Danny Webber
Encyclopedia
Daniel Vaughn "Danny" Webber (born 28 December 1981) is an English
football striker who is a free agent following his release from Portsmouth
.
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 on a permanent basis. 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.
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. 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
.
He made a second appearance for Manchester United in the League Cup in November 2001, and then joined Port Vale
on a one month loan. He made five appearances for Port Vale, 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.
He joined Watford again for the start of the 2002–03 season on a three-month loan and 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." His loan spell came to an end in October 2002 after he dislocated his shoulder in a match against Sheffield Wednesday
. He made a third appearance for Manchester United as a substitute in the Champions League match against Deportivo de La Coruña
in March 2003. At the end of the season, he was offered a three year contract, but turned it down in order 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.".
in November 2004, and he was later dropped from the first team in March 2005 owing to poor form. Shortly afterwards, he joined Sheffield United
on loan. Webber scored 12 goals in 32 league and cup appearances for Watford in the 2004–05 season.
on loan in March 2005 with Danny Cullip moving in the opposite direction. He scored after 93 seconds on his debut in a 4–0 away win over rivals Leeds United
, and four days later, scored two goals against Queens Park Rangers
. 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.
During the 2005–06 season, Webber scored ten goals, helping Sheffield United to win automatic promotion from the Championship to the Premier League.
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 relegation 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 but more injuries saw him drop out of the first team reckoning. After the club missed out on promotion Webber was released after his contract expired.
victory over Carlisle United
on 22 September. 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.
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.
on a trial basis.
in 2002.
1 Last updated 8 May 2011.
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...
football striker who is a free agent following his release from Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
.
Born in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, Webber began his career as a trainee with Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, but failed to cement a first team place and spent loan spells with 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...
and 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...
before joining Watford on a permanent basis. After two years with Watford, Webber joined 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...
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.
Manchester United
After a number of appearances for the club's youth team during the 1997–98 season, Webber began his footballing career as a trainee at Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
in July 1998. After scoring 16 goals in 11 appearances for the Under-17 side, including five goals against Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
, Webber was rewarded with a professional contract on 28 December 1998. 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
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
, Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
and Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
.
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
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...
match against Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
.
He made a second appearance for Manchester United in the League Cup in November 2001, and then joined 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...
on a one month loan. He made five appearances for Port Vale, 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
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....
club 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...
on loan for the rest of the season, where he scored two goals in five League appearances.
He joined Watford again for the start of the 2002–03 season on a three-month loan and 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." His loan spell came to an end in October 2002 after he dislocated his shoulder in a match 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...
. He made a third appearance for Manchester United as a substitute in the Champions League match against Deportivo de La Coruña
Deportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
in March 2003. At the end of the season, he was offered a three year contract, but turned it down in order 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.".
Watford
Webber joined Watford on a three-year contract in the summer of 2003. 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. 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." However, his season was interrupted by a dislocated shoulder suffered during a match against GillinghamGillingham 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...
in November 2004, and he was later dropped from the first team in March 2005 owing to poor form. Shortly afterwards, he joined 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...
on loan. Webber scored 12 goals in 32 league and cup appearances for Watford in the 2004–05 season.
Sheffield United
Webber initially joined 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...
on loan in March 2005 with Danny Cullip moving in the opposite direction. He scored after 93 seconds on his debut in a 4–0 away win over rivals Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
, and four days later, scored two goals against Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
. 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.
During the 2005–06 season, Webber scored ten goals, helping Sheffield United to win automatic promotion from the Championship to the Premier League.
In the 2006–07 season he played 22 games in the Premier League, scoring three goals, including the winning goals against Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
and former club Watford.
After the "Blades" were relegation 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 but more injuries saw him drop out of the first team reckoning. After the club missed out on promotion Webber was released after his contract expired.
Portsmouth
In September 2009, Webber signed for Portsmouth who were looking for attacking options. He signed outside the transfer window as he was a free agent. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 League CupFootball 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...
victory over 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....
on 22 September. Webber scored his first Premier League goal for Portsmouth in a 1–1 home draw against West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
on 26 January 2010. He was ruled out for the remainder of the season after rupturing cruciate ligaments in a game against Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
two months later.
Webber remained in the treatment room for much of the 2010–11
2010–11 Portsmouth F.C. season
The 2010-11 Season is Portsmouth's first season in The Championship after they were relegated from the Premier League during the 2009-10 season...
campaign, before he made his return to action in a 2–0 defeat to 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...
at the Madejski Stadium
Madejski Stadium
The Madejski Stadium is a stadium in Reading, Berkshire, England. The stadium is the home of Reading Football Club and to the rugby union club London Irish as tenants. It also provides the finish for the Reading Half Marathon...
on 2 April, making a cameo appearance for the last five minutes. His contract was not renewed at the end of the season.
Next move
In July 2011, Webber joined Premier League newcomers Queens Park RangersQueens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
on a trial basis.
International career
Webber played five times for England at under-20 levelEngland national under-20 football team
- Round of 16 :-Friendlies:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup running from 29 July to the 20 August 2011.-Recent call-ups:...
in 2002.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | 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... |
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... |
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... |
Europe | Others | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
2010–111 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 2009–10 | 17 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 3 | |
| 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... |
2008–09 | 36 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 6 |
| 2007–08 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 4 | |
| 2006–07 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 3 | |
| 2005–06 | 35 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 10 | |
| 2004–05 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | |
| 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... |
2004–05 | 28 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 12 |
| 2003–04 | 27 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 5 | |
| 2002–03 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 | |
| Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
2002–03 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 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... (loan) |
2001–02 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| 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... (loan) |
2001–02 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
2001–02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000–01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 214 | 45 | 11 | 1 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 244 | 50 | |
1 Last updated 8 May 2011.