Liam Higgins (New Zealand footballer)
Liam Higgins (born 27 September 1993) is a New Zealand association footballer who is currently a free agent.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Liam Higgins | ||
Date of birth | 27 September 1993 | ||
Place of birth | Lower Hutt, New Zealand | ||
Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
Position(s) | Left Back, Centre Back | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Staines Town | ||
Number | 2 | ||
Youth career | |||
Wellington Phoenix | |||
Lower Hutt | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2012–2013 | YoungHeart | 8 | (0) |
2013 | Noble Park United | 10 | (1) |
2013–2015 | WaiBOP United | 14 | (3) |
2015 | Stop Out | 25 | (1) |
2015 | Team Wellington | 8 | (0) |
2016 | Richmond SC | 12 | (0) |
2016–2017 | South Springvale | 18 | (0) |
2018 | Staines Town | 0 | (0) |
National team‡ | |||
2011– | New Zealand U-20 | 14 | (0) |
2015– | New Zealand U-23 | 2 | (0) |
2015– | New Zealand | 1 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 5 April 2015 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 5 March 2017 |
Career
Higgins began his career in his native New Zealand signing for local ASB Premiership side Team Wellington a move to YoungHeart Manawatu followed for the then teenager, who was collecting a growing reputation for his combative style and his aerial ability.
After spending the 2013 season in Australia at Noble Park United, he joined WaiBOP United for 2013/14 ASB Premiership season.[1]
In 2015, Higgins spent the winter season at Stop Out in the Central League[2] then joined Team Wellington for the 2015/16 ASB Premiership.
Higgins joined Richmond SC in February 2016.[3]
Higgins then joined English Non league giants Staines Town FC where an ankle injury sidelined him for the season.
International career
Higgins was first selected to represent New Zealand U-20s for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup, held in Colombia.[4][5] Higgins was also selected for the New Zealand U-20s for the 2013 tournament, held in Turkey.[6][7][8]
2015 would be a big year for Higgins, as he was selected for both the New Zealand U-23, and the New Zealand senior team. U23s coach Anthony Hudson selected Higgins in his U23 squad to compete in the 2015 Pacific Games.[9]
Higgins call up to the senior team occurred for their friendly against Myanmar on 7 September 2015.[10] Higgins would come off the bench in the dying minutes of the second half to record his first senior cap, in the 1-1 draw.[11]
The 2017 season was cut short before it even started when an MRI scan discovered a stress fracture in his ankle.
References
- http://www.waibopunited.co.nz/higgins-and-mcnab-sign-for-waibop-united/
- http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/higgins-scott-stay-local/
- http://www.mfootball.com.au/richmond-sign-barker-daish-and-current-new-zealand-international/
- "Junior All Whites squad named for World Cup". New Zealand Football. 11 July 2011. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- Barton, Tim (20 July 2011). "The masked avenger of the Junior All Whites". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- "Higgins and McNab sign for WaiBOP United". WaiBOP United. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- "Football: All Whites named in U20 World Cup squad". Otago Daily Times. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- "NZ U-20s named for World Cup". Auckland Football Federation. 21 May 2013. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- "Experienced U-23 football team named". Radio NZ. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- "Preview: All Whites v Myanmar". New Zealand Football. 6 September 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- "All Whites draw with Myanmar". Radio NZ. 7 September 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.