Chris Eagles
Encyclopedia
Christopher Mark "Chris" Eagles (born 19 November 1985 in Hemel Hempstead
, Hertfordshire
) is an English
footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderers
. Primarily an attacking midfielder
/winger he has previously played for Manchester United
, Watford
, Sheffield Wednesday
, Dutch
club NEC Nijmegen and Burnley
.
, whom he went to see with his family. Originally coming through the youth system at Watford
, Eagles left when he was 14 to join the Manchester United academy
. The compensation owed to Watford for this move would later form part of the package which took Danny Webber
in the opposite direction.
in an extra-time win away to Leeds United
in the League Cup
. He played once more that season, this time as a substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo
as United lost 2–0 away to West Bromwich Albion
in a League Cup Fourth Round tie.
On 21 December 2006, Eagles decided to take the option of returning to Manchester United after struggling to get many games at NEC Nijmegen. He only made 11 appearances for NEC, with the majority coming as a substitute. On 13 March 2007, Eagles featured in the second half for United in an exhibition match at Old Trafford
against Marcello Lippi
's Europe XI.
On 28 April 2007, Eagles scored his first senior goal for United in a 4–2 Premier League win over Everton
. After coming on as a second half substitute, he scored a 93rd-minute goal to put the result beyond doubt and putting Manchester United five points clear in their race for the Premier League title. On 20 July 2007, during Manchester United's tour of Asia, he scored in a friendly match against FC Seoul
. He also scored a spectacular 35-yard volley in a friendly match against Shenzhen FC four days later, bringing his total for the tour to three goals in five games. Eagles scored another pre-season goal the following year, netting United's equaliser against Kaizer Chiefs to earn a 1–1 draw. He also started in the pre-season game against Portsmouth
in Nigeria, scoring United's opening goal.
). He was also loaned to Sheffield Wednesday
for the first half of the 2005–06 season
. He scored his first goal for Sheffield Wednesday in their derby match against Leeds. He ended his loan spell with a total of three goals for Wednesday.
On 6 January 2006, Eagles was again loaned to Watford, making his debut against Bolton Wanderers
in the FA Cup
, with the Hornets going down 3–0. In his first league appearance for Watford against Stoke City
, he scored the only goal of the match for Watford. His winning goal in the 1–0 away win at Brighton & Hove Albion
on 18 February from 50 yards (almost the halfway line) – reminiscent of David Beckham
's goal for Manchester United against Wimbledon
a decade earlier – won him the club's goal of the season award.
On 31 August 2006, Eagles agreed to spend four months on loan at Dutch outfit NEC Nijmegen, in order to gain more experience.
on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Manager Owen Coyle
said, "He can play as a striker, or behind the striker or wide or as a central midfielder. He gives you a host of variations, but outwith that he's a talented footballer and that's what we want – young exciting talents to complement the quality we already have." Eagles made his league debut for Burnley on 9 August 2008 in a 4–1 loss to Sheffield Wednesday
. On 27 September 2008, he scored his first goal for Burnley in a 3–1 victory over rivals Preston North End
, scoring in the 95th minute.
In July 2010 the Clarets accepted a bid from Scottish
champions Rangers
to buy Eagles, but the player was unable to agree terms with the Scottish club and remained in England. He went on to score 15 goals in 48 appearances in his final season with Burnley.
joined Bolton Wanderers
on three-year contracts for a joint fee in the region of £3 million, linking up with their ex-manager Owen Coyle
for a second time in their careers. He made his debut in a 4-0 away win at Queens Park Rangers
on 13 August, where he created an assist for the second goal scored by Danny Gabbidon . On 20 September he scored his first goal for Bolton, from twenty five yards, in the Carling Cup Third Round 2-0 away win against Aston Villa
. His first League goal for Bolton came on October 15th in a 3-1 win away to Wigan Athletic, where he also assisted the first goal, scored by Nigel Reo-Coker
.
Manchester United
Burnley
Hemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead is a town in Hertfordshire in the East of England, to the north west of London and part of the Greater London Urban Area. The population at the 2001 Census was 81,143 ....
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
) is an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
. Primarily an attacking midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
/winger he has previously played for Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, 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...
, Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
club NEC Nijmegen and Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
.
Early career
Growing up, Eagles was a season ticket holder at Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, whom he went to see with his family. Originally coming through the youth system at Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, Eagles left when he was 14 to join the Manchester United academy
Manchester United F.C. Reserves and Academy
Manchester United Football Club Reserves are the reserve team of Manchester United F.C. They play in the North section of the Premier Reserve League. They have been champions four times since the league's inauguration in 1999; in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2010...
. The compensation owed to Watford for this move would later form part of the package which took Danny Webber
Danny Webber
Daniel Vaughn "Danny" Webber is an English football striker who is a free agent following his release from Portsmouth....
in the opposite direction.
Manchester United
Eagles made his first-team debut for Manchester United on 28 October 2003 as a second-half substitute for Kieran RichardsonKieran Richardson
Kieran Edward Richardson is an English footballer currently playing for Sunderland. He is naturally a left winger, but has proven to a extremely versatile; having also played as a left back, right winger, central midfielder and recently as a support striker...
in an extra-time win away to Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
. He played once more that season, this time as a substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH, , commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team...
as United lost 2–0 away to West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in a League Cup Fourth Round tie.
On 21 December 2006, Eagles decided to take the option of returning to Manchester United after struggling to get many games at NEC Nijmegen. He only made 11 appearances for NEC, with the majority coming as a substitute. On 13 March 2007, Eagles featured in the second half for United in an exhibition match at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
against Marcello Lippi
Marcello Lippi
Marcello Lippi, Commendatore OMRI is a former Italian World Cup-winning football manager and former player. He served as Italian national team head coach from 16 July 2004 to 12 July 2006 and led Italy to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He was re-appointed as Italian head coach in the summer of 2008...
's Europe XI.
On 28 April 2007, Eagles scored his first senior goal for United in a 4–2 Premier League win over Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
. After coming on as a second half substitute, he scored a 93rd-minute goal to put the result beyond doubt and putting Manchester United five points clear in their race for the Premier League title. On 20 July 2007, during Manchester United's tour of Asia, he scored in a friendly match against FC Seoul
FC Seoul
FC Seoul is a South Korean professional football club based in Seoul, South Korea, that plays in the K-League. It is currently owned by GS Sports, a subsidiary of GS Group....
. He also scored a spectacular 35-yard volley in a friendly match against Shenzhen FC four days later, bringing his total for the tour to three goals in five games. Eagles scored another pre-season goal the following year, netting United's equaliser against Kaizer Chiefs to earn a 1–1 draw. He also started in the pre-season game against Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
in Nigeria, scoring United's opening goal.
Loans
Eagles was loaned to Watford on 21 January 2005, for whom he made 13 appearances and scored one goal (against GillinghamGillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
). He was also loaned 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...
for the first half of the 2005–06 season
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
. He scored his first goal for Sheffield Wednesday in their derby match against Leeds. He ended his loan spell with a total of three goals for Wednesday.
On 6 January 2006, Eagles was again loaned to Watford, making his debut against Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, with the Hornets going down 3–0. In his first league appearance for Watford against Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, he scored the only goal of the match for Watford. His winning goal in the 1–0 away win 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....
on 18 February from 50 yards (almost the halfway line) – reminiscent of David Beckham
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
's goal for Manchester United against Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
a decade earlier – won him the club's goal of the season award.
On 31 August 2006, Eagles agreed to spend four months on loan at Dutch outfit NEC Nijmegen, in order to gain more experience.
Burnley
On 29 July 2008, Eagles signed for BurnleyBurnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Manager Owen Coyle
Owen Coyle
Owen Columba Coyle is a Scottish-born Irish international former professional player and professional association football manager . He is currently the manager of Bolton Wanderers....
said, "He can play as a striker, or behind the striker or wide or as a central midfielder. He gives you a host of variations, but outwith that he's a talented footballer and that's what we want – young exciting talents to complement the quality we already have." Eagles made his league debut for Burnley on 9 August 2008 in a 4–1 loss 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...
. On 27 September 2008, he scored his first goal for Burnley in a 3–1 victory over rivals Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
, scoring in the 95th minute.
In July 2010 the Clarets accepted a bid from Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
champions Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
to buy Eagles, but the player was unable to agree terms with the Scottish club and remained in England. He went on to score 15 goals in 48 appearances in his final season with Burnley.
Bolton Wanderers
On 29 July 2011, Eagles and his Burnley team-mate Tyrone MearsTyrone Mears
Tyrone Mears is an English professional footballer of Sierra Leonean descent who currently plays as a right-back for Bolton Wanderers. His previous clubs include Preston North End, West Ham United, Derby County, Olympique de Marseille and Burnley...
joined Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
on three-year contracts for a joint fee in the region of £3 million, linking up with their ex-manager Owen Coyle
Owen Coyle
Owen Columba Coyle is a Scottish-born Irish international former professional player and professional association football manager . He is currently the manager of Bolton Wanderers....
for a second time in their careers. He made his debut in a 4-0 away win at Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
on 13 August, where he created an assist for the second goal scored by Danny Gabbidon . On 20 September he scored his first goal for Bolton, from twenty five yards, in the Carling Cup Third Round 2-0 away win against Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
. His first League goal for Bolton came on October 15th in a 3-1 win away to Wigan Athletic, where he also assisted the first goal, scored by Nigel Reo-Coker
Nigel Reo-Coker
Nigel Shola Andre Reo-Coker is an English footballer of Sierra Leonean descent. He currently plays for Bolton Wanderers of the Premier League. He is known for being a robust midfielder with good overall tackling and passing qualities...
.
Club
Watford- Football League Championship play-offsFootball League Championship play-offsThe Football League Championship play-offs are a series of playoff matches contested by the teams finishing from 3rd to 6th in the Football League Championship table. The semi-finals are played over two legs, with 6th playing 3rd and 5th playing 4th, with the return fixtures following...
(1) : 2006
Manchester United
- FA Community ShieldFA Community ShieldThe Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition...
(1): 20072007 FA Community ShieldThe 2007 FA Community Shield was a football match played on 5 August 2007 between 2006–07 Premier League champions Manchester United and 2006–07 FA Cup winners Chelsea. Manchester United won the game 3–0 on penalties, after the match finished 1–1 after 90 minutes; the Community Shield...
Burnley
- Football League Championship play-offsFootball League Championship play-offsThe Football League Championship play-offs are a series of playoff matches contested by the teams finishing from 3rd to 6th in the Football League Championship table. The semi-finals are played over two legs, with 6th playing 3rd and 5th playing 4th, with the return fixtures following...
(1) : 20092009 Football League Championship play-off FinalThe 2009 Football League Championship play-off Final was a football match played at Wembley Stadium on 25 May 2009, at the end of the 2008–09 season. The match determined the third and final team to gain promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, and was contested by Sheffield United,...
Club
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Europe | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||||||||
| Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
2003–04 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||
| 2004–05 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |||||||||
| 2005–06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| 2006–07 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||
| 2007–08 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||||||||
| Total | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 1 | |||||||||
| Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... (loan) |
2004–05 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | |||||||||
| 2005–06 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 | 0 | 19 | 3 | ||||||||||
| Total | 30 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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... (loan) | 2005–06 | 25 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 25 | 3 | ||
| N.E.C. (loan) | 2006–07 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | |||||||||
| Burnley Burnley F.C. Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888... |
2008–09 | 43 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 | – | 3 | 0 | 57 | 7 | |||||||||
| 2009–10 | 34 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | – | 0 | 0 | 38 | 3 | ||||||||||
| 2010–11 2010–11 Football League The Football League 2010–11, called the Npower Football League, was the 111th completed season of the Football League. It began in August 2010 and concluded in May 2011, with the promotion play-off finals.... |
43 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | – | 0 | 0 | 48 | 15 | ||||||||||
| Total | 120 | 20 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 2 | Bolton Wanderers Bolton Wanderers F.C. Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001.... | 2011–12 2011–12 Premier League The 2011–12 Premier League is the twentieth season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2011–12 fixtures were announced on 17 June 2011 at 9:00 BST. The season began on 13 August 2011 and is due to end on 13 May 2012... |
11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | – | 0 | 0 | 14 | 4 | ||
| Career total | 205 | 30 | 11 | 3 | 20 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 244 | 36 | |||||||||