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Luke McCormick (footballer, born 1983)

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Luke McCormick
Personal information
Full name Luke Martin McCormick[1]
Date of birth (1983-08-15) 15 August 1983 (age 41)[2]
Place of birth Coventry, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Plymouth Parkway
Youth career
Coventry City
Derby County
West Brom[3]
–2000 Plymouth Argyle
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2008 Plymouth Argyle 138 (0)
2004 → Boston United (loan) 2 (0)
2012–2013 Truro City 10 (0)
2013 Oxford United 15 (0)
2013–2018 Plymouth Argyle 168 (0)
2018–2020 Swindon Town 29 (0)
2020–2022 Plymouth Argyle 2 (0)
2021 → Truro City (loan) 1 (0)
2024- Plymouth Parkway 0 (0)
Total 365 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Luke Martin McCormick (born 15 August 1983) is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Southern Football League side Plymouth Parkway.

Starting his career at Plymouth Argyle, McCormick was jailed for causing death by dangerous driving in 2008 after he killed two children. He was released from prison on 6 June 2012.

He returned to football playing on non-contract terms for Truro City in November 2012, before returning to league football on 31 January 2013 with Oxford United. He was released at the end of the 2012–13 season and, in May 2013, re-signed for Plymouth Argyle on a one-year contract. In July 2014, McCormick was assigned the role of 'club captain' at Plymouth Argyle (although the current captain was Curtis Nelson). In August 2016, McCormick became captain of the club after Nelson joined Oxford United. He left Plymouth Argyle at the end of the 2018 season after making 347 appearances for the club. In the summer of 2018 he signed for Swindon Town on a free deal. He went on to make 29 league appearances for the club and played as backup to Steven Benda as the club won the League Two title in 2019–20. After being released by the Robins, McCormick signed for League One Plymouth Argyle for the third time in his career.

Career

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Early career

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McCormick came through the ranks at Plymouth Argyle, making his debut on the final day of the 2000–01 season, in a 0–0 draw at home to Rochdale. The following 2001–02 season, McCormick didn't feature at all, with Argyle opting for emergency-loan signing Chris Adamson ahead of McCormick, for the one game missed by Frenchman Romain Larrieu that season. In the 2002–03 season, unavailability from Larrieu saw McCormick play five games in a row, starting with a 2–1 Football League Trophy win against Chester City. He would play in the following two league games, before being dropped for emergency-loan signing Danny Milosevic, who in his one game for Argyle got injured, and substituted off for McCormick. He played his final game of the season on 12 November, in a 1–0 defeat to Brentford in the Football League Trophy.

Contention with Larrieu

[edit]

An injury to Larrieu early in the 2003–04 season saw McCormick become first choice for the rest of the campaign, playing 43 games across all competitions, as Argyle were promoted as Champions of Division Two. McCormick and Larrieu would compete for the goalkeeping position for the next season, with both playing 24 games each, even with McCormick going out loan for a month to League Two side Boston United.[4]

Larrieu re-established himself in 2005–06, leaving McCormick to play just 3 games all season.[5] McCormick got his chance as number 1 keeper again in 2006–07, when Larrieu was diagnosed with testicular cancer.[6] McCormick again played over 40 games in all competitions, including in Argyle's 1–0 defeat to Watford in the FA Cup Quarter-final.

For the following 2007–08 season, McCormick started as back-up to Larrieu, but got his chance as number 1 again when Larrieu was loaned out to Yeovil Town. After a 2–1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, McCormick lost his spot to the returning Larrieu, who played in a dozen games before falling ill to testicular cancer again, seeing McCormick become first choice once again. He received his first red card of his career in the 71st minute of a 1–0 defeat away to Scunthorpe United, for handling the ball outside his area. Defender Lee Hodges took over goalkeeping duties for the rest of the game, and emergency-loan signing Rab Douglas played the next game, before McCormick re-gained his place in the team, as Argyle went on to finish 10th in the Championship. A 1–0 defeat away to Wolverhampton Wanderers on 4 May 2008 would prove to be his final game for over four years.[7] McCormick had played 157 games for Argyle, appearing as a substitute once.[8]

Car crash and conviction

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On 7 June 2008, McCormick was arrested by patrol units of the Central Motorway Police Group on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. McCormick's Range Rover collided with a Toyota Previa at 5.45am between junctions 15 and 16 of the southbound M6 motorway, near Keele Services in Staffordshire. The crash resulted in the death of Arron and Ben Peak, aged ten and eight, from the Partington area of Manchester.[9] Their father, Philip, the driver of the Previa, was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire with fractures to the neck, back, ribs and swelling of the lungs.[citation needed]

The following day, McCormick was charged by Staffordshire Police with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, driving with excess alcohol in his blood, and driving with no insurance. He appeared at Fenton Magistrates' Court on 9 June and was granted conditional bail until 16 June when he appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.[10] At this hearing the charge of driving without insurance was dropped against McCormick and the case was adjourned until 8 September and subsequently to 6 October.[11]

On 2 July 2008, McCormick was suspended by Plymouth Argyle,[12] and his contract was cancelled by mutual consent on 22 July.[13] He pleaded guilty to charges of causing death by dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol, and received a sentence of seven years and four months' imprisonment and a four-year driving ban on 6 October.[14] McCormick served time at both HM Prison Ranby and HM Prison Channings Wood before being released from HM Prison Leyhill on 6 June 2012.[15]

Post-prison career

[edit]

Trials and Truro

[edit]

In May 2012, with his release from prison pending, Swindon Town announced their intention to offer McCormick a trial period,[16] but they finished the trial in August 2012 without offering him a contract.[17]

McCormick signed with Conference South club Truro City on a non-contract basis in November 2012 and made his debut against Farnborough in the FA Trophy on 10 November. Although in administration, Truro were permitted to sign a goalkeeper when their only other keeper, Tim Sandercombe, was injured.[18]

Oxford United

[edit]

McCormick played 11 times for Truro before he re-entered league football for the first time in four and a half years by signing for Oxford United of League Two on 31 January 2013, on a contract until the end of the 2012–13 season.[19] He played 15 matches for Oxford, but lost his first team place to Max Crocombe by mid-April and he was released at the end of the season.[20]

Return to Argyle

[edit]

In May 2013, it was reported that McCormick was in talks to return to Plymouth Argyle, five years after his departure;[21] on 9 May 2013 he re-signed for the club on a one-year contract.[22] McCormick managed to establish himself as Argyle's first choice goalkeeper ahead of Jake Cole until he fractured and dislocated a finger on his left hand in a 1–1 draw with Mansfield Town on 1 February 2014, which ruled him out for the rest of the season.[23] Despite this setback, McCormick signed a new 2-year contract with the club at the end of the season.[24]

McCormick was handed the role of club captain before the start of the 2014–15 season. The campaign was a strong one for McCormick, as he started all 53 league and cup matches, kept 22 clean sheets and won Argyle's player of the year award.[25] The club reached the League Two playoffs but fell to a 5–3 aggregate defeat to Wycombe Wanderers in the semi-final.[26]

The 2015–16 season saw McCormick play all but six of Plymouth Argyle's league games, conceding an average of 1 goal per game. He suffered an injury in mid-November and was deputised by James Bittner, and later Christian Walton, before finally making his return to the side on 19 December in a 2–1 away win against Hartlepool United.[27] McCormick was later rested for the last league game of the season, Argyle's home game vs Hartlepool, in which Vincent Dorel started in his place in a 5–0 win.[28] Argyle reached the League Two playoffs once again, this time falling to a 2–0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon in the final at Wembley, with goals scored by Lyle Taylor and Adebayo Akinfenwa.[29]

Following the Wembley defeat, captain Curtis Nelson left the club to join Oxford United,[30] and so for the start of the 2016–17 season McCormick was handed the role of captain, meaning he'd wear the armband out on the pitch for the first time.[31] Argyle made it to the third round of the 2016-17 FA Cup with a 1–0 replay win at Newport County, thanks to an extra time goal from Graham Carey,[32] and drew Liverpool away from home. McCormick kept a clean sheet as Argyle drew 0–0, earning a replay.[33] The replay was played at Home Park, in which, despite McCormick saving a Divock Origi penalty, Argyle lost 1–0.[34]

McCormick was released by Plymouth at the end of the 2017–18 season.[35]

Swindon Town

[edit]

He joined League Two side Swindon Town in July 2018 after a successful trial. He signed a one-year contract.[36] He made his debut on 7 August 2018 in a 4–0 defeat to Chelsea U23s in the EFL Trophy. When first-choice keeper Lawrence Vigouroux received a call-up for the Chile national football team, McCormick deputised, and kept his place when Vigouroux returned from international duty, after only conceding four goals in his first seven starts.[37] Vigouroux eventually regained his place from McCormick in October, until 23 March when McCormick started in a 4–0 win against Morecambe, and played every game until the end of the season. He finished the 18–19 season playing 21 games, with 17 of those appearances coming in the league.

McCormick started the 19–20 season as first-choice, starting all 14 games in all competitions until a 2–1 defeat to Bradford City on 5 October 2019.[38] Loan keeper Steven Benda then took over goalkeeping duties, leaving McCormick to only play one more game for the rest of the season: a 1–0 EFL Trophy defeat to Bristol Rovers.[39][40]

Swindon Town were promoted as Champions of the 2019–20 EFL League Two on PPG, and McCormick was offered a new contract for the 2020–21 season.[41]

Third spell with Argyle

[edit]

Having rejected the offer of a contract extension at Swindon, on 28 July 2020, McCormick joined Plymouth Argyle for a third time.[42] "We feel Luke will provide good competition with Mike Cooper for the first-team position," said manager Ryan Lowe.

McCormick featured off of the subs bench for Argyle's last two games of the 20–21 season, to make his 349th, and 350th appearances for the club. On 24 June 2021, it was revealed he had signed a new contract to remain at the club as an emergency 'training goalkeeper', with Mike Cooper and new signing Callum Burton taking the main first-team duties.[43]

Emergency loan to Truro

[edit]

On 2 November 2021, McCormick made a return to Truro City, this time on an emergency loan deal. He played in Truro's 1–0 FA Trophy Qualifier win against Cirencester Town that day, replacing the suspended James Hamon.[44]

Retirement

[edit]

On 3 May 2022, McCormick's retirement was announced in Plymouth's retained list.[45]

Ahead of the 2024-25 season, McCormick came out of retirement and was registered with Southern Football League side, Plymouth Parkway.[46]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 6 November 2021
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
Plymouth Argyle 2000–01[47] Third Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2001–02[48] Third Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2002–03[49] Second Division 3 0 0 0 0 0 2[a] 0 5 0
2003–04[50] Second Division 40 0 1 0 0 0 2[a] 0 43 0
2004–05[51] Championship 23 0 0 0 1 0 — 24 0
2005–06[52] Championship 1 0 0 0 2 0 — 3 0
2006–07[53] Championship 40 0 5 0 1 0 — 46 0
2007–08[54] Championship 30 0 2 0 3 0 — 35 0
Total 138 0 8 0 7 0 4 0 157 0
Boston United (loan) 2004–05[51] League Two 2 0 — — — 2 0
Truro City 2012–13[55] Conference South 10 0 — — 1[b] 0 11 0
Oxford United 2012–13[56] League Two 15 0 — — — 15 0
Plymouth Argyle 2013–14[57] League Two 27 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 28 0
2014–15[58] League Two 46 0 2 0 1 0 4[c] 0 53 0
2015–16[59] League Two 40 0 1 0 1 0 6[d] 0 48 0
2016–17[60] League Two 46 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 51 0
2017–18[61] League One 9 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Total 168 0 10 0 2 0 10 0 190 0
Swindon Town 2018–19[62] League Two 17 0 1 0 0 0 3[e] 0 21 0
2019–20[63] League Two 12 0 0 0 1 0 2[e] 0 15 0
Total 29 0 1 0 1 0 5 0 36 0
Plymouth Argyle 2020–21[64] League One 2 0 0 0 0 0 1[e] 0 3 0
2021–22[65] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0
Truro City (loan) 2021–22[55] SFL - Premier Division South 1 0 — — 1[b] 0 2 0
Career total 365 0 19 0 10 0 22 0 416 0
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ a b Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  3. ^ Two appearances in Football League Trophy, two in League Two play-offs
  4. ^ Three appearances in Football League Trophy, three in League Two play-offs
  5. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Honours

[edit]

Plymouth Argyle

Swindon Town

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Plymouth Argyle" (PDF). English Football League. p. 53. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b Hugman, Barry (2007). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 259. ISBN 978-1-84596-246-3.
  3. ^ Interview with Plymouth Argyle Goalkeeper Luke McCormick, GK Sharing, 14 June 2017, archived from the original on 12 December 2021, retrieved 2 August 2020
  4. ^ Dunn, Alex. "McCormick joins Boston". Sky Sports. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Luke McCormick". Greens On Screen. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  6. ^ "Romain Larrieu". Greens On Screen. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 Argyle, 04 May 2008". Greens On Screen. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Luke McCormick". Soccerbase. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  9. ^ "Footballer held over death crash". BBC News. 7 June 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2008.
  10. ^ "Player charged after crash deaths". BBC News. 8 June 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
  11. ^ "Player in court following deaths". BBC News. 16 June 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  12. ^ "Plymouth suspend keeper McCormick". BBC News. 2 July 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
  13. ^ "Plymouth end McCormick contract". BBC Sport. 22 July 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2008.
  14. ^ "Footballer killed boys in crash". BBC News. 6 October 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
  15. ^ "Luke McCormick car crash: Amanda and Phil Peak become parents to 'daughter' three years after losing sons in horror smash". Mirror.co.uk. 11 November 2011.
  16. ^ "Luke McCormick to join Swindon Town after release from prison". BBC Sport. 23 May 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
  17. ^ "Luke McCormick: Swindon Town cut ties with goalkeeper". BBC Sport. 23 August 2012.
  18. ^ "Truro City sign death crash keeper McCormick". This is Cornwall. 10 November 2012. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  19. ^ "Luke McCormick: Oxford United sign Truro City keeper". BBC Sport. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  20. ^ "Oxford United: Michael Duberry among 12 released". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  21. ^ "Luke McCormick in talks to make Plymouth Argyle return". BBC Sport. BBC. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  22. ^ "McCormick Returns". www.pafc.co.uk. Plymouth Argyle FC. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  23. ^ "Luke McCormick: Plymouth Argyle keeper out for season". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  24. ^ "Luke McCormick signs new two-year contract with Plymouth Argyle". Herald Sport. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  25. ^ "Argyle player-of-the-year Luke McCormick thanks the Green Army for their support". Herald Sport. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  26. ^ "Wycombe Wanderers 2–1 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  27. ^ "Plymouth Argyle 5–0 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  28. ^ "Plymouth Argyle 5–0 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  29. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 2–0 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  30. ^ "Curtis Nelson: Oxford United sign former Plymouth Argyle captain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  31. ^ "Plymouth Argyle name goalkeeper Luke McCormick as their new captain". Herald Sport. Retrieved 5 August 2016.[permanent dead link]
  32. ^ "Newport County 0–1 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  33. ^ "Liverpool 0–0 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  34. ^ "Plymouth Argyle 0–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  35. ^ "Gary Sawyer: Plymouth Argyle offer new deal to captain as nine are released". BBC Sport. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  36. ^ Reynolds, Shaun (7 July 2018). "Town confirm three new signings on the eve of Spanish pre-season training camp". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  37. ^ "Lawrence Vigouroux's attitude pleases Swindon Town boss". Swindon Advertiser. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  38. ^ "Bradford City 2 Swindon Town 1". BBC Sport. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  39. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  40. ^ "Games played by Steven Benda in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  41. ^ "2020 RELEASED & RETAINED LIST". Swindon Town FC. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  42. ^ "Luke's Homecoming - McCormick Signs On". Plymouth Argyle FC. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  43. ^ "Bringing in Burton". Plymouth Argyle FC. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  44. ^ "Pollock Secures Trophy Progression". Truro City FC. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  45. ^ "Retained List". www.pafc.co.uk. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  46. ^ "Plymouth Parkway Players". Southern Football League. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  47. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  48. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  49. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  50. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  51. ^ a b "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  52. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  53. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  54. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  55. ^ a b "Luke Mccormick Profile". Aylesbury United. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  56. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  57. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  58. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  59. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  60. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  61. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  62. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  63. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  64. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  65. ^ "Games played by Luke McCormick in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  66. ^ "League One & League Two clubs vote to end seasons early". BBC Sport. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  67. ^ "PFA teams of the year: Chelsea and Tottenham dominate Premier League XI". BBC Sport. 20 April 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
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