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John Hartson

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For the English player, see John Harston.

John Hartson
Hartson in 2007
Personal information
Full name John Hartson[1]
Date of birth (1975-04-05) 5 April 1975 (age 49)
Place of birth Swansea, Wales
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1995 Luton Town 54 (11)
1995–1997 Arsenal 53 (14)
1997–1999 West Ham United 60 (24)
1999–2001 Wimbledon 49 (19)
2001 Coventry City 12 (6)
2001–2006 Celtic 146 (88)
2006–2008 West Bromwich Albion 21 (5)
2007 → Norwich City (loan) 4 (0)
Total 399 (167)
International career
Wales U21 9 (?)
1995–2005 Wales 51 (14)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

John Hartson (born 5 April 1975) is a Welsh former professional footballer, coach and sports television pundit for S4C, Sky Sports, Premier Sports TV and BT Sport.

As a player he was a striker, notably for Scottish club Celtic where his time with the Hoops saw three Scottish Premier League titles. Hartson also played in the Premier League with Arsenal, West Ham United, Wimbledon, Coventry City and West Bromwich Albion, and in the Football League for Luton Town and Norwich City.

Hartson earned 51 international caps for Wales, scoring 14 goals. He later held the position of head coach for Wales's strikers.

Early life

[edit]

John Hartson was born on 5 April 1975 in Swansea, the third of four children to Cyril and Diana Hartson. Cyril had played football for local team Afan Lido. His paternal grandfather, Pius Hartson (1918–2012), was from Newfoundland and served with the Royal Navy during World War II.[2] Hartson grew up in Talycoppa, Swansea, alongside his elder brother James, elder sister Hayley and younger sister Victoria.[3] As a youngster Hartson represented Lonlas Boys' Club in Skewen, playing his first match aged six.[4] He joined Luton Town's Youth Training Scheme at the age of sixteen but was suspended four months later for stealing a bank card from the son of a couple with whom he was lodging. He used the card to withdraw £50 in order to fund his gambling addiction. Hartson was suspended and sent home to Swansea but was reinstated by Luton shortly afterwards and allowed to resume his apprenticeship.[5]

Club career

[edit]

Luton Town and Arsenal

[edit]

Hartson turned professional in 1992 and made his Luton Town first team debut as a substitute in a 1–0 League Cup defeat to Cambridge United on 24 August 1993.[6] In January 1995, at 19, he joined Arsenal for £2.5 million, a British record fee for a teenage player at the time.[7][8] Along with Chris Kiwomya,[9] Hartson was one of George Graham's last signings before the manager's sacking in February 1995. He made his Arsenal debut on 14 January 1995, a 1–1 home draw with Everton, and scored his first goal for the club the following week, the only goal in a 1–0 away win at Coventry City. He was a regular for the remainder of his first season, a highlight of which was scoring Arsenal's 75th-minute equaliser in the 1995 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final against Real Zaragoza; however a last-minute goal from 40 yards by Nayim over David Seaman meant Arsenal lost the game 2–1. He was strike-partner to Ian Wright, being favoured ahead of Kevin Campbell to fill the gap left by the injured Alan Smith, who retired at the end of the season.[10][11][8]

Following the signing of Dennis Bergkamp, who was preferred up front to partner Wright, Hartson went on to feature under Graham's successors Bruce Rioch and Arsène Wenger. With Wenger wanting him to stay at the club, Hartson though in February 1997 linked up with West Ham United in a £3.2 million deal. At the time, he was the most expensive player to be signed by West Ham. The deal was initially reported to be worth £5 million.[10][11][8]

In total, Hartson played 53 times for Arsenal, scoring 14 goals.[9]

West Ham United

[edit]

Hartson made his debut for West Ham on 15 February 1997 alongside another new signing, Paul Kitson. West Ham lost 1–0 to Derby County and Hartson was booked.[12] His first West Ham goal came in his next following game on 24 February 1997, a 4–3 home win over Tottenham Hotspur.[13] In his first season, he scored five league goals from eleven games and was instrumental in helping West Ham rise from 18th when he joined to a final league position for 1996–97 season of 14th.[14] The next season saw Hartson finish, with 24 goals in 42 games in all competitions, as West Ham's top scorer. Hartson's goal tally was in all a considerable margin ahead of the next highest scorer, Eyal Berkovic with nine goals.[15] He was also the second highest scorer, behind Andy Cole in the Premier League in that season. In the 1998 close season, Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards and assistant manager Brian Kidd expressed their desire for Hartson to sign for Manchester United to manager Alex Ferguson. However, Ferguson decided against making a bid for Hartson.[16] In a training ground incident in September 1998, Hartson kicked West Ham teammate Eyal Berkovic in the face, after the Israeli midfielder had punched Hartson in the leg as he attempted to help Berkovic to his feet. The incident was captured on camera. Hartson was fined and admitted in his biography that it was an error of judgement.[17] Berkovic said of the incident "If my head had been a ball, it would have been in the top corner of the net".[18]

His form suffered and he managed only four goals from twenty games in season 1998–99.[19] His final game on 13 January 1999, saw West Ham lose 1–0 in an FA Cup tie against his hometown club, Swansea City.[20]

Hartson played 73 times and scored 33 goals for the east London club.[21]

Wimbledon

[edit]

Hartson joined Wimbledon in January 1999, becoming the club's most expensive signing ever at £7.5m.[22] His time with the Dons was marred by injury, though he still managed a respectable goal tally, first in the Premier League, then the First Division following the club's relegation in 2000. Proposed moves to Rangers,[23] Tottenham[23] and Charlton fell through due to doubts over the player's fitness. Hartson instead joined Coventry City on a pay-for-play deal in February 2001.[24]

Coventry City

[edit]

Hartson made his Coventry debut against former club West Ham on 12 February 2001.[25] He went on to score six goals in twelve league games, including a brace in a defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.[26][27] However, despite his efforts Coventry were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season.[28]

Celtic

[edit]
John Hartson before kick-off at the John Kennedy testimonial match, 9 August 2011

In August 2001, Hartson joined Celtic in a £6m transfer.[29] He made his debut on 4 August 2001, coming on as a substitute in a league match away at Kilmarnock.[30] He scored his first goals for Celtic when he scored a hat-trick in a 5–1 win over Dundee United on 20 October 2001.[31] At the end of his first season at Celtic he helped them win the Scottish Premier League title.[32]

In December 2002, Hartson scored as Celtic were beaten 2–1 in the away leg of their third round UEFA Cup tie against Celta Vigo. However, with the aggregate score 2–2, Celtic progressed on the away goals rule. This was the first time that Celtic had remained in European competition after Christmas since 1980.[33][34] In March 2003, Celtic faced Liverpool in the UEFA Cup at the quarter final stage, drawing 1–1 in Glasgow.[35] In the return leg at Anfield, Hartson fired the club's goal of the season with a strike past Jerzy Dudek into the top corner from over 25 yards out. Celtic won this match 2–0, progressing to the semi-final.[36] After scoring the winning goal against Rangers at Ibrox in late April Hartson was plagued by a back injury which meant he missed the rest of the season, including the 2003 UEFA Cup Final.[37][38] Nevertheless, he had played a major role in getting Celtic all the way through the tournament, with his goals in Liverpool and Vigo, as well as several assists. Celtic were defeated 3–2 in the final after extra time by José Mourinho's FC Porto.[39]

In March 2004, he dropped out for the remainder of the football season for surgery to his back; however, he recovered in time for Wales' unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the 2006 World Cup. Celtic went on to win the 2003–04 Scottish Cup and the 2003-04 title in his absence.[40][41]

In April 2005 he shared the Scottish PFA Players' Player of the Year award with Fernando Ricksen and in May he was voted the Scottish Football Writers' Association Player of the Year.[42][43] He played as Celtic won the 2005 Scottish Cup Final.[44]

On 6 November 2005 Hartson scored his 100th goal for Celtic against Falkirk.[45][46] He missed Celtic's victory in the 2006 Scottish League Cup Final through suspension.[47] He scored the only goal against Hearts, on 5 April 2006, his 31st birthday to clinch the title for Celtic.[48][49]

Hartson was sent off on a number of occasions, one being a notable dismissal towards the end of an Old Firm derby, when he was sent off for violent conduct along with Celtic teammate Johan Mjällby and Rangers player Fernando Ricksen. Hartson's dismissal was overturned on appeal.[50][51]

Due to the close bond Hartson felt with both Celtic Football Club and their fans, he has a tattoo of a large Celtic crest on his upper arm with the words 'You'll Never Walk Alone' underneath in honour of the song which Celtic fans sing ahead of big games. After a picture of the tattoo appeared on the internet and many Celtic F.C. forums, Hartson tweeted that the tattoo was real and in honour of the support he had received from Celtic fans during his illness. The tweet read, "Yes my Celtic tattoo is real I had it done soon as I came out of hospital after the support I was given by the whole Celtic family."[52]

West Bromwich Albion

[edit]

On 26 June 2006, Hartson signed a two-year contract with English Football League Championship side West Bromwich Albion in a £500,000 move.[53][54] Hartson scored twice on his Albion debut in a 2–0 Hawthorns win against Hull City on 5 August 2006.[55]

On 31 August 2007, The Times said that Hartson had signed for League One club Nottingham Forest on a loan move. On 5 September 2007, the Western Mail reported that Hartson had rejected a firm approach from Forest and was on the verge of signing for his hometown club Swansea City on loan. However the club quickly issued a statement on its website denying the striker was set to sign.

In October 2007 Hartson joined Norwich City on a month's loan.[56] Although Norwich had the option to extend the loan until 31 December, newly appointed manager Glenn Roeder decided to send Hartson back to the Midlands after the initial month period.[57] He then rejected an offer to join Chester City on loan.[58] In January 2008 Hartson was released by West Bromwich Albion, six months before the end of his contract.[59]

On 7 February 2008, Hartson announced his retirement from football, citing his long-term struggles with weight and fitness as major reasons for finishing his career.[60]

International career

[edit]

Hartson won 51 first team caps for Wales, scoring 14 goals. He is currently the 11th highest scorer of all time for the Welsh.[61]

He also holds a record for the Wales U21 team by being one of only four people to have scored a hat-trick at that level alongside Craig Davies, Lee Jones and Ched Evans.[62]

Hartson retired from international football in February 2006 in order to concentrate on his career with Celtic[63] but in August that year he stated that he would come out of retirement to play if John Toshack needed him.

Media career

[edit]

Just a few weeks after his retirement from playing, East Stirlingshire in the Scottish Football League Third Division offered Hartson the chance to succeed Gordon Wylde as manager, but Hartson rejected the opportunity, saying that, "the timing is just not right for me at the moment."[64] Hartson joined Setanta Sports as a pundit for the 2008–09 season, as part of the broadcaster's coverage of the Scottish Premier League.[65] A Welsh speaker, Hartson appears regularly as a studio guest on S4C's Sgorio.[66] He was also a regular pundit on ITV's coverage of the FA Cup until ITV lost the rights to the competition at the end of the 2013/14 season, and often appears on BBC Radio 5 Live's coverage of both Premier League and Champions League games as a match summariser. In 2011 Hartson was appointed part-time coach with Newport County.[67] In 2016, he joined BT Sport to provide analysis on the newly launched BT Sport Score.[68] John also appeared in the Welsh language travel interest program Am Dro (Going for a Walk)[1] broadcast on 1 January 2024

Personal life

[edit]

In July 2009 Hartson received chemotherapy after being diagnosed with testicular cancer which had spread to his brain.[69] It was later reported the cancer had spread to his lungs and that he remained in a "critical condition" following emergency surgery.[70] The treatment was successful and by December of that year it was reported that the cancer had been virtually eradicated from Hartson's body although he would have more surgery and treatment to come.[71] Hartson is a lifelong Swansea City supporter.[72]

In February 2024, Hartson was probed by the Advertising Standards Authority for misconduct while promoting and advertising Supreme CBD, owned by ex-boxer Anthony Fowler.[73] Fowler along with other celebrities including Paul Merson, Matt Le Tissier and John Hartson have all been investigated and issued with a warning by the ASA.[74] The ASA investigation concluded that their social media posts have been found to be commercial in nature, and not "honest" opinions about the benefits of CBD, since they were being financially rewarded for their posts. The investigation also concluded that the posts made by these celebrities were making unlawful medical claims about the use of CBD, which is prohibited by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.[75]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[76]
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Luton Town 1992–93 First Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 0
1993–94 34 6 5 1 0 0 – 39 7
1994–95 20 5 1 1 0 0 – 21 6
Total 54 11 6 2 0 0 0 0 60 13
Arsenal 1994–95 Premier League 15 7 0 0 0 0 7[c] 1 22 8
1995–96 19 4 1 0 3 1 – 23 5
1996–97 19 3 2 1 3 0 2[d] 0 26 4
Total 53 14 3 1 6 1 9 1 71 17
West Ham United 1996–97 Premier League 11 5 – – – 11 5
1997–98 32 15 5 3 5 6 – 42 24
1998–99 17 4 2 0 1 0 – 20 4
Total 60 24 7 3 6 6 0 0 73 33
Wimbledon 1998–99 Premier League 14 2 0 0 0 0 – 14 2
1999–2000 16 9 1 0 3 0 – 20 9
2000–01 First Division 19 8 0 0 4 2 – 23 10
Total 49 19 1 0 7 2 0 0 57 21
Coventry City 2000–01 Premier League 12 6 0 0 0 0 – 12 6
Celtic 2001–02 Scottish Premier League 31 19 3 2 3 3 5[e] 0 42 24
2002–03 27 18 2 2 4 2 12[f] 3 45 25
2003–04 15 8 1 1 0 0 7[g] 1 23 10
2004–05 38 25 5 3 1 1 6[g] 1 50 30
2005–06 35 18 1 0 3 1 2[g] 1 41 20
Total 146 88 12 8 11 7 32 6 201 109
West Bromwich Albion 2006–07 Championship 21 5 1 1 2 0 – 24 6
Norwich City (loan) 2007–08 Championship 4 0 0 0 0 0 – 4 0
Career total 399 167 30 15 32 16 41 7 502 205
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup
  2. ^ Includes Football League Cup, Scottish League Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
  4. ^ Appearances in UEFA Cup
  5. ^ Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Cup
  6. ^ One appearance in UEFA Champions League, eleven appearances and three goals in UEFA Cup
  7. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Champions League

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[77]
National team Year Apps Goals
Wales 1995 4 0
1996 3 0
1997 4 1
1998 3 1
1999 4 0
2000 2 0
2001 6 4
2002 7 2
2003 7 3
2004 5 3
2005 6 0
Total 51 14

Honours

[edit]

Arsenal[78]

Celtic[79]

Individual

References

[edit]
General
  • Hartson, John (2007) [2006]. The Autobiography (Paperback ed.). Orion Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-7528-8158-4.
Specific
  1. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream Publishing. p. 194. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  2. ^ "John Hartson Canadian Connection!". 18 August 2004.
  3. ^ Hartson, 27–31.
  4. ^ Hartson, 28.
  5. ^ Hartson, 44–48.
  6. ^ Hartson, 55.
  7. ^ Hartson, 89.
  8. ^ a b c "John Hartson: The day I became Britain's most expensive teenager". BBC Sport.
  9. ^ a b "John Hartson: Profile". Arsenal F.C.
  10. ^ a b "John Hartson on his move to Arsenal". YouTube. KICCA. 10 March 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021.
  11. ^ a b c "John Hartson: Hartson determined to pass his biggest test". Independent.co.uk. 15 November 2003.
  12. ^ "Derby County v West Ham United, 15 February 1997". 11v11.com. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  13. ^ "West Ham 4–3 Tottenham". 11v11.com. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  14. ^ "West Ham United statistics". westhamstats.info. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  15. ^ "Premier League 1997–98". westhamstats.net. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  16. ^ "Ferguson: 21 that got away". men. Archived from the original on 19 December 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  17. ^ Hicks, Danny (11 October 1998). "Football: Hartson to be charged by FA". The Independent. London. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  18. ^ Carlisle, Jeff (February 2009). Soccer's Most Wanted. Potomac Books. ISBN 9781597971935. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  19. ^ "Premier League 1998–99". westhamstats.info. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  20. ^ "Game played on 13 Jan 1999". westhamstats.info. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  21. ^ "How John Hartson became one of West Ham's most important Premier League signings". Football London. 14 February 2017.
  22. ^ "Dons swoop for Hartson". BBC Sport. 15 January 1999. Retrieved 7 August 2008.
  23. ^ a b "Hartson move collapses". BBC Sport. 31 August 2000. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  24. ^ "Coventry complete Hartson deal". BBC Sport. 8 February 2001. Retrieved 26 April 2007.
  25. ^ "Last-gasp Coventry deny Hammers". BBC Sport. 12 February 2001. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  26. ^ "Man Utd stun battling Coventry". BBC Sport. 14 April 2001. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  27. ^ "Games played by John Hartson in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  28. ^ "Coventry relegated at Villa". BBC Sport. 5 May 2001. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  29. ^ "Celtic sign trio on deadline day". BBC Sport. 2 August 2001. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
  30. ^ "Kilmarnock 0–1 Celtic". BBC Sport. 4 August 2001. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  31. ^ "Hartson hat-trick floors United". BBC Sport. 20 October 2001. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  32. ^ "Five-star Celtic claim title". BBC. 6 April 2002. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  33. ^ "First blood to Celtic". BBC.com. 28 November 2002.
  34. ^ "Hartson hammer blow ends Spanish hoodoo". The Guardian.com. 13 December 2002.
  35. ^ "Liverpool hold Celtic". BBC.co.uk. 13 March 2003.
  36. ^ "Celtic brush aside Liverpool". BBC.co.uk. 20 March 2003.
  37. ^ "Celtic re-ignite title fight". BBC. 27 April 2003. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  38. ^ "'Devastated' Hartson misses Celtic's big night". Guardian. 18 May 2003. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  39. ^ "Porto end Celtic's Uefa dream". BBC. 21 May 2003. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  40. ^ "Celtic win Scottish title". BBC. 18 April 2004. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  41. ^ "Douglas to miss cup final". Guardian. 18 May 2004. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  42. ^ a b "Ricksen and Hartson share Player of the Year prize". Scotsman.com.
  43. ^ a b "Scotland – Player of the Year". RSSSF.com.
  44. ^ "Celtic 1-0 Dundee United". BBC. 28 May 2005. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  45. ^ "Falkirk 0–3 Celtic". BBC.co.uk. 6 November 2005.
  46. ^ "Hartson reaches 100 mark". RTE.ie.
  47. ^ "Hartson accepts final suspension". BBC. 2 February 2006. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  48. ^ "Celtic 1–0 Hearts". BBC.co.uk. 5 April 2006.
  49. ^ "Celtic celebrate Hartson's party trick". Telegraph.co.uk. 6 April 2006.
  50. ^ "Old Firm end all square". BBC. 21 April 2002. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  51. ^ "Celtic mount appeal over red card". BBC. 24 April 2002. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  52. ^ "JohnHartson10". Twitter. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  53. ^ "Hartson completes West Brom move". BBC Sport. 26 June 2006. Retrieved 26 April 2007.
  54. ^ "Hartson hints at Wales comeback". BBC Sport. 27 June 2006. Retrieved 26 April 2007.
  55. ^ "West Brom 2–0 Hull". BBC Sport. 5 August 2006. Retrieved 2 July 2007.
  56. ^ "Hartson moves to Norwich on loan". BBC Sport. 12 October 2007. Retrieved 12 October 2007.
  57. ^ "Hartson returns to Baggies". Norwich City F.C. 8 November 2007. Archived from the original on 22 December 2007. Retrieved 8 November 2007.
  58. ^ "Hartson turns down Chester". 22 November 2007. Retrieved 28 December 2007.
  59. ^ "Baggies pay up Hartson's contract". BBC Sport. 30 January 2008. Retrieved 30 January 2008.
  60. ^ "Hartson brings career to an end". BBC Sport. 7 February 2008. Retrieved 7 February 2008.
  61. ^ "Wales – Record International Players". RSSSF.com.
  62. ^ "Wales U21 5–1 Estonia U21". BBC.co.uk. 24 May 2006.
  63. ^ "Hartson retires from Wales duties". BBC Sport. 6 February 2006. Retrieved 2 March 2008.
  64. ^ "Hartson rejects Shire manager job". BBC Sport. 3 March 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
  65. ^ "John Hartson". Setanta Sports. Retrieved 25 September 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  66. ^ "A Feast of Football on S4C". S4C. 20 August 2008.
  67. ^ news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newport_county/9377751.stm
  68. ^ "John Hartson pins the blame on Swansea City owners in live TV speech". 26 December 2016.
  69. ^ "Hartson facing cancer treatment". BBC News. 13 July 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
  70. ^ "Hartson told cancer also in lungs". BBC News. 15 July 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  71. ^ "Ex-footballer John Hartson's relief at cancer news". BBC News. 4 December 2009. Retrieved 4 December 2009.
  72. ^ "Swansea a 'special club' says John Hartson". BBC News. 29 May 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  73. ^ "ASA Ruling on Supreme CBD Ltd t/a Supreme CBD". Advertising Standards Authority. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  74. ^ Dalleres, Frank (25 July 2023). "England footballers probed by advertising watchdog over promotion of Supreme CBD". City A.M. London, England.
  75. ^ "Freedom of Information request on regulating CBD products (FOI 22/567)". UK MHRA. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  76. ^ "John Hartson". World-soccer.org. Archived from the original on 26 January 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
  77. ^ John Hartson at National-Football-Teams.com
  78. ^ "John Hartson". Soccerway.com.
  79. ^ "John Hartson". Eurosport.com.
  80. ^ "Robbie Brady crowned FAI player of the year". RTE.ie. 19 March 2017.
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