Chris Zebroski
Encyclopedia
Christopher Matthew "Chris" Zebroski (born 29 October 1986) is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Football League Two
side Bristol Rovers
.
, but was released by the club after failing to earn a professional contract. After his release there he trained under the watch of former Wales international Steve Lowndes
at Cirencester
football academy, it was from here that he was spotted by Plymouth Argyle
scouts and signed as a youth player by the club. He later signed a professional contract, and made four first-team appearances for Argyle before his contract was terminated after he was found guilty of gross misconduct by the club. This followed an incident involving the club captain Paul Wotton
; Zebroski glassed
Wotton in the face, who required over 100 stitches.
Three weeks after his sacking by Plymouth Argyle
, he was signed for Millwall
by manager Nigel Spackman
. On 21 March 2007, Zebroski joined Oxford United
on a month's loan. On 31 July 2007, Zebroski signed for Conference side Torquay United
on loan until May 2008, where he impressed fans and managers with his sharp finishing, eventually ending the season with 18 goals.
Scouts had seen what Zebroski had to offer, and he joined Wycombe Wanderers
for £20,000 in June 2008. Zebroski finished the 2008–09 season with seven goals from 33 league, mostly from the wing, helping the team to promotion. The start of the 2009–10 season in League One saw an impressive start from Zebroski, scoring two goals in a 3–2 loss at Charlton
. In his time at Wycombe Wanderers
he found himself playing the role of the player that everybody loves to hate, known for his high work rate but inconsistent form he split fans opinions.
On 20 November 2009, Zebroski returned to Torquay United
on loan with a view to permanent deal in January. On 12 December 2009, Zebroski scored twice against bottom club Darlington in the 5–0 home win. In January 2010, he made the move permanent.
After helping Torquay avoid relegation from League Two in season 2009–10, Zebroski scored 15 goals to help the club finish seventh and reach the League Two play-offs. In the semi-final first leg versus Shrewsbury at Plainmoor, Zebroski scored the first goal to set up a 2–0 victory. The second leg finished 0–0, leaving Torquay to play Stevenage in the play-off final at Old Trafford
. Stevenage won the match 1–0.
He followed former Torquay manager Paul Buckle
to his new club, Bristol Rovers
in July 2011.
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
.
Club career
Zebroski was a youth player for Swindon TownSwindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
, but was released by the club after failing to earn a professional contract. After his release there he trained under the watch of former Wales international Steve Lowndes
Steve Lowndes
Steve Lowndes is a former Wales international footballer. Lowndes started his career at Newport County during the most successful period in the club's long history...
at Cirencester
Cirencester
Cirencester is a market town in east Gloucestershire, England, 93 miles west northwest of London. Cirencester lies on the River Churn, a tributary of the River Thames, and is the largest town in the Cotswold District. It is the home of the Royal Agricultural College, the oldest agricultural...
football academy, it was from here that he was spotted by Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
scouts and signed as a youth player by the club. He later signed a professional contract, and made four first-team appearances for Argyle before his contract was terminated after he was found guilty of gross misconduct by the club. This followed an incident involving the club captain Paul Wotton
Paul Wotton
Paul Anthony Wotton is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Yeovil Town. He began his career as a defender with Plymouth Argyle, where he captained them to two Football League championships before being released in the summer of 2008. Praised for his determination and leadership, he...
; Zebroski glassed
Glassing
Glassing is a physical attack using a glass as a weapon. Glassing can occur at bars or pubs where alcohol is served, and a drinking glass or bottle is available as a weapon. The most common method of glassing involves the attacker smashing an intact glass in the face of the victim...
Wotton in the face, who required over 100 stitches.
Three weeks after his sacking by Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
, he was signed for Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
by manager Nigel Spackman
Nigel Spackman
Nigel James Spackman is an English football manager and former player. He was formerly a midfield player who was an integral part of the much-admired Liverpool team of 1988...
. On 21 March 2007, Zebroski joined Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
on a month's loan. On 31 July 2007, Zebroski signed for Conference side Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
on loan until May 2008, where he impressed fans and managers with his sharp finishing, eventually ending the season with 18 goals.
Scouts had seen what Zebroski had to offer, and he joined Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
for £20,000 in June 2008. Zebroski finished the 2008–09 season with seven goals from 33 league, mostly from the wing, helping the team to promotion. The start of the 2009–10 season in League One saw an impressive start from Zebroski, scoring two goals in a 3–2 loss at Charlton
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
. In his time at Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
he found himself playing the role of the player that everybody loves to hate, known for his high work rate but inconsistent form he split fans opinions.
On 20 November 2009, Zebroski returned to Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
on loan with a view to permanent deal in January. On 12 December 2009, Zebroski scored twice against bottom club Darlington in the 5–0 home win. In January 2010, he made the move permanent.
After helping Torquay avoid relegation from League Two in season 2009–10, Zebroski scored 15 goals to help the club finish seventh and reach the League Two play-offs. In the semi-final first leg versus Shrewsbury at Plainmoor, Zebroski scored the first goal to set up a 2–0 victory. The second leg finished 0–0, leaving Torquay to play Stevenage in the play-off final 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:...
. Stevenage won the match 1–0.
He followed former Torquay manager Paul Buckle
Paul Buckle
Paul John Buckle is an English professional footballer and football club manager. He is currently manager of League Two side Bristol Rovers.-Career:...
to his new club, Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
in July 2011.