James Cotterill
Encyclopedia
James Cotterill is a former professional footballer
. He plays
as a central defender.
, and was released in 2003 after making 24 appearances for the first team. Following this, Cotterill joined Barrow
in August 2003, where he remained until December 2006. He made 115 appearances in all competitions for Barrow.
On 1 March 2007, two weeks after his release from prison, Cotterill joined Northern Premier League
side Ossett Town
. During the 2007/08 season he joined Ossett's ex manager Steve Kittrick at local rivals Guiseley A.F.C.
.
He joined Bradford Park Avenue on a short term loan in November 2010 making two appearances for the club.
He left Guiseley in February 2011 to look for regular first team football.
first round match between Barrow and Bristol Rovers
, Cotterill was involved in an off the ball
incident with Rovers player Sean Rigg
. Cotterill was seen to punch Rigg in the face, leaving him with a double fracture of the jaw, which was screened later that evening on Match of the Day
. After the incident, Rigg was only able to eat with a teaspoon and drink through a straw, and his treatment involved the insertion of two metal plates into his jaw, which will remain permanently. Cotterill was banned from all football activity by The FA until March 2007, and on 11 January 2007 he was jailed for four months after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm
. An appeal
to free Cotterill had failed, however, he was soon released from prison on 14 February 2007 although he was forced to wear an electronic tag
in his home town Barnsley until 11 March 2007. Hoping to re-build his life, Cotterill also thanked the Barrow fans who helped release him. Cotterill also apologized to Sean Rigg saying he "never intended to hurt Sean".
After Cotterill's sentence had been passed, Barrow players past and present were shocked at the severity of the punisment, and Barrow's chairman Brian Keen said that he was "made an example of." Barrow fans have suggested that that Cotterill has been made a scapegoat
, due to the fact the Match of the Day cameras were there, and Barrow fan Anthony Prior, who was at the Bristol Rovers match, says that "It happens every week in the Premiership", he also said that Cotterill was made a scapegoat because he was on the TV. Another fan said that Ben Thatcher
's elbow charge was just as bad, if not worse than Cotterill's assault.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
. He plays
Football (soccer) positions
In the sport of association football, each of the eleven players on a team is assigned to a particular position on the field of play. A team is made up of one goalkeeper and ten outfield players who fill various defensive, midfield and attacking positions depending on the formation deployed. These...
as a central defender.
Footballing career
He began his career at Scunthorpe UnitedScunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
, and was released in 2003 after making 24 appearances for the first team. Following this, Cotterill joined Barrow
Barrow A.F.C.
Barrow A.F.C. are an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have...
in August 2003, where he remained until December 2006. He made 115 appearances in all competitions for Barrow.
On 1 March 2007, two weeks after his release from prison, Cotterill joined Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League Premier Division
The Premier Division is the top division of the Northern Premier League. It is at Step 3 of the National League System, placing it six divisions below the Premier League...
side Ossett Town
Ossett Town F.C.
Ossett Town Football Club are an English football club based in Ossett, in the City of Wakefield district, West Yorkshire, playing in the Northern Premier League in the 2011-12 season.-History:...
. During the 2007/08 season he joined Ossett's ex manager Steve Kittrick at local rivals Guiseley A.F.C.
Guiseley A.F.C.
Guiseley A.F.C. are an English football club from Guiseley, West Yorkshire, England.-History:Founded in 1909 by a local group of enthusiasts, the club’s first success came in 1913 when they won the local Wharfedale League...
.
He joined Bradford Park Avenue on a short term loan in November 2010 making two appearances for the club.
He left Guiseley in February 2011 to look for regular first team football.
Assault Conviction
On 11 November 2006, during an FA CupFA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
first round match between Barrow and Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
, Cotterill was involved in an off the ball
Off the ball
Off the ball is a term used in football in the UK, usually associated with a players movement when not in possession of the football...
incident with Rovers player Sean Rigg
Sean Rigg
Sean Michael Rigg is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He can play on the wing or as a striker.Having graduated through the Bristol Academy of Sport, his professional career began at Bristol Rovers in 2006...
. Cotterill was seen to punch Rigg in the face, leaving him with a double fracture of the jaw, which was screened later that evening on Match of the Day
Match of the Day
Match of the Day is the BBC's main football television programme. Typically, it is shown on BBC One on Saturday evenings during the English football season, showing highlights of the day's matches in English football's top division, the Premier League...
. After the incident, Rigg was only able to eat with a teaspoon and drink through a straw, and his treatment involved the insertion of two metal plates into his jaw, which will remain permanently. Cotterill was banned from all football activity by The FA until March 2007, and on 11 January 2007 he was jailed for four months after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm
Grievous bodily harm
Grievous bodily harm is a term of art used in English criminal law which has become synonymous with the offences that are created by sections 18 and 20 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861....
. An appeal
Appeal
An appeal is a petition for review of a case that has been decided by a court of law. The petition is made to a higher court for the purpose of overturning the lower court's decision....
to free Cotterill had failed, however, he was soon released from prison on 14 February 2007 although he was forced to wear an electronic tag
Electronic tagging
Electronic tagging is a form of non-surreptitious surveillance consisting of an electronic device attached to a person or vehicle, especially certain criminals, allowing their whereabouts to be monitored. In general, devices locate themselves using GPS and report their position back to a control...
in his home town Barnsley until 11 March 2007. Hoping to re-build his life, Cotterill also thanked the Barrow fans who helped release him. Cotterill also apologized to Sean Rigg saying he "never intended to hurt Sean".
After Cotterill's sentence had been passed, Barrow players past and present were shocked at the severity of the punisment, and Barrow's chairman Brian Keen said that he was "made an example of." Barrow fans have suggested that that Cotterill has been made a scapegoat
Scapegoat
Scapegoating is the practice of singling out any party for unmerited negative treatment or blame. Scapegoating may be conducted by individuals against individuals , individuals against groups , groups against individuals , and groups against groups Scapegoating is the practice of singling out any...
, due to the fact the Match of the Day cameras were there, and Barrow fan Anthony Prior, who was at the Bristol Rovers match, says that "It happens every week in the Premiership", he also said that Cotterill was made a scapegoat because he was on the TV. Another fan said that Ben Thatcher
Ben Thatcher
Benjamin David "Ben" Thatcher is a professional association football player, who is currently a free agent...
's elbow charge was just as bad, if not worse than Cotterill's assault.