| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Adam Mark Boyd | ||
| Date of birth | (1982-05-25)25 May 1982 (age 43) | ||
| Place of birth | Hartlepool, England | ||
| Position | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1998–1999 | Hartlepool United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1999–2006 | Hartlepool United | 147 | (53) |
| 2004 | →Boston United (loan) | 14 | (4) |
| 2006–2007 | Luton Town | 18 | (1) |
| 2007–2009 | Leyton Orient | 77 | (23) |
| 2009–2012 | Hartlepool United | 92 | (16) |
| 2012 | Celtic Nation | 5 | (0) |
| 2012–2013 | Lincoln City | 0 | (0) |
| 2013 | Spennymoor Town | ||
| 2013–2014 | Bishop Auckland | ||
| Total | 353 | (97) | |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Adam Mark Boyd (born 25 May 1982)[1] is an English former professionalfootballer who played as astriker.
During his studies at HartlepoolManor School of Technology, he played forHartlepool United, making his debut in 1999. Signing professional forms there, Boyd would have a short loan spell atBoston United in 2004. Boyd would then play an integral role on his return to Hartlepool including scoring 22 goals inLeague One during the2004–05 season as the club narrowly missed out on promotion to the Championship. Boyd then moved toLuton Town in 2006 for a fee of£500,000, but struggled to settle at theChampionship side and left a year later forLeyton Orient on a free transfer. After spending two seasons at Orient, he returned to Hartlepool United. However, his second spell at the club was not as successful as his first, and he was released in 2012. Afterwards, he had spells in non-League withCeltic Nation,Lincoln City,Spennymoor Town andBishop Auckland.
Born inHartlepool in theNorth East of England,[1] Boyd attended Grange Primary School, Hartlepool. There his football abilities were first spotted by the school's headmaster and PE coach, Brian Cross, who selected him to play for the under-11 team, despite only being seven years old.[2] While at Grange Primary School, Boyd rarely missed a game for his school.
He then progressed through toManor College of Technology and he was once again recognised as a football player by the school's headmaster, Alan White, a teacher who had previously taughtSteve Harper andPaul Kitson.[3] Boyd also played for five years with aSunday League team called Hartlepool St. Francis, where he started off by playing incentral defence and helped the team win several trophies in the Teesside Junior Alliance league. Boyd caught the eye ofMiddlesbrough who sentscouts to watch him and gave him a trial.[2] However, they decided against signing him. Subsequently, he joinedHartlepool United instead, which was his favourite team alongsideManchester United.[4] He had regularly watched Hartlepool United as a young boy with his father.[2]
While at Hartlepool's youth team he quickly impressed the coaching staff ofMick Smith and Billy Horner. Despite having been in theyouth team only for a short amount of time, he was given a surprising last minute call up to thefirst team at only 16 years of age. Boyd eventually made his debut againstShrewsbury Town and was an immediate success after coming on asubstitute and scoring a dramatic last minutegoal from a tight angle in his debut game.[5] However, Boyd's early promise quickly faded as the team relinquished him to thereserves and he struggled to make an impact.[5] From the 1999 season to 2003, Boyd had started a total of 25 first team matches and made 38 substitution appearances. Despite being on the field often, Boyd only managed to score 15 goals.
Boyd's lack of first team appearances prompted the newly appointed Hartlepool managerNeale Cooper toloan him toBoston United to gain experience. During his time at Boston, Boyd won critical acclaim from Boston managerNeil Thompson and played a total of 14 matches scoring four goals before returning to Hartlepool.[6] Boyd returned ninepounds overweight and looked set to leave Hartlepool United after angering Cooper. When asked about his weight gain, Boyd claimed that he had been eating more to build up his strength but when asked about gym work he said he had not started it yet.[7] Boston looked set to make permanent deal for Boyd and made an offer for the striker.[6] However, both teams failed to reach an agreement with Boston claiming that Hartlepool were asking far too much. It was rumoured that Hartlepool chairman,Ken Hodcroft, wanted a five figure sum, but Boston were only prepared to pay a four figure amount of around £5,000.[2]
Boyd was a surprise inclusion in the team to face Stockport, and came on as a substitute after 45 minutes. The next game away atGrimsby Town saw Boyd get his first start of the season for Pools and score two goals. Boyd kept his place in the team and continued to score for the remainder of the season and notched an impressive 12 goals in 10 starts.[2] Cooper noticed a change in Boyd's attitude and commitment to the club and made Boyd Hartlepool's first choice striker.[8] Boyd was also rewarded for his end of season form by being named thePoweradeLeague One Player of the Month and also received the Goalscorer of the Month award. AFootball League spokesman described Boyd as "finally delivering on his undoubted promise".[9]
The following season, Boyd became one of League One's top goalscorers[10] and formed a strong partnership with fellow strikerJoel Porter to help Hartlepool make the play-offs. He scored 29 goals in league and cup matches and became the club's highest goalscorer since Joe Allon in 1991.[11] Arguably Boyd's best goal came againstSheffield Wednesday, on a cold, wet and windy Friday night at Victoria Park. With Hartlepool already 2–0 up, Boyd received the ball outside the box and faked his way past two players before curling a shot over Sheffield WednesdaygoalkeeperDavid Lucas with the outside of his boot for his hat-trick. This goal earned him two awards, Hartlepool United's Goal of the Season 2005 and the North East Goal of the Season 2005.[12][13] Boyd was also named Hartlepool United's Players' Player of the Year.[13] Boyd ended the season strongly and scored a brace in the first leg of the play-off semi-final match againstTranmere Rovers. This helped to secure Hartlepool's place in the play-off finals for the first time to forge a reputation for his goalscoring exploits, which has won him admirers such asAlan Shearer.[14] His teammates likened him to his childhood idolDennis Bergkamp.[15][16] As Boyd was acclaimed, his value went up to £1 million and he attracted the attention ofFA Premier League clubs such asNewcastle United,Liverpool,Middlesbrough andSunderland.[17] However, Boyd remained in Hartlepool's club for the start of the2005–06 campaign. Boyd started the season by scoring two goals in four starts, but later picked up a long-term injury againstYeovil Town after bruising his bone. To make matters worse, Boyd's injury treatment went badly as he contracted a blood infection, which resulted in him being ruled out for five months.[18] Former managerMike Newell, then ofLuton Town, sought to take advantage of the effect that his injury had had on his value and made Hartlepool two offers thought to be of approximately £500,000 that the club quickly rejected.[19] After finally returning to full training, Boyd struggled to overcome the effects of his injury and spent the majority of the time on the sidelines as the season drew to a close.
On 28 July 2006, Boyd signed a three-year contract withLuton Town after Hartlepool accepted a bid in the range of £500,000.[20] Before leaving, Boyd thanked Hartlepool's coaches, managers and fans for helping him to develop and supporting him. He also thankedChris Turner, Ken Hodcroft andDanny Wilson for allowing the transfer to happen so he could fulfil his ambitions.[21] On his debut for Luton Town, he played a part in setting up Carlos Edwards' goal againstLeicester City to make the game 2–0. Boyd's first goal for Luton Town came in aLeague Cup match againstBristol Rovers – the game finished 1–1 with Luton winning 5–3 onpenalties. It appeared that Boyd was way behind the rest of the team in terms of fitness and match sharpness.[22] However, Newell believed this was because Boyd has "had the best part of a year out of the game".[23] Boyd scored his firstLeague goal for Luton againstQueens Park Rangers.
However, Boyd showed few signs of adapting toChampionship football, leaving many Luton fans frustrated with Boyd's lack of form after such a big money move for a club of Luton's financial situation. Boyd ended an unhappy spell with theHatters by being released from his contract, after Town were relegated toLeague One.[24] Boyd spent one year at Luton Town, scoring only two goals in twenty-three first team games.
Boyd was signed byLeyton Orient on 24 July 2007 on a two-year deal, following his release from Luton.[24] Boyd scored on his debut, apre-seasonfriendly againstWest Ham United with a 25-yard (23 m) volleyed lob overRobert Green.[25] The match wastestimonial to Orient managerMartin Ling, who signed Boyd on the same day as the match.[25] He scored the opening goal on his league debut for Orient, along withSean Thornton, againstSouthend United in a 2–1 win atRoots Hall.[26]Boyd had talks with Huddersfield Town at the beginning of the January 2009 transfer window, however he failed to agree personal terms. He signed for Hartlepool United for his second spell with the club on 1 May 2009.
After rejoining his home-town club in 2009 for a fee of £50,000, Boyd scored seven league goals in his first season back and he notched his first goal back on his debut after coming on as a substitute forDenis Behan in a first roundLeague Cup win over Coventry on 12 August 2009,[27] scoring against his former Hartlepool teammateDimitrios Konstantopoulos, it was the only goal of the tie in Hartlepool's first ever visit at theRicoh Arena. The win saw Hartlepool earn a home-time againstPremier League sideBurnley, where he scored the first goal of the game. However, theClarets would go on to win 2–1 after extra time.[28]
The next season saw Boyd score a disappointing three goals, but he signed a new one-year deal on reduced terms at the end of the season. In the 2011–12 season, he scored four goals in the first seven league games of the season which saw Hartlepool unbeaten leading to the club's record start to the season. Despite this, he was dropped by then managerMick Wadsworth. He would go on to score three more goals for the club, his last being a cool finish in a 2–1 away toBury.[29] Boyd was released on 10 May 2012, along with nine other Hartlepool players, after spending 10 seasons with his home town club in two spells, which now sees him in the club's top 15 all time goalscorers and in the top 25 all time appearances.
After his release from Hartlepool, Boyd was linked with Bury and localConference professional sideGateshead, the latter of whom made an offer for Boyd before he signed forCarlisle basedNorthern League sideCeltic Nation.[30] Celtic Nation during pre-season went on to bring in numerous ex-Football League players including Boyd's former teammatesPaul Arnison,Jeff Smith andGraeme Lee.
He made his first appearance for Celtic Nation in 1–0 victory in anFA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round away toBillingham Synthonia. He left the club by 'mutual consent' after only three months having managed only a solitary goal during his brief stay – a volley to win the FA Cup tie against Dunston in September.[31]
He subsequently joinedLincoln City on trial. After completion of the trial, he signed a deal with the club that was to run until the New Year, however, he would play only once for the club in anFA Trophy game against Tamworth before being released.[32]
After training with the club for three weeks, on 25 January 2013 he joinedSpennymoor Town on a non-contract basis.[33] He marked his debut for the club by scoring a seventh-minute penalty as they defeated Billingham Synthonia 4–0 in the third round of theDurham Challenge Cup on 4 February 2013.[34] His spell with the club was short, as he headed off for a trial with a club in the Philippines.[35]
In July 2013, he signed forBishop Auckland.[36]
In 2005, Boyd was involved in an incident where he was forced to flee across a "posh estate" and suffered bruises and injuries to his feet.[7] Boyd declined to take any legal action against his attacker, saying that he just wanted to "forget about it".[37] Months before during Hartlepool's pre-season tour in the Netherlands, a streaker ran onto the pitch and danced in front of him.[4]
In 2021, Boyd was working for DPD delivering parcels. Boyd enjoys attending Hartlepool matches and, during the 2020–21 season, provided guest commentary.[38]
On 14 October 2024, Boyd was due to appear at Teesside Magistrates Court after being charged driving with excess alcohol in May 2024. However, his case was adjourned as he was in rehab. The hearing was moved to November 2024.[39] On 8 November 2024, Boyd pleaded guilty at court and was banned from driving for 12 months. He was also fined £1,000, along with being ordered to pay a £400 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.[40]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Hartlepool United | 1999–2000[41] | Division Three | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| 2000–01[42] | Division Three | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2001–02[43] | Division Three | 30 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 9 | |
| 2002–03[44] | Division Three | 22 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 5 | |
| 2003–04[45] | Division Two | 20 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 12 | |
| 2004–05[46] | League One | 45 | 22 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 59 | 29 | |
| 2005–06[47] | League One | 21 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 4 | |
| Total | 147 | 53 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 3 | 173 | 60 | ||
| Boston United (loan) | 2003–04[45] | Division Three | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 4 |
| Luton Town | 2006–07[48] | Championship | 18 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 2 |
| Leyton Orient | 2007–08[49] | League One | 44 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 49 | 17 |
| 2008–09[50] | League One | 33 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 39 | 12 | |
| Total | 77 | 23 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 88 | 29 | ||
| Hartlepool United | 2009–10[51] | League One | 40 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 9 |
| 2010–11[52] | League One | 19 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 4 | |
| 2011–12[53] | League One | 33 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 6 | |
| Total | 92 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 103 | 19 | ||
| Career total | 348 | 97 | 18 | 5 | 15 | 7 | 18 | 5 | 399 | 114 | ||
Individual
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