Robert Page (footballer)

Robert Page

Personal information
Full name	Robert Page
Date of birth	3 September 1974 (1974-09-03)
Place of birth	Llwynypia, Wales
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing position	Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1993–2001	Watford	218	(2)
2001	→ Sheffield United (loan)	3	(0)
2001–2004	Sheffield United	107	(1)
2004–2005	Cardiff City	9	(0)
2005–2008	Coventry City	70	(1)
2008	Huddersfield Town	18	(1)
2008–2011	Chesterfield	56	(1)
Total		481	(6)
National team
	Wales U21	4	(0)
1996–2005	Wales	41	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Robert Page (born 3 September 1974 in Llwynypia, Rhondda Cynon Taf) is a Welsh former international football defender, who is now a youth team coach at Port Vale. In an eighteen year career in the Premier League and the Football League he made 475 league appearances for six different clubs. He both captained a team and scored a goal in all top four divisions of English football.

He began his career with Watford in 1993, who he would captain to two successive promotions in 1998 and 1999, thereby winning the club a place in the top-flight of English football. Two years later he transferred to Sheffield United, where he would play over 100 games in a three year stay. He signed with Cardiff City in 2004, before moving on to Coventry City the following year. In 2008 he moved on to Chesterfield via Huddersfield Town, before retiring in 2011.

He also gained 41 caps for Wales in a ten year international career, captaining the side once, before he retired from international football in September 2006.

Playing career

Watford

Page started his career at Watford in 1993. He established himself as a key member of the first team, playing 42 games in the 1996–97 campaign.

His first major feat with the club came in the 1997–98 Second Division winning season. He made 49 appearances in league and cup, and ensured the "Hornets" earned a vital point at second-place Bristol City in his final game of the season.

A greater feat was in store the following season though, as he made 42 First Division appearances to help Watford to a fifth place finish. After defeating Birmingham City in the play-off semi-finals, Page marshalled the Watford defence to a clean sheet in the final, as Watford defeated Bolton Wanderers 2–0 to win a place in the Premier League.

As expected Watford were relegated at the end of their maiden season in the Premier League. However Page did play in some memorable moments for the club, including a 1–0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield and another 1–0 victory over Chelsea at Vicarage Road. He also scored against Sheffield Wednesday to win the club a point at Hillsborough. At the end of the season club captain Page was voted Watford Player of the Season.

He remained with Watford for the 2000–01 campaign, making 42 appearances in league and cup. In May 2001, in one of his first acts as manager, Gianluca Vialli transfer listed the player, demanding a £1 million fee from prospective clubs.

Sheffield United

He was loaned out to First Division rivals Sheffield United in August 2001, before moving to the club permanently the next month for a £350,000 fee. He went on to make 45 appearances for the club in the 2001–02 campaign.

The next season he captained the "Blades" to a third place finish. He played in the club's play-off semi-final victory over Nottingham Forest, but was powerless to stop Wolverhampton Wanderers winning 3–0 in the final.

He recovered from an ankle injury to make 35 appearances in 2003–04, as United finish two points outside of the play-off zone.

Cardiff City and Coventry City

He moved to Championship rivals Cardiff City on a free transfer in July 2004. Finding first team opportunities limited, he left the club in February 2005 after only making nine appearances.

Coventry City manager Micky Adams signed Page in February 2005. Page was soon struck down with a knee injury.

In September 2005 he was handed a three match suspension by The Football Association after fighting with Southampton defender Darren Powell. He made 34 appearances in 2005–06, as Coventry finished in mid-table. At the end of the campaign he underwent major hip surgery.

Signing an extended contract in September 2006, Adams appointed Page as club captain in November, though his contribution was more limited in 2006–07, as he picked up ten bookings in his 29 league appearances. He also hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in January 2007, after he and vice-captain Michael Doyle injured each other after fighting each other on the club's training ground. The Daily Mail reported that Page knocked out his teammates teeth during the brawl.

After just two appearances in the first half of the 2007–08 season, he left the club in the January transfer window.

Huddersfield Town and Chesterfield

In January 2008, he joined Huddersfield Town in League One. On 26 January, he made his Town debut in an FA Cup Fourth Round win at Oldham Athletic. He made his Town league debut three days later in a 1–0 win over Bournemouth at the Galpharm Stadium. In his four games for Huddersfield the "Terriers" recorded four wins and four clean sheets. He scored his first goal for the club in their FA Cup defeat against Carlisle United at Brunton Park on 12 February 2008. Following Andy Ritchie's departure as manager, caretaker manager Gerry Murphy made Page captain of the team until the end of the season, replacing previous captain Jon Worthington. However, it was then revealed on 2 May, that contract talks had broken down between Page and new manager Stan Ternent.

On 5 May 2008, it was revealed that Page had agreed a pre-contract agreement at League Two side Chesterfield. Manager Lee Richardson initially appointed Page as club captain, but after a string of poor performances and a red card at Dagenham & Redbridge, Page was dropped from the squad and his captaincy was relinquished. By the end of the season he made just eighteen starts, and Richardson announced he was willing to listen to offers for the player.

In July 2009, Page was offered a player-coach role at Port Vale under Micky Adams, but he decided to stay at Chesterfield. Richardson was relieved of his duties in May 2009, and his replacement, John Sheridan brought Ian Breckin to the club, who formed a strong early defensive partnership with Page. He played a total of 42 games in the 2009–10 campaign.

After an achilles injury limited Page to just two appearances in 2010–11, he was released by the club in March 2011.

International career

Page represented Wales, gaining 41 caps, captaining the side once. He retired from international football in September 2006, citing a wish to see more of his young family.

Coaching career

Page did radio commentary on a number of Watford games.

In July 2011, Micky Adams again offered Page a coaching role at League Two Port Vale. Page accepted, and was given a role in the club's youth set-up.

Honours

Individual

• Watford F.C. Player of the Season: 1999–2000

with Watford

• Football League Second Division champion: 1997–98
• Football League First Division play-off winner: 1999

External links

• Robert Page career stats at Soccerbase