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{{short description|English footballer}}
Born in Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare, Dele "Padraig" Adebola was always set out to be a professionnal football. The towering striker hass played for a plethora of top european clubs, including, SK Brann Bergen of Norway, Apollon Limassol of cyprus and also too Zimbru Chisanau from moldovas footballing stronghold. brought to the City ground sristocracy in 2002, adebola also enjoyed spells with The Blues from St Andrews and had a stint with TNS of Wales. a renowned gaolgetter striker, "Padraig" for his incredible likeness to Simon Charlton,the Ex-Bolton legend now plying his trade with Delias smiths suffolk kingpins.
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
Dele continues to bang in the goals for his beloved St. Pats
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Dele Adebola
| image = Dele.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Adebola pictured in 2008 while at [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]]
| fullname = Bamberdele Olusegun Adebola<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/02/2013 and 28/02/2013 |url=http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/more/~/media/774E2ECF9B3E4EE3A300FD51BF8EA6C1.ashx |format=PDF |publisher=The Football Association |access-date = 12 April 2013}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|6|23|df=y}}<ref name="Hugman2010-11 14">{{Cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 |date=2010 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |isbn=9781845966010 |page=14}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Lagos]], Nigeria
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=3}}<ref name="Hugman2010-11 14"/>
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Striker]]
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = {{0|000}}?–1992 | youthclubs1 = [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]]
| years1 = 1992–1998 | clubs1 = [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]] | caps1 = 123 | goals1 = 39
| years2 = 1993–1994 | clubs2 = → [[Bangor City F.C.|Bangor City]] (loan)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.welshpremier.co.uk/Player-Display/36436/1993/1994 |title=Dele Adebola: 1993/1994 Biography & Statistics |publisher=Welsh Premier League |access-date=21 October 2014 |archive-date=7 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107025034/http://www.welshpremier.co.uk/Player-Display/36436/1993/1994 |url-status=dead }}</ref>| caps2 = 4 | goals2 = 2
| years3 = 1994 | clubs3 = → [[Northwich Victoria F.C.|Northwich Victoria]] (loan)<ref>{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Harman |title=Alliance to Conference 1979–2004: The first 25 years |publisher=Tony Williams Publications |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-869833-52-7 |pages=485, 501}}</ref> | caps3 = 16 | goals3 = 7
| years4 = 1998–2002 | clubs4 = [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]<ref>{{cite book |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2010–2011 |editor1-first=Glenda |editor1-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |editor2-last=Rollin |publisher=Headline |date=2010 |page=503 |isbn=978-0-7553-6107-6 |name-list-style=amp}}</ref>| caps4 = 129 | goals4 = 31
| years5 = 2002 | clubs5 = → [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] (loan) | caps5 = 5 | goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2002–2003 | clubs6 = [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] | caps6 = 39 | goals6 = 5
| years7 = 2003–2008 | clubs7 = [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] | caps7 = 163 | goals7 = 31
| years8 = 2004 | clubs8 = → [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] (loan) | caps8 = 3 | goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2004 | clubs9 = → [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] (loan) | caps9 = 15 | goals9 = 3
| years10 = 2008–2009 | clubs10 = [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] | caps10 = 56 | goals10 = 16
| years11 = 2009–2011 | clubs11 = [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] | caps11 = 62 | goals11 = 5
| years12 = 2011–2012 | clubs12 = [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]] | caps12 = 10 | goals12 = 0
| years13 = 2012 | clubs13 = → [[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]] (loan) | caps13 = 6 | goals13 = 1
| years14 = 2012–2013 | clubs14 = [[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]] | caps14 = 26 | goals14 = 6
| years15 = 2013 | clubs15 = → [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]] (loan) | caps15 = 13 | goals15 = 2
| years16 = 2013 | clubs16 = [[Rushall Olympic F.C.|Rushall Olympic]] | caps16 = | goals16 =
| years17 = 2024– | clubs17 = Leamington Veterans | caps17 = | goals17 =
}}

'''Bamberdele Olusegun Adebola''' (born 23 June 1975) is a Nigerian retired [[Association football|footballer]]. Including loans, he has played for 16 clubs in his career, with his longest spells at [[Crewe Alexandra]], [[Birmingham City]] and [[Coventry City]].

==Early life==
Born in [[Lagos]], [[Lagos State]],<ref name="Hugman2010-11 14"/> Adebola was brought up in [[Liverpool]] after arriving in England as a baby with his family; as a schoolboy, he played in the same representative sides as [[Robbie Fowler]]. When offered a [[Youth Training Scheme|YTS]] place by [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], the team he supported, he believed that trying to progress as a fellow left-footed striker at the club at the same time as Fowler would not be a good idea. Consequently, he accepted a similar offer from [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]].<ref>{{Cite news|first=Jon |last=Culley |title=Adebola out to upstage an old idol |newspaper=The Independent |date=24 February 2001 |url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20010224/ai_n14374266 |access-date=2 April 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202030043/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20010224/ai_n14374266 |archive-date= 2 February 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-adebola-lifts-the-blues-1196184.html |title=Adebola lifts the Blues |first=Adam |last=Szreter |newspaper=The Independent |date=5 September 1998 |access-date=4 August 2015}}</ref>

==Club career==

===Crewe Alexandra===
He made his first team debut in the [[1992–93 in English football|1992–93]] season in the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] at the age of 17, and in the following season gained experience by playing on loan at [[Bangor City F.C.|Bangor City]] in the [[Welsh Premier League]] and [[Football Conference|Conference]] side [[Northwich Victoria F.C.|Northwich Victoria]]. He made a significant impact for Crewe in [[1996–97 in English football|1996–97]], his 16 goals proving crucial in the club's promotion to the [[Football League First Division|First Division]].

He soon proved himself capable of scoring goals at that level, and attracted interest from several bigger clubs.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Sky Blues watching Adebola transfer race |website=4thegame.com |date=5 November 1997 |url=http://www.4thegame.com/club/ccfc/news/28791/SKY+BLUES+WATCHING+ADEBOLA+TRANSFER+RACE.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012133036/http://www.4thegame.com/club/coventry-city-fc/news/28791/SKY%2BBLUES%2BWATCHING%2BADEBOLA%2BTRANSFER%2BRACE.html |archive-date=12 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Disappointed when Crewe rejected an offer for him from [[West Ham United]], he made it clear to the club that he wanted to leave, and reluctantly the club made him available for transfer.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.creweguardian.co.uk/news/5317634.ADEBOLA_SET_TO_MOVE_ON/ |title=Adebola set to move on |newspaper=Crewe Guardian |date=7 November 1997 |access-date=4 August 2015}}</ref> In February 1998, Adebola was signed by manager [[Trevor Francis]] for fellow First Division club [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] for a fee of £1 million.

===Birmingham City===
With seven goals in the remainder of that season, and scoring in each of his first five matches (in all competitions) in [[1998–99 Birmingham City F.C. season|1998–99]], his future at Birmingham looked bright. In his first full season he scored 13 goals, but in [[1999–2000 Birmingham City F.C. season|1999–2000]] he was less productive, fell out of favour, and at the end of the season was put on the transfer list. [[UD Las Palmas|Las Palmas]], newly promoted to [[La Liga]], announced that they had signed him,<ref>{{Cite news
| title = Shock as Adebola quits | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 1 July 2000 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/814543.stm | access-date = 2 April 2007}}</ref> only for the move to fall through on medical grounds.<ref name=LgeCupPrev>{{Cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/archive/england/news/2001/0109/20010109_birmingham_979026864.html |title=Adebola looking forward to a Blue final |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |date=9 January 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208182440/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/archive/england/news/2001/0109/20010109_birmingham_979026864.html |archive-date=8 February 2008}}</ref>

Though remaining on the transfer list, he was restored to the first team, and his goals helped Birmingham to reach the [[2001 Football League Cup Final]].<ref name=LgeCupPrev /> The manager said he kept him on the transfer list in order to provoke him into the sort of performance commensurate with his power, pace and technical ability but which his "laid-back" character might otherwise inhibit.<ref>{{Cite news
| title = Francis wants Burchill permanently | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 13 December 2000 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/1069446.stm | access-date = 2 April 2007}}</ref>

A serious knee injury, sustained later that season when the player slid into a goalpost,<ref name=LETinjury>{{Cite news |title = Clarets target's injury shock | newspaper = Lancashire Evening Telegraph | date = 4 May 2001 | url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6031584.Clarets_target_s_injury_shock/ | access-date = 4 August 2015}}</ref> effectively marked the end of his Birmingham career. A spell on loan at [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] towards the end of the [[2001–02 in English football|2001–02]] season helped him back to fitness, but new manager [[Steve Bruce]] chose not to renew his contract.

===Crystal Palace===
[[File:Dele Adebola - Forest.jpg|thumb|Adebola playing for [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] in November 2010]]
In August 2002, Adebola signed a one-year contract with [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]], after impressing former manager Trevor Francis in a trial.<ref>{{cite news |title=Palace sign Adebola |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/crystal_palace/2193386.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2002 |access-date=16 April 2012 }}</ref> He played one season at the club, where he proved his fitness, making 48 appearances in all competitions.

===Coventry City===
Again released at the end of that season, [[Gary McAllister]] took him to [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]], where he initially failed to find any form, finishing the season out on loan to [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]], ironically a club that had been keen to buy him before his injury.<ref name=LETinjury /><ref>{{Cite news |title = Francis wants to keep Clarets target Adebola | newspaper = Lancashire Evening Telegraph | date = 25 November 2000 | url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6056319.Francis_wants_to_keep_Clarets_target_Adebola/ | access-date = 4 August 2015}}</ref> At Burnley he scored once in three appearances, his goal coming against Watford.<ref name=sb0304>{{Soccerbase season|28|2003|name=Dele Adebola|access-date=4 August 2015}}</ref>

Another loan spell followed, this time at [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] for whom he scored three goals.<ref name=sb0405>{{Soccerbase season|28|2004|name=Dele Adebola|access-date=4 August 2015}}</ref> It was only when recalled to the Coventry side on a regular basis in [[2004–05 in English football|2004–05]], first under [[Peter Reid]] and particularly under [[Micky Adams]], playing with the likes of [[Stern John]] and [[Gary McSheffrey]], that his form picked up.

===Bristol City===
On 30 January 2008, Adebola signed an 18-month contract with [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]], moving for an undisclosed fee,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_city/7218438.stm |title=Bristol City sign striker Adebola |date=31 January 2008 |access-date=3 February 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> despite Coventry wanting to renew his deal, which was due to end in the summer. Adebola made his debut on 2 February in a 3–0 defeat away to [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]],<ref name=sb0809>{{Soccerbase season|28|2008|name=Dele Adebola|access-date=4 August 2015}}</ref> and scored in just seven minutes on his home debut to help City defeat [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] 2–1.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7223891.stm |title=Bristol City 2–1 Sheff Wed |date=9 February 2008 |access-date=10 February 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> His performances in the [[2008–09 in English football|2008–09 season]], during which he scored 10 goals from 42 appearances, earned him the club's Player of the Year award.<ref name=PotY>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/sport/Adebola-scoops-Bristol-City-award/article-974461-detail/article.html |title=Adebola scoops Bristol City award |date=8 May 2009 |newspaper=Bristol Evening Post |access-date=30 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514041819/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/sport/Adebola-scoops-Bristol-City-award/article-974461-detail/article.html |archive-date=14 May 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The player rejected the club's offer of a year's extension to his contract, claiming he had been offered a two-year deal elsewhere.<ref name=PotY/>

===Nottingham Forest===
It was announced on 30 June 2009 that Adebola had signed a two-year contract with [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]. He joined them on a free transfer after rejecting a one-year deal at Bristol City. Adebola struggled to hold down a regular place in the Forest side in the 2009–10 season. He was mainly restricted to substitute appearances, finding himself below [[Dexter Blackstock]] and [[Robert Earnshaw]] in the pecking order, but he did manage to force his way into the Forest team, particularly away from home, towards the end of the season. He scored a late consolation goal for Forest in the play-off semi-final second leg against [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]].

===Hull City===
[[File:Dele Adebola 23-07-21 1.png|thumb|200px|Adebola playing for [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]] in 2011]]
He entered contract negotiations with [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]] at the end of the 2010–11 season. On 29 June it was confirmed that Adebola signed a one-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|date=29 June 2011 |url=http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10338~2383819,00.html |title=Tigers complete Adebola signing |publisher=Hull City A.F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805094609/http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10338~2383819%2C00.html |archive-date= 5 August 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He made his debut in the first game of the season on 5 August 2011 at the [[KC Stadium]] in the 1–0 defeat to [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/14337494.stm |title=Hull 0–1 Blackpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date= 5 August 2011 |access-date=5 August 2011}}</ref> On 20 March 2012, Adebola joined [[Football League One|League One]] club [[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]] on loan for the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17453357 |title=Notts County sign Hull City striker Dele Adebola |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 March 2012 |access-date=4 August 2015}}</ref> He made six league appearances and scored once,<ref name=sb1112>{{Soccerbase season|28|2011|name=Dele Adebola|access-date=2 July 2015}}</ref> an 89th-minute equaliser in a 4–3 win away at [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/wycombe-vs-notts-co/report/239347 |title=County late show downs Wycombe |publisher=Sky Sports |date=28 April 2012 |access-date=2 July 2015}}</ref>

===Rochdale===
On 7 August 2012, Adebola signed a one-year deal with League Two club [[Rochdale A.F.C|Rochdale]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19164517 |title=Dele Adebola joins Rochdale after Reece Gray injury |date=7 August 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=13 August 2012}}</ref> Under manager [[John Coleman (footballer born 1962)|John Coleman]], Adebola made 26 league appearances for Rochdale, but when [[Keith Hill (footballer)|Keith Hill]] took over as manager after the sacking of Coleman, Hill made it clear he wanted to let Adebola leave the club.

===Wrexham (loan)===
In February 2013, Adebola signed on loan for [[Conference National|Conference]] leaders [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]], subject to international clearance.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21577294 |title=Dele Adebola moves to Wrexham on loan from Rochdale |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 February 2013 |access-date=25 February 2013}}</ref> On 2 March, he made his debut in a 1–1 draw in a Conference match at [[The Racecourse]] against [[Alfreton Town FC|Alfreton Town]]. Adebola made 13 appearances for Wrexham, scoring twice, against [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] and [[Ebbsfleet United]]. His last appearance for Wrexham was as an 88th-minute substitute, replacing [[Jay Harris (footballer born 1987)|Jay Harris]], at [[Wembley Stadium]] in the [[2013 Conference Premier play-off final|Conference play-off final]] against [[Newport County A.F.C.|Newport County]]. Wrexham lost 2–0, condemning them to a sixth season in [[non-league football]]. On his return to Rochdale, he was released.

===Rushall Olympic===
Adebola signed for non-league [[Rushall Olympic F.C.|Rushall Olympic]] in August 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/rushallolympic/news/major-new-signing-for-rushall-1014774.html |title=Major new signing for Rushall Olympic |publisher=Rushall Olympic F.C. |date=16 August 2013 |access-date=16 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808054749/http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/rushallolympic/news/major-new-signing-for-rushall-1014774.html |archive-date=8 August 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Leamington Veterans===
As of 2024, Adebola plays for local side Leamington Veterans, alongside his fellow former Coventry player [[David Busst]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnston |first=Neil |date=15 March 2024 |title='Somebody help me' - the injury that shocked football |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68492208 |access-date=18 March 2024 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==International career==
In March 1998 new [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]] manager [[Lawrie McMenemy]], on discovering Adebola to be a British citizen born abroad and therefore eligible to play for any of the home countries, selected him for his first match in charge, a friendly against Slovakia.<ref>{{Cite news |title=N Ireland shock as McMenemy picks Nigerian |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=13 March 1998 |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/n-ireland-shock-as-mcmenemy-picks-nigerian-26193150.html |access-date=4 August 2015}}</ref> Adebola had to withdraw due to injury, but did express an interest in playing for the country.<ref>{{Cite news |first=David |last=Anderson |title=Adebola to miss Slovakia clash |newspaper=Irish Examiner |date=24 March 1998 |url=http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1998/03/24/phead.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929122048/http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1998/03/24/phead.htm |archive-date=29 September 2007}}</ref> He was also selected in [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]]'s provisional squad for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]], but failed to make the cut.<ref name=Crewe>{{Cite web |title=Player profile |publisher=Crewe Alexandra F.C. |url=http://www.crewealex.premiumtv.co.uk/page/past_players_detail/0,,10414~63838,00.html |access-date=2 April 2007}} {{dead link|date=August 2015}}</ref>

Both Northern Ireland and Nigeria continued their pursuit of the player; in October 1998 McMenemy reported that Adebola was unwilling to play for Nigeria, and did not want to commit to [[Northern Ireland]] because he had his sights set on playing for [[England national football team|England]].<ref>{{Cite news |first=David |last=Anderson |title=McMenemy scours leagues for talent |newspaper=Irish Examiner |date=9 October 1998 |url=http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1998/10/09/phead.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629024743/http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1998/10/09/phead.htm |archive-date=29 June 2011}}</ref> In March 1999, McMenemy made a final abortive attempt to persuade him to play for Northern Ireland.<ref>{{Cite news |first=David |last=Anderson |title=McMenemy is ignoring Germany in crisis claims |newspaper=Irish Examiner |date=25 March 1999 |url=http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1999/03/25/phead.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629024757/http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1999/03/25/phead.htm |archive-date=29 June 2011}}</ref> Despite his lack of form at club level, he was still sufficiently highly rated by the Nigerian selectors to be included in the preliminary squad for the [[2000 African Cup of Nations]]<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sports Digest |newspaper=Irish Examiner |date=14 December 1999 |url=http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1999/12/14/results.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629024808/http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1999/12/14/results.htm |archive-date=29 June 2011}}</ref> and, following talks with coach [[Jo Bonfrere]], in the squad for a World Cup qualifier in July 2000.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Adebola called into Nigeria squad |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 June 2000 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/813155.stm |access-date=2 April 2007}}</ref> However, he did not accept any of these invitations.

==Career statistics==
{{update|date=August 2014}}
{{Updated|match played 29 November 2011.}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10308~8191,00.html |title=Player profiles: Dele Adebola |publisher=Nottingham Forest F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706045349/http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0%2C%2C10308~8191%2C00.html |archive-date= 6 July 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan=3 | Club performance
! colspan=2 | League
! colspan=2 | Cup
! colspan=2 | League Cup

! colspan=2 | Total
|-
! Season !! Club !! League
! Apps !! Goals
! Apps !! Goals
! Apps !! Goals

! Apps !! Goals
|-
|-
! colspan=3 | England
! colspan=2 | League
! colspan=2 | [[FA Cup]]
! colspan=2 | [[Football League Cup|League Cup]]

! colspan=2 | Total
|-
|[[1994–95 Football League|1994–95]]||rowspan="4"|[[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]]||rowspan="3"|[[Football League Second Division|Second Division]]||30||8||0||0||0||0||30||8
|-
|[[1995–96 Football League|1995–96]]||30||8||5||2||1||1||36||11
|-
|[[1996–97 Football League|1996–97]]||35||16||3||1||1||1||39||18
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[1997–98 Football League|1997–98]]||rowspan="5"|[[Football League First Division|First Division]]||27||7||1||0||1||0||29||7
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]||17||7||0||0||0||0||17||7
|-
|[[1998–99 Football League|1998–99]]||41||14||1||1||4||2||46||17
|-
|[[1999–2000 Football League|1999–2000]]||43||5||1||0||5||1||49||6
|-
|[[2000–01 Football League|2000–01]]||31||6||1||1||8||5||40||12
|-
|[[2001–02 Football League|2001–02]]||[[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] (loan)||[[Football League Second Division|Second Division]]||5||0||0||0||0||0||5||0
|-
|[[2002–03 Football League|2002–03]]||[[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]||rowspan="3"|[[Football League First Division|First Division]]||39||5||4||0||5||2||48||7
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[2003–04 Football League|2003–04]]||[[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]||28||2||3||0||2||1||33||3
|-
|[[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] (loan)||3||1||0||0||0||0||3||1
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[2004–05 Football League|2004–05]]||[[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] (loan)||rowspan="10"|[[Football League Championship|Championship]]||15||3||0||0||0||0||15||3
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]||25||5||1||1||0||0||26||6
|-
|[[2005–06 Football League|2005–06]]||44||12||3||0||2||0||49||12
|-
|[[2006–07 Football League|2006–07]]||40||8||2||0||1||1||43||9
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[2007–08 Football League|2007–08]]||26||4||2||1||3||1||31||6
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]]||20||6||0||0||0||0||20||6
|-
|[[2008–09 Football League|2008–09]]||39||10||2||0||1||0||42||10
|-
|[[2009–10 Football League|2009–10]]||rowspan="2"|[[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]||34||4||2||0||2||0||38||4
|-
|[[2010–11 Football League|2010–11]]||29||2||2||1||1||0||32||3
|-
|[[2011–12 Football League|2011–12]]||[[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]]||10||0||0||0||0||0||10||0
|-
|-
! rowspan=1 | Total
! colspan=2 | England
!611||133||33||8||37||15||681||156
|-
! colspan=3 | Career total
!611||133||33||8||37||15||681||156
|}

==Honours==
'''Crewe Alexandra'''
*[[Football League Second Division play-offs]]: [[1997 Football League play-offs#Second Division|1997]]

'''Birmingham City'''
*[[Football League Cup]] runner-up: [[2000–01 Football League Cup|2000–01]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/worthington_cup/1187654.stm |title=Blues shot down as Liverpool lift cup |website=BBC Sport |date=25 February 2001 |access-date=28 March 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{Soccerbase}}

{{Bristol City F.C. Player of the Season}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Adebola, Dele}}
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Lagos]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:Nigerian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Crewe Alexandra F.C. players]]
[[Category:Bangor City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Northwich Victoria F.C. players]]
[[Category:Birmingham City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players]]
[[Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players]]
[[Category:Coventry City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Burnley F.C. players]]
[[Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players]]
[[Category:Bristol City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players]]
[[Category:Hull City A.F.C. players]]
[[Category:Notts County F.C. players]]
[[Category:Rochdale A.F.C. players]]
[[Category:Wrexham A.F.C. players]]
[[Category:Rushall Olympic F.C. players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Cymru Premier players]]
[[Category:National League (English football) players]]
[[Category:Naturalised citizens of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Nigerian emigrants to the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Naturalised association football players]]

Latest revision as of 13:46, 16 July 2024

Dele Adebola
Adebola pictured in 2008 while at Bristol City
Personal information
Full name Bamberdele Olusegun Adebola[1]
Date of birth (1975-06-23) 23 June 1975 (age 49)[2]
Place of birth Lagos, Nigeria
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[2]
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
000?–1992 Crewe Alexandra
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1998 Crewe Alexandra 123 (39)
1993–1994 → Bangor City (loan)[3] 4 (2)
1994 → Northwich Victoria (loan)[4] 16 (7)
1998–2002 Birmingham City[5] 129 (31)
2002 → Oldham Athletic (loan) 5 (0)
2002–2003 Crystal Palace 39 (5)
2003–2008 Coventry City 163 (31)
2004 → Burnley (loan) 3 (1)
2004 → Bradford City (loan) 15 (3)
2008–2009 Bristol City 56 (16)
2009–2011 Nottingham Forest 62 (5)
2011–2012 Hull City 10 (0)
2012 → Notts County (loan) 6 (1)
2012–2013 Rochdale 26 (6)
2013 → Wrexham (loan) 13 (2)
2013 Rushall Olympic
2024– Leamington Veterans
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Bamberdele Olusegun Adebola (born 23 June 1975) is a Nigerian retired footballer. Including loans, he has played for 16 clubs in his career, with his longest spells at Crewe Alexandra, Birmingham City and Coventry City.

Early life

[edit]

Born in Lagos, Lagos State,[2] Adebola was brought up in Liverpool after arriving in England as a baby with his family; as a schoolboy, he played in the same representative sides as Robbie Fowler. When offered a YTS place by Liverpool, the team he supported, he believed that trying to progress as a fellow left-footed striker at the club at the same time as Fowler would not be a good idea. Consequently, he accepted a similar offer from Crewe Alexandra.[6][7]

Club career

[edit]

Crewe Alexandra

[edit]

He made his first team debut in the 1992–93 season in the Third Division at the age of 17, and in the following season gained experience by playing on loan at Bangor City in the Welsh Premier League and Conference side Northwich Victoria. He made a significant impact for Crewe in 1996–97, his 16 goals proving crucial in the club's promotion to the First Division.

He soon proved himself capable of scoring goals at that level, and attracted interest from several bigger clubs.[8] Disappointed when Crewe rejected an offer for him from West Ham United, he made it clear to the club that he wanted to leave, and reluctantly the club made him available for transfer.[9] In February 1998, Adebola was signed by manager Trevor Francis for fellow First Division club Birmingham City for a fee of £1 million.

Birmingham City

[edit]

With seven goals in the remainder of that season, and scoring in each of his first five matches (in all competitions) in 1998–99, his future at Birmingham looked bright. In his first full season he scored 13 goals, but in 1999–2000 he was less productive, fell out of favour, and at the end of the season was put on the transfer list. Las Palmas, newly promoted to La Liga, announced that they had signed him,[10] only for the move to fall through on medical grounds.[11]

Though remaining on the transfer list, he was restored to the first team, and his goals helped Birmingham to reach the 2001 Football League Cup Final.[11] The manager said he kept him on the transfer list in order to provoke him into the sort of performance commensurate with his power, pace and technical ability but which his "laid-back" character might otherwise inhibit.[12]

A serious knee injury, sustained later that season when the player slid into a goalpost,[13] effectively marked the end of his Birmingham career. A spell on loan at Oldham Athletic towards the end of the 2001–02 season helped him back to fitness, but new manager Steve Bruce chose not to renew his contract.

Crystal Palace

[edit]
Adebola playing for Nottingham Forest in November 2010

In August 2002, Adebola signed a one-year contract with Crystal Palace, after impressing former manager Trevor Francis in a trial.[14] He played one season at the club, where he proved his fitness, making 48 appearances in all competitions.

Coventry City

[edit]

Again released at the end of that season, Gary McAllister took him to Coventry City, where he initially failed to find any form, finishing the season out on loan to Burnley, ironically a club that had been keen to buy him before his injury.[13][15] At Burnley he scored once in three appearances, his goal coming against Watford.[16]

Another loan spell followed, this time at Bradford City for whom he scored three goals.[17] It was only when recalled to the Coventry side on a regular basis in 2004–05, first under Peter Reid and particularly under Micky Adams, playing with the likes of Stern John and Gary McSheffrey, that his form picked up.

Bristol City

[edit]

On 30 January 2008, Adebola signed an 18-month contract with Bristol City, moving for an undisclosed fee,[18] despite Coventry wanting to renew his deal, which was due to end in the summer. Adebola made his debut on 2 February in a 3–0 defeat away to Queens Park Rangers,[19] and scored in just seven minutes on his home debut to help City defeat Sheffield Wednesday 2–1.[20] His performances in the 2008–09 season, during which he scored 10 goals from 42 appearances, earned him the club's Player of the Year award.[21] The player rejected the club's offer of a year's extension to his contract, claiming he had been offered a two-year deal elsewhere.[21]

Nottingham Forest

[edit]

It was announced on 30 June 2009 that Adebola had signed a two-year contract with Nottingham Forest. He joined them on a free transfer after rejecting a one-year deal at Bristol City. Adebola struggled to hold down a regular place in the Forest side in the 2009–10 season. He was mainly restricted to substitute appearances, finding himself below Dexter Blackstock and Robert Earnshaw in the pecking order, but he did manage to force his way into the Forest team, particularly away from home, towards the end of the season. He scored a late consolation goal for Forest in the play-off semi-final second leg against Blackpool.

Hull City

[edit]
Adebola playing for Hull City in 2011

He entered contract negotiations with Hull City at the end of the 2010–11 season. On 29 June it was confirmed that Adebola signed a one-year contract.[22] He made his debut in the first game of the season on 5 August 2011 at the KC Stadium in the 1–0 defeat to Blackpool.[23] On 20 March 2012, Adebola joined League One club Notts County on loan for the remainder of the season.[24] He made six league appearances and scored once,[25] an 89th-minute equaliser in a 4–3 win away at Wycombe Wanderers.[26]

Rochdale

[edit]

On 7 August 2012, Adebola signed a one-year deal with League Two club Rochdale.[27] Under manager John Coleman, Adebola made 26 league appearances for Rochdale, but when Keith Hill took over as manager after the sacking of Coleman, Hill made it clear he wanted to let Adebola leave the club.

Wrexham (loan)

[edit]

In February 2013, Adebola signed on loan for Conference leaders Wrexham, subject to international clearance.[28] On 2 March, he made his debut in a 1–1 draw in a Conference match at The Racecourse against Alfreton Town. Adebola made 13 appearances for Wrexham, scoring twice, against Lincoln City and Ebbsfleet United. His last appearance for Wrexham was as an 88th-minute substitute, replacing Jay Harris, at Wembley Stadium in the Conference play-off final against Newport County. Wrexham lost 2–0, condemning them to a sixth season in non-league football. On his return to Rochdale, he was released.

Rushall Olympic

[edit]

Adebola signed for non-league Rushall Olympic in August 2013.[29]

Leamington Veterans

[edit]

As of 2024, Adebola plays for local side Leamington Veterans, alongside his fellow former Coventry player David Busst.[30]

International career

[edit]

In March 1998 new Northern Ireland manager Lawrie McMenemy, on discovering Adebola to be a British citizen born abroad and therefore eligible to play for any of the home countries, selected him for his first match in charge, a friendly against Slovakia.[31] Adebola had to withdraw due to injury, but did express an interest in playing for the country.[32] He was also selected in Nigeria's provisional squad for the 1998 World Cup, but failed to make the cut.[33]

Both Northern Ireland and Nigeria continued their pursuit of the player; in October 1998 McMenemy reported that Adebola was unwilling to play for Nigeria, and did not want to commit to Northern Ireland because he had his sights set on playing for England.[34] In March 1999, McMenemy made a final abortive attempt to persuade him to play for Northern Ireland.[35] Despite his lack of form at club level, he was still sufficiently highly rated by the Nigerian selectors to be included in the preliminary squad for the 2000 African Cup of Nations[36] and, following talks with coach Jo Bonfrere, in the squad for a World Cup qualifier in July 2000.[37] However, he did not accept any of these invitations.

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 29 November 2011.[38]
Club performance League Cup League Cup Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
England League FA Cup League Cup Total
1994–95 Crewe Alexandra Second Division 30 8 0 0 0 0 30 8
1995–96 30 8 5 2 1 1 36 11
1996–97 35 16 3 1 1 1 39 18
1997–98 First Division 27 7 1 0 1 0 29 7
Birmingham City 17 7 0 0 0 0 17 7
1998–99 41 14 1 1 4 2 46 17
1999–2000 43 5 1 0 5 1 49 6
2000–01 31 6 1 1 8 5 40 12
2001–02 Oldham Athletic (loan) Second Division 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
2002–03 Crystal Palace First Division 39 5 4 0 5 2 48 7
2003–04 Coventry City 28 2 3 0 2 1 33 3
Burnley (loan) 3 1 0 0 0 0 3 1
2004–05 Bradford City (loan) Championship 15 3 0 0 0 0 15 3
Coventry City 25 5 1 1 0 0 26 6
2005–06 44 12 3 0 2 0 49 12
2006–07 40 8 2 0 1 1 43 9
2007–08 26 4 2 1 3 1 31 6
Bristol City 20 6 0 0 0 0 20 6
2008–09 39 10 2 0 1 0 42 10
2009–10 Nottingham Forest 34 4 2 0 2 0 38 4
2010–11 29 2 2 1 1 0 32 3
2011–12 Hull City 10 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Total England 611 133 33 8 37 15 681 156
Career total 611 133 33 8 37 15 681 156

Honours

[edit]

Crewe Alexandra

Birmingham City

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/02/2013 and 28/02/2013" (PDF). The Football Association. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 14. ISBN 9781845966010.
  3. ^ "Dele Adebola: 1993/1994 Biography & Statistics". Welsh Premier League. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  4. ^ Harman, John, ed. (2005). Alliance to Conference 1979–2004: The first 25 years. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 485, 501. ISBN 978-1-869833-52-7.
  5. ^ Rollin, Glenda & Rollin, Jack, eds. (2010). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2010–2011. Headline. p. 503. ISBN 978-0-7553-6107-6.
  6. ^ Culley, Jon (24 February 2001). "Adebola out to upstage an old idol". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2 February 2008. Retrieved 2 April 2007.
  7. ^ Szreter, Adam (5 September 1998). "Adebola lifts the Blues". The Independent. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  8. ^ "Sky Blues watching Adebola transfer race". 4thegame.com. 5 November 1997. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007.
  9. ^ "Adebola set to move on". Crewe Guardian. 7 November 1997. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  10. ^ "Shock as Adebola quits". BBC Sport. 1 July 2000. Retrieved 2 April 2007.
  11. ^ a b "Adebola looking forward to a Blue final". ESPN Soccernet. 9 January 2001. Archived from the original on 8 February 2008.
  12. ^ "Francis wants Burchill permanently". BBC Sport. 13 December 2000. Retrieved 2 April 2007.
  13. ^ a b "Clarets target's injury shock". Lancashire Evening Telegraph. 4 May 2001. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  14. ^ "Palace sign Adebola". BBC Sport. 14 August 2002. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  15. ^ "Francis wants to keep Clarets target Adebola". Lancashire Evening Telegraph. 25 November 2000. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  16. ^ "Games played by Dele Adebola in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  17. ^ "Games played by Dele Adebola in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  18. ^ "Bristol City sign striker Adebola". BBC Sport. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  19. ^ "Games played by Dele Adebola in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  20. ^ "Bristol City 2–1 Sheff Wed". BBC Sport. 9 February 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2008.
  21. ^ a b "Adebola scoops Bristol City award". Bristol Evening Post. 8 May 2009. Archived from the original on 14 May 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
  22. ^ "Tigers complete Adebola signing". Hull City A.F.C. 29 June 2011. Archived from the original on 5 August 2011.
  23. ^ "Hull 0–1 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 5 August 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  24. ^ "Notts County sign Hull City striker Dele Adebola". BBC Sport. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  25. ^ "Games played by Dele Adebola in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  26. ^ "County late show downs Wycombe". Sky Sports. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  27. ^ "Dele Adebola joins Rochdale after Reece Gray injury". BBC Sport. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  28. ^ "Dele Adebola moves to Wrexham on loan from Rochdale". BBC Sport. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  29. ^ "Major new signing for Rushall Olympic". Rushall Olympic F.C. 16 August 2013. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  30. ^ Johnston, Neil (15 March 2024). "'Somebody help me' - the injury that shocked football". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  31. ^ "N Ireland shock as McMenemy picks Nigerian". Irish Independent. 13 March 1998. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  32. ^ Anderson, David (24 March 1998). "Adebola to miss Slovakia clash". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007.
  33. ^ "Player profile". Crewe Alexandra F.C. Retrieved 2 April 2007. [dead link]
  34. ^ Anderson, David (9 October 1998). "McMenemy scours leagues for talent". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011.
  35. ^ Anderson, David (25 March 1999). "McMenemy is ignoring Germany in crisis claims". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011.
  36. ^ "Sports Digest". Irish Examiner. 14 December 1999. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011.
  37. ^ "Adebola called into Nigeria squad". BBC Sport. 30 June 2000. Retrieved 2 April 2007.
  38. ^ "Player profiles: Dele Adebola". Nottingham Forest F.C. Archived from the original on 6 July 2009.
  39. ^ "Blues shot down as Liverpool lift cup". BBC Sport. 25 February 2001. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
[edit]
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