Brett Pitman’s biography, net worth, fact, career, awards and life story

Brett Douglas Pitman (born 31 January 1988) is a Jersey-born professional footballer who plays for English club Ipswich Town. He signed for Bournemouth as a 16-year-old after being spotted playing for Jersey side St. Paul’s and went on to become a regular in the Bournemouth first team. In August 2010, he moved to Championship side Bristol City. In December 2012 he was loaned back to Bournemouth, until making the deal permanent in January 2013. This is where he scored the goal being pegged, “The Greatest of All Time”, against Fulham. He later signed for Ipswich Town, on a three-year deal.

Pitman has represented Jersey, having become an integral part of their team at the biennial Island Games.

Club career

Pitman was born in Saint Helier. He began his career in his native Jersey in the Jersey Football Combination with local clubs First Tower United and St. Paul’s, before moving to England with Bournemouth.

AFC Bournemouth

Pitman scored his first senior goal for Bournemouth against Blackpool in the 2006–07 season, which resulted in a 1–1 draw. Pitman scored seven goals during the 2007–08 season, but was unable to prevent Bournemouth from being relegated to League Two. The following season, he was sent off just three minutes after he came on as a substitute in Bournemouth’s FA Cup exit against non-league side Blyth Spartans. On 13 March, he was awarded Sky Sports’ goal of the week for an effort which saw him dribble from inside his own half, beating three players before scoring.

Pitman scored his first ever senior hat-trick in a 4–0 win over Rochdale on 5 April 2007, taking his season tally to 17 goals. He just missed out on the PFA awards shortlist for 2009.

On 2 October 2009 Pitman was named the PFa Fans’ and Coca Cola Player of the Month in League Two. He had been on target six times and forged a telling partnership with veteran Steve Fletcher. As mentioned he has the eye for the spectacular goal with a 30-yard volley and an over-head kick against Burton Albion and Grimsby respectively. He won the Football League and PFA Fan’s player of the month for September.

Pitman scored a 16-minute hat-trick in the first home game of the season 2010–11 against Peterborough United and on 17 August 2010 it was reported by Sky Sports News that newly promoted Premier League side Blackpool had made a bid of £400,000, possibly rising to £600,000, to sign Pitman.

The following day, it was reported that Bournemouth chairman Eddie Mitchell had blocked the bid and that the Seasiders had been prevented from opening talks with Pitman. Mitchell did not reveal the financial details of the offer but confirmed he had told Blackpool it was unacceptable. Later that same day, Bournemouth confirmed on their official website that they had accepted an offer from Blackpool and that personal terms were being discussed.

On 19 August, Blackpool manager Ian Holloway confirmed that Pitman was having a medical with the club following talks with Holloway and the acting Chief Executive Karl Oyston. A day later it was confirmed that Pitman had failed to agree terms over the move to Blackpool after initial talks.

Bristol City

On 21 August 2010 Bristol City announced on their official site that they had agreed an undisclosed fee with Bournemouth and that Pitman, who had already agreed personal terms, would sign for them two days later subject to a medical. The fee was rumoured to be in the region of £1 million.

Pitman scored his first goal for Bristol City in the 2–0 win over Leicester City. Between 20 November 2010 and 3 January 2011, Pitman had a run of eight goals in eight games. Pitman was Bristol City’s top scorer with 13 goals, in his first season at the club, despite only starting 21 games.

Return to AFC Bournemouth

In December 2012, he was loaned out to Bournemouth to gain more regular first-team match action, after the conclusion of his loan, he agreed to a  3 ¹⁄₂-year deal which would send him back to his former club until the summer of 2016. During the 2014–15 season Pitman helped Bournemouth win the Championship title and in doing so earn promotion to the Premier League for the first time in the club’s 125-year history. Throughout the season, Pitman and fellow striker Yann Kermorgant regularly swapped with each other to play alongside Callum Wilson with Kermorgant usually being picked ahead. However, despite his inconsistent starting XI selection Pitman managed to score 13 goals in the league, notably scoring a ‘perfect’ hat-trick in the 4–0 win against Blackpool.

Ipswich Town

On 26 June 2015, Pitman left Bournemouth for Ipswich Town, signing a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 win at Preston North End and followed it up with the winning goal in a 2–1 victory at Fulham.

International career

Pitman has represented Jersey at International level, including part of their team at the biennial Island Games.

Career statistics

Honours

• Football League Championship: 2014–15