Ross Turnbull facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ross Turnbull

Turnbull with Middlesbrough in 2009
Personal information
Full name	Ross Turnbull
Date of birth	(1985-01-04) 4 January 1985 (age 40)
Place of birth	Bishop Auckland, England
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Youth career
0000–2002	Middlesbrough
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2002–2009	Middlesbrough	27	(0)
2003	→ Darlington (loan)	1	(0)
2004	→ Barnsley (loan)	3	(0)
2004	→ Bradford City (loan)	2	(0)
2004–2005	→ Barnsley (loan)	23	(0)
2005–2006	→ Crewe Alexandra (loan)	29	(0)
2007	→ Cardiff City (loan)	6	(0)
2009–2013	Chelsea	7	(0)
2013–2014	Doncaster Rovers	28	(0)
2014–2015	Barnsley	22	(0)
2015–2017	Leeds United	0	(0)
Total		148	(0)
International career
2000	England U16	1	(0)
2001–2002	England U17	4	(0)
2002–2003	England U18	5	(0)
2003–2004	England U19	8	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Ross Turnbull (born January 4, 1985) is a former English football player. He was a goalkeeper who played for many teams between 2002 and 2015. He made 148 league appearances during his career. Some of his main teams included Middlesbrough, Chelsea, Crewe Alexandra, Doncaster Rovers, and Barnsley. Ross also played for England's youth teams, up to the under-19 level.

Early Life and Football Start

Ross Turnbull went to Byerley Park Primary School. He also attended Woodham Community Technology College. When he was young, he played as a midfielder for his local team, Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre AFC. His coach, Arthur Vickerstaff, helped him become a goalkeeper.

Ross had trials with other teams like Darlington and Sunderland. However, he decided to join Middlesbrough's youth academy instead.

Playing Career Highlights

Time at Middlesbrough

Ross Turnbull started his professional career at Middlesbrough in 2002. He had been part of their youth system. He even played for England's Under-20 team in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship.

Turnbull playing for Middlesbrough in 2008

In July 2007, Ross went on loan to Cardiff City, a team in the Football League Championship. He was meant to be their main goalkeeper. However, after a few mistakes, he spent most of his loan time on the bench. Middlesbrough called him back in October 2007 because their second-choice goalkeeper got injured. Ross then played in a couple of games for Middlesbrough. One of these was a 2-1 win against Arsenal in December 2007.

After a long time at Middlesbrough, their main goalkeeper left in 2008. The manager decided to let Ross and another goalkeeper compete for the number one spot. Ross played in the second game of the season against Liverpool. In June 2009, Ross decided not to sign a new contract with Middlesbrough. He chose to leave the club when his contract ended.

Moving to Chelsea

On July 2, 2009, Ross Turnbull joined Chelsea for free. He signed a four-year contract with the club. Ross said he wanted to fight for a starting spot, not just be a backup to Petr Čech. His first time with the Chelsea first team was as a substitute in their first game of the 2009–10 season.

Turnbull warming up for Chelsea in 2010

He made his first team debut for Chelsea in a League Cup match against Bolton Wanderers. He came on as a substitute after 23 minutes. Chelsea won that game 4-0. Ross also started his first UEFA Champions League game, which was a 2-2 draw against APOEL. He played his first Premier League game against West Ham United, which Chelsea won 4-1. This happened because both of Chelsea's main goalkeepers were injured.

Ross was part of the Chelsea squad that won the 2010 FA Cup final. He also received a winner's medal for this. He did not play enough games to get a Premier League medal that season.

In the 2011–12 season, Ross got more chances to play. He played in a League Cup game against Fulham. The game went to penalties, and Ross saved two penalties to help Chelsea win. In another League Cup match against Everton, he was sent off. However, Chelsea still won the game. He also saved a penalty in a quarter-final match against Liverpool. Towards the end of the 2011-12 Premier League season, Ross played in the last two league games. This was so the main goalkeeper could rest for the Champions League final. Ross was a substitute in the Champions League final, which Chelsea won, and he received a medal.

Chelsea released Ross Turnbull on June 30, 2013. This ended his four years with the club.

Doncaster Rovers Experience

On July 31, 2013, Ross signed a one-year contract with Doncaster Rovers. They had just been promoted to the Championship league. Ross played his first game for Doncaster in their opening match of the season. He made some good saves for Doncaster in 2013. This included saving a penalty in a game against Barnsley in November.

Ross had some injuries in early 2015. He returned to play in a reserve game in March 2015. However, another goalkeeper was playing very well, so Ross did not play for Doncaster again that season. In May 2014, Doncaster offered Ross a new contract.

Return to Barnsley

Turnbull with Barnsley in January 2015

On July 23, 2014, Ross Turnbull decided not to extend his contract with Doncaster. Instead, he signed a two-year contract with Barnsley, a League One team. This was his third time playing for Barnsley. Ross made his debut for Barnsley in September 2014. In December 2014, he was sent off in a game against Leyton Orient. Barnsley still managed to win that match 2-0.

Ross missed the rest of the 2014–15 season because of a back injury. He had surgery in March 2015 to fix it.

Time at Leeds United

Ross Turnbull signed a two-year contract with Leeds United on July 15, 2015. He said he wanted to challenge for the main goalkeeper spot. On August 12, 2015, Ross made his Leeds debut against his old club, Doncaster Rovers, in the League Cup. Leeds lost that game after a penalty shootout. On October 14, 2015, Ross's season ended early. He broke his ankle during training.

By September 2016, Ross was no longer listed as a member of the Leeds United squad. He was training with the under-23 team. On May 17, 2017, Leeds United announced that Ross Turnbull's contract would not be extended, and he was released.

Coaching Career

After he stopped playing football, Ross Turnbull started a coaching career. He worked for Leeds United as an analyst for opposing goalkeepers. He left a year later, in 2017, to do a similar job for Chelsea.

In March 2018, Ross joined the coaching staff at Hartlepool United. He started as a volunteer goalkeeper coach. Later, his role became a full-time paid position. After Hartlepool United was promoted at the end of the 2020–21 season, Ross left the club. He took on a scouting role with his former club, Chelsea.

Personal Life

Ross Turnbull has a daughter named Maisy, who was born in 2008. He also has a son named Josh.

Career Statistics

Awards and Achievements

Chelsea

• FA Cup: 2009–10, 2011–12
• UEFA Champions League: 2011–12
• UEFA Europa League: 2012–13

Individual

• Middlesbrough Young Player of the Year: 2007–08

See also

In Spanish: Ross Turnbull para niños