 Lines playing forBristol Rovers in 2016 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Christopher John Lines[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1985-11-30)30 November 1985 (age 39)[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Bristol, England[3] | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Corsham Town (player-manager) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2001–2002 | Bitton | ||
| 2002–2004 | Bristol Rovers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2011 | Bristol Rovers | 168 | (21) |
| 2011–2013 | Sheffield Wednesday | 47 | (3) |
| 2013 | →Milton Keynes Dons (loan) | 16 | (0) |
| 2013–2015 | Port Vale | 61 | (3) |
| 2015 | →Bristol Rovers (loan) | 8 | (1) |
| 2015–2019 | Bristol Rovers | 138 | (9) |
| 2019–2021 | Northampton Town | 35 | (3) |
| 2021–2022 | Stevenage | 51 | (3) |
| 2022–2024 | Bath City | 44 | (0) |
| 2024 | →Yate Town (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 2024–2025 | Roman Glass St George | ||
| 2025– | Corsham Town | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 2025– | Corsham Town (player-manager) | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 19:17, 2 June 2025 (UTC) | |||
Christopher John Lines (born 30 November 1985) is an English professionalfootballer who plays as amidfielder forHellenic League Premier Division clubCorsham Town, where he holds the role of player-manager.
Lines turned professional atBristol Rovers and made his first-team debut in January 2006. He played in the2007Football League Trophy final defeat. He was an unusedsubstitute in theLeague Twoplay-off final victory before becoming afirst team regular from the2007–08 season. He was sold on toSheffield Wednesday for £50,000 in August 2011 and was a key first-team player as the "Owls" wonpromotion to theChampionship at the end of the2011–12 campaign. However, he lost his first-team place the following season and wasloaned out toMilton Keynes Dons in January 2013.
He signed with Port Vale in July 2013. A key first-team player in the2013–14 season, he lost his first-team place. He returned to Bristol Rovers on loan in March 2015, helping Rovers to win promotion out of theConference Premier via the play-offs before rejoining Rovers permanently in the summer. He helped Rovers to achieve a second successive promotion in the2015–16 campaign and left the club in May 2019 for the second time; then he joined Northampton Town. He helped Northampton to win promotion out of League Two via theplay-offs in2020 and then moved on toStevenage for an 18-month stay in January 2021. He dropped intonon-League football to play forBath City in June 2022 and left the club in 2024 following a spell on loan atYate Town. He joinedRoman Glass St George in July 2024 and moved on to Corsham Town 11 months later. He became player-manager at Corsham in October 2025.
Born inBristol,[2] Lines spent a year playing forBitton as a 16-year-old,[4] before graduating through theBristol Rovers-backed Bristol Academy of Sport atSouth Gloucestershire and Stroud College.[5] He had previously been released from the Bristol Rovers youth programme, but was re-signed at the age of 16.[6] He made his first-team debut for Rovers on 21 January 2006, playing the last five minutes of a 2–1 win overChester City at theMemorial Stadium.[7] After two furthersubstitute appearances inLeague Two, he made his first league start on 6 May, in a 3–2 home defeat toMacclesfield Town.[8][9]
After three appearances in the2006–07 campaign, he featured in six matches from March onwards, and was anextra time substitute forLewis Haldane in theFootball League Trophyfinal defeat toDoncaster Rovers at theMillennium Stadium.[10][11] He was an unused substitute in theLeague Two play-off final, as Rovers wonpromotion with a 3–1 victory overShrewsbury Town atWembley.[12]
He became a first-team regular undermanagerPaul Trollope in the2007–08 season, playing 27League One games and featuring in eight of the "Gasheads" nineFA Cup games en route to the quarter-finals. BBC reporter Nathan Mercer credited Lines with an "excellent" performance as Rovers beatPremier League sideFulham on penalties in the third round on 22 January. Lines wasfouled byDejan Stefanović in an incident which saw the Serbiansent off.[13] He scored his first goal in competitive football on 29 December, opening the scoring in a 3–0 home win overCarlisle United with aheader.[14] He played 48 games in the2008–09 season, and missed only one league game due a suspension he picked up whilst celebrating an injury-timeequaliser he scored againstSwindon Town on 22 November.[15][16]
Lines was nominated for theLeague One Player of the Month award in November 2009 after scoring a goal in each of his three league games that month.[17] He signed a new three-and-a-half-yearcontract with Rovers in January 2010. He was described bydirector of footballLennie Lawrence as "a fundamental part of our plans to take this club forward."[18] This came shortly after he was reported to be atransfer target forSouthampton managerAlan Pardew.[19] The transfer rumours continued despite the new contract.[20] In total he scored ten goals in 46 appearances in the2009–10 campaign.[21]
He was ruled out for two weeks with a toe injury in February 2011 but thanked managerDave Penney after he immediately returned to the first team.[22] Despite this praise he publicly supported the board's decision to sack Penney the following month, and went on to praise the impact ofcaretaker managerStuart Campbell.[23] Following Rovers'relegation to League Two at the end of the2010–11 season, Lines spent seven days on trial atChampionship sideCrystal Palace.[24][25] New Rovers bossPaul Buckle admitted that he was unlikely to keep Lines for the following season.[26] He was still at the club though for the2011–12 season opening victory overAFC Wimbledon atKingsmeadow.[27]
In August 2011, Lines joined League One clubSheffield Wednesday on a three-year contract for a £50,000 fee.[28][29] He went on to score four goals in 47 appearances in the2011–12 campaign as Wednesday secured promotion with a second-place finish and was twice named on the League One Team of the Week.[30][31][32] He made 12assists in the campaign, just two fewer than divisional assist leaderStephen Quinn.[33]
"It's all new to me, I had one promotion before but this was amazing, Saturday was amazing, to have that kind of crowd in League One is unreal. There were some mad scenes at the end but it was a great day. I'm proud to be at this club."
— Lines reflecting on the promotion success in May 2012.[34]
He picked up agroin injury at the start of the2012–13 season. He was out of action for three months.[35] ManagerDave Jones played Lines in six Championship games in the buildup to Christmas, though did not play him in the new year. On 22 January 2013, Lines joined League OneMilton Keynes Dons onloan for the remainder ofthe season after managerKarl Robinson admitted that Lines was "a player I have admired for a number of years now".[36] Robinson was in search of midfield options afterLuke Chadwick andStephen Gleeson both picked up injuries.[36] He featured in 18 games for the MK Dons, including the 4–2 victory overPremier League sideQueens Park Rangers atLoftus Road in the fourth round of theFA Cup.[37][38] After returning fromStadium mk, Lines had his contract atHillsborough cancelled by mutual consent in July 2013.[39]
Lines signed a one-year contract with newly promoted League One sidePort Vale in July 2013.[40] In the first part of the2013–14 season he began tracking back to help his defence whilst also being the keyplaymaker in central midfield, after a discussion with managerMicky Adams.[41] He scored his first goal for the "Valiants" with a "superb free-kick" from 25 yards (23 m) in a 1–0 win overTranmere Rovers atPrenton Park on 29 September.[42] He went on to build a partnership in midfield withAnthony Griffith, who provided tough-tackling skills whilst Lines played as a creative playmaker.[43] He signed a new two-year contract in June 2014.[44] He said that the good team spirit at the club was a major factor in him signing the contract.[45]
He remained a key first-team player in the first half of the2014–15 season, being named on the Football League Team of the Week after he "pulled the strings" in a 4–1 win overYeovil Town atVale Park.[46] However, he was sent off for violent conduct after thrusting his head towardsDele Alli in a 1–0 defeat to Milton Keynes Dons atStadium mk on 22 November; managerRob Page stated that he was disappointed in Lines.[47] After returning from suspension he lost his midfield spot toMichael O'Connor andMichael Brown.[48]
On 9 March 2015, he rejoined his first professional club, Bristol Rovers, on loan until the end of the2014–15 season.[49] They ended theConference Premier campaign in second place, but Lines scored a goal in a 3–0aggregate victory overForest Green Rovers in the play-off semi-finals to help Rovers to reach theplay-off final atWembley Stadium.[50] He played in the 1–1 draw withGrimsby Town in the play-off final and converted the firstpenalty of the shoot-out, which Rovers won to regain their place in theEnglish Football League.[51] He was signed by Rovers managerDarrell Clarke on a permanent basis in June 2015, after his contract with Port Vale was cancelled by mutual consent.[52] Lines made 36 appearances as Rovers won promotion with a third-place finish in2015–16 and he would sign a new contract in June 2016.[53]
Lines scored his first goal since his full return to Bristol Rovers with a strike from 25 yards (23 m) in a 1–0 victory overCardiff City in the first round of theEFL Cup on 11 August 2016.[54] The goal secured Rovers a trip toStamford Bridge and a second round tie againstChelsea, which they ultimately lost 3–2.[55] He scored his first league goal since his return in a late 2–1 comeback victory overGillingham on 15 October as he embarked on a run from deep before calmly tucking the ball beyond opposition goalkeeperJonathan Bond.[56] His consistently good performances were rewarded with a new undisclosed-length contract in March 2017.[57]
Speaking as the oldest member of the squad at the age of 32 in September 2017, he admitted to becoming a vegetarian as he restricted his diet in an attempt to extend his playing career.[58] On 2 April 2018, he was sent off during a 2–0 defeat atFleetwood Town and was subsequently abused by some of the club's supporters on social media.[59] He ended the2017–18 season with five goals in 47 appearances as Rovers posted a 13th-place finish in League One.[60][61] On 21 August 2018, he scored a 76th-minute penalty in a 2–1 home defeat toPortsmouth, only to get sent off two minutes later for a studs up challenge onBrett Pitman.[62] However, he lost his first-team place afterGraham Coughlan replaced Clarke as manager in December; the player and new manager would have a strained relationship, which led Lines to call Coughlan "embarrassing".[63][64]
On 8 May 2019, Lines was announced to be one of nine players leaving the club at the end of their contract. Lines ended his second spell with his boyhood club having made over 350 appearances and having achieved three promotions during his two spells at the club.[65][66][67]
On 15 May 2019, Lines signed a two-year deal with League Two sideNorthampton Town; managerKeith Curle said that "I think his attributes will really help us".[68] Darrell Clarke had tried to tempt him to join him atWalsall, but was unsuccessful.[63] He quickly established himself as a key first-team player under Curle, starting nine of Northampton's first ten league games of the2019–20 season.[69] On 18 January, he scored avolleyed finish in a 4–1 victory overMorecambe, which was later voted as goal of the season (so far) by readers of theNorthampton Chronicle & Echo during theCOVID-19 pandemic in England.[70][71] The season was curtailed and Northampton went on to qualify for theplay-offs, though Lines was an unused substitute in thebehind closed doors Wembley final as Northampton recordeda 4–0 victory overExeter City to secure promotion into League One, the fifth promotion of Lines' career.[72][73] However, he featured in just four League One and six cup games in the first half of the2020–21 campaign and decided to leaveSixfields in search of regular game-time elsewhere.[74]
Lines joined League Two clubStevenage on a six-month contract on 5 January 2021.[75] He played 21 games in the second half of the2020–21 season, helping Stevenage finish in 14th-place, and signed a new contract with the club.[76][77] Lines opened his account in the second match of the2021–22 season, opening the scoring in the 88th minute of an eventual 2–0 win over Lines' two-time former and boyhood club Bristol Rovers.[78] Despite this however, Lines gave a lap of thepitch after the match, receiving applause from both sets of fans having walked out onto the pitch with his daughters before the match.[79] ManagerAlex Revell said that it was "a great goal from Chris, he deserves it. He was a key part of us last year".[80] Lines was one of 15 players to be released by new managerSteve Evans at the end of the 2021–22 season, having made 36 appearances as Stevenage posted a 21st-place finish.[81][82][83]
On 19 June 2022, Lines agreed to joinNational League South clubBath City upon the expiration of his contract with Stevenage.[84] This transfer saw Lines return toTwerton Park, as he had watched Bristol Rovers matches there as a child.[85] He made 38 appearances in the2022–23 season, whilst also working in insurance.[86][87]
In March 2024, Lines joinedSouthern League Division One South clubYate Town on loan until the end of the2023–24 season.[88] He played six games and then returned to Bath City, where he was released upon the expiry of his contract.[89][90]
In July 2024, he joinedHellenic Premier Division clubRoman Glass St George, making his debut and scoring the first goal in a 6–1 opening day win overCirencester Town.[91]
On 2 June 2025, Lines joined Hellenic Premier Division sideCorsham Town.[92] On 1 October 2025, following a short spell as interim player-manager, Lines was appointed first-team player-manager.[93]
Lines has strong technicalpassing attributes and vision.[94] He has been described by theSheffield Star's Paul Thompson as being a "cultured, creative, passing midfielder who gets on the ball and likes to dictate play... he's also very mobile and has decent vision".[40]Port Vale managerMicky Adams described him as a "tall, strong central midfielder".[95] He was described as aset piece specialist byThe Sentinel correspondent Dave Johnson.[40]
Lines likes hip-hop and rap music and tends to be in charge of the playlist in club dressing rooms.[96] He worked in insurance after leaving full-time professional football.[97]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Bristol Rovers | 2004–05[98] | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005–06[8] | League Two | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2006–07[10] | League Two | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2007–08[99] | League One | 27 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 36 | 3 | |
| 2008–09[15] | League One | 45 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 48 | 4 | |
| 2009–10[21] | League One | 42 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 46 | 11 | |
| 2010–11[100] | League One | 42 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2[b] | 1 | 46 | 5 | |
| 2011–12[30] | League Two | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Sheffield Wednesday | 2011–12[30] | League One | 41 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 4 |
| 2012–13[37] | Championship | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | ||
| Sheffield Wednesday total | 47 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 4 | ||
| Milton Keynes Dons (loan) | 2012–13[37] | League One | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 18 | 0 | ||
| Port Vale | 2013–14[101] | League One | 34 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 40 | 2 |
| 2014–15[102] | League One | 27 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 31 | 2 | |
| Port Vale total | 61 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 71 | 4 | ||
| Bristol Rovers (loan) | 2014–15[102] | Conference Premier | 8 | 0 | — | — | 3[c] | 1 | 11 | 1 | ||
| Bristol Rovers | 2015–16[103] | League Two | 33 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 36 | 0 |
| 2016–17[104] | League One | 44 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1[d] | 0 | 49 | 4 | |
| 2017–18[60] | League One | 42 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1[d] | 0 | 47 | 5 | |
| 2018–19[105] | League One | 19 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3[d] | 0 | 24 | 2 | |
| Bristol Rovers total | 314 | 30 | 16 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 17 | 1 | 357 | 35 | ||
| Northampton Town | 2019–20[106] | League Two | 31 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[d] | 0 | 39 | 2 |
| 2020–21[76] | League One | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4[d] | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
| Northampton Town total | 35 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 49 | 3 | ||
| Stevenage | 2020–21[76] | League Two | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
| 2021–22[82] | League Two | 31 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[d] | 0 | 37 | 3 | |
| Stevenage total | 51 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 58 | 3 | ||
| Bath City | 2022–23[86] | National League South | 36 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 6[e] | 0 | 45 | 0 | |
| 2023–24[86] | National League South | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 3[f] | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||
| Bath City total | 44 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 56 | 0 | ||
| Yate Town (loan) | 2023–24[89] | Southern League Division One South | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| Career total | 574 | 42 | 39 | 3 | 18 | 2 | 37 | 2 | 668 | 49 | ||
Bristol Rovers
Sheffield Wednesday
Northampton Town
