# Jeff Minton

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**Jeffrey Simon Thompson Minton** (born 28 December 1973) is an English former professional [footballer](/source/Association_football) who plays as a [midfielder](/source/Midfielder). He scored 49 goals in 296 league and cup games in a ten-year career in the [Football League](/source/English_Football_League).

Minton began his career at [Tottenham Hotspur](/source/Tottenham_Hotspur_F.C.), but only made two [Premier League](/source/Premier_League) appearances before being allowed to join [Brighton & Hove Albion](/source/Brighton_%26_Hove_Albion_F.C.) in July 1994. He made 199 appearances for the "Seagulls" and was voted onto the [PFA Team of the Year](/source/PFA_Team_of_the_Year) ([Third Division](/source/Football_League_Third_Division)) in 1998–99. He moved on to [Port Vale](/source/Port_Vale_F.C.) in June 1999 but did not establish himself in the first team. He was [transferred](/source/Transfer_(association_football)) to [Rotherham United](/source/Rotherham_United_F.C.) in March 2001. He helped the "Millers" to win [promotion](/source/Promotion_and_relegation) out of the [Second Division](/source/Football_League_Second_Division), before signing with [Leyton Orient](/source/Leyton_Orient_F.C.) in July 2001. He joined [non-League](/source/Non-League_football) [Grays Athletic](/source/Grays_Athletic_F.C.) in August 2002, before quickly moving on to [Canvey Island](/source/Canvey_Island_F.C.). He helped the "Gulls" to the [Isthmian League](/source/Isthmian_League) title in 2003–04, following their second-place finish in 2002–03, and also played in the [2004 FA Trophy final](/source/2004_FA_Trophy_final). He moved onto [Chelmsford City](/source/Chelmsford_City_F.C.) in August 2006 and helped his new side to the Isthmian League title in 2007–08. He signed with [Welling United](/source/Welling_United_F.C.) in July 2009 but left the club a month later. He joined amateur side [Ware](/source/Ware_F.C.) in November 2012.

## Career

Minton began his professional career as a trainee with [Tottenham Hotspur](/source/Tottenham_Hotspur_F.C.) in 1992, having been with the club since the age of ten.[2][4] He scored on his debut on 25 April 1992, when [manager](/source/Manager_(association_football)) [Peter Shreeves](/source/Peter_Shreeves) played him in a 3–3 draw with [Everton](/source/Everton_F.C.) at [White Hart Lane](/source/White_Hart_Lane), which was also saw farewell presentations for [Gary Lineker](/source/Gary_Lineker) and [Paul Gascoigne](/source/Paul_Gascoigne) before they left for Japan and Italy respectively.[5][2] He was only to make two further appearances however, one [First Division](/source/Football_League_First_Division) defeat to [Manchester United](/source/Manchester_United_F.C.) at [Old Trafford](/source/Old_Trafford) and one [League Cup](/source/EFL_Cup) win over [Brentford](/source/Brentford_F.C.).[2]

He was released in July 1994 and joined [Brighton & Hove Albion](/source/Brighton_%26_Hove_Albion_F.C.) of the [Second Division](/source/Football_League_Second_Division) on a [free transfer](/source/Free_transfer_(association_football)). The "Seagulls" finished 16th in [1994–95](/source/1994%E2%80%9395_Football_League) under the stewardship of [Liam Brady](/source/Liam_Brady). He described Brady as "like a father figure to me" and "somebody who had great confidence in my ability during his spell as manager".[2] However, rookie boss [Jimmy Case](/source/Jimmy_Case) could not prevent the club from suffering [relegation](/source/Promotion_and_relegation) to the [Third Division](/source/Football_League_Third_Division) at the end of the [1995–96](/source/1995%E2%80%9396_in_English_football) season; they were 12 points short of the safety mark set by [York City](/source/York_City_F.C.). Brighton continued to decline and spent most of the following season in last place in the league, recovering under [Steve Gritt](/source/Steve_Gritt) to avoid losing their [Football League](/source/English_Football_League) status on the last day of the [1996–97](/source/1996%E2%80%9397_Brighton_%26_Hove_Albion_F.C._season) season with a dramatic final day draw with [Hereford United](/source/Hereford_United_F.C.) that relegated their opponents. Minton finished as the [club's top scorer](/source/List_of_Brighton_%26_Hove_Albion_F.C._seasons) in [1997–98](/source/1997%E2%80%9398_Football_League) with seven goals in 39 appearances, as Albion again finished second-from-bottom, though this time were 15 points clear of last place [Doncaster Rovers](/source/Doncaster_Rovers_F.C.).[2] New manager [Brian Horton](/source/Brian_Horton) had a brief spell in charge, before the club finished [1998–99](/source/1998%E2%80%9399_Football_League) in 17th place under [Micky Adams](/source/Micky_Adams); Minton scored nine goals in 38 games, and was voted onto the [PFA Team of the Year](/source/PFA_Team_of_the_Year). In total, Minton made 199 league and cup appearances, scoring 32 goals, in five seasons, during a poor time in [the club's history](/source/History_of_Brighton_%26_Hove_Albion_F.C.) which saw them forced to sell the [Goldstone Ground](/source/Goldstone_Ground) and temporarily reside at [Gillingham](/source/Gillingham_F.C.)'s [Priestfield Stadium](/source/Priestfield_Stadium).

He joined [Port Vale](/source/Port_Vale_F.C.) on a free transfer in June 1999, in a move that reunited him with Brian Horton.[4] He scored four goals in 26 games in [1999–2000](/source/1999%E2%80%932000_Port_Vale_F.C._season), as the "Valiants" were relegated out of the [First Division](/source/Football_League_First_Division). Following a 2–1 defeat to [non-League](/source/Non-League_football) [Canvey Island](/source/Canvey_Island_F.C.) at [Vale Park](/source/Vale_Park) in the [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup), he and four other players were placed on the [transfer](/source/Transfer_(association_football)) list in December 2000;[6] this was despite him scoring twice in the original 4–4 draw at Park Lane. He scored four goals in 29 games in [2000–01](/source/2000%E2%80%9301_Port_Vale_F.C._season). He struggled to hold down a place in the first team in the New Year and entered talks with [Rotherham United](/source/Rotherham_United_F.C.) in March 2001.[7] He was signed to provide cover for the suspended [Stewart Talbot](/source/Stewart_Talbot).[8] Minton scored twice on his debut for the "Millers" in a 3–0 win over [Bristol City](/source/Bristol_City_F.C.) at [Millmoor](/source/Millmoor).[9] He made eight further appearances in the remainder of the [2000–01](/source/2000%E2%80%9301_Rotherham_United_F.C._season) season as [Ronnie Moore](/source/Ronnie_Moore)'s side secured [promotion](/source/Promotion_and_relegation) to the First Division with a second-place finish, just two points behind champions [Millwall](/source/Millwall_F.C.).

Minton joined [Third Division](/source/Football_League_Third_Division) side [Leyton Orient](/source/Leyton_Orient_F.C.) in July 2001.[4] He made 39 league and cup appearances in the [2001–02](/source/2001%E2%80%9302_Football_League) season and was part of the team that beat First Division [Portsmouth](/source/Portsmouth_F.C.) in the third round of the [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup) in January 2002.[10] He was offered a two-year extension to his [contract](/source/Association_football_contracts) in January 2002 by manager [Paul Brush](/source/Paul_Brush),[11] but left the club in August 2002 and joined [Isthmian League](/source/Isthmian_League) club [Grays Athletic](/source/Grays_Athletic_F.C.).[12] Two weeks later, he moved to [Jeff King](/source/Jeff_King_(football_manager))'s [Canvey Island](/source/Canvey_Island_F.C.) in a player exchange deal for midfielder [Adam Miller](/source/Adam_Miller_(footballer,_born_1982)).[13]

He scored nine goals in 41 starts in [2002–03](/source/2002%E2%80%9303_Isthmian_League), and was voted as Supporters Player of the Year, as Canvey finished second in the Isthmian League.[14] He scored five goals in 38 starts in [2003–04](/source/2003%E2%80%9304_Isthmian_League), as the "Gulls" won the Isthmian League title and promotion into the [Conference National](/source/National_League_(division)).[15] He also featured in the final of the [FA Trophy](/source/FA_Trophy) in [2004](/source/2004_FA_Trophy_final), where they were beaten 3–2 by [Hednesford Town](/source/Hednesford_Town_F.C.).[16][17] He scored once in 20 games in [2004–05](/source/2004%E2%80%9305_Football_Conference), as Canvey finished 18th.[18] He scored six goals in 40 games in [2005–06](/source/2005%E2%80%9306_Football_Conference); however, Canvey chose to be demoted into the Isthmian League despite a mid-table finish.[19]

Minton joined [Chelmsford City](/source/Chelmsford_City_F.C.) in August 2006,[20] and went on to score seven goals in 43 appearances in 2006–07.[21] He then helped the "Clarets" to the Isthmian League championship in [2007–08](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_Isthmian_League). They reached the [Conference South](/source/National_League_South) play-offs following a fifth-place finish in [2008–09](/source/2008%E2%80%9309_Football_Conference), but lost out to [Hampton & Richmond Borough](/source/Hampton_%26_Richmond_Borough_F.C.). Minton was released in June 2009,[22] and joined [Welling United](/source/Welling_United_F.C.) the following month. He was subsequently made team [captain](/source/Captain_(association_football)); however, after three appearances, he was released after just a month.[23]

After taking a break from the game, he signed for Isthmian League club [Ware](/source/Ware_F.C.) in November 2012.[24]

## Style of play

According to the Rotherham United website, Minton was a "dynamic [midfielder](/source/Midfielder)" and "was a player with a good [passing](/source/Passing_(association_football)) ability with a liking to push forward".[8]

## Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[25][26][27] Club Season League FA Cup Other Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Tottenham Hotspur 1991–92 First Division 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 1992–93 Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1993–94 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 2 1 0 0 1 0 3 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 1994–95 Second Division 39 5 1 0 6 0 46 5 1995–96 Second Division 39 8 3 0 4 0 46 8 1996–97 Third Division 25 3 1 0 2 0 28 3 1997–98 Third Division 36 6 1 0 2 1 39 7 1998–99 Third Division 35 9 0 0 3 0 38 9 Total 174 31 6 0 17 1 197 32 Port Vale 1999–2000 First Division 23 3 1 0 2 1 26 4 2000–01 Second Division 13 1 2 2 4 1 19 4 Total 36 4 3 2 6 2 45 8 Rotherham United 2000–01 Second Division 9 2 0 0 0 0 9 2 Leyton Orient 2001–02 Third Division 33 5 4 0 2 1 39 6| Canvey Island 2004–05 Conference National 19 1 0 0 0 0 19 1 2005–06 Conference National 40 6 0 0 0 0 40 6 Chelmsford City 2007–08 Isthmian League Premier Division 24 4 0 0 0 0 24 4 2008–09 Conference South 32 1 0 0 0 0 32 1 Welling United 2009–10 Conference South 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 Career total 472 55 13 2 26 4 511 61

## Honours

**Rotherham United**

- [Football League Second Division](/source/Football_League_Second_Division) second-place promotion: [2000–01](/source/2000%E2%80%9301_Rotherham_United_F.C._season)

**Canvey Island**

- [Isthmian League](/source/Isthmian_League): [2003–04](/source/2003%E2%80%9304_Isthmian_League)
- [FA Trophy](/source/FA_Trophy) runner-up: [2004](/source/2004_FA_Trophy_final)

**Chelmsford City**

- [Isthmian League](/source/Isthmian_League): [2007–08](/source/2007%E2%80%9308_Isthmian_League)

**Individual**

- [Canvey Island F.C.](/source/Canvey_Island_F.C.) Supporters Player of the Year: 2003
- PFA [Third Division](/source/Football_League_Third_Division) [Team of the Year](/source/PFA_Team_of_the_Year): [1998–99](/source/1998%E2%80%9399_Football_League)

## References

1. Hugman, Barry J. (ed.) (2002). *The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2002/2003*. Queen Anne Press. p. 287. ISBN 9781852916480.

1. ["Jeff Minton a rare bright light in Albion's gloom after dream Spurs debut"](https://inparallellines.wordpress.com/2019/10/01/jeff-minton-a-rare-bright-light-in-albions-gloom-after-dream-spurs-debut/). *In parallel lines*. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 1 February 2023.

1. ["FootballSquads – Port Vale – 2000/01"](https://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2000-2001/d2/portv.htm). *footballsquads.co.uk*. Retrieved 24 June 2019.

1. ["Jeff Minton"](https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=5492). *Soccerbase*. [Racing Post](/source/Racing_Post). Retrieved 5 March 2008.

1. ["jeff minton – fact file 1992–1994"](http://archive.mehstg.com/fact_minton.htm). *mehstg.com*. Retrieved 3 July 2009.

1. ["Five up for sale at Vale"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/1054788.stm). BBC Sport. 4 December 2000. Retrieved 5 March 2008.

1. ["Millmoor beckons for Minton"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/1222205.stm). BBC Sport. 15 March 2001. Retrieved 5 March 2008.

1. ["Past Players"](https://web.archive.org/web/20000802203608/http://www.themillers.co.uk/staticFiles/87/1b/0%2C%2C10360~7047%2C00.doc). *.themillers.co.uk*. Archived from [the original](http://origin-www.themillers.co.uk/page/PastPlayers/0,,10360,00.html) on 2 August 2000. Retrieved 14 October 2012.

1. ["Rotherham 3–0 Bristol Rovers"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/1224186.stm). BBC Sport. 17 March 2001. Retrieved 5 March 2008.

1. ["Orient crush Pompey"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1735047.stm). BBC Sport. 5 January 2002. Retrieved 5 March 2008.

1. ["Orient keen to keep Minton"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leyton_orient/1766680.stm). BBC Sport. 17 January 2002. Retrieved 5 March 2008.

1. ["Edwards snap up Minton"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120604054201/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=5319). Non-League Daily. 11 August 2002. Archived from [the original](http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=5319) on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2008.

1. ["Ryman clubs swap players"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120604054217/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=5634). Non-League Daily. 26 August 2002. Archived from [the original](http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=5634) on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2008.

1. ["Appearances for Jeff Minton"](http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2002/player_details.php?playerid=3111). *soccerfactsuk.co.uk*. Retrieved 18 March 2012.

1. ["Appearances for Jeff Minton"](http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2003/player_details.php?playerid=3111). *soccerfactsuk.co.uk*. Retrieved 18 March 2012.

1. ["Canvey Island 2–3 Hednesford"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/3740559.stm). BBC Sport. 23 May 2004. Retrieved 5 March 2008.

1. Milledge, Adrian (24 May 2004). ["Canvey fall to long in the tooth ex-Wolf"](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/may/24/newsstory.sport). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. Retrieved 18 March 2012.

1. ["Appearances for Jeff Minton"](http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2004/player_details.php?playerid=3111). *soccerfactsuk.co.uk*. Retrieved 18 March 2012.

1. ["Appearances for Jeff Minton"](http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2005/player_details.php?playerid=3111). *soccerfactsuk.co.uk*. Retrieved 18 March 2012.

1. ["Jeff Minton"](https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=36841). *Soccerbase*. [Racing Post](/source/Racing_Post). Retrieved 5 March 2008.

1. ["Appearances for Jeff Minton"](http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2006/player_details.php?playerid=3111). *soccerfactsuk.co.uk*. Retrieved 18 March 2012.

1. ["Duo depart Clarets"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120917091440/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=58713). Non-League Daily. 23 June 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=58713) on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2009.

1. ["Wings sign Rocastle"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110716054957/http://www.wellingunited.com/page.php?misc=search&subaction=showfull&id=1251314211&archive=&cnshow=news&ucat=5&start_from=&). *wellingunited.com*. 26 August 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.wellingunited.com/page.php?misc=search&subaction=showfull&id=1251314211&archive=&cnshow=news&ucat=5&start_from=&) on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2010.

1. Kuhn, Kevin (25 November 2012). ["Jeff Minton signs for Ware"](https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/ware/news/jeff-minton-signs-for-ware-783803.html). *pitchero.com*. Retrieved 4 March 2026.

1. ["Jeff Minton Profile | Aylesbury United FC"](http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/players/jeff-minton#playingcareer). *aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk*. Retrieved 4 January 2020.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jeff Minton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Minton) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Minton?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.