Cameron Belford
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Cameron Belford
| image = Belford, Cameron.jpg
| image_size = 200
| caption = Belford in 2013
| full_name = Cameron Dale Belford{{cite book
| editor-last = Hugman
| editor-first = Barry J.
| title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11
| publisher = Mainstream
| year = 2010
| page = 40
| isbn = 978-1-84596-601-0 }}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|10|16|df=y}}
| birth_place = Nuneaton, England
| height =
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub = Coleshill Town
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2006
| youthclubs1 = Coventry City
| years1 = 2006–2007 | clubs1 = Coventry City | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2006 | clubs2 = → Tamworth (loan) | caps2 = 1 | goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2007–2013 | clubs3 = Bury | caps3 = 78 | goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2007–2008 | clubs4 = → Worcester City (loan) | caps4 = 22 | goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2012 | clubs5 = → Southend United (loan) | caps5 = 13 | goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2012 | clubs6 = → Southend United (loan) | caps6 = 4 | goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2012–2013 | clubs7 = → Accrington Stanley (loan) | caps7 = 5 | goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2013–2014 | clubs8 = Tamworth | caps8 = 46 | goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2014 | clubs9 = Mansfield Town | caps9 = 0 | goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2014–2015 | clubs10 = Rushall Olympic | caps10 = 25 | goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2015 | clubs11 = Swindon Town | caps11 = 1 | goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2015–2016 | clubs12 = Wrexham | caps12 = 19 | goals12 = 0
| years13 = 2016 | clubs13 = → Stranraer (loan) | caps13 = 16 | goals13 = 0
| years14 = 2016–2018 | clubs14 = Stranraer | caps14 = 58 | goals14 = 0
| years15 = 2018 | clubs15 = Forest Green Rovers | caps15 = 0 | goals15 = 0
| years16 = 2018 | clubs16 = Chorley | caps16 = 2 | goals16 = 0
| years17 = 2018–2020 | clubs17 = Nuneaton Borough | caps17 = 34 | goals17 = 0
| years18 = 2019–2020 | clubs18 = → FC United of Manchester (loan) | caps18 = 20 | goals18 = 0
| years19 = 2020–2022 | clubs19 = Radcliffe | caps19 = 37 | goals19 = 1
| years20 = 2022–2025 | clubs20 = Stafford Rangers | caps20 = 111| goals20 = 0
| years21 = 2025– | clubs21 = Coleshill Town | caps21 = 0 | goals21 = 0
| club-update = 16:11, 21 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Cameron Dale Belford (born 16 October 1988) is an English semi-professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for {{English football updater|ColeshiT}} club Coleshill Town.
Playing career
=Early career=
Born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, Belford started his career at Coventry City and had a brief loan spell at Conference National side Tamworth during the 2006–07 season playing one game against Morecambe, where Tamworth lost 1–0, his father Dale was on the substitutes' bench as back up goalkeeper.{{cite news|title=Tamworth 0–1 Morecambe|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/6205893.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 December 2006|accessdate=13 August 2007|archive-date=11 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111133326/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/6205893.stm|url-status=live}} Belford returned to Coventry soon after the match and was assigned squad number 43, but was released by City in May 2007, without having made a first team appearance.{{cite news|title=The Championship form guide|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6229538.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 August 2007|accessdate=13 August 2007|archive-date=11 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111133329/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6229538.stm|url-status=live}}
=Bury=
File:Cameron Belford.png in 2008]]
In August 2007, Belford joined League Two side Bury on a one-year contract after a short trial at Kettering Town.{{cite news|title=Bury snap up Richardson & Belford|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bury/6943087.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 August 2007|accessdate=13 August 2007|archive-date=10 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110185252/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bury/6943087.stm|url-status=live}} With a lack of first team opportunities at Gigg Lane, Belford joined Conference North team Worcester City on loan for a month on 30 November, becoming one of Richard Dryden's first signings.{{cite news|title=New City boss adds reinforcements|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6229538.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 November 2007|accessdate=3 May 2008|archive-date=11 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111133329/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6229538.stm|url-status=live}} He made his City debut on 2 December against Barrow at St George's Lane; the game was drawn 1–1.{{cite news|title=City 1 Barrow 1|url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/display.var.2209396.0..php|publisher=Worcester News|date=30 November 2007|accessdate=3 May 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} After impressing in the following games his loan spell with Worcester was extended until the end of the season.{{cite news|title=Keeper Belford extends City stay|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7168083.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 January 2008|accessdate=3 May 2008|archive-date=10 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110185202/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/7168083.stm|url-status=live}} His impressive form continued for City and he won the club's player of the month award for March.{{cite news|title=Belford returns to Bury|url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/display.var.2209396.0..php|publisher=Worcester News|date=18 April 2008|accessdate=3 May 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In April 2008, Bury manager Alan Knill offered Belford a contract for the 2008–09 season. and he was recalled from his loan spell at the same time.{{cite news|title=Danks prepared to leave Worcester|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7358983.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 April 2008|accessdate=3 May 2008|archive-date=10 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110185246/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/7358983.stm|url-status=live}} He appeared in 22 league and 2 cup games for Worcester City.{{cite web|url=http://wcfcarchive.bravehost.com/p1591.htm|title=Worcester City Player Cameron Belford|publisher=The Worcester City FC Archive|accessdate=4 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303221538/http://wcfcarchive.bravehost.com/p1591.htm|archive-date=3 March 2012|url-status=dead}}
On 3 May 2008, Belford made his debut as a 75th-minute substitute against Accrington Stanley at the Crown Ground replacing Jim Provett with Bury winning the game 2–0.{{cite news|title=Accrington Stanley 0–2 Bury|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7368625.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 May 2008|accessdate=3 May 2008|archive-date=6 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506153305/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7368625.stm|url-status=live}} In October 2009 Belford impressed many against Rotherham United when he came on after 27 minutes into the first half when first team goalkeeper Wayne Brown came off injured. He made a number of fine saves and denied Ian Sharps from scoring a late equalizer. He kept the score down to 2–1 to Bury.
In the 2010–11 season he had established a number one goalkeeper spot after some fine performances in the latter part of the season before.
Belford scored his first goal for Bury in a penalty shoot out in a EFL Trophy tie against Shrewsbury Town after calmly saving a Danny O'Donnell spot kick and slotting home the next kick himself. The shootout finished 6–5 to Bury. On 23 October 2010 during a League Two game against Southend United Belford suffered a serious facial injury in a collision with an opposition forward. The injury was a fractured cheek bone so manager Alan Knill brought in Owain Fon Williams to replace Belford. On 25 April 2011, Belford played and helped Bury gain promotion to League One in a 3–2 win at Chesterfield, during which he was victim of an assault on his problem cheekbone from a Chesterfield youth during a pitch invasion after Chesterfield's equalising second goal.{{cite news|title=Arrests after Bury goalkeeper assault|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-13192968|publisher=BBC News|date=25 April 2011|accessdate=9 July 2013|archive-date=25 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825094557/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-13192968|url-status=live}} On 3 March 2012, Belford joined League Two side Southend United on a one-month loan as cover for Glenn Morris. During that spell he helped the Shrimpers reach the League Two play-offs but was unable to help them progress beyond the semi-final stage.{{cite news|title=Southend bring in Bury goalkeeper Cameron Belford|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17245546|publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 March 2012|accessdate=3 March 2012|archive-date=8 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308051304/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17245546|url-status=live}}
On 14 August 2012, Belford returned to Southend for a second loan spell.{{cite news|title=Belford returns on loan|url=http://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/article/140812-belford-returns-on-loan-311301.aspx|publisher=Southend United Official Website|date=14 August 2012|accessdate=27 January 2013|archive-date=16 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816233850/http://www.southendunited.co.uk/news/article/140812-belford-returns-on-loan-311301.aspx|url-status=live}} He was brought in as Southend had no first choice goalkeeper prior to their League Cup fixture against Peterborough United. However, he made only 3 appearances after Southend signed Paul Smith to be their first choice goalkeeper. Once his loan spell finished, he returned to Bury, but ironically the next week Smith was injured in a match against Gillingham.{{cite news|title=Southend United sign Cameron Belford on loan from Bury for second time|url=http://www.southendstandard.co.uk/archive/2012/08/14/Blues+News/9872602.Southend_United_sign_Cameron_Belford_on_loan_from_Bury_for_second_time/|work=Southend Standard|date=14 August 2012|accessdate=27 January 2013|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304191710/http://www.southendstandard.co.uk/archive/2012/08/14/Blues+News/9872602.Southend_United_sign_Cameron_Belford_on_loan_from_Bury_for_second_time/|url-status=live}} Belford declined the opportunity to return to Southend for a third loan spell.{{cite news|title=Southend United's Daniel Bentley pleased with his 'perfect day'|url=http://www.southendstandard.co.uk/archive/2012/09/25/Blues+News/9947563.Southend_United_s_Daniel_Bentley_pleased_with_his____perfect_day___/|work=Southend Standard|date=25 September 2012|accessdate=27 January 2013|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304193234/http://www.southendstandard.co.uk/archive/2012/09/25/Blues+News/9947563.Southend_United_s_Daniel_Bentley_pleased_with_his____perfect_day___/|url-status=live}}
In late-December, Belford joined Accrington Stanley on a seven-day emergency loan deal, following Ian Dunbavin's injury and a cover for Paul Rachubka.{{cite news|title=Accrington Stanley sign Bury's Cameron Belford on loan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20865628|publisher=BBC|date=29 December 2012|accessdate=27 January 2013|archive-date=1 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101040347/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20865628|url-status=live}}
On 27 March 2015 Belford announced on social media website Twitter that he had joined Swindon Town for the remainder of the 2014–15 season.{{cite news|title=Delighted to put pen to paper @Official_STFC till the end of the season.. Looking forward to the promotion push #GreatToBeBack #STFC|url=https://twitter.com/cambelford/status/581494482870341634|publisher=Twitter|date=27 March 2015|accessdate=27 March 2015|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305092851/https://twitter.com/cambelford/status/581494482870341634|url-status=live}} He only made 1 appearance for Swindon, being substituted on 3 May 2015 after his brother, Tyrell Belford, was sent off.{{cite news|title=Swindon Town 2-2 Leyton Orient|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32471254|publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 May 2015|accessdate=29 May 2022|archive-date=29 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529173601/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32471254|url-status=live}}
=Wrexham=
On 27 May 2015, Belford signed a one-year deal with Wrexham.{{cite web|author=Wrexham AFC|url=http://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/article/wrexham-afc-sign-lee-fowler-and-cameron-belford-2473152.aspx|title=Wrexham AFC sign Lee Fowler and Cameron Belford|accessdate=27 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527203554/http://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/article/wrexham-afc-sign-lee-fowler-and-cameron-belford-2473152.aspx|archive-date=27 May 2015|url-status=dead}} After making 19 appearances for Wrexham, Belford lost his place to on loan goalkeeper Rhys Taylor, after the Dragons were knocked out of the FA Cup by National League North side Gainsborough Trinity{{cite web |url=http://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/article/wrexham-afcs-cameron-belford-joins-stranraer-fc-on-loan-2914258.aspx. |title=Keeper Heads Out on Loan |publisher=wrexhamfc.co.uk |date=22 January 2016 |accessdate=30 January 2016}} In January 2016, Belford moved on loan to Scottish League One side Stranraer in order to gain regular football. His first appearance for the Blues came in a 2–0 league victory against Cowdenbeath.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35331287 |title=Cowdenbeath 0–2 Stranraer |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 January 2016 |accessdate=30 January 2016 |archive-date=14 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414122230/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35331287 |url-status=live }}
=Stranraer=
After being released by Wrexham, Belford returned to Stair Park to sign a permanent contract with Stranraer in June 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.stranraerfc.org/index.php/9-uncategorised/457-belford-is-back |title=Belford Is Back |publisher=stranrearfc.org |date=3 June 2016 |accessdate=4 June 2016 |archive-date=11 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611072152/http://www.stranraerfc.org/index.php/9-uncategorised/457-belford-is-back |url-status=live }}
=Forest Green Rovers=
Belford returned to England in January 2018, signing for EFL League Two club Forest Green Rovers on short-term deal until the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.forestgreenroversfc.com/news/first-team-news/2018/fgr-sign-new-goalkeeper |title=FGR sign new goalkeeper |publisher=Forest Green Rovers FC |date=26 January 2018 |accessdate=26 January 2018 |archive-date=26 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126185148/https://www.forestgreenroversfc.com/news/first-team-news/2018/fgr-sign-new-goalkeeper |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.stranraerfc.org/index.php/77-latest-news/1063-belford-exit |title=Belford exit |publisher=Stranraer FC |date=26 January 2018 |accessdate=26 January 2018 |archive-date=26 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126185434/http://www.stranraerfc.org/index.php/77-latest-news/1063-belford-exit |url-status=live }}
He was released by Forest Green at the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44030771|title=Forest Green Rovers: Isaiah Osbourne offered new deal as 12 players depart|date=7 May 2018|accessdate=9 May 2018|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411112857/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44030771|url-status=live}}
=Chorley=
He then joined Chorley. He played in the opening two league matches of the season but left the club in search of first team football after losing his place.{{cite web |title=Urwin is Magpies No.1 choice after Belford's exit |url=https://www.chorley-guardian.co.uk/sport/football/chorley-fc/urwin-is-magpies-no-1-choice-after-belford-s-exit-1-9316008 |publisher=Chorley Guardian |date=24 August 2018 |accessdate=24 August 2018 |archive-date=24 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824183200/https://www.chorley-guardian.co.uk/sport/football/chorley-fc/urwin-is-magpies-no-1-choice-after-belford-s-exit-1-9316008 |url-status=live }}
=Nuneaton Borough=
He later signed for Nuneaton Borough.{{cite news |title=Former Wrexham goalkeeper Cameron Belford lifts the lid on plight at Nuneaton Borough |url=http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/chester_fc/16982282.former-wrexham-goalkeeper-cameron-belford-lifts-the-lid-on-plight-at-nuneaton-borough/ |publisher=The Leader |date=14 October 2018 |accessdate=24 October 2018 |archive-date=24 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024192412/http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/chester_fc/16982282.former-wrexham-goalkeeper-cameron-belford-lifts-the-lid-on-plight-at-nuneaton-borough/ |url-status=live }}
On 21 September 2019, he joined FC United of Manchester on loan for one month.{{cite news |title=Former Wrexham goalkeeper Cameron Belford lifts the lid on plight at Nuneaton Borough |url=http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=8493 |publisher=FC United of Manchester |date=21 September 2019 |accessdate=23 September 2019 |archive-date=10 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110185329/https://fc-utd.co.uk/news-story/new-signing-cameron-belford-signs-on-loan |url-status=live }} The loan was extended until the end of November{{Cite web|url=https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/nuneatonboroughfc/news/cameron-belford-extends-loan-2478975.html|title=Cameron Belford Extends Loan|access-date=29 November 2019|archive-date=10 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110185322/https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/nuneatonboroughfc/news/cameron-belford-extends-loan-2478975.html|url-status=live}} and again until the end of January 2020.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=8566|title=Cameron Belford Loan Extended|access-date=29 November 2019|archive-date=30 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130151925/http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=8566|url-status=live}}
= Radcliffe =
On 16 June 2020, Belford joined Northern Premier League Premier Division side Radcliffe, linking up once again with manager Lee Fowler, who he had worked with at Nuneaton.{{Cite news|last=Lord|first=Adam|date=16 June 2020|title=Ex-Bury goalkeeper signs up to be Radcliffe's new No.1|work=Bury Times|url=https://www.burytimes.co.uk/sport/18520177.ex-bury-goalkeeper-signs-radcliffes-new-no-1/|access-date=22 December 2021|archive-date=22 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222133033/https://www.burytimes.co.uk/sport/18520177.ex-bury-goalkeeper-signs-radcliffes-new-no-1/|url-status=live}} He made his league debut for the club on 19 September in a 4–2 defeat against Buxton. In October, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, semi-professional leagues across the United Kingdom were curtailed. Prior to the season being curtailed, Belford made 11 appearances in all competitions for Radcliffe.
=Stafford Rangers=
In June 2022, Belford joined Stafford Rangers.{{cite web|url=https://www.staffordrangersfc.co.uk/belfords-at-the-double/|title=Belford's at the Double|website=www.staffordrangersfc.co.uk|date=11 June 2022|accessdate=16 June 2022|archive-date=14 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614212953/https://www.staffordrangersfc.co.uk/belfords-at-the-double/|url-status=live}}
=Coleshill Town=
In May 2025, Belford joined Northern Premier League Division One Midlands side Coleshill Town. {{cite tweet|number=1924889550096306632|title=PLAYER ANNOUNCEMENT First player in the door and hoping to keep our door shut is goalkeeper Cameron Belford, Harry isn't messing about and is going for experience. Belford's had time locally at Stafford Rangers, Nuneaton, Tamworth & Rushall. He also has league experience with Bury, Southend and Accrington Stranley. "Welcome to Coleshill"|user=coleshilltownfc|author-link=Coleshill Town F.C.|date=20 May 2025|accessdate=21 May 2025}}
Club statistics
{{updated|end of 2024–25 season}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Personal life
He is the son of Tamworth goalkeeper Dale Belford and the brother of former Swindon Town goalkeeper Tyrell Belford.{{cite news|title=How Tamworth keeps on producing great 'keepers|url=http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk/Tamworth-keeps-producing-great-keepers/story-13953007-detail/story.html|publisher=This is Tamworth|date=25 November 2011|accessdate=27 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223195812/http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk/Tamworth-keeps-producing-great-keepers/story-13953007-detail/story.html|archive-date=23 December 2011|url-status=dead}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Belford, Cameron}}
Category:Footballers from Nuneaton
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Coventry City F.C. players
Category:Tamworth F.C. players
Category:Worcester City F.C. players
Category:Southend United F.C. players
Category:Accrington Stanley F.C. players
Category:Mansfield Town F.C. players
Category:Wrexham A.F.C. players
Category:Stranraer F.C. players
Category:Forest Green Rovers F.C. players
Category:Rushall Olympic F.C. players
Category:Swindon Town F.C. players
Category:Nuneaton Town F.C. players
Category:F.C. United of Manchester players
Category:Radcliffe F.C. players
Category:Stafford Rangers F.C. players
Category:Coleshill Town F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players