Luke Guttridge

Luke Horace Guttridge (born 27 March 1982 in Barnstaple, Devon) is an England Association football, currently playing for Northampton Town F.C..

Guttridge, a midfielder, began his career as a trainee with Torquay United F.C. after playing junior football for Paignton Pilgrims. He made his league debut whilst still a trainee as a late substitute, replacing Alex Watson in the 4-0 win against Mansfield Town F.C. on April 10, 2000.

In May 2000, against the advice for a longer contract offer given by youth coaches Paul Compton and Richard Hancox, Guttridge was only offered a three-month professional contract by Torquay manager Wes Saunders, even though Cambridge United F.C. had offered him a one-year deal and the chance to play second division football.

Unsurprisingly, Guttridge left for Cambridge, managed by Roy McFarland, on a free transfer. He had to wait until the following spring for his Cambridge league debut, after playing twice in the Football League Trophy, but when it came he scored within two minutes in a vital 2-0 home win against Oldham Athletic A.F.C.. In August 2001, McFarland, by now manager of Torquay, made a bid to bring Guttridge back to Plainmoor, but this was rejected and he remained at the Abbey Stadium. He became one of Cambridge's main performers to the extent that he was appointed captain of the side and a move to Premier League club Charlton Athletic F.C. was in the pipeline, although in the end nothing materialized.

Guttridge joined Southend United F.C. in March 2005 and, after a slow start, firmly established himself as a mainstay in the side. A chance move to the centre of midfield from his usual wide berth (following a meeting with boss Steve Tilson) proved to be a turning point and Guttridge was a major factor in the Blues 2005/06 Football League One title winning side alongside Kevin Maher.

However, he lost his place in the Southend first team after their promotion and on November 23, 2006 was allowed to join Leyton Orient F.C. on loan . He returned in January 2007. On January 30 2007, he left Southend to sign a permanent contract at Leyton Orient initially until the end of the 2006-07 season. After rejecting a contract offer from Leyton Orient, he left the club in May 2007.

Two months later Guttridge signed for Football League Championship side Colchester United F.C..

Guttridge impressed during a trial period at Northampton Town F.C., and on 4 August 2008 after two commanding performances in pre-season friendlies, he signed a contract with the Cobblers which will keep him at the club until at least the summer of 2010.