- Dele Adebola
-
Dele Adebola 
Personal information Full name Bamberdele Adebola Date of birth 23 June 1975 Place of birth Lagos, Nigeria Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Playing position Striker Club information Current club Hull City Number 22 Youth career Crewe Alexandra Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 1992–1998 Crewe Alexandra 123 (39) 1993–1994 → Bangor City (loan) 4 (2) 1994 → Northwich Victoria (loan) 0 (0) 1998–2002 Birmingham City 131 (30) 2002 → Oldham Athletic (loan) 5 (0) 2002–2003 Crystal Palace 39 (5) 2003–2008 Coventry City 163 (31) 2004 → Burnley (loan) 3 (1) 2004 → Bradford City (loan) 15 (3) 2008–2009 Bristol City 56 (16) 2009–2011 Nottingham Forest 62 (5) 2011– Hull City 8 (0) * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:25, 5 November 2011 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).Bamberdele "Dele" Adebola (born 23 June 1975 in Lagos, Lagos State) is a Nigerian footballer, who plays as a striker for Hull City.
Contents
Early life
Arriving in England with his family, Adebola was brought up in Liverpool; as a schoolboy, he played in the same representative sides as Robbie Fowler. When offered a YTS place by Liverpool, the team he supported, he believed that trying to progress as a fellow left-footed striker at the club at the same time as Fowler would not be a good idea. Consequently he accepted a similar offer from Crewe.[1]
Club career
Crewe Alexandra
He made his first team debut in the 1992–93 season in the Third Division at the age of 17, and in the following season gained experience by playing on loan at Bangor City in the Welsh Premier League and Conference side Northwich Victoria. He made a significant impact for Crewe in 1996–97, his 16 goals proving crucial in the club's gaining promotion to the First Division.
He soon proved himself capable of scoring goals at that level, and attracted interest from several bigger clubs.[2] Disappointed when Crewe rejected an offer for him from West Ham, he made it clear to the club that he wanted to leave, and reluctantly the club made him available for transfer.[3] In February 1998 Adebola was signed by manager Trevor Francis for fellow First Division club Birmingham City for a fee of £1 million.
Birmingham City
With seven goals in the remainder of that season, and scoring in each of his first five matches (in all competitions) in 1998–99, his future at Birmingham looked bright. In his first full season he scored 13 goals, but in 1999-00 he was less productive, fell out of favour, and at the end of the season was put on the transfer list. Las Palmas, newly promoted to La Liga, announced that they had signed him,[4] only for the move to fall through on medical grounds.[5]
Though remaining on the transfer list, he was restored to the first team, and his goals helped Birmingham to reach the 2001 Football League Cup Final.[5] The manager said he kept him on the transfer list in order to provoke him into the sort of performance commensurate with his power, pace and technical ability but which his "laid-back" character might otherwise inhibit.[6]
A serious knee injury,[7] sustained later that season when the player slid into a goalpost, effectively marked the end of his Birmingham career. A spell on loan at Oldham towards the end of the 2001–02 season helped him back to fitness, but new manager Steve Bruce chose not to renew his contract.
Crystal Palace
He played one season at Crystal Palace under former manager Trevor Francis, where he proved his fitness, making 48 appearances in all competitions.
Coventry City
Again released at the end of that season, Gary McAllister took him to Coventry City, where he initially failed to find any form, finishing the season out on loan to Burnley, ironically a club that had been keen to buy him before his injury.[7][8] At Burnley he scored once in three appearances, his goal coming against Watford.[9]
Another loan spell followed, this time at Bradford City where he scored three goals.[10] It was only when recalled to the Coventry side on a regular basis in 2004–05, first under Peter Reid and particularly under Micky Adams, playing with the likes of Stern John and Gary McSheffrey that his form picked up. Even though Adebola failed to score a huge amount of goals, he became a fan favourite at Coventry, becoming referred to as 'Pele Adebola', and most fans were sad to see him leave.[citation needed]
Adebola playing for Forest in November 2010
Bristol City
On 30 January 2008, Adebola signed an 18-month contract with Bristol City, moving for an undisclosed fee,[11] despite Coventry wanting to renew his deal, which was due to end in the summer. Adebola made his debut on 2 February in a 3–0 defeat away to Queens Park Rangers[12] but scored in just seven minutes on his home debut to help City defeat Sheffield Wednesday 2–1.[13] His performances in the 2008–09 season, during which he scored 10 goals from 42 appearances, earned him the club's Player of the Year award.[14] The player rejected the club's offer of a year's extension to his contract, claiming he had been offered a two-year deal elsewhere.[14]
Nottingham Forest
It was announced on 30 June 2009 that Adebola had signed a two-year contract with Nottingham Forest. He joined them on a free transfer after rejecting a one-year deal at Bristol City. Adebola struggled to hold down a regular place in the Forest side in the 2009–10 season. He was mainly restricted to substitute appearances, finding himself below Dexter Blackstock and Robert Earnshaw in the pecking order, but he did manage to force his way into the Forest team, particularly away from home, towards the end of the season. He scored a late consolation goal for Forest in the Playoff semi-final second leg against Blackpool.
Hull City
He entered contract negotiations with Hull City at the end of the 2010–11 season. On 29 June it was confirmed that Adebola signed a one-year deal.[15] He made his debut in the first game of the season on 5 August 2011 at the KC Stadium in the 0–1 defeat to Blackpool.[16]
International career
In March 1998 new Northern Ireland manager Lawrie McMenemy, on discovering Adebola to be a British citizen born abroad and therefore eligible to play for any of the home countries, selected him for his first match in charge, a friendly against Slovakia.[17] Adebola had to withdraw due to injury, but did express an interest in playing for the country.[18] He was also selected in Nigeria's provisional squad for the 1998 World Cup, but failed to make the cut.[19]
Both Northern Ireland and Nigeria continued their pursuit of the player; in October 1998 McMenemy reported that he was unwilling to play for Nigeria, and did not want to commit to Northern Ireland because he had his sights set on playing for England.[20]
In March 1999, McMenemy made a final abortive attempt to persuade him to play for Northern Ireland.[21] Despite his lack of form at club level, he was however still sufficiently highly rated by the Nigerian selectors to be included in the preliminary squad for the 2000 African Cup of Nations[22] and, following talks with coach Jo Bonfrere, in the squad for a World Cup qualifier in July 2000.[23]
However, he again failed to accept any of these invitations.
Career statistics
- As of 5 November 2011
Club performance League Cup League Cup Total Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals England League FA Cup League Cup Total 1994–95 Crewe Alexandra Second Division 30 8 0 0 0 0 30 8 1995–96 30 8 5 2 1 1 36 11 1996–97 35 16 3 1 1 1 39 18 1997–98 First Division 27 7 1 0 1 0 29 7 Birmingham City 17 7 0 0 0 0 17 7 1998–99 41 14 1 1 4 2 46 17 1999-00 43 5 1 0 5 1 49 6 2000–01 31 6 1 1 8 5 40 12 2001–02 Oldham Athletic (loan) Second Division 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 2002–03 Crystal Palace First Division 39 5 4 0 5 2 48 7 2003–04 Coventry City 28 2 3 0 2 1 33 3 Burnley (loan) 3 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 2004–05 Bradford City (loan) Championship 15 3 0 0 0 0 15 3 Coventry City 25 5 1 1 0 0 26 6 2005–06 44 12 3 0 2 0 49 12 2006–07 40 8 2 0 1 1 43 9 2007–08 26 4 2 1 3 1 31 6 Bristol City 20 6 0 0 0 0 20 6 2008–09 39 10 2 0 1 0 42 10 2009–10 Nottingham Forest 34 4 2 0 2 0 38 4 2010–11 29 2 2 1 1 0 32 3 2011–12 Hull City 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 Total England 609 133 33 8 37 15 679 156 Career total 609 133 33 8 37 15 679 156 References
- ^ Jon Culley (2001-02-24). "Adebola out to upstage an old idol". Independent. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20010224/ai_n14374266. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ "Sky Blues watching Adebola transfer race". 4thegame.com. 1997-11-05. http://www.4thegame.com/club/ccfc/news/28791/SKY+BLUES+WATCHING+ADEBOLA+TRANSFER+RACE.html. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ "Adebola set to move on". Messenger Newspapers. 1997-11-07. http://archive.messengernewspapers.co.uk/1997/11/7/244399.html. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ "Shock as Adebola quits". BBC Sport. 2000-07-01. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/814543.stm. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ a b "Adebola looking forward to a Blue final". ESPN Soccernet. 2001-01-09. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/archive/england/news/2001/0109/20010109_birmingham_979026864.html. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ "Francis wants Burchill permanently". BBC Sport. 2000-12-13. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/1069446.stm. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ a b "Clarets target's injury shock". Lancashire Evening Telegraph. 2001-05-04. http://archive.thisislancashire.co.uk/2001/5/4/679902.html. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ "Francis wants to keep Clarets target Adebola". Lancashire Evening Telegraph. 2000-11-25. http://archive.thisislancashire.co.uk/2000/11/25/704405.html. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ "Burnley 2–3 Watford". BBC. 12 April 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/3592919.stm. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
- ^ "Adebola extends Bantams loan deal". BBC Sport. 13 October 2004. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/3739552.stm. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
- ^ "Bristol City sign striker Adebola". BBC Sport. 31 January 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/7218438.stm. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
- ^ "QPR 3–0 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 2 February 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7210599.stm. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
- ^ "Bristol City 2–1 Sheff Wed". BBC Sport. 9 February 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7223891.stm. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ a b "Adebola scoops Bristol City award". Bristol Evening Post. 8 May 2009. http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/sport/Adebola-scoops-Bristol-City-award/article-974461-detail/article.html. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
- ^ "Tigers Complete Adebola Signing". Hull City Official Website. 29 June 2011. http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10338~2383819,00.html. Retrieved 29 June 2001.
- ^ "Hull 0-1 Blackpool". BBC Sport (BBC). 5 August 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/14337494.stm. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
- ^ "N Ireland shock as McMenemy picks Nigerian". Irish Independent. 1998-03-13. http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=37&si=620145&issue_id=6201. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ David Anderson (1998-03-24). "Adebola to miss Slovakia clash". Irish Examiner. http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1998/03/24/phead.htm. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ "Player profile". Crewe Alexandra F.C.. http://www.crewealex.premiumtv.co.uk/page/past_players_detail/0,,10414~63838,00.html. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ David Anderson (1998-10-09). "McMenemy scours leagues for talent". Irish Examiner. http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1998/10/09/phead.htm. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ David Anderson (1999-03-25). "McMenemy is ignoring Germany in crisis claims". Irish Examiner. http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1999/03/25/phead.htm. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ "Sports Digest". Irish Examiner. 1999-12-14. http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1999/12/14/results.htm. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ "Adebola called into Nigeria squad". BBC Sport. 2000-06-30. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/813155.stm. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10308~8191,00.html
External links
Hull City A.F.C. – current squad 1 Basso · 2 Rosenior · 3 Dawson · 4 McKenna · 5 Chester · 6 Hobbs · 7 Stewart · 8 Evans · 9 McLean · 10 Koren · 12 Fryatt · 13 Oxley · 14 Cairney · 15 McShane · 16 Harper · 17 Brady · 18 Barmby · 19 Dudgeon · 22 Adebola · 24 Gulácsi · 25 East · 26 Bradley · 27 Pusic · 28 Waghorn · 31 Emerton · 33 Cracknell · Caretaker manager: Barmby
Categories:- 1975 births
- People from Lagos (city)
- Living people
- Association football forwards
- Nigerian footballers
- Nigerian expatriate footballers
- Crewe Alexandra F.C. players
- Bangor City F.C. players
- Northwich Victoria F.C. players
- Birmingham City F.C. players
- Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players
- Crystal Palace F.C. players
- Coventry City F.C. players
- Burnley F.C. players
- Bradford City A.F.C. players
- Bristol City F.C. players
- Hull City A.F.C. players
- The Football League players
- Players in the Welsh Premier League
- Conference National players
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
