{{Short description|English association football player}} {{about|the English footballer|the American football player|Stacy Long (American football)}} {{Good article}} {{Use British English|date=June 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Stacy Long | image = | caption = | fullname = Stacy William Long<ref name=Hugman>{{Hugman|23850|access-date=29 November 2017}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|1|11|df=y}}<ref name=Hugman/> | birth_place = Bromley, London, England<ref name=Hugman/> | height = {{convert|1.73|m|order=flip}}<ref name="Stacy Long – Soccerway">{{cite news | title = Stacy Long – Soccerway | url = https://uk.soccerway.com/players/stacy-long/36030/ | website = Soccerway | access-date = 5 January 2019}}</ref> | position = Midfielder | currentclub = | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = 1995–2005 | youthclubs1 = Charlton Athletic | years1 = 2005–2006 | clubs1 = Notts County | caps1 = 19 | goals1 = 1 | years2 = 2006–2009 | clubs2 = Ebbsfleet United | caps2 = 118 | goals2 = 19 | years3 = 2009–2012 | clubs3 = Stevenage | caps3 = 73 | goals3 = 5 | years4 = 2012–2013 | clubs4 = AFC Wimbledon | caps4 = 28 | goals4 = 3 | years5 = 2013–2014 | clubs5 = Ebbsfleet United | caps5 = 11 | goals5 = 2 | years6 = 2013–2014 | clubs6 = → Eastbourne Borough (loan) | caps6 = 16 | goals6 = 3 | years7 = 2014–2015 | clubs7 = Leatherhead | caps7 = 39 | goals7 = 6 | years8 = 2015–2017 | clubs8 = Ebbsfleet United | caps8 = 0 | goals8 = 0 | years9 = 2019–2020 | clubs9 = Glebe | caps9 = 42 | goals9 = 7 | totalcaps = 346 | totalgoals = 46 | nationalyears1 = 2001–2002 | nationalteam1 = England U16 | nationalcaps1 = 4 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2002–2003 | nationalteam2 = England U17 | nationalcaps2 = 10 | nationalgoals2 = 1 | nationalyears3 = 2002–2003 | nationalteam3 = England U18 | nationalcaps3 = 6 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2003–2004 | nationalteam4 = England U19 | nationalcaps4 = 8 | nationalgoals4 = 1 | nationalyears5 = 2004–2005 | nationalteam5 = England U20 | nationalcaps5 = 1 | nationalgoals5 = 0 | nationalyears6 = 2007 | nationalteam6 = England C | nationalcaps6 = 1 | nationalgoals6 = 0 }} '''Stacy William Long''' (born 11 January 1985) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Long began his career at Charlton Athletic, joining the club's youth system in 1995 and spending a decade there without making a first-team appearance. He signed for Notts County ahead of the 2005–06 season, making his senior debut during his one year at the club. He then moved into non-League with Ebbsfleet United in July 2006, where he made 138 appearances and was part of the team that won the FA Trophy in May 2008. In June 2009, he joined Stevenage Borough, helping the club achieve consecutive promotions from the Conference Premier to League One.
After three years at Stevenage, Long joined AFC Wimbledon in June 2012. He rejoined Ebbsfleet United ahead of the 2013–14 season, during which he also had a loan spell at Eastbourne Borough. He joined Leatherhead of the Isthmian League Premier Division in August 2014, before initially retiring from playing to take up a coaching position at Ebbsfleet in October 2015, a position he held until November 2018. In February 2019, he joined Glebe as a player-coach, combining the role for three seasons until 2021. Internationally, Long represented England at youth level and earned one cap for the England C team in 2007.
==Early life== Born in Bromley, London, Long was educated at Bishop Challoner School, where his mother worked and where he met his wife.<ref name=Hugman/><ref name="Bromley Bishop Challoner school closure: Heartbroken kids">{{cite news | title = Bromley Bishop Challoner school closure: Heartbroken kids | url = https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/25265788.bromley-bishop-challoner-school-closure-heartbroken-kids/ | work = News Shopper | publisher = Newsquest Media Group Ltd | date = 27 June 2025 | accessdate = 30 July 2025 | first = Andy | last = Galloway}}</ref>
==Club career== ===Early career=== Long began his football career at Charlton Athletic in 1995 and progressed through the youth system.<ref name="Stacy Long all time playing career">{{cite web | title = Stacy Long all time playing career | url = https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=35571 | website = Soccerbase | publisher = Centurycomm | access-date = 18 August 2009}}</ref> He signed a three-year professional contract in 2002 after impressing first-team manager Alan Curbishley.<ref name="Long handed Addicks deal">{{cite news | first = Patrick | last = Goss | title = Long handed Addicks deal | url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11684_2230163,00.html | website = Sky Sports | publisher = Sky UK | date = 5 February 2002 | access-date = 18 August 2009}}</ref> Upon signing the contract, Long stated: "Signing a professional contract is what I have always wanted ever since I first came to the club and was playing for the under-8 and under-9 sides".<ref name="Long handed Addicks deal"/> Despite featuring regularly for the reserve team,<ref name="Holders head to Hammers">{{cite news |title = Holders head to Hammers |url = http://www.charlton-athletic.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=21673&newstype=r |publisher = Charlton Athletic F.C. |date = 9 February 2005 |access-date = 18 August 2009 |first = Lindsay |last = McCombie |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071107022034/http://www.charlton-athletic.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=21673&newstype=r |archive-date = 7 November 2007 }}</ref><ref name="Charlton 2–4 Manchester Utd">{{cite news |title = Charlton 2–4 Manchester Utd |url = http://www.cafc.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=22147 |publisher = Charlton Athletic F.C. |date = 12 May 2005 |access-date = 18 August 2009 |first = Terry |last = Cordwell |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060630063749/http://www.cafc.co.uk/newsview.ink?nid=22147 |archive-date = 30 June 2006 }}</ref><ref name="Hunt impresses on return">{{cite news | title = Hunt impresses on return | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/charlton_athletic/3218777.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 28 October 2003 | access-date = 11 July 2011}}</ref> Long was released in May 2005, ending his ten-year association with the London club.<ref name="Young trio released by Charlton">{{cite news | title = Young trio released by Charlton | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/charlton_athletic/4559365.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 18 May 2005 | access-date = 18 August 2009}}</ref> Following his release, Long highlighted that Charlton's strong position at the time made it difficult for young players to break into the first team.<ref name="Young trio released by Charlton"/>
Ahead of the 2005–06 season, Long signed for Notts County on a one-year contract, following his successful trial at the club.<ref name="Magpies swoop to add duo to squad">{{cite news | title = Magpies swoop to add duo to squad | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/notts_county/4748715.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 5 August 2005 | access-date = 18 August 2009}}</ref><ref name="Notts County offer deals to pair">{{cite news | title = Notts County offer deals to pair | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/notts_county/4145408.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 12 August 2005 | access-date = 18 August 2009}}</ref><ref name="Ex-Charlton man wants Notts deal">{{cite news | title = Ex-Charlton man wants Notts deal | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/notts_county/4725163.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 28 July 2005 | access-date = 11 July 2011}}</ref> He made his debut in a 1–0 victory over Wrexham on 9 August 2005,<ref name="Notts County 1–0 Wrexham">{{cite news | title = Notts County 1–0 Wrexham | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/4126838.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 9 August 2005 | access-date = 18 August 2009}}</ref> scoring the winning goal in the 90th minute.<ref name="Notts County 1–0 Wrexham"/><ref name="Thordarson feels patience was key">{{cite news | title = Thordarson feels patience was key | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/notts_county/4138264.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 10 August 2005 | access-date = 11 July 2011}}</ref> After appearing in Notts County's 2–0 home win against Stockport County on 17 December 2005,<ref name="Notts County 2–0 Stockport">{{cite news | title = Notts County 2–0 Stockport | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/4516198.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 17 December 2005 | access-date = 10 July 2011}}</ref> Long made only four further appearances during the remainder of the season.<ref name="Notts County 0–0 Oxford United">{{cite news | title = Notts County 0–0 Oxford United | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/4796128.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 18 March 2006 | access-date = 10 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="Barnet 2–1 Notts County">{{cite news | title = Barnet 2–1 Notts County | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/4867446.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 8 April 2006 | access-date = 10 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="Carlisle 2–1 Notts County">{{cite news | title = Carlisle 2–1 Notts County | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/4906938.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 17 April 2006 | access-date = 10 July 2011}}</ref> He played 23 times for Notts County during the 2005–06 season as they narrowly avoided relegation from the Football League,<ref name="League Two 2005/2006 League Table">{{cite news | title = League Two 2005/2006 League Table | url = https://www.skysports.com/league-2-table/2005 | website = Sky Sports | publisher = Sky UK | access-date = 2 May 2019}}</ref> scoring two goals.<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2005/2006">{{Soccerbase season|35571|2005|name=Stacy Long|access-date=2 May 2019}}</ref> At the end of the season, he was one of seven players released by the club.<ref name="Thordarson wields axe at County">{{cite news | title = Thordarson wields axe at County | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/notts_county/4763391.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 11 May 2006 | access-date = 10 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="County wield the axe">{{cite news | title = County wield the axe | url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11768_2376428,00.html | website = Sky Sports | publisher = Sky UK | date = 11 May 2006 | access-date = 10 July 2011}}</ref>
Long subsequently joined Conference National club Gravesend & Northfleet on 26 July 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gravesend_and_northfleet/5209250.stm|title= Ex-Notts midfielder joins Fleet|date=26 July 2006|website=BBC Sport|access-date=9 August 2009}}</ref> He made his debut for the club as a substitute in a 1–0 victory over Woking on 21 October 2006.<ref name="Gravesend 1–0 Woking">{{cite news | title = Gravesend 1–0 Woking | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/6050604.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 21 October 2006 | access-date = 18 August 2009}}</ref> Long scored his first goal later that season away at Kidderminster Harriers in a 2–1 victory on 3 March 2007.<ref name="Kidderminster 1–2 Gravesend">{{cite news | title = Kidderminster 1–2 Gravesend | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/6392385.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 3 March 2007 | access-date = 2 May 2019}}</ref> He made 31 appearances during the 2006–07 season.<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2006/2007">{{Soccerbase season|35571|2006|name=Stacy Long|access-date=2 May 2019}}</ref> Long continued to feature regularly under Liam Daish in the club's 2007–08 season,<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2007/2008">{{Soccerbase season|35571|2007|name=Stacy Long|access-date=2 May 2019}}</ref> playing 47 matches in all competitions and scoring 14 goals from midfield. His tally included consecutive braces against Grays Athletic and Weymouth.<ref name="Ebbsfleet 4–1 Grays">{{cite news | title = Ebbsfleet 4–1 Grays | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/7165581.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 1 January 2008 | access-date = 18 August 2009}}</ref><ref name="Ebbsfleet 4–1 Weymouth">{{cite news | title = Ebbsfleet 4–1 Weymouth | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7163923.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 5 January 2008 | access-date = 18 August 2009}}</ref> He was also a regular player in the club's successful FA Trophy campaign the same season, playing in all seven games, including the 1–0 victory over Torquay United in the final at Wembley Stadium on 10 May 2008.<ref name="Ebbsfleet 1–0 Torquay">{{cite news | title = Ebbsfleet 1–0 Torquay | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7382167.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 10 May 2008 | access-date = 5 January 2019}}</ref> The 2008–09 season saw Long play 49 games for the Kent club, scoring four goals.<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2008/2009">{{Soccerbase season|35571|2008|name=Stacy Long|access-date=2 May 2019}}</ref>
===Stevenage=== After being released by the newly renamed Ebbsfleet United at the end of the 2008–09 season, Long joined fellow Conference Premier club Stevenage on a one-year contract on 5 June 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stevenage/8086157.stm|title=Stevenage capture midfielder Long|date=5 June 2009|website=BBC Sport|access-date=9 August 2009}}</ref> He made his debut for the Hertfordshire team in the opening match of the 2009–10 season, starting in a 1–1 draw with Tamworth on 8 August 2009.<ref name="Stevenage Borough 1–1 Tamworth">{{cite news | title = Stevenage Borough 1–1 Tamworth | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/8183980.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 8 August 2009 | access-date = 18 August 2009}}</ref> Long found first-team opportunities limited in the first half of the season, making just eight appearances in four months.<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2009/2010">{{Soccerbase season|35571|2009|name=Stacy Long|access-date=2 May 2019}}</ref> After providing two assists in Stevenage's 4–1 win against Cambridge United on New Year's Day, Long scored his first goal for the club in a 6–0 victory over Vauxhall Motors on 19 January 2010.<ref name="Stevenage 6–0 Vauxhall Motors">{{cite news | title = Stevenage 6–0 Vauxhall Motors | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/stevenage/8470920.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 19 January 2010 | access-date = 19 January 2010}}</ref> Long played 26 times during the club's 2009–10 season, scoring five goals, as Stevenage finished the season as Conference Premier champions.<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2008/2009"/>
Long started his first match of the 2010–11 season on 4 September 2010, in a 1–1 draw against Crewe Alexandra, during which he was sent off in the 63rd minute for two bookable offences.<ref name="Stevenage 1–1 Crewe">{{cite news | title = Stevenage 1–1 Crewe | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/8964324.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 4 September 2010 | access-date = 4 September 2010 | first=Paul | last=Fletcher}}</ref> He remained a regular starter throughout the remainder of 2010, scoring his first goal of the season in a 1–1 home draw with Shrewsbury Town on 23 November 2010.<ref name="Stevenage 1–1 Shrewsbury">{{cite news | title = Stevenage 1–1 Shrewsbury | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/9173638.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 13 November 2010 | access-date = 15 May 2011}}</ref> Long scored in Stevenage's 3–1 FA Cup victory against Premier League club Newcastle United on 8 January 2011.<ref name="Stevenage 3–1 Newcastle">{{cite news | title = Stevenage 3–1 Newcastle | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/9341905.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 8 January 2011 | access-date = 8 January 2011 | first = Paul | last = Fletcher}}</ref> Long's shot from 25 yards out resulted in Stevenage's first goal,<ref name="Stevenage 3–1 Newcastle"/> also providing the assist for Michael Bostwick's goal in the same match.<ref name="Stevenage 3–1 Newcastle"/> Long made 30 appearances that season, scoring three goals,<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2010/2011">{{Soccerbase season|35571|2010|name=Stacy Long|access-date=2 May 2019}}</ref> including three appearances in the 2010–11 League Two play-offs, following Stevenage's sixth-placed finish in the league.<ref name="League Two 2010/2011 League Table">{{cite news | title = League Two 2010/2011 League Table | url = https://www.skysports.com/league-2-table/2010 | website = Sky Sports | publisher = Sky UK | access-date = 2 May 2019}}</ref> He scored in Stevenage's 2–0 home win over Accrington Stanley in the semi-final first leg on 15 May 2011,<ref name="Stevenage 2–0 Accrington">{{cite news | title = Stevenage 2–0 Accrington | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13325751 | website = BBC Sport | date = 15 May 2011 | access-date = 15 May 2011}}</ref> helping them secure a 3–0 aggregate victory.<ref name="Accrington 0–1 Stevenage (Agg 0–3)">{{cite news | title = Accrington 0–1 Stevenage (Agg 0–3) | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13385762 | website = BBC Sport | date = 20 May 2011 | access-date = 20 May 2011 | first = Paul | last = Fletcher}}</ref> Stevenage earned promotion to League One after a 1–0 win against Torquay United at Old Trafford on 28 May 2011, with Long playing the full match.<ref name="Stevenage promoted to League One by beating Torquay">{{cite news | title = Stevenage promoted to League One by beating Torquay | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13482198 | website = BBC Sport | date = 28 May 2011 | access-date = 28 May 2011 | first = Emlyn | last = Begley}}</ref>
He made his first appearance of the 2011–12 season in Stevenage's first-ever League One fixture, coming on as a 71st-minute substitute in a 0–0 draw with Exeter City on 6 August 2011.<ref name="Stevenage 0–0 Exeter">{{cite news | title = Stevenage 0–0 Exeter | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/14352061.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 6 August 2011 | access-date = 15 October 2011}}</ref> Long's first league goal of the season came against former club Charlton Athletic, on 15 October 2011.<ref name="Stevenage 1–0 Charlton Athletic">{{cite news | title = Stevenage 1–0 Charlton Athletic | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15225776 | website = BBC Sport | date = 15 October 2011 | access-date = 15 October 2011}}</ref> His deflected 25-yard shot wrong-footed Ben Hamer in the Charlton goal and gave Stevenage a 1–0 victory, ending Charlton's unbeaten league start to the season.<ref name="Stevenage 1–0 Charlton Athletic"/> He went on to make 32 appearances in all competitions for Stevenage during the season, scoring twice.<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2011/2012">{{Soccerbase season|35571|2011|name=Stacy Long|access-date=18 May 2012}}</ref> Despite featuring more frequently than in either of his previous two seasons at the club, Long was released upon the expiry of his contract in May 2012.<ref name="Seven depart as Boro build">{{cite news |title = Seven depart as Boro build |url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10839~2775769,00.html |publisher = Stevenage F.C |date = 17 May 2012 |access-date = 17 May 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120523194037/http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0%2C%2C10839~2775769%2C00.html |archive-date = 23 May 2012 }}</ref>
===AFC Wimbledon=== Long joined League Two club AFC Wimbledon on 12 June 2012, signing on a free transfer and agreeing a one-year contract.<ref name="Signing number three: Dons swoop for ex-Stevenage man">{{cite news |title = Signing number three: Dons swoop for ex-Stevenage man |url = http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news.php?Psection_id=2&Psub_section_id=1&Open=7078#7078 |publisher = AFC Wimbledon |date = 12 June 2012 |access-date = 12 June 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120620171453/http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news.php?Psection_id=2#7078 |archive-date = 20 June 2012 }}</ref> He made his debut for the club in their opening match of the season, starting in a 3–1 defeat away to his previous employers, Stevenage, in a League Cup fixture on 14 August 2012.<ref name="Stevenage 3–1 AFC Wimbledon">{{cite news | title = Stevenage 3–1 AFC Wimbledon | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19159762 | website = BBC Sport | date = 14 August 2012 | access-date = 14 August 2012}}</ref> Long scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 away win over York City on 10 November 2012.<ref name="York 0–3 AFC Wimbledon">{{cite news | title = York 0–3 AFC Wimbledon | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20189989 | website = BBC Sport | date = 10 November 2012 | access-date = 12 November 2012}}</ref> He made 32 appearances in all competitions during the season,<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2012/2013">{{Soccerbase season|35571|2012|name=Stacy Long|access-date=2 May 2013}}</ref> scoring three times, as Wimbledon finished 20th in League Two, avoiding relegation by two points.<ref name="League Two 2012/2013 League Table">{{cite news | title = League Two 2012/2013 League Table | url = https://www.skysports.com/league-2-table/2012 | website = Sky Sports | publisher = Sky UK | access-date = 2 May 2019}}</ref> Long was released at the end of the season.<ref name="Neal confirms released list">{{cite news | title = Neal confirms released list | url = http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/article/players-released-list-821499.aspx | publisher = AFC Wimbledon | date = 14 May 2013 | access-date = 15 May 2013}}</ref>
===Return to Ebbsfleet=== Following his release from AFC Wimbledon, Long took a "significant wage drop" and "rejected better offers from League clubs" to rejoin Ebbsfleet United of the Conference South on 8 June 2013.<ref name="Long time no see: Trophy hero Stacy returns">{{cite news | title = Long time no see: Trophy hero Stacy returns | url = http://ebbsfleetunited.co.uk/home/?p=9185 | publisher = Ebbsfleet United F.C. | date = 8 June 2013 | access-date = 8 June 2013 | first = Ed | last = Miller}}</ref> Speaking about the move, Long stated: "I had a great experience here last time, obviously winning the Trophy at Wembley was the highlight for me, but overall it was a fantastic time and I hope to do the same under Steve Brown and achieve great things again".<ref name="Long time no see: Trophy hero Stacy returns"/> He made his second debut for Ebbsfleet in the club's opening match of the 2013–14 season, playing 88 minutes in a 0–0 draw with Havant & Waterlooville on 17 August 2013.<ref name="Ebbsfleet United 0–0 Havant & Waterlooville">{{cite news | title = Ebbsfleet United 0–0 Havant & Waterlooville | url = https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2013/08/17/england/conference-n--s/ebbsfleet-united-fc/havant-and-waterlooville-fc/1508872/ | publisher = Soccerway | date = 17 August 2013 | access-date = 5 January 2019}}</ref> Long made 12 appearances for Ebbsfleet during the first half of the season, five of which were as a substitute, scoring two goals.<ref name="Stacy Long – Soccerway"/>
Due to limited playing time, Ebbsfleet manager Steve Brown stated it was important for Long to gain match fitness, and he was subsequently loaned to fellow Conference South club Eastbourne Borough on an initial one-month deal on 15 January 2014.<ref name="Stacy Long on loan at Sports">{{cite news | title = Stacy Long on loan at Sports | url = https://www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk/stacy-long-on-loan-at-sports/ | publisher = Ebbsfleet United F.C. | date = 15 January 2014 | access-date = 5 January 2019}}</ref> Long made his Eastbourne debut in a 3–1 defeat to Basingstoke Town on 18 January 2014.<ref name="Eastbourne Borough 1–3 Basingstoke Town">{{cite news | title = Eastbourne Borough 1–3 Basingstoke Town | url = https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2013/08/17/england/conference-n--s/ebbsfleet-united-fc/havant-and-waterlooville-fc/1508872/ | website = Soccerway | date = 18 January 2014 | access-date = 5 January 2019}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club a week later, netting the first goal of the match as Eastbourne secured a 3–2 home victory over Bath City.<ref name="Eastbourne Borough 3–2 Bath City">{{cite news | title = Eastbourne Borough 3–2 Bath City | url = https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2014/01/25/england/conference-n--s/eastbourne-borough-fc/bath-city-fc/1509160/ | website = Soccerway | date = 25 January 2014 | access-date = 5 January 2019}}</ref> The loan deal was later extended by a further two months, and Long went on to score three times in 16 appearances for Eastbourne.<ref name="Stacy Long – Soccerway"/> He returned to Ebbsfleet in April 2014,<ref name="Stacy Long – Soccerway"/> but remained an unused substitute for the remainder of the season.<ref name="Stacy Long – Soccerway"/> Long was released by the club at the end of the season.<ref name="Stacy Long – Soccerway"/>
===Leatherhead=== Following his release from Ebbsfleet, Long joined newly promoted Isthmian League Premier Division club Leatherhead on initial non-contract terms in August 2014.<ref name="News: Stacy Long and Kiernan Hughes-Mason commit to the Tanners">{{cite news | title = News: Stacy Long and Kiernan Hughes-Mason commit to the Tanners | url = https://leatherheadfc.com/news/3541/show | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190108045930/https://leatherheadfc.com/news/3541/show | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2019-01-08 | publisher = Leatherhead F.C. | date = 29 August 2014 | access-date = 7 January 2019 | first = Peter | last = Ashdown}}</ref> Long scored on his debut in the club's 2–1 home victory over AFC Hornchurch on 23 August 2014.<ref name="Leatherhead 2–1 AFC Hornchurch">{{cite news | title = Leatherhead 2–1 AFC Hornchurch | url = http://www.isthmian.co.uk/archive2650-match-info/match-centre/1-1008697 | publisher = Isthmian League | date = 23 August 2014 | access-date = 7 January 2019}}</ref> He subsequently signed a one-year contract with the club on 29 August 2014.<ref name="News: Stacy Long and Kiernan Hughes-Mason commit to the Tanners"/> He went on to score five goals during the season, as Leatherhead finished in 11th position in the league, which Long described as a significant achievement, given it was the club's first season in the Premier Division following promotion.<ref name="Leatherhead – Appearances – Stacy Long – 2014–2015">{{cite news | title = Leatherhead – Appearances – Stacy Long – 2014–2015 | url = https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/leatherhead/appearances/2014-2015/stacy-long/26355 | website = Football Web Pages | accessdate = 2 August 2025}}</ref><ref name="Leatherhead: So Long, Stacy takes up Ebbsfleet coaching role">{{cite news | title = Leatherhead: So Long, Stacy takes up Ebbsfleet coaching role | url = https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/nonleague/13944335.leatherhead-so-long-stacy-takes-up-ebbsfleet-coaching-role/ | work = Your Local Guardian | publisher = Newsquest Media Group Ltd | first = Tim | last = Ashton | date = 5 November 2015 | access-date = 7 January 2019}}</ref>
He remained at Leatherhead for the start of the 2015–16 season, scoring his only goal of the season in a 4–4 draw with East Thurrock United on 5 September 2015, a match in which Leatherhead had trailed by three goals.<ref name="Leatherhead – Appearances – Stacy Long – 2015–2016">{{cite news | title = Leatherhead – Appearances – Stacy Long – 2015–2016 | url = https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/leatherhead/appearances/2015-2016/stacy-long/26355 | publisher = Football Web Pages | accessdate = 2 August 2025}}</ref><ref name="Honesty spares East Thurrock's blushes in pulsating Leatherhead draw">{{cite news | title = Honesty spares East Thurrock's blushes in pulsating Leatherhead draw | url = https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/13648540.honesty-spares-east-thurrocks-blushes-in-pulsating-leatherhead-draw/ | newspaper = Echo News | publisher = Newsquest Media Group Ltd | first = Luke | last = Lambert | date = 5 September 2015 | access-date = 7 January 2019}}</ref> Long was approached by former club Ebbsfleet in October 2015 regarding a vacant coaching position within the club's academy and under-21 set-up,<ref name="Leatherhead: So Long, Stacy takes up Ebbsfleet coaching role"/> having already been involved in the academy in a part-time capacity.<ref name="Ebbsfleet United recruit former players Stacy Long and Osei Sankofa as academy coaches">{{cite news | title = Ebbsfleet United recruit former players Stacy Long and Osei Sankofa as academy coaches | url = https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/sport/fleet-bring-back-old-favourites-39528/ | newspaper = Kent Online | publisher = KM Media Group Limited | first = Steve | last = Tervet | date = 2 July 2015 | access-date = 7 January 2019}}</ref> He subsequently accepted the role and, in doing so, made the decision to retire from playing football on a full-time basis.<ref name="Leatherhead: So Long, Stacy takes up Ebbsfleet coaching role"/> Whilst coaching at Ebbsfleet, Long made five appearances for the club in the Kent Senior Cup across three seasons.<ref name="Stacy Long – Aylesbury United">{{cite news | title = Stacy Long – Aylesbury United | url = https://www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com/player/stacy-long/6472 | publisher = Aylesbury United F.C. | accessdate = 2 August 2025}}</ref>
Long came out of retirement to play semi-professionally when he joined Southern Counties East League Premier Division club Glebe in a player-coach role on 15 February 2019.<ref name="Stacy Long signs for Glebe">{{cite news | title = Stacy Long signs for Glebe | url = https://x.com/glebefootball/status/1096425953981542400 | website = Glebe F.C. on X.com | date = 15 February 2019 | accessdate = 30 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="Stacy Long player coach">{{cite news | title = Stacy Long player coach | url = https://x.com/glebefootball/status/1097981399611641856 | website = Glebe F.C. on X.com | date = 19 February 2019 | accessdate = 30 July 2025}}</ref> He scored eight goals in 56 appearances across three seasons, with the latter two seasons curtailed due to restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="Stacy Long Player Stats 2018/19">{{cite news | title = Stacy Long Player Stats 2018/19 | url = https://fulltime.thefa.com/statsForPlayer.html?selectedOrgStatRecordingTypeID_ForSort=&teamID=&selectedStatisticDisplayMode=1&personID=452804680&selectedSeasonID=32285694 | publisher = The Football Association | accessdate = 30 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="Stacy Long Player Stats 2019/20">{{cite news | title = Stacy Long Player Stats 2019/20 | url = https://fulltime.thefa.com/statsForPlayer.html?selectedSeasonID=793148079&personID=452804680&selectedStatisticDisplayMode=1&selectedOrgStatRecordingTypeID_ForSort= | publisher = The Football Association | accessdate = 30 July 2025}}</ref>
==International career== Long captained the England under-16 team in 2000, a squad that included future international Wayne Rooney, and went on to represent his country at various youth levels.<ref name="Long time no see: Trophy hero Stacy returns"/> He was later named in the England C team, who represent England at non-League level, for a friendly against the Northern Ireland C team in February 2007.<ref name="Fairclough plotting next phase">{{cite news | title = Fairclough plotting next phase | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/6358257.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 13 February 2007 | access-date = 18 August 2009 | first=Pete | last=Oliver}}</ref>
==Style of play== Long was primarily deployed as a left-sided midfielder.<ref name="Long puts pen to paper on new Fleet deal">{{cite news | title = Long puts pen to paper on new Fleet deal | url = https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/sport/long-puts-pen-to-paper-on-new-fl-a36318/ | website = Kent Online | publisher = KM Media Group Limited | date = 27 March 2008 | accessdate = 5 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="Stacy Long – Midfield – Player Profile">{{cite news | title = Stacy Long – Midfield – Player Profile | url = https://www.boroguide.co.uk/players/727/ | website = BoroGuide | accessdate = 5 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="ChatGPT: Boro's All-Time Greatest XI">{{cite news | title = ChatGPT: Boro's All-Time Greatest XI | url = https://www.boroguide.co.uk/2023/04/chatgpt-boros-all-time-greatest-xi/ | website = BoroGuide | date = 2 April 2023 | accessdate = 5 October 2025}}</ref> He was described by manager Liam Daish as a diminutive, skilful player with a goalscoring threat and noted for the quality of his set-piece deliveries.<ref name="Long puts pen to paper on new Fleet deal"/>
==Coaching career== Long was initially appointed as lead development phase coach at Ebbsfleet United in July 2015,<ref name="Ebbsfleet United recruit former players Stacy Long and Osei Sankofa as academy coaches"/> before later becoming an academy and under-21 coach in October 2015.<ref name="Leatherhead: So Long, Stacy takes up Ebbsfleet coaching role"/> He subsequently assumed both coaching and scouting responsibilities under first-team manager Daryl McMahon.<ref name="Ebbsfleet United coaching staff Michael Jordan, Stacy Long and Aaron McLean leave the club">{{cite news | title = Ebbsfleet United coaching staff Michael Jordan, Stacy Long and Aaron McLean leave the club | url = https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/24498/ebbsfleet-united-coaching-staff-michael-jordan-stacy-long-and-aaron-mclean-leave-the-club/ | newspaper = The Non-League Paper | publisher = Greenways Publishing | date = 16 November 2018 | access-date = 7 January 2019}}</ref> Long left Ebbsfleet on 16 November 2018, following the departure of McMahon, as new manager Garry Hill implemented changes to the backroom staff.<ref name="Ebbsfleet United coaching staff Michael Jordan, Stacy Long and Aaron McLean leave the club"/>
==Career statistics== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season!!colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup!!colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3" valign="center"|Charlton Athletic |{{center|2003–04<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2003/2004">{{Soccerbase season|35571|2003|name=Stacy Long|access-date=2 May 2019}}</ref>}} |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |{{center|2004–05<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2004/2005">{{Soccerbase season|35571|2004|name=Stacy Long|access-date=2 May 2019}}</ref>}} |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0 |- |rowspan="1" valign="center"|Notts County |{{center|2005–06<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2005/2006"/>}} |League Two |19||1||2||0||1||0||1{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance in Football League Trophy}}||1||23||2 |- |rowspan="4" valign="center"|Ebbsfleet United |{{center|2006–07<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2006/2007"/><ref name="Player Details: Season 2006–2007 – Stacy Long">{{cite web | title = Player Details: Season 2006–2007 – Stacy Long | url = http://www.soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2006/player_details.php?playerid=9528 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120401215817/http://www.soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2006/player_details.php?playerid=9528 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2012-04-01 | website = SoccerFactsUK | access-date = 22 July 2011}}</ref>}} |Conference National |30||1||0||0||colspan=2|—||3{{efn|name=FATrophy|Appearance(s) in FA Trophy}}||1||33||2 |- |{{center|2007–08<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2007/2008"/><ref name="Player Details: Season 2007–2008 – Stacy Long">{{cite web | title = Player Details: Season 2007–2008 – Stacy Long | url = http://www.soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2006/player_details.php?playerid=9528 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120401215817/http://www.soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2006/player_details.php?playerid=9528 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2012-04-01 | website = SoccerFactsUK | access-date = 22 July 2011}}</ref>}} |Conference Premier |43||14||2||1||colspan=2|—||7{{efn|name=FATrophy}}||2||52||17 |- |{{center|2008–09<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2008/2009"/><ref name="Player Details: Season 2008–2009 – Stacy Long">{{cite web | title = Player Details: Season 2008–2009 – Stacy Long | url = http://www.soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2008/player_details.php?playerid=9528 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120401215900/http://www.soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2008/player_details.php?playerid=9528 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2012-04-01 | website = SoccerFactsUK | access-date = 22 July 2011}}</ref>}} |Conference Premier |45||4||2||0||colspan=2|—||6{{efn|name=FATrophy}}||1||53||5 |- !colspan="2"|Total !118!!19!!4!!1!!0!!0!!16!!4!!138!!24 |- |rowspan="4" valign="center"|Stevenage |{{center|2009–10<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2009/2010"/><ref name="Season Guide – 2009/10">{{cite web | title = Stevenage Borough 2009–10: Results, rollcall and league table | url = http://www.boroguide.co.uk/seasons/season.php?ID=0910 | website = BoroGuide | access-date = 8 July 2011}}</ref>}} |Conference Premier |21||2||0||0||colspan=2|—||5{{efn|name=FATrophy}}||3||26||5 |- |{{center|2010–11<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2010/2011"/>}} |League Two |22||2||4||0||1||0||3{{efn|name=SL1011|Appearances in 2011 League Two play-offs}}||1||30||3 |- |2011–12<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2011/2012"/> |League One |30||1||1||0||1||1||0||0||32||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !73!!5!!5!!0!!2!!1!!8!!4!!88!!10 |- |rowspan="1" valign="center"|AFC Wimbledon |{{center|2012–13<ref name="Games played by Stacy Long in 2012/2013"/>}} |League Two |28||3||2||0||1||0||1{{efn|name=FLT}}||0||32||3 |- |rowspan="1" valign="center"|Ebbsfleet United |{{center|2013–14<ref name="Stacy Long – Soccerway"/>}} |Conference South |11||2||0||0||colspan=2|—||1{{efn|name=FATrophy}}||0||12||2 |- |rowspan="1" valign="center"|Eastbourne Borough (loan) |{{center|2013–14<ref name="Stacy Long – Soccerway"/>}} |Conference South |16||3||0||0||colspan=2|—||1{{efn|name=FATrophy}}||0||17||3 |- |rowspan="3" valign="center"|Leatherhead |{{center|2014–15<ref name="Leatherhead – Appearances – Stacy Long – 2014–2015"/>}} |Isthmian League Premier Division |27||5||1||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||28||5 |- |{{center|2015–16<ref name="Leatherhead – Appearances – Stacy Long – 2015–2016"/>}} |Isthmian League Premier Division |12||1||1||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||13||1 |- !colspan="2"|Total !39!!6!!2!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!41!!6 |- |rowspan="4" valign="center"|Ebbsfleet United |{{center|2015–16<ref name="Stacy Long – Aylesbury United"/>}} |National League South |0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=KSC|Appearance(s) in Kent Senior Cup}}||0||2||0 |- |{{center|2016–17<ref name="Stacy Long – Aylesbury United"/>}} |National League South |0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=KSC}}||0||2||0 |- |{{center|2017–18<ref name="Stacy Long – Aylesbury United"/>}} |National League |0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=KSC}}||0||1||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!5!!0!!5!!0 |- |rowspan="4" valign="center"|Glebe |{{center|2018–19<ref name="Stacy Long Player Stats 2018/19"/>}} |SCEFL Premier Division |12||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0||12||2 |- |{{center|2019–20<ref name="Stacy Long Player Stats 2019/20"/>}} |SCEFL Premier Division |22||3||2||0||colspan="2"|—||12{{efn|name=SL1920|Six appearances and one goal in FA Vase; three appearances in Kent Senior Cup; two appearances in Southern Combination Challenge Cup}} <!-- one appearance in unknown competition (https://fulltime.thefa.com/displayFixture.html?id=20139261) The appearance has been added to the career total but not in the notelist as the competition is unknown -->||1||36||4 |- |{{center|2020–21<ref name="Stacy Long Player Stats 2020/21">{{cite news | title = Stacy Long Player Stats 2020/21 | url = https://fulltime.thefa.com/statsForPlayer.html?selectedSeasonID=837353377&personID=452804680&selectedStatisticDisplayMode=1&selectedOrgStatRecordingTypeID_ForSort= | publisher = The Football Association | accessdate = 30 July 2025}}</ref>}} |SCEFL Premier Division |8||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||8||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !42!!7!!0!!0!!0!!0!!14!!1!!56!!8 |- !colspan="3"|Career totals !346!!46!!15!!1!!4!!1!!47!!10!!412!!58 |}
{{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Ebbsfleet United''' *FA Trophy: 2007–08<ref name="Ebbsfleet 1–0 Torquay"/>
'''Stevenage''' *Football League Two play-offs: 2011<ref name="Stevenage promoted to League One by beating Torquay"/> *Conference Premier: 2009–10<ref name="Kidderminster 0–2 Stevenage">{{cite news | title = Kidderminster 0–2 Stevenage | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8618329.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 17 April 2010 | access-date = 5 January 2019}}</ref> *FA Trophy runner-up: 2009–10<ref name="Barrow 2–1 Stevenage (aet)">{{cite news | title = Barrow 2–1 Stevenage (aet) | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8633070.stm | website = BBC Sport | date = 8 May 2010 | access-date = 5 May 2019}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Long, Stacy}} Category:1985 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Bromley Category:People from Bromley Category:English men's footballers Category:England men's youth international footballers Category:England men's semi-pro international footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Charlton Athletic F.C. players Category:Notts County F.C. players Category:Ebbsfleet United F.C. players Category:Stevenage F.C. players Category:AFC Wimbledon players Category:Eastbourne Borough F.C. players Category:Leatherhead F.C. players Category:Chislehurst Glebe F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:National League (English football) players Category:People educated at Bishop Challoner School Category:21st-century English sportsmen