Stacy Long - Club Career

Club Career

Long began his football career at Charlton Athletic in 1995 and progressed through the youth system at The Valley. He signed a three-year professional contract in 2002 after impressing manager Alan Curbishley. On signing the contract, Long said "signing a professional contract is what I have always wanted ever since I first came to the club and was playing for the Under-8 and Under-9 sides". Despite featuring regularly for the reserve team, Long was released in May 2005, ending his ten-year association with the London club. When released, Long said, "the club is in such a strong position now that it is difficult for young players to make the breakthrough". Ahead of the 2005–06 season, Long joined Notts County on a one-year contract, following his successful trial at the club. He made his debut for the club in a 1–0 victory over Wrexham, scoring the winner in the 90th minute. Long scored his second goal for Notts County in a 5–2 away defeat at Northampton Town in the Football League Trophy on 18 October 2005. After Notts County's 2–0 home win against Stockport County in December 2005, he did not feature in the first-team for three months, making a 78th minute substitute appearance in a 1–0 home defeat to Grimsby Town. Long made three further substitute appearances in the remaining three months of the season. Long made 23 appearances for Notts County during the 2005–06 season as Notts county narrowly escaped relegation from the Football League, scoring two goals. At the end of the season, he was one of seven players released by the club.

Long subsequently joined Conference National side Gravesend & Northfleet in July 2006. He made his Gravesend debut as a substitute in a 1–0 victory over Woking, and scored his first goal in the same season away at Kidderminster Harriers in a 2–1 victory. Long made 31 appearances during the 2006–07 season, and subsequently earned a contract extension for a further year. Long continued featuring regularly under Liam Daish in the club's 2007–08 campaign. He played 47 games in all competitions and scored 14 goals from midfield, including successive braces against Grays Athletic and Weymouth. Long was also instrumental in the club's successful FA Trophy campaign the same season, playing in all seven games, including the 1–0 win against Torquay United in the final at Wembley Stadium in May 2008. The 2008–09 season witnessed Long play 49 games for the Kent side, scoring four times.