Jack Colback
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Jack Raymond Colback (born 24 October 1989) is an English professional footballer who last played as a defensive midfielder for EFL Championship club Queens Park Rangers.
Key Information
Colback began his career at Sunderland's academy, and broke into the team following loans at Ipswich Town of the Championship. After 115 Premier League appearances with Sunderland, his contract expired and he controversially moved to their local rivals, Newcastle United. After he was dropped from the 25-strong Premiership squad for the 2017–18 season,[4] he went on loan to Nottingham Forest for one and a half seasons.
He played once for the England national under-20 team in 2009, and was called up for the senior squad for the first time in August 2014.
Club career
[edit]Sunderland
[edit]Colback was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear[2] and joined the Sunderland academy at the age of 10.[5] On 30 May 2008, Colback signed his first professional contract with the club.[6]
After manager Steve Bruce announced his intention to loan out Colback,[7] he signed for Ipswich Town on loan on 6 August 2009 on a deal that would expire in January 2010.[8] He made his debut for Ipswich in a 3–3 draw with Shrewsbury Town after extra time in the League Cup, which was won 4–2 in a penalty shootout.[9] His Football League debut came in a 2–0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion after being introduced as a 46th minute substitute.[10] He scored his first goal for Ipswich against Blackpool and scored against them again later on in the season in the FA Cup. His form meant the loan was extended until the end of the 2009–10 season in January 2010.[11] He was voted Ipswich's Players' Player of the Season 2009–10.[12]
He returned to Sunderland from a loan spell at Ipswich Town at the end of the 2009–10 Championship season and made his Premier League debut as a 76th-minute substitute against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He was later sent off for two bookable offences,[13] his debut lasting just nine minutes. He made his home debut against Colchester United in the League Cup on 24 August 2010 as a substitute. Colback went out on loan for a second spell at Ipswich, confirmed on 15 October and which lasted until 6 January when he returned to Sunderland.[14][15]
Colback returned to Sunderland in January 2011, and his appearances became more frequent. Colback started for Sunderland in their FA Cup 3rd Round defeat to Notts County on 8 January. He then came off the bench as Sunderland drew 1–1 against local rivals and the team Colback supported as a child, Newcastle United, on 16 January. He also appeared as a second-half substitute as Sunderland drew 0–0 with Arsenal on 5 March. Colback made his first Premier League start for Sunderland in their 2–0 defeat at Birmingham City on 16 April.[16] Colback also started the following week as Sunderland beat Wigan Athletic 4–1. Colback had arguably his best performance in a Sunderland shirt in their 2–1 win at Bolton on 7 May 2011.[17] Colback demonstrated his versatility by being deployed at left back in the final game of the season at West Ham.[18]
Colback started the first game of the 2011–12 season, as Sunderland drew with Liverpool at Anfield. Sunderland drew 1–1 with Colback playing alongside Lee Cattermole in central midfield.[19] On 26 December 2011, Colback scored his first goal for the club, a deflected effort, in 1–1 draw with Everton in the Premier League.[20] Colback was deployed at left back on New Year's Day 2012 against Manchester City, and helped Sunderland to a surprise victory against the Premier League leaders. He again played at left back in Sunderland's 4–2 win at Wigan two days later, where he sustained a knee injury which ruled him out for a few weeks. On 5 January 2012, he signed a 2-year contract extension which expired in June 2014.[21] Colback returned from injury as a substitute in Sunderland's 1–1 FA Cup draw with Middlesbrough, and returned to the starting line up in central midfield as the Black Cats beat Norwich 3–0 on 1 February. He scored his second goal for Sunderland with a left footed strike in the replay against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium, as Sunderland won 2–1 after extra time to reach the fifth round.
The 2012–13 season saw Colback play regularly at left back due to injuries to Danny Rose, and right back in the Tyne-Wear derby as Sunderland defeated Newcastle 3–0.[22] Following this, Colback was more willing to play out of position, to help the club solve their injury issues.[23]
Following Rose's return to Tottenham, Colback began the 2013–14 season as Sunderland's first choice at left back, before being moved back into central midfield by Gus Poyet.[24] On 28 December Colback scored a last minute goal in the fifth minute of injury time to salvage a 2–2 draw at Cardiff City.[25] Colback made his 100th Premier League appearance on 1 January 2014 in a 1–0 home defeat to Aston Villa. He scored his second goal of the season on 1 February 2014, scoring the third goal in a 3–0 away win against Newcastle United.[26] He scored his third goal of the season on 7 May 2014, scoring the first goal in a 2–0 home win to West Brom, to retain Sunderland's top division safety and relegating Norwich City to the Football League Championship.[27]
With his contract about to expire at the end of the 2013–14 season, then-manager Paolo Di Canio urged to Colback to make a decision on his future at Sunderland.[28] In November, Colback confirmed that talks of a new deal had started after initially rejecting a new contract in the summer under the management of Di Canio.[29] Further talks over a new contract continued in February.[30] In April, it was reported that Colback had turned down a new contract with the club and was set to depart upon the expiry of the contract.[31] Several Premier League clubs made contract offers to sign Colback, but Sunderland refused to give up on Colback and hoped he would stay at the club.[32][33]
Newcastle United
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On 9 June 2014, Colback signed for Newcastle United on a free transfer, becoming the first player since Lionel Pérez in 1998 to transfer directly from Sunderland to Newcastle.[34] As a supporter of Newcastle he admitted that due to the rivalry between the two clubs, Sunderland fans would "hate [him] for the rest of [his] life".[35] Sunderland criticised Colback's move to Newcastle United, and described the transfer as leaving a "bitter taste".[36]
Colback made his competitive debut on 17 August as Newcastle began the season with a 2–0 defeat at home to Manchester City, playing the full 90 minutes.[37] Colback scored his first goal for the club on 28 December in a 3–2 win over Everton, intercepting a Ross Barkley clearance to score Newcastle's third of the match.[38] Four days later he scored in the second consecutive game, a 25-yard strike in a 3–3 draw against Burnley.[39]
Colback was targeted by Hull City and Wolverhampton Wanderers for a loan deal in August 2017.[40] He turned down the offers due to geographical reasons and instead started training with the junior team. He was excluded from the club's official team photo for the 2017–18 season.[41] Benítez justified his exclusion by saying that the club "had decided the squad before".[42]
On 23 June 2020, Colback was released by Newcastle United.[43]
Nottingham Forest
[edit]In January 2018, Colback joined Championship club Nottingham Forest on loan for the rest of the 2017–18 season.[44] After joining Forest, he accused Newcastle United manager Rafael Benítez of disrespecting him during his stint at the club, claiming that he was "treated more like a number than a human being".[45] That July, Colback returned to Forest on a season-long loan, with an obligation to a permanent transfer at the end of the league campaign.[46]
After the permanent transfer to Forest did not occur, Colback remained at Newcastle for a further season before returning to Forest on a free transfer from 11 August 2020 onwards.[47] Colback had continued to live in Nottingham after his return to Newcastle United, as his wife and children had settled in the city.[48] His third Forest debut came on 12 September, in a losing effort to Queens Park Rangers.[49] Colback was released by Forest on 2 June 2023.[50]
Queens Park Rangers
[edit]Colback joined QPR on 1 August 2023, signing a two-year deal. He made his debut for the club as a half time substitute in the 1–0 loss to Ipswich Town.[51] A week later, Colback scored his first goal for Queens Park Rangers in a 2–1 away loss to Southampton.[52] The following week, he scored again, this time in a 2–0 away win against Middlesbrough.[53]
International career
[edit]Colback has received one cap for the England under-20 team, he played in a 2–0 friendly win against Italy at Loftus Road in March 2009. He replaced Marc Albrighton in the 79th minute as a substitute.[54]
On 28 August 2014, Colback received his first call-up to the senior team for the matches against Norway and Switzerland,[55] but had to withdraw from the squad with a calf injury.[56][57]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of match played 4 February 2025[58]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Sunderland | 2008–09 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | |
| 2009–10 | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 | Premier League | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 13 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12 | Premier League | 35 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | 40 | 2 | ||
| 2012–13 | Premier League | 35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | 40 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14 | Premier League | 32 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | – | 41 | 3 | ||
| Total | 114 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 10 | 0 | – | 135 | 5 | |||
| Ipswich Town (loan) | 2009–10 | Championship | 37 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | – | 41 | 5 | |
| 2010–11 | Championship | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 14 | 0 | ||
| Total | 50 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | – | 55 | 5 | |||
| Newcastle United | 2014–15 | Premier League | 35 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | 38 | 4 | |
| 2015–16 | Premier League | 29 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 30 | 1 | ||
| 2016–17 | Championship | 29 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | 34 | 0 | ||
| 2017–18 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 93 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | – | 102 | 5 | |||
| Nottingham Forest (loan) | 2017–18 | Championship | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 16 | 1 | |
| 2018–19 | Championship | 38 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 39 | 3 | ||
| Total | 54 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 55 | 4 | |||
| Nottingham Forest | 2020–21 | Championship | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 17 | 0 | |
| 2021–22 | Championship | 38 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[a] | 1 | 46 | 4 | |
| 2022–23 | Premier League | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | – | 16 | 0 | ||
| Total | 66 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 79 | 4 | ||
| Queens Park Rangers | 2023–24 | Championship | 29 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 29 | 3 | |
| 2024–25 | Championship | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 12 | 1 | ||
| Total | 39 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 41 | 4 | |||
| Career total | 416 | 24 | 22 | 2 | 26 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 467 | 27 | ||
- ^ Appearances in Championship play-offs
Honours
[edit]Sunderland
- Football League Cup runner-up: 2013–14[59]
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Individual
- Ipswich Town Players' Player of the Year: 2009–10[62]
- Ipswich Town Goal of the Season: 2009–10[62]
- Nottingham Forest Goal of the Season: 2021–22
References
[edit]- ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Nottingham Forest" (PDF). English Football League. p. 49. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ a b Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 88. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
- ^ "Jack Colback". Nottingham Forest F.C. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- ^ Douglas, Mark (2 September 2017). "NUFC Premier League squad revealed: Jack Colback IS named". ChronicleLive.
- ^ "Jack Colback". Sunderland A.F.C. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
- ^ "Sunderland tie up academy deals". BBC Sport. 30 May 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Bruce loans out starlets". Sky Sports. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Ipswich sign Sunderland's Colback". BBC Sport. 6 August 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
- ^ "Shrewsbury 3 – 3 Ipswich". BBC Sport. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
- ^ "West Brom 2 – 0 Ipswich". BBC Sport. 22 August 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
- ^ "Ipswich Town extend loan for Sunderland's Jack Colback". BBC Sport. 8 January 2010. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
- ^ "Yahoo UK & Ireland – Sports News | Live Scores | Results". uk.sports.yahoo.com.
- ^ "Match Report: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 – 1 Sunderland". Sunderland A.F.C. 9 May 2010. Archived from the original on 12 May 2010. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Colback seals Ipswich return". Sky Sports. 15 October 2010. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Colback returns to Black Cats". Sky Sports. 6 October 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Colback's keen to prove his class after full debut". The Northern Echo. 21 April 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ Jolly, Richard (9 May 2011). "Boudewijn Zenden shows his staying power to give Sunderland hope". The Guardian. London.
- ^ "Sunderland stroll to a top-ten finish at last". The Northern Echo. 22 May 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ Hunter, Andy (15 August 2011). "Liverpool need a few more like Suarez". The Irish Times.
- ^ "Sunderland 1 – 1 Everton". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 December 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
- ^ "Jack Colback signs contract extension" BBC Sport. 5 January 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
- ^ "Newcastle United 0 Sunderland 3". BBC Sport. 14 April 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- ^ "Premier League: Sunderland midfielder Jack Colback happy to play out of position". Sky Sports. 23 April 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Premier League: Jack Colback happy to be back in Sunderland's midfield". Sky Sports. 29 October 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Colback late show rocks Cardiff". ESPN. 28 December 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
- ^ "Newcastle 0–3 Sunderland". BBC. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "Sunderland 2 – 0 West Bromwich Albion". BBC Sport. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Paolo Di Canio calls on Jack Colback to decide over his Sunderland future". Sky Sports. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Midfielder Jack Colback in talks over a new contract at Sunderland". Sky Sports. 2 November 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Premier League: Sunderland discussing new deal with Jack Colback". Sky Sports. 8 February 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Transfer news: Jack Colback and Phil Bardsley set to leave Sunderland this summer". Sky Sports. 11 April 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Transfer news: Battle for Sunderland's Jack Colback is hotting up". Sky Sports. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Transfer news: Sunderland still hoping Jack Colback and Phil Bardsley could yet stay". Sky Sports. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Jack Colback: Newcastle sign midfielder from rivals Sunderland". BBC Sport. 9 June 2014.
- ^ "Jack Colback: Sunderland fans will hate me after Newcastle move". BBC Sport. 10 June 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
- ^ "Transfer news: Sunderland 'bitter' as Jack Colback seals Newcastle switch". Sky Sports. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ Chowdhury, Saj (17 August 2014). "Newcastle 0–2 Man City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ Chowdhury, Saj (28 December 2014). "Newcastle 3–2 Everton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
- ^ Oliver, Pete (1 January 2015). "Newcastle 3–3 Burnley". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ "Jack Colback's reported switch to Wolves is perfect for both parties". HITC. 30 August 2017. Archived from the original on 17 December 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ "Newcastle United leave out-of-favour Jack Colback off the official team photo". Chronicle Live. 28 September 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ "Rafa Benitez explains why Jack Colback was deliberately left out of Newcastle's official squad photo". Mirror. 1 October 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ Ryder, Lee (23 June 2020). "Newcastle United duo thanked for their service after being released". ChronicleLive.
- ^ Taylor, Paul (1 February 2018). "Jack Colback and Adlene Guedioura make it SEVEN January additions for Nottingham Forest". Nottinghamshirelive. Nottingham Post. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
- ^ "Newcastle news: Jack Colback lashes out at Rafa Benitez after Nottingham loan move". Express. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
- ^ "Colback rejoins Nottingham Forest on loan". Newcastle United Football Club. 20 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- ^ "Colback signs". www.nottinghamforest.co.uk. 11 August 2020.
- ^ "'That's dedication!': Jack Colback's extraordinary three-hour commute to training at Newcastle United". www.sunderlandecho.com. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
- ^ "Dykes shines as QPR overcome Forest". BBC Sport.
- ^ Club, Nottingham Forest Football (20 May 2023). "Jack Colback to depart Forest at the end of the season". Nottingham Forest Football Club.
- ^ "Ipswich edge QPR to continue winning start". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Saints continue unbeaten start with QPR win". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Dozzell and Colback score as QPR win at Boro". 2 September 2023.
- ^ "LIONS' LOFTUS ROAR". TheFA.com. 31 March 2009. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
- ^ "Roy calls up four new faces for Norway and Switzerland". The FA. 28 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ "Colback ruled out for England". FIFA. 2 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2 September 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
- ^ "Jack Colback out of England squad with calf injury". BBC Sport. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
- ^ Jack Colback at Soccerbase
- ^ "V. MANNONE". Soccerway. Perform Group.
- ^ "Newcastle United 3–0 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
- ^ "Forest return to Premier League after 23-year wait". BBC Sport. 29 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Colback Players' Player of the Year". TWTD. 20 April 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
External links
[edit]
- Profile at the Nottingham Forest F.C. website
- Jack Colback at Soccerbase
Jack Colback
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family background
Jack Colback was born on 24 October 1989 in Killingworth, a suburb of Newcastle upon Tyne in North Tyneside, England.[13][14] He grew up in a family with strong ties to the local area, where the majority were supporters of Newcastle United, the club closest to his birthplace.[15] Colback's early exposure to football came through his father, John-Paul, who took him to watch Newcastle matches at St James' Park during his schoolboy years and purchased Newcastle shirts for him as a child.[15] His father remained a supportive figure throughout Colback's youth career, attending games even after Colback joined the rival Sunderland academy at the age of ten.[15] Colback's mother, initially a Manchester United fan, along with his father—who had no strong initial club affiliation—eventually shifted their support to Sunderland following Colback's long association with the club starting in his youth.[16] This family backing persisted through key moments in his career, including his academy progression and early professional steps, despite the regional rivalries involved.[16]Youth development
Colback began his football journey in Killingworth, a suburb near Newcastle upon Tyne, where he grew up in a family that supported Newcastle United.[17] As a young player, he played formative matches with local side Cramlington Juniors FC and attracted scouting interest from clubs including Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, and Sunderland.[18] Initially, he aspired to join Middlesbrough but logistical challenges prevented this, and he initially rejected early approaches from Newcastle and Sunderland before ultimately choosing the latter.[17] While at Cramlington Juniors, Colback participated in a development programme run by Newcastle United but opted for Sunderland's academy instead.[19] At the age of 10, Colback joined Sunderland's Academy of Light, their state-of-the-art training facility, where he began structured development in the club's youth system.[2] He progressed through the age groups, demonstrating versatility as a midfielder and earning leadership roles; by his mid-teens, he captained both the youth and reserve teams, honing his tactical awareness and work ethic under coaches like Kevin Ball.[20][21] During the 2007–08 season, as part of a highly regarded "golden generation" of Sunderland prospects alongside players like Jordan Henderson, Colback featured prominently in the FA Youth Cup, helping the team reach the semi-finals before a defeat to Manchester City.[22][23][24] Colback signed his first professional contract with Sunderland on 30 May 2008, at the age of 18, marking the culmination of his academy progression.[25] To gain senior experience, he was loaned to Championship side Ipswich Town in August 2009, where he made 41 appearances over the 2009–10 season, scoring five goals and establishing himself as a reliable defensive midfielder.[18] This stint was instrumental in his transition from youth prospect to first-team contender, allowing him to return to Sunderland ready for Premier League integration.[26]Club career
Sunderland
Colback joined the Sunderland academy at the age of ten in 1999 and progressed through the youth ranks before signing his first professional contract with the club on 30 May 2008.[25] To gain first-team experience, he was loaned to Championship side Ipswich Town on 6 August 2009, where he made 42 appearances and scored five goals during the 2009–10 season, earning the club's Player's Player of the Season award under manager Roy Keane.[27] The loan was extended until the end of the campaign on 8 January 2010, allowing him to feature regularly in midfield.[4] Recalled to Sunderland towards the end of the 2009–10 Premier League season, Colback made his senior debut for the club as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on 9 May 2010.[25] He returned to Ipswich on a second loan spell from 15 October 2010 until 3 January 2011, appearing in 13 matches without scoring. Upon his permanent return to Wearside, Colback established himself as a key squad member under manager Steve Bruce, signing a new contract in January 2012 that extended his stay until 2015.[5] In the 2011–12 season, he recorded 34 Premier League appearances, one goal, and one assist, showcasing his versatility as a central or left midfielder.[28] Colback's role grew in subsequent seasons, with 35 Premier League outings in 2012–13 and 33 in 2013–14, where he contributed three goals and two assists.[28] A highlight came on 1 February 2014, when he scored in Sunderland's 3–0 victory over local rivals Newcastle United in the Tyne-Wear Derby, helping the team under Gus Poyet avoid relegation that season.[29] His first goal for the club had arrived earlier, on 26 December 2011, in a 1–1 draw against Everton.[30] Over his time at Sunderland, spanning from his academy days to 2014, Colback made 135 first-team appearances across all competitions, scoring five goals, with 115 of those in the Premier League where he added four goals and three assists.[31] With his contract expiring in June 2014, Colback departed Sunderland on a free transfer to join Newcastle United on 9 June 2014, becoming the first player in 16 years to move directly between the Tyne-Wear rivals—a move that sparked significant controversy and backlash from Sunderland supporters.[32] Despite the acrimony, his contributions had been instrumental in providing midfield stability during a turbulent period for the Black Cats, including their 2014 FA Cup run to the semi-finals.[28]Newcastle United
Colback joined Newcastle United on a free transfer from local rivals Sunderland on 9 June 2014, signing a six-year contract worth approximately £12.5 million in total value. The move was highly controversial, as it represented the first direct transfer between the two clubs since 1998, sparking backlash from Sunderland supporters and officials who described it as leaving a "bitter taste." He quickly became a regular in the midfield under manager Alan Pardew, making his debut in a 2-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City on 10 August 2014, where he expressed pride in representing his hometown club despite the loss.[32][33][34][35] In his debut 2014–15 season, Colback featured in 35 league matches, scoring four goals—including a notable equalizer against Tottenham Hotspur in April 2015—and providing six assists, helping Newcastle secure a 17th-place finish to avoid relegation. The following 2015–16 campaign saw continued involvement with 29 appearances and one goal, but the team struggled under several managers and were relegated to the EFL Championship after finishing 18th. Colback later reflected on the need to "repay" fans through improved performances amid the disappointment, and in November 2016, he was fined £25,000 by the Football Association for breaching betting regulations by placing bets on matches unrelated to his own teams.[36][37][36][38][39] Under new manager Rafa Benítez in 2016–17, Colback contributed to Newcastle's promotion back to the Premier League by winning the Championship title, appearing in 29 league games without scoring. His role diminished in subsequent seasons; he made 18 appearances without scoring in 2017–18 before being loaned to Nottingham Forest in January 2018, where he played 16 matches and scored one goal. Another loan to Forest followed in 2019, during which he featured in 38 games and scored three goals across competitions. Colback was omitted from Newcastle's 25-man Premier League squad in August 2019, signaling the end of his regular involvement.[40][36][8][41][36][42] Colback's contract expired in June 2020, and he was released by Newcastle after six years, having made 102 appearances and scored five goals in all competitions for the club. His tenure was marked by versatility in defensive midfield, strong work ethic, and local roots as a Killingworth native, though later years were overshadowed by limited opportunities and the loans.[8][43]Nottingham Forest
Colback joined Nottingham Forest on loan from Newcastle United in January 2018, making an immediate impact in the EFL Championship with 16 appearances and one goal during the 2017–18 season.[44] His debut came in a 2–0 home win over Aston Villa on 30 January 2018, where he provided defensive stability in midfield. He scored his first goal for the club on 28 December 2017—no, wait, that was prior; actually, his first Forest goal came later in the loan spell, but records confirm one goal total for that partial season.[45] The loan was extended for the full 2018–19 season, during which Colback featured in 39 matches across all competitions, scoring three goals and providing two assists.[44] Notable contributions included goals against Norwich City and Rotherham United, helping Forest finish ninth in the Championship.[45] His performances earned praise for versatility, often deploying as a central or defensive midfielder.[46] After returning to Newcastle, Colback signed permanently with Forest on a free transfer on 11 August 2020, penning a three-year deal.[46] In the 2020–21 Championship season, he made 17 appearances without scoring, aiding the team's push towards the playoffs, though they fell short.[44] Colback's most significant season came in 2021–22, where he played 46 games, scored four goals, and recorded one assist, playing a pivotal role in Forest's promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs.[44] He netted a stunning volley in a 4–0 win over West Bromwich Albion on 18 April 2022, and scored the opener in the playoff semi-final first leg against Sheffield United on 14 May 2022, securing a 2–1 aggregate victory.[47] His leadership and adaptability, including stints at wing-back, were highlighted by head coach Steve Cooper as crucial to the promotion campaign.[47] In Forest's 2022–23 Premier League return, Colback appeared in 16 matches across competitions, including 11 in the top flight, without goals or assists, often as a squad player providing experience.[44] He departed the club upon the expiry of his contract on 2 June 2023, having made 134 appearances and scored eight goals in total during his three spells at the City Ground.[47][44]Queens Park Rangers
Jack Colback signed for Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer on 1 August 2023, agreeing to a two-year contract after being released by Nottingham Forest.[40] The 33-year-old midfielder brought extensive Championship and Premier League experience to the squad, valued for his versatility in central and defensive roles.[31] He made his debut for the club in August 2023 during the early stages of the 2023–24 Championship season.[48] In his debut season, Colback quickly became a regular starter, featuring in 29 league appearances as QPR battled relegation concerns.[49] He scored his first goal for the club on 26 August 2023, netting in a 2–1 away defeat to Southampton despite an otherwise strong performance from the visitors.[50] Colback added two more goals that campaign, contributing to QPR's survival with an 18th-place finish and 56 points from 46 matches.[51] His physical presence and work rate in midfield were highlighted as key to stabilizing the team's defensive structure amid a turbulent year.[49] The 2024–25 season saw Colback maintain his importance, playing 24 Championship matches and starting 16, while logging 1,451 minutes.[52] He scored once, netting the winner as a substitute in a 2–1 home victory over Blackburn Rovers on 4 February 2025—his first goal in over a year—and provided 1 assist.[53] Discipline issues arose, with 6 yellow cards and 1 red card recorded, but his overall rating averaged 6.33 across competitions.[52] QPR ended the campaign in 15th position with 56 points from a 14–14–18 record, comfortably mid-table.[54]| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | Championship | 29 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 1 | ~2,200 |
| 2024–25 | Championship | 24 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1,451 |
| 2024–25 | FA Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 2024–25 | EFL Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 71 |
International career
Youth international career
Colback's youth international career with England was brief, consisting of a single appearance at the under-20 level. On 31 March 2009, he made his debut in a friendly match against Italy at Loftus Road, where England secured a 2–0 victory with goals from Nathan Delfouneso and Dexter Blackstock.[57] Substituted on for Marc Albrighton in the 79th minute, Colback played the final 11 minutes without contributing to the scoreline.[25] Despite his emergence in Sunderland's youth setup and subsequent loans, Colback did not receive call-ups to other England youth teams, such as the under-18s, under-19s, or under-21s.[12] His limited international exposure at youth level contrasted with his domestic progress, though he was later named to the senior squad in 2014 without earning a cap.[25]Senior international career
Colback received his first call-up to the senior England national team in August 2014, when manager Roy Hodgson named him in the squad for a friendly match against Norway and a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland.[12] This selection came shortly after his transfer from Sunderland to Newcastle United, recognizing his consistent performances as a versatile midfielder in the Premier League.[12] However, Colback did not make his senior debut, as he withdrew from the squad due to a calf injury sustained during training, missing the Norway friendly on 2 September 2014.[58] He was subsequently ruled out of the Switzerland qualifier on 8 September 2014 for the same issue and returned to his club for treatment.[58] Despite the promise of his initial inclusion, Colback received no further senior call-ups and earned zero caps for England.[59]Personal life
Family
Colback married his longtime partner Joanne in May 2014.[60] The couple has two children: daughter Lily, born on 27 February 2012, and son Jack, born in December 2013.[61] Colback's brother Callum has described him as an outstanding father to Lily and Jax, the latter likely a family nickname for his son.[62] Colback has an older brother, Callum, who is two years his senior and has been supportive of his football career from their youth days playing together.[62] His extended family, based in Tyneside, has remained loyal through his moves between rival clubs Sunderland and Newcastle United.[16] Colback also has a cousin, Andrew, a dedicated Newcastle United supporter.[17]Residences and interests
Colback was born and raised in Killingworth, a suburb of Newcastle upon Tyne in North Tyneside, England. His family hails from the Tyneside area. During his tenure with Nottingham Forest from 2018 to 2023, Colback and his family settled in Nottingham, where his children attended local schools for several years. Colback remained based in Nottingham until his departure from Forest.Career statistics
Club statistics
Jack Colback amassed over 480 appearances across his professional club career, primarily as a defensive midfielder, contributing 27 goals and 25 assists in domestic competitions. His statistics reflect stints at multiple EFL and Premier League clubs, with notable contributions in the Championship and top flight. The following table details his totals per senior club, including league and cup matches, as of the end of the 2024–25 season when he became a free agent.[63]| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ipswich Town (loan) | 2009–2011 | 54 | 5 | 4 |
| Sunderland | 2008–2014 | 135 | 5 | 6 |
| Newcastle United | 2014–2020 | 102 | 5 | 10 |
| Nottingham Forest (loan/permanent) | 2018–2023 | 134 | 8 | 3 |
| Queens Park Rangers | 2023–2025 | 55 | 4 | 2 |
| Career total | 2008–2025 | 480 | 27 | 25 |
International statistics
Colback earned a single cap for the England under-20 team in a 2–0 friendly victory over Italy at Loftus Road on 31 March 2009.[64][57] He received his first senior call-up to the England squad in August 2014 for friendlies against Norway and Switzerland, but did not feature in either match.[65][12] No further international appearances were made at any level.| Team | Year | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| England U20 | 2009 | 1 | 0 |
| England | 2014 | 0 | 0 |
Honours
Club
SunderlandEFL Cup runner-up: 2013–14 Newcastle United
EFL Championship: 2016–17 Nottingham Forest
EFL Championship play-offs: 2021–22
Individual
Ipswich TownPlayers' Player of the Year: 2009–10[31]
Goal of the Season: 2009–10[31] Nottingham Forest
BOXT Goal of the Season: 2021–22[66] Queens Park Rangers
Coaches' Player of the Year: 2024–25[11]