Biography
Experienced centre back Elphick joined City on the August 2018 transfer deadline day, adding strength and experience to the Tigers’ new look defence assembled by Nigel Adkins. He slotted straight into the back four and improved matters, adding not just defensive skills but also enhanced levels of communication on the field. It was Tommy’s constant presence in the City spine that partly inspired the Winter 2018 revival under Nigel Adkins that saw City rise clear of relegation danger, so it was a proper pain when Villa recalled him at the start of the January 2019 transfer window.
Elphick was born and raised in Brighton and spent his formative years at his local club, making his senior debut for the Seagulls in December 2005. He was a regular in the Brighton for several years but in 2012, after a lengthy injury lay-off, he moved along the South Coast and signed for upwardly mobile Bournemouth. In four seasons Elphick was a first team regular and first team captain as the Cherries were elevated to the Premier League, although Tommy’s appearances in the top flight were curtailed by another injury. Elphick signed for Aston Villa at the start of 2016/17 season and immediately made club captain, however by the end of his first season at Villa Park he was sidelined by new boss Steve Bruce. Linked with permanent moves away, Elphick had a short loan spell at Reading prior to his season long switch to the Tigers.
Elphick signed for Huddersfield Town in June 2019 on expiry of his Aston Villa contract. He made 14 starts for Huddersfield Town before injury ended his season in November 2019, and after nearly eighteen months out of the game he left the Terriers in the 2021 close season and announced his retirement as a player in August 2021.
In September 2021 Tommy was appointed to the coaching staff at Championship side Bournemouth who rose to the Premier League in May 2022. In August 2022 Elphick was appointed assistant manager by new first team manager Gary O’Neill, the pair piloted the Cherries to a comfortable Premier League surviival in the 2022/23 season. He retained his role when Spaniard Andoni Iraola took over the manager’s reins in the 2023 close season.
Details
Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 7 September 1987, Brighton
Hull City First Game: 15 September 2018, Ipswich Town H (Championship), 31 years, 8 days old
Hull City Final Game: 26 December 2018, Preston North End A (Championship), 31 years, 110 days old
Clubs
Brighton & Hove Albion (2005-2012), Bognor Regis Town (2005, loan), Bournemouth (2012-2016), Aston Villa (2016-2019), Reading (2018, loan), Hull City (2018, loan), Huddersfield Town (2019-2021)
Hull City Record
Career: 18 apps, 1 goals
Tommy Elphick| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018/19 | 18 (0) | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |