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Chris Weale
Christopher Weale (born 9 February 1982) is an English former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He is currently Director of Football Coaching at Sherborne School.
Born in Yeovil, Somerset, Weale was a product of Yeovil Town's youth system after joining Yeovil in August 1999 from local side Gillingham Town. Weale was first choice keeper for the Youth Team that won the South-West Counties Under 18s League title in 2000 and during the same season he broke into the Reserve side.
Weale made his first team debut in July 2000 having come on as a substitute against Southampton in Tony Pennock's testimonial game before making his first full competitive debut against Wellington in the Somerset Premier Cup in October of that year. Weale began to gain more experience in the first team in the 2001/02 season, during which he played 38 matches for the first team while establishing himself as a firm favourite amongst the fans. The following year he not only played an indispensable role in helping Yeovil achieve promotion to the Football League but his consistency was rewarded with a call-up to the England National XI several times during the season.
It was only a matter of time before a top club such as West Ham United inquired about Weale. Alan Pardew invited the highly rated keeper to train with West Ham for a couple of days a week in March 2004 before playing in a Reserve game for the club. Throughout his career at Huish Park he has been heavily praised, not just from the home fans, but also from opposition managers such as ex-England coach Peter Taylor. Taylor acknowledged after the 0–0 draw at the KC Stadium 'The saves were worthy of the Premiership'. Yeovil boss Gary Johnson describes 'They were world class saves. We see that every day in training. He's a super goalkeeper.' His performance was acknowledged his fellow peers and was chosen for the Football League Team of the Year for League Two on two consecutive seasons.
During his final season with the club, Wealey had to face strong competition for the number one jersey from Steve Collis. Collis showed great promise when he was given the chance in goal during his performance in the latter part of both the 2003/04 and the 2004/05 season and the two keepers split first team responsibilities during the 2005/06 season.
That was in part due to a knee injury sustained by Weale during March 2006 at Chesterfield, which he aggravated a few weeks later. It was later diagnosed as a cruciate ligament injury which meant that his final appearance for the club was against Scunthorpe United on Good Friday in April 2006.
Despite facing a lengthy layoff that was expected to keep him out until at least November 2006, the club still offered Weale a new deal, but he chose instead to sign for Bristol City on a one-year deal on 28 June 2006, teaming up with Gary Johnson – the manager who had introduced him to regular first team football.
Weale joined Bristol City under the Bosman ruling. He was joined by former teammates Phil Jevons, Liam Fontaine and Lee Johnson and former manager Gary Johnson. He made his debut on 10 February 2007 against Huddersfield Town after Adriano Basso was sent off, and played in the FA Cup replay between City and Middlesbrough and saved a penalty from Yakubu, but City lost the penalty shoot-out 5–4.
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Chris Weale
Christopher Weale (born 9 February 1982) is an English former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He is currently Director of Football Coaching at Sherborne School.
Born in Yeovil, Somerset, Weale was a product of Yeovil Town's youth system after joining Yeovil in August 1999 from local side Gillingham Town. Weale was first choice keeper for the Youth Team that won the South-West Counties Under 18s League title in 2000 and during the same season he broke into the Reserve side.
Weale made his first team debut in July 2000 having come on as a substitute against Southampton in Tony Pennock's testimonial game before making his first full competitive debut against Wellington in the Somerset Premier Cup in October of that year. Weale began to gain more experience in the first team in the 2001/02 season, during which he played 38 matches for the first team while establishing himself as a firm favourite amongst the fans. The following year he not only played an indispensable role in helping Yeovil achieve promotion to the Football League but his consistency was rewarded with a call-up to the England National XI several times during the season.
It was only a matter of time before a top club such as West Ham United inquired about Weale. Alan Pardew invited the highly rated keeper to train with West Ham for a couple of days a week in March 2004 before playing in a Reserve game for the club. Throughout his career at Huish Park he has been heavily praised, not just from the home fans, but also from opposition managers such as ex-England coach Peter Taylor. Taylor acknowledged after the 0–0 draw at the KC Stadium 'The saves were worthy of the Premiership'. Yeovil boss Gary Johnson describes 'They were world class saves. We see that every day in training. He's a super goalkeeper.' His performance was acknowledged his fellow peers and was chosen for the Football League Team of the Year for League Two on two consecutive seasons.
During his final season with the club, Wealey had to face strong competition for the number one jersey from Steve Collis. Collis showed great promise when he was given the chance in goal during his performance in the latter part of both the 2003/04 and the 2004/05 season and the two keepers split first team responsibilities during the 2005/06 season.
That was in part due to a knee injury sustained by Weale during March 2006 at Chesterfield, which he aggravated a few weeks later. It was later diagnosed as a cruciate ligament injury which meant that his final appearance for the club was against Scunthorpe United on Good Friday in April 2006.
Despite facing a lengthy layoff that was expected to keep him out until at least November 2006, the club still offered Weale a new deal, but he chose instead to sign for Bristol City on a one-year deal on 28 June 2006, teaming up with Gary Johnson – the manager who had introduced him to regular first team football.
Weale joined Bristol City under the Bosman ruling. He was joined by former teammates Phil Jevons, Liam Fontaine and Lee Johnson and former manager Gary Johnson. He made his debut on 10 February 2007 against Huddersfield Town after Adriano Basso was sent off, and played in the FA Cup replay between City and Middlesbrough and saved a penalty from Yakubu, but City lost the penalty shoot-out 5–4.
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