Alex Baptiste
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Alex Baptiste
| image = Alexbaptisteqpr0100.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Baptiste playing for Queens Park Rangers in 2017
| fullname = Alexander Aaron John Baptiste{{Hugman|10198|access-date=11 October 2015}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|1|31|df=y}}
| birth_place = Sutton-in-Ashfield, England
| position = Defender
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2002
| youthclubs1 = Mansfield Town
| years1 = 2002–2008
| clubs1 = Mansfield Town
| caps1 = 174
| goals1 = 5
| years2 = 2003–2004
| clubs2 = → Tamworth (loan)
| caps2 = 4
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2004
| clubs3 = → Burton Albion (loan)
| caps3 = 3
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2008–2013
| clubs4 = Blackpool
| caps4 = 170
| goals4 = 8
| years5 = 2013–2015
| clubs5 = Bolton Wanderers
| caps5 = 39
| goals5 = 4
| years6 = 2014–2015
| clubs6 = → Blackburn Rovers (loan)
| caps6 = 32
| goals6 = 3
| years7 = 2015–2017
| clubs7 = Middlesbrough
| caps7 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2016
| clubs8 = → Sheffield United (loan)
| caps8 = 11
| goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2016–2017
| clubs9 = → Preston North End (loan)
| caps9 = 24
| goals9 = 3
| years10 = 2017–2019
| clubs10 = Queens Park Rangers
| caps10 = 30
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2019
| clubs11 = → Luton Town (loan)
| caps11 = 2
| goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2019–2020
| clubs12 = Doncaster Rovers
| caps12 = 2
| goals12 = 0
| years13 = 2020–2022
| clubs13 = Bolton Wanderers
| caps13 = 52
| goals13 = 1
| years14 = 2022
| clubs14 = Waterford
| caps14 = 5
| goals14 = 0
| totalcaps = 548
|totalgoals = 25
}}
Alexander Aaron John Baptiste (born 31 January 1986) is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.
Club career
=Mansfield Town=
Born in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, Baptiste came up through the youth team at Mansfield Town. He was originally a central midfielder before gradually dropping back into defence{{Cite journal |date=29 December 2008 |title=Making the most of an opportunity – Baptiste looking to keep up good form |journal=Up the Pool |location=Blackpool |publisher=Blackpool |volume=2008–09 season |issue=Blackpool vs Wolverhampton Wanderers |pages=34–37}} and made his first-team debut aged 17 against Barnsley in April 2003.{{Cite news |title=Alex Baptiste profile |publisher=Mansfield Town F.C. |url=http://www.mansfieldtown.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10325~22902,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=16 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424071738/http://www.mansfieldtown.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0%2C%2C10325~22902%2C00.html |archive-date=24 April 2008 }}{{Cite news |title=Games played by Alex Baptiste in 2002/2003 |work=Soccerbase |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=33645&season_id=132 |url-status=live |access-date=16 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001162839/http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=33645 |archive-date=1 October 2007 }}
On 12 December 2003, he joined newly promoted Conference National side Tamworth on a one-month loan deal, making four league appearances, before returning to Mansfield on 12 January 2004. On 7 February he was sent out again on loan for a month, this time to Burton Albion, for whom he made four appearances.
Baptiste established himself as first-choice central defender for Mansfield Town towards the end of the 2003–04 season.{{Cite news |title=Games played by Alex Baptiste in 2003/2004 |work=Soccerbase |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=33645&season_id=133 |access-date=16 April 2008}} He was ever-present during the 2006–07 season, and by the end of the campaign had made over 150 appearances for Mansfield.{{Cite news |date=3 July 2007 |title=John-Baptiste pens Mansfield deal |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/mansfield_town/6264490.stm |access-date=16 April 2008}} Baptiste signed a new three-year contract despite interest from Crewe Alexandra in the summer of 2007. However, he missed three months of the 2007–08 season with a back injury.{{Cite news |date=15 May 2008 |title=John-Baptiste admits to poor form |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/mansfield_town/7403040.stm |url-status=live |access-date=15 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080520111424/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/mansfield_town/7403040.stm |archive-date=20 May 2008}} After Mansfield Town were relegated to the Conference National at the end of the 2007–08 season, he requested a transfer, which was granted.{{Cite news |date=9 May 2008 |title=John-Baptiste to leave Stags |publisher=football.co.uk |url=http://www.football.co.uk/mansfield_town/johnbaptiste_to_leave_stags_264492.shtml |url-status=live |access-date=10 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614223114/http://www.football.co.uk/mansfield_town/johnbaptiste_to_leave_stags_264492.shtml |archive-date=14 June 2008}} He made a total of 198 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring six goals.{{Cite news |title=Alex Baptiste |work=Soccerbase |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=33645 |access-date=4 January 2009}}
=Blackpool=
On 1 July 2008, Baptiste agreed a deal to join Championship club Blackpool. Speaking about the move, he described it as a "great opportunity and challenge".{{Cite news |date=1 July 2008 |title=Blackpool complete Baptiste deal |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/7483839.stm |access-date=1 July 2008}} He started the season as a regular in the Seasiders{{'}} reserve team, and for the first few months of the season he was not named in the first-team squad. He made his first-team debut on 22 November 2008 against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux at right-back.{{Cite news |date=22 November 2008 |title=Baptiste Handed Surprise Debut |publisher=Blackpool F.C. |url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~1463199,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=23 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616054022/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10432~1463199%2C00.html |archive-date=16 June 2012}} He scored his first goal for the Seasiders in a 1–1 draw with Ipswich Town at Portman Road on 14 February 2009.{{Cite news |date=14 February 2009 |title=Ipswich vs Blackpool |publisher=Blackpool F.C. |url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10432~44662,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=14 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113205327/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10432~44662%2C00.html |archive-date=13 November 2009}} Three days later he was named in the Football League's "Championship Team of the Week".{{Cite news |date=17 February 2009 |title=Team of the Week (17/02/2009) |publisher=The Football League |url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/bd/31/0,,10794~143805,00.pdf |url-status=dead |access-date=24 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922103405/http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/bd/31/0%2C%2C10794~143805%2C00.pdf |archive-date=22 September 2012}}
Baptiste cemented his place in the starting line up in the latter stages of the 2008–09 season, playing either centre back or right back. On 20 January 2010, after 27 appearances and two goals in the 2009–10 season, Baptiste signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract until June 2013. He said of the new contract: "I am very pleased. I had a good chat with the gaffer and Thommo and the direction of the club is upwards and I want to be a part of it." Blackpool manager Ian Holloway expressed his belief that Baptiste could play in the Premier League: "Baps has played at left-back, right-back and centre-back and he has been different class. I believe he can play in the Premiership and I have told him that. I am working on the areas that he needs working on, but as a defender I don't think I have had a better one and I am delighted he has signed."{{Cite news |date=20 January 2010 |title=Baps Pens New Deal |publisher=Blackpool F.C. |location=Blackpool |url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~1938229,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=20 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125163256/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10432~1938229%2C00.html |archive-date=25 January 2010 }}
On 14 August 2010, he scored as Blackpool marked their Premier League debut on the opening day of the 2010–11 season with a 4–0 win over Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium. Baptiste scored the final goal of the game.{{Cite news |date=14 August 2010 |title=Wigan 0–4 Blackpool |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8904972.stm |url-status=live |access-date=15 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113003658/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8904972.stm |archive-date=13 January 2016}} He was subsequently named in the Premier League "Team of the Week", alongside teammate Marlon Harewood.{{Cite web |date=21 September 2010 |title=Team of the Week |url=http://www.premierleague.com/page/TeamOfTheWeek/0,,12306~2133001,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924064934/http://www.premierleague.com/page/TeamOfTheWeek/0%2C%2C12306~2133001%2C00.html |archive-date=24 September 2010 |access-date=12 January 2013 |publisher=Premier League}}
Baptiste played in the Championship play-off final against West Ham United in May 2012, which was won by West Ham 2–1.{{Cite web |last=Fletcher |first=Paul |date=19 May 2012 |title=Blackpool 1–2 West Ham |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18044378 |access-date=23 May 2012 |publisher=BBC Sport}} After the match Baptiste was vocal in his criticism of West Ham's style of football saying "They just hoof it, and hope for the best".{{Cite web |date=21 May 2012 |title=West Ham style slammed by Blackpool's Alex Baptiste |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18143836 |access-date=3 January 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
=Bolton Wanderers=
In May 2013, Baptiste signed a three-year deal with fellow Championship side Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer that took effect once his Blackpool contract expired on 30 June 2013.{{Cite web |last=Marc Iles |title=Wanderers beat the pack to land Baptiste |url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/wanderersnews/10435211.Wanderers_beat_the_pack_to_land_Baptiste/ |access-date=22 May 2013 |website=The Bolton News}} He made his debut for Bolton in their 1–1 draw with Lancashire rivals Burnley on 3 August 2013, operating in the right-back position.{{Cite web |date=3 August 2013 |title=Burnley 1-1 Bolton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23474674 |access-date=3 January 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} He recorded his first goal for Wanderers in the same month by scoring a consolation in the 4–1 away defeat at Blackburn Rovers.{{Cite web |date=31 August 2013 |title=Blackburn 4-1 Bolton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23822756 |access-date=3 January 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} His first goal at the Reebok Stadium was Bolton's opener in their 2–2 draw against Derby County in an end to end game which saw Wanderers claim a share of the spoils.
Baptiste joined Blackburn on loan. He scored his first goal against Nottingham Forest. He scored his second goal for the club against Sheffield Wednesday.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}}
=Middlesbrough=
On 6 July 2015, Baptiste joined Middlesbrough.{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Jonathon |date=4 July 2015 |title=Alex Baptiste: Boro make first signing of the summer transfer window |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/alex-baptiste-boro-make-first-9585102 |access-date=3 January 2021 |website=TeessideLive |language=en}} On 11 July, he suffered a suspected double leg fracture, 20 minutes into a pre-season match against York City.
On 1 March 2016, Baptiste signed for Sheffield United on loan.{{Cite web |date=1 March 2016 |title=Boro's Baptiste joins Blades on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35699290 |access-date=3 January 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
On 31 August 2016, he signed for Preston North End on a season-long loan.{{Cite web |date=31 August 2016 |title=Baptiste Joins North End On Season-Long Loan |url=https://www.pnefc.net/news/2016/august/baptiste-joins-north-end-on-season-long-loan/ |access-date=3 January 2021 |publisher=Preston North End F.C.}} He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with Birmingham City on 27 September 2016.{{Cite web |date=27 September 2016 |title=Birmingham City 2-2 Preston North End |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37415222 |access-date=3 January 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
=Queens Park Rangers=
On 7 August 2017, Baptiste joined Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer.{{Cite web |date=7 August 2017 |title=Alex Baptiste Joins Queens Park Rangers |url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/alex-baptiste-joins-queens-park-rangers |access-date=7 August 2017 |website=mfc.co.uk |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C.}}
On 31 January 2019, Baptiste joined Luton Town on a loan deal until the end of the 2018–19 season.{{Cite web |date=31 January 2019 |title=Town complete transfer deadline day hat-trick! |url=https://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/2019/january/three-signings/ |access-date=3 January 2021 |website=www.lutontown.co.uk |publisher=Luton Town F.C.}}
=Doncaster Rovers=
On 2 August 2019, Baptiste signed for Doncaster Rovers on a one-year contract.{{Cite web |date=2 August 2019 |title=Alex Baptiste signs for Rovers |url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2019/august/alex-baptiste-signs-for-rovers/ |access-date=3 January 2021 |website=www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk |publisher=Doncaster Rovers F.C.}} After only two matches he suffered an Achilles injury.{{Cite news |last=Goodwin |first=Paul |date=15 August 2019 |title=Doncaster Rovers: Alex Baptiste facing lengthy spell out with Achilles injury |language=en |work=Doncaster Free Press |url=https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/doncaster-rovers-alex-baptiste-facing-lengthy-spell-out-achilles-injury-490389 |access-date=3 January 2021}} He proceeded to miss the rest of the season through injury.
=Return to Bolton Wanderers=
On 7 August 2020, Baptiste re-signed for Bolton Wanderers, after five years away from the club, on a one-year deal.{{Cite news |date=7 August 2020 |title=Wanderers Return For Alex Baptiste |publisher=Bolton Wanderers F.C. |url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2020/august/wanderers-return-for-alex-baptiste/ |access-date=7 August 2020}} His second debut came on 5 September in Bolton's first match of the season, a 2–1 home defeat against Bradford in the first round of the EFL Cup.{{Cite web |date=5 September 2020 |title=Report: Bolton Wanderers 1-2 Bradford City |url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2020/september/report-bolton-wanderers-1-2-bradford-city/ |access-date=3 January 2021 |website=www.bwfc.co.uk |publisher=Bolton Wanderers F.C. |language=en-gb}} On 28 May 2021, he signed a new one-year contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2021/may/baptiste-joins-up-for-another-season/|title=Baptiste joins up for another season|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}} Baptiste passed 600 career appearances on 2 November 2021 in Bolton's 3–0 EFL Trophy win at Rochdale.{{Cite web |date=3 November 2021 |title=600 Not Out for 'Baps' |publisher=Bolton Wanderers |url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2021/november/600-not-out-for-baps/ |access-date=3 November 2021}} On 3 May 2022, the club confirmed that he would be released at the end of his contract.{{Cite news |date=3 May 2022 |title=Wanderers Confirm Departures |publisher=Bolton Wanderers F.C. |url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/wanderers-confirm-departures/ |access-date=3 May 2022}} He had been offered a player-coach role in Bolton's reserve team, though turned it down as he wanted to continue his career as a first team player.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/20183275.alex-baptiste-turned-bolton-wanderers-role-extend-playing-career/|title=Alex Baptiste: Why I turned down coaching offer at Bolton Wanderers|website=The Bolton News}}
=Waterford=
On 31 August 2022, Baptiste signed for League of Ireland First Division club Waterford until the end of their season in November.{{Cite web|url=https://waterfordfc.ie/|title=Waterford FC|date=31 August 2022|website=Waterford FC}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40951757.html|title=Waterford complete signing of former Premier League defender Alex Baptiste|first=John|last=Fallon|date=31 August 2022|website=Irish Examiner}} He played 11 times, though was unable to help them get promoted as they lost in the play-offs to UCD.[https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/ucd-keep-premier-division-status-with-play-off-victory-over-waterford-42138084.html Irish Independent: "UCD keep Premier Division status with play-off victory over Waterford"]
=Retirement=
Some time after leaving Waterford, Baptiste retired and became an agent.[https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/25204831.ex-bolton-wanderers-man-alex-baptiste-new-role-agent/ Ex-Bolton Wanderers man Alex Baptiste on new role as agent]
Career statistics
{{updated|match played on 11 November 2022}}
;Notes
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
Blackpool
- Football League Championship play-offs: 2010{{Cite news |last=Fletcher |first=Paul |date=22 May 2010 |title=Blackpool 3–2 Cardiff |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8692465.stm |access-date=5 May 2019}}
Bolton Wanderers
- EFL League Two third-place (promotion): 2020–21{{Cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?comp_id=4|title=League Two Betting | 2022/23 | Soccer Base|website=www.soccerbase.com}}
Individual
- Blackpool Player of the Season: 2011–12{{Cite web |date=5 July 2012 |title=Baptiste: Time to Move On |url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10432~2833114%2C00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708033515/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~2833114,00.html |archive-date=8 July 2012 |website=Blackpool FC}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.mfc.co.uk/team/player-profile/alex-baptiste/15 Alex Baptiste profile] at Middlesbrough F.C.
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
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| list =
{{Mansfield Town F.C. player of the season}}
{{Blackpool F.C. Player of the Year}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baptiste, Alex}}
Category:Footballers from Sutton-in-Ashfield
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Mansfield Town F.C. players
Category:Tamworth F.C. players
Category:Burton Albion F.C. players
Category:Blackpool F.C. players
Category:Bolton Wanderers F.C. players
Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. players
Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players
Category:Preston North End F.C. players
Category:Queens Park Rangers F.C. players
Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Premier League players
Category:Black British sportsmen
Category:Waterford F.C. players
Category:League of Ireland players
Category:Expatriate men's association footballers in the Republic of Ireland