John Hartson
John Hartson was born in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom on April 5th, 1975 and is the Soccer Player. At the age of 49, John Hartson biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.
At 49 years old, John Hartson has this physical status:
John Hartson (born 5 April 1975) is a Welsh professional footballer who played for Celtic and Wales, most notable for Welsh club Celtic and Wales.
Hartson is currently a pundit for S4C and BT Sport. Hartson has played in the Premier League, West Ham United, Wimbledon, Coventry City, and West Bromwich Albion, as well as in the Football League for Luton Town and Norwich City. Hartson earned 51 international caps for Wales, scoring 14 goals.
Since resigning from playing, he took over as head coach for Wales' strikers.
Early life
John Hartson was born in Swansea on April 5, 1975, third of four children to Cyril and Diana Hartson. Cyril had played football for Afan Lido, a local team. Hartson, his elder brother James, senior sister Hayley, and younger sister Victoria were all born in Talycoppa, Swansea. Hartson, a youngster, played for Lonlas Boys' Club in Skewen, playing his first match aged six. He joined Luton Town's Youth Development Scheme at the age of sixteen but was banned four months later for stealing a bank card from the son of a couple with whom he was staying. He used the card to pay £50 in order to fund his gambling addiction. Hartson was suspended and sent home to Swansea, but Luton quickly restored him and allowed him to restart his apprenticeship shortly thereafter.
Personal life
Hartson received chemotherapy in July 2009 after being diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his brain. Following emergency surgery, it was discovered that the cancer had spread to his lungs and that it was in a "critical state." The therapy was fruitful, and by December, it was announced that the cancer had virtually eradicated from Hartson's body, but that more surgery and therapy will be needed. Hartson has been a Swansea City supporter for all of his life.
Club career
Hartson made his Luton Town first team debut as a replacement in a 1–0 League Cup loss to Cambridge United on August 24, 1993. He joined Arsenal for £2.5 million in January 1995, a British record for a teenage footballer at the time. Hartson, together with Chris Kiwomya, was one of George Graham's last signings before the manager was fired in February 1995. He made his Arsenal debut on January 14, 1995, a 1–1 home draw with Everton, and scored his first goal for the club the following week, with his first goal scoring in a 1–0 away win at Coventry City. He was a regular for the remainder of his first season, a highlight of which was scoring Arsenal's 75th-minute equalizer against Real Zaragoza in 1995; however, Arsenal lost the game 2–1. He was Ian Wright's strike partner, and he was chosen ahead of Kevin Campbell to fill the void left by the injured Alan Smith, who died at the end of the season.
Hartson, who was favored up front to partner Wright, went on to play under Graham's successors Bruce Rioch and Arsène Wenger. Hartson stayed at the club, but he joined West Ham United in a £3.2 million contract in February 1997. At the time, he was the most expensive player to be signed by West Ham. The transaction was initially estimated to be worth £5 million.
Hartson played 53 times for Arsenal, scoring 14 goals.
Hartson made his West Ham debut on February 15, 1997, alongside another new signing, Paul Kitson. Hartson was suspended after West Ham lost 1–0 to Derby County, and Hartson was jailed. In his first West Ham game since being a spectator in the 24th February 1997, he scored 4–3 over Tottenham Hotspur. He scored five league goals from eleven games in his first season as he helped West Ham rise from 18th to a final league spot in 1996–97, ranked 14th. Hartson continued his play as West Ham's top scorer in 42 games in all competitions this season. Hartson's goal total was within a significant margin ahead of the upcoming top scorer, Eyal Berkovic, who scored nine goals. He was also the second highest scorer in the Premier League this season, behind Andy Cole. Manchester United chairman Martin Edwards and assistant manager Brian Kidd expressed their desire for Hartson to sign for Manchester United to boss Alex Ferguson in the 1998 close season. Ferguson, on the other hand, has decided against making a bid for Hartson. Hartson kicked West Ham teammate Eyal Berkovic in the chest in September 1998, after the Israeli midfielder punched Hartson in the leg while trying to help Berkovic recover from his feet. The incident was caught on camera. Hartson was fined and told his biography that it was an error of decision. "If my head had been a ball, it would have been in the top corner of the net," Berkovic said of the situation.
He suffered, and he only gained four goals from twenty games in 1998–99. West Ham lost 1–0 in an FA Cup tie against his hometown team, Swansea City, in 1999.
Hartson's appearances in the east London club were 73 times and scored 33 goals.
Hartson made his Wimbledon debut in January 1999, beating the club's most expensive signing ever at £7.5 million. His time with the Dons was marred by injury, but he still managed a respectable goal total, first in the Premier League, and then in the First Division following the club's relegation in 2000. Proposed moves to Rangers, Tottenham Hotspur, and Charlton fell through due to questions regarding the player's fitness. Hartson instead joined Coventry City on a pay-for-play contract in February 2001.
Hartson made his Coventry debut against former club West Ham on February 12, 2001. In a loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford, he scored six goals in 12 league games, including a brace. Despite his efforts, Coventry was barred from the Premier League at the end of the season.
Hartson joined Celtic in a £6 million transfer in August 2001. He made his debut on August 4th, 2001, appearing as a replacement in a league match against Kilmarnock. In a 5–1 victory over Dundee United on October 20, 2001, he scored his first goals for Celtic after scoring a hat-trick. He helped Celtic win the Scottish Premier League title for the first time in his first season.
Hartson scored as Celtic were defeated 2–1 on the away leg of their third round UEFA Cup tie against Celta Vigo in December 2002. Celtic, on the away goals rule, improved with the aggregate score of 22-02. After Christmas 1980, Celtic had remained in European competition for the first time since Christmas. Celtic defeated Liverpool in the UEFA Cup quarter final stage in March 2003, drawing 1-1 in Glasgow. Hartson scored past Jerzy Dudek into the top corner from over 25 yards out in the club's return leg at Anfield. Celtic defeated this match 2–0, progressing to the semi-finals. Hartson, who scored the winning goal against Rangers in late April, was plagued by a back injury that meant he missed the remainder of the season, as well as the 2003 UEFA Cup Final. Nonetheless, he had a hand in helping Celtic win the tournament, as well as many assists. In the final, Celtic were defeated 3–2 after extra time by José Mourinho's FC Porto.
He dropped out for the remainder of the football season after suffering in time for Wales' poor qualifying effort for the 2006 World Cup in March. In his absence, Celtic won the 2003–04 Scottish Cup and the 2003-04 championship.
He received the Scottish PFA Players' Player of the Year award with Fernando Ricksen in April 2005, and was named Scottish Football Writers' Association Player of the Year in May. He appeared in the 2005 Scottish Cup Finals for Celtic.
Hartson scored his 100th goal for Celtic against Falkirk on November 6, 2005. He missed Celtic's victory in the 2006 Scottish League Cup Final due to suspension. On 5 April 2006, he scored the only goal against Hearts, his 31st birthday to clinch the trophy for Celtic.
Hartson was dismissed on several occasions, one being a significant dismissal during an Old Firm derby when he was banned from playing with Celtic teammate Johan Mjällby and Rangers player Fernando Ricksen. On appeal, Hartson's dismissal was reversed.
Hartson performed well for Celtic Football Club and their supporters, and he has a tattoo on his upper arm with the words 'You'll Never Walk Alone' under, in honor of the song that Celtic fans sing before big games. Following a snapshot of the tattoo on the internet and many Celtic F.C. members, many Celtic F.C. members were pleased. Hartson said the tattoo was real and in honor of the prayers he had received from Celtic fans during his illness. "Yes, my Celtic tattoo is real, I had it done right away when I came out of hospital after the whole Celtic family's continued care."
Hartson made the switch to West Bromwich Albion in June 26, 2006. In a 2–0 victory over Hull City on August 5, Hartson scored twice on his Albion debut in a 2–0 win.
Hartson had signed for Nottingham Forest, a League One club, on a loan transfer, according to The Times, on August 31, 2007. Hartson had rejected Forest's firm approach and was on the verge of joining Swansea City on loan, according to the Western Mail on September 5th. However, the club quickly released a statement on its website denying that the striker was going to sign.
Hartson joined Norwich City on a month's loan in October 2007. Despite being able to prolong the loan until December 31, Norwich's newly appointed boss Glenn Roeder decided to transfer Hartson to the Midlands following the initial month. He later turned down an offer to join Chester City on loan. Hartson was released by West Bromwich Albion six months before the end of his deal in January 2008.
Hartson resigned from football on February 7, 2008, citing his long-running weight and fitness issues as the primary reasons for his decision to postpone his career.
International career
Hartson earned 14 goals in his first two appearances for Wales. He is currently the 11th highest scorer for the Welsh.
He also holds a record for the Wales U21 team by being one of only four people to have scored a hat-trick at that level, as well as Craig Davies, Lee Jones, and Ched Evans.
Hartson resigned from international football in February 2006 to focus on his Celtic career, but he did come out of retirement to play if John Toshack wanted him.
Media career
Hartson was offered the opportunity to replace Gordon Wylde as boss only a few weeks after he had resigned from playing, but Hartson turned down the chance, saying, "the time is just not right for me at the moment." Hartson became a pundit for Setanta Sports in the 2008–09 season as part of the radio's coverage of the Scottish Premier League. Hartson, a Welsh speaker, appears on S4C's Sgorio as a regular guest. He was also a regular pundit on ITV's coverage of the FA Cup until ITV lost the rights to the game at the end of the 2013/14 season, and he appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live's coverage of both Premier League and Champions League games as a match summariser. Hartson was hired as a part-time coach with Newport County in 2011. In 2016, he joined BT Sport to provide feedback on the newly launched BT Sport Score.