Scott Oakes
Encyclopedia
Scott Oakes is a former professional footballer, best known from his time at Luton Town
in the early 1990s. Oakes began his career at Leicester City
but was transferred to Luton in 1991 as part of the deal that took Steve Thompson
the opposite way.
At Luton, Oakes soon became a regular in the side, and a fan favourite, usually playing on the left wing. During his time at Kenilworth Road
, he became regarded as one of the most promising players in English football, and was often rumoured as a target for bigger clubs. He was capped once for England Under-21
.
In 1996, Oakes was signed by Sheffield Wednesday
for a £425,000 transfer fee. However, the move to the Owls would turn out disastrous. Following a spate of unfortunate injuries, Oakes spent most of his time on the sidelines in the 1996–97 season, and the following seasons he usually was not even on the bench due to a knee injury that cruelly dogged what had been a promising career at the age of just 25. In his four years at Hillsborough, Oakes started only seven games, scoring once against Sunderland, and in 1999–2000, his final season with the Owls, he did not feature for the first team at all.
In 2000, Oakes was released by Sheffield Wednesday and joined Burnley
, and then moved to Cambridge United
a mere three months later. He finished his Football League
career with a spell at Leyton Orient
before signing for non-league St Albans City
in 2002.
In 2003, he signed for Shelbourne F.C.
but only lasted three games due to the poor health of one of his children.
His younger brother Stefan Oakes
is also a professional footballer.
His father is the musician Trevor Oakes, who performed with Showaddywaddy
.
He now works teaching football to children in schools in Leicestershire and Bedfordshire.
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...
in the early 1990s. Oakes began his career at Leicester City
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...
but was transferred to Luton in 1991 as part of the deal that took Steve Thompson
Steve Thompson (footballer born 1964)
Steven James "Steve" Thompson is a retired English footballer who played as a midfielder. He is currently the assistant manager at Blackpool.-Playing career:...
the opposite way.
At Luton, Oakes soon became a regular in the side, and a fan favourite, usually playing on the left wing. During his time at Kenilworth Road
Kenilworth Road
Kenilworth Road Stadium is a football stadium in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. It has been home to Luton Town Football Club since 1905, when financial complications forced the club to leave its previous location at Dunstable Road...
, he became regarded as one of the most promising players in English football, and was often rumoured as a target for bigger clubs. He was capped once for 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....
.
In 1996, Oakes was signed by 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 a £425,000 transfer fee. However, the move to the Owls would turn out disastrous. Following a spate of unfortunate injuries, Oakes spent most of his time on the sidelines in the 1996–97 season, and the following seasons he usually was not even on the bench due to a knee injury that cruelly dogged what had been a promising career at the age of just 25. In his four years at Hillsborough, Oakes started only seven games, scoring once against Sunderland, and in 1999–2000, his final season with the Owls, he did not feature for the first team at all.
In 2000, Oakes was released by Sheffield Wednesday and joined Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
, and then moved 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...
a mere three months later. He finished his 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...
career with a spell at Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
before signing for non-league St Albans City
St Albans City F.C.
St Albans City Football Club is a football club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. It was founded in 1908 and plays its home matches at Clarence Park, about 800 yards from the city centre. The club is in the Premier Division of the Southern League...
in 2002.
In 2003, he signed for Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
but only lasted three games due to the poor health of one of his children.
His younger brother Stefan Oakes
Stefan Oakes
Stefan Trevor Oakes is an English footballer, who most recently played for Tamworth in Conference National.Oakes' brother Scott was also a professional footballer. Their father Trevor Oakes was a guitarist in the band Showaddywaddy....
is also a professional footballer.
His father is the musician Trevor Oakes, who performed with Showaddywaddy
Showaddywaddy
Showaddywaddy are a 1970s pop group from Leicester, England. They specialised in revivals of hit songs from the 1950s and early 1960s, and dressed as Teddy Boys.-History:...
.
He now works teaching football to children in schools in Leicestershire and Bedfordshire.