Greg Halford

Gregory Halford (born 8 December 1984) is an English footballer who plays for Northern Premier League East club Bishop Auckland on loan from Blyth Spartans.

After failing to hold down a regular place with Sunderland, he moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2009 and later to Portsmouth in 2010, Nottingham Forest in 2012, and Rotherham United in 2015.

[3] Halford has also played for Charlton Athletic, Sheffield United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Birmingham City on loan at various points in his career, as well as representing England at under-20 level.

In over 150 games in five years for the Layer Road first team, he gained the reputation of being a utility man, having played in defence, midfield and attack for club and country.

"[9] Keen to prove himself at a higher level, Halford handed in a transfer request in August 2006 after interest from several Premier League clubs.

[14] He made his full debut in Reading's 1–0 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur on 1 April 2007, where he conceded a penalty in a controversial handball decision.

[16] He made his debut for Sunderland on 15 August 2007 in a 2–2 draw with Birmingham City at St Andrew's,[18] and played in the next three matches, but was sent off in the third, a 3–0 League Cup defeat to Luton Town.

[24] Halford signed for newly promoted Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers on 3 July 2009 in a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

[25] He made his debut on 15 August against West Ham United, and went on to make 17 Premier League appearances for Wolves, along with 3 in cup competitions.

[27] Unable to stake a claim to regular football at Molineux, Halford joined Championship club Portsmouth in October 2010 on a month's loan.

[40] After the 3–0 home win over Bolton Wanderers in August 2013, in which Halford was deployed as a striker, manager Billy Davies said he now regarded him "predominantly as a front man".

[46] He made his Birmingham debut as a late substitute in a goalless draw at Middlesbrough on 12 December, and after two more appearances off the bench, he returned to Rotherham when his loan expired.

[47][48] On 6 January 2017, Halford joined Cardiff City, signing an 18-month contract,[49] making his debut two days later in a 2–1 defeat to Fulham in the third round of the FA Cup.

[63] He made his debut the same day in an Isthmian League game at home to Stowmarket Town, scoring an opening own goal before his quick free kick led to a late equaliser.

[67] On 7 February 2025, Halford joined Northern Premier League Division One East side Bishop Auckland on loan for the remainder of the season.

He made his debut against Portugal in the Toulon Tournament on 4 June 2005,[69] and scored his first international goal in a 3–0 win against South Korea two days later.