Ross Philip Montague (born 1 November 1988) is a retired English professional footballer who played in the Football League for Brentford as a forward. Successive cruciate ligament injuries ended his career at the age of 21.

Ross Montague
Personal information
Full name Ross Philip Montague[1]
Date of birth (1988-11-01) 1 November 1988 (age 35)
Place of birth Twickenham, England
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
2000–2007 Brentford
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2009 Brentford 14 (1)
2007Sutton United (loan) 7 (3)
2007Welling United (loan) 3 (1)
2008Basingstoke Town (loan) 6 (3)
2009–2010 AFC Wimbledon 17 (2)
2010–2011 Basingstoke Town 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career edit

Brentford edit

A forward, Montague entered the Centre of Excellence at Brentford at a young age.[3] He embarked on a scholarship in 2005 and undertook an additional Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence.[3][4] Montague received his maiden call into the first team squad for a League One match versus Scunthorpe United on 3 March 2007 and he remained an unused substitute during the 2–0 defeat.[5] After Brentford's relegation to League Two was confirmed in April 2007, Head of Youth Barry Quin took over as caretaker manager of the first team for the final four matches of the 2006–07 season and promoted a number of scholars into the first team squad.[6] Montague appeared in each of the four matches as a second half substitute and signed a one-year professional contract, with a one-year option, in June 2007.[3][7]

After spells away on loan at Conference South clubs Sutton United and Welling United,[8][9] Montague made his first appearance of the 2007–08 season as a 71st-minute substitute for Lee Thorpe during a 1–0 win over Lincoln City on 27 October 2007.[10] He replaced Thorpe in the starting lineup under new manager Andy Scott in December 2007 and held onto his place until the end of January 2008.[10] Montague scored his only senior goal for the club in a 3–0 win over Chester City on 29 December 2007.[11] Despite suffering a season-ending back injury in February 2008, the one-year option on Montague's contract was taken up in April 2008.[12]

After returning to fitness in August 2008,[13] Montague managed just two appearances during the early months of the 2008–09 season,[14] before suffering a season-ending cruciate ligament injury while training in December 2008.[15][16] Montague's contract expired in June 2009, but he was invited to train with the club during the 2009–10 pre-season and prove he was fit enough to be awarded a new contract.[17] Montague elected to leave the club in late August 2009 and made 16 appearances and scored one goal during just over two years as a first team player at Griffin Park.[2][18][19]

AFC Wimbledon edit

On 27 August 2009, Montague joined newly-promoted Conference Premier club AFC Wimbledon on a one-year contract.[19] He scored three goals in 20 appearances before suffering a season-ending cruciate ligament injury.[20][21] Montague was released at the end of the 2009–10 season.[22]

Return to Basingstoke Town edit

In July 2010, Montague returned to Basingstoke Town, where he had previously played on loan during the 2008–09 season,[13][23] on a one-year contract.[24] He suffered a season-ending cruciate ligament injury during the club's opening 2010–11 pre-season friendly, which ended his career.[21]

Personal life edit

After his retirement from football, Montague graduated from St Mary's University, Twickenham with Qualified Teacher Status. As of August 2018, he was Head of Sport at Broomfield House School, Kew and as of April 2021,[25] he was head teacher of Hampstead Hill School.[26] By January 2024, he was a governor of Hampstead Hill School and head teacher of Eaton House Belgravia.[27][28]

Career statistics edit

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Brentford 2006–07[7] League One 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
2007–08[11] League Two 10 1 0 0 0 0 10 1
2008–09[14] League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 2[a] 0 2 0
Total 14 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 16 1
Sutton United (loan) 2007–08[29] Conference South 7 3 7 3
Welling United (loan) 2007–08[30] Conference South 3 1 2 2 0 0 5 3
Basingstoke Town (loan) 2008–09[31] Conference South 5 2 0 0 0 0 5 2
AFC Wimbledon 2009–10[20] Conference Premier 17 2 0 0 3[b] 1 20 3
Career total 46 9 2 2 0 0 5 1 53 12
  1. ^ Appearances in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ 2 appearances in FA Trophy, 1 appearance and 1 goal in Surrey Senior Cup

References edit

  1. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  2. ^ a b Ross Montague at Soccerbase
  3. ^ a b c "Monty and Lewis put pen to paper". brentfordfc.co.uk. 6 June 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  4. ^ "Pupils have sporting chance". News Shopper. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  5. ^ "Ross Montague Player Profile". ESPN FC. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  6. ^ "Bees seek new management team". brentfordfc.co.uk. 10 April 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Games played by Ross Montague in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  8. ^ "Duo recalled". brentfordfc.co.uk. 20 September 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  9. ^ "Monty on the move again". brentfordfc.co.uk. 21 September 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  10. ^ a b "Ross Montague Player Profile". ESPN FC. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  11. ^ a b "Games played by Ross Montague in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  12. ^ "Heywood offered new contract". brentfordfc.co.uk. 17 April 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Monty extends loan". brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  14. ^ a b "Games played by Ross Montague in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  15. ^ "Gray aims to bolster strike ranks for Boro". Hampshire Chronicle. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  16. ^ "Scott plays transfer window waiting game". This Is Local London. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  17. ^ Street, Tim (28 May 2009). "Montague given another chance to prove his fitness". getwestlondon. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  18. ^ Murtagh, Jacob (15 September 2009). "Montague: I turned down chance to stay at Brentford FC". getwestlondon. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  19. ^ a b "AFC Wimbledon | Latest news". www.wimbledonheritage.co.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  20. ^ a b "AFC Wimbledon | Player Profile | Ross Montague". www.wimbledonheritage.co.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  21. ^ a b Boyman, John. "New signing out for the season". Basingstoke Gazette. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  22. ^ "Twelve players exit AFC Wimbledon". 27 April 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  23. ^ "Loan news". brentfordfc.co.uk. 17 October 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  24. ^ "Ross Montague Signs One Year Contract". Basingstoke Town FC Official Website. 18 May 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  25. ^ "Sport". Broomfield House School. Archived from the original on 2 August 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  26. ^ "Our Staff". Hampstead Hill School. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  27. ^ "Governors". Hampstead Hill School. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  28. ^ "Meet the Headteacher". Private School Belgravia | Eaton House Schools. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  29. ^ "Blue Square Conference South guide – Sutton Utd". Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  30. ^ "Blue Square Conference South guide – Welling Utd". Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  31. ^ "Blue Square Conference South guide – Basingstoke Town". Archived from the original on 11 June 2009. Retrieved 1 August 2018.

External links edit