John Dreyer (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Brian Dreyer is an English former professional footballer who played in defence
and midfield
. After retiring, he became a manager.
, Northumberland, England, Dreyer started his career with Wallingford
, leaving to join Oxford United
in January 1985. He joined Torquay United
on loan in December 1985 and made his league debut, for Torquay, on 14 December in a 1–1 draw at home to Cambridge United
. He returned to Oxford on 13 January 1986, but moved on loan again on 27 March 1986, joining Fulham
until the end of the season. He broke into the Oxford first team the following season, playing 60 times before a £140,000 move to Luton Town
on 27 June 1988.
In six years at Kenilworth Road he played 214 games, scoring 13 times, but was released at the end of the 1993–94 season. In July 1994 he joined Stoke City
, but started only two games for the Potters. He joined Bolton Wanderers
in March 1995, and was part of the Trotters squad which secured promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.
On 6 November 1996, he signed for Bradford City
for £25,000. He scored on his debut in a 3–3 draw at Huddersfield Town
. Dreyer scored a further three goals that season all in the FA Cup. They included two goals at Wycombe Wanderers
and one in City's 3–2 upset of Everton
.
Dreyer struggled to hold down a regular place in the side the following season but in 1998–99 he helped the Bantams to gain promotion to the Premier League including making a vital clearance in the final win of the season, 3–2 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
. Although Dreyer made just 14 starts in City's season in the top flight, he made an equally vital contribution with the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Sunderland as Bradford stayed up by just two points.
He left the Bantams after turning down a new one year contract as he felt he deserved a two year deal. He joined Cambridge United
in July 2000, playing a major role in keeping Cambridge in Division Two the following season. He left after one season and was linked with a return to Oxford United as player-coach in July 2001. Later that month he did join Oxford, but only on trial as a player, joining in with pre-season training and playing in a pre-season friendly. However, the Oxford board would not provide the money needed, claiming that they had no need for an extra defender, and on 4 August 2001 he signed for Conference
side Stevenage Borough
. In January 2002 he was linked with a move back to the Football League
with Torquay United, but remained with Stevenage. He was caretaker manager of Stevenage for a spell in January 2003 alongside David Preece, but left in May 2003 to seek a managerial position.
, guiding the team to the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy
and securing a place in the new Conference South
.
However, Maidenhead struggled at the higher level and Dreyer left in November 2004.
In August 2005, Dreyer joined Long Melford
as a player, whilst he was also working as assistant manager of Hemel Hempstead Town
.
In December 2006, Dreyer was named as assistant manager of Rushden & Diamonds
. On 2 May 2008, Dreyer was named assistant manager to Graham Westley
at Stevenage Borough.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
and midfield
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...
. After retiring, he became a manager.
Playing career
Born in AlnwickAlnwick
Alnwick is a small market town in north Northumberland, England. The town's population was just over 8000 at the time of the 2001 census and Alnwick's district population was 31,029....
, Northumberland, England, Dreyer started his career with Wallingford
A.F.C. Wallingford
AFC Wallingford are an English association football club currently playing in the North Berks Football League.-History:The club, based in Wallingford, was founded by the 1995 merger of Hellenic League side Wallingford Town, founded in 1922, and Wallingford United, founded in 1934.In 1997-98 they...
, leaving to join Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
in January 1985. He joined Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
on loan in December 1985 and made his league debut, for Torquay, on 14 December in a 1–1 draw at home to Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
. He returned to Oxford on 13 January 1986, but moved on loan again on 27 March 1986, joining 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...
until the end of the season. He broke into the Oxford first team the following season, playing 60 times before a £140,000 move to Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
on 27 June 1988.
In six years at Kenilworth Road he played 214 games, scoring 13 times, but was released at the end of the 1993–94 season. In July 1994 he joined Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, but started only two games for the Potters. He joined 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....
in March 1995, and was part of the Trotters squad which secured promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.
On 6 November 1996, he signed for 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....
for £25,000. He scored on his debut in a 3–3 draw at 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...
. Dreyer scored a further three goals that season all in the FA Cup. They included two goals at Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
and one in City's 3–2 upset of 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...
.
Dreyer struggled to hold down a regular place in the side the following season but in 1998–99 he helped the Bantams to gain promotion to the Premier League including making a vital clearance in the final win of the season, 3–2 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
. Although Dreyer made just 14 starts in City's season in the top flight, he made an equally vital contribution with the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Sunderland as Bradford stayed up by just two points.
He left the Bantams after turning down a new one year contract as he felt he deserved a two year deal. He joined Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
in July 2000, playing a major role in keeping Cambridge in Division Two the following season. He left after one season and was linked with a return to Oxford United as player-coach in July 2001. Later that month he did join Oxford, but only on trial as a player, joining in with pre-season training and playing in a pre-season friendly. However, the Oxford board would not provide the money needed, claiming that they had no need for an extra defender, and on 4 August 2001 he signed for Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
side Stevenage Borough
Stevenage Borough F.C.
Stevenage Football Club is an English football club based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The club currently participate in League One, the third tier of English football, having won promotion from League Two in the 2010–11 season...
. In January 2002 he was linked with a move back to 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...
with Torquay United, but remained with Stevenage. He was caretaker manager of Stevenage for a spell in January 2003 alongside David Preece, but left in May 2003 to seek a managerial position.
Managerial career
In May 2003, Dreyer became manager of Maidenhead UnitedMaidenhead United F.C.
Maidenhead United Football Club is an English football club in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The club was founded in 1870 and moved to their current ground at York Road the following year...
, guiding the team to the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy
FA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
and securing a place in the new Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
.
However, Maidenhead struggled at the higher level and Dreyer left in November 2004.
In August 2005, Dreyer joined Long Melford
Long Melford F.C.
Long Melford F.C. is an English football club based in Long Melford, Suffolk. The club are currently members of Eastern Counties League Division One and play at Stoneylands.The club is affiliated to the Suffolk County FA.-History:...
as a player, whilst he was also working as assistant manager of Hemel Hempstead Town
Hemel Hempstead Town F.C.
Hemel Hempstead Town are a football club based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division. They are known as the Tudors and play their games at Vauxhall Road...
.
In December 2006, Dreyer was named as assistant manager of Rushden & Diamonds
Rushden & Diamonds F.C.
Rushden & Diamonds Football Club was an association football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club played in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of...
. On 2 May 2008, Dreyer was named assistant manager to Graham Westley
Graham Westley
Graham Neil Westley is an English former footballer and is currently manager of League One side Stevenage, where he has been in charge since 2008, his second spell at the club....
at Stevenage Borough.