View source for Craig Bellamy

{{short description|Welsh footballer and coach (born 1979)}}
{{For|the Australian rugby league football coach and former player|Craig Bellamy (rugby league)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Craig Bellamy
| image = Craig Bellamy 2014.jpg
| caption = Bellamy attending a [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] match in 2014
| full_name = Craig Douglas Bellamy
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|7|13|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Cardiff]], Wales
| height = 1.75 m<ref>{{cite web |title=Player profile – Craig Bellamy |url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/team/player-profile/craig-bellamy/39 |publisher=Cardiff City F.C.|access-date=11 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225152621/http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/team/player-profile/craig-bellamy/39|archive-date=25 February 2014}}</ref>
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]
| currentclub = [[Wales national football team|Wales]] (head coach)
| youthyears1 = 1988–1990
| youthclubs1 = [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]]
| youthyears2 = 1990–1996
| youthclubs2 = [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]]
| years1 = 1996–2000
| clubs1 = [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]]
| caps1 = 84
| goals1 = 32
| years2 = 2000–2001
| clubs2 = [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]
| caps2 = 34
| goals2 = 6
| years3 = 2001–2005
| clubs3 = [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
| caps3 = 93
| goals3 = 28
| years4 = 2005
| clubs4 = → [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]]  (loan)
| caps4 = 12
| goals4 = 7
| years5 = 2005–2006
| clubs5 = [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]
| caps5 = 27
| goals5 = 13
| years6 = 2006–2007
| clubs6 = [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
| caps6 = 27
| goals6 = 7
| years7 = 2007–2009
| clubs7 = [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
| caps7 = 24
| goals7 = 7
| years8 = 2009–2011
| clubs8 = [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]
| caps8 = 40
| goals8 = 12
| years9 = 2010–2011
| clubs9 = → [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] (loan)
| caps9 = 35
| goals9 = 11
| years10 = 2011–2012
| clubs10 = [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
| caps10 = 27
| goals10 = 6
| years11 = 2012–2014
| clubs11 = [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]]
| caps11 = 55
| goals11 = 6
| totalcaps = 458
| totalgoals = 135
| nationalyears1 = 1995–1997
| nationalteam1 = [[Wales national under-18 football team|Wales U18]]
| nationalcaps1 = 9
| nationalgoals1 = 6
| nationalyears2 = 1997–1998
| nationalteam2 = [[Wales national under-21 football team|Wales U21]]
| nationalcaps2 = 8
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| nationalyears3 = 1998–2013
| nationalteam3 = [[Wales national football team|Wales]]
| nationalcaps3 = 78
| nationalgoals3 = 19
| nationalyears4 = 2012
| nationalteam4 = [[Great Britain Olympic football team|Great Britain Olympic]]
| nationalcaps4 = 5
| nationalgoals4 = 1
| manageryears1 = 2024–
| managerclubs1 = [[Wales national football team|Wales]] 
}}
'''Craig Douglas Bellamy''' (born 13 July 1979) is a Welsh football coach and former professional [[association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]]. He is the current [[Football coach (association football)|head coach]] of [[Wales national football team|Wales]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=x.com |url=https://x.com/burnleyofficial/status/1796221318435639488?s=46&t=nDSzfJMZlUsKFUKjH9Jrqg |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=X (formerly Twitter)}}</ref> 

Born in [[Cardiff]], Bellamy made his professional debut with [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] in 1996. He signed for [[Premier League]] side [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] in 2000, breaking the club's record transfer fee, but suffered [[Promotion and relegation|relegation]] in his only season. He joined [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] the following year where he helped the club achieve two top-four finishes during a four year spell. Bellamy fell out with manager [[Graeme Souness]] in 2005 and spent the latter part of the [[2004–05 in Scottish football|2004–05 season]] on loan at [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], where he won the [[Scottish Cup]]. Bellamy returned to the Premier League later that year, playing one season with both [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], where he was named the club's player of the year, and [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], helping the club reach the [[2007 UEFA Champions League final]]. In 2007 he signed for [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] but injury disrupted his time there and in 2009 he joined [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]. For the [[2010-11 in English football|2010–11 season]], Bellamy dropped a division to the [[EFL Championship|Championship]] to represent his boyhood club [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] on a season-long loan. Bellamy returned to Liverpool the following season, winning the [[2012 Football League Cup final|2011–12 League Cup]] and reaching the [[2012 FA Cup final|FA Cup final]], before rejoining Cardiff City permanently in 2012. He later led them to the Premier League and played one more season with the club, setting a new record by scoring for his seventh different club in the division, before retiring from playing in 2014.

Having represented Wales at several youth levels, in 1998 at the age of 18, Bellamy made his senior debut for [[Wales national football team|Wales]] against [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaica]]. Over the next fifteen years, Bellamy gained 78 caps for his country and scored 19 goals. He was the [[Captain (association football)|captain]] of the side from 2007 to 2011, when he stepped down from the role due to recurring injuries. Bellamy retired from international football following the [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification]] campaign. He was also a member of the [[Great Britain men's Olympic football team|Great Britain Olympic team]] at the [[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 Olympics]] in London, appearing five times and scoring once.

Bellamy has been involved in numerous high-profile incidents during his career with teammates, managers and members of the public and was described by [[Bobby Robson]] as "a great player wrapped round an unusual and volatile character". Outside football, he has been a patron of several charities and started his own organisation, The Craig Bellamy Foundation, in Sierra Leone to provide schooling and football coaching to disadvantaged children.

==Early life==
Craig Douglas Bellamy<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/527313.pdf |title=UCL Booking List 2006/2007 |page=1 |publisher=UEFA |date=12 April 2007 |access-date=17 September 2024}}</ref> was born on 13 July 1979<ref>{{cite book |last=Hugman |first=Barry J. |title=The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |year=2005 |page=53 |isbn=1-85291-665-6}}</ref> at the [[University Hospital of Wales]] in [[Cardiff]],<ref name="gf4650">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=46–50}}</ref> the second of three boys born to Douglas and Angela Bellamy. At the time, the family lived on Swinton Street near the [[Splott]] district of the city, a traditionally working-class environment. Bellamy's mother worked as a cleaner and his father worked at the nearby Allied Steel and Wire site that overlooked the family home,<ref name="gf1718">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=17–18}}</ref> where he remained until the plant's closure in 2002.<ref name="walker"/> With both his parents working full-time, Bellamy spent most of his school holidays at his paternal grandmother's home in [[Adamsdown]].<ref name="gf3435"/> He suffers from [[asthma]]; as a child he made frequent visits to hospital to manage the condition.<ref name="uhw">{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/bellamys-high-praise-special-hospital-1905029 |title=Bellamy's high praise for 'special' hospital |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |date=26 August 2010 |access-date=30 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530141603/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/bellamys-high-praise-special-hospital-1905029 |archive-date=30 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the age of five, Bellamy and his family moved to the eastern suburb of [[Trowbridge, Cardiff|Trowbridge]], which is part of a council estate built in the 1960s.<ref name="gf1718"/>

Bellamy's father was a keen football fan who supported [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] and Bellamy's first experience of professional football was watching a [[Football League Fourth Division]] match between Cardiff and [[Newport County A.F.C.|Newport County]] at Cardiff's home ground [[Ninian Park]] during the [[1987–88 in English football|1987–88 season]], which Cardiff won 4–0.<ref name="gf190193"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/cardiff-city-striker-craig-bellamy-2730628 |title=Cardiff City striker Craig Bellamy opens up on emotional post-match chat with father |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |last=Phillips |first=Terry |date=18 April 2013 |access-date=26 March 2021}}</ref> His father played [[Amateur sports|amateur]] football for local Cardiff-based sides; Bellamy described him as a "sluggish [[Full back (association football)|right-back]]".<ref name="gf190193"/> Bellamy's interest in the sport grew rapidly; he regularly attended Cardiff City matches at Ninian Park and played in a park near his home with his older brother Paul and his friends. Bellamy credits playing against older children as making him "into a better player very quickly".<ref name="gf1920">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=19–20}}</ref> 

He first attended Baden Powell Primary School before switching to Trowbridge Juniors where he joined the school football team at the age of seven.<ref name="walker">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/oct/09/newsstory.sport |title=Hungry Bellamy sets sights on discovering dreamland |newspaper=The Guardian |last=Walker |first=Michael |date=8 October 2004 |access-date=30 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530141605/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/oct/09/newsstory.sport |archive-date=30 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="b2122">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=21–22}}</ref> Despite being younger than most of the other players, he was selected to play and featured in his first match against Gladstone Primary School. Local team [[Pentwyn Dynamo F.C.|Pentwyn Dynamo]] took an interest in Bellamy but were put off by his small size; his father offered to form a team if Bellamy could find enough players. Soon after, the under-10s side of local team Caer Castell FC was formed, and Bellamy scored all four goals in the club's first fixture. He was later picked to represent both Cardiff Schools and a Cardiff and District side in national competition.<ref name="b2122"/> He went on to attend [[Rumney High School]],<ref name="gf2425">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=24–25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rumneyhighschool.cardiff.sch.uk/ |title=Craig Bellamy |publisher=Rumney High School |access-date=1 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203234029/http://www.rumneyhighschool.cardiff.sch.uk/ |archive-date=3 February 2010}}</ref> but left the school with no [[GCSE]]s.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6218857.craigs-man-compassion/ |title=Craig's a man of compassion |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=13 July 2005 |access-date=26 March 2021}}</ref>

At the age of 12, Bellamy became friends with a group of mostly older boys and began to regularly drink alcohol and skipped school for up to two weeks at a time.<ref name="gf2425"/><ref name="gf2630">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=26–30}}</ref> He saw several of his friends using [[cannabis]] and [[Glue sniffing|sniffing glue]] but denies ever using the substances himself. He later admitted to acting as a lookout while his friends broke into vehicles to steal car stereos to sell for drug money. He described himself as "a kid who knew he was going to be a footballer and thought he knew it all".<ref name="gf2630"/> By age 14, Bellamy was barely attending school and was smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol every day.<ref name="gf2630"/> In 1993, his brother introduced him to his future wife, Claire; Bellamy credits the relationship as a key factor in moving him away from his early troubles.<ref name="gf3435">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=34–35}}</ref>

== Club career ==

=== Bristol Rovers and Norwich City ===
Bellamy attended youth sessions organised by Cardiff City in [[Ely, Cardiff|Ely]] for a year after being encouraged by his father.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/city-vow-learn-bellamy-blunder-2490946 |title=City vow to learn from Bellamy blunder |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |date=19 February 2003 |access-date=30 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530193157/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/city-vow-learn-bellamy-blunder-2490946 |archive-date=30 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The club, however, took little interest in him as a youngster and, at nine-years-old, he joined [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] after being spotted by former professional [[Stan Montgomery]], who was working for Rovers. Although an hour's drive from his family home, Bellamy was swayed by the better coaching and his own playing kit. He spent two years with Bristol Rovers before being spotted by a [[Scout (association football)|scout]] working for [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]].<ref name="gf2425"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/craig-bellamy-retraces-roots-norwich-1894364 |title=Craig Bellamy retraces his roots for Norwich reunion |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |last=Phillips |first=Terry |date=30 October 2010 |access-date=26 March 2021}}</ref> The club invited Bellamy to a trial match in Somerset where he impressed and was asked to travel with the side to compete in the [[Dana Cup]], an international youth football tournament held in [[Hjørring]], Denmark. His performances led to a permanent place with the Canary Rangers, Norwich's youth development side.<ref name="gf2425"/> Prior to signing with the club, several other teams took an interest in Bellamy; [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] offered his parents £10,000 if he signed for them. Norwich responded by guaranteeing him a two-year [[Youth Training Scheme|YTS]] contract when he was old enough to sign. Bellamy travelled to Norwich by train on Saturday afternoons, then played a youth match on Sunday morning before returning to Cardiff.<ref name="gf2630"/>

At the age of 15, Bellamy moved away from Cardiff to start his youth apprenticeship with Norwich, being placed with a local family along with another apprentice.<ref name="gf3640">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=36–40}}</ref> His first year away from home proved troublesome and he describes it as "the hardest year of my life", regularly crying himself to sleep due to homesickness.<ref name="gf3640"/><ref name="polar"/> Each apprentice was assigned to a senior player for whom they performed basic tasks such as cleaning boots or making tea. Bellamy was paired with [[John Polston]] but found the experienced defender difficult to work with and believed Polston tried to "humiliate" him.<ref name="gf3640"/> 

Bellamy's homesickness was lessened after he became friends with another apprentice from Cardiff, [[Tom Ramasut]], but problems with his discipline became commonplace. On one occasion, Bellamy received a final warning from staff after he broke the arm of a trialist goalkeeper during a fight on the training ground; Bellamy later wrote that he believed Norwich showed him leniency when disciplining him in fear of losing a player regarded as having a bright future.<ref name="gf3640"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/craig-bellamy-the-young-star-norwich-city-knew-they-had-585912 |title=Craig Bellamy – the young star Norwich City knew they had to keep |newspaper=Eastern Daily Press |last=Bailey |first=Michael |date=10 June 2013 |access-date=31 August 2021}}</ref> Bellamy reached a turning point in his career when his girlfriend Claire became pregnant while he was a youth player. He has credited this as a catalyst for his career that saw him become more determined to become a professional footballer, stating, "I have had the career I have had because of that moment when Claire phoned me up to tell me she was pregnant".<ref name="auto">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=44}}</ref> At the end of the first year of his YTS deal, Bellamy was the only player promoted to the club's reserve side by coach [[Mike Phelan]].<ref>{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=42}}</ref>

Bellamy signed his first professional contract with Norwich when he turned 16, earning £250 a week, with the option to renegotiate after ten first-team appearances.<ref name="gf4650"/> He made his professional debut for Norwich on 15 March 1997 under manager [[Mike Walker (Welsh footballer)|Mike Walker]] at the age of 17, as an injury-time [[Substitute (association football)|substitute]] in a 2–0 defeat to [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] in the [[Football League First Division|First Division]], the second tier of the [[English football league system]]. Remarking on the rushed nature of his appearance, he said, "It all felt very last minute. I was wearing a [[Kit (association football)|kit]] about three sizes too big for me, I touched the ball twice, we lost 2–0 and it was over."<ref name="gf4650"/> Two further substitute appearances in fixtures against [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] and [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] followed before the end of the season.<ref name=ssn9697/> 

Bellamy made his first career start for Norwich in the opening month of the following season in the first round of the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] against [[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]] on 12 August 1997, and started in the league for the first time on 20 September against Manchester City.<ref name=ssn9798/> During the early stages of the campaign, Bellamy played his tenth match for the first team, leading to new contract negotiations. Despite an attempt by newly-promoted [[Premier League]] side Crystal Palace to sign him for £2 million, he chose to extend his deal with Norwich.<ref>{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=53}}</ref> On 1 November, Bellamy scored his first senior goal, the opener in a 2–2 home [[Tie (draw)|draw]] with [[Bury F.C.|Bury]]. He received his first career [[Penalty card#Red card|red card]] on 7 February 1998 in the 23rd minute against Manchester City, but finished his first full season with 13 goals from 38 appearances, while playing mostly as a central [[midfielder]].<ref name=ssn9798/>

As a young player, Bellamy was unafraid to voice his opinion to more senior members of the squad. His approach annoyed some teammates who sought retribution during training sessions; Bellamy later commented, "one or two of them would try to clean me out with flying tackles. They wanted to bring me down a peg or two."<ref name="gf5657">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=56–57}}</ref> One training session left him "nearly in tears" after [[Kevin Scott (footballer)|Kevin Scott]] repeatedly singled him out. Bellamy won support from his midfield partner, the experienced [[Peter Grant (footballer, born 1965)|Peter Grant]], who struck up a friendship with Bellamy.<ref name="gf5657"/> [[Bruce Rioch]] was appointed Norwich manager in 1998 and instantly moved Bellamy from central midfield to attack. The decision reaped rewards immediately; Bellamy scored seven goals in his first eight league appearances of the campaign, including his first career [[hat-trick]] on 22 August 1998 in a 4–2 home win over [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]].<ref name=ssn9899/> By November, he was one of the leading goalscorers in the First Division and was rewarded with a new five-year contract.<ref>{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=60}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001730/19981114/401/0058 |url-access=subscription |title=Top Scorers |newspaper=Evening Herald |page=58 |date=14 November 1998 |access-date=27 March 2021 |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref>

In December 1998, Bellamy suffered an injury to his left knee following a high challenge by [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] defender [[Kevin Muscat]] that ruled him out for two months and left him with a puncture wound in his kneecap caused by one of Muscat's [[Cleat (shoe)|studs]].<ref name="gf7678">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=76–78}}</ref> The tackle caused so much consternation that Rioch had to be physically restrained by his coaching staff while Bellamy's Norwich teammate [[Iwan Roberts]] later admitted taking revenge on Muscat by stamping on his back when the pair met in a match two years later.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002321/19981213/772/0079 |url-access=subscription |title=Wolves 2 Norwich 2 |newspaper=Sunday Tribune |page=79 |date=13 December 1998 |access-date=27 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/roberts-could-face-ban-1-65334 |title=Roberts could face ban |newspaper=East Anglia Daily Times |date=29 June 2004 |access-date=30 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530200318/https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/roberts-could-face-ban-1-65334 |archive-date=30 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Bellamy continued to experience soreness in the knee after his return for the remainder of the season but ended the campaign with a career high 19 goals in all competitions.<ref name=ssn9899/><ref name="gf7678"/> 

In a pre-season friendly against [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] prior to the following season, Bellamy ruptured his cruciate ligaments in an innocuous challenge with an opposition defender and was ruled out for between six and eight months.<ref name="gf7678"/> He made his return to the first team against [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] on 22 April 2000 and finished the season by scoring goals in consecutive matches against [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]] and [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]].<ref name="gf8388">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=83–85}}</ref> Interest in Bellamy grew during the summer; Norwich rejected an offer of £3.5 million by [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]] while [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] showed interest but held back from making a bid because they were waiting to sell [[Duncan Ferguson]] to finance the transfer.<ref name="gf8388"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7132702.magpies-scuppered-move-bellamy/ |title=Magpies scuppered in move for Bellamy |newspaper=The Northern Echo |date=16 August 2000 |access-date=31 August 2021}}</ref>

===Coventry City===
As Newcastle stalled over a bid, [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] offered a club-record £6 million to sign Bellamy, which Norwich accepted. Bellamy was reluctant to join the club, preferring a move to Newcastle; he met with Coventry manager [[Gordon Strachan]] to discuss the transfer. Bellamy did not employ an [[Sports agent|agent]] at the time so asked his financial advisor to attend the meeting. His advisor had recently met former footballer [[John Fashanu]] and telephoned him for advice, leading to Fashanu arriving at the meeting unannounced. The pressure of the situation led Bellamy to agree to the move but he regretted his decision, commenting, "They were persuasive. I felt undermined by the mess with Fashanu. I wanted to save face with Strachan. I felt stressed. My chest was tight because I'm asthmatic. I was struggling to breathe properly because I was so tense. I was in a state. So I did what everybody had told me not to do. I told Strachan I'd sign."<ref name="gf8388"/>

Bellamy became Coventry's record signing, joining on 16 August 2000 as a replacement for [[Robbie Keane]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Canary Bellamy To Turn Sky Blue |url=http://www.cwn.org.uk/skyblues/2000/08/000816-bellamy-offer.htm |date=16 August 2000 |website=cwn.org.uk|access-date=11 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012013948/http://www.cwn.org.uk/skyblues/2000/08/000816-bellamy-offer.htm|archive-date=12 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> He made his Premier League debut on the opening day of the [[2000–01 in English football|2000–01 season]] in a 3–1 defeat to [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] and converted a penalty in the following game, a 2–1 victory over [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]].<ref name="gf92">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=92}}</ref> He endured a poor start to his career with Coventry, however, scoring only three league goals—two of which were penalties—by the start of December as the club found itself in the relegation zone. On 10 December 2000, he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 victory over [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] to gain his side three crucial points and Bellamy's form improved further after the arrival of his Wales strike-partner [[John Hartson]]. Coventry were relegated at the end of the 2000–01 season after the team finished 19th in the Premier League. Bellamy ended his only season at Coventry with eight goals from 39 appearances. His tally of six in the league resulted in him finishing as the club's joint-highest goalscorer in the league, tied with Hartson and [[Mustapha Hadji]].<ref name="gf97">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=97}}</ref> After leaving the club, Bellamy said, "I never once enjoyed it at Coventry. I felt quite demoralised. I had enjoyed myself so much at Norwich&nbsp;– but I found I had taken a backward step."<ref>{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Terry |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city/cardiff-city-fc/2010/10/18/craig-bellamy-prepared-for-hot-coventry-reception-91466-27490380/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505144751/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city/cardiff-city-fc/2010/10/18/craig-bellamy-prepared-for-hot-coventry-reception-91466-27490380/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2013 |title=Craig Bellamy prepared for hot Coventry reception |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |date=18 October 2010 |access-date=30 May 2019}}</ref>

=== Newcastle United ===
====Bobby Robson era====
Coventry looked to reduce their wage bill following relegation and accepted an offer of £6.5 million from Newcastle United for Bellamy.<ref name="gf97"/><ref>{{cite news |last=McNulty |first=Phil |title=Robson's transfer troubles |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/1437354.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 July 2001|access-date=11 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030404113834/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/1437354.stm|archive-date=4 April 2003|url-status=live}}</ref> Newcastle manager [[Bobby Robson]] later wrote that Bellamy was "a great player wrapped round an unusual and volatile character".<ref name="Robson 2009-10-23">{{cite book |last1=Robson |first1=Bobby |first2=Paul |last2=Hayward |title=Farewell but not Goodbye |publisher=Hodder & Stoughton |year=2005 |page=[https://archive.org/details/farewellbutnotgo0000robs/page/214 214] |chapter=Jekyll and Hyde |isbn=0-340-82346-1|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/farewellbutnotgo0000robs/page/214}}</ref> Bellamy's Newcastle debut came in the [[UEFA Intertoto Cup]], with the club drawn against Belgian side [[K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen|Lokeren]]. In the first leg, Newcastle secured a 4–0 victory, in which Bellamy [[Assist (association football)|assisted]] [[Wayne Quinn]] and [[Shola Ameobi]] before scoring his first goal for the club in the second leg.<ref name="gf108">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=108}}</ref> Bellamy scored his first Premier League goal for Newcastle in a 1–1 draw against [[Tyne–Wear derby|local rivals]] [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] at [[St James' Park]] on 28 August 2001.<ref>{{cite news |last=May |first=John |title=Bellamy's transformation |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1930876.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 April 2002|access-date=2 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012074509/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1930876.stm|archive-date=12 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Two weeks later, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–1 victory over [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]] in the League Cup, scoring all three goals within 12 minutes.<ref name="gf112113">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=112–113}}</ref> Newcastle enjoyed a positive start to the season and moved into first place on 18 December 2001 after a 3–1 win over [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]. Bellamy was shown a straight red card in the match after being adjudged to have swung an arm at [[Ashley Cole]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Newcastle hit top spot |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1711251.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 December 2001|access-date=2 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713153908/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/1711251.stm|archive-date=13 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> although the decision was overturned on appeal.<ref name="gf117119">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=117–119}}</ref> Under Robson, Bellamy formed a productive strike partnership with [[Alan Shearer]]; the pair scored 41 goals between them during his first year.<ref name="gf112113"/><ref name="sb0102"/><ref>{{Soccerbase season|7218|2001|name=Alan Shearer|access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref> Bellamy remarked that his pace and creativity complemented Shearer's game.<ref name="gf112113"/>

Bellamy was one of three players sent home from a winter training camp in [[La Manga]] after missing a team meal in honour of former chairman [[John Hall (English businessman)|John Hall]]. The group were said to be unaware of the significance of the dinner and had stayed on at a local restaurant.<ref name="gf117119"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/craig-bellamy-lifts-lid-being-4045734 |title=Craig Bellamy lifts the lid on being sent home from NUFC winter break |publisher=Chronicle Live |last=Cameron |first=Neil |date=4 June 2013 |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref> Later in the season, he was given a police caution for common assault after being accused of throwing a student out of teammate [[Kieron Dyer]]'s car before kicking her.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/craig-hit-kicked-floor-1675525 |title=Craig hit and kicked me as I was on floor |publisher=Chronicle Live |date=9 February 2002 |access-date=22 May 2019}}</ref> Bellamy refuted the accusations and stated the incident was sparked by the student slamming the car door on his leg after she refused to get out.<ref name="gf122">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=122}}</ref> Newcastle's title challenge gradually faded and Bellamy missed most of the season's final months after tearing a tendon during a match against Sunderland. He featured once in the last three months of the campaign as Newcastle finished fourth. In his first season, Bellamy scored 14 goals for the side and was awarded the [[PFA Young Player of the Year]] award.<ref name="gf128129">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=128–129}}</ref>

Bellamy underwent knee surgery during the summer break and was originally expected to be fit in time for the new season. His rehabilitation, however, was slow and he missed Newcastle's first four fixtures of the season.<ref name="gf130134">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=130–134}}</ref> After returning from injury, Bellamy made his [[UEFA Champions League]] debut against Ukrainian side [[FC Dynamo Kyiv|Dynamo Kyiv]] and was later given a retrospective three-match ban for headbutting [[Tiberiu Ghioane]] in the latter stages of the match.<ref name="gf130134"/> On 13 November 2002, he scored two goals, including a 90th-minute winner, in a 3–2 win over [[Feyenoord Rotterdam|Feyenoord]], which took Newcastle into the second group stage of [[2002–03 UEFA Champions League|the tournament]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/nov/14/championsleague.sport3 |title=Newcastle celebrate Bellamy's £10m jackpot winner |date=14 November 2002 |newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=6 March 2012 |location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910025649/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/nov/14/championsleague.sport3|archive-date=10 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Complications from his knee surgery caused problems throughout the season; inflammation occurred consistently after matches, leaving him struggling for fitness the following week.<ref name="gf130134"/> 

In the second round of the Champions League, during a 4–1 home defeat to [[Internazionale]], Bellamy received the fastest red card in the competition's history when he was sent off for swinging an arm at opposition defender [[Marco Materazzi]] five minutes into the game. Bellamy reacted to being pinched, which resulted in him receiving a three-match ban.<ref>{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=136}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bellamy gets three-game ban |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/2580383.stm|access-date=21 February 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040626232445/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/2580383.stm|archive-date=26 June 2004|url-status=live}}</ref> Bellamy began suffering from [[tendinitis]] in his knee and, following the death of his grandmother, experienced personal issues that culminated in an argument outside a Cardiff nightclub with a stranger. He was charged with the use of racially aggravated language over the incident.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/bellamy-on-racist-charges-1.364690 |title=Bellamy on racist charges |newspaper=The Irish Times |last=Walker |first=Michael |date=2 July 2003 |access-date=24 May 2019}}</ref> The charges were later dropped but Bellamy was convicted of using foul and abusive language and fined £750.<ref name="gf146150">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=146–150}}</ref> He finished the 2002–03 season with nine goals in 37 appearances as Newcastle finished in third position.<ref name="sb0203"/>

During mid-2003, Bellamy was advised that he required surgery on his knee but decided to postpone the operation to play in two [[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying|Euro 2004 qualifying matches]] for Wales at the start of the [[2003–04 in English football|2003–04 season]]. He missed several matches for Newcastle to ensure he was fit for Wales's matches. This decision angered Newcastle chairman [[Freddy Shepherd]], who tried to block Bellamy from appearing for Wales until he returned to action for his club side. Shepherd threatened to sue the [[Football Association of Wales]] (FAW) if Bellamy featured for Wales but this was later dismissed.<ref name="gf146150"/> Bellamy underwent the surgery but returned to Newcastle to be informed by Shepherd the club were willing to sell Bellamy if he failed to return to form.<ref name="gf152">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=152}}</ref> He missed more than three months of the campaign in recovery before returning to first-team action on 31 January 2004 in a 1–1 draw with [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]].<ref name="sb0304"/> Bellamy enjoyed a prolific scoring run following his return, scoring seven goals in two months before his season was ended due to a pulled [[hamstring]] as Newcastle finished fifth.<ref name="gf156">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=156}}</ref> In March 2004, media reports stated Bellamy threw a chair at first-team coach [[John Carver (footballer)|John Carver]] after a public argument between the pair. The altercation occurred when the squad was travelling to play a [[2003–04 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]] fixture with [[Real Mallorca]] and Bellamy refused to travel. Robson persuaded Bellamy to attend the match after a lengthy discussion; Bellamy praised Robson's handling of the incident and blamed the argument with Carver on pranks that had got out of hand.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/24/newsstory.sport2 |title=Bellamy brawls with team coach |newspaper=The Guardian |last=Walker |first=Michael |date=23 March 2004 |access-date=28 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=101–102}}</ref>

====Graeme Souness era====

The arrival of [[Patrick Kluivert]] from [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] provided increased competition for Bellamy going into the [[2004–05 in English football|2004–05 season]] and the sale of his Wales international teammate [[Gary Speed]] further weakened his position at the club.<ref name="gf156"/> After a poor start to the season, Robson was sacked after four league matches. His replacement was [[Graeme Souness]], a coach with a reputation as a disciplinarian and he quickly clashed with Bellamy.<ref name="gf163">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=163}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2325210/souness-blasts-bellamy |title=Souness Blasts Bellamy |publisher=Sky Sports |last=Buckingham |first=Mark |access-date=2 September 2021}}</ref> The pair had a public argument when Bellamy was pictured swearing at Souness after being substituted during a match and later had a physical altercation during a training session.<ref name="gf170173">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=170–173}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Connor |first1=Michael |title=Bellamy and Souness clash in training |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/oct/20/newsstory.sport4|access-date=21 February 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=20 October 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222044032/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/oct/20/newsstory.sport4|archive-date=22 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The two stated the rift had been healed after Bellamy scored a last-minute-winning goal in a 4–3 victory over Manchester City in late October.<ref name="left"/> His last goal for the club came in a [[2004–05 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]] group stage match against [[Sporting CP]] in December, a 1–1 draw at St. James' Park; it was his 10th goal for Newcastle that season.<ref name=ssn0405/>

On 23 January 2005 Bellamy was omitted from the team for a Premier League match with [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] at [[Arsenal Stadium|Highbury]], which Newcastle lost 1–0. Before the match, Souness stated Bellamy was left out because of a hamstring problem but in a post-match interview said it was because Bellamy was unwilling to play as a right-sided [[midfielder]].<ref name="left">{{cite news |last=Winter |first=Henry |title=Bellamy left out after refusing to play on right |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2354225/Bellamy-left-out-after-refusing-to-play-on-right.html |newspaper=Telegraph |date=24 January 2005 |location=London|access-date=3 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222111828/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2354225/Bellamy-left-out-after-refusing-to-play-on-right.html|archive-date=22 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="opta">{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2371125/opta-jury-craig-bellamy |title=Opta Jury: Craig Bellamy |publisher=Sky Sports |last=Alexander |first=Duncan |access-date=1 September 2021}}</ref> Minutes later, Bellamy gave an interview saying he was prepared to play in any position for his club. With his Newcastle career in doubt, Bellamy later revealed he had feigned injury to leave a training session shortly before the Arsenal match.<ref name="gf170173"/> Days later, Bellamy argued with Shearer and in an interview accused Souness of lying about him and his commitment to the club.<ref>{{cite news |title=Souness slams door on Bellamy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jan/25/newsstory.sport |work=The Guardian |last=Walker |first=Michael |date=25 January 2005 |access-date=4 June 2019}}</ref> Souness responded by stating that Bellamy would never play for Newcastle again while he was manager and the club fined Bellamy two weeks' wages (about £80,000, around £120,000 in 2020).<ref name="Spellman">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-souness-it-was-bellamy-or-me-1528417.html |title=Souness: It was Bellamy or me |newspaper=The Independent |last=Spellman |first=Damian |date=2 February 2005 |access-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526114107/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-souness-it-was-bellamy-or-me-1528417.html |archive-date=26 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Bellamy was told to apologise to Souness but refused to do so and was subsequently excluded from first-team training.<ref name="gf170173"/>  Bellamy ended his Newcastle career with a total of 42 goals from 128 appearances.<ref>{{cite news |title=Newcastle fine Bellamy after row |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4194437.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 January 2005|access-date=22 February 2007}}</ref><ref name=ssn0405/>

=== Celtic loan ===
On 31 January 2005, Bellamy joined [[Scottish Premier League]] side [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] on loan for the remainder of the season. Celtic had the option of making the transfer permanent at the end of the loan. Following his departure, Souness stated it was "him or me" at Newcastle and that allowing Bellamy to remain would have ended his managerial career. He also criticised Bellamy's goalscoring record, commenting; "he's averaged 9.3 goals per season. Half of those were not in the top flight. We need two strikers near 20 goals."<ref name="Spellman"/> Bellamy rejected a £6 million transfer to [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] to move to Celtic.<ref name="Spellman"/> He made his debut for the club in a 2–0 defeat against Celtic's [[Old Firm]] rivals [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] on 20 February.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4278053.stm |title=Celtic 0–2 Rangers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 February 2005 |access-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928205554/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/4278053.stm |archive-date=28 September 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The following week, he scored his first goal in a 5–0 win against [[Scottish First Division]] side [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]] in the [[2004–05 Scottish Cup|Scottish Cup]].<ref name="ssn0405"/> 

Bellamy scored a hat-trick for Celtic against [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] during a 3–2 victory and later scored the opening goal in a 2–1 victory over Rangers at Ibrox, a crucial game for Celtic.<ref name="ssn0405"/> On the final day of the season, Celtic led rivals Rangers by two points heading into the team's final fixture against [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]] but suffered a defeat that, coupled with a Rangers win over [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]], cost them the title.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/4565659.stm |title=Motherwell 2–1 Celtic |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 May 2005 |access-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526192525/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/4565659.stm |archive-date=26 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Bellamy's last game of his loan spell was the [[2005 Scottish Cup Final]], in which he secured the first major trophy of his career after Celtic defeated Dundee United 1–0 at [[Hampden Park]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/4586123.stm |title=Celtic 1–0 Dundee United |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2005 |access-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322220213/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_div_1/4586123.stm |archive-date=22 March 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Bellamy finished the season having scored 19 goals altogether for Newcastle and Celtic.<ref name="ssn0405"/>

Bellamy's club and international strike partner John Hartson wanted him to make his transfer permanent, saying "He'll never get the adulation he receives here anywhere else, even if he were to sign for Manchester United, Liverpool or Arsenal".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grahame |first1=Ewing |title=Hopeful signs for Bellamy and Celtic |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2359455/Hopeful-signs-for-Bellamy-and-Celtic.html|access-date=21 February 2018 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=11 May 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222043952/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2359455/Hopeful-signs-for-Bellamy-and-Celtic.html|archive-date=22 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Celtic, however, were unable to meet Newcastle's valuation of Bellamy or his wage demands.<ref name="gf183186">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=183–186}}</ref>

=== Blackburn Rovers ===
With Newcastle seeking to sell, Bellamy attracted interest from numerous clubs, including [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]] and [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]], before agreeing terms with [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] following discussions with manager [[David Moyes]]. Bellamy, however, backed out of the transfer after his final meeting with Moyes, describing him as "tense and hostile".<ref name="gf183186"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/bellamy-escapes-to-blackburn-297591.html |title=Bellamy escapes to Blackburn |newspaper=The Independent |last=Hunter |first=Andy |date=8 July 2013 |access-date=1 September 2021}}</ref> He instead signed for [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], managed by his former Wales coach [[Mark Hughes]], for an undisclosed fee.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SPORT/football/07/08/england.bellamy/index.html |publisher=CNN |title=Bellamy completes Blackburn switch |date=8 July 2005 | access-date=11 October 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012040430/http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SPORT/football/07/08/england.bellamy/index.html | archive-date=12 October 2013 | url-status=live}}</ref> Bellamy described the presence of Hughes and Wales teammate [[Robbie Savage]] as a major factor in his decision to join the side.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/5781126.came-rovers/ |title=Why I Came to Rovers |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=8 July 2005 |access-date=1 October 2021}}</ref> He made his debut on the opening day of the [[2005–06 in English football|2005–06 season]] in a 3–1 defeat to [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] but picked up a thigh strain that ruled him out for several weeks.<ref name="gf188">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=188}}</ref> Although his early months at the club were disrupted with injury, featuring in only 13 matches by the end of December,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6232646.wont-rush-bellamy/ |title=We Won't Rush Bellamy |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |date=21 December 2005 |access-date=1 October 2021}}</ref> he scored 17 goals for Rovers in 2005–06 in all competitions, including a career-high top tier total of 11 in 20 appearances, in a successful but injury-tempered season.<ref name="gf190193">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=190–193}}</ref><ref name="opta"/>

Blackburn finished in sixth place in the Premier League as Hughes built the team's attack around Bellamy. The top-six finish marked a vast improvement on the previous season's 15th position, qualifying the club for the [[2006–07 UEFA Cup]]. The side also reached the semi-finals of the League Cup before being eliminated by [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]. Bellamy was subsequently given the club's inaugural Player of the Year award, which was voted for by fans,<ref name="gf190193"/><ref name="hail">{{cite news |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/750736.star-bellamy-hails-team-effort/ |title=Star Bellamy hails team effort |newspaper=Lancashire Telegraph |last=Neild |first=Andy |date=4 May 2006 |access-date=1 September 2021}}</ref> and Hughes discussed plans with Bellamy to appoint him team [[Captain (association football)|captain]] for the following season. Bellamy has credited Hughes with "restoring his career" during his time at Blackburn.<ref name="gf190193"/>

=== Liverpool ===
On 20 June 2006, Bellamy was the subject of a £6 million transfer bid from [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], triggering a clause in his contract that obliged Blackburn to allow him permission to talk to the club.<ref>{{cite news |title=Liverpool wrap up Bellamy switch |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/5097454.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 June 2006|access-date=1 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206042805/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/5097454.stm|archive-date=6 December 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Blackburn had previously opened discussions about paying £2 million to remove the clause with Bellamy but negotiations had not been completed when Liverpool made their bid. Liverpool manager [[Rafael Benítez]] had identified Bellamy as a replacement for [[Djibril Cissé]], who had suffered a broken leg during an international fixture.<ref name="gf190193"/> As a boyhood fan of the club, Bellamy described the move as "like a dream" and took a reduction in wages to join Liverpool.<ref name="gf196">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=196}}</ref>

Bellamy made a goalscoring debut for Liverpool against [[Maccabi Haifa F.C.|Maccabi Haifa]] in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round on 9 August 2006, in a 2–1 victory.<ref name="gf201205">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=201–205}}</ref> He went on to set up the winning goal for [[Peter Crouch]] in the 81st minute of the [[2006 FA Community Shield]] with a [[Cross (association football)|cross]] from the left-hand corner of the {{convert|18|yard|metre|abbr=out}} box.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4780739.stm |title=Chelsea 1–2 Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 August 2006 |access-date=26 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526201933/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4780739.stm |archive-date=26 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> His first months at the club were overshadowed by an impending court case over an alleged assault of two women in a Cardiff nightclub in February 2006. The case reached court in November but was dismissed by the judge; the defence stated that the prosecution's evidence "was a shambles".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6157425.stm |work=BBC News |title=Craig Bellamy cleared of assault |date=29 November 2006 | access-date=13 January 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831043449/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6157425.stm | archive-date=31 August 2010 | url-status=live}}</ref> In his first appearance following the court case, Bellamy scored two goals during a 4–0 victory over [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] on 2 December 2006. He continued his good form throughout the month, scoring two weeks later against [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] and soon after against [[Watford F.C.|Watford]].<ref name="gf201205"/>

In February 2007, Bellamy was involved in a fight with teammate [[John Arne Riise]] during a training session in Portugal ahead of a Champions League tie with Barcelona.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bellamy faces uncertain future as Liverpool reel from golf club attack |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/feb/19/newsstory.sport3 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=19 February 2007|access-date=22 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221035805/http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2016248,00.html|archive-date=21 February 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> The pair had argued in a bar on the final night before Riise had returned to his hotel room. Bellamy, fuelled by alcohol, remained irate and went to Riise's hotel room with a golf club. Finding the room unlocked, Bellamy entered to find his teammate asleep. Bellamy later stated, "I just whacked him across the buttocks with the club. You couldn't really call it a swing. It was just a thwack really."<ref name="gf208211">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=208–211}}</ref> Riise refuted Bellamy's description in his own autobiography and said the incident was much more violent and that Bellamy took several forceful swings with the club at him before leaving.<ref name="golf">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2018/dec/28/craig-bellamy-raised-the-club-and-swung-he-could-have-ended-my-career-john-arne-riise-liverpool |title=Craig Bellamy swung the golf club hard. He could have ended my career |newspaper=The Guardian |date=28 December 2018 |access-date=30 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328120411/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2018/dec/28/craig-bellamy-raised-the-club-and-swung-he-could-have-ended-my-career-john-arne-riise-liverpool |archive-date=28 March 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Bellamy apologised to Riise the next morning. He was fined two weeks wages by the club.<ref name="golf"/> The incident earned him the nickname "The Nutter with the Putter" in the media.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ogden |first=Mark |title=Manchester City's Craig Bellamy is rewarding unwavering trust shown by Mark Hughes |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-city/6219576/Manchester-Citys-Craig-Bellamy-is-rewarding-unwavering-trust-shown-by-Mark-Hughes.html |newspaper=Telegraph |date=23 September 2009|access-date=1 November 2010 |location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030231550/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-city/6219576/Manchester-Citys-Craig-Bellamy-is-rewarding-unwavering-trust-shown-by-Mark-Hughes.html|archive-date=30 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the first match following the incident, a [[2006–07 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] last-16 round match against Barcelona, Bellamy [[Goal celebration|celebrated his goal]] that tied the score at 1–1 by emulating a golf stroke.<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news |title=Football's best and worst goal celebrations |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/6250946/Football-goal-celebrations-best-and-worst.html |access-date=11 October 2018 |work=The Telegraph |date=16 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010213538/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/6250946/Football-goal-celebrations-best-and-worst.html |archive-date=10 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Although Liverpool had a disappointing finish in the Premier League, they reached the [[2007 Champions League Final|final]] of the Champions League where they lost 2–1 to [[A.C. Milan]] with Bellamy an unused substitute. He expressed frustration over Benitez's decision to use his final substitute in the match to make a defensive change despite trailing 2–0. During the plane flight home, Benitez informed Bellamy the club were planning to sign a new forward at the end of the season and that he was free to move on.<ref name="gf221223">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=221–223}}</ref>

=== West Ham United ===
Everton and Aston Villa again enquired about Bellamy; [[Sam Allardyce]], who was manager of Newcastle, was rejected over a suggested swap deal involving [[Michael Owen]]. Bellamy instead moved to [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] on 10 July 2007 for a fee of £7.5 million, signing a five-year contract as the club brought in several new players including [[Kieron Dyer]] and [[Scott Parker]] under new chairman [[Eggert Magnússon]].<ref name="gf233">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=233}}</ref> The fee paid for Bellamy was a club record at the time.<ref>{{cite news |date=10 July 2007 |url=http://www.whufc.com/news/?page_id=9271 |title=Bellamy completes Hammers move |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |access-date=10 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713061128/http://www.whufc.com/news/?page_id=9271 |archive-date=13 July 2007}}</ref> He made his West Ham debut in an opening-day 2–0 home defeat by Manchester City on 11 August.<ref>{{cite news |date=11 August 2007 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/6931065.stm |title=West Ham 0–2 Man City |publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=12 August 2007 |first=Chris |last=Bevan | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814190509/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6931065.stm | archive-date=14 August 2007 | url-status=live}}</ref> His first two goals for the club were scored in a 2–1 League Cup victory against [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] two weeks later.<ref>{{cite news |date=28 August 2007 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/6963487.stm |title=Bristol Rovers 1–2 West Ham |publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=29 August 2007}}</ref> Bellamy and his wife saw the birth of their third child during his early period at West Ham. He later described how being away from the family home in Cardiff for extended periods caused him to suffer from homesickness for the first time since he was a youth player.<ref name="gf236239">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=236–239}}</ref> He also began suffering from [[arthritis]] that required surgery; he made a brief return in October, playing two matches for Wales and one for West Ham. The injury, however, continued causing problems and after playing in a 1–0 defeat to Wigan in February, he was ruled out for the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bellamy out for rest of season but Dyer recovery softens blow to West Ham |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/feb/12/newsstory.westhamunited |newspaper=The Guardian |last1=Wilson |first1=Simon |last2=Weaver |first2=Paul |date=12 February 2009|access-date=27 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314150819/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/feb/12/newsstory.westhamunited|archive-date=14 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bellamy spent mid-2008 in the [[Algarve]] training with a physiotherapist to regain fitness. A hamstring injury sustained in a pre-season fixture against [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] disrupted Bellamy's start to the new season; he returned to action for West Ham in the third game of the 2008–09 season, scoring the third goal in a 4–1 win over Blackburn Rovers. Early in the season, manager [[Alan Curbishley]] was replaced by [[Gianfranco Zola]] but the club struggled for results.<ref name="gf236239"/> Bellamy attracted the attention of several clubs; in the January 2009 transfer window he was the subject of a bidding war between [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] and Manchester City. Tottenham bid an initial £6 million and eventually agreed a fee with West Ham but Bellamy refused to hand in a transfer request when West Ham asked him to, believing the club wanted to imply he had pushed for the transfer.<ref name="gf242245">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=242–245}}</ref> Two offers from Manchester City were rejected but on 18 January 2009, West Ham accepted from a third undisclosed bid from City, said to be around £14 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bellamy to seal £14m City switch |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/bellamy-to-seal-16314m-city-switch-1419310.html |newspaper=The Independent |last1=Burt |first1=Jason |last2=Herbert |first2=Ian |date=19 January 2009|access-date=19 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104602/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/bellamy-to-seal-16314m-city-switch-1419310.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Bellamy later said Tottenham manager [[Harry Redknapp]] informed him that, despite having no interest in the player, Manchester City had threatened to sign Redknapp's transfer target [[Wilson Palacios]] as retaliation for Tottenham signing Bellamy. Bellamy grew frustrated with the prolonged transfer negotiations and told staff at West Ham he wanted to remain and sign a new deal with the club. West Ham, however, continued with the move and accepted Manchester City's bid.<ref name="gf242245"/>

=== Manchester City ===
On 19 January 2009, Bellamy completed his move to Manchester City on a four-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £14 million, reuniting with his former Blackburn manager Mark Hughes.<ref>{{cite news |date=19 January 2009 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/7825118.stm |title=Man City complete Bellamy signing |publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=14 January 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228231643/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/7825118.stm | archive-date=28 February 2009 | url-status=live}}</ref> Hughes stated, "I'm sure Craig will be excellent for us, I think people will soon see why I wanted to bring him to the club".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fr.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/archive/2009/february/fire-in-the-bellamy |title=Fire in the Bellamy! |publisher=Manchester City F.C. |date=13 February 2009| access-date=6 November 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107023022/https://fr.mancity.com/news/first-team/first-team-news/archive/2009/february/fire-in-the-bellamy| archive-date=7 November 2017| url-status=live}}</ref> This took his career-total transfer fees to £47m.<ref>{{cite news |last=Abbandonato |first=Paul |title=Craig Bellamy set to be £43m man for Spurs |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2009/01/17/craig-bellamy-set-to-be-43m-man-for-spurs-91466-22712726/ |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |date=17 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015213713/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2009/01/17/craig-bellamy-set-to-be-43m-man-for-spurs-91466-22712726/ |archive-date=15 October 2012}}</ref> Bellamy arrived as part of Manchester City's increased spending following the investment of the [[Abu Dhabi United Group]]; [[Wayne Bridge]], [[Nigel de Jong]] and [[Shay Given]] also arrived within a week.<ref name="gf247251">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=247–251}}</ref> Bellamy marked his debut for Manchester City on 28 January by scoring the winning goal in a 2–1 win against Newcastle United at the [[City of Manchester Stadium]]. He scored again against [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] in the Premier League in a 1–0 win for City; it was his third appearance before scoring twice against [[FC Copenhagen]] in the [[UEFA Cup]] two weeks later.<ref name="ssn0809"/> Despite investment, the side lacked consistency in the league, which Bellamy attributed to a "clique" of Brazilian players who had arrived at the club; [[Robinho]], [[Elano]] and [[Gláuber (footballer, born 1983)|Gláuber]], with all of whom Bellamy clashed on several occasions.<ref name="gf247251"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/robinho-vs-bellamy-man-city-15975438 |title=Elano speaks out on Man City fight between Robinho and Craig Bellamy |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |last=Brennan |first=Stuart |date=14 March 2019 |access-date=1 September 2021}}</ref> He argued with the group on more than one occasion and accused them of lacking effort following a 2–0 defeat against [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] on 14 February 2009. Bellamy made only four further appearances during the season after suffering a knee injury against West Ham on 1 March.<ref name="gf247251"/>

Further player purchases ahead of the [[2009–10 in English football|2009–10 season]] increased competition for Bellamy; forwards [[Emmanuel Adebayor]] and [[Carlos Tevez]] both joined the club. Bellamy's first goal of the season came in City's 4–2 win over Arsenal on 12 September 2009, before he set up [[Shaun Wright-Phillips]] for City's fourth goal with a run from his own half.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8246825.stm |title=Man City 4&nbsp;– 2 Arsenal |date=12 September 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 September 2009 |first=Phil |last=McNulty|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916024245/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8246825.stm|archive-date=16 September 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> A week later, he scored two goals against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in a 4–3 defeat. His first goal was a {{Convert|20|yard|metre|adj=on}} strike from the edge of the {{Convert|18|yard|metre|adj=on}} box which was later named ''[[BBC Goal of the Month|Goal of the Month]]'' for September 2009.<ref name="gotm">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/6207330/Manchester-United-4-Manchester-City-3-match-report.html |title=Manchester United 4 Manchester City 3 |date=20 September 2009 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=21 September 2009 |first=Henry |last=Winter |location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924172001/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/6207330/Manchester-United-4-Manchester-City-3-match-report.html|archive-date=24 September 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> After the match, a fan invaded the pitch but was escorted from the field; Bellamy and the fan exchanged words, prompting the player to shove him in the face. Bellamy received no contact from the FA over the incident and Manchester City stated they would not discipline Bellamy,<ref name="gf257258">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=257–258}}</ref> instead offering their support to him.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/8265810.stm |title=Man City will not punish Bellamy |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 September 2009 |access-date=27 May 2019}}</ref> After a run of seven consecutive draws in the Premier League, during the last of which Bellamy was sent off for two bookable offences, Hughes was sacked as manager and replaced by [[Roberto Mancini]].<ref name="gf257258"/> The relationship between Bellamy and Mancini had a difficult start after a clash over training schedules. Mancini had introduced double sessions, which Bellamy struggled to undertake due to his long injury history. This escalated further when Bellamy missed two weeks after aggravating his knee during a clash with Manchester United supporters on a night out. After returning to training, the pair argued after Bellamy said he was unable to train for two consecutive days due to his personal fitness plan which angered Mancini.<ref name="gf262265">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=262–265}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/craig-bellamy-reveals-details-roberto-mancini-fall-out-2309159.html |title=Craig Bellamy reveals details of Roberto Mancini fall-out |newspaper=The Independent |date=22 October 2011 |access-date=1 September 2021}}</ref> Despite this, Bellamy remained a regular in the first team for the rest of the season, finishing the campaign with 11 goals in 40 appearances.<ref name=sb0910/>

In August 2010, Bellamy stated that he feared that he would be omitted from Manchester City's 25-man squad for the [[2010–11 Premier League]] season and hinted at retirement.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/8902161.stm |title=Craig Bellamy talks of quitting football |date=10 August 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=11 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100810193710/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/8902161.stm|archive-date=10 August 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> On 11 August 2010, he was left out of his club's 23-man [[Europa League]] squad to face [[FC Timişoara|Timișoara]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/8906622.stm |title=Craig Bellamy left out of Man City's European squad |date=11 August 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=11 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100811191455/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/8906622.stm|archive-date=11 August 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> The next week, Bellamy was allowed to train with [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]], fuelling speculation he might sign for his hometown club. When asked about such a move, Bellamy said he would "love to play for Cardiff".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8915964.stm |title=Craig Bellamy set to train with Cardiff City |date=16 August 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=16 August 2010}}</ref>

=== Cardiff City loan ===
On 17 August 2010, Bellamy signed for Cardiff City on a season-long loan from Manchester City.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8919925.stm |title=Craig Bellamy moves to Cardiff City on loan |date=17 August 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=17 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817195202/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8919925.stm|archive-date=17 August 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> Cardiff manager [[Dave Jones (football manager)|Dave Jones]] confirmed Bellamy would become team captain for the season with former captain [[Mark Hudson (footballer, born 1982)|Mark Hudson]] named club captain.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8926215.stm |title=Craig Bellamy to lead Cardiff City on debut |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 August 2010 |access-date=20 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819044719/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8926215.stm |archive-date=19 August 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> Manchester City had been wary of selling Bellamy to a potential divisional rival and had suggested the idea of a move to Cardiff, paying a large percentage of his wages to make the move.<ref name="gf269273">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=269–273}}</ref> He made his debut for Cardiff on 21 August in a 4–0 win over [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]], in which he scored from a {{Convert|35|yard|metre|adj=on}} free kick.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8918035.stm |title=Cardiff 4–0 Doncaster |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 August 2010|access-date=21 August 2010 |first=Peter |last=Shuttleworth}}</ref> After playing the subsequent game against Portsmouth, Bellamy missed the next five games due to a buildup of fluid on his knee that required rest. He returned and scored in a 2–1 win against [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]] on 2 October.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/9041360.stm |title=Barnsley 1–2 Cardiff |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 October 2010|access-date=2 October 2010}}</ref> 

Bellamy hoped to avoid further injury problems and hired [[Raymond Verheijen]], his former fitness coach at Manchester City, to work with him during the season and paid Verheijen's wages himself.<ref name="gf269273"/> Bellamy scored in four consecutive home-league matches against Coventry, Leeds, Watford and Reading but rarely trained as much as the first team to rest his knee, which was swelling profusely after games. He scored the winning goal in the [[South Wales derby]] against [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] on 6 February 2011 with a long-range shot in the final minutes of the match; it was the first time Cardiff had won at their rival's ground since 1997.<ref name="gf269273"/>

[[File:Craig Bellamy February 2011.jpg|thumb|Bellamy playing for Cardiff in 2011|alt=A footballer wearing a blue shirt and white shorts]]
Bellamy's influence on the Cardiff team proved pivotal in the push for promotion, which included a 2–2 draw with league leaders [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] in April in which he scored the second goal. Cardiff had led the game twice before [[Adel Taarabt]]'s brace held them to a draw.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13102880 |title=Cardiff 2–2 QPR |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 October 2010|access-date=2 October 2010}}</ref> Cardiff were challenging Norwich City for the second automatic promotion place in the final stages of the season when Norwich were due to meet [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]. Before the match, Bellamy telephoned his former Blackburn and international teammate [[Robbie Savage]] who played for Derby, and offered the players £30,000 if they won the match. Norwich, however, won 3–2 following a late-injury-time goal.<ref name="gf276278">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=276–278}}</ref> A defeat to Middlesbrough the following week confirmed a playoff place for Cardiff and Bellamy scored his last goal of the season with a volley in the 90th minute to draw away at [[Turf Moor]] against [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]].<ref name="gf276278"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13247282 |title=Burnley 1–1 Cardiff City |publisher=BBC Sport |last=Shuttleworth |first=Peter |date=7 May 2011 |access-date=27 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729073656/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13247282 |archive-date=29 July 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the play-offs, he suffered a hamstring injury in the opening 20 minutes of the first leg away to [[Reading F.C.|Reading]], forcing him out of the game.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/13324691.stm |title=Reading 0–0 Cardiff City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 May 2011 |access-date=27 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527205050/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/13324691.stm |archive-date=27 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Cardiff drew the match but were defeated 3–0 in the second leg with Bellamy absent.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13343340 |title=Cardiff City 0–4 Reading |publisher=BBC Sport |last=Hughes |first=Dewi |date=17 May 2011 |access-date=27 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729073721/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13343340 |archive-date=29 July 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Bellamy stated that he would like to stay with Cardiff beyond his loan spell to achieve his dream of them one day playing in the Premier League. After Cardiff manager Dave Jones' sacking, Bellamy became a surprise favourite to succeed him.<ref>{{cite news |title=Craig Bellamy is surprise favourite to succeed sacked Jones at Cardiff |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/30/craig-bellamy-favourite-cardiff-city-manager |newspaper=The Guardian |date=30 May 2011 |access-date=30 May 2011 |first=Stuart |last=James |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012235631/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/30/craig-bellamy-favourite-cardiff-city-manager |archive-date=12 October 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Instead, his former Norwich teammate [[Malky Mackay]] was appointed and did not confirm whether he would attempt to sign Bellamy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cardiff City match new manager Malky Mackay's ambitions |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13814758 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 June 2011 |access-date=17 June 2011}}</ref> Bellamy asked Manchester City to release him on a free transfer after they priced him at £4,000,000.<ref>{{cite news |title=Craig Bellamy 'pleading' with Manchester City for a free transfer |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2011/06/19/craig-bellamy-pleading-with-manchester-city-for-a-free-transfer-91466-28904236/ |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |date=19 June 2011 |access-date=7 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622034331/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2011/06/19/craig-bellamy-pleading-with-manchester-city-for-a-free-transfer-91466-28904236/ |archive-date=22 June 2011}}</ref>

=== Return to Liverpool ===
[[File:Craig Bellamy.JPG|thumb|Bellamy warming up before facing [[Fulham FC|Fulham]] while playing for [[Liverpool F.C|Liverpool]]|alt=A footballer warming up ahead of a game]]

Bellamy returned to Manchester City for pre-season training but was placed in the club's reserves and was excluded from the first team. He eventually reached a settlement with the club to cancel the final year of his contract, allowing him to leave. He received offers from Queens Park Rangers and [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] but rejected both when Liverpool and Tottenham showed an interest in him. Bellamy chose to return to Liverpool, swayed by [[Kenny Dalglish]]'s presence as manager.<ref name="gf279281">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=279–281}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=31 August 2011 |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/bellamy-signs-for-lfc |title=Bellamy signs for LFC |publisher=Liverpoolfc.tv |access-date=31 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926031523/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/bellamy-signs-for-lfc |archive-date=26 September 2011}}</ref> The following day, Cardiff City said they had failed in a last-minute bid for Bellamy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Craig Bellamy: Cardiff City reveal late bid for player |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14750601 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2011 |access-date=1 September 2011}}</ref> Bellamy said, "I've grown up with Kenny Dalglish, now to be signed by him is a massive honour. It's been a long couple of months, I had to be patient and believe something like this could happen."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14730645 |title=Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy rejoins Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 August 2011|access-date=3 September 2011}}</ref>

Bellamy's returning debut for Liverpool came against Stoke City in a 1–0 defeat at the [[Britannia Stadium]]. He scored his first post-return goal for Liverpool against [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]] in the League Cup on 21 September, while his first league goal of his second spell came a month later against Norwich City in a 1–1 draw.<ref name=sb1112/> On 27 November, Dalglish withdrew Bellamy from the team for the game against Manchester City following the suicide of his friend and coach [[Gary Speed]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/nov/27/craig-bellamy-liverpool-gary-speed |title=Craig Bellamy pulls out of Liverpool match after death of Gary Speed |newspaper=The Guardian |date=27 November 2011 |access-date=28 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528194958/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/nov/27/craig-bellamy-liverpool-gary-speed |archive-date=28 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Two days later, Bellamy returned to the team and recorded assists for both Liverpool goals in a 2–0 win over [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] in the [[2011–12 Football League Cup|League Cup]] quarter-final, describing it as "one of the best games I ever played".<ref name="gf289290"/> A visibly emotional Bellamy wept as the teams lined up before the match after Liverpool fans sang Speed's name and again on the bench after being substituted in the final minutes.<ref name="gf289290">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=289–290}}</ref> Speed's death prompted Bellamy to visit [[Steve Peters (psychiatrist)|Steve Rogers]], a psychologist, after fearing his own personal issues could leave him in a similar position.<ref name="gf294">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=294}}</ref>

Featuring largely as a squad player, Bellamy made regular appearances as a substitute but enjoyed a prolonged run in the first team during the Christmas period after [[Luis Suárez]] was banned for racially abusing an opponent.<ref name="gf292">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=292}}</ref> On 25 January 2012, Bellamy scored the equalising goal against Manchester City to give Liverpool a 3–2 win on [[Aggregate score#Total points series (aggregate)|aggregate]] in the League Cup semi-final.<ref>{{cite news |last=McNulty |first=Phil |title=Bellamy haunts old club as Reds book Wembley ticket |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2012/01/craig_bellamy_never_had_a.html |date=26 January 2012|access-date=11 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623220311/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2012/01/craig_bellamy_never_had_a.html|archive-date=23 June 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> In the final on 26 February, Liverpool met Cardiff City; Bellamy featured as a second-half substitute in place of [[Jordan Henderson]] but he did not take a penalty in the ensuing shootout after asking to be omitted from the five nominated takers.<ref name="gf297">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=297}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Bevan |first=Chris |title=Cardiff 2–2 Liverpool (Liverpool win 3–2 on penalties) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17093419 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 February 2012|access-date=11 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125212506/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17093419|archive-date=25 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Bellamy also played a pivotal role in the club's run to the FA Cup final, providing the assist for [[Andy Carroll]] to score the winning goal as Liverpool beat local rivals Everton 2–1 at Wembley to reach their first FA Cup final in six years.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 April 2012 |title=Dalglish hails Bellamy impact in Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final victory over Everton |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/04/18/3044584/dalglish-hails-bellamy-impact-in-liverpools-fa-cup-semi |publisher=Goal.com|access-date=18 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421065830/http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/04/18/3044584/dalglish-hails-bellamy-impact-in-liverpools-fa-cup-semi|archive-date=21 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> He started in the final against Chelsea, which Liverpool lost 2–1.<ref name="gf301">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=301}}</ref>

=== Return to Cardiff City ===
[[File:Craig Bellamy with Championship trophy.jpg|thumb|Bellamy holding the trophy after Cardiff won the [[2012–13 Football League Championship|2012–13 Championship]]|alt=A footballer holding a trophy]]

The death of Speed and the breakup of Bellamy's marriage prompted him to return to Cardiff to be closer to his children, despite new Liverpool manager [[Brendan Rodgers]] offering him the chance to stay.<ref name="gf310315">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=310–315}}</ref> Talks over a possible transfer began and on 10 August 2012, Bellamy completed his free transfer to Cardiff City on a two-year deal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rodgers confirms Bellamy talks |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11669/7973033? |publisher=Sky Sports |date=8 August 2012|access-date=28 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233549/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/7973033|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~2877395,00.html |title=Bellamy rejoins Cardiff City |publisher=Cardiff City F.C. |date=10 August 2012 |access-date=11 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918063115/http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10335~2877395%2C00.html |archive-date=18 September 2012}}</ref> He made the first appearance of his second spell a week later in a 1–0 win against [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield Town]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Cardiff 1–0 Huddersfield |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19205087 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 August 2012|access-date=18 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818010543/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19205087|archive-date=18 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> After one further appearance, he requested time off to deal with personal and injury issues and did not return to the first team until mid September. On his return, Bellamy scored with a {{Convert|20|yard|metre|adj=on}} free kick against Leeds United; Cardiff won the game 2–1.<ref name="gf310315"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19528081 |title=Cardiff City 2–1 Leeds United |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 September 2012 |access-date=28 May 2019}}</ref> Bellamy was injured during a league match against [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] in October; damage to his ankle ligaments ruled him out for nearly a month.<ref name="gf310315"/>

He returned to the side in November, featuring in back-to-back victories over Middlesbrough and Barnsley that put Cardiff top of the table. The side maintained its position for the rest of the season,<ref name="gf310315"/> and a goalless draw with Charlton on 16 April 2013 secured Cardiff's promotion to the top tier of English football for the first time in 52 years.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22075542 |title=Cardiff City 0–0 Charlton Athletic |publisher=BBC Sport |last=Hughes |first=Dewi |date=16 April 2013 |access-date=29 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330140435/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22075542 |archive-date=30 March 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Bellamy broke down in delight on the pitch at the end of the game, having achieved what he called "an impossible dream".<ref name="gf310315"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Roberts |first=Simon |title=Hometown hero Craig Bellamy enters Cardiff City folklore |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22153457 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 April 2013|access-date=11 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107030209/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22153457|archive-date=7 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bellamy's first goal of the [[2013–14 Premier League]] season on 1 February 2014 was his side's opener in a 2–1 victory over Norwich City. The goal meant Bellamy became the first player to score for seven different clubs in the Premier League.<ref name="polar">{{cite web |url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2016/06/11/the-polarisation-of-craig-bellamy/ |title=The Polarisation of Craig Bellamy |publisher=These Football Times |last=Salter |first=Scott |date=11 June 2016 |access-date=15 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.express.co.uk/pictures/sport/6483/strikers-goal-scored-six-or-more-Premier-League-teams-sportgalleries |title=Can you name the strikers who have scored for six or more Premier League teams? |newspaper=The Express |date=9 June 2016 |access-date=15 August 2019 |archive-date=15 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815121309/https://www.express.co.uk/pictures/sport/6483/strikers-goal-scored-six-or-more-Premier-League-teams-sportgalleries |url-status=dead }}</ref> He played 22 league games during the season but did not score another goal.<ref name=Retire>{{cite news |title=Cardiff City: Ex-Wales captain Craig Bellamy retires |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27529117|access-date=22 May 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523065438/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27529117|archive-date=23 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Bellamy retired from football on 22 May 2014, saying: <blockquote>I guess over the years I've become accustomed to the pain from various injuries, but for the last three to four years I've been on anti-inflammatories every day. I'm not sure my body will think that's a wise thing in due course, but it kept me playing for that period. However, the time has come to stand aside and say enough. My body can't take anymore.<ref name=Retire/></blockquote>

== International career ==

=== Wales ===
====Youth and senior arrival====
Bellamy first represented Wales at schoolboy level in 1994 but came under pressure in an under-performing side. The manager fielded telephone calls from the parents of other players who said Bellamy was too small to play in the side.<ref>{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=30}}</ref> He progressed through the [[Wales national under-17 football team|under-17]] and [[Wales national under-18 football team|under-18]] levels before manager [[Tom Walley]] called him up to the [[Wales national under-21 football team|under-21]] side for the first time at the age of 16. He made his debut as a substitute in a match against [[San Marino national under-21 football team|San Marino]], becoming the youngest player to represent the side.<ref name="gf4546">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=45–46}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/mar/26/newsstory.sport7 |title=Craig Bellamy Factfile |publisher=Sky Sports |date=26 March 2003 |access-date=1 September 2021}}</ref> Bellamy, however, began to regard the under-21 side as setting him back in his career as he was often relegated to the bench at Norwich after spending up to ten days at a time away on international duty. This led to him asking officials at Norwich to claim he was injured, sparing him from being named in the side.<ref name="gf4546"/>

Bellamy was called into the senior Wales squad in 1998 by manager [[Bobby Gould]], who was renowned for his unusual methods. During Bellamy's first training session with the first team, Gould was involved in a wrestling match with John Hartson that left Gould with a bloodied nose.<ref name="gf6267">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=62–67}}</ref><ref name="Gould">{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bobby-goulds-wales-years-words-15006078 |title=Bobby Gould's Wales years in his own words: The extraordinary true stories of a bizarre reign through the eyes of the man himself |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |last=Abbandonato |first=Paul |date=4 September 2018 |access-date=1 September 2021}}</ref> Bellamy made his international debut on 25 March 1998 at the age of 18 as a substitute in place of [[Gareth Taylor]] in a friendly game against [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaica]] at Ninian Park.<ref name="gf6267"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/wales-v-jamaica-25-march-1998-265276/ |title=Wales v Jamaica, 25 March 1998 |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=29 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518173441/https://www.11v11.com/matches/wales-v-jamaica-25-march-1998-265276/ |archive-date=18 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of the 1997–98 season, Bellamy was included in a squad for friendlies against [[Malta national football team|Malta]] and [[Tunisia national football team|Tunisia]], scoring his first international goal during a 3–0 victory against the former on 3 June 1998. A defeat to Tunisia resulted in a confrontation between Gould and the squad over the standard of the team. After a brief return to the under-21 side,<ref name="gf6267"/> Bellamy began to become a regular fixture in the senior squad during [[UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying]] and scored a late-winning goal in a match against [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/190805.stm |title=Welsh Warriors Conquer Denmark |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 October 1998 |access-date=29 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529123052/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/190805.stm |archive-date=29 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Gould was sacked after a 4–0 defeat to [[Italy national football team|Italy]] in June 1999.<ref name="gf73">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=73}}</ref>

When Mark Hughes was appointed as Wales' manager, Bellamy was suffering from injury and missed the first match to be played at the [[Millennium Stadium]], although he was included in the training squad. He returned at the end of the 1999–2000 season, playing in friendlies against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] and [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]].<ref name="gf84">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=84}}</ref> Under Hughes, Wales' form improved significantly and the side enjoyed a strong qualifying campaign for [[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying Group 9|UEFA Euro 2004]]. In their opening match, Wales defeated [[Finland national football team|Finland]] before facing Italy on 16 October 2002. Wales took an early lead through [[Simon Davies (footballer, born 1979)|Simon Davies]] before [[Alessandro Del Piero]] levelled after 30 minutes with a deflected free-kick.<ref name="gf139141">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=139–141}}</ref> In the 70th minute, Hartson received the ball and played-in Bellamy, who rounded [[Gianluigi Buffon]] to score Wales' winning goal.<ref name="gf139141"/><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/wales/2330095.stm |title=Bellamy burst stuns the Azzurri |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 October 2002 |access-date=5 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040609070540/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/wales/2330095.stm |archive-date=9 June 2004 |url-status=live}}</ref> Consecutive victories over [[Azerbaijan national football team|Azerbaijan]] put Wales into a strong position in the group but they failed to win any of last four matches, losing to [[Serbia and Montenegro national football team|Serbia and Montenegro]] (twice) and Italy, and drawing with Finland. Bellamy became involved in a row with his club side Newcastle over his participation after he postponed a knee operation to play in the qualifiers.<ref name="gf144150">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=144–150}}</ref> Wales finished second in the group, four points behind winners Italy, reaching a [[Two-legged tie|two-legged playoff]] match against [[Russia national football team|Russia]] for a place at the finals. Bellamy missed both legs due to his knee injury that had plagued him prior to the matches and Wales lost 1–0 on aggregate.<ref name="gf144150"/>

====Captaincy and retirement====
[[File:Craig Bellamy 2011 Wales.jpg|upright|thumb|Bellamy playing for Wales in 2011|alt=A footballer wearing a red kit]]

Hughes stepped down as Wales' manager in 2004 and was replaced by [[John Toshack]]. Bellamy missed most of the new manager's first year due to injury.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A138792730/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=e4e41161 |url-access=subscription |title=Toshack's relief at return of striking star Bellamy |newspaper=South Wales Echo |page=54 |date=16 November 2005 |access-date=29 May 2019 |via=InfoTrac Newsstand}}</ref> In October 2006, Toshack awarded Bellamy the captain's armband when [[Ryan Giggs]] was unavailable for a [[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying|Euro 2008 qualifying]] match against [[Slovakia national football team|Slovakia]] on 7 October 2006. The match ended in a 5–1 defeat at home to the Slovaks.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/5361822.stm |title=Wales 1–5 Slovakia |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 October 2006 |access-date=5 September 2010 |first=Sean |last=Davies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061127055028/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/5361822.stm |archive-date=27 November 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Four days later, in a match against [[Cyprus national football team|Cyprus]]—Bellamy's second as captain—he scored the third goal for Wales in a 3–1 win after setting up [[Robert Earnshaw]] for his side's second.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6031665.stm |title=Wales 3–1 Cyprus |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 October 2006 |access-date=5 September 2010 |first=Dewi |last=Hughes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823213307/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6031665.stm |archive-date=23 August 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref> Toshack praised Bellamy following the victory, stating, "Craig has been excellent. He has grown into the job since he has been with us, he has understood the extra responsibilities and it showed on the pitch."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A152665394/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=a1f4a307 |url-access=subscription |title=Toshack praises Bellamy as Wales bounce back |newspaper=Daily Post |page=45 |date=12 October 2006 |access-date=29 May 2019 |via=InfoTrac Newsstand}}</ref> When Giggs returned to the Wales squad in November 2006, Bellamy was relieved of the captaincy but was named vice-captain.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A153999057/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=7764a83e |url-access=subscription |title=Bellamy is relieved of armband by Giggs |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |page=42 |date=7 November 2006 |access-date=29 May 2019 |via=InfoTrac Newsstand}}</ref> In June 2007, Giggs announced his retirement from international football and Toshack named Bellamy as permanent captain.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Wales-captain-Craig-Bellamy-plans-to-lead-Germany-revolt-article53399.html |title=Wales captain plans to lead Germany revolt |newspaper=Daily Mirror |date=15 October 2008 |access-date=5 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022182245/http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Wales-captain-Craig-Bellamy-plans-to-lead-Germany-revolt-article53399.html |archive-date=22 October 2010}}</ref> Further injury problems restricted Bellamy's appearances for Wales; he missed nearly eight months between October 2007 and May 2008. He returned to win his 50th international cap in a friendly against [[Iceland national football team|Iceland]] on 29 May.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A179527324/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=421085da |url-access=subscription |title=Bellamy's return is big boost for Tosh |newspaper=South Wales Echo |date=29 May 2008 |access-date=29 May 2019 |via=InfoTrac Newsstand}}</ref>

In October 2010, a 'club v country' row emerged as Bellamy played a full match for Cardiff City despite his manager Dave Jones claiming Bellamy was too injured to play for Wales.<ref>{{cite web |last=Blanche |first=Phil |title=Bellamy return leaves Wales boss Flynn with egg on his face |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2010/10/03/bellamy-return-leaves-wales-boss-flynn-with-egg-on-his-face-91466-27389183/ |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |date=3 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005082202/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2010/10/03/bellamy-return-leaves-wales-boss-flynn-with-egg-on-his-face-91466-27389183/ |archive-date=5 October 2010}}</ref> Toshack resigned in September 2010 and Bellamy later criticised his former manager, stating; "The height of Toshack's ambitions appeared to be making sure we didn't get too heavily beaten rather than actually trying to win games. We didn't even try and compete and I found that hard."<ref name="gf283286">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=283–286}}</ref>

In December 2010, Gary Speed, Bellamy's former team-mate at both Newcastle and Wales, was appointed manager of Wales. Bellamy was planning to retire from international football due to continuing knee problems and to stand aside for a younger generation of players. He met with Speed in Cardiff to discuss his future. Speed persuaded Bellamy to prolong his international career but Bellamy decided to step down as captain because his fitness levels meant he was unlikely to play every match. Speed sought Bellamy's opinion on his replacement as captain; the pair agreed on [[Aaron Ramsey]], who was appointed soon after.<ref name="gf283286"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/aaron-ramsey-named-as-captain-of-wales-2252071.html |title=Aaron Ramsey named as captain of Wales |newspaper=The Independent |last=Hampson |first=Andy |date=24 March 2011 |access-date=29 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529210014/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/aaron-ramsey-named-as-captain-of-wales-2252071.html |archive-date=29 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Raymond Verheijen and Damian Roden, fitness coaches with whom Bellamy had previously worked, were also hired on his recommendation. Although Wales endured a disappointing start to the [[UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying]] campaign, Bellamy was encouraged by the progress being made under Speed's management, including victories over [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] and [[Norway national football team|Norway]].<ref name="gf283286"/> Speed committed suicide two weeks after the Norway match; Bellamy's next appearance for Wales was as captain in a memorial match against [[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica]] with Ramsey absent.<ref>{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=299}}</ref> Bellamy continued with Wales for a further 18 months under new manager [[Chris Coleman (footballer)|Chris Coleman]] before announcing his retirement from international football after Wales' final [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification&nbsp;– UEFA Group A|2014 World Cup qualifiers]] in October 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title=Craig Bellamy: Wales forward to quit international career |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24440974 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 October 2013|access-date=11 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107030209/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24440974|archive-date=7 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> His final match for Wales on 15 October 2013 against [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] ended as a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24547365 |title=Craig Bellamy admits to emotional Wales retirement |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 October 2013 |access-date=30 May 2019}}</ref> Bellamy ended his international career with 78 caps and 19 goals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/wal-recintlp.html |title=Wales – Record International Players |publisher=The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |last=Alpuin |first=Luis Fernando Passo |access-date=30 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317081722/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/wal-recintlp.html |archive-date=17 March 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Great Britain ===
In June 2012, Bellamy was confirmed as one of the three over-aged players selected by manager [[Stuart Pearce]] for [[Great Britain men's Olympic football team|Great Britain]] to compete at [[Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics|the 2012 Summer Olympics]] alongside [[Micah Richards]] and  Giggs.<ref>{{cite news |title=David Beckham not selected for London 2012 football squad |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18624174 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 June 2012|access-date=28 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628132931/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18624174|archive-date=28 June 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> After a warm-up match against Brazil, on 26 July Bellamy scored Great Britain's first goal at an Olympic Games since [[Football at the 1960 Summer Olympics|1960]] in a 1–1 draw with [[Senegal national under-23 football team|Senegal]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Fletcher |first=Paul |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/18924334 |title=London 2012: Great Britain denied by late Senegal strike |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 July 2012 |access-date=11 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112052630/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18924334 |archive-date=12 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Bellamy and his other Welsh teammates were criticised for not singing the British national anthem [[God Save the Queen]] during the pre-match ceremonies. He later stated; "I wasn't going to sing the national anthem and nor was any other Welsh player. It's not our anthem. I sing one anthem and that's that. That's my country's anthem. I'm not being anti-English or anti-British&nbsp;... you have to remember that we took some stick in Wales just for playing for Team GB."<ref name="gf307308">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=307–308}}</ref>

Bellamy assisted Giggs to score the opening goal of a 3–1 victory over the [[United Arab Emirates national under-23 football team|United Arab Emirates]] in the team's following fixture. He was named Great Britain's captain for the final group game, from which Giggs was absent.<ref name="gf307308"/> The side won a 1–0 victory over [[Uruguay Olympic football team|Uruguay]] at the [[Millennium Stadium]] in Cardiff.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fletcher |first=Paul |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/18905960 |title=Olympics football: GB beat Uruguay to reach quarter-finals |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 August 2012 |access-date=11 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106120913/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18905960 |archive-date=6 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> The result allowed Great Britain to progress to a quarter-final with [[South Korea national under-23 football team|South Korea]]. Bellamy was substituted minutes before the end of normal time. The game went to extra time and penalties; Great Britain were eliminated after losing the shootout 5–4.<ref name="gf307308"/>

==Style of play==
Bellamy has been described as having a dynamic style of play with quick, bursting technique and calmness under pressure.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/craig-bellamy-always-potential-cause-7325141 |title=Craig Bellamy always had potential to cause a stir on and OFF the field |newspaper=The Chronicle |last=Ryder |first=Lee |date=25 June 2014 |access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref> He began his career as a central midfielder, but was moved further forward during his time with Norwich and featured in several attacking roles, playing as both a [[Winger (association football)|winger]] and a [[Forward (association football)|centre-forward]] for the remainder of his career.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1283228-craig-bellamy-5-reasons-liverpool-should-fight-to-keep-him |title=Craig Bellamy: 5 Reasons Liverpool Should Fight to Keep Him |publisher=Bleacher Report |last=Matchett |first=Karl |access-date=3 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/craig-bellamy-aiming-pile-misery-6232278.amp |title=Craig Bellamy aiming to pile the misery on Norwich City despite huge debt he owes former club |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |last=Phillips |first=Terry |date=24 October 2013 |access-date=3 September 2021}}</ref> He preferred playing a counter-attacking style of football as his pace often allowed him to exploit space behind the defenders as the opposition team pressed forward. As Premier League managers shifted toward favouring strikers with a more physical presence, Bellamy adapted to a wider role, studying leading wingers such as [[Franck Ribéry]] to improve his game.<ref name="change">{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/10092853/the-changing-role-of-a-striker-craig-bellamy-and-jamie-carragher-on-modern-day-forwards |title=The Changing Role of a Striker |publisher=Sky Sports |last=Smith |first=Peter |date=8 December 2015 |access-date=3 September 2021}}</ref>

His former Wales, Blackburn and Manchester City manager Mark Hughes said he loved having Bellamy on his teams because of "the intensity he brings" and "his desire to affect the game every single time he plays".<ref name="gf810">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=8–10}}</ref> Hughes acknowledged that Bellamy developed a reputation as being sometimes difficult to work with but stated, "If you understand him and support him, he will play his heart out for you".<ref name="gf810" /> Louise Taylor of ''[[The Guardian]]'' highlighted the considerable attacking threat that Bellamy possessed and that his pace was "complemented by high-calibre finishing ability".<ref name="enigma">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/sep/27/craig-bellamy-Manchester-City |title=The Craig Bellamy Enigma |newspaper=The Guardian |last=Taylor |first=Louise |date=27 September 2009 |access-date=31 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328104623/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/sep/27/craig-bellamy-manchester-city |archive-date=28 March 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> His best tally in a single season in the Premier League was 17 goals during his spell with Blackburn in 2005–06 although his goalscoring record was questioned by his former Newcastle manager Graeme Souness during his time with the club.<ref name="opta"/><ref name="Spellman"/>

Although sometimes perceived as a disruptive influence on teams, former Liverpool captain [[Steven Gerrard]] praised Bellamy following his arrival, commenting, "I was expecting a bit of a hothead&nbsp;... It surprised me how professional he was. {{nbsp}}... how much he loved the game."<ref name="gf810" /> Bellamy's temperament and approach has seen him involved in several high-profile confrontations and led to him falling out with managers Souness and Roberto Mancini. Bobby Robson, who managed Bellamy for several years at Newcastle, described him as "the gobbiest footballer I've ever met" but also "one of the most committed".<ref name="enigma"/><ref name="gobby">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/oct/03/craig-bellamy |title=A big-hearted Craig Bellamy is better than a big-headed Brazilian |newspaper=The Guardian |last=Haywrad |first=Paul |date=2 October 2010 |access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref> In his autobiography, former Wales manager John Toshack described a fractious relationship with Bellamy, saying, "he could cause problems where they weren't necessary and you always felt there was a possibility that he could upset the applecart".<ref name="Wales online\Coleman" /> He also blamed Bellamy's relative lack of trophy wins during his career as partly to blame; "a lot of managers signed him but a lot of managers got rid of him as well;&nbsp;... all were trophy winners, but none of them won anything with Bellamy in the team".<ref name="Wales online\Coleman" /> Toshack did concede that Bellamy was an important attacking threat for the Welsh squad and that there was never a doubt over his inclusion.<ref name="Wales online\Coleman">{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/john-toshacks-withering-attack-robbie-15460411 |title=John Toshack's withering attack on Robbie Savage and Craig Bellamy in new book |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |last=Coleman |first=Tom |date=24 November 2018 |access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref>

Bellamy's career was severely hampered by persistent injuries that restricted both the amount of time he could train and the number of matches he could play in close proximity. Gianfranco Zola, who managed Bellamy at West Ham, stated, "Injuries have been the downside of his career&nbsp;... The fragility he has got in the muscles has stopped him from being a higher player".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/craig-bellamy-could-have-been-a-superstar-says-boss-zola-6782503.html |title=Craig Bellamy could have been a superstar, says boss Zola |newspaper=London Evening Standard |date=28 September 2009 |access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref> In the latter stages of his career, as his pace diminished, he received praise from Paul Abbandonato of ''WalesOnline'' for possessing "leadership, drive, energy, work-rate and standards of excellence" during his last playing season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/5-things-cardiff-city-need-6753963 |title=5 things Cardiff City need from Craig Bellamy: 'Leadership, drive, energy, work-rate and standards' |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |last=Abbandonato |first=Paul |date=27 February 2014 |access-date=3 September 2021}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
Bellamy returned to Cardiff as an academy coach on a voluntary basis.<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Wales star Craig Bellamy rejoins Cardiff as academy coach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30638571|access-date=21 February 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024094451/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30638571|archive-date=24 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, he was appointed Cardiff's player development manager, overseeing all age groups at the club's youth academy and coaching the older age-group teams.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/100-second-craig-bellamy-video-15270947 |title=The 100-second Craig Bellamy video that's making Cardiff City fans very excited about his manager credentials |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |last=Booth |first=Dominic |date=13 October 2018 |access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref> Having earlier been interviewed for the post of Wales manager, he was given permission to apply for the vacant managerial position at [[EFL League One]] club [[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]] in February 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pritchard |first1=Dafydd |title=Craig Bellamy: Oxford United want Cardiff City coach as new boss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43142449 |access-date=21 February 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221141620/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43142449 |archive-date=21 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Bellamy agreed terms with Oxford but later withdrew his application after the club was taken over during the negotiations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Craig Bellamy: Cardiff City academy coach out of running for Oxford job |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43226185|access-date=5 March 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303190328/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43226185|archive-date=3 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He stepped down from his coaching role at Cardiff in January 2019 to defend himself against a claim of bullying a youth-team player.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46746980 |title=Craig Bellamy steps down from Cardiff youth coach role to fight bullying claims |date=3 January 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=3 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103101648/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46746980|archive-date=3 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> An internal investigation by the club later resulted in Bellamy issuing an apology over an "unacceptable coaching environment", although he was subject to no formal disciplinary action.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-legend-craig-bellamy-17152528 |title=Cardiff City legend Craig Bellamy issues apology after club's bullying investigation |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |last=Williams |first=Glen |date=26 October 2019 |access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref>

In June 2019, Bellamy signed a three-year contract to become the under-21 team coach for Belgian side [[RSC Anderlecht|Anderlecht]] following the appointment of his former Manchester City teammate [[Vincent Kompany]] as manager.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48664423 |title=Craig Bellamy: Ex-Wales forward leaves Cardiff to join Anderlecht as coach |date=20 June 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=20 June 2019}}</ref> He later worked as an assistant to Kompany before stepping down from the role in September 2021 citing mental health issues.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58538941.amp |title=Craig Bellamy: Ex-Liverpool striker leaves Anderlecht over depression |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=14 September 2021}}</ref> In July 2022, he rejoined Vincent Kompany and was named a first team coach at [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62097357 |title=Kompany brings in Bellamy as Burnley number two |work=BBC Sport}}</ref>

On 30 May 2024, after Kompany left to join [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] in the wake of Burnley's relegation from the [[Premier League]], Bellamy was appointed acting head coach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-30 |title=Burnley: Craig Bellamy named acting head coach of the Clarets |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cqee9lep38eo |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On 9 July 2024, Bellamy was appointed as head coach of the Wales national team.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-09|url=https://faw.cymru/news/craig-bellamy-appointed-as-cymru-head-coach/|title=Craig Bellamy appointed as Wales Head Coach|publisher=FAW |access-date=2020-07-09}}</ref> Following Wales 1–0 victory over [[Montenegro]] in the [[UEFA Nations League|Nations League]], Bellamy became the first Wales manager in history to remain unbeaten in his first four matches.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sports |first=Sky |date=2024 |title=Wales 1–0 Montenegro: Harry Wilson penalty secures narrow Nations League victory as Craig Bellamy extends unbeaten start |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/wales-vs-montenegro/report/503621}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Bellamy has described himself as a "keen" supporter of both Liverpool and Cardiff City.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/craig-bellamy-honoured-to-return-to-liverpool-2347429.html |location=London |newspaper=The Independent |first=Carl |last=Markham |title=Craig Bellamy 'honoured' to return to Liverpool |date=1 September 2011 | access-date=19 September 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422173510/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/craig-bellamy-honoured-to-return-to-liverpool-2347429.html | archive-date=22 April 2016 | url-status=live}}</ref> Bellamy met Claire Jansen in Cardiff while they were teenagers. They remained together despite Bellamy spending most of his time away from the city during his apprenticeship with Norwich City; Claire remained in Cardiff working in a local newsagent.<ref name="auto"/> Bellamy and Claire had their first child together—a son named Ellis—at the ages of 17 and 16 respectively. Claire and Ellis remained in Cardiff while Bellamy commuted to Norwich.<ref name="gf4650"/> The couple eventually moved into their own accommodation in 1996 after Bellamy signed his first professional playing contract.<ref>{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=58}}</ref> Their second child, Cameron, was born in January 2001 and their third, Lexi, in 2007.<ref>{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=98}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bellamy junior called up for Wales development squad |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-in-wales/2012/01/13/bellamy-junior-called-up-forwales-development-squad-91466-30113370/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116224357/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-in-wales/2012/01/13/bellamy-junior-called-up-forwales-development-squad-91466-30113370/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 January 2012 |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |date=13 January 2012 |access-date=15 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ley |first=John |title=Proud moment awaits Craig Bellamy |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/wales/2320975/Proud-moment-awaits-Craig-Bellamy.html |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |date=12 September 2007|access-date=1 September 2010 |location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221231537/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/wales/2320975/Proud-moment-awaits-Craig-Bellamy.html|archive-date=21 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bellamy proposed to Jansen on 13 July 2005 at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester,<ref name="gf188"/> and they married in June 2006 at St Bride's Church in [[St. Brides-super-Ely (Peterston-super-Ely)|St. Brides-super-Ely]], a village near Cardiff.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wedding bells for Bellers |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-in-wales/tm_objectid=17175242&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=wedding-bells-for-bellers-name_page.html |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |date=4 June 2006 |access-date=1 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501231349/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-in-wales/tm_objectid%3D17175242%26method%3Dfull%26siteid%3D50082%26headline%3Dwedding-bells-for-bellers-name_page.html |archive-date=1 May 2009}}</ref> With Bellamy moving clubs on a regular basis, the family bought a permanent home in [[Peterston-super-Ely]]; Bellamy lived near his club and travelled home when possible.<ref name="gf188"/> The couple divorced in December 2012; his wife cited "unreasonable behaviour".<ref>{{cite news |title=Cardiff City star Craig Bellamy divorced by wife for 'unreasonable behaviour' |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2012/12/08/cardiff-city-star-craig-bellamy-divorced-by-wife-for-unreasonable-behaviour-91466-32389609 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140527185503/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2012/12/08/cardiff-city-star-craig-bellamy-divorced-by-wife-for-unreasonable-behaviour-91466-32389609 |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 May 2014 |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |date=8 December 2012}}</ref> In his autobiography, Bellamy stated the couple split after "she decided she'd had enough. Enough of the moving and the following me round. Enough of the absentee husband. Enough of the selfishness and the black moods and the times when I wouldn't talk to her because I was worried about a knee injury."<ref>{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=13}}</ref>

In 2013, Bellamy released his autobiography entitled ''GoodFella'' which was ghostwritten by journalist [[Oliver Holt]].<ref>{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=4}}</ref> In the book, Bellamy said he suffered severe bouts of [[Depression (mood)|depression]], particularly when he was unable to play football for long periods due to injury. He wrote, "There would be weeks, sometimes months, when I couldn't get myself out of it".<ref>{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=164}}</ref> These periods often coincided with periods of binge drinking; after Cardiff's defeat to Reading in the playoff semi-final, Bellamy went on a "two-day drinking binge".<ref>{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|p=278}}</ref> In 2013, he failed to declare himself as the driver of a car that was caught by a speed camera and received a driving ban. In March 2019, he was banned from driving again for 18 months after being found to be over the permitted alcohol limit while driving in Cardiff earlier that month.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47714150 |title=Ex-Wales star Craig Bellamy in 18-month drink-drive ban |work=BBC News |date=26 March 2019 |access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref> Bellamy is an advocate of [[mixed martial arts]] and has sponsored some of the fighters who train at Tillery Combat, a gym in [[Abertillery]], Wales, providing them with supplements, kit and management advice through his company Shin2Chin. He also owns Cardiff Combat MMA gym.<ref>{{cite news |title=Martial Arts: Cardiff City captain Craig Bellamy supports Tillery Combat MMA |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/other-sport/martial-arts-cardiff-city-captain-1837629 |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |date=7 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325043210/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/other-sport/martial-arts-cardiff-city-captain-1837629 |archive-date=25 March 2014}}</ref>

=== Philanthropy ===

In 2007, Bellamy visited [[Sierra Leone]]. The country was still suffering from the effects of a long [[Sierra Leone Civil War|civil war]] that ended five years previously. Bellamy was mobbed by fans and was unable to freely walk the streets without an armed police escort as crowds blocked roads trying to see him. He visited the country's [[Mining in Sierra Leone#Diamonds|diamond mining industry]] and was shocked at the poor living conditions of the workers, often children.<ref name="gf225230">{{harvnb|Bellamy|2013|pp=225–230}}</ref> He decided to set up a charity in the country and, on 6 May 2008, plans for The Craig Bellamy Foundation were announced in Sierra Leone.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.craigbellamyfoundation.org/|access-date=10 March 2010 |title=Craig Bellamy Foundation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312075623/http://www.craigbellamyfoundation.org/|archive-date=12 March 2010}}</ref> Bellamy spent £1.4m of his own money to build a not-for-profit football academy in the [[Western Area Rural District]] village [[Tombo, Sierra Leone|Tombo]], where 32 boys received an international standard education and elite-level football coaching at no cost to themselves.<ref>{{cite news |date=2 June 2013 |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/craig-bellamy-autobiography-put-14m-1927510 |last=Holt |first=Oliver |title=Craig Bellamy on putting £1.4m of his own money into Sierra Leone football academy |newspaper=Daily Mirror|access-date=2 June 2013 |location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606064640/http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/craig-bellamy-autobiography-put-14m-1927510|archive-date=6 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=5 May 2008 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7385488.stm |title=Bellamy plans academy in Africa |publisher=BBC Sport| access-date=6 May 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510173403/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7385488.stm| archive-date=10 May 2008| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Developments: One World a Million Stories |page=14 |issue=49 |year=2010 |publisher=[[Dfid]]}}</ref> The first 15 children were enrolled at the academy in August 2010.<ref name="gf225230"/>

The Craig Bellamy Foundation also operated a nationwide youth league that was founded in conjunction with [[UNICEF]].<ref name="gf225230"/> Operating in the [[Freetown]], [[Bo, Sierra Leone|Bo]], [[Kenema]] and [[Makeni]] regions, The Craig Bellamy Foundation League provided a national youth football framework for children; as well as on-pitch performance, points were awarded for school attendance, fair play and contributions to community projects.<ref>{{cite news |date=22 September 2009 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/craig-bellamy-building-foundations-for-the-future-stars-of-africa-60hv9z5zpkm |title=World in motion: Craig Bellamy |newspaper=[[The Times]] | access-date=22 September 2009 |first1=Owen |last1=Slot |location=London | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528011451/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/article2540554.ece | archive-date=28 May 2014 | url-status=live}}</ref> The league also funded the school fees of participating children and employed 175 Sierra Leonian team coaches, regional managers and league coordinators.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://craigbellamyfoundation.org/league |access-date=10 March 2010 |title=Craig Bellamy Foundation League |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100313164045/http://www.craigbellamyfoundation.org/league/ |archive-date=13 March 2010}}</ref> In 2009, 1,600 boys aged between 11 and 14 played or trained in the league on a daily basis.<ref name="enigma"/> All activities were stopped in April 2017 due to financial irregularities.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-39220365 |title=Craig Bellamy 'devastated' by charity investigation |date=9 March 2017 |website=BBC|access-date=2 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103225713/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-39220365|archive-date=3 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/craig-bellamy-charity-suddenly-closes-12719631 |title=Craig Bellamy charity suddenly closes leaving 'children living in poverty' |date=13 March 2017 |website=Coventry Telegraph|access-date=2 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103110151/https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/craig-bellamy-charity-suddenly-closes-12719631|archive-date=3 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bellamy is also a supporter of [[Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales]], part of the University of Wales Hospital, where both he and his three children were born. In 2010, he became a charity champion for Noah's Ark, a charity that was aiming to raise £7 million to complete a construction project at the site.<ref name="uhw"/>

=== Bankruptcy ===
In April 2023, Bellamy said that he was bankrupt due to failed investments that had been made on his behalf.<ref name="BBC Sport Bankrupt">{{cite web |title=Burnley assistant manager Bellamy is bankrupt |website=BBC Sport |date=1 April 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65152140 | access-date=2 April 2023}}</ref>

== Career statistics ==

=== Club ===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National Cup
!colspan="2"|League Cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]]
|[[1996–97 Norwich City F.C. season|1996–97]]<ref name=ssn9697>{{Soccerbase season|10692|1996|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|[[Football League First Division|First Division]]
|3||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||3||0
|-
|[[1997–98 Norwich City F.C. season|1997–98]]<ref name=ssn9798>{{Soccerbase season|10692|1997|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|First Division
|36||13||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||38||13
|-
|[[1998–99 Norwich City F.C. season|1998–99]]<ref name=ssn9899>{{Soccerbase season|10692|1998|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|First Division
|40||17||0||0||5||2||colspan="2"|—||45||19
|-
|[[1999–2000 Norwich City F.C. season|1999–2000]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|10692|1999|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|First Division
|4||2||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||4||2
|-
|[[2000–01 Norwich City F.C. season|2000–01]]<ref name=ssn0001>{{Soccerbase season|10692|2000|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|First Division
|1||0|||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!84!!32!!1!!0!!6!!2!!0!!0!!91!!34
|-
|[[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]
|[[2000–01 Coventry City F.C. season|2000–01]]<ref name=ssn0001/>
|[[Premier League]]
|34||6||2||1||3||1||colspan="2"|—||39||8
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
|[[2001–02 Newcastle United F.C. season|2001–02]]<ref name="sb0102">{{Soccerbase season|10692|2001|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|27||9||3||0||3||4||6{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Intertoto Cup]]}}||1||39||14
|-
|[[2002–03 Newcastle United F.C. season|2002–03]]<ref name="sb0203">{{Soccerbase season|10692|2002|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|29||7||1||0||0||0||6{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]|name=statsUCL}}||2||36||9
|-
|[[2003–04 Newcastle United F.C. season|2003–04]]<ref name="sb0304">{{Soccerbase season|10692|2003|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|16||5||0||0||0||0||8{{efn|One appearance in Champions League, seven appearances and five goals in UEFA Cup}}||5||24||10
|-
|[[2004–05 Newcastle United F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref name=ssn0405>{{Soccerbase season|10692|2004|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|21||7||1||0||2||0||5{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]|name=statsUEFA}}||3||29||10
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!93!!28!!5!!0!!5!!4!!25!!11!!128!!43
|-
|[[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] (loan)
|[[2004–05 Celtic F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref name=ssn0405/>
|[[Scottish Premier League]]
|12||7||3||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||15||9
|-
|[[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]
|[[2005–06 Blackburn Rovers F.C. season|2005–06]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|10692|2005|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|27||13||1||2||4||2||colspan="2"|—||32||17
|-
|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
|[[2006–07 Liverpool F.C. season|2006–07]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|10692|2006|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|27||7||0||0||2||0||12{{efn|name=statsUCL}}||2||41||9
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
|[[2007–08 West Ham United F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|10692|2007|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|8||2||0||0||1||2||colspan="2"|—||9||4
|-
|[[2008–09 West Ham United F.C. season|2008–09]]<ref name=ssn0809>{{Soccerbase season|10692|2008|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|16||5||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||17||5
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!24!!7!!1!!0!!1!!2!!—!!—!!26!!9
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]
|[[2008–09 Manchester City F.C. season|2008–09]]<ref name=ssn0809/>
|Premier League
|8||2||0||0||0||0||3{{efn|name=statsUEFA}}||2||11||4
|-
|[[2009–10 Manchester City F.C. season|2009–10]]<ref name=sb0910>{{Soccerbase season|10692|2009|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|32||10||3||1||5||0||colspan="2"|—||40||11
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!40!!12!!3!!1!!5!!0!!3!!2!!51!!15
|-
|[[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] (loan)
|[[2010–11 Cardiff City F.C. season|2010–11]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|10692|2010|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|[[Football League Championship|Championship]]
|35||11||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||35||11
|-
|Liverpool
|[[2011–12 Liverpool F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref name=sb1112>{{Soccerbase season|10692|2011|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|27||6||3||1||6||2||colspan="2"|—||36||9
|-
|rowspan="3"|Cardiff City
|[[2012–13 Cardiff City F.C. season|2012–13]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|10692|2012|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|Championship
|33||4||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||33||4
|-
|[[2013–14 Cardiff City F.C. season|2013–14]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|10692|2013|name=Craig Bellamy|access-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|22||2||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||22||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!55!!6!!0!!0!!0!!0!!—!!—!!55!!6
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!458!!135!!19!!7!!32!!13!!40!!15!!549!!170
|}

{{notelist}}

=== International ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{cite web |title=Craig Bellamy |url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/7264/Craig_Bellamy.html |publisher=National Football Teams|access-date=26 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527220325/http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/7264/Craig_Bellamy.html|archive-date=27 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!{{Tooltip|Apps|Appearances}}!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="16"|[[Wales national football team|Wales]]
|1998||4||2
|-
|1999||3||0
|-
|2000||3||0
|-
|2001||5||1
|-
|2002||3||2
|-
|2003||5||1
|-
|2004||7||1
|-
|2005||4||2
|-
|2006||7||2
|-
|2007||8||4
|-
|2008||5||1
|-
|2009||4||1
|-
|2010||2||1
|-
|2011||7||1
|-
|2012||3||0
|-
|2013||8||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!78!!19
|}

:''Scores and results list Wales' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Bellamy goal''{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Craig Bellamy
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || 3 June 1998 || [[Ta' Qali National Stadium]], [[Attard]], Malta || {{fb|Malta}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–0 || [[Friendly (association football)|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || 10 October 1998 || [[Parken Stadium]], [[Copenhagen]], Denmark || {{fb|DEN}} || align="center"|2–1 || align="center"|2–1 || [[UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying|UEFA Euro 2000 Qual.]]
|-
| align="center"|3 || 5 September 2001 || [[Ullevaal Stadion]], [[Oslo]], Norway || {{fb|NOR}} || align="center"|2–1 || align="center"|2–3 || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification|2002 World Cup Qual.]]
|-
| align="center"|4 || 13 February 2002 || [[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]], Wales || {{fb|ARG}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|5 || 16 October 2002 || Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales || {{fb|ITA}} || align="center"|2–1 || align="center"|2–1 || [[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying|UEFA Euro 2004 Qual.]]
|-
| align="center"|6 || 29 March 2003 || Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales || {{fb|AZE}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|4–0 || UEFA Euro 2004 Qual.
|-
| align="center"|7 || 18 August 2004 || [[Skonto Stadium]], [[Riga]], Latvia || {{fb|LAT}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|8 || rowspan="2"|9 February 2005 || rowspan="2"|Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales || rowspan="2"|{{fb|HUN}} || align="center"|1–0 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|2–0 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|9 || align="center"|2–0
|-
| align="center"|10 || 11 October 2006 || Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales || {{fb|CYP}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|3–1 || [[UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying|UEFA Euro 2008 Qual.]]
|-
| align="center"|11 || 14 November 2006 || [[Racecourse Ground]], [[Wrexham]], Wales || {{fb|LIE}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|4–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|12 || rowspan="2"|26 May 2007 || rowspan="2"|Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Wales || rowspan="2"|{{fb|NZ}} || align="center"|1–1 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|2–2 || rowspan="2"|Friendly
|-
| align="center"|13 || align="center"|2–2
|-
| align="center"|14 || rowspan="2"|12 September 2007 || rowspan="2"|[[Štadión Antona Malatinského]], [[Trnava]], Slovakia || rowspan="2"|{{fb|SVK}} || align="center"|2–1 || rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|5–2 || rowspan="2"|UEFA Euro 2008 Qual.
|-
| align="center"|15 || align="center"|3–1
|-
| align="center"|16 || 19 November 2008 || [[Brøndby Stadium]], [[Brøndby Municipality|Brøndby]], Denmark || {{fb|DEN}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|17 || 10 October 2009 || [[Helsinki Olympic Stadium]], [[Helsinki]], Finland || {{fb|FIN}} || align="center"|1–1 || align="center"|1–2 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification|2010 World Cup Qual.]]
|-
| align="center"|18 || 11 August 2010 || [[Parc y Scarlets]], [[Llanelli]], Wales || {{fb|LUX}} || align="center"|5–1 || align="center"|5–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|19 ||12 November 2011 || [[Cardiff City Stadium]], Cardiff, Wales || {{fb|Norway}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|4–1 || Friendly
|}

==Managerial statistics==
{{updated|18 November 2025}}{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center'"			
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure		
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|Nat
!rowspan="2"|From
!rowspan="2"|To
!colspan="8"|Record
|-	
!{{Tooltip|G|Games managed}}
!{{Tooltip|W|Games won}}
!{{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}}
!{{Tooltip|L|Games lost}}
!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
!{{Tooltip|GD|Goal difference}}
!{{Tooltip|Win %|Winning percentage}}					
|-
|align=left|[[Wales national football team|Wales]]
|{{flagicon|Wales}}
|align=left|9 July 2024
|align=left|Present
{{WDL|16|8|4|4|for=30|against=19|diff=yes}}
|-
!colspan="4"|Total
{{WDLtot|16|8|4|4|for=30|against=19|diff=yes}}
|}

== Honours ==
'''Celtic'''<ref name="sw">{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/coaches/craig-bellamy/2982/ |title=Craig Bellamy |website=Soccerway |access-date=1 September 2021}}</ref>
*[[Scottish Cup]]: [[2004–05 Scottish Cup|2004–05]]

'''Liverpool'''<ref name="sw"/>
*[[Football League Cup]]: [[2011–12 Football League Cup|2011–12]]
*[[FA Community Shield]]: [[2006 FA Community Shield|2006]]
*[[FA Cup]] runner-up: [[2011–12 FA Cup|2011–12]]
*[[UEFA Champions League]] runner-up: [[2006–07 UEFA Champions League|2006–07]]

'''Cardiff City'''<ref name="sw"/>
*[[Football League Championship]]: [[2012–13 Football League Championship|2012–13]]

'''Individual'''
*[[PFA Young Player of the Year|PFA Young Player of the Year Award]]: 2001–02<ref name="gf128129"/>
*[[Blackburn Rovers F.C.#Player of the season|Blackburn Rovers Player of the Season]]: 2005–06<ref name="hail"/>
*[[Welsh Footballer of the Year]] Award: 2007<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7093725.stm |title=Bellamy nets Welsh player award |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 November 2007|access-date=2 September 2021}}</ref>
*[[BBC Goal of the Month|Premier League Goal of the Month]]: April 2006,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/match_of_the_day/4200450.stm |title=Goal of the Month |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2006 |access-date=2 September 2021}}</ref> September 2009<ref name="gotm"/>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

;Bibliography
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Bellamy |first=Craig |title=GoodFella: My Autobiography |year=2013 |publisher=Sport Media |isbn=978-1-908695-30-7}}
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{UEFA player}}
* {{FIFA player}}

{{Current managers of UEFA national teams}}
{{Great Britain men's football squad 2012 Summer Olympics}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 = 
{{PFA Young Player of the Year}}
{{Blackburn Rovers F.C. Player of the Season}}
{{Welsh Footballer of the Year}}
{{Norwich City F.C. Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Wales national football team managers}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bellamy, Craig}}
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