Andrew Griffin (born 17 March 1979) is an English former footballer. Griffin began his career at Stoke City, where he established a reputation as a solid wing-back defender. His impressive performances for the "Potters" led to him being signed by Newcastle United for a fee of £1.5million in January 1998. He spent six years on Tyneside before moving south to Portsmouth in 2004. He was unable to establish himself as first choice right back at "Pompey" and re-joined his old club Stoke on loan for the 2006–07 season. Stoke narrowly missed out on a play-off position and so Griffin decided to sign for newly promoted Derby County, however with Derby struggling to compete in the Premier League he joined Stoke for a third time in January 2008. He helped Stoke to claim promotion and was made captain of the side for the 2008–09 season. Griffin lost his place in the side after an on the pitch altercation with Ricardo Fuller at West Ham United in December 2008. He joined Reading in 2010 helping them gain promotion at the second attempt after failing in the play-offs. He was released by Reading in May 2012 and joined Doncaster Rovers in October 2012. He spent two years at Doncaster before ending his career with a short spell at Chester Club career Stoke City Griffin was born in Wigan, Greater Manchester and began his career with Stoke City. He impressed in the clubs youth ranks and he was handed a professional contract in July 1996. He instantly became a regular in the side during the 1996–97 season playing in 36 matches including the final match at the Victoria Ground and in just his first season as a professional he won the clubs player of the year award. In 1997 Stoke moved to the Britannia Stadium but the team struggled all season and with relegation looming Stoke decided to cash in on their most promising prospect selling Griffin to Newcastle United for £1.5million in January 1998. Newcastle United Griffin settled quickly in Newcastle and earned call-ups to the England U21 team and also played in the 1999 FA Cup Final. However, he picked up an injury in August 1999 ruling him out for the 1999–2000 season but made a comeback the following season but he again suffered a hernia injury missing another season. Griffin enjoyed something of a resurgence under Bobby Robson and made several