Adnan Ahmed

Pakistani footballer (born 1984)

Adnan Ahmed
Ahmed training with Ferencvárosi TC in April 2010
Personal information
Full name Adnan Farooq Ahmed[1]
Date of birth (1984-06-07) 7 June 1984 (age 39)[1]
Place of birth Burnley, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
0000–1995 Bury
1995–1997 Manchester United
1997–2003 Huddersfield Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2007 Huddersfield Town 41 (1)
2007–2009 Tranmere Rovers 6 (0)
2008 → Mansfield Town (loan) 9 (2)
2009 → Port Vale (loan) 5 (1)
2009–2010 Ferencváros 14 (0)
2009–2010 Ferencváros II 3 (0)
2010–2011 Aboumoslem 5 (0)
2011–2012 Bradford Park Avenue
2012–2013 Nelson 11 (2)
2013 Droylsden 6 (1)
2013–2014 Nelson 17 (2)
2016 Nelson 6 (0)
Total 123 (9)
International career
2007–2013 Pakistan 27 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Adnan Farooq Ahmed (Urdu: عدنان فاروق احمد; born 7 June 1984) is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Born in England, he represented the Pakistan national team. He had an 11-year career in football, including a six-year international career in which he scored four goals and won 27 caps. Considered one of the best midfielders from Pakistan in the 2010s, Ahmed was renowned for his vision, ball control, technique, creativity, and passing.[2][3]

Ahmed came through the youth academy at Manchester United before going on to turn professional for Huddersfield Town in 2003. After three years he transferred to Tranmere Rovers. After a two-year spell which included loans to Mansfield Town and Port Vale, he signed with Hungarian club Ferencvárosi TC in 2009. A year later he moved to Iran to spend a brief period at Aboumoslem. He returned to England, and in October 2011 joined Bradford Park Avenue. He switched to Nelson in May 2012 and returned to Nelson after a brief spell with Droylsden in 2013. He helped Nelson to win the North West Counties League Division One title in 2013–14.

Early life

Ahmed was born in Burnley and lived in Barnoldswick, Lancashire during his early life, attending Moorland School in Clitheroe.[4] Ahmed is a British Asian of Pakistani descent. His family originate from Gujrat in Pakistan.[5]

Club career

Huddersfield Town

Initially part of Bury youth academy, as well as a two-year stint at Manchester United Academy afterwards, Ahmed chose to join Huddersfield Town where he turned professional. Despite making a few appearances for the club in league and cup competitions since turning professional, Ahmed's career has been hampered by persistent injury troubles. Ahmed has the unfortunate distinction of being the very first player to be sent off at the Keepmoat Stadium, the new home of Doncaster Rovers. He was shown the red card for a two footed challenge on Rovers' Mark McCammon, the scorer of the very first goal in the stadium during Huddersfield's 3–0 defeat on 1 January 2007.

In January 2007, Ahmed went to Lincoln City, who had shown an interest in him, on a one-week trial with Huddersfield manager Peter Jackson saying "It will be a good experience for him and will hopefully make him appreciate what he's got here".[6] However, no deal was done between the clubs and as a result the player returned to Huddersfield. He was released from the club in May 2007.

Tranmere Rovers

On 25 May 2007, it was announced that Ahmed had joined Tranmere Rovers side on a free transfer, becoming manager Ronnie Moore's first summer signing of 2007.[7][8] He made his debut coming on as a substitute in the second-half at home in a 1–1 draw with Yeovil Town on 1 September 2007. However, competition for places in midfield saw him make just five further appearances during his debut season with the club.

Because of lack any real first-team opportunities, Ahmed went on loan to Conference National side Mansfield Town at the end of October 2008, making his first-team debut in a 2–0 defeat away to Torquay United on 1 November 2008. He became an instant hit with the Mansfield fans scoring a penalty in the 3–0 win against Salisbury City, also scoring a diving header against Weymouth to set up a 2–1 victory. Following his return to Tranmere, he joined Port Vale on trial.[9] He went on loan to Vale on 21 January 2009.[10] Ahmed opened his account with the "Valiants" by scoring the match winner in a 2–0 win at Macclesfield Town on 25 February 2009. He returned to Tranmere in late March after Vale manager Dean Glover rejected the opportunity to extend his loan,[11] despite impressing fans with his performances.

Ferencváros

In July 2009, having impressed coaching staff during pre-season trial matches at Hungarian team Ferencvárosi TC, Ahmed signed a two-year deal with the team to play in Nemzeti Bajnokság I.[12] He played his first competitive game for the team in a 2–0 win over Diósgyőri VTK in the 2009–10 Hungarian League Cup on 29 July 2009. After one season, he was released from the team having played a total of 20 games in all competitions with 1 goal in a 4–2 win against Kecskeméti TE in the Hungarian League Cup on 23 September 2009.

In July 2010 he went on trial at Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen, but was not offered a contract.[13]

Aboomoslem

In September 2010, after taking part in training sessions and trials, Adnan was given a one-year contract with Mashhad-based Iranian club Aboumoslem[14] for the 2010–11 Azadegan League season. He made his first-team debut in a 1–0 home win over Iranjavan Bushehr on 7 October 2010. However, at the start of 2011, Adnan left the side and headed back to England as a free agent after playing just five games for Aboomoslem.

Nelson & Droylsden

Ahmed signed with Northern Premier League Premier Division club Bradford Park Avenue in October 2011.[15] He scored a stoppage time winner on his debut, helping Avenue to defeat Chester 2–1 on 2 November.[16] In May 2012, he joined Nelson in Division One of the North West Counties League. In November 2013, Ahmed rejoined Nelson after a short spell playing for Conference North side Droylsden.[17] He helped the "Admirals" to the Division One title in the 2013–14 season. He made three appearances at the start of the 2014–15 campaign, but did not feature after mid-August.

However, Ahmed re-joined Nelson once again in January 2016.[18] He balanced part-time football with working as operating director of his father's bedroom furniture company.[19]

International career

Ahmed received his first formal call up to the Pakistan national football team for their World Cup 2010 qualification against Iraq on 22 October 2007 in Lahore, where he made his debut in a hefty 7–0 loss, and 28 October 2007 for the return leg in Aleppo, Syria[20][21] which surprisingly finished goal-less between the two sides, although Iraq went through the next round on aggregate scores. Adnan scored his first goal for Pakistan in a humiliating 7–1 loss against Sri Lanka in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup qualification.

Ahmed took part in the 2008 SAFF Cup where he scored a goal against arch-rivals India in a disappointing 2–1 loss and ended Pakistan's chances of going past the group stage. Ahmed scored two goals in 2010 AFC Challenge Cup qualification against Taiwan 1–1 draw and against Brunei 6–0 but in end they finished as 2nd and could not qualify for 2010 AFC Challenge Cup. He showed very good performance and skill. Ahmed also took part in the 2009 SAFF Cup hosted by Bangladesh, but it was again disappointment as Pakistan crashed out in the group stages once again; Ahmed playing two games in which he missed a late crucial penalty in the 1–0 loss against Sri Lanka. After missing out on the Pakistan squad for the 2010 Asian Games football tournament, Adnan returned to the senior team for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification Group B held in Malaysia where he played in all 3 games and starred in midfield despite Pakistan once again disappointing in another qualification tournament.

Personal life

After retirement, Ahmed set-up a football academy alongside Nathan Ellington.[22][23]

Career statistics

Club statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Huddersfield Town 2003–04[24] Third Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2004–05[25] League One 18 1 0 0 0 0 2[a] 1 20 2
2005–06[26] League One 13 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 14 0
2006–07[27] League One 9 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 10 0
Total 41 1 1 0 0 0 3 1 45 2
Tranmere Rovers 2007–08[28] League One 6 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 7 0
2008–09[29] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 6 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 7 0
Mansfield Town (loan) 2008–09[29] Conference Premier 9 2 1 0 — 0 0 10 2
Port Vale (loan) 2008–09[29] League Two 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1
Ferencváros 2009–10[30][31] Nemzeti Bajnokság I 14 0 0 0 6 1 — 20 1
Ferencváros II 2009–10[30] Nemzeti Bajnokság III 3 0 — — — 3 0
Aboumoslem 2010–11[32] Azadegan League 5 0 — — — 5 0
Nelson 2012–13[33] NWCFL First Division 11 2 — — 2[b] 0 13 2
Droylsden 2012–13[34] Conference North 6 1 0 0 — 0 0 6 1
Nelson 2013–14[35] NWCFL First Division 14 2 — — 2[c] 1 16 3
2014–15[36] NWCFL Premier Division 3 0 0 0 — 0 0 3 0
2015–16[37] NWCFL Premier Division 6 0 0 0 — 0 0 6 0
Total 23 2 0 0 — 2 1 25 3
Career total 123 9 2 0 6 1 8 2 139 12
  1. ^ a b c Appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ 1 appearance in Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy, 1 appearance in NWCFL League Challenge Cup
  3. ^ 1 appearance in Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy, 1 appearance in NWCFL First Division Challenge Cup

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[38][39]
National team Year Apps Goals
Pakistan 2007 2 0
2008 6 2
2009 5 2
2011 8 0
2013 6 0
Total 27 4

International goals

Scores and results list Pakistan's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 4 April 2008 Chengshan Stadium, Taipei, Taiwan  Sri Lanka 1–2 1–7 2008 AFC Challenge Cup qualification
2. 17 June 2008 Rasmee Dhandu Stadium, Malé, Maldives  India 1–2 1–2 2008 SAFF Championship
3. 4 April 2009 Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka  Chinese Taipei 1–1 1–1 2010 AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier
4. 6 April 2009 Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka  Brunei 6–0 6–0 2010 AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier

Honours

Nelson

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2005). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2005/2006. Queen Anne Press. ISBN 9781852916626.
  2. ^ YorkshireLive (5 March 2005). "Just oozing class". Yorkshire Live. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  3. ^ Staff, Editorial (26 November 2012). "Pakistani Foreign players: Not good enough?". FootballPakistan.com (FPDC). Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  4. ^ Lancashire Telegraph Accessed 2010
  5. ^ News, Manchester Evening (14 August 2007). "Ahmed gets national side call". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 14 April 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  6. ^ "Ahmed training with Lincoln" Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, TeamTalk, January 2007
  7. ^ "Rovers Sign Midfielder" Archived 26 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Adnan signs for Tranmere"
  9. ^ "Tranmere midfielder in Vale trial". BBC Sport. 14 January 2009. Archived from the original on 20 January 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
  10. ^ "Breaking News: Port Vale sign Ahmed on loan". The Sentinel. 21 January 2009. Archived from the original on 25 April 2009. Retrieved 21 January 2009.
  11. ^ Shaw, Steve (30 March 2009). "Port Vale: Martin ready to seize his chance". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 25 April 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
  12. ^ "Adnan Ahmed set to join FTC (Hungarian)". ftc.hu. 21 July 2009. Archived from the original on 25 July 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
  13. ^ "Latest news". afc.co.uk. 23 July 2010. Archived from the original on 26 July 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  14. ^ "Latest news from Aboumoslem.net". aboumoslem.net. 3 September 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  15. ^ "Ahmed Checks In!". 28 October 2011. bpafc.com. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  16. ^ "Adnan scores winner for Bradford PA on debut". 3 November 2011. footballpakistan.com. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  17. ^ "Adnan scores winner for Bradford PA on debut". Lancashire Evening Telegraph. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  18. ^ "Adnan Ahmed back at Nelson FC". pitchero.com. 8 January 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  19. ^ Geldard, Suzanne (27 February 2016). "Nelson's former Huddersfield midfielder Ahmed urges action to get Asian players at top of the game". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  20. ^ "Burnley's Ahmed gets Pakistan call-up" Archived 10 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ ""International call for Adnan"". Archived from the original on 25 April 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2007.
  22. ^ "Adnan Ahmed: 'Talent only gets you so far but without hard work...you have no chance in today's football'". Asian Image. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  23. ^ Aarons, Ed (16 October 2023). "Pakistan brings international football home after a bitter power struggle". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  24. ^ "Games played by Adnan Ahmed in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  25. ^ "Games played by Adnan Ahmed in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  26. ^ "Games played by Adnan Ahmed in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  27. ^ "Games played by Adnan Ahmed in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  28. ^ "Games played by Adnan Ahmed in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  29. ^ a b c "Games played by Adnan Ahmed in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  30. ^ a b "Adnan Ahmed". magyarfutball.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  31. ^ "AHMED ADNAAN FAROOQ". adatbank.mlsz.hu. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  32. ^ "Games played by Adnan Ahmed in 2010/2011". NationalFootballTeams. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  33. ^ "Games played by Adnan Ahmed in 2012/2013". Football Mitoo. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  34. ^ "Games played by Adnan Ahmed for Droylsden". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  35. ^ "Games played by Adnan Ahmed in 2013/2014". Nelson FC. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  36. ^ "Games played by Adnan Ahmed in 2014/2015". Nelson FC. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  37. ^ "All Competitions: Player's Appearances – Ahmed Adnan Farooq". football.mitoo.co.uk. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  38. ^ "Adnan Ahmed". National-Football-Teams.com. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  39. ^ Adnan Ahmed at Soccerway