Exeter City

Friend was born in Barnstaple, Devon.^[6] He began his career at then non-League Exeter City as a youth team player, signing a two-year professional contract in March 2006.^{[citation needed]} Able to play left back, centre-back or left-sided midfield, he made his first-team debut on 17 April 2006 in a 0–0 draw at Forest Green Rovers.^[7]

His Exeter career took off in the 2007–08 season when he was integral to the side that won promotion to the Football League after defeating Cambridge United in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium.^[8] During that season he became the youngest ever captain in Exeter's history and scored his first goal for the club in a 4–4 draw with Burton Albion on 26 April 2008.^[9]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

After playing in Exeter's opening matches in the Football League, he moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship on 1 September 2008, signing a two-year contract, with the option of a third year,^[10] for an initial fee of £350,000.^[11] He made six first team appearances for Wolves during the 2008–09 season as they were promoted to the Premier League as champions.^{[citation needed]}

To gain regular playing time, he spent a month's loan at League One club Millwall during August to September 2009, before returning to Wolves.^[12] He soon went out on a month's loan again on 18 September to another League One club, Southend United,^[13] where he scored his first league goal with a free-kick against Southampton.^[14] After a proposed extension to his stay with Southend was cancelled due to the club's financial troubles, he instead spent six weeks on loan at Championship club Scunthorpe United.^[15]

Friend was recalled by Wolves as extra cover after injuries struck, giving him his first Premier League appearance on 15 December 2009 against Manchester United.^[16] His surprise involvement in the game was just one factor behind the club eventually receiving a £25,000 suspended fine for fielding an under-strength side.^[17] Friend did not feature again for Wolves before being loaned out once more, this time rejoining former club Exeter City for the rest of the season,^[18] during which time he helped them avoid an instant return to League Two.^{[citation needed]}

Doncaster Rovers

At the end of the 2009–10 season it was announced that his deal at Wolves would not be extended,^[19] and Friend switched to Championship club Doncaster Rovers on a two-year contract^[20] despite being linked with a return move to Exeter City.^[21] Friend made his Doncaster debut in their 2–0 opening day win at Preston North End on 7 August 2010.^{[citation needed]} On 11 September 2010, Friend scored his first goal in a 2–2 draw against Watford.^{[citation needed]} The next game on 14 September 2010, Friend set up a goal for James Coppinger to score a second goal in a match with a 3–1 win over Norwich City.^{[citation needed]} Following on from his debut, Friend established himself in the first team, playing at left-back.^{[citation needed]} In a match with a 3–1 win over Scunthorpe United on 18 October 2011, Friend sustained an injury in early minutes and was substituted.^{[citation needed]} After surgery, Friend was out for three months.^{[citation needed]} On 25 January 2011, Friend made his return in a 2–0 loss against Burnley, coming on as a substitute in the early stages.^{[citation needed]}

Friend was appointed captain at the beginning of 2011–12 following and won player of the year and supporters player of the year at the end of the season.^{[citation needed]} Friend managed to regain his place in the starting eleven in the left back position but the club was relegated to League One after three seasons in the Championship.^{[citation needed]}

Middlesbrough

On 23 July 2012, despite interest from Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest, it was announced that Doncaster had agreed a fee with Middlesbrough for Friend.^[22] He signed for Middlesbrough on 30 July for an undisclosed fee,^[4] reported as £100,000.^[23] In August 2012, he made his debut in Capital One Cup against Bury.^[24]

After completing a successful season, in which Friend became a fans' favourite because of his consistent performances, he was awarded the Community Player of the Year after attending numerous off-field events, as well as winning the players' player of the year award.^{[citation needed]} For the 2013–14 season, Friend was issued the number 3 squad number previously worn by departing defender André Bikey.^{[citation needed]} Friend scored his first goal for Boro in a 2–2 draw at Wigan on 25 August.^{[citation needed]} It was his first goal since 2010.^{[citation needed]} Friend scored his second goal for Boro with a 20-yard strike in a 2–2 draw against Nottingham Forest on 17 September 2013.^{[citation needed]}

Friend captained Middlesbrough for the first time in a 2–0 victory against Rotherham United on 11 April 2015.^{[citation needed]}

Birmingham City

Friend rejected an offer to remain at Middlesbrough after his contract expired, and became available on a free transfer.^[23] On 15 August 2020, he signed a two-year deal with the option of a third with fellow Championship club Birmingham City, where the head coach was his former manager at Middlesbrough, Aitor Karanka.^[5] Over the three years he spent with Birmingham, he made 52 appearances in all competitions. He was one of six senior professionals released at the end of the 2022–23 season.^[25]

Bristol Rovers

On 4 July 2023, Friend signed for League One club Bristol Rovers on a one-year deal^[26] following a successful trial period with the club.^[27] He had previously played for the club twenty-six years prior, at Under-9s level, alongside new teammate Scott Sinclair.^[28]