Michael Oakes
Encyclopedia
Michael Christian Oakes (born 30 October 1973 in Northwich
) is an English
former professional football goalkeeper who is currently working with Wrexham as a goalkeeping coach and Assistant Manager Under Andy Morrell
. He is the son of former Manchester City
footballer Alan Oakes
.
's youth system. He played nineteen games for Gloucester City in 1992–93 and then had a loan spell at Scarborough
in 1994 playing one league game. He finally got his chance to appear in Villa's first team at the start of the 1996–97 season
. He made his debut on 17 August 1996 in a 2–1 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday
, aged 22, deputising for the injured Mark Bosnich
.
Bosnich's injury record, and speculation he would be leaving to join Manchester United
, gave Oakes opportunities over the next three seasons and he amassed 60 appearances in total for the club. He also won seven England Under-21
caps during his spell at Villa Park. However, after the club splashed out on David James
following Bosnich's eventual departure in 1999, Oakes requested a move.
club Wolverhampton Wanderers
in October 1999 for £500,000, and soon ousted long-serving Mike Stowell
as number one at Molineux
. He remained as the first-team goalkeeper until September 2002, when he suffered a shoulder injury and was replaced by rookie Matt Murray. Oakes was honoured with a medal during the 2003 Football League First Division playoff final/play-off success against Sheffield United
at the Millennium Stadium
in May 2003.
However, the fortunes of the two keepers turned in August 2003, when Murray sustained a back injury, and Oakes stepped into the breach for Wanderers' inaugural Premier League campaign. He performed admirably in what was a tough season, but was controversially replaced by new signing Paul Jones
in January 2004.
Oakes regained his place in October 2004, post-relegation, but lost his place through injury in October 2005, to Stefan Postma
. Although Postma was later released, Murray's return to fitness meant that Oakes continued as deputy in 2006–07
. He was given a free transfer in May 2007 after 220 appearances in total. Upon his release, Oakes drew praise from his former colleague Murray, stating that "I learned a lot from him and he has always been very supportive of me. Whoever signs him is going to have a top keeper."
on a one-year deal, linking up his former Wolves manager Dave Jones. He began the season on the bench but moved into the starting XI after several errors from the on-loan Ross Turnbull
. With Turnbull returning from loan back to Middlesbrough
, Oakes found his only competition to be Irishman David Forde and continued in the number one spot.
However, Kasper Schmeichel
was taken on loan from Manchester City
in late October, which relegated Oakes to the bench, save one Football League Cup
game at Liverpool
. After Schmeichel returned to his parent club in early January, Oakes was called upon again by Cardiff, but Peter Enckelman
was swiftly signed on loan from Blackburn Rovers
for the rest of the season. Oakes chose to retire at the season's conclusion, his final involvement being as a substitute in their FA Cup Final
game against Portsmouth
.
side Wrexham as a goalkeeping coach and Assistant Manager under Player/Manager Andy Morrell
, he is also partnered by fellow Assistant Billy Barr
.
Northwich
Northwich is a town and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. It lies in the heart of the Cheshire Plain, at the confluence of the rivers Weaver and Dane...
) is an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former professional football goalkeeper who is currently working with Wrexham as a goalkeeping coach and Assistant Manager Under Andy Morrell
Andy Morrell
Andrew Jonathan "Andy" Morrell is an English footballer who is currently player-manager of Wrexham. Initially handed the role on an interim basis after Dean Saunders left to manage Doncaster Rovers, Morrell was given the job until the end of the season after a run of seven wins in nine...
. He is the son of former 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...
footballer Alan Oakes
Alan Oakes
Alan Arthur Oakes is an English footballer who holds Manchester City's all-time record for appearances. Thanks to a further six year stint at Chester , Oakes played 776 Football League matches – the seventh most in history.-Permanent Fixture with Man City:Oakes signed for Manchester City on...
.
Aston Villa
Oakes began his career in Aston VillaAston 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...
's youth system. He played nineteen games for Gloucester City in 1992–93 and then had a loan spell at Scarborough
Scarborough F.C.
Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
in 1994 playing one league game. He finally got his chance to appear in Villa's first team at the start of the 1996–97 season
1996-97 in English football
The 1996–1997 season was the 117th season of competitive football in England.Arrival into the league and exit out of the league returns in the fourth tier for the first time after its 3 season absence with only 1 relegation spot.- Premier League :...
. He made his debut on 17 August 1996 in a 2–1 defeat at 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...
, aged 22, deputising for the injured Mark Bosnich
Mark Bosnich
Mark Bosnich is a retired Australian football player and football pundit. He represented Australia 17 times and played for English Premier League clubs Aston Villa, Manchester United and Chelsea.-Manchester United :...
.
Bosnich's injury record, and speculation he would be leaving to join 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...
, gave Oakes opportunities over the next three seasons and he amassed 60 appearances in total for the club. He also won seven 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....
caps during his spell at Villa Park. However, after the club splashed out on David James
David James (footballer)
David Benjamin James is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bristol City.On 14 February 2009, he achieved the all-time Premier League appearance record with 536 appearances, overtaking Gary Speed. He held this record until being overtaken by Ryan Giggs on the 14th May 2011...
following Bosnich's eventual departure in 1999, Oakes requested a move.
Wolves
Oakes made the short journey to First DivisionFootball 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 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...
in October 1999 for £500,000, and soon ousted long-serving Mike Stowell
Mike Stowell
Michael "Mike" Stowell is an English former professional football goalkeeper, and now goalkeeping coach at Leicester City...
as number one 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...
. He remained as the first-team goalkeeper until September 2002, when he suffered a shoulder injury and was replaced by rookie Matt Murray. Oakes was honoured with a medal during the 2003 Football League First Division playoff final/play-off success against 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...
at the Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
in May 2003.
However, the fortunes of the two keepers turned in August 2003, when Murray sustained a back injury, and Oakes stepped into the breach for Wanderers' inaugural Premier League campaign. He performed admirably in what was a tough season, but was controversially replaced by new signing Paul Jones
Paul Jones (footballer)
Paul Steven Jones is a retired Welsh international football goalkeeper. During his playing career, he played for several clubs, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stockport County and Southampton.-Career history:...
in January 2004.
Oakes regained his place in October 2004, post-relegation, but lost his place through injury in October 2005, to Stefan Postma
Stefan Postma
Stefan Postma is a Dutch footballer who plays for AGOVV Apeldoorn as a goalkeeper.-Career:He started his professional career at FC Utrecht before moving to De Graafschap. He was signed by Aston Villa from De Graafschap on May 14, 2002 for 1.5 million pounds, upon Peter Schmeichel's transfer to...
. Although Postma was later released, Murray's return to fitness meant that Oakes continued as deputy in 2006–07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
. He was given a free transfer in May 2007 after 220 appearances in total. Upon his release, Oakes drew praise from his former colleague Murray, stating that "I learned a lot from him and he has always been very supportive of me. Whoever signs him is going to have a top keeper."
Cardiff City
In July 2007, Oakes signed for Cardiff CityCardiff 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 one-year deal, linking up his former Wolves manager Dave Jones. He began the season on the bench but moved into the starting XI after several errors from the on-loan Ross Turnbull
Ross Turnbull
Ross Turnbull is an English footballer who is currently playing his club football for Chelsea as a goalkeeper in the Barclays Premier League.-Early life:...
. With Turnbull returning from loan back to Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
, Oakes found his only competition to be Irishman David Forde and continued in the number one spot.
However, Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Peter Schmeichel is a Danish professional football goalkeeper, and son of Peter Schmeichel. He plays in the Npower Championship for Leicester City. He played 17 games for the Denmark under-21 national team...
was taken on loan from 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 late October, which relegated Oakes to the bench, save one Football 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...
game at 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...
. After Schmeichel returned to his parent club in early January, Oakes was called upon again by Cardiff, but Peter Enckelman
Peter Enckelman
Peter Enckelman is a Finnish football goalkeeper who currently plays for St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premier League.-Aston Villa:...
was swiftly signed on loan from Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
for the rest of the season. Oakes chose to retire at the season's conclusion, his final involvement being as a substitute in their FA Cup Final
2008 FA Cup Final
The 2008 FA Cup Final was a football match held at Wembley Stadium on 17 May 2008 and was the final match of the 2007–08 FA Cup competition. The match was the 127th FA Cup Final, and the second to be held at the new Wembley Stadium since its redevelopment. The match was contested by Portsmouth and...
game against 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...
.
Coaching career
He is currently working at Conference NationalConference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
side Wrexham as a goalkeeping coach and Assistant Manager under Player/Manager Andy Morrell
Andy Morrell
Andrew Jonathan "Andy" Morrell is an English footballer who is currently player-manager of Wrexham. Initially handed the role on an interim basis after Dean Saunders left to manage Doncaster Rovers, Morrell was given the job until the end of the season after a run of seven wins in nine...
, he is also partnered by fellow Assistant Billy Barr
Billy Barr
William Joseph "Billy" Barr is an English former footballer and manager. He is currently Assistant Manager Under Player Manager Andy Morrell at Confrence National side Wrexham FC.-Playing:...
.
Club statistics
As of 18 May 2008| 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... |
Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Scarborough Scarborough F.C. Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season... (loan) |
1993-94 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 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... |
1996-97 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| 1997-98 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| 1998-99 | 23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 28 | 0 | |
| Subtotal | 52 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 61 | 0 | |
| Wolves 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... |
1999-00 | 28 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 |
| 2000-01 | 46 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 0 | |
| 2001-02 | 48 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2002-03 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2003-04 | 21 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 | |
| 2004-05 | 35 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 | |
| 2005-06 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
| Subtotal | 253 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 280 | 0 | |
| 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... |
2007-08 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Total | 264 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 295 | 0 | |