Liam Sercombe

Liam Sercombe
Sercombe playing for Exeter City in 2015
Personal information
Full name Liam Michael Sercombe[1]
Date of birth (1990-04-25) 25 April 1990 (age 34)[2]
Place of birth Exeter, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Forest Green Rovers
Number 10
Youth career
2000–2007 Exeter City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2015 Exeter City 243 (23)
2015–2017 Oxford United 75 (17)
2017–2020 Bristol Rovers 103 (13)
2020–2024 Cheltenham Town 165 (22)
2024– Forest Green Rovers 15 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:39, 24 October 2024 (UTC)

Liam Michael Sercombe (born 25 April 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National League club Forest Green Rovers.

Career

[edit]

Exeter City

[edit]

Sercombe came through the youth ranks at Exeter City, and signed a full professional contract with the club in June 2007.[2]

Sercombe made a number of appearances at reserve team level before making his debut on 11 August 2007 against Altrincham in the Conference National, coming on after just 11 minutes to replace the injured Andy Taylor. Exeter went on to win the match 4–1.[3] Sercombe made seven appearances that season, helping Exeter win promotion to League Two after a five-year absence, as they beat Torquay United in the play-off semi-finals,[4] and then Cambridge United 1–0 in the final at Wembley Stadium.[5]

Sercombe began to play more regularly the following season and scored his first goal on 21 October 2008 as Exeter beat Port Vale 3–1 at Vale Park.[6] He scored his second goal for the club in a 2–1 away win against Luton Town.[7]

Exeter achieved successive promotions, and Sercombe helped them seal promotion as they beat Rotherham United 1–0 away on the final day of the 2008–09 season, manager Paul Tisdale guiding Exeter to League One for only the fourth time in their 105-year history.[8] Sercombe scored just once in the 2009–10 season, in a 2–2 draw against Wycombe Wanderers on 20 March 2010.[9] He scored his first goal of the 2010–11 season in a 5–1 win against Sheffield Wednesday;[10] he scored two further goals that season, in a 3–1 win against Charlton Athletic,[11] and a 1–1 draw against Tranmere Rovers.[12]

On 9 April 2012, Sercombe scored twice as Exeter beat Leyton Orient 3–0 at St James Park.[13] The following game, he scored in a 3–2 defeat to relegation rivals Rochdale. He had given Exeter a 2–0 lead at the time, but Rochdale scored three times in the last 10 minutes of the game to win the game 3–2.[14] Sercombe scored again the following game, this time in a 4–2 home win against Walsall.[15] On 28 April, he scored for the fourth game in a row; however, Exeter lost the game 4–1 to Carlisle United and were relegated from League One.[16]

Oxford United

[edit]

On 13 May 2015, Sercombe signed a two-year contract with Oxford United after his contract expired with former club Exeter City.[17] He scored a career-best total of 17 goals from the centre of midfield in his first season, helping the Us secure promotion to League One. His goals included a penalty in a memorable 3–2 home win over Swansea City of the Premier League in the third round of the FA Cup.[18] In November the following season he ruptured his medial knee ligament and was expected to miss the rest of the season,[19] but his recovery was quicker than expected[20] and he returned to first-team action as a substitute against Rotherham United in an FA Cup third-round victory on 4 January 2017.[21] In February 2017 he scored Oxford's opening goal in a 2–1 away victory over local rivals Swindon Town.[22]

He appeared at Wembley Stadium in the 2016 Football League Trophy Final, in which Oxford lost 3–2 to Barnsley,[23] and scored his side's only goal in the final of the same competition the following year, a 2–1 defeat to Coventry City.[24]

Bristol Rovers

[edit]

After being sidelined by Oxford for undisclosed "disciplinary reasons",[25] on 31 May 2017 Sercombe signed with Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed six-figure fee believed to be in the region of £150,000.[26]

Sercombe made his debut on the opening day in a 1–0 defeat to Charlton Athletic.[27] The following Tuesday Sercombe started in an EFL Cup game against Cambridge United in which Rovers won 4–1 with Sercombe scoring the fourth goal.[28]

At the end of the 2019–20 season, after a successful spell at the club, Sercombe was released by Bristol Rovers.[29]

Cheltenham Town

[edit]

Following his release from Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham Town announced the signing of Sercombe on 4 August 2020.[30] He made his debut for Cheltenham by scoring the winning goal in a 1–0 EFL Cup away victory over Peterborough United in September 2020.[31]

Sercombe signed a new one-year deal with the club at the end of the 2021–22 season.[32] During the 2023/24 season, Sercombe finished as Cheltenham's top goalscorer, with 11 goals. On 22 May 2024, the club announced he would be leaving in the summer when his contract expired.[33] Sercombe left Cheltenham widely considered as one of their best ever midfielders.

Forest Green Rovers

[edit]

On 24 May 2024, Sercombe agreed to join National League side Forest Green Rovers upon the expiration of his Cheltenham Town contract.[34]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 22 October 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Exeter City 2007–08[35] Conference National 7 0 0 0 — 0 0 7 0
2008–09[36] League Two 29 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 2
2009–10[37] League One 28 1 1 0 1 0 1[a] 0 31 1
2010–11[38] League One 42 3 1 0 1 0 5[a] 0 49 3
2011–12[39] League One 33 7 2 0 1 0 0 0 36 7
2012–13[40] League Two 20 1 1 0 1 0 1[a] 0 23 1
2013–14[41] League Two 44 5 1 0 1 0 1[a] 0 47 5
2014–15[42] League Two 40 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 41 4
Total 243 23 7 0 5 0 8 0 263 23
Oxford United 2015–16[43] League Two 45 14 5 2 2 1 6[a] 0 58 17
2016–17[44] League One 30 3 4 0 2 1 7[b] 1 43 5
Total 75 17 9 2 4 2 13 1 101 22
Bristol Rovers 2017–18[45] League One 42 8 1 1 3 1 2[b] 2 48 12
2018–19[46] League One 39 4 2 0 1 0 5[b] 0 47 4
2019–20[47] League One 22 1 6 1 1 0 3[b] 1 22 3
Total 103 13 9 2 5 1 10 3 127 19
Cheltenham Town 2020–21[48] League Two 38 7 2 1 2 1 0 0 42 9
2021–22[49] League One 41 3 3 0 2 0 0 0 46 3
2022–23[50] League One 41 1 1 0 1 0 5[b] 3 48 4
2023–24[51] League One 45 11 1 0 1 0 2[b] 0 49 11
Total 165 22 7 1 6 1 7 3 185 27
Forest Green Rovers 2024–25[52] National League 15 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 3
Career total 601 78 32 5 20 4 38 7 691 94
  1. ^ a b c d e Appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ a b c d e f Appearances in EFL Trophy

Honours

[edit]

Exeter City

Oxford United

Cheltenham Town

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Bristol Rovers" (PDF). English Football League. p. 11. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Liam Sercombe – Player Profile". Exeter City Football Club. 1 August 2013. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013.
  3. ^ "Altrincham 1–4 Exeter City". Exeter City F.C. 11 August 2007. Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  4. ^ "Torquay 1–4 Exeter". Exeter City F.C. 5 May 2008. Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  5. ^ Whyatt, Chris (18 May 2008). "Exeter 1–0 Cambridge Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  6. ^ "Port Vale 1–3 Exeter" Exeter City F.C. 18 May 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  7. ^ "Luton 1–2 Exeter" Exeter City F.C. 7 March 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  8. ^ "Rotherham 0–1 Exeter" Exeter City F.C. 2 May 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  9. ^ "Wycombe 2–2 Exeter" Exeter City F.C. 20 March 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  10. ^ "Exeter 5–1 Sheff Wed" Exeter City F.C. 18 December 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  11. ^ "Charlton 1–3 Exeter" Exeter City F.C. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  12. ^ "Exeter 1–1 Tranmere" Exeter City F.C. 1 March 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  13. ^ "Exeter 3–0 Leyton Orient" BBC Sport. 9 April 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  14. ^ "Rochdale 3–2 Exeter" BBC Sport. 14 April 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  15. ^ "Exeter 4–2 Walsall" BBC Sport. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  16. ^ "Carlisle 4–1 Exeter" BBC Sport. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  17. ^ "Liam Sercombe: Oxford United sign Exeter midfielder" BBC Sport. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  18. ^ "Oxford United 3–2 Swansea City". BBC Sport. 10 January 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  19. ^ "Oxford United: Liam Sercombe out for season with medial knee ligament injury". BBC Sport. 17 November 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  20. ^ Pritchard, David (4 January 2017). "Liam Sercombe amazes Oxford United medical staff ahead of training return". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  21. ^ "Rotherham 2 Oxford United 3". Oxford United F.C. 4 January 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  22. ^ "Swindon Town 1–2 Oxford United". BBC Sport. 5 February 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  23. ^ a b Cartwright, Phil (3 April 2016). "Johnstone's Paint Trophy final: Barnsley 3–2 Oxford United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  24. ^ a b Scott, Ged (2 April 2017). "EFL Trophy final: Coventry City 2–1 Oxford United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  25. ^ "Oxford United: Liam Sercombe set to stay but not play under new contract extension". BBC Sport. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  26. ^ "Rovers sign Liam Sercombe for an Undisclosed fee". Bristol Rovers. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  27. ^ "Rovers Suffer Opening Day Defeat at Charlton". Bristol Rovers. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  28. ^ "Bristol Rovers 4–1 Cambridge United – BBC Sport". BBC Sport. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  29. ^ "Retained List Announced".
  30. ^ "Talented midfielder lands at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium". 4 August 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  31. ^ "Peterborough United 0–1 Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. 5 September 2020.
  32. ^ "Sercombe commits his future". www.ctfc.com. 17 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  33. ^ "Cheltenham Town: Liam Sercombe, Luke Southwood and Sean Long to leave club". BBC Sport. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  34. ^ "Liam Sercombe to join FGR". www.fgr.co.uk. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  35. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  36. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  37. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  38. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  39. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  40. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  41. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  42. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  43. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  44. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  45. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  46. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  47. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  48. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  49. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  50. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  51. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  52. ^ "Games played by Liam Sercombe in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  53. ^ a b "L.Sercombe". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  54. ^ Taylor, Laurence (26 April 2018). "Liam Sercombe on Ellis Harrison being a 20-goal striker, being Bristol Rovers player of the year and next season's target". Bristol Post. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  55. ^ "2023/24 End of Season award winners". Cheltenham Town FC. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
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