Greg Halford

Gregory "Greg" Halford (born 8 December 1984, in Chelmsford, England) is a professional association footballer currently with Sheffield United F.C. of the Football League Championship on loan from Sunderland A.F.C..

Club career

Colchester United

Halford started his football career in July 2001 when he joined Colchester United F.C.'s youth team. He signed a professional contract on 1 August 2002,

In over 150 games in five years for the first team at Layer Road, he gained the reputation of being a 'utility man' having played in defence, midfield and attack for club and country, his last manager, Geraint Williams, preferring to play him at Defender (football) Fullback. He also had a reputation for a long throw, with a high percentage of Colchester's goals in the 2005-06 in English football season coming from Halford's long throw. He said "I tried measuring it one time - it was half the pitch, 50 yards."

Reading

After helping the U's to gain promotion to the Championship last term, Halford handed in a transfer request in August 2006 after interest from several Premier League clubs. Keen to prove himself at a higher level, the England U20 international stated his wish to play in the Premier League, but the transfer request was rejected despite Halford reporting that Colchester had received a "big offer" from Sheffield United F.C.. He was linked with a number of Premier League clubs, but on 30 January 2007, Reading F.C. completed the signing of Halford for an undisclosed fee, believed to be at least £2.25million, on a contract that would keep him at Reading until June 2010. His debut for Reading came as a substitute (football) appearance in their 0-0 home draw with Portsmouth F.C. on 17 March 2007, where he played for the last few minutes on the Midfielder Winger. He made his full debut in Reading's 1-0 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur F.C. on 1 April 2007, where he conceded a penalty due to a controversial hand ball decision.

Sunderland

Halford signed a four year deal with Sunderland after making only three appearances for Reading in his short spell there. He was confirmed as Sunderland's first signing of the summer transfer window on 11 June 2007, and cost the club £3.5 million. Keane had previously tracked Halford and was extremely pleased to capture him, rating him very highly and expecting much from him in the 2007-08 in English football season. Reading's Director of Football, Nick Hammond, revealed that Halford hadn't fitted in with the rest of the Reading squad, and hadn't made the impact both Reading and Halford had desired.

He made his debut for Sunderland in a 2-0 friendly victory over Football League Two team Darlington F.C. on 18 July 2007, with his league debut coming on 15 August 2007 in a 2-2 draw with Birmingham City F.C. at St Andrews (stadium).

However, on 11 January 2008, it was announced that Sunderland would listen to offers, following reported interest in him from Crystal Palace F.C. and Charlton Athletic F.C.. He moved on-loan to Charlton at the end of January 2008.

In July 2008 Halford agreed a one year loan deal with Sheffield United F.C. and subsequently made his debut for the Blades in the opening game of the season at Birmingham City. He scored his first goal for The Blades a few weeks later against Blackpool F.C. on the 23rd of August 2008.

International career

Halford has been capped for England national football team at U20 level, making his debut against Portugal national football team in the Toulon Tournament on 4 June 2005, and scoring his first international goal in a 3-0 win against South Korea national football team on 6 June 2005.