Steve Morison

On 10 February 2020, he was announced as the lead coach of the Cardiff City under-23 side, again joining up with Neil Harris, his former boss at Millwall.

On 19 June 2019, it was announced that 35-year old Morison had joined League One side Shrewsbury Town on an initial season-long loan, reuniting with former Wales teammate Sam Ricketts. He made his competitive debut for the club on 3 August, starting in a 1–0 home win against Portsmouth.

On 18 October 2019, Morison announced his retirement from playing with immediate effect, in order to begin his coaching career at his first club, Northampton Town.

After retiring as a player in October 2019, Morison became a coach at Northampton Town.

On 4 August 2015, Morison rejoined League One club Millwall for a third spell, for an undisclosed fee. Morison moved into the top ten of Millwall's all-time top scorers, after scoring six goals in eight games to begin the 2016–17 season. He is currently third, with 92 goals in all competitions. His 86th goal came in the 85th minute of Millwall's League One promotion play-off against Bradford City, sending his club back into the Championship.

In June 2014, after returning to Leeds, new Leeds owner Massimo Cellino revealed that Morison would be fully in Dave Hockaday's plans for the following season, describing that "he needs to show if he's still a good player because he used to be." On 1 August, Morison was assigned the Leeds number 19 shirt for the 2014–15 season, with Morison's previous shirt number going to teammate Matt Smith. Morison missed the opening games of the season through injury, making his first league appearance for Leeds in over a year as a substitute against Huddersfield Town on 20 September. On 25 October 2014, Morison was named in Leeds' starting 11 for the first time in 18 months for the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, replacing the suspended Souleymane Doukara. The match proved to be Darko Milanic's last match as head coach. On 19 April 2015, Morison scored his first goal for Leeds since March 2013, when he scored a volley in a 2–1 loss against Charlton Athletic. After scoring against Charlton, Morison followed this up by scoring in the consecutive game on 25 April in a 2–1 win against Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday. It would have been three goals in three games if his goal against Rotherham hadn't been wrongly called offside. He started off the 2015/16 pre season in good form, scoring against Harrogate Town on 10 July 2015, and then scoring against Eintracht Frankfurt in a 2–1 defeat on 21 July 2015. On 31 July 2015, Morison was given the number 20 shirt for the upcoming 2015/16 season.

The following season, under new Norwich manager Chris Hughton, Morison featured predominantly as a substitute, starting just four games during the first half of the campaign. He scored his first goal of the season in a 5–2 home defeat to Liverpool in September 2012, a match in which he started. He went on to score one further goal for the club, netting in Norwich's 4–1 loss to Aston Villa in the League Cup quarter-final on 11 December. He dedicated the goal to former teammate Mitchell Cole, who had recently died. Morison made his last appearance for Norwich in a 4–3 defeat to Manchester City in the club's final game of 2012. He made 59 appearances during his one-and-a-half year spell at the club, scoring 12 goals.

On the last day of the 2013 January transfer window, Morison signed for Championship side Leeds United as part of a swap deal. The transfer involved Luciano Becchio moving to Norwich, as well as Norwich paying Leeds a "further undisclosed sum". On signing Morison, the then-Leeds manager Neil Warnock said that – "Steve meets all the requirements of the striker we've been looking to bring in. For me, he is a player who has everything. He can score goals from anywhere – whether it's 25 yards or a tap-in – he has pace, and he has all the attributes you want". He made his Leeds debut on 9 February 2013, playing the whole match in the club's 2–2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. Morison scored his first goal for the club on his home debut on 20 February, netting the second goal in a 2–0 victory over Blackpool. He scored twice for Leeds in the club's 2–2 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on 9 March. The two goals proved to be Morison's last of the season; he scored three goals in 16 appearances during the second half of the 2012–13 campaign.

Just a day after returning for pre-season training with Leeds, on 28 June 2013, Morison joined former club Millwall, also of the Championship, on a season-long loan deal. On rejoining Millwall, Morison stated – "I'm pleased to be back here. If anybody has any doubts about me all I'd say is that I aim to score plenty of goals for Millwall and help this club to greater success". Morison finished the season with eight goals in 41 appearances, helping the London club stave off relegation from the Championship with a 19th-place finish.

Morison has always had an interest in greyhound racing, ever since he attended Walthamstow Stadium as a boy. In January 2013, Morison set up a greyhound racing syndicate alongside his former strike partner at Norwich City, Grant Holt, and the two launched the SMGH Racing Club. Talking of the racing club, Morison stated – "I've got lots of kennels myself, lots of animals, lots of dogs. So me and Grant got together bought a couple of dogs and it's spiralled out of control a little bit, because we've bought seven now in the space of about three months. But it's been brilliant".

Wales manager Gary Speed called Morison up for the country's two UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers in September 2011. He scored his first international goal for Wales in a 2–1 victory against Montenegro, played at Cardiff City Stadium on 2 September. Morison's goal came from six yards out, sliding to make contact with David Vaughan's low cross. The victory was Wales' first of the qualification group. Morison earned his 20th and final cap in a 2–0 defeat to Croatia in Osijek on 16 October 2012.

At the end of the 2010–11 season, Morison handed in a written transfer request amid speculation about a move to newly promoted Premier League club Norwich City. Millwall rejected the transfer request. A day later, Morison revealed "Norwich have made a couple of bids that have been turned down so I've done what I've done. I want to play in the Premier League, I might not get another opportunity". On 2 June 2011, Millwall accepted an offer from Norwich City for Morison after the two clubs agreed a fee for the player, it was the fourth bid Norwich had made for Morison. He signed for the club on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee on 6 June. Morison made his Norwich City debut against Wigan Athletic during the club's first game of the 2011–12 campaign, playing 75 minutes of the match in a 1–1 draw. He was crucial in Norwich's equalising goal, beating Adrián López Rodríguez on the right wing and providing a cross that was ultimately turned in by Wes Hoolahan. He scored his first goal for the club in Norwich's first home win of the season, a 2–1 victory against Sunderland on 26 September. The goal came shortly after half-time, with Morison heading in Marc Tierney's cross to give Norwich a two-goal lead. Morison scored his second goal for Norwich in a 3–3 draw against Blackburn Rovers on 29 October, with the goal being described as a "stunning strike" from the edge of the area. A week later, he scored a header from an acute angle in Norwich's 3–2 away defeat against Aston Villa. Morison's fourth goal of the campaign came in a 2–1 home defeat to Arsenal on 19 November, scoring the opening goal of the game after he stole the ball from Per Mertesacker before calmly beating Wojciech Szczęsny in the Arsenal goal. He scored his fourth goal in five Premier League appearances on 3 December, beating Gaël Clichy at the back post to powerfully head the ball past Joe Hart in the Manchester City goal. Morison's goal was a minor consolation in a 5–1 defeat at the City of Manchester Stadium. Morison was also on target for the Canaries in the club's 4–2 home win over Newcastle United on 10 December, scoring Norwich's third goal when he powerfully headed in Andrew Crofts' cross from 12-yards out. He scored in Norwich's first three games of 2012 despite featuring as a substitute in two of the matches, scoring once in the FA Cup in a 4–1 victory over Burnley, as well as netting late goals in 2–1 away victories against Queens Park Rangers and West Bromwich Albion respectively. After his goal at West Brom, Morison did not find the scoresheet for another three months – eventually scoring his tenth goal of the campaign in a 3–3 draw away to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on 5 May 2012. Morison's late strike from a tight angle drew Norwich level after they had trailed 3–2 with five minutes remaining. During his first season at the club, he scored ten goals in 37 appearances.

Morison earned eight caps for the England C team, scoring three goals. In August 2010, Morison made his senior international debut for Wales.

Ahead of the 2010–11 season, Morison scored in pre-season friendlies against AFC Wimbledon and Stevenage respectively. He started the season by assisting two of Millwall's goals in the club's 3–0 win against Bristol City at Ashton Gate. In the club's following league match, he scored two headed goals as Millwall beat Hull City comprehensively at The Den. He scored his third goal of the season from the penalty spot as Millwall beat Middlesbrough 2–1 in the League Cup. Four days later, Morison was on the scoresheet again, scoring a penalty to seal Millwall's 3–1 win against Coventry City. He also provided the assist for Millwall's first goal. He scored his fifth goal in six games in Millwall's 1–1 draw with Nottingham Forest at The City Ground, giving Millwall the lead in the fifth minute with a header. Ten days later, Morison added to his goal tally when he scored against Ipswich Town in the League Cup, scoring after the hour mark in a 2–1 home defeat. In October, Morison scored his seventh goal of the campaign in Millwall's 2–0 win against Derby County, the club's first home win since August. Two weeks later, Morison scored the opening goal of the game against Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium, but was unable to prevent Millwall from losing the match 2–1. He went three games without scoring through November 2010, before scoring two late goals in Millwall's televised victory over Scunthorpe United in early December 2010. On 15 December 2010, it was widely reported that Millwall had rejected a £2million offer for Morison from Nottingham Forest, with Millwall manager Kenny Jackett claiming there is "no chance" that Morison will be sold in the January transfer window. A day later, Jackett said the club had not received a formal bid for Morison from Forest. Morison's eleventh goal of the season came in Millwall's last game of 2010; scoring the first goal in a 2–0 home win over Leicester City. He went on to score goals in home victories against Ipswich Town and Barnsley respectively. Morison signed a new 2 ½ year contract with Millwall on 5 February 2011, ending transfer speculation about his long-term commitment to the club, he stated "I'm looking forward to playing my part in the future success of Millwall". After a run of six games without a goal, Morison scored in Millwall's 2–0 win over eventual Championship winners Queens Park Rangers, netting Millwall's first goal in the 63rd minute. Eleven days later, Morison scored a lobbed effort against Cardiff City to restore parity in a game that ended 3–3. His sixteenth goal of the 2010–11 campaign came on 2 April 2011, scoring another lobbed effort, this time in a 1–0 away win at Hull City. A week later, Morison was on hand to score Millwall's third goal in a 3–2 home win over Leeds United. He was sent-off just three days later in the club's 0–0 draw with Bristol City, receiving the red card for a "reckless lunge" on Bristol City's Jamal Campbell-Ryce. This meant Morison served a three-game suspension, returning for Millwall's two final league games of the season. Morison ended the season having scored 17 goals for Millwall in 43 appearances.

In May 2010, it was identified that Morison was eligible to represent Wales due to Welsh ancestry – as his grandmother was born in Tredegar, near Ebbw Vale. Wales assistant manager Roy Evans was present to watch Morison in Millwall's 1–0 victory against Swindon Town, while Morison "registered his interest" in representing Wales. In July 2010, Wales boss John Toshack named Morison in the Wales squad for a friendly against Luxembourg in Llanelli on 11 August 2010. On being called up to the Wales squad, Morison said "It's a fantastic achievement and it feels good to be recognised for my hard work". Morison started in Wales' 5–1 victory against Luxembourg, playing the whole match and assisting Ashley Williams' goal. Following Morison's debut, manager John Toshack said "I was very impressed with the debut of Steve Morison, he didn't get on the scoresheet, but he certainly made his presence felt".

He made his debut for Millwall in the opening game of the 2009–10 season, starting in the club's 1–1 draw with Southampton; providing the assist for Millwall's equaliser. A month later, he scored his first goal for Millwall in a 3–1 victory over Huddersfield Town. Playing in a deeper role than when at Stevenage, Morison struggled for goals, but made the majority of Millwall's goals throughout October, whilst also netting in a 5–0 win over Tranmere Rovers. In December 2009, he scored a 91st-minute winner in a 3–2 victory over Milton Keynes Dons, and also scored a similar goal in a 4–0 win over Staines Town in the FA Cup. Three days later, Morison scored twice in Millwall's 2–1 victory over Walsall. His fine form through December continued, scoring twice in a 4–4 draw against Charlton Athletic at The Valley. He scored his seventh goal in as many games in a 2–0 win over Bristol Rovers, whilst also assisting the second goal. Morison scored his second goal of Millwall's FA Cup campaign against Derby County at Pride Park in early January 2010; scoring in the 108th minute as Millwall were knocked out 5–3 on a penalty shootout. He provided the assists for both of Millwall's goals in games against Southampton and Oldham Athletic respectively, before scoring the winner in a 1–0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion; his 11th goal of the season. This was followed up with a brace in a 3–1 win away to Carlisle United, whilst also setting up Millwall's third goal. Morison scored another brace four days later, as Millwall beat Charlton Athletic 4–0. His 17th of the season came in front of the Sky cameras against Leeds United at Elland Road. Shortly after, Morison scored his 18th goal of the campaign, scoring a header from an acute angle in Millwall's 5–0 win over Stockport County. As a result of his fine goalscoring form throughout March, Morison was named Football League One Player of the Month. Another goal followed for Morison in a 2–1 win away at Colchester United. Morison's 20th goal of the season came in a 2–1 victory over Leyton Orient, scoring Millwall's second goal from the penalty spot. The goal means that Morison has scored 20 goals or more in his last six seasons for three clubs. On the last day of the season, Morison scored a brace against Swindon Town in a 3–2 victory. Morison's first was a coolly dispatched penalty, whilst he supplied the cross that led to an own goal. Morison's second goal of the game was a half-volley from outside the area; looping into the top right-hand corner of the net. He scored his 23rd goal of the season in Millwall's 2–0 win against Huddersfield Town as Millwall progressed to the League One play-off final, where they beat Swindon Town 1–0 at Wembley Stadium; Morison's third successive victory at the stadium.

He scored 30 goals in 51 games for the Hertfordshire outfit during the 2008–09 season, and captained the side for the majority of the campaign. His season got off to a bad start, however, with Stevenage losing 5–0 away to Wrexham; a game in which Morison was sent-off for an "off the ball headbutt". He missed the next three games, but quickly re-discovered his goalscoring form in early September 2008, following up a hat-trick against champions Burton Albion with a brace against Altrincham. Another brace followed shortly after in a 3–3 draw against York City, as well as scoring the winner in a 3–2 win against Mansfield Town. Morison's goals were vital in ensuring Stevenage's surge up the league table over the Christmas period; notching braces against Rushden & Diamonds, Lewes, and Barrow, whilst also scoring Stevenage's solitary goal in a 1–1 at Nene Park against Rushden. He later scored goals in away victories to both Weymouth and York City respectively, as well as scoring in a 3–1 win over Kidderminster Harriers to ensure Stevenage made the play-offs, finishing in the final play-off spot. Morison was also instrumental in the side's successful FA Trophy campaign in the same season, scoring seven times in seven games, including once in the side's 2–0 win against York in the Final, as captain Morison lifted the trophy at Wembley Stadium. However, Stevenage failed to achieve promotion to League Two following an aggregate 4–3 defeat to Cambridge United in the play-offs; with Morison scoring twice at Broadhall Way, but missing a "gilt edged" chance in the return leg. Subsequently, activating a release clause in his contract, Morison was allowed to leave and, shortly after, agreed personal terms with League One team Millwall in May 2009, with a fee of £130,000 being agreed for the transfer. During his three-year tenure at the club, Morison made a total of 152 appearances, scoring 89 goals. Morison was also included in the club's 'Wall of Fame', which features "the six greatest players in Stevenage's history as voted for by the club's supporters".

Morison plays as a striker and has been described as a "player who is always in the right place at the right time", which is a reference to his goalscoring exploits. Ahead of the 2008–09 season, Stevenage manager Graham Westley sent Morison to a training camp whereby he would work on his pace, and later said "he is improving all the time". He also described him as a player that "no defender would want to play against" due to his height, pace, and strength. In May 2010, Millwall manager Kenny Jackett said that Morison "has a lot of strength and pace, which he uses on defenders perfectly", as well as referring to him as a "physical threat" because of his aerial ability. Nick Szczepanik of The Times stated that Morison plays with "a fearless, all-action style", and that this was emphasised when he "played against Huddersfield Town with his head bandaged to protect a wound that required three stitches".

Morison continued his scoring form throughout Stevenage's 2007–08 campaign, scoring 22 times in 43 appearances, as the club narrowly missed out on the play-offs. He scored his first goal of the campaign in Stevenage's 2–1 victory against Histon in the club's first home fixture of the season, following this up with goals in victories against Weymouth, Stafford Rangers, and York City respectively. Morison scored his first brace of the season in a 4–0 win over Farsley Celtic in September 2007. He went on to score six goals in four games during the Christmas period – scoring doubles against Altrincham, Stafford Rangers, and Droylsden. He also scored on the last day of the season in a 2–1 win against Halifax Town. Although his least prolific season at Stevenage, Morison still managed a one-in-two ratio. At the end of the season, Morison handed in a transfer request as he sought a return to the Football League. Despite the club granting him his wish, and attracting interest from League Two side Crewe Alexandra, nothing materialised and Morison signed a new three-year contract at Stevenage. There was a clause in the contract that stated he could leave the club at the end of the 2008–09 season for a pre-arranged fee if Stevenage failed to make it into the Football League.

During the 2006–07 season, Morison scored a total of 34 times in 53 games, including the winner in Stevenage's 3–2 victory over Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Trophy final in May 2007 – the first competitive cup final to be held at the new Wembley Stadium. The following season, Morison netted 22 times in 45 matches, before scoring 30 times during the club's 2008–09 campaign; scoring again in Stevenage's 2–0 win against York City in the FA Trophy final in May 2009, his last game for the club. He joined Millwall for £130,000 ahead of the 2009–10 season, and helped the club to promotion to the Championship by scoring 23 goals in 52 games. He finished as Millwall's top goalscorer the following season, before signing for Premier League side Norwich City for an undisclosed fee in June 2011. In January 2013, Morison signed for Leeds United as part of a swap deal. After just five months at Leeds, Morison rejoined Millwall on a season-long loan in June 2013.

He started the 2006–07 season by scoring two goals in two games for Stortford, before joining Conference National club Stevenage Borough on a two-year deal in August 2006 for a "small four figure fee". He scored on his debut in a 3–2 defeat against Crawley Town, also having a goal disallowed in the same game. He continued his goalscoring form at his new club by scoring a hat-trick against Morecambe in a 3–3 draw at Christie Park, and then a brace two days later against Forest Green Rovers. The following week, he partnered George Boyd upfront, scoring once and assisting all of Boyd's three goals in a 6–0 victory against Stafford Rangers. He went on to score doubles against Forest Green Rovers in the FA Cup, Oxford United, and Leigh RMI in the FA Trophy. He also scored goals in draws against Morecambe and Forest Green Rovers respectively in April 2007, and scored his last league goal of the season in Stevenage's 3–0 win against Tamworth. Morison also helped the club to success in the FA Trophy, finishing the competition's top goalscorer with eight goals, including a goal in the final in May 2007 against Kidderminster Harriers, scoring the winner in a 3–2 victory at Wembley Stadium in front of a competition record crowd of 53,262. In total, Morison played 53 games during the season, scoring 34 times in all competitions and finishing as the club's top goalscorer for the season.

Morison was called up to the England C team, who represent England at non-league level, in November 2006, scoring in a European Challenge Trophy game against the Netherlands in which Morison played both games against Grenada and Barbados respectively, scoring against the former in a 1–1 draw. Morison played a total of eight times for the England C side, scoring three times, before his age meant that he was ineligible to be selected.

Morison played the opening five games of the club's 2004–05 campaign, but failed to score. He featured two more times for the club, scoring Northampton's equaliser away at Darlington in September 2004. The following month, Morison joined Conference South club Bishop's Stortford for an undisclosed fee. He scored on his debut in a 1–1 draw against Redbridge, and scored in the following game in Stortford's 3–1 loss at Bognor Regis Town. He also helped Stortford reach the FA Trophy semi-final and Morison finished the season as the club's top goalscorer, as well as finishing as the 2004–05 FA Trophy top goalscorer. The following season, Morison struggled for form at the start of the club's league campaign, and was used as a substitute during the first two months of the season. He started in a game against Histon in November 2005, scoring a hat-trick in a 5–0 win. He followed this up with goals against St Albans City and Eastbourne Borough respectively, as well as scoring Stortford's fourth in a 5–2 victory over Dorchester Town. He ended the season by scoring twice against Eastleigh, meaning he scored a total of 15 goals as he continued to impress at Woodside Park.

Morison attended Enfield Grammar School, leaving school at the age of 16 with one GCSE qualification. During his time at Northampton Town, Morison added to his qualifications with a National Diploma in Sports science, and also earned a coaching badge during his time at Protec. When Morison fell into part-time football with Bishop's Stortford in 2004, he worked for a shredding company, "getting up at four in the morning shredding paper around London". However, he said he "could not handle the early starts" and subsequently got "an easier job indoors" doing administration work in an office, where he met his wife; they have had a son together, called Fenton. He quit the administration job immediately after signing for Stevenage in August 2006.

Morison started his career at Northampton Town at the age of 16, progressing through the club's centre of excellence. After featuring regularly for the club's reserve team, Morison made his first-team debut in 2002, and played a total of 28 times for the club during his three years with Northampton. He left Northampton and joined Conference South side Bishop's Stortford for an undisclosed fee in November 2004. Morison spent just under two years with Stortford, scoring prolifically, before joining another Hertfordshire team in the form of Stevenage for a "small four-figure fee" in August 2006.

Born in Enfield, London, Morison joined Northampton Town as part of the club's youth system after a successful trial period with the club, having also spent time on trial at Leicester City. When Morison turned 18, he signed a two-year professional contract with Northampton. He impressed manager Kevan Broadhurst and subsequently made his debut at the end of the 2001–02 season in a 2–2 draw against Cambridge United. The following season, Morison featured regularly as a substitute, playing a total of 15 games, scoring his first goal for the Northamptonshire side in a 2–2 draw against Plymouth Argyle. The 2003–04 season saw Morison feature in only five games, scoring once. In June 2004, he was offered a new six-month contract at the club, and told by manager Colin Calderwood that he had to prove his worth at the club.

Steven William Morison (born 29 August 1983) is a former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is currently Cardiff City's under-23 lead coach.