Wade Small
Encyclopedia
Wade Kristopher Small is an English
professional footballer who is currently playing for Tooting & Mitcham United
. Mainly a right winger, Small can also play on the left side and as a forward.
academy and made his debut on 15 October 2003, as a 58th minute substitute in a 1–0 defeat away at Coventry City
. He scored his first goal on 26 December, in a 3–0 away win at Reading
and went on to make a total of thirty appearances that season, scoring two goals, as Wimbledon finished bottom of the First Division
and were relegated.
In 2004, Wimbledon were renamed Milton Keynes Dons
after the club moved to Milton Keynes in Sept 2003. The following season he made a total of 49 appearances, scoring eleven goals including two in a 3–0 victory over Wrexham
on 11 December. At the end of the season he won the club's Player of the year award
. In August 2005, he signed a new two-year contract.
Small played most of his games for the Dons as a midfielder, on either wing, and also at times as a striker.
club Sheffield Wednesday
for an undisclosed "substantial" transfer fee, signing a three-year contract. On signing Small, then Wednesday manager Paul Sturrock
said, "I've seen Wade several times over the last couple of years and he's our type of signing. He is very quick, can play in a variety of positions offensively and has high potential. I hope he does very well for Sheffield Wednesday."
His first appearance was as an 80th-minute substitute in a 0–0 draw with Preston North End
at Deepdale
on 5 August. He scored his first goal when the Owls drew 2–2 with Wolverhampton Wanderers
at Molineux
. Injury problems restricted him to 23 appearances in his first season, scoring two goals. In November, during a three-match suspension, he had a minor operation on his knee, having carried the injury for a while.
In the 2007–08 season, he made 30 appearances, scoring four goals.
After making seven starts and thirteen substitute appearances in the 2008–09
season, he joined fellow Championship club Blackpool
on 13 March 2009, on a one-month loan deal. A day later he scored on his debut as the Seasiders beat Barnsley
1–0 at Oakwell. Three days later he was named in the Football League's "Championship Team Of The Week".
On 8 May 2009, Small's contract with Sheffield Wednesday was terminated by mutual consent. Through the following summer, Small was reported to have held talks with Crystal Palace
, and Norwich City
regarding moves to one of those clubs.
On 18 July 2009, Small began a trial at Charlton Athletic
playing in a number of their friendlies. In August, he signed for the club on a non-contract basis. He left shortly after, his only game for Charlton being in a 1–0 defeat to Hereford United
in the League Cup
.
as a 66th-minute substitute and scored his first goals for the club on his full debut, in a 5–1 Football League Trophy
victory over Burton Albion
on 1 September 2009.
Manager John Sheridan said: "Wade Small is an exciting player who is capable of causing problems for the opposition. He is quick and pacey and although he can play in all the forward positions he is also a versatile player." He added: "He will be a very useful addition to the squad and I am excited he has joined us."
. He left the club in 2011.
and played in two competitive games for the club before moving to Tooting & Mitcham United
at the beginning of September.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer who is currently playing for Tooting & Mitcham United
Tooting & Mitcham United F.C.
Tooting & Mitcham United Football Club are a semi-professional association football club representing the south-west London areas of Tooting and Mitcham, within the London Borough of Merton. The club's stadium, Imperial Fields is located in Morden. The club are nicknamed The Terrors or...
. Mainly a right winger, Small can also play on the left side and as a forward.
Early career: Wimbledon and Milton Keynes Dons
Small began his career at the WimbledonWimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
academy and made his debut on 15 October 2003, as a 58th minute substitute in a 1–0 defeat away at 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...
. He scored his first goal on 26 December, in a 3–0 away win at Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
and went on to make a total of thirty appearances that season, scoring two goals, as Wimbledon finished bottom of the 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....
and were relegated.
In 2004, Wimbledon were renamed Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
after the club moved to Milton Keynes in Sept 2003. The following season he made a total of 49 appearances, scoring eleven goals including two in a 3–0 victory over Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
on 11 December. At the end of the season he won the club's Player of the year award
Player of the year award
Several sports leagues honour their best player with an award called Player of the Year. In the United States, this type of award is usually called a Most Valuable Player award...
. In August 2005, he signed a new two-year contract.
Small played most of his games for the Dons as a midfielder, on either wing, and also at times as a striker.
Sheffield Wednesday
On 15 May 2006, Small signed for 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...
club 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...
for an undisclosed "substantial" transfer fee, signing a three-year contract. On signing Small, then Wednesday manager Paul Sturrock
Paul Sturrock
Paul Whitehead Sturrock is a Scottish football manager who, since July 2010, is the manager of Southend United. Until this appointment, Sturrock had most recently been at English League 1 club Plymouth Argyle in a business support role, having been relieved of his managerial duties, until he quit...
said, "I've seen Wade several times over the last couple of years and he's our type of signing. He is very quick, can play in a variety of positions offensively and has high potential. I hope he does very well for Sheffield Wednesday."
His first appearance was as an 80th-minute substitute in a 0–0 draw with Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
at Deepdale
Deepdale
Deepdale is a stadium in the Deepdale area of Preston, England, the home of Preston North End F.C. and, up to 2010, England's National Football Museum. Preston North End are one of the founder members of the Football League.- History :...
on 5 August. He scored his first goal when the Owls drew 2–2 with 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...
at Molineux
Molineux stadium
Molineux Stadium is a Premier League football stadium situated in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, England. It has been the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club since 1889, and has a long and illustrious history as the first 'new build' stadium in Football League history, one of the...
. Injury problems restricted him to 23 appearances in his first season, scoring two goals. In November, during a three-match suspension, he had a minor operation on his knee, having carried the injury for a while.
In the 2007–08 season, he made 30 appearances, scoring four goals.
After making seven starts and thirteen substitute appearances in the 2008–09
2008–09 in English football
The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
season, he joined fellow Championship club Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
on 13 March 2009, on a one-month loan deal. A day later he scored on his debut as the Seasiders beat Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
1–0 at Oakwell. Three days later he was named in the Football League's "Championship Team Of The Week".
On 8 May 2009, Small's contract with Sheffield Wednesday was terminated by mutual consent. Through the following summer, Small was reported to have held talks with Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
, and Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
regarding moves to one of those clubs.
On 18 July 2009, Small began a trial at Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
playing in a number of their friendlies. In August, he signed for the club on a non-contract basis. He left shortly after, his only game for Charlton being in a 1–0 defeat to Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
in the League Cup
2009–10 Football League Cup
The 2009–10 Football League Cup, known as the Carling Cup due to the competition's sponsorship by lager brand Carling, was the 50th season of the Football League Cup, a knock-out competition for England's top 92 football clubs....
.
Chesterfield
In August 2009, Small signed with the Spireites on a one-year deal until June 2010. He made his first appearance for on 29 August 2009, in a League Two match against MorecambeMorecambe F.C.
Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. It plays its football in League Two, the fourth division of English football, having been promoted in 2007 for the first time in their history to the Football League. They played their home matches at Christie Park...
as a 66th-minute substitute and scored his first goals for the club on his full debut, in a 5–1 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...
victory over Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
on 1 September 2009.
Manager John Sheridan said: "Wade Small is an exciting player who is capable of causing problems for the opposition. He is quick and pacey and although he can play in all the forward positions he is also a versatile player." He added: "He will be a very useful addition to the squad and I am excited he has joined us."
Aldershot Town
On 30 July 2010, Small signed for Aldershot TownAldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...
. He left the club in 2011.
Non League
In the 2011-12 pre-season he joined LewesLewes F.C.
Lewes Football Club is an English football team based in Lewes, East Sussex. The club are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at the Dripping Pan.-History:...
and played in two competitive games for the club before moving to Tooting & Mitcham United
Tooting & Mitcham United F.C.
Tooting & Mitcham United Football Club are a semi-professional association football club representing the south-west London areas of Tooting and Mitcham, within the London Borough of Merton. The club's stadium, Imperial Fields is located in Morden. The club are nicknamed The Terrors or...
at the beginning of September.
External links
- Wade Small profile at swfc.co.uk
- Wade Small profile at mkdons.com