Michael Poke
Encyclopedia
Michael Harold Poke is an English football goalkeeper
, who currently plays for Brighton & Hove Albion
.
, Poke attended Longford Community School in Tachbrook Road, Feltham
before joining Southampton
as a trainee. He had a trial with Northampton Town
in August 2004, playing in a scoreless reserve game against Gillingham
on 17 August. He remained with Southampton, and with Antti Niemi injured, was named as a substitute for the League Cup
tie against Watford
in November 2004.
He joined Oldham Athletic on loan in August 2005, but failed to make his debut and suffered a fractured finger.
In October 2005 he joined Northampton Town
on loan, making his debut in the 5–2 Football League Trophy
win at home to Notts County
on 18 October. His loan was extended for a second month, but his only other game for the Cobblers also came in the Football League Trophy, playing in the 3–2 defeat away to Colchester United
on 23 November.
On 23 November 2006, he moved on loan to Woking
(under manager Glenn Cockerill
, a former Southampton player) until Christmas.
In the summer of 2007 Poke was the only fit goalkeeper that Southampton could take on their tour of Norway
, making his full debut for the club in the 12–0 demolition of part timers Svarstad.
On 9 January 2008 Poke went on loan to Conference National side Torquay United
, taking over as first choice from Martin Rice who had recently taken over the role himself from Simon Rayner
. Poke was recalled by Southampton in February 2008 due to an ongoing injury crisis. He had played four Conference games for Torquay, against Salisbury City
, Histon
, Kidderminster Harriers
and Weymouth
, without conceding a single goal. He made his Southampton debut on 4 March 2008 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
as a half-time substitute for the injured Kelvin Davis
. Poke himself was injured later that month to give Southampton three injured goalkeepers.
On 22 July 2008, Poke rejoined Torquay on a season-long loan. However, he was injured early in the season, resulting in Torquay having to loan Scott Bevan
from Shrewsbury Town
as cover.
On 1 September 2009, Poke was again loaned out to Torquay Utd for a third spell at the newly promoted League Two
side. On 23 December, Poke extended his loan deal with the Gulls till the end of the season. On 15 May 2010, Poke was named in a list of 13 players to be released from Southampton before the start of the 2010–11 season
.
In June 2010, Poke joined League One side Brighton & Hove Albion
on a one year contract.
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
, who currently plays for Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
.
Football career
Born in Ashford, SurreyAshford, Surrey
Ashford is a town almost entirely in the Surrey borough of Spelthorne in England, with a small part falling within Greater London. It is a suburban development situated 15 miles west south-west of Charing Cross in London and forms part of the London commuter belt...
, Poke attended Longford Community School in Tachbrook Road, Feltham
Feltham
Feltham is a town in the London Borough of Hounslow, west London. It is located about west south west of central London at Charing Cross and from Heathrow Airport Central...
before joining Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
as a trainee. He had a trial with Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
in August 2004, playing in a scoreless reserve game against Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
on 17 August. He remained with Southampton, and with Antti Niemi injured, was named as a substitute for the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
tie against Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
in November 2004.
He joined Oldham Athletic on loan in August 2005, but failed to make his debut and suffered a fractured finger.
In October 2005 he joined Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
on loan, making his debut in the 5–2 Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
win at home to Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
on 18 October. His loan was extended for a second month, but his only other game for the Cobblers also came in the Football League Trophy, playing in the 3–2 defeat away to Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
on 23 November.
On 23 November 2006, he moved on loan to Woking
Woking F.C.
Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the...
(under manager Glenn Cockerill
Glenn Cockerill
Glenn Cockerill is a retired English footballer who played more than 700 games in The Football League in a 22-year career. He is perhaps best remembered from his eight-year spell at Southampton...
, a former Southampton player) until Christmas.
In the summer of 2007 Poke was the only fit goalkeeper that Southampton could take on their tour of Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, making his full debut for the club in the 12–0 demolition of part timers Svarstad.
On 9 January 2008 Poke went on loan to Conference National side Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
, taking over as first choice from Martin Rice who had recently taken over the role himself from Simon Rayner
Simon Rayner
Simon Christopher Rayner is a Canadian football goalkeeper, currently signed to Three Bridges F.C. in the Sussex County League Division One.-Early career:...
. Poke was recalled by Southampton in February 2008 due to an ongoing injury crisis. He had played four Conference games for Torquay, against Salisbury City
Salisbury City F.C.
Salisbury City Football Club is an English football club based in Salisbury, Wiltshire currently playing in the Conference South. They were formed in 1947 and play at The Raymond McEnhill Stadium...
, Histon
Histon F.C.
Histon Football Club is an English football club based in the twin villages of Histon and Impington, approximately north of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. From the 2007–08 season they competed in the Conference National, the highest level that the club has ever reached in the English football league...
, Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
and Weymouth
Weymouth F.C.
Weymouth F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:Weymouth Football Club were founded in 1890 and played their first game on 24 September of that year...
, without conceding a single goal. He made his Southampton debut on 4 March 2008 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
as a half-time substitute for the injured Kelvin Davis
Kelvin Davis
Kelvin Geoffrey Davis is an English footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for newly-promoted Championship club Southampton. Born in Bedford, Davis began his career with Luton Town as a youth player in 1991 and remained there until 1999. Davis later played for Wimbledon, Ipswich Town and...
. Poke himself was injured later that month to give Southampton three injured goalkeepers.
On 22 July 2008, Poke rejoined Torquay on a season-long loan. However, he was injured early in the season, resulting in Torquay having to loan Scott Bevan
Scott Bevan
Scott Bevan is an English footballer and currently plays as a goalkeeper for League Two side Bristol Rovers.-Football career:...
from Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
as cover.
On 1 September 2009, Poke was again loaned out to Torquay Utd for a third spell at the newly promoted League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side. On 23 December, Poke extended his loan deal with the Gulls till the end of the season. On 15 May 2010, Poke was named in a list of 13 players to be released from Southampton before the start of the 2010–11 season
2010–11 in English football
The 2010–11 season was the 131st season of competitive football in England.The season began on 6 August 2010 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier League and Football Conference both starting eight days later on 14 August 2010. The Championship, League One, and League Two ended on 7 May...
.
In June 2010, Poke joined League One side Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
on a one year contract.
External links
- Michael Poke player profile at saintsfc.co.uk
- Michael Poke player profile at ntfc.co.uk