# Phil Picken

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**Philip James Picken** (born 12 November 1985) is an English former professional [footballer](/source/Association_football) who played as a [defender](/source/Defender_(association_football)) and [midfielder](/source/Midfielder). In 10 years as a senior professional, he played for [Manchester United](/source/Manchester_United_F.C.), [Chesterfield](/source/Chesterfield_F.C.), [Notts County](/source/Notts_County_F.C.) and [Bury](/source/Bury_F.C.).

Picken joined Manchester United as a junior and was a member of the club's reserve team that won the quadruple in 2005. He retired from football on 30 April 2014 after failing to recover from two serious knee injuries.

## Career

### Manchester United

Born in [Droylsden](/source/Droylsden), England, Picken started his football career at [Manchester United](/source/Manchester_United_F.C.) as a junior after being spotted playing in a small six-a-side tournament in Radcliffe.[1] At first, he rejected joining Manchester United, due to having been a boyhood [Manchester City](/source/Manchester_City_F.C.) supporter, but his mother persuaded him to do so.[1]

Picken went on to spend ten years at the club's academy and was a member of the club's reserve team that won the quadruple in 2005.[1] Shortly after, he signed his first professional contract with the club.[1] After returning from a loan spell at Chesterfield, Picken was among four players to be released by the club at the end of the 2005–06 season.[2]

### Chesterfield

Picken played for [Chesterfield](/source/Chesterfield_F.C.) on a loan basis from 18 August 2005 until the end of December.[3]

Two days later, on 20 August 2005, Picken made his Chesterfield debut, where he made his first start for the club and played 90 minutes, in a 4–1 loss against [Oldham Athletic](/source/Oldham_Athletic_A.F.C.).[4] Subsequently, his loan spell with Chesterfield was extended until the end of the season despite playing nine matches.[5] After extending his loan spell at Chesterfield, Picken then established himself in the first team and scored his first Chesterfield goal on 1 April 2006, in a 3–1 loss against [Nottingham Forest](/source/Nottingham_Forest_F.C.).[6] He later finished the 2005–06 season, making 32 appearances and scoring once.

On 25 May 2006, Picken later joined the club on a permanent basis, signing a two–year contract.[7] His first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis came in the opening game of the season, where he made his first start, in a 3–0 win over [AFC Bournemouth](/source/AFC_Bournemouth).[8] He began playing from a left–back position to right–back position, as the season progressed,[9] and then scored his first Chesterfield goal on 17 February 2007, in a 3–0 win over [Port Vale](/source/Port_Vale_F.C.).[10] Despite suspension[11][12] and injury,[13] Picken made 39 appearances and scored once in his first full season at Chesterfield.

In the 2007–08 season saw Picken found himself competing over a right–back position with [Jamie Lowry](/source/Jamie_Lowry).[14] However, during the season, Picken suffered an ankle injury and a hand injury that required operation.[15][16] Despite the injuries, he made 37 appearances for Chesterfield in the 2007–08 season and was offered a new contract by the club.[17] It was announced on 4 June 2008 that Picken had signed a contract with the club, keeping until 2010.[18]

However, in the 2008–09 season, Picken soon fell out favour under manager [Lee Richardson](/source/Lee_Richardson_(footballer))[19] and was told by the manager to fight for the first team place.[20] Picken was frozen out of the first team at the start of the season until being recalled to the first team against [Gillingham](/source/Gillingham_F.C.) on 6 December 2008.[21]

When the January [transfer window](/source/Transfer_window) opened, Picken was consequently loaned out to [Notts County](/source/Notts_County_F.C.) on a one-month deal.[22] He made his Notts County debut two days on 10 January 2009, where he made his first start and playing 90 minutes, in a 2–1 win over [Exeter City](/source/Exeter_City_F.C.).[23] Three weeks later on 31 January 2009, Picken played against his parent club, Chesterfield, having been given permission to play against them,[24] and lost 1–0.[25] Shortly after, Picken's loan spell with Notts County was extended until the end of the season.[26] He established himself in the first team at Notts County and went on to make 22 appearances for the club. At the end of the season, the club[27] and Picken himself were keen for him to sign for the club on a permanent basis.[28] However, Picken didn't sign on a permanent basis, as the club signed [Brendan Moloney](/source/Brendan_Moloney) on loan instead.[29]

However, the Spireites' manager was sacked at the end of the season, and new manager [John Sheridan](/source/John_Sheridan_(footballer)) gave the whole squad a clean slate. Picken soon became the first choice right back at [Saltergate](/source/Saltergate) again.[29] However, Picken suffered injuries again throughout the 2009–10 season.[30][31] Despite this, he went on to make 21 appearances for the club.

At the end of the 2009–10 season, Picken was released by the club.[32]

### Bury

After leaving the club, Picken went on trial at [Bury](/source/Bury_F.C.).[33] After impressing at the trial, he signed for on a free transfer on 4 August 2010, signing a one–year contract.[34]

Picken made his Bury debut, making his first start and playing 90 minutes, in a 1–0 loss against [Port Vale](/source/Port_Vale_F.C.) in the opening game of the season on 7 August 2010.[35] Three weeks later on 28 August 2010, he then provided an assist for [Ryan Lowe](/source/Ryan_Lowe) to score Bury's only goal in the game, in a 1–1 draw against [Barnet](/source/Barnet_F.C.).[36] Though he became a first-team regular at Bury, making 38 appearances for the club, Picken suffered suspension[37] and injuries,[38] including a hamstring injury that kept him out for the rest of the season.[39] Despite this, Picken achieved promotion from League 2 with Bury as runners up in the league in May 2011.[40] At the end of the 2010–11 season, Picken's contract with Bury was extended for another year.[41]

The 2011–12 season saw Picken returning to the first team from injury and making his first appearance for the club since April, in a 1–1 draw against [Huddersfield Town](/source/Huddersfield_Town_A.F.C.) in the opening game of the season on 6 August 2011.[42] He managed to regain his first team place and was awarded a contract, which would keep him until 2014.[43] Picken continued to do so, as the season progressed until being dropped from the first team in mid-March, due to a mistake against [Carlisle United](/source/Carlisle_United_F.C.) that saw Bury lost 4–1.[44][45] Despite this, Picken made 37 appearances for the club in the 2011–12 season.

In the 2012–13 season, Picken suffered a knee injury in a game against [Preston North End](/source/Preston_North_End_F.C.) in September 2012 and was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the season, with Bury suffering relegation in his absence.[46] On 28 May 2013 it was announced that Picken would miss the entire 2013–14 season following further setbacks with his injury.[47] Because of this, he was not allocated a squad number ahead of the 2013–14 season.[48] After failing to recover from his injury, Picken announced his retirement from professional football in May 2014.[49]

## References

1. ["Picken draws on Man United experience for Notts"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160820073405/http://www.nottinghampost.com/picken-draws-man-united-experience-notts/story-12198425-detail/story.html). Nottingham Post. 16 January 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.nottinghampost.com/picken-draws-man-united-experience-notts/story-12198425-detail/story.html) on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["David Jones desperate for Reds chance"](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jones-desperate-for-reds-chance-1030731). Manchester Evening News. 15 February 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Reds trio depart on loan"](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reds-trio-depart-on-loan-1080757). Manchester Evening News. 18 August 2005. Retrieved 18 August 2016.

1. ["Spireites must heed four-minute warning"](http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/spireites-must-heed-four-minute-warning-1-212432). *The Star*. 22 August 2005. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Pickens to extend loan deal"](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/pickens-to-extend-loan-deal-1095844). Manchester Evening News. 19 December 2005. Retrieved 18 August 2016.

1. ["Chesterfield 1–3 Nottingham Forest"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/4842156.stm). BBC Sport. 1 April 2006. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Defender Picken joins Spireites"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chesterfield/5015926.stm). BBC Sport. 25 May 2006. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["AFC Bournemouth 0–3 Chesterfield"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/5226780.stm). BBC Sport. 5 August 2006. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Form side blown away by super Spireites"](http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/form-side-blown-away-by-super-spireites-1-335770). *The Star*. 2 January 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Chesterfield 3–0 Port Vale"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/6349557.stm). BBC Sport. 17 February 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Spireites strike pair out"](http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/spireites-strike-pair-out-1-326333). *The Star*. 3 October 2006. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Folan fear in bid for Premier scalp No 3"](http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/folan-fear-in-bid-for-premier-scalp-no-3-1-333756). *The Star*. 7 November 2006. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Roche doubt for Blues"](http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/roche-doubt-for-blues-1-348175). *The Star*. 13 April 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Richardson's men ready for tricky opener"](http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/richardson-s-men-ready-for-tricky-opener-1-359991). *The Star*. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Danny boy back in town for Trophy clash"](http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/danny-boy-back-in-town-for-trophy-clash-1-217421). *The Star*. 4 September 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Spireites boosted by return of goal ace"](http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/spireites-boosted-by-return-of-goal-ace-1-231156). *The Star*. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Spireites' part in safety battle"](http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/spireites-part-in-safety-battle-1-241365). *The Star*. 25 April 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Picken pens new Chesterfield deal"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chesterfield/7435287.stm). BBC Sport. 4 June 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Ward solo role – no recruits for Spireites"](http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/ward-solo-role-no-recruits-for-spireites-1-252427). *The Star*. 22 August 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Picken must earn place - Richardson"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7689471.stm). BBC Sport. 24 October 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Spireites rejig as Niven's in light training"](http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/spireites-rejig-as-niven-s-in-light-training-1-262414). *The Star*. 6 December 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Magpies seal Picken loan signing"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/notts_county/7818139.stm). BBC Sport. 8 January 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Match Report: Notts County 2–1 Exeter City"](http://www.nottinghampost.com/team-news-notts-county-v-exeter/story-12178143-detail/story.html). Nottingham Post. 10 January 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2016.[dead link]

1. ["Picken: No divided loyalties"](http://www.nottinghampost.com/picken-divided-loyalties/story-12260503-detail/story.html). Nottingham Post. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2016.[dead link]

1. ["Notts County 0–1 Chesterfield"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/7858206.stm). BBC Sport. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Notts County extends Picken loan"](http://www.nottinghampost.com/notts-extend-picken-loan/story-12272685-detail/story.html). Nottingham Post. 2 February 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2016.[dead link]

1. ["Notts County eye up permanent deal for Picken"](http://www.nottinghampost.com/notts-eye-permanent-deal-picken/story-12174696-detail/story.html). Nottingham Post. 9 February 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2016.[dead link]

1. ["Picken: I want to stay with Magpies"](http://www.nottinghampost.com/picken-want-stay-magpies/story-12276722-detail/story.html). Nottingham Post. 31 March 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2016.[dead link]

1. ["Picken enjoying fresh start with Spireites"](http://www.nottinghampost.com/picken-enjoying-fresh-start-spireites/story-12182737-detail/story.html). Nottingham Post. 19 August 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2016.[dead link]

1. ["Spireites out to cure their travel blues"](http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/spireites-out-to-cure-their-travel-blues-1-298642). *The Star*. 25 September 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Blues pay penalty at Sincil Bank"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160913203040/http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/blues-pay-penalty-at-sincil-bank-1-490875). Derbyshire Times. 30 December 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/chesterfield-fc/blues-pay-penalty-at-sincil-bank-1-490875) on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["John Sheridan shapes Spireites squad"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chesterfield/8677105.stm). BBC Sport. 12 May 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Army Shake up Bury training"](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/army-shake-up-bury-training-894512). Manchester Evening News. 20 July 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Bury sign Lees, Picken and Bennett in triple swoop"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bury/8881993.stm). BBC Sport. 4 August 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Bury 0–1 Port Vale"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8842747.stm). BBC Sport. 7 August 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Match Report: Barnet 1–1 Bury"](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/barnet-1-bury-1-897638). Manchester Evening News. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Bury v Cheltenham Town: Preview"](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bury-v-cheltenham-preview-856593). Manchester Evening News. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Knill hopes to keep hold of loan rangers"](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/knill-hopes-to-keep-hold-of-loan-905285). Manchester Evening News. 16 December 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Defender is Phil Picken up the pieces"](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/defender-is-picken-up-the-pieces-859045). Manchester Evening News. 21 April 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Picken still wants title triumph"](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/picken-still-wants-title-triumph-860018). Manchester Evening News. 5 May 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["The Retained List"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110513080006/http://www.buryfc.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10422~2357041,00.html). Bury F.C. 10 May 2011. Archived from [the original](http://www.buryfc.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10422~2357041,00.html) on 13 May 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Huddersfield Town 1–1 Bury"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14352037). BBC Sport. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Bury's Phil Picken and Mark Carrington sign contract extensions"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16760062). BBC Sport. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Bury manager Richie Barker: I feel like I'm banging my head against a brick wall"](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bury-manager-richie-barker-i-feel-684159). Manchester Evening News. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Pan aims to be flying for Bury"](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/pan-aims-to-be-flying-for-bury-683142). Manchester Evening News. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Picken to miss entire campaign"](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11065/8086003/picken-to-miss-entire-campaign). Sky Sports. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Bury's Phil Picken to miss full season with knee injury"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22689154). BBC Sport. 28 May 2013.

1. ["Squad Numbers Confirmed"](http://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/article/squad-numbers-confirmed-961833.aspx). Bury F.C. 2 August 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160819153002/http://www.buryfc.co.uk//news/article/squad-numbers-confirmed-961833.aspx) 19 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

1. ["Picken forced to retire"](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11065/9291244/picken-forced-to-retire). Sky Sports. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2016.

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