Fabian Delph
Encyclopedia
Fabian Delph is an English
footballer who plays as a midfielder
for Aston Villa
and has represented his country at under-21
level. He was on the books of Bradford City
as a youngster until he moved to Leeds United
aged just 11. Having played just 43 games for Leeds at League One
level and one at Championship level at the end of the 2006–07 season, he transferred to Premier League side Aston Villa in August 2009 for £6 million.
on 21 November 1989, Delph started his career in football as a youngster at Bradford City
. Delph left City in September 2001 to join Leeds United
after he was recommended to their academy coach Greg Abbott
by former Bradford manager Paul Jewell
, whose son played with Delph. He went to Tong Secondary School, which he left in 2006 to sign a two-year scholarship with Leeds United, at the age of 16 years old. He completed his studies at the partner school to LUFC, Boston Spa School
.
In March 2008, Delph started his international career, making his debut as a substitute for the England Under-19s
.
After a string of impressive performances in spring 2007, Delph was made captain of the Leeds Reserves. He was given his debut at Leeds as a substitute in the final match of the 2006–07 season against Derby County
on 6 May 2007, a game in which Robert Bayly
was also given a debut for Leeds, Bayly was sent off in the game for an apparent headbutt. He was awarded his first professional contract on 11 January 2008, and made two appearances for Leeds in the 2007–08 season
, both as a substitute.
Delph impressed in the 2008–09 pre-season friendly against Barnet
, earning praise from both manager Gary McAllister
and former Leeds player Eddie Gray. He made his first League Cup
start in Leeds' 5–2 win away at Chester City
in the first round on 13 August 2008. Having gained more first-team experience, on 5 September 2008, Delph signed a new four year contract at Leeds. He celebrated his new contract by scoring his first senior goal the following day as Leeds defeated Crewe Alexandra
5–2. He soon followed it up by scoring twice, both "superb goals" from long range, against Walsall
during a 3–0 win.
Delph's form attracted the attention of Premier League managers, with Arsenal
's Arsène Wenger
reported to be lining up a £6m bid for the midfielder, and Newcastle United
having a bid rejected by Leeds chairman Ken Bates
. His performances also prompted Stuart Pearce
to give Delph his first call-up to the England under-21
squad in November 2008. He was a late substitute for Craig Gardner
as England defeated Czech Republic
to win his first under-21 cap on 18 November. During the January 2009 transfer window, Leeds rejected another two bids from Premier League for Delph, with Bates saying: "We explained to both clubs that we don't deal in petty cash." The following day he scored a "goal of genuine quality" against Brighton & Hove Albion
by finding the top corner of the goal with a curling shot following a long run. Manager Simon Grayson
said: "If he scores goals like that, his value is going to go up. It certainly won’t go down." Despite the attention of Premier League managers, Delph remained with Leeds as the January transfer window closed.
By March 2009, his performances during the 2008–09 season earned Delph a nomination for the League One player of the year, which was won by Leicester City's
Matty Fryatt
, and helped him to win the young player of the year in the end of season Football League Awards
. The awards for the 2008–09 season did not end there, with Delph winning young player of the season, goal of the season, for his strike against Brighton and player's player of the season at the club awards. After Leeds lost out in the playoff semi finals against Millwall, there was much speculation about Fabian's future at Leeds, however he did manage to play in Leeds' early pre season games, before ultimately Leeds turned down offfers from other clubs and Delph completed his move to Aston Villa.
, several Premier League clubs including Everton
, Manchester City
, Fulham
, Sunderland
, Tottenham Hotspur
and Aston Villa
were linked with Delph. On 3 August 2009, Villa agreed an undisclosed fee with Leeds United
for the transfer of Delph to Villa Park. The transfer was concluded the following day after Delph completed a medical and agreed personal terms. On 8 August 2009, Delph made his debut in a friendly match against Fiorentina
, which Aston Villa won 1–0.
Delph's full Premier League debut came at home against Wigan Athletic
on 15 August 2009, the first day of the 2009–10 Premier League season. In a game that Villa lost 2–0, Delph received a yellow card and was replaced in the 61st minute by Steve Sidwell
. On 23 January 2010 Delph scored his first goal for Aston Villa in the FA Cup
win at home against Brighton and Hove Albion.
On 17 April 2010, Delph had to be carried away from training on a stretcher after picking up a "serious" knee injury. He was immediately taken for tests on the injury. It was later revealed on 19 April 2010 that Delph had suffered a cruciate ligament
injury, set to keep him out of action for up to eight months.
Delph returned to action on 26 February 2011, in a Premier League victory over Blackburn Rovers, when he came on as a impromptu left-back after Nathan Baker
was injured in the first half.
On 3 March 2011, Delph signed a new deal with Aston Villa keeping him at the club until 2015.
. On 23 December 2008, he was arrested by police and charged for drink driving
in Rothwell
, Leeds
, while driving home with four friends. He pleaded guilty at Leeds Magistrates' Court to the charge of driving whilst over the limit; he was fined £1400, disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay costs of £60.
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...
footballer who plays as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
for Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
and has represented his country at under-21
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
level. He was on the books of 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....
as a youngster until he moved to 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...
aged just 11. Having played just 43 games for Leeds at 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....
level and one at Championship level at the end of the 2006–07 season, he transferred to Premier League side Aston Villa in August 2009 for £6 million.
Leeds United
Born in BradfordBradford
Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
on 21 November 1989, Delph started his career in football as a youngster at 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....
. Delph left City in September 2001 to join 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...
after he was recommended to their academy coach Greg Abbott
Greg Abbott (footballer)
Gregory Stephen "Greg" Abbott is an English football manager and former player. He played as a right back or midfielder, and is now manager of Carlisle United....
by former Bradford manager Paul Jewell
Paul Jewell
Paul Steven Jewell is a former English footballer who is currently the manager of Ipswich Town.His playing career started with Liverpool before moving to Wigan Athletic and then a ten-year spell with Bradford City...
, whose son played with Delph. He went to Tong Secondary School, which he left in 2006 to sign a two-year scholarship with Leeds United, at the age of 16 years old. He completed his studies at the partner school to LUFC, Boston Spa School
Boston Spa School
Boston Spa School and specialist Sports College is a mixed-gender school aged 11–19 years old on Clifford Moor Road in Boston Spa, West Yorkshire, England. It is larger than other secondary schools in the area, with 1,880 students on roll, including 350 in the sixth form...
.
In March 2008, Delph started his international career, making his debut as a substitute for the England Under-19s
England national under-19 football team
-Other matches:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Denmark.- Recent call-ups :The following players have also been called up to the England under-19 squad and remain eligible.-Past squads:...
.
After a string of impressive performances in spring 2007, Delph was made captain of the Leeds Reserves. He was given his debut at Leeds as a substitute in the final match of the 2006–07 season against Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
on 6 May 2007, a game in which Robert Bayly
Robert Bayly
Robert Bayly is an Irish footballer currently unattached who last played for Bohemians in the League of Ireland Premier Division.His two uncles Ritchie Bayly and Martin Bayly had distinguished careers in the League of Ireland....
was also given a debut for Leeds, Bayly was sent off in the game for an apparent headbutt. He was awarded his first professional contract on 11 January 2008, and made two appearances for Leeds in the 2007–08 season
Leeds United A.F.C. season 2007-08
This article details Leeds United A.F.C.'s 2007–08 season in League One. This season was Leeds' first ever season in the third tier of English football and saw them finish in the play-offs. Dennis Wise started the season as boss, but left the club in January 2008 to join Newcastle as Executive...
, both as a substitute.
Delph impressed in the 2008–09 pre-season friendly against Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
, earning praise from both manager Gary McAllister
Gary McAllister
Gary McAllister MBE is a Scottish former professional footballer.McAllister played primarily as a midfielder, in a successful career spanning over nineteen years. He started his career at local side Motherwell before moving south of the border to Leicester City at the age of 20...
and former Leeds player Eddie Gray. He made his first 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...
start in Leeds' 5–2 win away at Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
in the first round on 13 August 2008. Having gained more first-team experience, on 5 September 2008, Delph signed a new four year contract at Leeds. He celebrated his new contract by scoring his first senior goal the following day as Leeds defeated Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
5–2. He soon followed it up by scoring twice, both "superb goals" from long range, against Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
during a 3–0 win.
Delph's form attracted the attention of Premier League managers, with Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
's Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger, OBE is a French association football manager and former player, who has managed English Premier League side Arsenal since 1996...
reported to be lining up a £6m bid for the midfielder, and 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...
having a bid rejected by Leeds chairman Ken Bates
Ken Bates
Kenneth William Bates is a British businessman and football executive. The current chairman and now owner of Leeds United AFC, Bates was previously chairman and majority shareholder of Chelsea FC from 1982 until 2003....
. His performances also prompted Stuart Pearce
Stuart Pearce
Stuart Pearce OBE is an English football manager and former player. He is currently the manager of the England national under-21 team and the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic football team...
to give Delph his first call-up to the England under-21
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
squad in November 2008. He was a late substitute for Craig Gardner
Craig Gardner
Craig Gardner is an English footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Premier League club Sunderland. A versatile midfielder, Gardner can play in many different positions, although central midfield is his preferred position...
as England defeated Czech Republic
Czech Republic national under-21 football team
The Czech Republic national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of the Czech Republic and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic...
to win his first under-21 cap on 18 November. During the January 2009 transfer window, Leeds rejected another two bids from Premier League for Delph, with Bates saying: "We explained to both clubs that we don't deal in petty cash." The following day he scored a "goal of genuine quality" against 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....
by finding the top corner of the goal with a curling shot following a long run. Manager Simon Grayson
Simon Grayson
Simon Nicholas Grayson is a retired English footballer and current manager of Leeds United. He is the elder brother of cricketer Paul Grayson....
said: "If he scores goals like that, his value is going to go up. It certainly won’t go down." Despite the attention of Premier League managers, Delph remained with Leeds as the January transfer window closed.
By March 2009, his performances during the 2008–09 season earned Delph a nomination for the League One player of the year, which was won by Leicester City's
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
Matty Fryatt
Matty Fryatt
Matthew Charles Fryatt is an English footballer currently playing as a striker for Hull City. A product of Walsall's youth system, Fryatt is a lifelong supporter of Manchester United....
, and helped him to win the young player of the year in the end of season Football League Awards
Football League Awards
The Football League Awards is an annual awards ceremony commemorating football-related people involved in the three divisions of the Football League...
. The awards for the 2008–09 season did not end there, with Delph winning young player of the season, goal of the season, for his strike against Brighton and player's player of the season at the club awards. After Leeds lost out in the playoff semi finals against Millwall, there was much speculation about Fabian's future at Leeds, however he did manage to play in Leeds' early pre season games, before ultimately Leeds turned down offfers from other clubs and Delph completed his move to Aston Villa.
Aston Villa
After Leeds failed to gain promotion from League OneFootball 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....
, several Premier League clubs including Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, 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...
, 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...
, 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...
, 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....
and Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
were linked with Delph. On 3 August 2009, Villa agreed an undisclosed fee with 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...
for the transfer of Delph to Villa Park. The transfer was concluded the following day after Delph completed a medical and agreed personal terms. On 8 August 2009, Delph made his debut in a friendly match against Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A...
, which Aston Villa won 1–0.
Delph's full Premier League debut came at home against Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
on 15 August 2009, the first day of the 2009–10 Premier League season. In a game that Villa lost 2–0, Delph received a yellow card and was replaced in the 61st minute by Steve Sidwell
Steve Sidwell
Steven James "Steve" Sidwell is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Fulham in the Premier League. His previous clubs include Arsenal, Reading, Chelsea and Aston Villa.-Arsenal:...
. On 23 January 2010 Delph scored his first goal for Aston Villa in the 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...
win at home against Brighton and Hove Albion.
On 17 April 2010, Delph had to be carried away from training on a stretcher after picking up a "serious" knee injury. He was immediately taken for tests on the injury. It was later revealed on 19 April 2010 that Delph had suffered a cruciate ligament
Cruciate ligament
Cruciate ligaments are pairs of ligaments arranged like a letter X. They occur in several joints of the body, such as the knee...
injury, set to keep him out of action for up to eight months.
Delph returned to action on 26 February 2011, in a Premier League victory over Blackburn Rovers, when he came on as a impromptu left-back after Nathan Baker
Nathan Baker (footballer)
Nathan Luke Baker is an English professional footballer who is contracted to Premier League side Aston Villa as a central defender or left back...
was injured in the first half.
On 3 March 2011, Delph signed a new deal with Aston Villa keeping him at the club until 2015.
Personal life
When Delph played for Leeds United he lived in TadcasterTadcaster
Tadcaster is a market town and civil parish in the Selby district of North Yorkshire, England. Lying on the Great North Road approximately east of Leeds and west of York. It is the last town on the River Wharfe before it joins the River Ouse about downstream...
. On 23 December 2008, he was arrested by police and charged for drink driving
Driving under the influence
Driving under the influence is the act of driving a motor vehicle with blood levels of alcohol in excess of a legal limit...
in Rothwell
Rothwell, West Yorkshire
Rothwell is a market town on the River Dolphin in the south east of the City of Leeds metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, situated between Oulton to the east, Belle Isle to the west, Woodlesford to the north east and Robin Hood to the south west. Swillington, Methley and Kippax are located...
, Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, while driving home with four friends. He pleaded guilty at Leeds Magistrates' Court to the charge of driving whilst over the limit; he was fined £1400, disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay costs of £60.
Football League Awards
- Football League AwardsFootball League AwardsThe Football League Awards is an annual awards ceremony commemorating football-related people involved in the three divisions of the Football League...
– 2009: Football League Young Player of the Year
PFA Awards
- PFA AwardsProfessional Footballers' AssociationThe Professional Footballers' Association is the trade union for professional footballers in England and Wales. The world's oldest professional sport trade union, it has 4,000 members....
– 2009: PFA League One Team of the Year
Club Awards
- Leeds United Player of the Year Awards – 2008–09: Players' Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Goal of the Season (v Brighton away)