Chris Baird

Christopher Patrick Baird (born 25 February 1982) is a Northern Irish former professional footballer who last played for Derby County and represented the Northern Ireland national football team from 2003 to 2016.

His preferred position was right-back or centre-half, but he also played on occasion as a left-back, defensive midfielder and central midfielder.

In addition to his three-year stint at Derby County, Baird previously played for Southampton, Fulham, Reading, Burnley and West Bromwich Albion.

Baird started his career at Northern Irish club, Ballymena United, before moving to Southampton in 1998.

Baird went on to make his progress through the Southampton's Academy and in 2001, Baird signed his first professional contract with the club, keeping him until 2002.

Baird's first start came on the final day of the 2002–03 League season, in a 1–0 win at Manchester City.

Baird made his debut for Southampton on 22 March 2003 as a late substitute for David Prutton in a 2–2 draw at home to Aston Villa.

His second appearance came in a 6–1 defeat at Arsenal, when he came on after 26 minutes to replace Fabrice Fernandes, with Arsenal already 5–0 up.

A week later, he started for Southampton in the 2003 FA Cup final, also against Arsenal.

Southampton lost the match 1–0, but Baird was voted as the Saints man of the match.

In the 2003–04 season, Baird struggled to make the first team and was loaned out to Walsall on a one–month deal.

Baird made his Walsall debut on 27 September 2003, in a 2–1 win over Preston North End.

Baird then provided an assist for one of the goals for Darren Wrack, in a 2–0 win over Wigan Athletic on 25 October 2003.

Baird's regular playing time in the first team saw him extend his loan spell at Walsall for another month, leading manager Colin Lee to unsuccessfully try to sign him for £1 million.

Baird was sent off in his last appearance for Walsall, when he received a second yellow card, in a 0–0 draw against Crystal Palace on 21 November 2003.

After his loan spell at Walsall came to an end, Baird made his first Southampton appearance of the 2003–04 season, in a 3–1 win over local rivals Portsmouth on 21 December 2003.

With his first team opportunities limited, Baird joined Watford on a month loan.

Baird made his Watford debut on 20 March 2004, in a 4–1 loss against Ipswich Town.

On 16 April 2004, Baird's loan spell at Watford extended until the end of the season.

After making eight appearances for Watford, Baird returned to his parent club and played the last game of the season.

Baird made only four league appearances for Southampton.

Ahead of the 2004–05 season, Baird said he was considering leaving Southampton if he does not get a guarantee first team place under new manager Paul Sturrock.

Nevertheless on 1 July 2004, Baird signed a two–year contract with the club.

Despite guarantee of first team football under Sturrock, Baird, however, was left out the squad for Saints' pre-season tour of Sweden.

As a result, Baird's lack of first opportunities frustrated him and was planned on re-joining Watford on loan, only to be blocked by Harry Redknapp.

Baird never made an appearance for the club in the 2004–05 season, as the club were relegated to the Championship.

Following Southampton's relegation from the Premiership, Baird was told by Redknapp that he was to be loaned out to get first experience, but this never happened.

After Redknapp's departure to Portsmouth, Baird made his first Southampton appearance in two years in a 1–0 win over Luton Town on 11 December 2005.

He started 16 league games in the 2005–06 season.

Despite this, Baird signed a three–year contract with the club.

In the first game of the 2006–07 season, away to Derby County on 6 August 2006, he was drafted into the centre half position when Claus Lundekvam went off injured in the sixth minute.

On 25 November 2006, in his 50th first-team game for Southampton, he scored his first professional goal in a 2–1 victory over Luton Town.

Having established himself in the Southampton team, he was singled out for praise by Southampton manager George Burley.

During the match in a 4–3 win over against Birmingham City on 29 November 2006, Baird find himself in alteration with goalkeeper Kelvin Davis after the pair shoved each other and the tension were so high that teammates got involved to calm the situation.

However, this was played down by Burley.

His second goal of the season came on 26 December 2006, in a 1–1 draw against Crystal Palace.

Despite missing out two matches, due to a groin injury, Baird spent most of the 2006–07 season in central defence, making forty–four appearances and at the end of the season he was the winner of the Saints Player of the Season award.

At the end of the 2006–07 season, Baird found himself in a transfer move when Fulham made an initial £2.5m bid for him, which was rejected by Southampton.

In response, Baird informed the club that he wanted to leave by handing in a transfer request.

Baird then scored his third goal of the same on 13 March 2007, in a 2–2 draw against Cardiff City.