Chris Swailes

Chris Swailes

Chris Swailes in Blyth Spartans colours
Personal information
Full name	Christopher William Swailes[1]
Date of birth	19 October 1970 (1970-10-19) (age 41)
Place of birth	Gateshead, England
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position	Defender
Youth career
1989–1991	Ipswich Town
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1991	Peterborough United	0	(0)
1991–1992	Boston United	30	(1)
1991	→ Kettering Town (loan)	6	(0)
1991–1992	→ Birmingham City (loan)	0	(0)
1992–1993	Bridlington Town	5	(0)
1993	→ Guisborough Town (loan)	11	(3)
1993–1995	Doncaster Rovers	49	(0)
1995–1997	Ipswich Town	37	(1)
1997—2001	Bury	127	(10)
2001–2005	Rotherham United	167	(14)
2005–2007	Oldham Athletic	19	(0)
2007–2009	Hamilton Academical	52	(1)
2009–2010	Gateshead	23	(0)
2010–2011	Blyth Spartans	48	(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12:33, 24 October 2010 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals).

Christopher William Swailes (born October 19, 1970, Gateshead, County Durham)^[2] is a retired English footballer. He has previously played for Ipswich Town under former Scotland manager, George Burley.

Career

Early days

Swailes was a trainee at Ipswich Town from 1989 to 1991, eventually moving to Peterborough United on March 28, 1991 for a fee of £10,000, after turning down a contract offered by the Ipswich manager at the time, John Lyall. Five months later, he moved on to Boston United of the Alliance Premier League on a free transfer, after feeling homesick for the North East. He played only part-time for them, going out on loan to Kettering and Third Division Birmingham City for a while, before signing for Bridlington Town, again for free. After a short spell on loan to Guisborough Town, he followed the Bridlington chairman Ken Richardson to Doncaster Rovers, then in the Third Division, for no fee (once again).^[3]

In 54 appearances for Doncaster over the next 17 months, he scored one League Cup goal in a first round, second leg, away fixture at Wrexham on August 23, 1994.^[4]

Hitting the big time

However, in March 1995, the new Ipswich Town manager George Burley paid £150,000^[5] for Swailes to return to his former club.^[3] Unfortunately, in his first Premier League game for them at home to Aston Villa on April 1, 1995,^[6] he scored an own goal in stoppage time at the end of the match, to confirm a 1–0 defeat.^[3] Ipswich were relegated to the First Division at the end of that season.

Over the next two-and-a-half years, he made just 47 appearances in League, Cup and other games for them, scoring only once. The bulk of his contribution came in the 1996–97 season, when he was given an extended run. Ipswich finished in fourth spot and entered the First Division playoffs, but lost on the away goals rule^[3] after extra time in the semi-final second leg at home to Sheffield United, Swailes being replaced by Kieron Dyer in the 91st minute.^[7]

Moving on

On November 13, 1997, Stan Ternent, the manager of Bury, also in the First Division at that time, paid a club record fee of £200,000^[5] for Swailes (which still stands).^[3] He was included in the Shakers’ team for their away match at Oxford United two days later, and promptly scored an equalising goal for them in a 1–1 draw.^[8] Although Swailes subsequently found it hard to maintain a run of appearances in the first team under Ternent, his fortunes looked up a little after Neil Warnock took over as manager in 1998, and he missed only three games through suspension during the 1998–99 season. Despite this, Bury were relegated at the end of that term. Swailes was quoted as saying: "[P]robably Stan cracked the whip more than Neil did which in the end may have been the difference of gaining the extra couple of points we needed, but as professionals we must all share the blame".^[3] He was subsequently voted Player of the Year by the Bury Supporters' Association at their prize night in May 1999. "It really is a big surprise for me to get the award," he commented. "I thought I might make the top five at best. But it's a dream come true to be the fans' choice. They are the most important people at the club, they keep it alive and for them to vote for me is marvellous, but I suppose my goal against Bolton helped!^[9]

"I like to think the fans can relate to me," he added. "I know I'm of limited ability but I always give 100 per cent on the pitch and I think the supporters appreciate that. But I'd gladly sacrifice the award for First Division survival."^[10]

Whilst with Bury, Swailes lived in Ramsbottom with his wife Louise and their recent addition to the family, a daughter. However, the good fortune which had blessed him around that period was about to disappear.

During the following season, in a match at home to Millwall on January 4, 2000 (his last game before a three-match ban was due to commence for getting sent off at Burnley on Boxing Day 1999), Swailes suffered a double hernia, but played on to the end of the match, and ended up in hospital. He was not fit enough to play for the reserves until mid-April, and did not taste first team football again until completing ninety minutes in the home Second Division fixture against Blackpool on April 22, 2000, which they won 3–2.^[11]

By this time, Andy Preece had taken over as player/manager at Gigg Lane, and things were never the same for Swailes after this period. In all, he made 148 appearances for them, scoring on 11 occasions.

Although he was offered a new one, in June 2001 Chris Swailes' contract with Bury expired, and he was then able to move on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling. In reaction to an enquiry towards the end of May that year from Ronnie Moore of Rotherham United, Bury had asked for a £100,000 fee – however, they refused to pay this. On June 19, 2001, Swailes signed a contract with newly-promoted Rotherham, and looked forward to a new season playing in the Football League First Division.^[12]

A regular for Rotherham

Throughout season 2001–02, Swailes was an ever-present, making 44 League appearances and scoring 6 League goals.^[13] However, the club exited both the FA Cup and the League Cup early, and avoided relegation only by having a better goal difference than Crewe, who went down occupying the third-from-bottom position in the First Division.^[14]

In the 2002–03 season, Swailes was sent off by referee Graham Laws shortly before half-time in a First Division match at home to Portsmouth on October 5, 2002.^[15] His manager, Ronnie Moore, bemoaned the referee's contribution to the game, saying: "One man has spoiled the game. It would have been a game, a hell of a game." The incident which led to Swailes' sending-off was described by The Guardian thus:

"...Chris Swailes, running side by side with Svetoslav Todorov, nudged his hip into the Portsmouth forward with as much menace as a ballroom partner. But Todorov went down and sent the referee Graham Laws reaching for red."

Regarding the sending-off, Moore would only say: "If he [Todorov] could have scored from there, I'm a Dutchman".^[16]

Swailes and Rotherham finished the season just below mid-table.^[17] Much the same happened in the following season,^[18] although they were involved in a "sensational shoot-out"^[19] following a 1–1 draw, after extra time, at Arsenal in the League Cup third round on October 28, 2003.^[20] Arsenal won the penalty competition 9–8, after Swailes had missed his "sudden death" spot-kick, leaving Sylvain Wiltord to claim victory by converting his.^[19]

However, in 2004–05, despite Swailes playing 37 League games and scoring two goals, Rotherham were relegated from the newly-named Football League Championship, winning only 5 matches and finishing bottom. Moore resigned as manager in January 2005, and took up the challenge of leading League One Oldham Athletic in March that year.^[21] This was to be a significant occurrence regarding the future of Chris Swailes.

Swailes reunited with Moore

Swailes followed his Rotherham teammates Paul Warne and Rob Scott to Boundary Park in July 2005 on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract for Ronnie Moore.^[22] However, he was immediately injured in training, suffering a damaged heel.^[23] He would not make his debut for Oldham until the 0–0 home draw against Southend United on January 7, 2006, coming on as a substitute in the 51st minute.^[24] He then aggravated the problem in a training session before the game at Blackpool on January 10, 2006.^[25]

He struggled on, "taking pills just to get through games",^[26] and played in only 15 matches that season,^[27] between his debut and April 15, 2006, when he had to be substituted in the 51st minute in a 3–0 loss at home to Barnsley.^[28] However, despite surgery in the summer, which enabled him to play four times at the beginning of the 2006–07 season, Swailes had to undergo a further operation, about which he said: "I am again in a lot of pain and it has just got worse. I had a feeling I might need more surgery and I just have to hope for the best".^[26]

Following the sacking of manager Moore and the club's appointment of John Sheridan to replace him, the new man "decided to pay up the remainder of the player's contract",^[29] and Swailes was released.

Off to Scotland

Swailes made his recovery on schedule in February 2007, and then went on trial to Scottish First Division Hamilton Academical, registering in time to come on as a 23rd minute substitute in their away match at Clyde on March 10, 2007.^[30] By April, manager Billy Reid was so impressed, he offered Swailes a contract extension. "We’re going to sign Chris Swailes up on a pay-as-you-play contract. I think he’s been brilliant for us at the back and adds a wealth of experience," he said. "If Chris can get a pre-season under his belt, and we can get him, Mark McLaughlin and Davie Elebert playing together then we’re in healthy hands in defence."^[31]

In July 2007, he signed a further one-year deal, as a part-time player, allowing him to travel up for games from his base in the North East of England.^[32]

Since then, he has been an integral part of the team, making regular appearances in defence, scoring the second goal in a 2–0 win at Partick Thistle in November 2007,^[33] but getting sent off in a Scottish Cup tie away to Brechin in January 2008.^[34]

Back home

Following Swailes release from Hamilton, he joined his home town club Gateshead on June 15, 2009 who had been newly promoted to the Conference National. "I'm a Gateshead lad and a number of my friends are members of the Heed Army so this is a great move for me, and it would be great to end my career at Gateshead".^[35] Swailes made his debut for Gateshead against Tamworth on August 18, 2009. Swailes scored his first goal for Gateshead in the FA Trophy First Round replay away at Harrogate Town on 15 December 2009. Swailes was released by Gateshead at the end of the 2009-10 season.^[36]

Blyth Spartans

In June 2010, Swailes joined Blyth Spartans as assistant manager, and in addition was registered as a player.^[37] He scored his first goal for Blyth Spartans on 24 October 2010 with a super header as part of a 3–0 win over Hyde.^[38]

Honours

Hamilton Academical

• Scottish Football League First Division: 2007–08 champions

References

1. ^ "Search 1984 to 2006 – Birth, Marriage and Death indexes". findmypast.com. 8 October 2010. http://www.findmypast.co.uk/birth-indexes-search-start.action. Retrieved 23 October 2010. 
2. ^ Full name, date and place of birth: Pride of Anglia website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
3. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Biographical detail: TheMightyShakers.co.uk website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
4. ^ League Cup goal, Wrexham v. Doncaster, Round 1, second leg, 1994: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
5. ^ ^{a b} Ipswich transfer info on Chris Swailes: from a list at the Daily Telegraph website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
6. ^ Debut own goal, for Ipswich v. Aston Villa, on April Fools' Day 1995: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
7. ^ First Division playoff semi-final second leg defeat, on the away goals rule, 1997: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
8. ^ Oxford 1 Bury 1, debut goal for Swailes, 1997: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
9. ^ Goal against Bolton, for Bury, 1998–99: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
10. ^ Player of the Year, 1999, Bury Supporters' Association: TheMightyShakers.co.uk website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
11. ^ First match after injury, Bury v. Blackpool, 2000: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
12. ^ "Millers eye up Bury duo", Swailes moves to Rotherham, 2001: from an article at the Bolton Evening News website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
13. ^ Appearances and goals, First Division, 2001–02: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
14. ^ Only just avoiding relegation with Rotherham, 2001–02: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
15. ^ Rotherham v. Portsmouth, First Division, 2002: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
16. ^ "Poor Laws and little justice serve Pompey". Swailes off against Portsmouth, 2002: from an article at The Guardian website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
17. ^ Mid-table finish, Rotherham, 2002–03 season: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
18. ^ Mid-table finish, again, Rotherham, 2003–04 season: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
19. ^ ^{a b} Arsenal win on penalties, after Chris Swailes misses: from a report at the BBC.co.uk website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
20. ^ Arsenal 1–1 Rotherham, League Cup third round, 2003: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
21. ^ Ronnie Moore, managerial statistics: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
22. ^ Swailes signs for Oldham, two-year contract, July 2005: Football.co.uk website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
23. ^ Heel injury, sustained in Oldham training, July 2005: from an article at the Manchester Evening News website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
24. ^ Debut for Oldham, v. Southend, January 2006: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
25. ^ "Swailes worry for Latics", heel problem strikes again: Football.co.uk website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
26. ^ ^{a b} "Swailes fights to save career", pills and operations: from an article at the Manchester Evening News website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
27. ^ 15 appearances, 2005–06 season, due to heel injury: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
28. ^ Substituted with recurrence of heel injury, at home to Barnsley, April 2006: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
29. ^ "Swailes leaves Boundary Park", contract paid up by new manager Sheridan: ClubCall.co.uk website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
30. ^ Clyde v. Hamilton, Scottish First Division, 2007: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
31. ^ "Pay-as-you-play" contract for Swailes, with Hamilton Academical: from an article at the Hamilton Advertiser website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
32. ^ Further one-year deal at Hamilton, July 2007: Hamilton Academical website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
33. ^ Goal for Swailes, at Partick, 2007: Partick Thistle website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
34. ^ Sent off at Brechin, Scottish Cup, 2008: from a report at the BBC.co.uk website. Retrieved on April 3, 2008.
35. ^ "Gateshead complete double signing". Gateshead FC. 2009-06-15. http://www.gateshead-fc.com/2309/gateshead-complete-double-signing. Retrieved 2009-06-16. 
36. ^ "Gateshead announce retained list". Gateshead FC. 2010-05-06. http://www.gateshead-fc.com/2769/gateshead-announce-retained-list. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
37. ^ "Blyth in swoop to land Swailes". chroniclelive.co.uk. 2010-06-12. http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/non-league-football/2010/06/12/blyth-in-swoop-to-land-swailes-72703-26638423/. Retrieved 2010-06-14. 
38. ^ "Blyth 3-0 Hyde". blythspartansafc.co.uk. 2010-10-24. http://blythspartansafc.co.uk/new_php/?p=4955. Retrieved 2010-10-24. 

External links

• Chris Swailes' Stats at BlythSpartansafc.co.uk
• Chris Swailes career stats at Soccerbase

Persondata
Name	Swailes, Chris
Alternative names	Swailes, Christopher Swales, Chris
Short description	Professional footballer
Date of birth	1970-10-19
Place of birth	Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England
Date of death
Place of death