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Danny Webber

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Danny Webber
Webber in 2024
Personal information
Full name Daniel Vaughn Webber[1]
Date of birth (1981-12-28) 28 December 1981 (age 42)[2]
Place of birth Manchester, England[2]
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
Fletcher Moss Rangers
1996–1998 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2003 Manchester United 0 (0)
2001 → Port Vale (loan) 4 (0)
2002 → Watford (loan) 5 (2)
2002 → Watford (loan) 12 (2)
2003–2005 Watford 55 (17)
2005 → Sheffield United (loan) 7 (3)
2005–2009 Sheffield United 107 (20)
2009–2011 Portsmouth 25 (1)
2012 Leeds United 13 (1)
2013 Doncaster Rovers 0 (0)
2013–2014 Accrington Stanley 22 (3)
2014–2016 Salford City 56 (38)
Total 306 (87)
International career
2002 England U20 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Daniel Vaughn Webber (born 28 December 1981) is an English former professional football striker. He represented England under-20s in 2002.

Born in Manchester, Webber began his career as a trainee with Manchester United but failed to cement a first-team place and spent loan spells with Port Vale and Watford before joining Watford permanently. After two years with Watford, Webber joined Sheffield United for the second half of the 2004–05 season. That loan also became a permanent transfer at the end of the season, and during the 2005–06 season, Webber's goals helped Sheffield United to promotion to the Premier League for 2006–07. Three years later, after scoring 20 goals in 107 league appearances for the Blades, Webber's contract was allowed to expire, and he was released from the club. He then joined Portsmouth for an injury-plagued two-year spell. He signed a short-term deal with Leeds United in February 2012 and, after being released at the end of the season, was left with no club until he joined Doncaster Rovers in March 2013 on non-contract terms. He signed with Accrington Stanley in July 2013, where he remained for one season before joining non-League side Salford City in August 2014, helping the side to win the Northern Premier League Division One North title in 2014–15, and then promotion out of the Premier Division play-offs in 2015–16, before he announced his retirement in July 2016.

Club career

[edit]

Manchester United

[edit]

Webber started playing at Fletcher Moss Rangers,[3] and after some appearances for the Manchester United's youth team during the 1997–98 season, Webber began his footballing career as a trainee in July 1998. After scoring 16 goals in 11 appearances for the Under-17 side, including five goals against Fulham, Webber was rewarded with a professional contract on 28 December 1998.[4] Despite only scoring one more goal between then and the end of the 1998–99 season, Webber finished as the Under-17s' top scorer.

He progressed to the Under-19s in 1999–2000, for whom he scored 11 goals in 14 appearances. He also made his first appearances for the reserve team during that season, playing in matches against Bradford City, Newcastle United and Manchester City. In 2000–01, Webber established himself in the reserve side, scoring six goals in 20 appearances, and made his debut for the first-team in November 2000 in a League Cup match against Sunderland.[5][6]

He made a second appearance for Manchester United in the League Cup in November 2001,[7] and then joined Port Vale on a one-month loan.[8] He made five appearances for Port Vale,[7] returning to Manchester United at the end of his loan spell as he felt that the departure of Andy Cole from the club at the end of December 2001 would enhance his first-team opportunities. He did not break into the first team, however, and in March 2002, he joined First Division club Watford on loan for the rest of the season, where he scored two goals in five League appearances.[7][9]

He joined Watford again for the start of the 2002–03 season on a three-month loan. He impressed Watford manager Ray Lewington, who said, "Danny's come down from Manchester United, and he has enthusiasm and a willingness to work. He's an absolute credit."[10][11] His loan spell came to an end in October 2002 after he dislocated his shoulder in a match against Sheffield Wednesday.[12][13] He made a third appearance for Manchester United as a substitute in the Champions League match against Deportivo de La Coruña in March 2003.[14] At the end of the season, he was offered a three-year contract. Still, he turned it down to seek first-team football, saying, "When I was 16, I made the decision that if I was still around at 21 and not in the first team, I'd have to be professional and go and play first-team football somewhere else. I was a bit disappointed that I hadn't broken through but there's no point thinking about what could have been.".[15][16]

Watford

[edit]

Webber joined Watford on a three-year contract in the summer of 2003.[17][18] He made 31 league and cup appearances in the 2003–04 season, scoring five goals, with a shoulder injury suffered in training in February 2004 restricting his appearance for the rest of the season.[19][20] Webber made a good start to the 2004–05 season, scoring nine goals by mid-October 2004, with manager Ray Lewington saying, "He has got mind and body right this year and is showing the potential we all knew he had. He is doing extremely well. And this season Danny is scoring tap ins as well as spectacular goals."[21] However, his season was interrupted by a dislocated shoulder suffered during a match against Gillingham in November 2004,[22][23] and he was later dropped from the first-team in March 2005 owing to poor form.[24] Shortly afterwards, he joined Sheffield United on loan.[25][26] Webber scored 12 goals in 32 league and cup appearances for Watford in the 2004–05 season.[27]

Sheffield United

[edit]

Webber initially joined Sheffield United on loan in March 2005 with Danny Cullip moving in the opposite direction.[25][26] He scored after 93 seconds on his debut in a 4–0 away win over rivals Leeds United,[28][29] and four days later, scored two goals against Queens Park Rangers.[30][31] At the end of the 2004–05 season, he signed a permanent three-year contract with Sheffield United for a transfer fee of £500,000.[32][33]

During the 2005–06 season, Webber scored ten goals,[34] helping Sheffield United to win automatic promotion from the Championship to the Premier League.[35] In the 2006–07 season he played 22 games in the Premier League, scoring three goals, including the winning goals against Newcastle United and former club Watford.

After the "Blades" were relegated, Webber continued to appear regularly but struggled with injuries and an inability to turn appearances into goals. By the 2008–09 season he was in the final year of his contract and hoped to secure a new deal with the club[36] but more injuries saw him drop out of the first-team reckoning. After the club missed out on promotion, Webber's contract was allowed to expire, and he was released.[37] Numerous clubs courted him in the summer and he was closely linked with Crystal Palace before Palace manager Neil Warnock stated that "it looks as if Danny will be going to Middlesbrough, it's difficult for us to compete with their money".[38]

Portsmouth

[edit]

In September 2009, Webber signed for Portsmouth, who was looking for attacking options. He signed outside the transfer window as he was a free agent.[39] He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 League Cup victory over Carlisle United on 22 September.[40] Webber scored his first Premier League goal for Portsmouth in a 1–1 home draw against West Ham United on 26 January 2010. He was ruled out for the remainder of the season after rupturing cruciate ligaments in a game against Tottenham Hotspur two months later. He received a runners-up medal for the 2010 FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea. However, he was unable to take part in the final itself.[41] Webber remained in the treatment room for much of the 2010–11 campaign, before he made his return to action in a 2–0 defeat to Reading at the Madejski Stadium on 2 April, making a cameo appearance for the last five minutes. His contract was not renewed at the end of the season.

In July 2011, Webber joined Premier League newcomers Queens Park Rangers on a trial basis, who were managed by his former (and current) manager Neil Warnock He scored three goals for QPR in pre-season, one in a 13–0 win over Tavistock, and two in a 7–0 win against Bodmin Town.[42][43] In December, Webber had a trial spell at Scottish Premier League club Celtic.[44] Later in the month he began training with League One side Huddersfield Town.[45] In February 2012, Webber joined Birmingham City on trial with a view to signing a permanent contract.[46] In February, there was also reported interest from Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande.[47]

Leeds United

[edit]

Webber went to Elland Road on a trial basis, and on 28 February he joined the Championship club on a deal lasting until the end of the season, making him Neil Warnock's first signing as Leeds United manager.[48] Webber made his debut as a substitute in a 1–0 home defeat to Southampton on 3 March.[49] He then made his first start for Leeds three days later, in a 0–0 draw with Hull City at the KC Stadium.[50] Webber scored his first goal for Leeds coming off the bench in the final game of the season against Leicester City on 28 April.[51] On 2 May 2012, Webber was told that his contract would not be renewed and that he was free to find another club.[52]

Doncaster Rovers

[edit]

He went on trial at Brian Flynn's Doncaster Rovers in March 2013[53] and signed on a non-contractual basis shortly after.[54] Rovers won promotion as League One champions at the end of the 2012–13 season, though Webber never made it onto the pitch.

Webber playing for Accrington Stanley in 2014

Accrington Stanley

[edit]

Webber signed a one-year contract with League Two club Accrington Stanley in July 2013; he joined Stanley after being attracted to the club by manager James Beattie, his former teammate at Sheffield United.[55] He scored on his debut on 3 August, in a 4–1 defeat to Newport County at Rodney Parade.[56] He ended the 2013–14 campaign with three goals in 23 appearances for Stanley. He was not offered a new contract in the summer.[57]

Salford City

[edit]

Webber signed with Northern Premier League Division One North club Salford City in August 2014.[58] He made his club debut in the opening league match of the season on 16 August as Salford beat Scarborough Athletic 4–1.[59] The "Ammies" won promotion as champions in the 2014–15 season.[60] He scored Salford's opening goal in the 2–0 FA Cup first round giant-killing over Notts County on 6 November 2015.[61] Salford went on to win promotion out of the Premier Division via the play-offs in 2016 after a 3–2 victory over Workington.[62] He announced his retirement in July 2016, so as to focus his life on his family and his work for a football agency company.[63]

International career

[edit]

Webber played five times for England at under-20 level in 2002.[15]

Personal life

[edit]

His stepfather, Darren Beckford, had a 14-year playing career in professional football.[64] His cousin, Ethan Beckford, has also played professional football.[65]

Career statistics

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester United 2000–01[66] Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
2001–02[67] Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
2002–03[68] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 1 0
Total 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 3 0
Port Vale (loan) 2001–02[67] Second Division 4 0 0 0 0 0 1[b] 0 5 0
Watford 2001–02[67] First Division 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 2
2002–03[68] First Division 12 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 2
2003–04[69] First Division 27 5 2 0 2 0 0 0 31 5
2004–05[70] Championship 28 12 2 0 2 0 0 0 32 12
Total 72 21 4 0 4 0 0 0 80 21
Sheffield United 2004–05[70] Championship 7 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 3
2005–06[71] Championship 35 10 0 0 2 0 0 0 37 10
2006–07[72] Premier League 22 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 24 3
2007–08[73] Championship 14 3 0 0 2 1 0 0 16 4
2008–09[74] Championship 36 4 2 1 3 1 0 0 41 6
Total 114 23 3 1 8 2 0 0 125 26
Portsmouth 2009–10[75] Premier League 17 1 4 0 3 2 0 0 24 3
2010–11[76] Championship 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
Total 25 1 4 0 3 2 0 0 32 3
Leeds United 2011–12[77] Championship 13 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 1
Doncaster Rovers 2012–13[78] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Accrington Stanley 2013–14[79] League Two 22 3 0 0 0 0 1[b] 0 23 3
Career total[c] 250 49 11 1 17 4 3 0 281 54
  1. ^ Appearance in the UEFA Champions League.
  2. ^ a b Appearance/s in the Football League Trophy.
  3. ^ Statistics for Salford City not recorded.

Honours

[edit]

Salford City

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Danny Webber". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2001/02". footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  3. ^ Schecklmann, Matthias. "Fletcher Moss Rangers: Manchester's secret talent factory". Goal. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  4. ^ Butler, Cliff & Ponting, Ivan (1999). Manchester United Official Yearbook 1999. London: Manchester United Books. p. 178. ISBN 0-233-99453-X.
  5. ^ "Webber won't settle for second best". Manchester Evening News. 15 September 2001. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  6. ^ "Games played by Danny Webber in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Archived from the original on 19 July 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  7. ^ a b c "Games played by Danny Webber in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Archived from the original on 19 July 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  8. ^ "Webber joins Vale on loan". BBC Sport. 29 November 2001. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  9. ^ "Watford sign Webber". BBC Sport. 28 March 2002. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  10. ^ "Watford keen to keep Webber". BBC Sport. 27 August 2002. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  11. ^ O'Rourke, Peter (27 August 2002). "Watford want extended Webber stay". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  12. ^ "Webber leaves Watford". BBC Sport. 28 October 2002. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  13. ^ O'Rourke, Peter (27 October 2002). "Injury curtails Webber's Watford stay". Sky Sports. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  14. ^ Silva, Jorge (19 March 2003). "United youngsters unable to withstand the skills of Victor". The Independent. Archived from the original on 16 July 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2009. With 18 minutes to play, Giggs and Forlan were replaced by Kieran Richardson and Danny Webber, as Ferguson continued his policy of giving youth a chance.
  15. ^ a b Atkin, Ronald (9 January 2005). "Webber determined to show he is Premier class". The Independent. Archived from the original on 3 August 2009. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
  16. ^ Nixon, Alan (9 July 2003). "United raise their bid for Ronaldinho to £15m". The Independent. Archived from the original on 1 August 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  17. ^ "Webber poised for Watford". BBC Sport. 4 July 2003. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  18. ^ O'Rourke, Peter (4 July 2003). "Hornets land Webber". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 16 July 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  19. ^ "Games played by Danny Webber in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  20. ^ "Webber boosts Hornets". BBC Sport. 5 February 2004. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  21. ^ Fletcher, Paul (13 October 2004). "Lewington praises in-form Webber". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  22. ^ "Striker Webber faces long lay-off". BBC Sport. 8 November 2004. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  23. ^ Higham, Paul (3 November 2004). "Webber blow for Watford". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 16 July 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  24. ^ Adams, Tom (15 March 2005). "Webber axed for poor form". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 16 July 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  25. ^ a b "Cullip and Webber make loan swap". BBC Sport. 24 March 2005. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
  26. ^ a b Marshall, Adam (24 March 2005). "Dannies swap clubs". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 16 July 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  27. ^ "Games played by Danny Webber in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  28. ^ "Leeds 0–4 Sheffield Utd". BBC Sport. 5 April 2005. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  29. ^ Marshall, Adam (5 April 2005). "Blades humiliate Leeds". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 16 July 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  30. ^ "Sheffield Utd 3–2 QPR". Sky Sports. 8 April 2005. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  31. ^ Livie, Alex (9 April 2005). "Gray on the spot for Blades". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 16 July 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  32. ^ "Blades complete deal for Webber". BBC Sport. 1 June 2005. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
  33. ^ Dunn, Alex (1 June 2005). "Blades seal Webber deal". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 16 July 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  34. ^ "Games played by Danny Webber in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  35. ^ "Blades promoted after Leeds draw". BBC Sport. 15 April 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  36. ^ "Webber happy to wait for new deal". BBC Sport. 22 January 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  37. ^ "Blackwell begins reshaping Blades". BBC Sport. 28 May 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  38. ^ Vickers, Anthony (10 July 2009). "Boro home in on striker Danny Webber". Gazette Live. Reach. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  39. ^ "Pompey pounce for Webber". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 11 September 2009. Retrieved 9 September 2009.
  40. ^ "Carlisle 1–3 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 22 September 2009. Retrieved 26 September 2009.
  41. ^ James, Alex (5 November 2015). "Former Accrington Stanley striker Danny Webber relishing FA Cup run". Lancashire Telegraph.
  42. ^ "QPR confirm Danny Webber trial". ESPN. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  43. ^ Murtagh, Jacob (15 July 2011). "Warnock — No Danny Webber deal". Fulham & Hammersmith Chronicle. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  44. ^ Booth, Mel (1 December 2011). "Danny gets chance to be a Bhoy". Evening Times. Newsquest Herald & Times Group. Archived from the original on 4 December 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  45. ^ Booth, Mel (24 December 2011). "Don't take your eye off Jack Hunt and Oscar Gobern says Huddersfield Town chairman Dean Hoyle". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Reach. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  46. ^ "Birmingham City: Chris Hughton gives trial to former Manchester United player". Birmingham Mail. Reach. 17 February 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  47. ^ "Webber has Chinese option". Sky Sports. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  48. ^ "Webber signs up at Elland Road..." Official Site. Leeds United FC. 28 February 2012. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  49. ^ "Sole Saints strike seals one-way clash at Elland Road..." Official Site. Leeds United FC. 2 March 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  50. ^ "Leeds have still to register a first win or goal under new manager Neil Warnock after they were held to a goalless draw at Yorkshire rivals Hull". BBC Sport. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  51. ^ "Leeds vs Leicester Live". Leeds United FC. 28 April 2012. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  52. ^ "Eleven Told They Can Go". Leeds United FC. 2 May 2012. Archived from the original on 7 May 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  53. ^ "Doncaster Rovers: Flynn eyes double deal". South Yorkshire Times. Johnston Publishing. 12 March 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  54. ^ "Doncaster Rovers seek middle man". The Star. Johnston Publishing. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  55. ^ "Danny Webber agrees one-year deal". BBC Sport. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  56. ^ "Newport 4 - 1 Accrington". BBC Sport. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  57. ^ Jewell, Dan. "Four to Leave Club". Accrington Stanley FC. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  58. ^ Giblin, Andy. "Four In, One Out as Danny Webber signs for Salford". Salford City FC. Pitchero. Archived from the original on 18 August 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  59. ^ "Seddon strikes secure points for Salford". Salford City FC. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  60. ^ a b "FC United and Salford City both secure promotion". BBC Sport. 21 April 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  61. ^ "Salford City 2-0 Notts County". BBC Sport. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  62. ^ a b "Evo-Stik North Prem - final". Sky Sports. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  63. ^ Webber, Daniel (6 July 2016). "Inside Football Danny Webber: My career wasn't as I dreamt, but I loved it and I'll miss the buzz". Yahoo! Sport. Yahoo News Network. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  64. ^ Williams, Alex; Buckley, Andy (2023), You Saw Me Standing Alone, Bucko Media, ISBN 978-1-3999-5882-0
  65. ^ "Ethan Beckford - Men's Soccer". Penn State University Athletics. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  66. ^ "Games played by Danny Webber in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  67. ^ a b c "Games played by Danny Webber in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  68. ^ a b "Games played by Danny Webber in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  69. ^ "Games played by Danny Webber in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  70. ^ a b "Games played by Danny Webber in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  71. ^ "Games played by Danny Webber in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  72. ^ "Games played by Danny Webber in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  73. ^ "Games played by Danny Webber in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  74. ^ "Games played by Danny Webber in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  75. ^ "Games played by Danny Webber in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  76. ^ "Games played by Danny Webber in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  77. ^ "Games played by Danny Webber in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  78. ^ "Games played by Danny Webber in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  79. ^ "Games played by Danny Webber in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
[edit]
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