Chris Sander (footballer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Christopher Andrew Sander[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 11 November 1962 | ||
| Place of birth | Swansea, Wales | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1979–1985 | Swansea City | 20 | (0) |
| 1984 | → Wrexham (loan) | 8 | (0) |
| 1985 | Cardiff City | 5 | (0) |
| 1985–1986 | Haverfordwest County | ||
| 1986 | Cardiff City | 5 | (0) |
| 1986–1989 | Barry Town | 102 | (0) |
| 1989 | Aberystwyth Town | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Christopher Andrew Sander (born 11 November 1962) is a Welsh former professional footballer. During his career, he made 38 appearances in the Football League during spells with Swansea City, Wrexham and Cardiff City. He also played for Welsh clubs Haverfordwest County, Barry Town and Aberystwyth Town.
Career
Born in Swansea,[3] Sander represented Wales at Schoolboy, Youth, Under 21, and Non-League levels. He began his career with his hometown club Swansea City after leaving school.[2] After turning professional on his 17th birthday in November 1979, he made his league debut for the club in May 1982 during a 3–0 defeat at Aston Villa.[4] He struggled to maintain a first-team place at the club, competing with Dai Davies and Jimmy Rimmer, but helped the club win the Welsh Cup in 1983 and played in their UEFA Cup Winners' Cup victory over Maltese side Sliema Wanderers.[4][2] He spent a brief spell on loan with Wrexham during the 1984–85 season, making five league appearances as injury cover for Stuart Parker.[5] [4]
He retired from the professional game during the 1984-85 after choosing to pursue a career in the IT industry. Cardiff City approached him to act as cover for Mel Rees, and despite requests to sign full time, he registered on non-contract terms. His pre-season form meant that he made his debut for Cardiff in the opening match of the 1985–86 season during a 4–1 victory over Notts County on 17 August 1985. After four further appearances, work commitments made it impractical to continue an extended run and Mel Rees picked up the first choice duties. Sander remained as cover until he was released by the club in December 1985 after the club signed Lee Smelt.[6] He returned to Haverfordwest County where he had signed at the start of that season,[7] but a number of injuries to Cardiff's goalkeepers saw the club re-sign Sander on non-contract terms again. He played in five further matches, including becoming the first Cardiff goalkeeper to save two penalties in the same match during a 1–1 draw with Walsall in April 1986,[7] before terminating the agreement at the end of the season to concentrate on his career.[7] The following season he joined Barry Town, where he enjoyed Non-League International recognition and Welsh League Championship success making over 100 appearances,[8] before playing for Aberystwyth Town.[2]
Honours
Swansea City
References
- ^ "Chris Sander". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- ^ a b c d Gareth M. Davies; Peter Jones (1999). Racecourse Robins: From Adams to Youds – A Who's who of Wrexham Association Football Club 1921–1999. Holyhead: Authors. p. 287. ISBN 0952495015.
- ^ "Chris Sander". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Players of the past". Swansea City A.F.C. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- ^ "Chris Sander". Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database. Neil Brown. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- ^ Shepherd, Richard (2002). The Definitive: Cardiff City F.C. Nottingham: SoccerData Publications. p. 85. ISBN 1-899-46817-X.
- ^ a b c Hayes, Dean (2006). The Who's Who of Cardiff City. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 168. ISBN 1-85983-462-0.
- ^ "Season Archive". Barry Town United F.C. Retrieved 8 April 2018.