PLAYER PROFILE

Andy Todd

Position: Defence

Height: 5'10

Weight: 12st 3lbs

Date of Birth: 1974-09-21 Oldham, England

Andy Todd

Former Charlton Athletic defender Andy Todd completed his move to Blackburn Rovers in May 2002 after impressing club boss Graeme Souness on trial.

Todd signed a three-year deal and immediately set his sights on winning a first team place after a disappointing end to his career at the Valley.

The fiery defender was involved in a training ground bust-up with Charlton goalkeeper Dean Kiely before he left the Valley and was immediately dropped from the first team squad, spending the last few months of his contract on loan at Grimsby.

Ironically, it was the move to Grimsby that could have saved Todd's Barclaycard Premiership career. The defender was glad of the move to get some first team football under his belt after a season of frustration with injury and disciplinary problems during 2001/02.

Born in Derby, Todd began his career as a trainee at Middlesbrough, where he made eight league appearances, his debut coming in the 1993/94 season. He moved to Bolton via Swindon and was a member of the team (making 80 appearances) that won promotion to the Premiership in 1996/97 under the guidance of his father.

His first season at Blackburn, however, was mixed, starting under 20 games, although he did manage to score. His discipline was a problem as he saw red once and yellow four times.

Unable to command a regular place in the starting line-up, Todd handed in a transfer request at the start of the 2003/04 season. He joined First Division side Burnley on a one-month loan deal in September 2003. He was recalled following injuries to several of Rovers' key defenders.

He went on to make 21 appearances for Rovers before being told at the end of the campaign that he could leave Ewood Park.

However, he stuck with Rovers for the 2004/05 campaign, making 32 appearances and scoring once - against Newcastle on Boxing Day.

The only controversy came in Blackburn's 3-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat against Arsenal. After Robin van Persie had scored the second Arsenal goal, Todd appeared to elbow the striker in the face as he turned to celebrate a goal which confirmed the Gunners' place in the Final. It was unclear whether this was intentional or not, but at an FA inquiry, he was cleared of violent conduct.

Despite a tempestuous time at Blackburn, Todd flourished under boss Mark Hughes in 2004/05 and then again in 05/06 when he scored three goals in twenty-eight games. His appearances were somewhat more limited in 06/07 though as he started just eight games.

In July 2007 he left the club to join Derby County, a club his father Colin had also played for.