Scott Liam Malone (born 25 March 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left back or left-sided midfielder for EFL League Two side Gillingham.
Malone came through Wolverhampton Wanderers' academy to turn professional in 2009. Although he never played a first team match for the club, he had a series of loan moves while a Wolves player, culminating in a move to Bournemouth that became a permanent transfer in January 2012. Malone signed for Millwall in May 2012.
Club career
Wolves
Born in Rowley Regis, England, Malone is a product of Wolves' academy, having joined the club at the age of nine, and signed a professional contract with the club in February 2009, aged 18. He immediately departed for a spell on loan at Hungarian club Újpest, a partner club of Wolves, and made his Újpest debut, in a 2–0 win over Siófok on 7 March 2009. Malone then scored his first Újpest goal on 24 April 2009, in a 3–0 win over Budapest Honvéd. Malone went on to make eight appearances, scoring once, and helped them qualify for the newly formed UEFA Europa League. During this season, he also won Wolves' Academy Player of the Season Award.
Malone joined League One club Southend United on loan on 24 November 2009. Malone made his Southend United debut on the same day, where he made his first start, in a 2–0 loss against Tranmere Rovers. Then on 12 December 2009, Malone provided an assist for Francis Laurent to score the first goal of the game against Hartlepool United as they went on to win 3–2. Malone established himself in the first team, playing in the left–back position. After extending his loan spell for another month, it was subsequently later extended until the end of the 2009–10 season. Despite suffering an injury, Malone made 17 appearances in total for the Shrimpers during a campaign that ended in relegation. After his loan spell at Southend United came to an end, Malone signed a one–year contract extension with the club.
On 22 October 2010, Malone went out on loan again, joining League Two club Burton Albion on a one–month deal. Malone made his Burton Albion debut, the next day, playing 90 minutes, in a 3–0 win over Bradford City. During the match, Malone made an impressive display, helping the club keep a clean sheet and almost scored, earning him a Man of the Match Award. Having made 11 appearances so far, Malone's loan spell with the club was extended until the end of the season. Despite suffering from injuries, Malone scored his first goal in English football on 30 April 2011 in a 1–1 draw against former club Southend United and went on to make 22 appearances. Malone was linked with a return to Burton Albion on loan ahead of the 2011–12 season, but this was ruled out by Manager Paul Peschisolido and Malone, himself. Although Malone signed a new contract, Wolves put a price tag on Malone of about £150K.
AFC Bournemouth
On 18 July 2011, Malone joined League One side AFC Bournemouth on an initial six-month loan deal. He made his Bournemouth debut, in the opening game of the season, in a 3–0 loss against Charlton Athletic. Malone then scored three goals in three games between 29 October 2011 and 12 November 2011 against Preston North End, Scunthorpe United and Gillingham in the first round of FA Cup. After losing his place in the left–back position to Warren Cummings, Malone was moved into an unfamiliar left–midfield role by manager Lee Bradbury.
After becoming a regular player for the Cherries, a permanent transfer was agreed on 23 December 2011, and, upon the re-opening of the transfer in January 2012, Malone formally signed a three-and-a half-year contract for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £150,000.
However, Malone suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out for between two and three weeks, but sidelined for a lot longer. Malone scored in his first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis and set up a goal for Matt Tubbs, in a 2–0 win over Exeter City on 7 February 2012. Malone scored two more goals, as the season progressed, against Stevenage and Huddersfield Town. Malone later finished the 2011–12 season, making thirty–two appearances and scoring five times.
Millwall
On 30 May 2012, Malone joined Millwall in a move that included former Cherries player Josh McQuoid returning to Bournemouth as part of a swap deal. But Malone left Bournemouth on a bad note when he made a comment that made a "section of Bournemouth supporters" upset. Upon joining the club, Malone was given a number 28 shirt ahead of the 2011–12 season.