancelled in recent weeks. Ricketts’ two year stay back with the Saddlers, the club whom he started his career with, was brought to an abrupt end by manager Chris Hutching despite enjoy a more fruitful time in front of goal. Ricketts netted well into double-figures for the first time since his Bolton Wanderers days. Walsall finished the season in 13th place in League One but what the future holds for Ricketts remains to be seen.
Games: 29 (3) Goals: 12 Yellow Cards: 4 Red Cards: 3
Wayne Brown | Hull City, Preston North End & Leicester City
Wayne Brown was a near permanent fixture in Phil Brown’s winning side last year but has seen himself farmed out on loan at both Deepdale and the Walkers Stadium in search of first-team football. Brown’s first spell out on loan included a 3-1 derby day win over Blackpool for North End before returning to the KC Stadium after his month loan was up. Brown then joined Leicester City where he became integral to the Foxes’ League One winning side. The former Colchester defender is widely expected to make his loan deal permanent with Leicester who will be able to benefit from Brown’s experience at the back, something that North End got a taste of during his one month spell.
Hull City
Games: 2 (0) Goals: 0 Yellow Cards: 1 Red Cards: 0
Preston North End
Games: 6 (0) Goals: 0 Yellow Cards: 0 Red Cards: 0
Leicester City
Games: 7 (2) Goals: 0 Yellow Cards: 0 Red Cards: 0
Michael Jackson | Shrewsbury Town
Despite starting the season as first choice, Michael Jackson was left wanting to be starting something by the end of January. The former Tranmere defender still managed to contribute towards Shrewsbury’s play-off campaign by racking up a respectable amount of appearances. However, a defeat in the final at Wembley ensured another season in League Two for Paul Simpson’s side and Jackson.
Games: 24 (0) Goals: 2 Yellow Cards: 7 Red Cards: 0
Colin Murdock | Accrington Stanley
Former Manchester United youngster Colin Murdock left Paul Simpson’s Shrewsbury to join Accrington Stanley last summer. Stanley, although back in the Football League, endured a turbulent season both on and off the field having been on the brink of closure and in administration whilst languishing in the realms of lower mid-table. Having only signed a one-year deal with Accrington last summer, where Murdock will be playing football next season still remains in doubt.
Games: 20 (4) Goals: 1 Yellow Cards: 4 Red Cards: 0
