Name: Danny Higginbotham
Position: Left Back/Centre Back
Date of Birth: 29/12/1978
Nationality: English
Place of Birth: Manchester
Squad Number: 3
Nickname: Higgy
Former Clubs: Manchester United, Royal Antwerp, Derby, Southampton, Sunderland
Joined Stoke: 2008 (£2.5 million)
Higginbotham is a versatile defender, used mainly by Tony Pulis at left back, who is currently in his second spell with the Potters. He was Pulis’s first signing of his second spell in charge of Stoke in the summer of 2006 and proved to be an inspired capture, ultimately winning the player of the season award for by 2006/07.
His excellent displays meant he caught the eye of a number of Premier League clubs, and disappointed fans with his decision to move to Sunderland for £3 million just one week into the 2007/08 season. With Stoke promoted to join the Black Cats in the top flight a year later, Pulis made Higginbotham a high priority target, and the former Southampton man was more than happy to move back to the Britannia Stadium, where he enjoyed a solid, if not particularly eye-catching 2008/09 season, though some criticised his very direct approach.
He began the 2009/10 season as Pulis’s first choice left back but lost his place in the side to Danny Collins after he joined Stoke from Sunderland in August 2009. He was rarely seen for the next four months but was eventually given his chance to see first team action again and grabbed it with both hands, putting in a string of fine performances that helped to re-establish him as a favourite with the Britannia Stadium faithful.
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