Cardiff City - Stephen McPhail - Nottingham Forest Webjam

Stephen McPhail could possibly be in the Cardiff City line up for the upcoming game against Forest but so easily could have been wearing a Red shirt in the Easter Monday fixture.

McPhail was born in Westminster, London but spent most of his childhood years in Dublin playing his youth football at Irish side Home Farm before joining the Leeds United academy in 1995. The Leeds academy contained a number of promising youngsters such as Harry Kewell, Jonathan Woodgate and Paul Robinson under the supervision of Paul Hart and McPhail was another that great things were expected.

He made his debut for the first team in February 1998 against Leicester City and the following season would be a regular member of the Leeds squad with 20 appearances including appearances in all competitions. The 1999/2000 season would see McPhail again be a prominent fixture in the Leeds team as they progressed to the semi-final of the UEFA Cup.

However after this season McPhail became a bit part player at the club as a combination of injuries and big money signings restricted his appearances at the club. Then in August 2003 his old Leeds academy boss Paul Hart came calling and he joined Hart at Nottingham Forest on a three month loan deal.

Forest had reached the play-offs the previous season and were looking to mount another promotion campaign but they had a disappointing summer in the transfer market and had begun the season with a weaker team than the season before so McPhail was a welcome addition to the squad as another loan signing Michael Stewart had proved a major disappointment after signing from Manchester United.

He would play in fourteen league games for the club during the loan spell and while his skill and talent were obvious he was alongside Gareth Williams in the centre of the midfield and the two players were of a similar style so we never really saw the full potential of McPhail at the City Ground. When the loan deal expired it was hoped to make the deal permanent but the clubs could not agree terms and McPhail returned to Elland Road where he regained his place back in the side as the club were beginning their decline after hitting serious financial trouble.

With McPhail out of contract in the summer of 2004 he left Elland Road for Barnsley on a two year deal who were now managed (briefly) by Paul Hart. At Oakwell he was finally able to show off his full potential as he became a key member of their side as they tried to gain promotion to the Championship. This they did in 2006 after winning the play offs.

McPhail now at the end of his contract was attracting the attention of a number of clubs and even though he had the opportunity to stay at Barnsley decided to move to Cardiff on a Bosman transfer. He would again impress in his new surroundings as he became a regular in the Bluebirds team. His form was further rewarded when he was offered a new four year contract at the end of the season.

Cardiff manager Dave Jones faith in the player was further shown as he asked McPhail to stand in as captain at the start of the 2007/08 season due to the absence of Darren Purse and Riccardo Scimeca. After a slow start to the season form improved with McPhail’s partnership in midfield alongside Gavin Rae a key factor. Form improved so much that Cardiff reached the F.A.Cup Final before losing out to Premier League Portsmouth.

Since that point McPhail has remained a regular in the Cardiff side although he has faced competition for his place from a number of promising youngsters including Aaron Ramsey, Joe Ledley and Darcy Blake. But even though he started the season in top form this campaign has not be the greatest so far for McPhail as he tore his thigh bone in the 1-1 draw against Forest in November. But this got worse only a few weeks later when he was diagnosed with stage one Malt Lymphona which required radiotherapy treatment.

Thankfully he has made a full recovery and has now returned to the side and is likely to be a key factor in the forthcoming fixture. With the benefit of hindsight and seeing McPhail be one of the most consistent midfielders at Championship level for a number of years, Forest should have made a better effort to keep McPhail especially as Gareth Williams left not long after McPhail left.

CAREER STATS

League Career

Leeds United 1996/97 to 2003/04 52+26 (3)

Millwall (Loan) 2001/02 3 (0)

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (Loan) 2003/04 13+1 (0)

Barnsley 2004/05 to 2005/06 66+4 (4)

Cardiff City 2006/07 to Current 129+6 (3)

NFFC Season by Season

2003/04 League 13+1 (0)

League Cup 2 (0)

TOTAL 15+1 (0)

International Career

Republic of Ireland (Full) 2001 to 2004 10 (1)

Republic of Ireland (B) 2006 1 (0)

Republic of Ireland (U21)

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PLAYED FOR US AND THEM » Cardiff City - Stephen McPhail

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