Aden Flint (born 11 July 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League One club Mansfield Town.

Aden Flint
Flint with Bristol City in 2016
Personal information
Full name Aden Flint[1]
Date of birth (1989-07-11) 11 July 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth Pinxton, England[2]
Height 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)[3]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
Mansfield Town
Number 14
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2008 Pinxton
2008–2011 Alfreton Town 67 (3)
2008–2009Matlock Town (loan)
2011–2013 Swindon Town 64 (4)
2011Alfreton Town (loan) 13 (1)
2013–2018 Bristol City 209 (36)
2018–2019 Middlesbrough 39 (1)
2019–2022 Cardiff City 86 (10)
2020–2021Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 4 (0)
2022–2023 Stoke City 9 (0)
2023Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 18 (1)
2023– Mansfield Town 46 (2)
International career
2010 England C 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:14, 27 May 2024 (UTC)

Club career

edit

Early career

edit

Flint began his career in the Central Midlands Football League with Pinxton before stepping up to the Conference North in the summer of 2008 when he joined Alfreton Town.[4] At Alfreton, Flint worked part-time tarmacking roads.[5]

Flint spent three months of his debut season at Alfreton on loan with Northern Premier League Premier Division side Matlock Town.[6] The adverse weather prevented Flint from playing many games but he scored in the 5–0 victory over Leigh Genesis in January 2009.[7] The following month saw Flint play in the 1–1 draw against Ilkeston Town,[8] and scored an own goal in the 2–0 loss at Whitby Town.[9] On 26 February 2009, Matlock manager Mark Atkins confirmed that Flint was among three players to have departed the club following the end of his loan.[10]

Flint spent the rest of his Alfreton career within its first team set-up helping reach the Conference North play-off final during the 2009–10 season where they lost 2–1 to Fleetwood Town.[11] He impressed many visiting scouts with bids being turned down from Derby County, Luton Town and ten other clubs according to Alfreton chairman, Wayne Bradley.[12]

Swindon Town

edit

In January 2011, Colchester United manager John Ward confirmed that his club had been in talks with Flint over a move to the Essex club. Ward also announced that Flint was scheduled to travel to Wiltshire the next day to discuss a possible move with Swindon Town with Danny Wilson.[13]

Days later Swindon Town announced the signing of Flint on a 2+12-year contract and was issued the number 16 shirt which had been recently made available after the departure of on-loan Manchester City forward David Ball.[14]

Flint made his Swindon debut in the 1–1 draw with Rochdale and featured in the following fixture against Leyton Orient which resulted in a 3–0 loss for the Wiltshire club.

In March 2011, Flint returned to Alfreton Town on a loan until the end of the 2010–11 season. New Swindon manager Paul Hart was impressed with Flint's attitude in training but had decided to select more experienced players such as Andy Frampton instead.[15] Upon rejoining Alfreton, Flint was immediately handed the captaincy and led the club to promotion from the Conference North.

On 6 August 2011, Flint scored his first goal against Crewe Alexandra. He was a consistent performer in Town's 2011–12 title winning season. Flint scored twice in a 3–0 win against Stevenage at the County Ground on 20 April. The victory secured Swindon's place in the 2012–13 League One play-off.

Bristol City

edit

Flint signed for Bristol City on 11 June 2013 for a fee of £300,000. Due to a sell on clause his previous club Alfreton Town received 20% of the fee (£60,000).[16] He made his debut on 3 August in a 2–2 draw against Bradford City at Ashton Gate.[17] He scored his first goal for the club on 21 September in a 3–2 defeat to former club Swindon Town.[18] On 8 February, he scored his second goal for the club in a 1–1 draw against Oldham Athletic.[19] He scored again in the following game three days later in a 3–1 win against Leyton Orient.[20]

Flint briefly sparked a hostile relationship with fans of his former team Swindon by stating in an interview that he did not wish for them to achieve promotion. On 3 May 2015, in the final game of the 2014–15 season (during which City won the league), he scored his first ever hat-trick in an 8–2 victory over Walsall, bringing his total for the season to 15.[21]

Aden Flint was awarded Player of the Year for the 2015–16 season,[22] in which he helped Bristol City narrowly avoid relegation back to League One.

Flint featured in every game as Bristol City reached the semi-finals of the 2017–18 EFL Cup with wins over Premier League opponents Watford,[23] Stoke City,[24] Crystal Palace[25] and Manchester United.[26] Flint scored in the semi-final defeat against Premier League leaders Manchester City.[27]

Middlesbrough

edit

On 27 June 2018, Flint joined Championship club Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £7m, signing on a four-year contract.[28]

Cardiff City

edit

Flint joined Cardiff City on 19 July 2019 on a three-year contract[29] He made his debut on the opening day of the 2019–20 season in a 3–2 defeat to Wigan Athletic.[30] In his second appearance, he scored his first goal for the club, scoring the opening goal in a 2–1 victory over Luton Town.[31]

Flint returned to Cardiff in January 2021 and became a key fixture of the side under new manager Mick McCarthy. He bagged his first goal following his return in a 1–0 victory over arch rivals Swansea City,[32] a goal which earned him cult status among City fans.

Flint began the 2021–22 season in fine form, scoring a late brace in an away match against newly-promoted Peterborough United to salvage a 2–2 draw for the Bluebirds. Flint doubled his tally a week later, grabbing another brace in a 3–1 home victory over Millwall. This briefly placed him atop the Championship's goalscoring charts. Flint announced on social media at the end of the 2021–22 season that he would be leaving the club on a free transfer.[33] On 10 June 2022, Cardiff announced Flint would leave the club when his contract expired on 30 June.[34]

Sheffield Wednesday (loan)

edit

On 16 October 2020, Flint joined Sheffield Wednesday on a season-long loan.[35] He made his debut the day later, starting away to Birmingham City, helping to keep a clean sheet.[36] During the game away to Rotherham United, Flint would pick up a hamstring injury which would require surgery which would rule him out for a "few weeks minimum" according to manager Garry Monk.[37] He wouldn't play for Sheffield Wednesday again as his loan would be cut short on 4 January 2021.[38]

Stoke City

edit

On 15 June 2022, Flint joined Stoke City a one-year contract.[39] After playing in nine matches at the start of the season, Flint quickly fell out of favour with Alex Neil and was released by Stoke at the end of the 2022–23 season, his final appearance coming in a 4–0 home loss to Watford.[40]

Return to Sheffield Wednesday

edit

On 27 January 2023, Flint re-joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan for the rest of the season.[41] He made his second-debut against Fleetwood Town the following day coming off the bench.[42]

Mansfield Town

edit

On 3 August 2023, Flint signed for League Two club Mansfield Town on an initial one-year deal with the option for a further season.[43] He was a member of the Mansfield squad that earned promotion in third place, and was subsequently named in the PFA Team of the Year for League Two.[44]

International career

edit

Flint's form at Alfreton Town during the early 2010–11 campaign earned him his first international call-up when Paul Fairclough named his within his 16-man England C squad for the friendly with Wales national semi-professional football team. He played the first 45 minutes in the 2–2 draw at Latham Park in Newtown, Wales.[45]

Flint was capped for a second and final time in October 2010 when he played the entire 90 minutes of England C's 1–0 away win at the Kadriorg Stadium, Tallinn against an Estonia U-23's in the International Challenge Trophy.[46]

When Flint signed for Swindon Town in January 2011, he became ineligible for selection for the England C squad so was unable to make the final squad for the International Challenge Trophy.[47]

Career statistics

edit
As of match played 27 April 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
Alfreton Town 2008–09[48] Conference North 12 0 0 0 2[a] 0 14 0
2009–10[49][50][51] Conference North 38 1 3 1 6[b] 0 47 2
2010–11[c][52][53][54] Conference North 30 3 2 0 5[d] 1 37 4
Total 80 4 5 1 13 1 98 6
Swindon Town 2010–11[55] League One 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
2011–12[56] League Two 32 2 3 1 2 0 3[e] 1 40 4
2012–13[57] League One 29 2 1 0 3 1 3[f] 1 36 4
Total 64 4 4 1 5 1 6 2 79 8
Bristol City 2013–14[58] League One 34 3 4 0 3 0 2[e] 0 43 3
2014–15[59] League One 46 14 5 0 0 0 6[e] 1 57 15
2015–16[60] Championship 44 6 2 0 1 0 47 6
2016–17[61] Championship 46 5 3 0 4 0 53 5
2017–18[62] Championship 39 8 1 0 6 1 46 9
Total 209 36 15 0 14 1 8 1 246 38
Middlesbrough 2018–19[63] Championship 39 1 2 0 1 0 42 1
Cardiff City 2019–20[64] Championship 26 3 3 2 1 0 30 5
2020–21[65] Championship 22 1 0 0 0 0 22 1
2021–22[66] Championship 38 6 1 0 2 0 41 6
Total 86 10 4 2 3 0 0 0 93 12
Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 2020–21[65] Championship 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Stoke City 2022–23[67] Championship 9 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 2022–23[67] League One 18 1 1 0 0 0 2[g] 0 21 1
Mansfield Town 2023–24[68] League Two 46 2 1 0 4 0 3[e] 0 54 2
Career total 555 58 32 4 27 2 32 4 634 68
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in Conference North play-offs
  2. ^ Three appearances in Conference North play-offs; two appearances in FA Trophy; one appearance in Derbyshire Senior Cup
  3. ^ Part of this season was spent on loan from Swindon Town
  4. ^ Four appearances one goal in FA Trophy; one appearance in Derbyshire Senior Cup
  5. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  6. ^ Two appearances one goal in League Two play-offs; one appearance in Football League Trophy
  7. ^ Appearance(s) in League One play-offs

Honours

edit

Alfreton Town

Swindon Town

Bristol City

Mansfield Town

Individual

References

edit
  1. ^ "The Football League Limited: Club list of registered players as at 16th May 2015" (PDF). The Football League. 16 May 2015. p. 41. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  2. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 540. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  3. ^ "Aden Flint". Stoke City F.C. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Players Archive: Aden Flint". Alfreton Town. 4 February 2011. Archived from the original on 24 January 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  5. ^ "From asphalt to Zlatan: Aden Flint's long road to facing Manchester United". The Guardian. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  6. ^ "'Warrior' Aden Flint's nightshift memories, secret scout reviews and what makes him swear". Teesside Live. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Matlock Town v Leigh Genesis". Matlock Town. 24 January 2009. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  8. ^ "Matlock Town 1–1 Ilkeston Town". Matlock Town. 14 February 2009. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  9. ^ "21st February 2009: Whitby Town 2–0 Matlock Town". Whitby Town. 21 February 2009. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  10. ^ "Latest News – 26/02/09". Matlock Town. 26 February 2009. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  11. ^ "Fleetwood Town 2-1 Alfreton". BBC Sport. 9 May 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  12. ^ "Flint set for County Ground". Swindon Advertiser. 21 January 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  13. ^ "Boss Eyes Defender Flint". Colchester United F.C. 25 January 2011. Archived from the original on 10 February 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  14. ^ "Flint Completes Town Switch". Swindon Town F.C. 27 January 2011. Archived from the original on 24 January 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  15. ^ "Flint re-joins Alfreton on loan to bolster their title hopes". This is Nottingham. 24 March 2011. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
  16. ^ "Aden Flint: Bristol City sign Swindon Town defender". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  17. ^ "Bristol City 2–2 Bradford City" BBC Sport. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  18. ^ "Swindon Town 3–2 Bristol City" BBC Sport. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  19. ^ "Oldham Athletic 1–1 Bristol City" BBC Sport. 8 February 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
  20. ^ "Leyton Orient 1–3 Bristol City" BBC Sport. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  21. ^ "Bristol City 8–2 Walsall" BBC Sport. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  22. ^ "Flint lands Player of the Year award". Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  23. ^ "Watford 2–3 Bristol City". BBC Sport.
  24. ^ "Bristol City 2–0 Stoke City". BBC Sport.
  25. ^ "Bristol City 4–1 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport.
  26. ^ "Bristol City 2–1 Manchester United". BBC Sport.
  27. ^ "Bristol City 2–3 Manchester City (Agg: 3–5)". BBC Sport.
  28. ^ "Aden Flint Becomes Boro's Second Summer Signing | Middlesbrough FC".
  29. ^ "Done Deal - Aden Flint is a Bluebird". Cardiff City F.C. 19 July 2019. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  30. ^ "Wigan Athletic 3–2 Cardiff City". BBC Sport. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  31. ^ "Cardiff City 2–1 Luton Town". BBC Sport. 10 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  32. ^ "Flint gives Cardiff victory at Swansea". BBC Sport.
  33. ^ "Aden Flint: Centre-back announces Cardiff City exit". BBC Sport. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  34. ^ "2021/22 Retained List | Cardiff". www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  35. ^ "Aden Flint completes Owls loan switch". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  36. ^ "Report: Birmingham 0-1 Wednesday". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  37. ^ "Owls suffer Flint blow". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  38. ^ "Flint returns to Cardiff". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  39. ^ "Aden Flint: Stoke City sign former Cardiff City defender". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  40. ^ "Stoke City: Phil Jagielka, Morgan Fox & Nick Powell among seven released". BBC Sport. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  41. ^ "Aden Flint completes Owls return". Sheffield Wednesday FC. 27 January 2023.
  42. ^ "Aden Flint transfer verdict delivered by Darren Moore after Sheffield Wednesday loan signing". YorkshireLive. 28 January 2023.
  43. ^ "Stags sign experienced defender". www.mansfieldtown.net. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  44. ^ a b c "PFA League Two Team of the Year". PFA. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  45. ^ "Fairclough's food for thought". The FA. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  46. ^ "England C into ICT semis". The FA. 12 October 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  47. ^ "England C". The FA. 12 October 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  48. ^ Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2009). Non-League Club Directory 2010. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 180–181. ISBN 978-1-869833-66-4.
  49. ^ "Alfreton Town FC Appearances & Goalscorers 2009/10 Season". Alfreton Town FC. 5 April 2010. Archived from the original on 26 July 2010.
  50. ^ Matches after 5 April 2010:
    "Alfreton Town 3–2 Northwich Victoria". Alfreton Town FC. 10 April 2010. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010.
    "Droylsden 0–0 Alfreton Town". Alfreton Town FC. 12 April 2010. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010.
    "Ilkeston Town 0–0 Alfreton Town". Alfreton Town FC. 17 April 2010. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010.
    "Southport 1–3 Alfreton Town". Alfreton Town FC. 20 April 2010. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010.
    "Alfreton Town 3–2 Hinckley United". Alfreton Town FC. 24 April 2010. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010.
    "Workington AFC 0–1 Alfreton Town". Alfreton Town FC. 28 April 2010. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010.
    "Alfreton Town 3–1 Workington AFC". Alfreton Town FC. 2 May 2010. Archived from the original on 6 May 2010.
    "Fleetwood Town 2–1 Alfreton Town". Alfreton Town FC. 9 May 2010. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010.
  51. ^ Breakdown of cup matches:
    "Alfreton Town 6–0 AFC Wulfrunians". Alfreton Town FC. 26 September 2009. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010.
    "Alfreton Town 2–2 Southport". Alfreton Town FC. 10 October 2009. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010.
    "Southport 2–1 Alfreton Town". Alfreton Town FC. 13 October 2009. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010.
    "Alfreton Town 7–2 Holbrook MW". Alfreton Town FC. 17 November 2009. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010.
    "Corby Town 1–1 Alfreton Town". Alfreton Town FC. 21 November 2009. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010.
    "Alfreton Town 1–2 Corby Town". Alfreton Town FC. 24 November 2009. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010.
  52. ^ a b c d "A. Flint - Profile with news, career statistics and history". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  53. ^ "Alfreton Town FC Appearances & Goalscorers 2010/11 Season". Alfreton Town FC. 9 April 2011. Archived from the original on 11 April 2011.
  54. ^ Cup matches not on Soccerway:
    "Stalybridge Celtic 1–1 Alfreton Town". Alfreton Town FC. 25 September 2010. Archived from the original on 27 April 2011.
    "Alfreton Town 1–2 Stalybridge Celtic". Stalybridge Celtic. 28 September 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
    "Alfreton Town 4–0 Kendal Town". Alfreton Town FC. 20 November 2010. Archived from the original on 27 April 2011.
    "Alfreton Town 6–1 South Normanton Athletic". Alfreton Town FC. 5 January 2011. Archived from the original on 27 April 2011.
  55. ^ "Games played by Aden Flint in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  56. ^ "Games played by Aden Flint in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  57. ^ "Games played by Aden Flint in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  58. ^ "Games played by Aden Flint in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  59. ^ "Games played by Aden Flint in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  60. ^ "Games played by Aden Flint in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  61. ^ "Games played by Aden Flint in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  62. ^ "Games played by Aden Flint in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
  63. ^ "Aden Flint | Football Stats | Middlesbrough | Season 2018/2019 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  64. ^ "Games played by Aden Flint in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  65. ^ a b "Games played by Aden Flint in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  66. ^ "Games played by Aden Flint in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  67. ^ a b "Games played by Aden Flint in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  68. ^ "Games played by Aden Flint in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  69. ^ "Alfreton Town 4–0 Redditch United". Alfreton Town FC. 23 April 2011. Archived from the original on 27 April 2011.
  70. ^ "League One Team of the Year: Five Bristol City players selected". BBC Sport. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  71. ^ "Club Records – Brisol City". Archived from the original on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  72. ^ "September Award Winners Gallery". EFL. 6 October 2017.
  73. ^ "See who made the EFL Team of the Season line-ups". EFL. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
edit