Manny Panther

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Manny Panther
Panther playing for York City in 2007
Personal information
Full name Emmanuel Ugochukwu Ezenwa Panther[1]
Date of birth (1984-05-11) 11 May 1984 (age 39)[1]
Place of birth Glasgow, Scotland
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1997–2001 St Johnstone
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2003 St Johnstone 11 (0)
2003–2005 Partick Thistle 21 (2)
2005 → Brechin City (loan) 8 (1)
2005–2008 York City 121 (4)
2008–2010 Exeter City 22 (2)
2008 → Rushden & Diamonds (loan) 3 (0)
2009–2010 → Morecambe (loan) 19 (0)
2010–2012 Aldershot Town 24 (0)
2011–2012 → Grimsby Town (loan) 7 (0)
2012 Kidderminster Harriers 2 (0)
Total 238 (9)
International career
Scotland U15
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Emmanuel Ugochukwu Ezenwa "Manny" Panther (born 11 May 1984) is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for St Johnstone, Partick Thistle, Brechin City, York City, Exeter City, Rushden & Diamonds, Morecambe, Aldershot Town, Grimsby Town and Kidderminster Harriers.

Club career[edit]

St Johnstone[edit]

Born in Glasgow, Panther started his career at Scottish Premier League (SPL) side St Johnstone after joining their youth system at the age of 14, having spent a year with Rangers youth.[2] During the 2001–02 season he suffered a long, career-threatening knee injury that limited him to only five first team appearances. He signed a new one-year deal with St Johnstone in 2002.[3] He was released the following season.

Partick Thistle[edit]

He then joined SPL side Partick Thistle in June 2003,[4] and signed a new contract in May 2004 that would last until January 2005,[5] eventually leaving the club in the summer of that year. He was sent out on loan to Brechin City of the Scottish Second Division in February 2005.[6] During his spell at Brechin he scored once against Arbroath.[7]

York City[edit]

He signed for Conference National team York City in August 2005 after a trial.[8] He signed a new contract with York at the end of the 2005–06 season, telling the club website "I struggled a bit with injury last season, but feel very fit and I'm ready for the season to begin".[9] He was made the captain of York for the 2006–07 season and scored his first goal for the club on 18 November 2006 against Weymouth.[10]

York City managing director Jason McGill (left) and Panther (right) in 2007

Panther said he was enjoying "a new lease of life" after being asked to play in a more advanced role for York, saying "I'm playing in a slightly different position to what I've been used to," he explained. "The manager has put me in a more attacking position and in a way it's given me a new lease of life."[11] After the end of the season, he said he wanted to sign a new deal with York before leaving for his summer break.[12] Panther was offered a new contract by York at the end of the season on 16 May 2007.[13] Rumours were circulating linking him to a move to newly promoted Scottish Premier League outfit Gretna but he rejected this speculation, saying: I have not heard anything about that."[14] He signed a new one-year contract with York on 16 June.[15] He turned down a new contract in January 2008 and was released by the club after the 2007–08 season.[16]

Exeter City[edit]

He signed for Exeter City on a three-year contract in May, following the club's promotion back to the Football League.[17][18] After being an unused substitutes for the first two games of the season,[19][20] he made his debut after coming off the bench in 75th minute of a 1–0 defeat to Shrewsbury Town.[21] He returned to the Conference Premier by joining Rushden & Diamonds on a month's loan in September to gain more first team experience.[22] He was sent off in his debut against Burton Albion a day after joining, which ended as a 2–1 victory.[23] His final appearance for Rushden, a 3–1 defeat to Torquay United, also saw Panther dismissed, meaning he ended the loan spell with three appearances.[24][25] After returning to Exeter he came on as a substitute and scored the equaliser against Morecambe in the 85th minute with a curling shot from outside the penalty area, securing a 1–1 draw.[26] Towards the start of Exeter's League One campaign he handed in a transfer request that manager Paul Tisdale accepted.[27] Panther joined League Two team Morecambe on a season-long loan for the 2009–10 season on 17 August 2009.[28] On his return to Exeter, the club announced that he would be released when his contract expired on 30 June 2010.[29]

Aldershot Town[edit]

Panther signed a one-year contract with Aldershot Town on 8 July.[30] He made his debut for Aldershot on 7 August in a League Two fixture at Accrington Stanley.[31] Conference Premier side Crawley Town made an offer for him in December.[32] He signed for Conference Premier side Grimsby Town on loan until January 2012 on 11 November 2011.[33] The loan ended prematurely after he was sent off in a 3–1 victory at home to Lincoln City on New Year's Day 2012,[34] finishing his period at Grimsby with 12 appearances.[35] Panther was released from his Aldershot contract by mutual consent on 29 March 2012.[36]

Kidderminster Harriers[edit]

He signed with Conference Premier side Kidderminster Harriers on 31 August 2012.[37] Having made two appearances his contract was mutually terminated on 6 December 2012 before retiring from football to concentrate on a business venture.[38][39]

International career[edit]

Panther represented Scotland at under-15 level in 1999 in a tournament in France, playing in games against France, the United States, Belgium and the Netherlands.[2] Later in the year he was part of the squad that played England in the 1999 Victory Shield.[40] In March 2000 he was in the squad to play Northern Ireland.[41] Panther linked up with the under-19 squad in August 2002.[42]

Personal life[edit]

He is the son of Nigerian boxer Cyril Panther.[43] In 2014, he appeared on channel E4 show Party House.[44]

Career statistics[edit]

Club statistics
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
St Johnstone 2001–02[45] Scottish Premier League 7 0 0 0 0 0 — 7 0
2002–03[46] Scottish First Division 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Total 11 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
Partick Thistle 2003–04[47] Scottish Premier League 8 0 0 0 0 0 — 8 0
2004–05[48] Scottish First Division 13 2 0 0 2 0 3[a] 2 18 4
Total 21 2 0 0 2 0 3 2 26 4
Brechin City (loan) 2004–05[48] Scottish Second Division 8 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 1
York City 2005–06[49] Conference National 37 0 0 0 — 0 0 37 0
2006–07[50] Conference National 44 3 2 0 — 3[b] 0 49 3
2007–08[51] Conference Premier 40 1 2 0 — 8[c] 0 50 1
Total 121 4 4 0 — 11 0 136 4
Exeter City 2008–09[52] League Two 22 2 0 0 0 0 1[d] 0 23 2
Rushden & Diamonds (loan) 2008–09[24] Conference Premier 3 0 0 0 — 0 0 3 0
Morecambe (loan) 2009–10[1][53] League Two 19 0 0 0 0 0 1[e] 0 20 0
Aldershot Town 2010–11[54] League Two 23 0 1 0 1 0 1[d] 0 26 0
2011–12[55] League Two 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total 24 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 27 0
Grimsby Town (loan) 2011–12[35] Conference Premier 7 0 4 0 — 1[f] 0 12 0
Kidderminster Harriers 2012–13[35] Conference Premier 2 0 0 0 — 0 0 2 0
Career total 238 9 10 0 3 0 18 2 269 11
  1. ^ Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup
  2. ^ One appearance in FA Trophy, two in Conference National play-offs
  3. ^ Seven appearances in FA Trophy, one in Conference League Cup
  4. ^ a b Appearance in Football League Trophy
  5. ^ Appearance in League Two play-offs
  6. ^ Appearance in FA Trophy

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 326. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ^ a b "Perth prodigy Panther in the pink". The Scotsman. Edinburgh. 30 March 2002. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  3. ^ "Reilly joins Saints". BBC Sport. 6 June 2002. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  4. ^ "Thistle sign up Bonnes". BBC Sport. 9 June 2003. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  5. ^ "Panther signs new deal". BBC Sport. 20 May 2004. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  6. ^ "Brechin add two players on loan". BBC Sport. 17 February 2005. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  7. ^ "Arbroath 1–4 Brechin City". BBC Sport. 19 March 2005. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  8. ^ "Minstermen snap up duo". Non-League Daily. 9 August 2005. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 23 July 2007.
  9. ^ "Panther signs extended York deal". BBC Sport. 8 July 2006. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  10. ^ Flett, Dave (20 November 2006). "City skipper ends 54-game City goal drought in triumph". The Press. York. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  11. ^ Martini, Peter (9 January 2007). "City's skipper relishes new advanced slot". The Press. York. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  12. ^ Flett, Dave (10 May 2007). "Skipper Panther keen to re-sign". The Press. York. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  13. ^ "York boss releases eight players". BBC Sport. 16 May 2007. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  14. ^ Flett, Dave (16 May 2007). "Midfielder Steve among eight released by City". The Press. York. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  15. ^ "City skipper Manny re-signs". The Press. York. 16 June 2007. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  16. ^ Flett, Dave (26 April 2008). "Panther packed off". The Press. York. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  17. ^ "Exeter recruit Panther from York". BBC Sport. 27 May 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  18. ^ "Manny: I just want to play". Express & Echo. Exeter. 27 September 2008. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  19. ^ "Darlington 1–1 Exeter". BBC Sport. 9 August 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  20. ^ "Exeter 1–3 Southampton". BBC Sport. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  21. ^ "Exeter 0–1 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 16 August 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  22. ^ "Manny's a Diamond geezer!". Exeter City F.C. 19 September 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  23. ^ "Rushden & Diamonds 2–1 Burton". BBC Sport. 20 September 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  24. ^ a b Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2009). Non-League Club Directory 2010. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 132–133. ISBN 978-1-869833-66-4.
  25. ^ "Rushden & D 1–3 Torquay". BBC Sport. 12 October 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  26. ^ "Morecambe 1–1 Exeter". BBC Sport. 22 November 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2008.
  27. ^ "Tisdale 'reluctantly' opens door for Manny's exit". The Herald. Plymouth. 14 September 2008. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  28. ^ "Morecambe secure Panther on loan". BBC Sport. 18 August 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  29. ^ "Exeter City release nine". BBC Sport. 14 May 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  30. ^ "Aldershot Town sign Manny Panther and Damian Spencer". BBC Sport. 9 July 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  31. ^ "First XI Match Report: Accrington Stanley 0–0 Aldershot Town". Aldershot Town F.C. Retrieved 15 October 2010.[permanent dead link]
  32. ^ "Marvin Morgan says he wants to stay with Aldershot Town". BBC Sport. 30 December 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  33. ^ "Grimsby Town loan Aldershot midfielder Manny Panther". BBC Sport. 10 November 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  34. ^ "Grimsby Town: Parting loanee's 'Manny' thanks to Mariners". Grimsby Telegraph. 4 January 2012. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  35. ^ a b c "E. Panther". Soccerway. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  36. ^ "Panther departs". Aldershot Town F.C. 29 March 2012. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  37. ^ "Kidderminster Harriers sign Josh Gowling and Manny Panther". BBC Sport. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  38. ^ "Panther leaves Harriers". Kidderminster Harriers F.C. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  39. ^ "Manny Panther". Rushden & Diamonds F.C. (hosted by RDFC1992). 5 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  40. ^ "Football;In brief;Sport". The TES. 10 December 1999. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  41. ^ "Temple of Saints – 2000 Archive News From The Oracle". Temple of Saints. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  42. ^ "Temple of Saints – 2002 Archive News From The Oracle". Temple of Saints. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  43. ^ Flett, Dave (8 August 2007). "Manny Panther". The Press. York. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  44. ^ "Manny". Channel 4. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  45. ^ "Games played by Manny Panther in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  46. ^ "Games played by Manny Panther in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  47. ^ "Games played by Manny Panther in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  48. ^ a b "Games played by Manny Panther in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  49. ^ Batters, Dave (2008). York City: The Complete Record. Breedon Books. pp. 406–407. ISBN 978-1-85983-633-0.
  50. ^ Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 408–409, 420–421.
  51. ^ Batters. York City: The Complete Record. pp. 410–411, 420–421.
  52. ^ "Games played by Manny Panther in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  53. ^ "Games played by Manny Panther in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  54. ^ "Games played by Manny Panther in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  55. ^ "Games played by Manny Panther in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2014.

External links[edit]

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