Chris Solly Explained

Chris Solly
Fullname:Christopher James Solly[1]
Birth Date:20 January 1991[2]
Birth Place:Rochester, England
Height:1.73m (05.68feet)[3]
Position:Right back
Youthyears1:–2009
Youthclubs1:Charlton Athletic
Years1:2009–2020
Clubs1:Charlton Athletic
Caps1:301
Goals1:3
Years2:2020–2024
Clubs2:Ebbsfleet United
Caps2:93
Goals2:2
Totalcaps:394
Totalgoals:5
Nationalyears1:2006–2007
Nationalteam1:England U16
Nationalcaps1:6
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2007–2008
Nationalteam2:England U17
Nationalcaps2:9
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:17:10, 29 April 2024 (UTC)

Christopher James Solly (born 20 January 1991) is an English former professional footballer who played as a right back.

Career

Charlton Athletic

Solly was born in Rochester, Kent.[4] On 3 May 2009, he made his debut for Charlton Athletic, coming on as a first-half substitute for the injured Darren Ward in a 4–2 victory over Norwich City.[5] Solly made his full debut for the 1st team in the Football League Trophy against Barnet on 6 October 2009. He scored his first goal for the club after coming on as a substitute in the 3–1 win over Leyton Orient on 13 August 2010. Due to the uncertainty over the future of Carl Jenkinson, Solly established himself as first choice right back towards the end of the 2010–11 season.

Despite the arrival of Andy Hughes, he continued to keep his place in the side the following season. Following an impressive 2011–12 season, Solly was voted Charlton's Player of the Year by supporters and selected as Young Player of the Year by the club's management team.[6] He became the first Charlton player to win both awards in the same season since defender Richard Rufus in 1995.

Solly continued his impressive form into the 2012–13 season as Charlton finished 9th in their first season back in the Championship. Solly capped a fine season by winning the Charlton Player of the year award for a second year running.[7]

Despite reported summer interest from Premier League clubs, Solly secured his future to Charlton by signing a new four-year deal in September of the 2013–14 season.[8]

On 1 June 2020, Charlton manager Lee Bowyer accused Solly of refusing to play for the club ahead of the resumption of the 2019–20 EFL Championship season, following the suspension of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.[9]

On 2 July 2020, it was confirmed that Solly had left Charlton after his contract expired.[10]

Ebbsfleet United

On 11 December 2020, Solly joined National League South side Ebbsfleet United.[11] Solly made his debut for Ebbsfleet United on 13 January 2021 in a 2-1 victory over Concord Rangers.[12]

On 18 March 2021, it was confirmed that Solly would remain at Ebbsfleet United for the 2021-22 National League South season. As part of his new deal, Solly would also take on a first-team coaching role.[13]

Solly was awarded the National League South Player of the Month award for September 2022 after captaining the side to top of the league.[14]

On 26 April 2024, Ebbsfleet United confirmed that Solly would leave the club when his contract expired.[15]

On 29 April 2024, Solly announced his retirement from playing on social media. In his statement Solly said, "making this decision for any player can never come easy but this is my time now to say goodbye to my footballing playing days".[16]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Charlton Athletic2008–09Championship10000010
2009–10League One80001010100
2010–11League One141001000151
2011–12League One440301000480
2012–13Championship4510000451
2013–14Championship1200000120
2014–15Championship3800000380
2015–16Championship3400010350
2016–17League One270000010280
2017–18League One270100000280
2018–19League One371000010381
2019–20Championship1401000150
Charlton Athletic total30135040303133
Ebbsfleet United2020–21National League South5050
2021–22National League South3812120422
2022–23National League South3613000391
2023–24National League1400000140
Ebbsfleet United total9325100201003
Career total394510140504136

Honours

Charlton Athletic

2011–12[17]

2019[18]

Ebbsfleet United

2022–23

Individual

2011–12,[6] 2012–13[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EFL: Club retained and released lists published . English Football League . 23 June 2016 . 6 January 2018.
  2. Web site: Chris Solly . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 4 April 2020.
  3. Web site: C. Solly: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 4 April 2020.
  4. Web site: Chris Solly: Profile . worldfootball.net . HEIM:SPIEL . 12 April 2020.
  5. News: Norwich drop down to League One . BBC Sport . 3 May 2009 . 6 January 2018.
  6. Web site: Solly named 2011/12 player of the year . Charlton Athletic F.C. . 8 May 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120510213315/http://www.cafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10267~2761734%2C00.html . 10 May 2012 . dead.
  7. Web site: Solly wins player of the year award . Matt . Wright . Charlton Athletic F.C. . 5 May 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160527171419/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20130505-poty-808096.aspx . 27 May 2016 . dead.
  8. Web site: Solly commits to Charlton until 2017 . Jimmy . Stone . Charlton Athletic F.C. . 5 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224336/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20130905-solly-commits-to-charlton-until-2017-1037197.aspx . 3 March 2016 . dead.
  9. News: Charlton stars Lyle Taylor, Chris Solly and David Davis are REFUSING to play when the Championship season resumes, reveals manager Lee Bowyer . Talksport . 1 June 2020 . 4 June 2020.
  10. News: Charlton confirm list of released and retained players . Charlton Athletic Official Website . 2 July 2020 . 2 July 2020.
  11. Web site: Former Charlton stalwart Chris Solly signs for Ebbsfleet United . London News Online . 11 December 2020.
  12. Web site: Fleet 2-1 Concord Rangers . Ebbsfleet United official website . 13 January 2021.
  13. Web site: Solly stays! . Ebbsfleet United official website . 18 March 2021.
  14. Web site: Fleet skipper is player of the month!. www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk. 10 October 2022. 10 October 2022.
  15. Web site: Fleet issue Retained/Released list . Ebbsfleet United official website . 26 April 2024.
  16. Web site: CHRIS SOLLY ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT. Charlton Athletic official website . 29 April 2024.
  17. Book: Glenda . Rollin . Jack . Rollin . Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 . 2012 . Headline Publishing Group . London . 978-0-7553-6356-8 . 37, 136–137.
  18. News: Charlton Athletic 2–1 Sunderland . James . Law . BBC Sport . 26 May 2019 . 26 May 2019.