Nathan Abbey
Nathanael "Nathan" Abbey (born 11 July 1978) is an English journeyman former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He is currently assistant manager of Southern League Division One Central club Bedford Town.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Nathanael Abbey | ||
Date of birth | 11 July 1978 | ||
Place of birth | Islington, England | ||
Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
Playing position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Bedford Town (assistant manager) | ||
Youth career | |||
–1995 | Luton Town | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1995–2001 | Luton Town | 55 | (0) |
2001–2002 | Chesterfield | 46 | (0) |
2002–2003 | Northampton Town | 5 | (0) |
2003 | Stevenage Borough | 6 | (0) |
2003 | St Albans City | 1 | (0) |
2003 | Hayes | 1 | (0) |
2003–2004 | Ipswich Town | 0 | (0) |
2004 | Burnley | 0 | (0) |
2004–2006 | Boston United | 61 | (0) |
2005–2006 | → Leyton Orient (loan) | 0 | (0) |
2006 | Bristol City | 1 | (0) |
2006 | Torquay United | 24 | (0) |
2006–2007 | Brentford | 16 | (0) |
2007–2009 | Milton Keynes Dons | 1 | (0) |
2009–2010 | Rushden & Diamonds | 10 | (0) |
2010 | Kettering Town | 29 | (0) |
2011–2013 | Arlesey Town | 56 | (0) |
2013–2014 | St Neots Town | 37 | (0) |
2014–2015 | Dunstable Town | 1 | (0) |
2015–2018 | Arlesey Town | 0 | (0) |
Total | 350 | (0) | |
Teams managed | |||
2011–2013 | Arlesey Town (player-assistant manager) | ||
2013–2014 | St Neots Town (player-assistant manager) | ||
2015–2018 | Arlesey Town (joint with Zema Abbey) | ||
2018– | Bedford Town (assistant manager) | ||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:14, 10 September 2017 -2018(UTC) |
Career
Luton Town
Abbey was born in Islington, London, and began his football career as a trainee with Luton Town, turning professional in August 1995. His first team debut came on 26 August 1997 in the League Cup first round second leg tie at home to Colchester United, a 1–1 draw taking the Hatters into the second round.[1] Later that season he had a spell on loan to Football Conference side Woking. He had to wait until January 1999 for this next first team appearance for Luton, playing in the 3–0 defeat at home to Walsall in the Football League Trophy. His league debut came the following month, on 6 February, playing in the 2–1 win away to Burnley.
He began the 1999–2000 season as Luton's first choice goalkeeper, previous first choice Kelvin Davis having been sold to Wimbledon to aid Luton's financial problems, and remained a regular throughout the season. In the summer of 2000, Luton manager Ricky Hill signed Mark Ovendale and chose him to start the season in place of Abbey. However, Abbey soon regained his place in the side,[2] though spent most of the season in and out of the side as first Lil Fuccillo and then Joe Kinnear took over as Luton manager.
Chesterfield
With Luton relegated to the bottom flight of the Football League, Abbey was released by Luton[3] and joined Chesterfield in August 2001. He was an ever-present the following season and won the Chesterfield Player of the Year Award, but left after failing to agree a new contract.[4]
Non-league
He joined Northampton Town in August 2002[5] and signed a contract extension until the end of the season,[6] but struggled to establish himself and was released at the end of the season having played only eight games. He returned to Luton on trial, but signed for Conference side Stevenage Borough in July 2003. He played six Conference games before returning to Luton Town in October 2003. He was released by Luton manager Mike Newell the following month, joining Macclesfield Town,[7] where he again failed to make the first team and was released, joining non-league Hayes in December 2003.[8] Abbey had similar experiences on moving to Ipswich Town later the same month[9] and Burnley in January 2004.
Boston United
In July 2004, Abbey signed for Boston United, playing 61 league games over the next season and a half. He had a spell on loan with Leyton Orient in December 2005[10] and moved to Bristol City on a free transfer in February 2006[11] after being released by Boston at the end of January.[12] He made just one appearance for City, as a substitute for Adriano Basso in the 1–0 defeat away to Southend United on 6 May 2005, before being released at the end of the season.[13]
Torquay United
He signed for Torquay United in July 2006[14] and was soon installed as first choice goalkeeper by Torquay manager Ian Atkins. Despite being ever-present in the Torquay goal from the start of the 2006–07 season, Abbey was only offered a one-month extension to his existing six-month contract and left the club at the end of his contract on 28 December 2006.[15] His last game for Torquay came on 26 December 2006 at home to Milton Keynes Dons, where Torquay manager Lubos Kubik decided to substitute him for debutant keeper Martin Horsell with seven minutes of the game remaining and Torquay 2–0 down.[16]
Brentford
Abbey signed for Brentford on 29 December 2006 on an emergency loan as regular goalkeepers Stuart Nelson and Clark Masters were injured.[17] He signed a permanent contract on 26 January 2007.[18] He made sixteen appearances for the Bees before being released on 16 May 2007.[19]
Milton Keynes Dons
He signed for Milton Keynes Dons shortly before the start of the 2007–08 season. He made his debut for MK Dons coming on as a sub against Cheltenham Town when regular keeper Willy Gueret was sent off.[20] After two seasons he was released by MK Dons.[21]
Return to non-league
He joined Rushden & Diamonds making eleven appearances for the club. In January 2010 he joined Kettering Town on a non-contract basis.[22] It was announced on 16 November 2010 that Abbey had been sacked from Kettering Town due to gross misconduct, having made 29 appearances for the club.[23]
Managerial career
He joined his brother Zema Abbey as player/assistant manager at Arlesey Town.[24] In November 2013, Abbey moved with his brother to St Neots Town.[25] Abbey left the club at the same time as his brother a couple of months into the 2014–15 season, with Gary King assuming sole control of the first team. Abbey soon joined Dunstable Town in late 2014. In February 2015, he returned to Arlesey Town as player-joint manager alongside his brother.[26] The two left the club in May 2018.
Personal life
His brother, Zema, was also a professional footballer.
Career statistics
- As of 18 November 2018[27]
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Luton Town | 1997–98 | Second Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
1998–99 | Second Division | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
1999–00 | Second Division | 34 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 0 | |
2000–01 | Second Division | 20 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | |
Total | 56 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 68 | 0 | ||
Chesterfield | 2001–02 | Second Division | 46 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 53 | 0 |
Northampton Town | 2002–03 | Second Division | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
Stevenage Borough | 2003–04 | Conference | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | |
Ipswich Town | 2003–04 | First Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
Burnley | 2003–04 | First Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
Boston United | 2004–05 | League Two | 44 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 51 | 0 |
2005–06 | League Two | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 0 | |
Total | 61 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 73 | 0 | ||
Leyton Orient (loan) | 2005–06 | League Two | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
Bristol City (loan) | 2005–06 | League One | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
Torquay United | 2006–07 | League Two | 24 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 0 |
Brentford | 2006–07 | League One | 16 | 0 | — | — | — | 16 | 0 | |||
Milton Keynes Dons | 2007–08 | League Two | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
2008–09 | League One | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
Total | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
Rushden & Diamonds | 2009–10 | Conference Premier | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 0 | ||
Kettering Town | 2009–10 | Conference Premier | 17 | 0 | — | — | — | 17 | 0 | |||
2010–11 | Conference Premier | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 11 | 0 | |||
Total | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 28 | 0 | ||||
Career total | 254 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 299 | 0 |
References
- "Nathan Abbey player profile". Luton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 21 May 2003. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
- "Hill explains why he axed Ovendale". BBC Sport. 19 October 2000. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
- "Clear-out begins at Luton". BBC Sport. 20 April 2001. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
- "Spireites capture Dawson". BBC Sport. 8 May 2002. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
- "Cobblers capture Abbey". BBC Sport. 5 August 2002. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
- "Abbey stays with Cobblers". BBC Sport. 7 October 2002. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
- "Abbey arrives at Moss Rose". BBC Sport. 15 November 2003. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
- "Hayes lose Abbey to Ipswich". NonLeagueDaily.com. 19 December 2003. Archived from the original on 1 October 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
- "Ipswich sign Abbey". BBC Sport. 17 December 2003. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
- "Pilgrims ponder keeper loan swoop". BBC Sport. 21 December 2005. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
- "City recruit McCammon and Abbey". BBC Sport. 17 February 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
- "Boston release Whelan and Abbey". BBC Sport. 31 January 2006. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
- "Johnson will release five players". BBC Sport. 8 May 2006. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
- "Abbey agrees terms with Torquay". BBC Sport. 27 July 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
- "Goalkeeper Abbey leaves Torquay". BBC Sport. 28 December 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
- "Torquay 0–2 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 26 December 2006. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
- "Goalkeeper Abbey joins Brentford". BBC Sport. 29 December 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
- "Abbey signs contract at Brentford". BBC Sport. 26 January 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
- "Bees sign Mackie after clear-out". BBC Sport. 16 May 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
- "Dons sign Abbey, Navarro & Howell". BBC Sport. 12 August 2007. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
- James Chard (19 May 2009). "Six players go in Dons clear-out". MK Citizen. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- "Player Up-date 15 January". Kettering Town F.C. 15 January 2010. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2010.
- "Kettering Town sack goalkeeper Nathan Abbey". BBC Sport. 16 November 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
- "Arlesey Town – Players & Coaches – Nathan Abbey – Arlesey Town FC". Pitchero.com. 29 November 2012. Archived from the original on 31 January 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- "Abbey brothers leave Arlesey Town for St Neots". The Comet. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
- http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/staff/nathan-abbey
- "Games played by Nathan Abbey". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
External links
- Nathan Abbey player profile at mkdons.com at the Wayback Machine (archived 18 March 2012)
- Nathan Abbey at Soccerbase
- Nathan Abbey at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database
- Nathan Abbey – Basingstoke Town Profile