John Curtis (born September 3, 1978) is an English Association Football (soccer) player, born in Nuneaton, England. He is a versatile defender who can play anywhere along the back four or even as a defensive midfielder.
Beginning his career at Manchester United F.C., he was tipped as a huge star for the future. However he was unable to break fully into the first team, and went to Barnsley F.C. on loan during the 1999-00 season. Blackburn Rovers F.C. manager Graeme Souness was impressed by the young defender, and managed to prise Curtis away from Manchester United during the summer of 2000. During the next season he was an ever present as Blackburn were promoted to the Premiership. By this time he had also represented England at youth and Under-21 level, and was being hailed as a future England captain.
However, his 2001-02 Premiership campaign was dogged by injury, limiting him to just ten top flight appearances. He failed to regain his regular starting place, and spent the second half of the 2002-03 season on loan to Sheffield United F.C. At the end of the season he was released by Blackburn as a free transfer, and was signed by Leicester City F.C. for the 2003-04 season.
However, Curtis’ spell at Leicester was unsuccessful, and after making just 17 appearances, he was transferred to Portsmouth F.C. in Feb 2004 on a free transfer.
After failing to win a regular starting place in the side, at the start of 2004-05 he was loaned to Preston North End F.C. Upon his return to the club at the end of October, he spoke of his determination to win a regular place at Portsmouth and get his career back on track.
However, he made only 5 appearances under Harry Redknapp, and failed to play at all under his successor Velimir Zajec. In January 2005 Curtis was transferred on a free transfer to Nottingham Forest F.C.