David Prutton

David Thomas Michael Prutton (born September 12 , 1981 in Kingston upon Hull) is an England Association football, currently playing for Leeds United A.F.C.. Prutton was once considered a future England star and has represented England at England national under-21 football team 25 times.

Playing career

Nottingham Forest

Prutton came through the hugely successful Nottingham Forest F.C. youth system and made 155 appearances for the club where his career started. Having starred for Nottingham Forest and in the England under-21 squad the versatile midfielder was signed by Southampton F.C., then of the FA Premier League, on the final day of the transfer window for £2.5 million in 2003.

Southampton

Prutton is a versatile player, having played across the midfield and at Defender (football) Fullback for Southampton, and despite being a very important player in the 2002-03 in English football season missed out on the FA Cup Final as he was cup-tied having played for Nottingham Forest against West Ham United F.C. in the third round. Despite only being at Southampton for less than four months Prutton played 12 games for Southampton and impressed in Gordon Strachan’s squad.

In the 2003-04 in English football season Prutton featured heavily for Southampton, playing 30 games and scoring one goal against Charlton Athletic F.C., on the last day of the season.

The 2004-05 in English football season was one to forget, despite scoring 2 goals and playing 28 games in all competitions. Following Southampton's home game with Arsenal F.C. on 26 February 2005, Prutton was charged by the the Football Association on two counts for the events following his Misconduct (football) for a tackle on Robert Pirès. First was for his failure to leave the field of play promptly following his Penalty card and his attempt to remonstrate with the assistant referee, during which he pushed the referee on at least one occasion. The second charge relates to his threatening words and/or behaviour towards a match official. Prutton was handed a 10-match ban and fined £6,000 after admitting the two charges of improper conduct. Prutton returned on the final day of the season for Southampton's game against Manchester United F.C., which the side needed to win to stay in the FA Premier League. Southampton lost the game 1-2 and the club were relegated to the Football League Championship.

In 2005-06 in English football the versatile midfielder’s season was marred by a broken metatarsus which he picked up in September against Queens Park Rangers F.C..

A lack of first team opportunities forced him to seek employment elsewhere and in January 2007 he left Southampton to return to Nottingham Forest. In total he played 94 games for the Saints, scoring 5 goals. He was released by Southampton on 23 May 2007.

Return to Nottingham Forest

Narrowly beating the transfer deadline, Prutton re-joined his old club in January 2007 on loan until the end of the season, with a view to a permanent move if Forest are promoted. He had piqued interest from Championship clubs Leeds United A.F.C. and his home-town club, Hull City A.F.C..

On 14 April Prutton scored his first Forest goal since returning to the club against Brentford F.C. in a league match, heading in the first of Forest's four second-half goals to inspire a fightback that would win Forest the game 4-2, despite being 2-0 down after 50 minutes. He was sent-off in 90th minute of the League One play-off semi-final second leg match against Yeovil Town F.C. on 18 May 2007, leaving Forest with 10-men for extra time.

Leeds United

Prutton joined Leeds United A.F.C. on trial during pre-season 2007 and officially joined the club on 7 August 2007. Prutton scored his first goal for Leeds against Swansea City A.F.C. on 22 September 2007 in a 2-0 victory as Leeds notched up their seventh consecutive victory. Prutton generally played in a right midfield role during Dennis Wise rule at the club. When Gary McAllister became manager, Prutton was moved to his natural centre midfield role and put in several man of the match performances. He was one of Leeds' most consistent performers in the Leeds United A.F.C. season 2007-08 having started over 40 matches. Leeds retained the services of Prutton for the next season, with his contract lasting a further year.