Zigor Aranalde
Encyclopedia
Zigor Aranalde Sarasola (born February 28, 1973 in Ibarra, Gipuzkoa) is a retired Spanish
footballer who played as a left defender.
. In 1996–97, he was first-choice at Sevilla FC
in the top flight
, but the Andalusia
ns finished third from the bottom.
Aranalde then joined Football League
outfit Walsall
, on the eve of the 2000–01 season. He spent just under five full seasons at the Bescot Stadium
, winning promotion via the play-off final in his first season, and being a regular member of the side until he was surprisingly released by then-Walsall manager, Paul Merson
, in March 2005. He moved on to Sheffield Wednesday
immediately following his release, but was sent off
in only his second game for the club, and never appeared for them again.
In the summer of 2005, Aranalde signed for newly-promoted Carlisle United
, who went on to claim promotion and the championship in League Two
that season. He scored five goals during the course of the season, and was part of a squad which incidentally had two other links to his former club, through ex-Walsall striker Karl Hawley
, and future Preston North End manager Paul Simpson
. On October 1, 2005, he scored Bristol Rovers
' 5000th ever goal, which was an own goal
, in a 1–3 loss.
On 16 May 2008, it was announced that Aranalde was being released from Carlisle, alongside Paul Arnison
and Grant Carson. Two years later, after playing some amateur football in his country, he returned to England, being named chief scout at Brighton & Hove Albion
, in League One.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who played as a left defender.
Football career
Aranalde began his football career at lowly CD Hernani, going on to spend seven of his eight professional seasons in his country in the second divisionSegunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
. In 1996–97, he was first-choice at Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
in the top flight
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
, but the Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
ns finished third from the bottom.
Aranalde then joined 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...
outfit 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...
, on the eve of the 2000–01 season. He spent just under five full seasons at the Bescot Stadium
Bescot Stadium
Bescot Stadium, also known as the Banks's Stadium for sponsorship purposes, is the home ground of Walsall Football Club. It was built in 1989-90 by GMI Construction with a reported build cost of £4.5m...
, winning promotion via the play-off final in his first season, and being a regular member of the side until he was surprisingly released by then-Walsall manager, Paul Merson
Paul Merson
Paul Charles Merson is a retired English football player, and former player-manager of Walsall. His playing career has included spells at Arsenal, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Portsmouth and finishing his playing career at Tamworth. He also played for England 21 times...
, in March 2005. He moved on to 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...
immediately following his release, but was sent off
Ejection (sports)
In sports, an ejection is one of several disqualifying actions assessed to a player or coach by a game official , usually for unsportsmanlike conduct....
in only his second game for the club, and never appeared for them again.
In the summer of 2005, Aranalde signed for newly-promoted 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....
, who went on to claim promotion and the championship in League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
that season. He scored five goals during the course of the season, and was part of a squad which incidentally had two other links to his former club, through ex-Walsall striker Karl Hawley
Karl Hawley
Karl Leon Hawley is an English professional footballer who plays for Notts County as a striker. Hawley has represented England C.-Career:...
, and future Preston North End manager Paul Simpson
Paul Simpson (footballer)
Paul David Simpson is an English former footballer and manager. His son Jake is also a professional footballer.-Manchester City:...
. On October 1, 2005, he scored Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
' 5000th ever goal, which was an own goal
Own goal
An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents....
, in a 1–3 loss.
On 16 May 2008, it was announced that Aranalde was being released from Carlisle, alongside Paul Arnison
Paul Arnison
Paul Simon Arnison is an English footballer who plays as a defender and plays for Darlington. Born in Hartlepool, he is a former Newcastle United trainee, who has also played for his hometown club Hartlepool United, Carlisle United and Bradford City.-Club career:Born in Hartlepool, Arnison started...
and Grant Carson. Two years later, after playing some amateur football in his country, he returned to England, being named chief scout at 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....
, in League One.
Honours
- WalsallWalsall 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...
:- Division Two: 2000–01 playoff winner
- CarlisleCarlisle 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....
:- League TwoFootball League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
: 2005–06
- League Two