Geoff Pitcher

Geoffrey Pitcher (born 15 August 1975) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Career Early career Born in Sutton, Berkshire, Pitcher played in The Football League for Millwall, though he made no league first team appearances, and Watford, before being released after Watford's relegation to Division Two. He moved into non-league with Carshalton Athletic, He moved briefly back up to professional football with Colchester United, making one substitute appearance, before returning to Kingstonian in 1997.

Brighton & Hove Albion He joined Brighton & Hove Albion after a three-year stint at Kingstonian, with the Second Division club reportedly paying a transfer fee somewhere between £25,000 and £50,000. The move marked a return to professional football, as Pitcher had been training at most two times a week with Kingstonian, while working as a builder.

He was eased into the squad by manager Micky Adams, making three substitute appearances before his full debut came away against Wrexham on Friday 14 September 2001, followed by another start against Stoke City the following Tuesday. before a heel injury kept him out for a prolonged period of time.

With the arrival of David Lee from Hull City, Pitcher saw his already-limited playing time further decrease, and he moved on loan to Woking in January 2002. After continuing to struggle with the persistent heel injury, Pitcher returned to reserve team football with Brighton briefly in November 2002, before being loaned to Dagenham & Redbridge in the same month – though he only managed one appearance due to injury, with Brighton manager Steve Coppell describing the loan as "a nonsense."

A relatively successful loan spell with Farnborough Town was followed by less-successful loan stints at Stevenage Borough, Woking and Barnet, before a second loan spell Farnborough Town, where he only made three appearances. His last loan spell came in February 2004, when he joined Southern Football League club Havant & Waterlooville on a short-term deal. He was released by Brighton at the end of the 2003–04 season.

Later career Following his departure from Brighton, he joined Havant & Waterlooville on a permanent basis, but after being injured during the season, it was reported that he was close to mutually terminating his contract with the club. He joined Sutton United in 2005, marking his debut against Weston-super-Mare on 3 September with a goal in a 2–1 home loss. He briefly returned to Kingstonian, making five appearances.

He joined St Francis Rangers for the 2007–08 edition of the Sussex County Football League, before returning to Haywards Heath the following season. He spent the 2009–10 season back with St Francis Rangers, before moving to Tooting & Mitcham United in 2010, serving occasionally as captain as well as assistant manager to Mark Beard. He made at least five appearances, scoring three goals. The pair were sacked in December 2011.

Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals Millwall 1993–94 First Division

1994–95 First Division

1995–96 First Division Colchester United 1996–97 Third Division

1997–98 Football Conference

Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) 2002–03 Southern Football League

2004–05 Conference South

2005–06 Conference South

Sutton United 2005–06 Conference South

Kingstonian 2005–06 FA Youth Cup Runner-up (1): 1993–94

Kingstonian FA Trophy Winner (2): 1998–99, 1999–2000 Conference League Cup Runner-up (1): 1999–2000 Conference Shield Winner (1): 1999–2000 Conference Shield Runner-up (1): 2000–2001