Robert Page (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Robert Page 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
, 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.
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.
with Watford
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, who is now a youth team coach at Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
. In an eighteen year career in the Premier League and the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
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
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 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
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
, where he would play over 100 games in a three year stay. He signed with Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
in 2004, before moving on to Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
the following year. In 2008 he moved on to Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
via Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, before retiring in 2011.
He also gained 41 caps for Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
in a ten year international career, captaining the side once, before he retired from international football in September 2006.
Watford
Page started his career at WatfordWatford 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 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
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
winning season. He made 49 appearances in league and cup, and ensured the "Hornets" earned a vital point at second-place Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
in his final game of the season.
A greater feat was in store the following season though, as he made 42 First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
appearances to help Watford to a fifth place finish. After defeating Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
in the play-off semi-finals, Page marshalled the Watford defence to a clean sheet in the final
1999 Football League First Division play-off Final
The 1999 Football League Championship play-off Final was contested between Bolton Wanderers and Watford, played at Wembley Stadium on 31 May 1999. The match was won by Watford through goals from Nick Wright and Allan Smart. As a result, Watford would play in the Premier League for the first time...
, as Watford defeated Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
2–0 to win a place in the Premier League.
As expected Watford were relegated at the end of their maiden season
1999–2000 Watford F.C. season
During the 1999–2000 English football season, Watford F.C. competed in the FA Premier League, after being promoted from the First Division last season.-Season summary:...
in the Premier League. However Page did play in some memorable moments for the club, including a 1–0 victory over Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
and another 1–0 victory over Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
at Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road, a stadium in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, is the home of the football club Watford and their tenants, the Saracens rugby union club. An all-seater stadium, its current capacity is 17,477.-History:...
. He also scored against Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
to win the club a point at Hillsborough
Hillsborough Stadium
Hillsborough Stadium is the home of Sheffield Wednesday football club, Sheffield, England. Football has been played at the ground since it was opened on 2 September 1899, when Wednesday moved from their original ground at Olive Grove. Today it is a 39,812 capacity all-seater stadium, making it the...
. 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
Gianluca Vialli
Gianluca Vialli is an Italian football manager and former player. Since retiring, he has gone into management and punditry and is a commentator for Sky Sport Italia....
transfer listed the player, demanding a £1 million fee from prospective clubs.
Sheffield United
He was loaned out to First Division rivals Sheffield UnitedSheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
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
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
, but was powerless to stop 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...
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 ChampionshipFootball League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
rivals Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
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
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
manager Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
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
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
after fighting with 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...
defender Darren Powell
Darren Powell
Darren David Powell is an English footballer. He will be a free agent after the expiry of his contract with Milton Keynes Dons on 30 June 2010. He is a centre back.-Football career:...
. 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
Michael Doyle (footballer)
Michael Paul Doyle is an Irish footballer currently playing for Sheffield United. Doyle is known for his workrate and his tough tackling style. He started his career at Celtic and has also played in Denmark for AGF Aarhus...
injured each other after fighting each other on the club's training ground. The Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
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 TownHuddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
in League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
. On 26 January, he made his Town debut in an FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
Fourth Round win at Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
. He made his Town league debut three days later in a 1–0 win over Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
at the Galpharm Stadium
Galpharm Stadium
The Galpharm Stadium, formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, is a multi-use sports in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of Huddersfield Town and Super League side, Huddersfield Giants.-The 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
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
at Brunton Park
Brunton Park
Brunton Park is a football stadium and the home of Carlisle United F.C. It is situated in the city of Carlisle, Cumbria and has a certified capacity for the 2011/2012 season of 18,202. The ground opened in 1909...
on 12 February 2008. Following Andy Ritchie's departure as manager, caretaker manager Gerry Murphy
Gerry Murphy
Gerry Murphy was the Director of Football Development at Huddersfield Town between 1988 and 2009...
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
Stan Ternent
Francis Stanley "Stan" Ternent is an English former footballer and manager. He managed Blackpool, Hull City, Bury, Burnley, Gillingham and Huddersfield Town. He is currently a scout for Sunderland.-Career:...
.
On 5 May 2008, it was revealed that Page had agreed a pre-contract agreement at 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 Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
. Manager Lee Richardson
Lee Richardson (footballer)
Lee James Richardson is a former professional footballer and until 6 May 2009 he was manager of Chesterfield...
initially appointed Page as club captain, but after a string of poor performances and a red card at Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
, 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
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
under Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
, but he decided to stay at Chesterfield. Richardson was relieved of his duties in May 2009, and his replacement, John Sheridan brought Ian Breckin
Ian Breckin
Ian Breckin is an English professional footballer who plays for Chesterfield. He previously played in the Football League for Rotherham United, Wigan Athletic and Nottingham Forest.-Early career:...
to the club, who formed a strong early defensive partnership with Page. He played a total of 42 games in the 2009–10
2009–10 Football League
The Football League 2009–10, called the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons, was the 110th completed season of the Football League. It began in August 2009 and concluded in May 2010, with the promotion play-off finals. The Football League is contested through three Divisions. The...
campaign.
After an achilles injury limited Page to just two appearances in 2010–11
2010–11 Chesterfield F.C. season
This page shows the progress of Chesterfield F.C. in the 2010-11 football season. This year they play their games in League Two in the English league system.-Results:-League table:-Results summary:-Results by round:...
, he was released by the club in March 2011.
International career
Page represented WalesWales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
, 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 WatfordWatford 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...
games.
In July 2011, Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
again offered Page a coaching role at 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....
Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
. Page accepted, and was given a role in the club's youth set-up.
Honours
Individual- Watford F.C. Player of the Season: 1999–20001999–2000 Watford F.C. seasonDuring the 1999–2000 English football season, Watford F.C. competed in the FA Premier League, after being promoted from the First Division last season.-Season summary:...
with Watford
- Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
champion: 1997–98 - Football League First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
play-off winner: 19991999 Football League First Division play-off FinalThe 1999 Football League Championship play-off Final was contested between Bolton Wanderers and Watford, played at Wembley Stadium on 31 May 1999. The match was won by Watford through goals from Nick Wright and Allan Smart. As a result, Watford would play in the Premier League for the first time...