Noel Blake
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Noel Lloyd George Blake | ||
| Date of birth | 12 January 1962 | ||
| Place of birth | Kingston, Jamaica | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | England U19 (Manager) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1978–1979 | Sutton Coldfield Town | ||
| 1979–1982 | Aston Villa | 4 | (0) |
| 1982 | → Shrewsbury Town (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 1982–1984 | Birmingham City | 76 | (5) |
| 1984–1988 | Portsmouth | 144 | (10) |
| 1988–1990 | Leeds United | 51 | (4) |
| 1990–1992 | Stoke City | 75 | (3) |
| 1992 | → Bradford City (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 1992–1993 | Bradford City | 39 | (3) |
| 1993–1995 | Dundee | 54 | (2) |
| 1995–2001 | Exeter City | 147 | (10) |
| Total | 602 | (37) | |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2000–2001 | Exeter City | ||
| 2003–2006 | Stoke City Academy | ||
| 2008– | England U19 | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Noel Blake (born 12 January 1962) is a retired footballer and current head coach of the England national under-19 football team. He played in the Football League for Aston Villa, Shrewsbury Town, Birmingham City, Portsmouth, Leeds United, Stoke City, Bradford City and Exeter City, and in the Scottish Football League for Dundee.[1]
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[edit] Playing career
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Blake moved to England and played football with non-league side Sutton Coldfield Town. He was spotted by scouts at Aston Villa who signed Blake a year later. He struggled to force his way into the Villa side and went out on loan to Shrewsbury Town in 1982. He left Villa upon his return and joined local rivals Birmingham City. He quickly became a fan favourite with Birmingham as he scored against Villa in December 1982.[2] He spent two years with Birmingham before signing with Portsmouth on the south coast. Whilst he did enjoy some success at 'Pompey' winning promotion in 1987, Blake had problems with racial abuse from his own supporters.[3] After making over 150 appearances with Portsmouth, Blake joined Leeds United on a free transfer and he helped to club to promotion in the 1988–89 season. However his opportunities were limited the following season and so he was sold to Stoke City.[4]
Blake's old manager at Portsmouth Alan Ball tempted Blake to join him at Stoke City in 1990. Ball was sacked in February 1991 as Stoke went on to record their worst league position of 14th in the third tier. Stoke's new manager Lou Macari only used Blake sparingly and later joined Bradford City on loan in 1992.[1] He was the successful manager of the youth team at Stoke City. He joined Bradford permanently and latter played for Scottish side Dundee before ending his playing career with Exeter City.[5]
[edit] Managerial career
A qualified coach, holder of the UEFA Pro Licence,[6] Blake was appointed in February 2007 as one of the Football Association's National Coaches to work with players in England's youth teams and to assist with coach education.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Noel Blake". UK A–Z Transfers. Neil Brown. http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player/noelblake.htm. Retrieved 15 May 2009.
- ^ "Christmas Cracker 1982 - Blues 3 Villa 0". birminghamcity-mad.co.uk. http://www.birminghamcity-mad.co.uk/feat/ed21/christmas_cracker_1982__blues_3__villa_0_27887/index.shtml. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
- ^ "Zulu warrior still fighting: Birmingham and Portsmouth legend Noel Blake relishes Fratton Park clash". Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1255828/Zulu-warrior-fighting-Birmingham-Portsmouth-legend-Noel-Blake-relishes-Fratton-Park-clash.html. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
- ^ "Noel Blake". leeds-fans.org.uk. http://www.leeds-fans.org.uk/leeds/players/451.html. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
- ^ Matthews, Tony: "The Who's who of Stoke City " (Breedon's, ISBN 1859834736)
- ^ Austin, Simon (22 February 2007). "Focus: Football's black mark". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6376121.stm. Retrieved 15 May 2009.
- ^ "Noel Blake on board". The Football Association. 12 February 2007. http://www.thefa.com/England/MensUnder19s/NewsAndFeatures/2007/NoelBlakeAppointment.aspx. Retrieved 15 May 2009.
[edit] External links
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- 1962 births
- Living people
- People from Kingston, Jamaica
- Sutton Coldfield Town F.C. players
- Aston Villa F.C. players
- Shrewsbury Town F.C. players
- Birmingham City F.C. players
- Portsmouth F.C. players
- Leeds United A.F.C. players
- Stoke City F.C. players
- Bradford City A.F.C. players
- Dundee F.C. players
- Exeter City F.C. players
- Exeter City F.C. managers
- UEFA Pro Licence holders
- Scottish Football League players
- The Football League players
- Jamaican emigrants to the United Kingdom
- Stoke City F.C. non-playing staff
