Jeffrey Simon Thompson Minton (born 28 December 1973) is an English former professional footballer who plays as a midfielder. He scored 49 goals in 296 league and cup games in a ten-year career in the Football League.
He was released in July 1994 and joined Brighton & Hove Albion of the Second Division on a free transfer. The "Seagulls" finished 16th in 1994–95 under the stewardship of Liam Brady. He described Brady as "like a father figure to me" and "somebody who had great confidence in my ability during his spell as manager".[2] However, rookie boss Jimmy Case could not prevent the club from suffering relegation to the Third Division at the end of the 1995–96 season; they were 12 points short of the safety mark set by York City. Brighton continued to decline and spent most of the following season in last place in the league, recovering under Steve Gritt to avoid losing their Football League status on the last day of the 1996–97 season with a dramatic final day draw with Hereford United that relegated their opponents. Minton finished as the club's top scorer in 1997–98 with seven goals in 39 appearances, as Albion again finished second-from-bottom, though this time were 15 points clear of last place Doncaster Rovers.[2] New manager Brian Horton had a brief spell in charge, before the club finished 1998–99 in 17th place under Micky Adams; Minton scored nine goals in 38 games, and was voted onto the PFA Team of the Year. In total, Minton made 199 league and cup appearances, scoring 32 goals, in five seasons, during a poor time in the club's history which saw them forced to sell the Goldstone Ground and temporarily reside at Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium.
He joined Port Vale on a free transfer in June 1999, in a move that reunited him with Brian Horton.[4] He scored four goals in 26 games in 1999–2000, as the "Valiants" were relegated out of the First Division. Following a 2–1 defeat to non-LeagueCanvey Island at Vale Park in the FA Cup, he and four other players were placed on the transfer list in December 2000;[6] this was despite him scoring twice in the original 4–4 draw at Park Lane. He scored four goals in 29 games in 2000–01. He struggled to hold down a place in the first team in the New Year and entered talks with Rotherham United in March 2001.[7] He was signed to provide cover for the suspended Stewart Talbot.[8] Minton scored twice on his debut for the "Millers" in a 3–0 win over Bristol City at Millmoor.[9] He made eight further appearances in the remainder of the 2000–01 season as Ronnie Moore's side secured promotion to the First Division with a second-place finish, just two points behind champions Millwall.
He scored nine goals in 41 starts in 2002–03, and was voted as Supporters Player of the Year, as Canvey finished second in the Isthmian League.[14] He scored five goals in 38 starts in 2003–04, as the "Gulls" won the Isthmian League title and promotion into the Conference National.[15] He also featured in the final of the FA Trophy in 2004, where they were beaten 3–2 by Hednesford Town.[16][17] He scored once in 20 games in 2004–05, as Canvey finished 18th.[18] He scored six goals in 40 games in 2005–06; however, Canvey chose to be demoted into the Isthmian League despite a mid-table finish.[19]
Minton joined Chelmsford City in August 2006,[20] and went on to score seven goals in 43 appearances in 2006–07.[21] He then helped the "Clarets" to the Isthmian League championship in 2007–08. They reached the Conference South play-offs following a fifth-place finish in 2008–09, but lost out to Hampton & Richmond Borough. Minton was released in June 2009,[22] and joined Welling United the following month. He was subsequently made team captain; however, after three appearances, he was released after just a month.[23]
After taking a break from the game, he signed for Isthmian League club Ware in November 2012.[24]
Style of play
According to the Rotherham United website, Minton was a "dynamic midfielder" and "was a player with a good passing ability with a liking to push forward".[8]
^"Edwards snap up Minton". Non-League Daily. 11 August 2002. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2008.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^"Ryman clubs swap players". Non-League Daily. 26 August 2002. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2008.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^"Duo depart Clarets". Non-League Daily. 23 June 2009. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
