Adrian Forbes
{{Short description|English footballer (born 1979)}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Adrian Forbes
| image =
| caption =
| fullname = Adrian Emmanuel Forbes{{Cite book
| editor-first = Barry J.
| editor-last = Hugman
| title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004
| year = 2003
| publisher = Queen Anne Press
| isbn = 1-85291-651-6
| page = 150 }}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|1|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = Greenford, England
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=8}}
| currentclub = Texoma FC
(Head Coach & Sporting Director)
| position = Right midfielder
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–1996
| youthclubs1 = Norwich City
| years1 = 1996–2001
| clubs1 = Norwich City
| caps1 = 112
| goals1 = 8
| years2 = 2001–2004
| clubs2 = Luton Town
| caps2 = 75
| goals2 = 14
| years3 = 2004–2006
| clubs3 = Swansea City
| caps3 = 69
| goals3 = 11
| years4 = 2006–2008
| clubs4 = Blackpool
| caps4 = 36
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2008–2009
| clubs5 = Millwall
| caps5 = 13
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2009
| clubs6 = → Grimsby Town (loan)
| caps6 = 15
| goals6 = 3
| years7 = 2009–2010
| clubs7 = Grimsby Town
| caps7 = 13
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2010–2012
| clubs8 = Lowestoft Town
| caps8 = 33
| goals8 = 4
| totalcaps = 363
| totalgoals = 38
| nationalyears1 = 1997
| nationalteam1 = England U18
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2025–
| managerclubs1 = Texoma FC
}}
Adrian Emmanuel Forbes (born 23 January 1979) is an English former professional footballer and current head coach and sporting director for USL League One club Texoma FC.
As a player, he was a midfielder and forward from 1996 until 2012. Having started his career with Norwich City in 1996 he remained with the club for six years establishing himself in the Canaries' first team before moving to Luton Town in 2001. He went on to play for Swansea City, Blackpool, Millwall and Grimsby Town. Having been relegated out of the Football League with Grimsby in 2010, he was released by the club; he subsequently dropped into non-league, joining Lowestoft Town, where he remained for two seasons before retiring from competitive football in May 2012.
Forbes scored the last league goal for Swansea City at the Vetch Field against Shrewsbury Town on 30 April 2005 in a 1–0 win in front of 11,469 past a young Joe Hart . He then went on to score the winning goal against Bury to secure promotion to League 1 with a volley after 15 seconds in front of 6000 travelling Swansea fans.
Career
=Norwich City=
Forbes began his career at Norwich City in 1995. He played under several different managers in his six years at Carrow Road, including Martin O'Neill, Mike Walker and Bruce Rioch. Forbes remained with City from 1996 to 2001, he played in 131 league games, scoring 8 goals.
=Luton Town=
In the summer of 2001 he moved to Luton Town in a £60,000 deal, and played in three seasons at Kenilworth Road, notably playing his best football under Mike Newell.
=Swansea City=
Forbes signed for Swansea City, who were then in Football League Two, on a free transfer in 2004. In his first season at the club he was ever-present and scored seven goals. On 30 April 2005, Forbes scored Swansea's last-ever league goal at their Vetch Field stadium in a 1–0 win over Shrewsbury Town, before their move to the Liberty Stadium. The following match he scored again against Bury to earn the club automatic promotion to Football League One.
{{cite news
| title = Forbes hails fine Vetch farewell
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 1 May 2005
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/4503601.stm
| access-date = 3 January 2008 }} Two years later, in May 2006, he was released by Swansea. Forbes claimed that there had been on-going discussions about a new contract and that he had expected to stay at the club. He reacted by saying he was "shocked and hurt" and that he left "with a very bitter taste" in his mouth about the way the club treated him.
{{cite news
| title = Forbes bitter over Swans release
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 2 June 2006
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/5037146.stm
| access-date = 3 January 2008 }}
=Blackpool=
On 1 July he signed for Blackpool on a two-year contract with an option for a further year.
{{cite news
|title=Two more agree terms
|publisher=Blackpool
|date=23 June 2006
|url=http://www.blackpoolfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~842251,00.html
|access-date=3 January 2008
}}{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In December 2006, before Blackpool played Swansea at Bloomfield Road, Forbes publicly slated Swansea manager Kenny Jackett for the manner in which he was released from the club earlier that year, stating that he was still bitter at Jackett.
{{cite news
| title = Bitter Forbes in swipe at Jackett
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 8 December 2006
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/6161145.stm
| access-date = 3 January 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080106183735/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/6161145.stm| archive-date= 6 January 2008 | url-status= live}} He scored his first goal for Blackpool on 6 March 2007, in a 2–0 win over AFC Bournemouth at Bloomfield Road.{{cite news
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/6414799.stm
| title = Blackpool 2–0 Bournemouth
| publisher = BBC
| date = 6 March 2007 |access-date=1 May 2010}} He played in Blackpool's Play-off final win over Yeovil Town at Wembley Stadium which earned the club promotion to the Football League Championship for the first time since 1978.
=Millwall=
On 3 January 2008, after failing to establish himself in Blackpool's Championship side, Forbes signed an 18-month contract with Football League One club Millwall despite recently being managed by Kenny Jackett who released him at Swansea City over a year earlier. Forbes however only played 13 times for the club and struggled to establish himself as a first team player.
{{cite news
|title = New face
|publisher = Millwall F.C.
|date = 3 January 2008
|url = http://www.millwallfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10367~1205645,00.html
|access-date = 3 January 2008
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080106071840/http://www.millwallfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10367~1205645%2C00.html
|archive-date = 6 January 2008
|url-status = dead
}}
=Grimsby Town=
Forbes signed for Grimsby Town, managed by Mike Newell, on 2 February 2009, signing on loan until the end of the 2008–2009 season. In his second game he scored an overhead kick to equalise in the 3–3 draw with Barnet. On 6 July 2009 following his release from Millwall, Forbes agreed to join Grimsby permanently on a two-year deal.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/grimsby_town/8136634.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=Grimsby complete Forbes signing | date=7 July 2009 | access-date=23 April 2010}} During the 09/10 season, Forbes struggled to break into the first team and was eventually ruled out for a lengthy period after breaking his leg. This coupled with playing second fiddle to other players and the failure to consistently earn a place in the team meant that he would only feature in 13 league matches throughout the entire season. Forbes had returned to fitness towards the end of the campaign but only made a cameo appearance as the season wound to a close. On 12 May 2010, Forbes was one of seven players placed who were deemed surplus to requirements and were placed on the transfer list by Grimsby manager Neil Woods following their relegation from the Football League.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20111008075751/http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10417~2050024%2C00.html Grimsby Town {{!}} News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} 3 Released, 7 Transfer Listed]}} After failing to find a new club, Forbes was handed a squad number for the 2010–2011 season along with Nick Colgan, Nick Hegarty and Chris Jones who has also failed to sign terms elsewhere. On 13 July it was announced that Grimsby had accepted a request to let Forbes join league rivals Darlington for 3 days of training with a view to a permanent move. Darlington had also requested to use Forbes in a friendly in which Grimsby boss Neil Woods declined.[http://www.sportgrimsby.co.uk/headlines/Forbes-poised-sign-Quakers/article-2412707-detail/article.html This is Grimsby | ADRIAN Forbes is training with Darlington with a view to leaving Grimsby Town this week] Forbes had his contract at Grimsby cancelled by mutual consent on 1 September 2010.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120325022844/http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10417~2139918%2C00.html Grimsby Town {{!}} News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} 2 Depart]}}
=Lowestoft Town=
On 16 September 2010, Forbes joined Conference National side Hayes & Yeading on trial.[http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/sport/Forbes-knew-writing-wall-Mariners-career/article-2648210-detail/article.html This is Grimsby | FORMER Grimsby Town frontman Adrian Forbes admits he knew his time at Blundell Park was coming to an end before relegation was confirmed last season] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919165120/http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/sport/Forbes-knew-writing-wall-Mariners-career/article-2648210-detail/article.html |date=19 September 2010 }}
On 30 September 2010 Forbes joined Lowestoft Town, signing a two-year deal.[http://www.lowestofttownfc.co.uk/page/news.asp?ID=1311 Lowestoft Town Football Club] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724175043/http://www.lowestofttownfc.co.uk/page/news.asp?ID=1311 |date=24 July 2011 }} In May 2012 following the conclusion of the 2011–12 season Forbes announced his departure from Lowestoft and his retirement from competitive football.
Coaching career
In October 2011 Forbes re-joined Norwich City as an academy coach on a part-time basis alongside his playing days with Lowestoft,{{cite web |url=http://toogoodtogodown.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/former-grimsby-town-striker-adrian-forbes-starts-coaching-career-and-backs-calls-for-rooney-rule/ |title=Former Grimsby Town striker Adrian Forbes starts coaching career and backs calls for 'Rooney Rule' |publisher=Toogoodtogodown.wordpress.com |date=2011-10-10 |access-date=2014-03-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121225212356/http://toogoodtogodown.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/former-grimsby-town-striker-adrian-forbes-starts-coaching-career-and-backs-calls-for-rooney-rule/ |archive-date=25 December 2012 }} however following his retirement in May 2012 Forbes became a full-time coach with City. After gaining a full-time role at Norwich's Cat 1 academy looking after the U9 and U10 players he was promoted in September 2017 and he is currently the Lead Foundation Phase Coach and responsible for the day-to-day running of the U9 to U12 age groups as well as being the match day announcer at Carrow Road. He is also in year 4 of The Premier Leagues Elite Coaches Apprenticeship Scheme.
He worked as the Head of Coaching & Player Development at Luton Town for five years before moving to the United States.https://uk.linkedin.com/in/adrian-forbes-9b9a5973 {{Self-published source|date=June 2022}}
On 9 May 2024, Forbes was named as the first-ever sporting director for USL League One club Texoma FC.{{cite web |title=Adrian Forbes Joins Texoma FC from Premier League Side Luton Town FC |url=https://www.texomafc.com/news/2024/05/09/texoma-fc-announce-new-sporting-director/ |website=TexomaFC.com |publisher=Texoma FC |access-date=17 October 2024}} He was announced as head coach for Texoma on 17 October 2024.{{cite web |title=Adrian Forbes Named Head Coach of Texoma FC for Inaugural USL League One Season |url=https://www.texomafc.com/news/2024/10/17/texoma-fc-head-coach/ |website=TexomaFC.com |publisher=Texoma FC |access-date=17 October 2024}}
Career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="6"|Norwich City
|1996–97{{Soccerbase season|9766|1996|accessdate=17 October 2020}} | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| 1997–98{{cite web |url=http://www.enfa.co.uk/playersearch.php |title=Player search: Forbes (AE) Adrian |website=English National Football Archive |access-date=17 October 2020 |url-access=subscription}}
|First Division | 33 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 4 |
| 1998–99{{Soccerbase season|9766|1998|accessdate=17 October 2020}}
|First Division | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 1999–2000{{Soccerbase season|9766|1999|accessdate=17 October 2020}}
|First Division | 25 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 1 |
| 2000–01{{Soccerbase season|9766|2000|accessdate=17 October 2020}}
|First Division | 29 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!112||8||4||0||5||0||0||0||121||8 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="4"|Luton Town
|2001–02{{Soccerbase season|9766|2001|accessdate=17 October 2020}} | 40 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 5 |
| 2002–03{{Soccerbase season|9766|2002|accessdate=17 October 2020}} | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| 2003–04{{Soccerbase season|9766|2003|accessdate=17 October 2020}}
|Second Division | 27 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy}} | 0 | 32 | 14 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!72||14||5||6||1||0||1||0||79||20 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="3"|Swansea City
|2004–05{{Soccerbase season|9766|2004|accessdate=17 October 2020}} | 40 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 48 | 7 |
| 2005–06 | 29 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8{{efn|Six appearances and one goal in Football League Trophy, two appearances in Football League play-offs}} | 1 | 38 | 5 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!69||11||6||0||1||0||10||1||86||12 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="3"|Blackpool
|2006–07{{Soccerbase season|9766|2006|accessdate=17 October 2020}} |League One | 34 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4{{efn|One appearance in Football League Trophy, three in Football League play-offs}} | 0 | 43 | 1 |
| 2007–08 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!36||1||5||0||1||0||4||0||46||1 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="3"|Millwall
|2007–08{{Soccerbase season|9766|2007|accessdate=17 October 2020}} |League One | 11 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| 2008–09
|League One | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!13||0||3||0||0||0||0||0||16||0 | ||||||||||
| Grimsby Town (loan)
|2008–09{{Soccerbase season|9766|2008|accessdate=17 October 2020}} |League Two | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3 |
| rowspan="3"|Grimsby Town
|2009–10{{Soccerbase season|9766|2009|accessdate=17 October 2020}} |League Two | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 15 | 1 |
| 2010–11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total
!28||4||0||0||0||0||2||0||30||4 | ||||||||||
| colspan="3"|Total
!330||38||23||6||8||0||17||1||378||45 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
- [http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/forbes-adrian.htm Career information at ex-canaries.co.uk]
- [http://www.thefa.com/england/all-teams/players?p=28939 England profile]{{dead link|date=October 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} at TheFA
{{Texoma FC squad}}
{{USL League One head coaches}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Forbes, Adrian}}
Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Ealing
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Norwich City F.C. players
Category:Luton Town F.C. players
Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players
Category:Blackpool F.C. players
Category:Millwall F.C. players
Category:Grimsby Town F.C. players
Category:Lowestoft Town F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Luton Town F.C. non-playing staff
Category:People from Greenford
Category:Norwich City F.C. non-playing staff
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the United States