John Salako

John Akin Salako (born 11 February 1969) is an English former professional footballer and sports television pundit. Salako was first team coach of Premier League side Crystal Palace for the 2015–16 season.

John Salako
Personal information
Full name John Akin Salako[1]
Date of birth (1969-02-11) 11 February 1969
Place of birth Ibadan, Nigeria
Playing position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Westerham Reds
Westerham FC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1986–1995 Crystal Palace 215 (22)
1989 → Swansea City (loan) 13 (3)
1995–1998 Coventry City 72 (4)
1998 → Bolton Wanderers (loan) 7 (0)
1998–1999 Fulham 10 (1)
1999–2001 Charlton Athletic 47 (2)
2001–2004 Reading 111 (13)
2004–2005 Brentford 35 (4)
Total 510 (49)
National team
1991 England 5 (0)
Teams managed
2009– Crystal Palace (U16s)
2015–2016 Crystal Palace (1st Team Coach)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Born in Nigeria, Salako played as a Midfielder from 1986 until 2005, he notably played in the Premier League for Crystal Palace, Coventry City, Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic, in the Football League for Swansea City, Fulham, Reading and Brentford. He represented England at senior level, earning five caps, all during 1991 while he was a Crystal Palace player.[2]

Playing career

A fast and imaginative player, Salako began his career at Crystal Palace in the mid 1980s, and was their regular left winger by the time they won promotion to the First Division in 1989. He was also in the side for the 1990 FA Cup Final, picking up a runners-up medal after they drew 3–3 with Manchester United before losing the replay 1–0.[3] A year later, he helped Palace finish third in the league. Late in the 1990–91 season, he memorably scored twice for Palace in their 3–0 home win over Manchester United in the league.

However, a serious knee injury suffered in a league match against Leeds United ruled him out until the following season, when Palace were founder members of the FA Premier League but finished the season relegated, with Salako often being positioned as a centre forward alongside Chris Armstrong after the sale of Ian Wright and Mark Bright. Salako helped them get straight back up, but they went down again the following season despite reaching the semi-finals of both cups.

Salako left Palace in the summer of 1995, signing for Coventry City.[4] He spent three seasons at Coventry, spending a brief period on loan at Bolton Wanderers, before signing for Fulham in Division Two. At Fulham he scored twice, once in the league against Macclesfield,[5] and again in the League Cup against Cardiff City.[6][7] After Fulham he played for Charlton Athletic and Reading, before ending his career at Brentford.[4]

Coaching career

He has coached Crystal Palace under 16 team, working with former teammate Bright.[8] On 8 August 2015, he was announced as Crystal Palace first team coach.[9] In 2005, Salako was voted into Palace's Centenary XI.

Media career

Salako now works as a matchday correspondent on Sky Sports.[10]

Salako filed for Bankruptcy in 2019.

Personal life

As a teenager, he lived in Westerham, Kent and was a student at The Wildernesse School in Sevenoaks. He is the brother of footballer Andy Salako.

Honours

As a player

Crystal Palace

Fulham

Charlton Athletic

Reading

As an individual
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See also

References
  1. "John Salako". Footballzz. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  2. "John SALAKO – League appearances. – Crystal Palace FC".
  3. "John Salako | Football Stats | No Club | Season 1989/1990 | 1986–2005 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  4. "John Salako | Football Stats | No Club | Age 49 | 1986–2005 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  5. "Looking Back – 8th August 1998". Macclesfield Town FC. 8 August 1998. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  6. "Fixtures & Results Tuesday, 18 August 1998". Sporting Life. 18 August 2008. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  7. "Rewind Report". Fulham FC. 1 October 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  8. "Palace Legends Join Academy Set Up". Crystal Palace FC. 11 September 2009. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  9. "Ben Garner to join Albion coaching staff". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  10. "Brentford | News | Where Are They Now? | Where Are They Now? | WHERE ARE THEY NOW?". world.brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  11. "John Salako". 11v11.com. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  12. "Football Club History Database – Crystal Palace". fchd.info. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  13. www.holmesdale.net, Holmesdale Online. "John Salako". Holmesdale Online. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  14. "John Salako | Football Stats | No Club | Season 1998/1999 | 1986–2005 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  15. "Football Club History Database – Fulham". fchd.info. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  16. "John Salako | Football Stats | No Club | Season 1999/2000 | 1986–2005 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  17. "Football Club History Database – Charlton Athletic". fchd.info. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  18. "John Salako | Football Stats | No Club | Season 2001/2002 | 1986–2005 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  19. "Football Club History Database – Reading". fchd.info. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  20. "Crystal Palace FC Young Player of the Year: A History". Retrieved 14 February 2018.
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