Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale July 2010.jpg
Bale posing with a fan during Tottenham's tour of the United States in July 2010.
Personal information
Full name Gareth Frank Bale[1]
Date of birth 16 July 1989 (1989-07-16) (age 21)
Place of birth Cardiff, Wales
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing position Left back, Left-winger
Club information
Current club Tottenham Hotspur
Number 3
Youth career
2005–2006 Southampton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2006–2007 Southampton 40 (5)
2007– Tottenham Hotspur 50 (7)
National team‡
2006– Wales U21 4 (0)
2006– Wales 24 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21 August 2010 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:40, 3 March 2010

Gareth Frank Bale (born 16 July 1989) is a Welsh footballer who plays as a left back or left winger for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the Welsh national team.

Contents

Early life

Bale was born in Cardiff, the younger of two children, and attended Eglwys Newydd Primary School at Whitchurch. He is the nephew of former Cardiff City footballer Chris Pike.[2] His outstanding talent was evident from very early on, in particular his poise and left foot. It was while at this school he first came to the attention of Southampton at nine years old, when he was playing in a 5 a side tournament with his first club, Cardiff Civil Service Football Club.

Bale then attended Whitchurch High School[3] in Cardiff, where, as well as football, he played rugby and hockey and was a distance runner. Because of his superior skills, the school's PE teacher, Gwyn Morris, had to write special rules. These restricted Bale to playing one-touch football and not using his left foot. Whilst at Whitchurch, Bale trained at Southampton's satellite academy in Bath, although there was initially some doubt if Southampton would give him a scholarship due to his height.

Despite being only 16 at the time, he helped the school's under-18 side win the Cardiff & Vale Senior Cup. He left school in the summer of 2005 with a Grade A in PE amongst his GCSE results. In his final year at school he was awarded the PE department's prize for services to sport. In the presentation, Morris commented:

"Gareth has a fierce determination to succeed and has the character and qualities to achieve his personal goals. He is one of the most unselfish individuals that I have had the pleasure to help educate."[4]

Club career

Southampton

At the age of 16 years and 275 days, Bale became the second youngest player ever to play for the Saints (after Theo Walcott) when he made his debut on 17 April 2006. He played the whole match as Southampton defeated Millwall 2–0.

On 6 August 2006, Bale scored his first league goal, a free kick, to level the scores at 1–1 against Derby County. The final score at Pride Park was 2–2.[5]

He scored again, at St. Mary's, against Coventry City[6] in the team's second game of the 2006–07 season with another free kick. Bale further developed his reputation as a free kick specialist when he struck the post from one against West Bromwich Albion.[7] By 16 December 2006, Bale's goal count had risen to five, thanks to a late equaliser against Sunderland[8] and free-kicks away to Hull[9] and at home to Norwich City.

In December 2006 he won the Carwyn James Award for the BBC Wales Young Sports Personality of the Year.[10] To cap his first full season as a professional footballer, Bale was named the Football League Young Player of the Year on 4 March 2007.[11]

His final game for Southampton was in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final against Derby County on 12 May 2007. Bale suffered an injury during the second half, preventing him from appearing in the second leg.[12][13] In total, he made 45 appearances for Southampton, scoring five goals.

Tottenham Hotspur

Bale with Spurs.

Bale completed a transfer to Tottenham on 25 May 2007, arranging a four-year deal, with Tottenham making an immediate payment of £5 million, with further additional payments that could see Bale's transfer go up to £10m.[14]

He played his first game for Spurs in a friendly against St. Patrick's Athletic on 12 July 2007, but was substituted on the 80th minute with a minor dead-leg. He made his competitive debut for Tottenham Hotspur on 26 August away against Manchester United. In just his second Spurs appearance, he scored his first goal for Tottenham in the 3–3 draw with Fulham on 1 September when he latched on to Robbie Keane's flick, charged down the left flank unopposed and coolly slotted past goalkeeper Antti Niemi.[15] Bale then went on to score again against Arsenal in the North London Derby, scoring a free kick inside the near post.[16] He then scored in the League Cup home tie against Middlesbrough,[17] making it three goals in four starts for the 18-year-old. He also set up Spurs' goal against Anorthorsis Famagusta in the UEFA Cup.

Bale was substituted after sustaining an injury resulting from a tackle from Fabrice Muamba in the league fixture against Birmingham City on 2 December 2007. A scan revealed that Bale had suffered ligament damage to his right ankle, consigning Bale to an extended period on the sidelines. Spurs' sporting director Damien Comolli announced in February 2008 that Bale would miss the rest of the season through injury.[18] He signed a new four-year deal with the club in August 2008.[19]

Bale played a record 24 Premier League games for Spurs without being on the winning side.[20][21] His first involvement in a Premier League victory came against Burnley on 26 September 2009 – more than two years after signing for Spurs – when he came on as an 85th minute substitute.[22]

In June 2009, Bale had to undergo surgery for a knee injury, ruling him out for up to eight weeks. He missed the preseason matches and it was projected that he would miss the first few weeks of the 2009–10 season.[23] On 26 September, he made his comeback as a substitute in the Spurs' 5–0 thrashing of Burnley. However, he endured a frustrating time on the bench as Benoît Assou-Ekotto was in good form. When Assou-Ekotto was sidelined with an injury, manager Harry Redknapp decided to give Bale a chance and he impressed in the Spurs' 4–0 thrashing of Peterborough in the FA Cup third-round.[24] He finally tasted victory for the first time as a starter in a league game in the 2–0 win over London rivals Fulham.[25] His good form continued and he was named Player of the Round after helping the Spurs to a 3–1 win in the sixth round replay of the FA Cup against Fulham.[26]. In April 2010, Bale scored another goal against Arsenal after a pass from Defoe he tapped the ball past the Arsenal keeper.[27] Three days later, Bale slammed in Tottenham's second with his weaker right foot in a 2–1 victory over leaders Chelsea and became Man of the Match.[28] He was named Barclays Player of the Month for April.[29]

He signed a new four year contract with Tottenham on 7 May 2010 as a reward for helping the club reach the UEFA Champions League qualification place.[30]

On 21 August 2010, Bale scored twice in a 2–1 win at Stoke City, the second of which was a "stunning" head high volley into the top right hand corner of the goal.[31] On 25 August, Bale set up all four goals to help Spurs overcome Young Boys 4–0 (6–3 agg.) in a Champions League play-off at White Hart Lane.[32]

International career

He made the senior Welsh squad at the end of the 2005–06 season and then made his debut on 27 May 2006[33] as a substitute in a 2–1 win over Trinidad and Tobago, making him the youngest ever player to play for Wales[34] aged just 16 years and 315 days to break Lewin Nyatanga's three-month old record. In the game he set up the winner for Robert Earnshaw.

On 7 October 2006, Bale became the youngest player ever to score a goal for the full Welsh national team in the Euro 2008 qualification match against Slovakia with a trade-mark free kick[35]. He scored his second goal for Wales in a 3–0 win over San Marino on 28 March 2007. After a long injury lay-off, he returned and started in the World Cup qualifier against Finland on 10 October 2009. On 14 October, he played a part in Wales' final World Cup qualifier by setting up David Vaughan to score the opening goal against minnows Leichtenstein and won the free kick that led to the second, Aaron Ramsey's first at senior level.

Brian Flynn, the U-21 Wales manager has expressed comments of the potential in Bale as a future star of the game. Bale's left-footed prowess and free kick ability have evoked comparisons to Manchester United's left-footed Welsh winger Ryan Giggs.[36]

International goals

Scores and results list. Wales' goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 7 October 2006 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  Slovakia 1 – 2 1–5 UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifying
2. 28 March 2007 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales  San Marino 2 – 0 3–0 UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifying

Career statistics

[37]

Club League Season League Cup League Cup Europe Other1 Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Southampton Championship 2005–06 2 0 0 0 0 0 - - 0 0 2 0
2006–07 38 5 1 0 3 0 - - 1 0 43 5
Tottenham Hotspur Premier League 2007–08 8 2 1 0 1 1 3 0 0 0 13 3
2008–09 16 0 2 0 5 0 7 0 0 0 30 0
2009–10 23 3 8 0 3 0 - - 0 0 34 3
2010–11 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 4 2
Career Total 89 12 12 0 12 1 11 0 1 0 125 13

1Includes promotion play-offs

As of 21 August 2010

Honours

Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Search 1984 to 2006 – Birth, Marriage and Death indexes". Findmypast.com. http://www.findmypast.com/post84BMDSearchStart.action?redef=0&searchType=B. Retrieved 2009-11-24. 
  2. ↑ "Bluebirds of a feather are flocking together". walesonline.co.uk South Wales Echo. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/12/08/bluebirds-of-a-feather-are-flocking-together-in-91466-22425013/. Retrieved 8 December 2008. 
  3. ↑ "Wales Youngest Goal". whitchurchhs.com. http://www.whitchurchhs.com/school_news/Wales_Youngest/wales_youngest.htm. Retrieved 25 November 2006. 
  4. ↑ Young Gareth made own rules – The Daily Echo. 13 January 2007. 
  5. ↑ "Derby 2 Southampton 2". Southampton F.C.. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/match/?page_id=6599&t=2&fixture=2693144. Retrieved 21 January 2007. 
  6. ↑ "Saints 2 Coventry 0". Southampton F.C.. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/?page_id=7302. Retrieved 21 January 2007. 
  7. ↑ "Saints 0 West Brom 0". Southampton F.C.. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/?page_id=7330. Retrieved 21 January 2007. 
  8. ↑ "Sunderland 1 Saints 1". Southampton F.C.. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/?page_id=7718. Retrieved 21 January 2007. 
  9. ↑ "Hull v Saints". Southampton F.C.. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=7811. Retrieved 21 January 2007. 
  10. ↑ "Calzaghe scoops BBC Wales honour". BBC Sport. 3 December 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/wales/6157171.stm. Retrieved 21 January 2007. 
  11. ↑ "Prestige award for Bale". Southampton F.C.. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=8260. Retrieved 5 March 2007. 
  12. ↑ "Southampton 1–2 Derby". BBC Sport. 12 May 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6645679.stm. Retrieved 3 June 2007. 
  13. ↑ "Bale KO'd for two weeks". Southern Daily Echo. 13 April 2007. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/archive/2007/04/13/Saints/1326488.Bale_KO_d_for_two_weeks/. 
  14. ↑ "Tottenham complete Bale transfer". BBC Sport. 25 May 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/6693839.stm. Retrieved 18 April 2010. 
  15. ↑ "Fulham 3–3 Tottenham". BBC Sport. 1 September 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6963700.stm. Retrieved 2 September 2007. 
  16. ↑ "Tottenham 1–3 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 15 September 2007. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6984884.stm. Retrieved 2 September 2009. 
  17. ↑ "Tottenham 2–0 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. 26 September 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7008022.stm. Retrieved 2 September 2009. 
  18. ↑ "Injury rules out Bale for season". BBC Sport. 4 February 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/7226918.stm. Retrieved 9 February 2008. 
  19. ↑ "Bale signs new Tottenham contract". BBC Sport. 13 August 2008. http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/7558883.stm. Retrieved 13 August 2008. 
  20. ↑ Wilson, Steve (15 January 2009). "The curse of Tottenham's Gareth Bale". London: The Daily Telegraph. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/steve_wilson/blog/2009/01/15/the_curse_of_tottenhams_gareth_bale. Retrieved 10 May 2009. 
  21. ↑ Soneji, Pranav (9 May 2009). "Everton 0–0 Tottenham". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8023046.stm. Retrieved 10 May 2009. 
  22. ↑ "Report: Tottenham Hotspur vs Burnley – English Premier League". ESPNsoccernet. 26 September 2009. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=269779&cc=3436. Retrieved 27 September 2009. 
  23. ↑ Gareth Bale could miss start of next season after knee surgery
  24. ↑ Hytner, David (13 January 2010). "Tottenham manager challenges Gareth Bale to claim a starting place". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jan/13/gareth-bale-harry-redknapp-tottenham. Retrieved 3 May 2010. 
  25. ↑ "Tottenham 2–0 Fulham". BBC Sport. 26 January 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8467865.stm. 
  26. ↑ "Gareth wins award". tottenhamhotspur.com. 1 March 2010. http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/gareth-wins-award-010310.html. 
  27. ↑ "Unforgettable night!". Tottenham Hotspur F.C.. 14 April 2010. http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/unforgettable-night-140410.html. Retrieved 18 April 2010. 
  28. ↑ "The dream derby double!". Tottenham Hotspur FC. 17 April 2010. http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/report-170410.html. Retrieved 18 April 2010. 
  29. ↑ "Gareth named Player of the Month". Tottenham Hotspur FC. 30 April 2010. http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/gareth-awarded-player-of-the-month-for-april-300410.html. Retrieved 30 April 2010. 
  30. ↑ "Gareth Bale signs new four-year Tottenham contract". BBC News. 7 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/8667580.stm. Retrieved 7 May 2010. 
  31. ↑ Lyon, Sam (21 August 2010). "Stoke 1 – 2 Tottenham". BBC Sport website. BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8928595.stm. Retrieved 21 August 2010. 
  32. ↑ "Tottenham 4 – 0 Young Boys (agg 6 – 3)". BBC Sport. 25 August 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8939577.stm. Retrieved 25 August 2010. 
  33. ↑ "Bale savours record Wales debut". BBC Sport. 28 May 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/5024788.stm. Retrieved 21 January 2007. 
  34. ↑ "Gareth Bale becomes youngest ever Wales international". stellargroup.co.uk. http://www.stellargroup.co.uk/news.php?newsid=1701. Retrieved 21 January 2007. 
  35. ↑ "Wales 1–5 Slovakia". BBC Sport. 7 October 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/5361822.stm. Retrieved 21 January 2007. 
  36. ↑ "The £10 million man". icwales.icnetwork. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0600soccer/0200news/tm_headline=the--10-million-man&method=full&objectid=18493835&siteid=50082-name_page.html. Retrieved 21 January 2007. 
  37. ↑ "Gareth Bale All time playing career". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=43700. Retrieved 21 August 2010. 
  38. ↑ "17th Football Presentation Awards Evening". faw.org.uk. 13 November 2007. http://www.faw.org.uk/news/889. 
  39. ↑ "Bale claims public vote". Football Association. 1 March 2010. http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/2010/BalePOTR5RP.aspx. Retrieved 12 March 2010. 
  40. ↑ "Bale scoops Player of the Month award". premierleague.com (Premier League). 30 April 2010. http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~2040185,00.html. Retrieved 30 April 2010. 
  41. ↑ "Gareth, Daws scoop awards". tottenhamhotspur.com (Tottenham Hotspur). 03 May 2010. http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/daws-bale-scoop-awards-030510.html?. Retrieved 03 May 2010. 

External links

2006–07 Football League Championship Team of the Year
GK: Matt Murray  · DF: Graham Alexander  · DF: Darren Moore  · DF: Curtis Davies  · DF: Gareth Bale  · MF: Carlos Edwards  · MF: Dean Whitehead  · MF: Jason Koumas  · MF: Gary McSheffrey  · FW: Diomansy Kamara  · FW: Michael Chopra
Tottenham Hotspur F.C. – current squad

1 Gomes · 2 Hutton · 3 Bale · 4 Kaboul · 5 Bentley · 6 Huddlestone · 7 Lennon · 8 Jenas · 9 Pavlyuchenko · 10 Keane · 11 van der Vaart · 12 Palacios · 13 Gallas · 14 Modrić · 15 Crouch · 17 Giovani · 18 Defoe · 19 Bassong · 20 Dawson · 21 Kranjčar · 22 Ćorluka · 23 Cudicini · 24 O'Hara · 26 King (c) · 30 Sandro · 32 Assou-Ekotto · 37 Pletikosa · 39 Woodgate · Manager: Redknapp