Curtis Main Explained

Curtis Main
Fullname:Curtis Lee Main
Birth Date:20 June 1992
Birth Place:South Shields, England
Height:[1] [2]
Position:Striker
Currentclub:Dundee
Clubnumber:9
Youthyears1:2005–2007
Youthclubs1:Darlington
Years1:2007–2011
Clubs1:Darlington
Caps1:61
Goals1:5
Years2:2011–2014
Clubs2:Middlesbrough
Caps2:48
Goals2:6
Years3:2013
Clubs3:Shrewsbury Town (loan)
Caps3:5
Goals3:0
Years4:2014–2016
Clubs4:Doncaster Rovers
Caps4:48
Goals4:9
Years5:2016
Clubs5:Oldham Athletic (loan)
Caps5:18
Goals5:4
Years6:2016–2018
Clubs6:Portsmouth
Caps6:17
Goals6:2
Years7:2018–2019
Clubs7:Motherwell
Caps7:47
Goals7:8
Years8:2019–2021
Clubs8:Aberdeen
Caps8:32
Goals8:6
Years9:2021
Clubs9:Shrewsbury Town
Caps9:20
Goals9:2
Years10:2021–2023
Clubs10:St Mirren
Caps10:68
Goals10:11
Years11:2023–2024
Clubs11:Bengaluru
Caps11:8
Goals11:2
Years12:2024–
Clubs12:Dundee
Caps12:16
Goals12:0
Club-Update:19:39, 10 August 2024 (UTC)

Curtis Lee Main (born 20 June 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for club Dundee.

Main previously played in the Football League and the Football Conference for Darlington, and spent three seasons with Middlesbrough, from where he had a loan spell at Shrewsbury Town in 2013. He then joined Doncaster Rovers, and after a loan spell at Oldham Athletic in 2016, he signed for Portsmouth, whom he helped gain promotion to League One. He joined Motherwell in January 2018.

Career

Darlington

Main was born in South Shields, Tyne and Wear. He attended St Mary's Church of England school in Tyne Dock, South Shields. He began his football career as a youngster at Sunderland before being released to League Two club Darlington, for whom he made his senior debut as a substitute in the last seven minutes of the game against Peterborough United on 3 May 2008. At 15 years 318 days, he became the youngest player to play for Darlington.[3] [4] In February 2009, he scored his first goal, the 86th-minute winner in a match against Grimsby Town, only two minutes after entering the game as a substitute.[5] In May 2009, Main spent a week on trial with Premier League club Fulham, but the club preferred to monitor the player's progress rather than make an offer. Other clubs reported to be interested included Middlesbrough and Newcastle United.[6] [7] In September 2009, Main scored an 81st-minute equaliser against Grimsby Town, in a match that ended 1–1 and saw Darlington manager Colin Todd leave his post shortly after the final whistle.[8]

In the early part of the 2010–11 season, Main had trials with Bury.[9] In April 2011, after his contract was paid up by Darlington and he left the club, he joined Hartlepool United on trial.[10]

Middlesbrough

After a trial with Middlesbrough, Main joined the Championship club on 12 May 2011, signing a one-year contract with an option for a second year. Manager Tony Mowbray described him as "a powerful lad", and said they intended to "mould him into a first-team player over the next couple of years".[11] He made his debut on 4 February 2012, replacing Marvin Emnes in the 50th minute of a 0–0 draw with Crystal Palace,[12] and his first start four days later, in a 2–1 defeat to Sunderland in the fourth round of the FA Cup.[13] He scored his first goal for the club on 21 February, coming off the bench to score in a 3–1 win away to Millwall.[14] On 14 April, he scored a late goal in a 1–0 win against Derby County.[15] On 9 February 2013, he scored his first goal of the 2012–13 season on his third appearance, in a 3–2 loss to Barnsley.[16] Three days later, he scored in the 81st minute of a 1–0 win over Leeds United, but within minutes was sent off after receiving two yellow cards for kicking the ball away and deliberate handball.[17]

According to Mowbray, Main "came here on trial and trained with the youth team and you could see the power and speed he's got. His finishing with both feet is breathtaking at times. Whether the ball drops to his right foot or left foot, he doesn't hesitate. ... Physicality isn't going to be an issue for Curtis throughout his career. He's a boy who spends a lot of time looking after his physique and he's very, very strong."[18]

Loan to Shrewsbury Town

On 30 August 2013, Main joined League One club Shrewsbury Town on loan for an initial month.[19] He made his Shrewsbury debut the following day as a substitute against Coventry City and provided the assist for Tom Bradshaw in a 1–1 draw.[20] His loan period was not extended, and he returned to Middlesbrough on 3 October having made six appearances for Shrewsbury in all competitions.[21]

Doncaster Rovers

On 30 July 2014, Main signed a three-year contract with League One club Doncaster Rovers. The transfer was part of the deal by which James Husband joined Middlesbrough from Doncaster for an undisclosed fee.[22]

Loan to Oldham

Main joined Oldham Athletic of League One on 15 February 2016 on loan until the end of the season.[23] In March, Doncaster attempted to recall Main, but all parties had to agree on his return, and Main refused.[24] With Oldham and Doncaster both trying to avoid relegation to League Two, Doncaster manager Darren Ferguson considered Main's decision "unfortunate".[25] After Main helped Oldham stay up while his parent club did not, he was transfer-listed at the end of the season.[26]

Portsmouth

On 4 July 2016, Main signed a two-year contract with League Two club Portsmouth. The fee was undisclosed.[27] He scored his first goal for Portsmouth on his debut, in a 3–2 EFL Cup loss against Coventry City on 9 August,[28] and continued as a regular member of the matchday squad, scoring 5 goals from 14 appearances, before back and hamstring problems put paid to his season.[29] After Portsmouth gained promotion to League One as League Two champions,[30] Main played little, unable to dislodge Brett Pitman and Ollie Hawkins from the starting eleven, and in January 2018 he was allowed to leave by mutual consent.[31]

Motherwell

Main joined Scottish Premiership club Motherwell on 3 January 2018 on an 18-month deal.[32] He made his debut for Motherwell on 20 January, in a 2–0 win against Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Cup.[33] His first goal for the club came in a 2–0 win at home to Ross County.[34] He followed this up with goals in his next two matches, away to Heart of Midlothian[35] and Hibernian.[36] On 14 April 2018, Main scored twice in a Scottish Cup semi-final as Motherwell beat Aberdeen 3–0 to reach their second cup final of the season.[37]

Aberdeen

On 5 June 2019, Main joined fellow Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen on a two-year deal.[38]

Shrewsbury Town

Main joined English League One club Shrewsbury Town on 1 February 2021 until the end of the season.[39] He scored his first goal on 23 February in a 4–2 win over MK Dons, and scored twice from 20 league matches before leaving the club following the expiry of his contract.[40]

St Mirren

Main returned to Scotland and signed a two-year deal with Scottish Premiership club St Mirren on 7 June 2021.[41]

Bengaluru

On 18 July 2023, Main signed for Indian Super League club Bengaluru on a one-year contract, with the option to extend for a further year.[42]

Dundee

On 17 January 2024, after agreeing to mutually part ways with Bengaluru, Main returned to Scotland with Scottish Premiership club Dundee on an 18-month deal.[43] He made his debut on 20 January, as a substitute in a Scottish Cup game away to Kilmarnock.[44]

Main opened his scoring account with Dundee on 13 July 2024 in style, scoring a hat-trick in a 1–7 away victory over Bonnyrigg Rose in the Scottish League Cup group stage.[45]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Darlington2007–08League Two1000000010
2008–09League Two182001000192
2009–10League Two263101010293
2010–11Conference Premier1601032202
Total615202042697
Middlesbrough2011–12Championship1221000132
2012–13Championship1331000143
2013–14Championship2311010251
Total486301000526
Shrewsbury Town (loan)2013–14League One501060
Doncaster Rovers2014–15League One3884210104410
2015–16League One101102010141
Total4895230205811
Oldham Athletic (loan)2015–16League One184184
Portsmouth2016–17League Two122001112145
2017–18League One5000004191
Total172001153236
Motherwell2017–18Scottish Premiership16553218
2018–19Scottish Premiership3131053376
Total4786353005814
Aberdeen2019–20Scottish Premiership184400030254
2020–21[46] Scottish Premiership142001021173
Total326401051427
Shrewsbury Town2020–21League One202202
St Mirren2021–22Scottish Premiership3120042354
2022–23Scottish Premiership3792000399
Total68112042007413
Bengaluru2023–24Indian Super League8282
Dundee2023–24Scottish Premiership1401000150
2024–25Scottish Premiership2000540074
Total160105400224
Career total38855235221017645076

Honours

Portsmouth

2016–17[30]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Curtis Main . Aberdeen F.C. . 18 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190905061747/https://www.afc.co.uk/player/curtis-main/ . 5 September 2019.
  2. Web site: Curtis Main – Forward . Shrewsbury Town F.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20210306044142/https://www.shrewsburytown.com/teams/first-team/forward/curtis-main/ . 6 March 2021.
  3. News: Peterborough 0–2 Darlington . 3 May 2008 . BBC Sport . 21 April 2011.
  4. Book: Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2010–2011 . Rollin, Glenda . Rollin, Jack . amp . Headline . 2010 . 166–67 . 978-0-7553-6107-6.
  5. News: Curtis the Main man . Stoddart . Craig . 21 February 2009 . The Northern Echo . 21 April 2011.
  6. Web site: Curtis Main remaining with Quakers . 18 May 2009 . Darlington F.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20100704205424/http://www.darlington-fc.net/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10339~1660805%2C00.html . 4 July 2010 . dead .
  7. News: Cottagers consider Main . 12 May 2009 . Sky Sports . 21 April 2011.
  8. News: Mariners denied by Main man . 26 September 2009 . Sky Sports . 8 January 2016.
  9. News: Hatch back for Quakers . 4 September 2010 . The Northern Echo . 21 April 2011.
  10. News: Striker Main on trial at Pools . Loughlin . Nick . 19 April 2009 . The Northern Echo . 21 April 2011.
  11. News: Middlesbrough sign teenage striker Curtis Main . BBC Sport . 12 May 2011 . 8 January 2016.
  12. News: Middlesbrough 0–0 Crystal Palace . BBC Sport . 4 February 2012 . 12 February 2013.
  13. News: Middlesbrough 1–2 Sunderland . BBC Sport . 8 February 2012 . 12 February 2013.
  14. News: Millwall 1–3 Middlesbrough . BBC Sport . 21 February 2012 . 12 February 2013.
  15. News: Derby 0–1 Middlesbrough . BBC Sport . 14 April 2012 . 12 February 2013.
  16. News: Middlesbrough 2–3 Barnsley . BBC Sport . 9 February 2013 . 12 February 2013.
  17. News: Middlesbrough take Main chance to get back on track against Leeds . Louise . Taylor . The Guardian . 12 February 2013 . 12 July 2015.
  18. News: Main and Carayol put new life into Boro campaign . Philip . Tallentire . The Gazette . Middlesbrough . 14 February 2013 . 12 July 2015.
  19. News: Middlesbrough's Curtis Main loaned to Shrewsbury Town . BBC Sport . 30 April 2013 . 30 April 2013.
  20. News: Shrewsbury 1–1 Coventry . BBC Sport . 31 August 2013 . 31 August 2013.
  21. News: Shrewsbury Town: Loans ended for Curtis Main and Graham Burke . BBC Sport . 3 October 2013 . 10 October 2013.
  22. News: Middlesbrough: James Husband signs as Main moves to Doncaster . BBC Sport . 30 July 2014 . 12 July 2015.
  23. Web site: Signing: Main joins from Doncaster Rovers on loan . Oldham Athletic A.F.C. . 15 February 2016 . 15 February 2016.
  24. News: Doncaster Rovers: Curtis Main to decide on return from Oldham Athletic . Liam . Hoden . The Star . Sheffield . 17 March 2016 . 5 July 2016.
  25. News: Striker pins his colours to Latics' mast . Matthew . Chambers . Oldham Chronicle . 21 March 2016 . 5 July 2016.
  26. News: Curtis Main heads south from Doncaster Rovers to Portsmouth . Leon . Wobschall . The Yorkshire Post . 5 July 2016 . 5 July 2016.
  27. News: Curtis Main: Portsmouth sign Doncaster striker on two-year deal . BBC Sport . 4 July 2015 . 5 July 2016.
  28. News: Pompey first-team spot is Main target for Curtis . Jeff . Marshman . The News . Portsmouth . 10 August 2016 . 3 January 2018.
  29. News: Main completes Pompey exit . Neil . Allen . The News . Portsmouth . 3 January 2018 . 3 January 2018.
  30. Web site: League Two: 2016/17: Latest table . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 3 June 2017.
  31. News: Main departs Pompey . Portsmouth F.C. . 3 January 2018 . 3 January 2018.
  32. News: Curtis Main makes Motherwell move . Motherwell F.C. . 3 January 2018 . 3 January 2018.
  33. Web site: Motherwell 2–0 Hamilton. BBC Sport. 20 January 2018. 20 January 2018.
  34. Web site: Motherwell 2–0 Ross County. BBC Sport. Barnes. John. 24 January 2018. 3 February 2018.
  35. Web site: Hearts 1–1 Motherwell. BBC Sport. Barnes. John. 27 January 2018. 3 February 2018.
  36. Web site: Hibernian 2–1 Motherwell. BBC Sport. McLauchlin. Brian. 31 January 2018. 3 February 2018.
  37. Web site: Motherwell 3–0 Aberdeen. BBC Sport. Dowden. Martin. 14 April 2018. 14 April 2018.
  38. Web site: Curtis Main: Aberdeen sign striker after Motherwell departure. BBC Sport. 5 June 2019. 6 June 2019.
  39. Web site: Curtis Main joins Town from Aberdeen . Shrewsbury Town F.C. . 1 February 2021 . 24 February 2021.
  40. Web site: Released and retained list . Shrewsbury Town F.C. . 12 May 2021 . 20 March 2022.
  41. News: Scott Tanser, Greg Kiltie & Curtis Main join St Mirren . BBC Sport . 7 June 2021 . 20 March 2022.
  42. News: ISL 2023–24: Bengaluru FC signs English striker Curtis Main for upcoming Indian Super League season . 18 July 2023 . The Hindu.
  43. Web site: 2024-01-17 . Main joins the Dark Blues . 2024-01-17 . Dundee Football Club - Official Website . en-US.
  44. News: Kilmarnock v Dundee . 2024-01-20 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  45. Web site: Bonnyrigg Rose vs. Dundee - 13 July 2024 - Soccerway . 2024-07-13 . uk.soccerway.com.
  46. Web site: C. Main . Soccerway . Perform Group . 12 December 2020.