Mike Astbury
Encyclopedia
Michael John 'Mike' Astbury (born January 22, 1964), Kippax, West Yorkshire
) also known as Mick Astbury was a professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper
for five Football League
clubs.
in the 1980–81 season
. He had spells in and out of the side over the next few years, with one of the highlights being playing in goal when York surprisingly knocked Arsenal
out of the 1984–85
FA Cup
, where some brave goalkeeping from Astbury kept City in the game before their late winner.
He moved to Peterborough United
on loan in January 1986, two months before signing permanently for Darlington
. Astbury moved on again in July 1987 to Chester City
. Unfortunately injured shortly after arriving, Astbury had to wait until December 1987 for his first-team debut. He played in five successive games during the month but was never picked again, as Billy Stewart became the regular goalkeeper for the club.
Astbury was released at the end of the season and joined Chesterfield
, where just eight league appearances were made in a relegation season from Football League Division Three. That marked the end of Astbury’s professional career as he joined non–league side Gainsborough Trinity
. He later emigrated to play in the United States
.
Kippax, West Yorkshire
Kippax is a village and civil parish in the City of Leeds metropolitan borough, West Yorkshire, England. It is situated in the east of the city, near to Garforth and Great Preston....
) also known as Mick Astbury was a professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
for five Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
clubs.
Playing career
Astbury became York’s youngest ever goalkeeper when, as a 16–year old, he played in goal during City’s 1–1 draw at AFC BournemouthA.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
in the 1980–81 season
1980-81 in English football
The 1980–81 season was the 101st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:The Football League introduced a three points for a win system in place of the two points for a win system which had operated since the league's formation in 1889...
. He had spells in and out of the side over the next few years, with one of the highlights being playing in goal when York surprisingly knocked Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
out of the 1984–85
1984-85 in English football
The 1984–85 season was the 105th season of competitive football in England.-Bradford City disaster:56 spectators died and more than 200 were injured when a fire ripped through the Main Stand at Valley Parade during Bradford City's Third Division fixture with Lincoln City on 11 May...
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...
, where some brave goalkeeping from Astbury kept City in the game before their late winner.
He moved to Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
on loan in January 1986, two months before signing permanently for Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
. Astbury moved on again in July 1987 to Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
. Unfortunately injured shortly after arriving, Astbury had to wait until December 1987 for his first-team debut. He played in five successive games during the month but was never picked again, as Billy Stewart became the regular goalkeeper for the club.
Astbury was released at the end of the season and joined Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
, where just eight league appearances were made in a relegation season from Football League Division Three. That marked the end of Astbury’s professional career as he joined non–league side Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity F.C.
Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304...
. He later emigrated to play in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
As a player
York CityYork City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
- Fourth Division TitleFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
winner: 1983–841983-84 in English footballThe 1983–84 season was the 104th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool had a great first season under the management of Joe Fagan as they wrapped up their third successive league title and the 15th in their history...