James Sharp (footballer, born 1976)

James Sharp (born 2 January 1976) is an English professional football player, who played as a defender.

For the Scottish footballer who played for Preston North End and Darwen in the 1890s, see James Sharp (footballer, born 1869).

James Sharp
Personal information
Full name James Sharp[1]
Date of birth (1976-01-02) 2 January 1976
Place of birth Reading, England
Playing position(s) Defender
Youth career
Andover
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2003 Hartlepool United 49 (2)
2003–2005 Falkirk 34 (1)
2005 → Brechin City (loan) 13 (1)
2005–2006 Torquay United 32 (0)
2006 Shrewsbury Town 0 (0)
2006–2007 Rochdale 12 (1)
2007–2008 Airdrie United 8 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:18, 7 April 2008 (UTC)

Career

Sharp was a relative latecomer to the professional game, having signed his first contract at the age of 24, an event preceded by a spell at non-league Andover. He started his professional football career with Hartlepool United in 2000. After 60 appearances in three years with Hartlepool & a player of the year award, Sharp fell out of favour at Hartlepool and moved to Scottish club Falkirk on a free transfer in 2003.

After a year-and-a-half with the Bairns, Sharp was loaned out to Brechin City in February 2005 until the end of the season. In which time, Sharp helped Brechin to the Division 2 title along with picking up a winners medal for Falkirk in same season as Falkirk claimed the Division 1 title. Sharp made his return to England with a free transfer to Torquay United in August 2005. Playing in 32 league matches in the 2005-06 season, Sharp was named captain of the club, but was released at the season's end.

After spending pre-season training with the club, Sharp was signed by Shrewsbury Town on a one-month contract on 8 August 2006. However, on 24 August 2006, Sharp chose to terminate the contract to pursue other options.[2] He had played just 10 minutes for Shrewsbury — the final ten minutes of the League Cup first round match at Birmingham City, where Birmingham won via a late goal.[3]

Sharp was subsequently signed by Rochdale, debuting for them on 2 September 2006 in the 1-1 draw at home to Hereford United. His first goal for the club came against Shrewsbury, on 30 September, just a month after leaving them.

He was released by Rochdale at the end of the 2006-07 season and was signed by Scottish Second Division club Airdrie United.[4] After a spell of 6 months with Airdrie, Sharp was forced to retire from the professional game through a achilles injury.

References
  1. "James Sharp". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  2. "Player Leaves". shrewsburytown.co.uk (requires registration). Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2006.
  3. "English League Cup - Round 1". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 31 August 2006.
  4. "Sharp joins up with Airdrie Utd". BBC Sport website. 27 June 2007.
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