James Scowcroft


James Benjamin Scowcroft is a retired footballer who played as a striker. He is currently a coach for the Ipswich Town academy.

Club career

Scowcroft started his career as a youth player at Ipswich Town, joining the club at the age of 11. He progressed to become a regular first team player, gaining five England Under-21 caps in the process. From 1994 to 2001 he played over 200 games for the club, scoring over 50 goals. At the end of the 2000–01 season, he was sold to Leicester City for £3m, where he played over 150 games, scoring fewer than 30 goals. During his period at Leicester Scowcroft was accused of being involved in the alleged sexual assault of three women at La Manga golf club, Spain, but was cleared of all charges, having been mistakenly identified. He was loaned back to Ipswich in the spring of 2005.
Scowcroft was then signed by Coventry City on a free transfer. He was used primarily on the right sometimes as the right wing for Coventry for the 2005–06 season.
He left Coventry City to join Crystal Palace for £500,000 in July 2006. He was released by the club in May 2009 and joined Leyton Orient. After fitness problems and failing to score a goal in 20 games for Orient, he was released a year after joining.
In September 2010, Scowcroft joined non-league hometown club, Bury Town, signing a "pay-as-you-play" deal.
He made his debut as a substitute in an away game against Wealdstone later the same month. In January 2012 Bury Town announced Scowcroft's retirement from football, having failed to recover from an injury sustained during a pre-season friendly.

Career statistics

Honours

Ipswich Town
Leicester City
Individual