Dean Chandler
Encyclopedia
Dean Andrew Robert Chandler (born 6 May 1976 in Ilford
) is an English
former professional footballer. He currently plays for Redbridge
and has represented England
's Learning Disability team.
Chandler began his career as a trainee with Charlton Athletic
, turning professional in April 1994 and making his league debut the following season. In 1994, Chandler along with teammate Lee Bowyer
was found to have tested positive for cannabis
after a training ground check. Both received bans of several months. On his return, Chandler found it difficult to break into the Charlton first team and in March 1997 was loaned to Torquay United
. He made his Torquay debut against Lincoln City
at Sincil Bank
, but lasted only 20 minutes before going off with an ankle injury. He returned a fortnight later and played a further three league games for the Gulls.
Chandler was released by Charlton at the end of the 1996-97 season, having played just two league games, scoring once. In August 1997 he signed for Lincoln City, and played in the defeat away to Burnley
in the League Cup
on 26 August. Struggling to break into the first team, he was loaned to Yeovil Town
on 28 November 1997. He scored on his Conference
debut the following day against Cheltenham Town
at the Huish
. He remained at Yeovil until the end of January 1998, but returned to Lincoln at the end of the loan period.
He subsequently joined Chesham United
, before signing for Slough Town
on November 26, 1998. However, he could not agree terms with Slough and a day later was sold to Yeovil Town for £3,500. He was released by Yeovil manager David Webb
on 4 May 2000, but returned on 3 July on a three month trial, Webb apparently having a change of heart. He was then released again by Webb on 18 July 2000. according to Webb, 'after a lot of thought', but according to the Western Gazette, because he played in cricket match, arranged as part of teammate Tony Pennock
's testimonial, whilst injured.
In September 2000, after a short spell completely out of the game, Chandler began training with Slough Town, with a view to signing for them once fully fit, which he duly did. He made his Slough debut in the 4-3 win over Aldershot Town
in the Isthmian League Full Members Cup at Wexham Park on 24 October 2000, but then pick up another injury which restricted him to only three games all season. On 10 August 2001, he joined Conference side Woking
on a free transfer after a successful trial period, but stayed only until the last week of November when he joined Purfleet. He was sacked by Purfleet in April 2003 for a 'breach of club discipline'.
He subsequently joined Thurrock
, moving to Ford United
in August 2003. He captained Ford to the First Round proper of the FA Cup
, but scored an extra-time own goal as Ford lost at home to Port Vale
. Ford changed their name to Redbridge the following year and Chandler was surprisingly released from the renamed club, joining East Thurrock United
in June 2004.
In July 2004, Chandler made his debut for the England Learning Disability team, playing in a 16-0 win against hosts Sweden
in the Global Games. He was sent off in the following match, against Brazil
, for violent conduct as England progressed to the semi-finals with a 4-3 victory.
He left East Thurrock in November 2005, joining Leyton
, but in April 2006 moved on to Heybridge Swifts
.
He subsequently rejoined East Thurrock United and returned to Redbridge in December 2007.
Ilford
Ilford is a large cosmopolitan town in East London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Redbridge. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It forms a significant commercial and retail...
) 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...
former professional footballer. He currently plays for Redbridge
Redbridge F.C.
Redbridge F.C. is an English Association football club based in the London Borough of Redbridge. Prior to July 2004 the club was known as Ford United F.C. The new name was chosen to help associate the club more within the local area and attract a larger support.They should not be confused with...
and has represented England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
's Learning Disability team.
Chandler began his career as a trainee with Charlton Athletic
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,...
, turning professional in April 1994 and making his league debut the following season. In 1994, Chandler along with teammate Lee Bowyer
Lee Bowyer
Lee David Bowyer is an English professional footballer born in Canning Town, London, who plays as a midfielder for Ipswich Town of the Football League Championship....
was found to have tested positive for cannabis
Cannabis
Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that includes three putative species, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. These three taxa are indigenous to Central Asia, and South Asia. Cannabis has long been used for fibre , for seed and seed oils, for medicinal purposes, and as a...
after a training ground check. Both received bans of several months. On his return, Chandler found it difficult to break into the Charlton first team and in March 1997 was loaned 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...
. He made his Torquay debut against Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
at Sincil Bank
Sincil Bank
Sincil Bank is a football stadium in Lincoln, England and has been the home of Lincoln City since 1895. Previously, Lincoln City had played at the nearby John O'Gaunts ground since the club's 1884 inception. Sincil Bank has an overall capacity of 10,120 and is colloquially known to fans as "The...
, but lasted only 20 minutes before going off with an ankle injury. He returned a fortnight later and played a further three league games for the Gulls.
Chandler was released by Charlton at the end of the 1996-97 season, having played just two league games, scoring once. In August 1997 he signed for Lincoln City, and played in the defeat away to 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...
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...
on 26 August. Struggling to break into the first team, he was loaned to Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
on 28 November 1997. He scored on his Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
debut the following day against Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
at the Huish
The Huish
Huish was the former ground of Yeovil Town between 1928 and 1990. It was famous for an 8-foot side to side slope, and when Yeovil beat Sunderland in the FA Cup 4th Round in 1948/49.It is now the site of a Tesco Extra hypermarket.-External links:**...
. He remained at Yeovil until the end of January 1998, but returned to Lincoln at the end of the loan period.
He subsequently joined Chesham United
Chesham United F.C.
Chesham United is an English football club based in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, currently playing in the Southern League. They are nicknamed "The Generals" because they were once the football team of the General Baptist Church in Chesham. Chesham Generals merged with Chesham Town to form United...
, before signing for Slough Town
Slough Town F.C.
Slough Town F.C. is an English semi-professional football club. The club was officially founded in 1890 after the amalgamation of three local clubs, Swifts, Slough Albion and Young Men's Friendly Society, who between them forged a new club, Slough F.C....
on November 26, 1998. However, he could not agree terms with Slough and a day later was sold to Yeovil Town for £3,500. He was released by Yeovil manager David Webb
David Webb (footballer)
David James Webb is an English former professional footballer who made 555 appearances in the Football League playing for Leyton Orient, Southampton, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers, Leicester City, Derby County, A.F.C. Bournemouth and Torquay United. He became a manager, taking charge of A.F.C...
on 4 May 2000, but returned on 3 July on a three month trial, Webb apparently having a change of heart. He was then released again by Webb on 18 July 2000. according to Webb, 'after a lot of thought', but according to the Western Gazette, because he played in cricket match, arranged as part of teammate Tony Pennock
Tony Pennock
Anthony Pennock is a Welsh non-league international goalkeeper.-Playing career:He started his professional career at Stockport County. Pennock made his senior debut playing for Wigan Athletic, in a 3rd round 1990–91 FA Cup tie against Coventry City...
's testimonial, whilst injured.
In September 2000, after a short spell completely out of the game, Chandler began training with Slough Town, with a view to signing for them once fully fit, which he duly did. He made his Slough debut in the 4-3 win over Aldershot Town
Aldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...
in the Isthmian League Full Members Cup at Wexham Park on 24 October 2000, but then pick up another injury which restricted him to only three games all season. On 10 August 2001, he joined Conference side Woking
Woking F.C.
Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the...
on a free transfer after a successful trial period, but stayed only until the last week of November when he joined Purfleet. He was sacked by Purfleet in April 2003 for a 'breach of club discipline'.
He subsequently joined Thurrock
Thurrock F.C.
Thurrock F.C. are an English football club based in Aveley, Thurrock, Essex. Known as Purfleet until 2003, the club are currently members of the Conference South and play at Ship Lane.-History:...
, moving to Ford United
Redbridge F.C.
Redbridge F.C. is an English Association football club based in the London Borough of Redbridge. Prior to July 2004 the club was known as Ford United F.C. The new name was chosen to help associate the club more within the local area and attract a larger support.They should not be confused with...
in August 2003. He captained Ford to the First Round proper of the FA Cup
FA Cup 2003-04
The FA Cup 2003–04 was the 123rd staging of England and the world's oldest football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup....
, but scored an extra-time own goal as Ford lost at home to Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
. Ford changed their name to Redbridge the following year and Chandler was surprisingly released from the renamed club, joining East Thurrock United
East Thurrock United F.C.
East Thurrock United F.C is an English football club based in Corringham, Essex. The club currently plays in the Isthmian League Premier Division and is based at Rookery Hill.-History:...
in June 2004.
In July 2004, Chandler made his debut for the England Learning Disability team, playing in a 16-0 win against hosts Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
in the Global Games. He was sent off in the following match, against Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
, for violent conduct as England progressed to the semi-finals with a 4-3 victory.
He left East Thurrock in November 2005, joining Leyton
Leyton F.C.
Leyton Football Club are an English association football club based in Leyton, in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. As of January 2011, they are not in a senior league, after withdrawing from the Isthmian League Division One North...
, but in April 2006 moved on to Heybridge Swifts
Heybridge Swifts F.C.
Heybridge Swifts are a non-league football club based in Heybridge, near Maldon, Essex. They were established in 1880 and were founding members of the Essex Senior League in 1971...
.
He subsequently rejoined East Thurrock United and returned to Redbridge in December 2007.