Robert Atkinson (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Robert Guy "Rob" Atkinson (born 29 April 1987) is an English
footballer who plays for Fleetwood Town
as a defender
. He has previously played for Barnsley
, Scarborough
, Halifax Town, Rochdale
and Grimsby Town
.
, East Riding of Yorkshire
, Atkinson has come through the youth ranks with Barnsley
, making his debut on 6 March 2004. In the 2005–06 season he had a six month loan spell with Scarborough
playing 22 league games. He was also loaned out to Halifax Town
during the 2006–07 season. After some impressive performances, Atkinson was recalled to Barnsley following injuries to first team players Bobby Hassell
, Paul Reid
and Antony Kay
. Atkinson played his first full game for the Oakwell based club on Boxing Day
2006, in a 1–0 win over Burnley
. In this game, Atkinson's performance earned him the man of the match
award.
on loan in November 2007 by Alan Buckley
. He was drafted in as a covering defender, and was slotted in at centre back next to Nick Fenton
. He scored his first goal for the club against Chester City
on 1 January 2008. Atkinson went on to play he full 90 minutes at Wembley Stadium
, in the Football League Trophy
final defeat against MK Dons. Atkinson was singled out by Grimsby fans, as one of their more stronger players in the 2007–08 season, and in May 2008, Buckley revealed his desire to bring Atkinson back to the club on loan or possibly on a permanent deal. However at the time, nothing came of the transfer, and after Buckley signed centre backs Richard Hope
and Matthew Heywood
in pre-season, the Atkinson deal became dead in the water. On 31 October 2008 he re-signed for Grimsby on another loan deal, initially until January 2009. Town who were now managed by Mike Newell
had signed Atkinson along with Jean-Paul Kamudimba Kalala
, who was another former Grimsby player. Both transfers were made in the space of two days. Atkinson made his second debut for the club in a 2–1 defeat to Darlington
when he came on as a substitute for skipper Matthew Heywood
in the 30th minute of play. In January 2009 Rob's loan contract with Grimsby expired and he returned to Barnsley. However a day later he joined the club for a third spell, signing on an emergency loan deal in order to play the league fixture with Morecambe
on 10 January. A deal was struck between Barnsley and Grimsby for a permanent switch that was completed two days later. Rob went on to cement a first team place at centre back alongside youngster Ryan Bennett
, who had become the clubs new captain, replacing Matt Heywood, who had been dropped due to poor performances. Atkinson and Bennett both were integral parts of the Grimsby squad that helped stave off relegation out of the Football League. During the 2009-10 season The Mariners suffered an eventual relegation, bowing out on the final day of the season.
Atkinson remained with Grimsby for the 2010-11 season, which was the clubs first season in Non-League football in over 100 years. Following a pre-season injury, Darran Kempson
, Scott Garner
and Steven Watt shared out the two centre half positions until Atkinson returned and was preferred at the back alongside Kempson. He would also be appointed the clubs interim captain when club captain Lee Peacock
was not selected in the team, but would go on to depart Grimsby in the summer despite being offered a fresh contract by the clubs new managerial duo of Rob Scott
and Paul Hurst
.
side Fleetwood Town
on 10 June 2011.
on 19 May 2011 along with fellow Grimsby defender Scott Garner
.
Grimsby Town
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 Fleetwood Town
Fleetwood Town F.C.
Fleetwood Town F.C. is an English football club based in Fleetwood, Lancashire. They currently play in the Conference National having been defeated in the Conference National play-off semi-final by AFC Wimbledon in the 2010–11 season.-History:...
as a defender
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....
. He has previously played for Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
, Scarborough
Scarborough F.C.
Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
, Halifax Town, Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
and Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
.
Barnsley
Born in BeverleyBeverley
Beverley is a market town, civil parish and the county town of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, located between the River Hull and the Westwood. The town is noted for Beverley Minster and architecturally-significant religious buildings along New Walk and other areas, as well as the Beverley...
, East Riding of Yorkshire
East Riding of Yorkshire
The East Riding of Yorkshire, or simply East Yorkshire, is a local government district with unitary authority status, and a ceremonial county of England. For ceremonial purposes the county also includes the city of Kingston upon Hull, which is a separate unitary authority...
, Atkinson has come through the youth ranks with Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
, making his debut on 6 March 2004. In the 2005–06 season he had a six month loan spell with Scarborough
Scarborough F.C.
Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
playing 22 league games. He was also loaned out to Halifax Town
Halifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
during the 2006–07 season. After some impressive performances, Atkinson was recalled to Barnsley following injuries to first team players Bobby Hassell
Bobby Hassell
Robert John Francis "Bobby" Hassell is an English footballer who plays for Barnsley as a defender.-Career:Born in Derby, Derbyshire, Barnsley boss Paul Hart continued his rebuilding by signing full back Hassell in the summer of 2004. He failed to negotiate a new contract with Mansfield Town at the...
, Paul Reid
Paul Reid (English footballer)
Paul Mark Reid is an English football defender who plays for Scunthorpe United.-Early career:Reid started his career with Carlisle United making 22 appearances, he then moved to Rangers in 2000, before going on loan to Preston North End.-Northampton Town:In January 2003, Reid went on loan to...
and Antony Kay
Antony Kay
Antony Roland Kay is an English professional footballer. He currently plays for Huddersfield Town in Football League One, as a defender and a midfielder.-Barnsley:...
. Atkinson played his first full game for the Oakwell based club on Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
2006, in a 1–0 win over 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 this game, Atkinson's performance earned him the man of the match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
award.
Grimsby Town
Rob Atkinson was initially signed for Grimsby TownGrimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
on loan in November 2007 by Alan Buckley
Alan Buckley
Alan Peter Buckley is an English football manager. He was manager of League Two side Grimsby Town until his dismissal in September 2008...
. He was drafted in as a covering defender, and was slotted in at centre back next to Nick Fenton
Nick Fenton
Nicholas Leonard "Nick" Fenton is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender. He is currently playing for Morecambe, having previously played for Manchester City, Notts County, A.F.C...
. He scored his first goal for the club against 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...
on 1 January 2008. Atkinson went on to play he full 90 minutes at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
, in the 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...
final defeat against MK Dons. Atkinson was singled out by Grimsby fans, as one of their more stronger players in the 2007–08 season, and in May 2008, Buckley revealed his desire to bring Atkinson back to the club on loan or possibly on a permanent deal. However at the time, nothing came of the transfer, and after Buckley signed centre backs Richard Hope
Richard Hope
Richard Paul Hope is an English former footballer who played as a defender. He played for Darlington, Northampton Town, York City, Chester City and Shrewsbury Town, Wrexham and Grimsby Town, making over 350 appearances in the Football League.-Blackburn Rovers:Born in Stockton-on-Tees, Hope began...
and Matthew Heywood
Matthew Heywood
Matthew Stephen Heywood is a professional footballer who plays as a Defender and is currently without a club....
in pre-season, the Atkinson deal became dead in the water. On 31 October 2008 he re-signed for Grimsby on another loan deal, initially until January 2009. Town who were now managed by Mike Newell
Mike Newell (footballer)
Michael Colin "Mike" Newell is an English football manager and former professional footballer. As a player he notably was a member of the Blackburn Rovers team which won the Premier League in 1995, as well also playing for Crewe Alexandra, Wigan Athletic, Luton Town, Leicester City, Everton,...
had signed Atkinson along with Jean-Paul Kamudimba Kalala
Jean-Paul Kamudimba Kalala
Jean-Paul Kamudimba Kalala , often referred to as Jean-Paul Kalala or JP Kalala, is a Congolese footballer, who plays a midfielder for Southend United. He started his career in France playing for Nice before moving to Grimsby Town in 2005...
, who was another former Grimsby player. Both transfers were made in the space of two days. Atkinson made his second debut for the club in a 2–1 defeat to 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...
when he came on as a substitute for skipper Matthew Heywood
Matthew Heywood
Matthew Stephen Heywood is a professional footballer who plays as a Defender and is currently without a club....
in the 30th minute of play. In January 2009 Rob's loan contract with Grimsby expired and he returned to Barnsley. However a day later he joined the club for a third spell, signing on an emergency loan deal in order to play the league fixture with 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 10 January. A deal was struck between Barnsley and Grimsby for a permanent switch that was completed two days later. Rob went on to cement a first team place at centre back alongside youngster Ryan Bennett
Ryan Bennett (footballer)
Ryan Bennett is an English footballer who plays for Peterborough United and currently represents England U21 as a defender. He has previously played for and captained Grimsby Town.-Grimsby Town:...
, who had become the clubs new captain, replacing Matt Heywood, who had been dropped due to poor performances. Atkinson and Bennett both were integral parts of the Grimsby squad that helped stave off relegation out of the Football League. During the 2009-10 season The Mariners suffered an eventual relegation, bowing out on the final day of the season.
Atkinson remained with Grimsby for the 2010-11 season, which was the clubs first season in Non-League football in over 100 years. Following a pre-season injury, Darran Kempson
Darran Kempson
Darran Kempson is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Conference National side Grimsby Town...
, Scott Garner
Scott Garner
Scott John Garner is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Conference National side Grimsby Town...
and Steven Watt shared out the two centre half positions until Atkinson returned and was preferred at the back alongside Kempson. He would also be appointed the clubs interim captain when club captain Lee Peacock
Lee Peacock
Lee Peacock is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a forward and midfielder and is currently playing for Conference South side Havant & Waterlooville...
was not selected in the team, but would go on to depart Grimsby in the summer despite being offered a fresh contract by the clubs new managerial duo of Rob Scott
Rob Scott
Robert "Rob" Scott is an English former professional footballer and current joint manager of Conference National club Grimsby Town alongside Paul Hurst. He is the younger brother of Rotherham United manager Andy Scott....
and Paul Hurst
Paul Hurst
Paul Michael Hurst is a former English footballer who played in Football League Two in England, for Rotherham, where he played for over 10 years. He is currently joint manager of Conference National side Grimsby Town with Rob Scott.-Playing career:Hurst figured regularly on the left side of the...
.
Fleetwood Town
Despite being offered a new contract with Grimsby, Atkinson opted to transfer to fellow Conference NationalConference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
side Fleetwood Town
Fleetwood Town F.C.
Fleetwood Town F.C. is an English football club based in Fleetwood, Lancashire. They currently play in the Conference National having been defeated in the Conference National play-off semi-final by AFC Wimbledon in the 2010–11 season.-History:...
on 10 June 2011.
International career
On 24 January 2011, Atkinson was called up to the England C squad. Atkinson was again called up for England duty to face PortugalPortugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
on 19 May 2011 along with fellow Grimsby defender Scott Garner
Scott Garner
Scott John Garner is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Conference National side Grimsby Town...
.
Honours
Barnsley- Football League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Play Off Final winner: 2005–062005-06 in English footballThe 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...
Grimsby Town
- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe 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...
runner up: 2007–082007-08 in English footballThe 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Level English football league system The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for association football clubs in England, with six teams from Wales also competing... |
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... |
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... |
FL 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 | ||||
| Barnsley Barnsley F.C. Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's... |
2003–04 2003-04 in English football The 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game.... |
Division Two | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2004–05 2004-05 in English football The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League... |
League One | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2005–06 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... |
League One | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2006–07 2006-07 in English football The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five... |
Championship | 2 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2007–08 2007-08 in English football The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool... |
Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2008–09 | Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Scarborough Scarborough F.C. Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season... (loan) |
2005–06 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... |
Conference National Conference National Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system... |
5 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 |
| Halifax Town Halifax Town A.F.C. Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years... (loan) |
2006–07 2006-07 in English football The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five... |
Conference National Conference National Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system... |
5 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| Rochdale Rochdale A.F.C. Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921... (loan) |
2007–08 2007-08 in English football The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool... |
League Two | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Grimsby Town Grimsby Town F.C. Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town... (loan) |
2007–08 2007-08 in English football The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool... |
League Two | 4 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 29 | 1 |
| Grimsby Town Grimsby Town F.C. Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town... (loan) |
2008–09 | League Two | 4 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| Grimsby Town Grimsby Town F.C. Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town... |
2008–09 | League Two | 4 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 1 |
| 2009–10 | League Two | 4 | 34 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 38 | 1 | |
External links
- Robert Atkinson profile at barnsleyfc.co.uk