Oliver Gill
Encyclopedia
Oliver David Gill is an English former footballer who played as a defender
for Manchester United
. He also played for Bradford City
on loan in 2010. He was born in Frimley
, Surrey
, and is the son of Manchester United chief executive David Gill
.
, Gill and his family moved to Manchester
in 1997 when his father David took over as finance director of Manchester United
. Gill began training at the Manchester United academy
, and was first involved with the Under-18 side in April 2006, when he was named as an unused substitute in a 3–2 away defeat to Sunderland
. His first appearance for the Under-18s came more than a year later, as he started in both of the final two games of the 2006–07 season: a 4–0 away win over Sheffield United
on 21 April 2007 and a 1–0 home defeat to Sunderland a week later. In July 2007, Gill signed his first trainee contract with the club, and the following season he became a regular in the Under-18 team, making 16 league appearances during the season. Gill's first goal for the Under-18s came on 1 September 2007, when he scored the only goal in the 92nd minute of a 1–0 home win over Nottingham Forest
.
Following his first full season in the Under-18s, Gill got his first taste of reserve team football in July 2008, when he made two substitute appearances in pre-season friendlies
against Altrincham
and Oxford United
. Meanwhile, he continued as a regular in the Under-18s, and on 8 October 2008, he made his competitive debut for the reserves: a 3–0 away win over Bolton Wanderers
in the Premier Reserve League. In February 2009, Gill made the full step up to the reserve team on a regular basis, playing in 12 of the team's final 17 matches of the season, including the final of the 2008–09 Manchester Senior Cup against Bolton Wanderers; Gill came on for forward Danny Welbeck
in the 74th minute, helping United in the final 16 minutes to close out a 1–0 win.
Gill turned professional in July 2009, and in the opening months of the 2009–10 season continued to be an integral member of the reserve team. Throughout the month of October, the team conceded just one goal on the way to four wins and a draw. In December 2009, Gill was rewarded for his performances with a first team squad number, #45, and a defensive injury crisis meant that he travelled with the first-team to Germany for their final Champions League
group stage game against Wolfsburg
on 8 December. He was named as a substitute, but did not take the field. He was again named as an unused substitute for United's 3–0 home win over Fulham
on 14 March 2010.
On 29 September 2010, Gill and his Manchester United Reserves team-mate Reece Brown
joined Bradford City
on a short-term loan deal until 25 October. The pair made their debuts three days later in Bradford's 1–0 home defeat against Morecambe
on 2 October. Gill appeared in a further three league matches for Bradford, as well as their Football League Trophy
second round defeat to Hartlepool United
on 5 October. Despite Bradford manager Peter Taylor's keenness to keep them on, Gill and Brown returned to Manchester United on 25 October. He was named as an unused substitute for United's 1–0 home win over Bolton on 19 March 2011 and the 4–2 away win over West Ham United
on 2 April.
On 18 May, Gill was named as the winner of the Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year award for the year. Nevertheless, Gill left Manchester United in July 2011 to go to university the following September.
Statistics accurate as of match played 23 October 2010
David Gill
. He studied at Manchester Grammar School
and received an offer to study economics at Durham University
from September 2010, but decided to defer his entry in favour of following a career in football. He eventually took up the offer in July 2011, leaving Manchester United to pursue his academic career.
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
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...
. He also played for Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
on loan in 2010. He was born in Frimley
Frimley
Frimley is a small English town situated 2 miles south of Camberley, in the extreme west of Surrey, adjacent to the border with Hampshire. It is about 31 miles west south-west of Central London. It is part of the Borough of Surrey Heath...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, and is the son of Manchester United chief executive David Gill
David Gill (executive)
David Alan Gill is British football executive, currently Chief Executive of Manchester United F.C. and a board member of the Football Association...
.
Career
Although born in FrimleyFrimley
Frimley is a small English town situated 2 miles south of Camberley, in the extreme west of Surrey, adjacent to the border with Hampshire. It is about 31 miles west south-west of Central London. It is part of the Borough of Surrey Heath...
, Gill and his family moved to Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
in 1997 when his father David took over as finance director of 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...
. Gill began training at 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...
, and was first involved with the Under-18 side in April 2006, when he was named as an unused substitute in a 3–2 away defeat to Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
. His first appearance for the Under-18s came more than a year later, as he started in both of the final two games of the 2006–07 season: a 4–0 away win over Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
on 21 April 2007 and a 1–0 home defeat to Sunderland a week later. In July 2007, Gill signed his first trainee contract with the club, and the following season he became a regular in the Under-18 team, making 16 league appearances during the season. Gill's first goal for the Under-18s came on 1 September 2007, when he scored the only goal in the 92nd minute of a 1–0 home win over Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
.
Following his first full season in the Under-18s, Gill got his first taste of reserve team football in July 2008, when he made two substitute appearances in pre-season friendlies
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
against Altrincham
Altrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
and 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...
. Meanwhile, he continued as a regular in the Under-18s, and on 8 October 2008, he made his competitive debut for the reserves: a 3–0 away win over 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 Premier Reserve League. In February 2009, Gill made the full step up to the reserve team on a regular basis, playing in 12 of the team's final 17 matches of the season, including the final of the 2008–09 Manchester Senior Cup against Bolton Wanderers; Gill came on for forward Danny Welbeck
Danny Welbeck
Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah "Danny" Welbeck is an English footballer who plays for Manchester United and the England national football team. He is a centre forward who can also play on the wing....
in the 74th minute, helping United in the final 16 minutes to close out a 1–0 win.
Gill turned professional in July 2009, and in the opening months of the 2009–10 season continued to be an integral member of the reserve team. Throughout the month of October, the team conceded just one goal on the way to four wins and a draw. In December 2009, Gill was rewarded for his performances with a first team squad number, #45, and a defensive injury crisis meant that he travelled with the first-team to Germany for their final Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
group stage game against Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg is a professional German association football club based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, who play in the Bundesliga football competition. Wolfsburg have won the Bundesliga once in their history, in the 2008–09 season, and were DFB-Pokal runners-up in 1995. The current head coach is Felix...
on 8 December. He was named as a substitute, but did not take the field. He was again named as an unused substitute for United's 3–0 home win over Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
on 14 March 2010.
On 29 September 2010, Gill and his Manchester United Reserves team-mate Reece Brown
Reece Brown
Reece Brown is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Manchester United.-Career:Brown joined Manchester United at the age of nine, having previously played for Fletcher Moss Rangers...
joined Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
on a short-term loan deal until 25 October. The pair made their debuts three days later in Bradford's 1–0 home defeat against Morecambe
Morecambe F.C.
Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. It plays its football in League Two, the fourth division of English football, having been promoted in 2007 for the first time in their history to the Football League. They played their home matches at Christie Park...
on 2 October. Gill appeared in a further three league matches for Bradford, as well as their Football League Trophy
2010–11 Football League Trophy
The 2010–11 Football League Trophy, known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is the 27th season in the history of the competition. It is a knock-out tournament for English football clubs in League One and League Two, the third and fourth tiers of the English football.In all,...
second round defeat to Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
on 5 October. Despite Bradford manager Peter Taylor's keenness to keep them on, Gill and Brown returned to Manchester United on 25 October. He was named as an unused substitute for United's 1–0 home win over Bolton on 19 March 2011 and the 4–2 away win over West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
on 2 April.
On 18 May, Gill was named as the winner of the Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year award for the year. Nevertheless, Gill left Manchester United in July 2011 to go to university the following September.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | OtherIncludes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield FA Community Shield The 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... , Football League Trophy Football League Trophy The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top... |
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... |
2010–11 2010–11 Premier League The 2010–11 Premier League was the 19th season of the Premier League since its establishment in 1992. The 2010–11 fixtures were released on 17 June 2010 at 09:00 BST. The season began on 14 August 2010, and ended on 22 May 2011... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C. Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two.... (loan) |
2010–11 2010–11 Football League Two The 2010–11 Football League Two season, , was the lowest division of the Football League for that season... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Career total | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
Statistics accurate as of match played 23 October 2010
Personal life
Gill is the son of Manchester United chief executiveChief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
David Gill
David Gill (executive)
David Alan Gill is British football executive, currently Chief Executive of Manchester United F.C. and a board member of the Football Association...
. He studied at Manchester Grammar School
Manchester Grammar School
The Manchester Grammar School is the largest independent day school for boys in the UK . It is based in Manchester, England...
and received an offer to study economics at Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
from September 2010, but decided to defer his entry in favour of following a career in football. He eventually took up the offer in July 2011, leaving Manchester United to pursue his academic career.
External links
- Profile at ManUtd.com