David Theobald
{{Short description|English footballer (born 1978)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = David Theobald
| image =
| fullname = David John Theobald{{Hugman|19422|accessdate=21 October 2015}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|12|15|df=y}}
| birth_place = Cambridge, England
| position = Defender
| currentclub = Cambridge City (first team coach)
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Cambridge United
| youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–1997
| youthclubs2 = Ipswich Town
| years1 = 1997–1999
| years2 = 1999–2002
| years3 = 2002–2003
| years4 = 2003
| years5 = 2003
| caps5 = 1
| goals5 = 0
| clubs5 = → Cambridge City (loan)
| years6 = 2003–2005
| years7 = 2004
| years8 = 2005–2006
| years9 = 2006–2007
| years10 = 2007
| years11 = 2007–2013
| years12 = 2013–2015
| years13 = 2015–2016
| clubs1 = Ipswich Town
| clubs2 = Brentford
| clubs3 = Swansea City
| clubs4 = Cambridge United
| clubs6 = Canvey Island
| clubs7 = → Bishop's Stortford (loan)
| clubs8 = Kettering Town
| clubs9 = St Albans City
| clubs10 = Kettering Town
| clubs11 = Cambridge City
| caps11 = 219
| goals11 = 31
| clubs12 = Royston Town
| clubs13 = Soham Town Rangers
| caps1 = 0
| caps2 = 31
| caps3 = 10
| caps4 = 4
| caps6 = 59
| caps7 = 5
| caps8 = 31
| caps9 = 22
| caps10 = 19
| goals1 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| goals4 = 0
| goals6 = 4
| goals7 = 0
| goals8 = 5
| goals9 = 3
| goals10 = 0
| caps12 = 20
| caps13 = 16
| goals12 = 1
| goals13 = 2
| years14 = 2017–2019
| caps14 = 1
| goals14 = 0
| clubs14 = Cambridge City
| manageryears1 = 2015–2016
| managerclubs1 = Soham Town Rangers (joint-manager)
| manageryears2 = 2016
| managerclubs2 = Soham Town Rangers
}}
David John Theobald (born 15 December 1978) is an English retired semi-professional footballer who played as a defender in the Football League for Brentford, Swansea City and Cambridge United. He played the majority of his career in non-League football, predominantly for Cambridge City, for whom he made over 270 appearances across three spells. He is currently first team coach at Cambridge City.
Playing career
= Early years =
Theobald began his career in the youth system at Cambridge United, before joining the youth setup at Ipswich Town. He progressed to undertake a scholarship, but did not win a call into a first team squad before his release at the end of the 1998–99 season.
= Brentford =
On 8 July 1999, Theobald signed a three-year contract with newly promoted Second Division club Brentford on a free transfer.{{Cite web |title=Premier and Football League transfers |url=https://www.11v11.com/transfers/2000/t176/ |access-date=29 July 2018 |website=www.11v11.com}} He was utilised as cover for injuries and had a run in the team as a stand-in right back for the injured Danny Boxall during the 1999–00 season and in central defence for Scott Marshall during 2000–01.{{Cite book |last1=Haynes |first1=Graham |title=Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006 |last2=Coumbe |first2=Frank |date=18 November 2006 |publisher=Yore Publications |isbn=9780955294914 |edition=First |page=159 |language=English}} Theobald was named in the starting lineup for the 2001 Football League Trophy Final and received a runners-up medal. He was released after Brentford's defeat in the 2002 Second Division play-off final and made just 37 appearances during three seasons at Griffin Park.{{Soccerbase|id=10637}}{{Cite web |title=Bees release six |url=http://world.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~224523,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083939/http://world.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~224523,00.html |archive-date=12 February 2018 |access-date=29 July 2018}}
= Swansea City =
On 26 July 2002, Theobald signed a one-year contract with Third Division club Swansea City on a free transfer.{{Cite news |date=26 July 2002 |title=Swans clinch double signing |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/2154047.stm |access-date=29 July 2018 |language=en-GB}} He made just 12 appearances before leaving the Vetch Field in February 2003.
= Cambridge United =
On 7 February 2003, Theobald joined hometown Third Division club Cambridge United on a contract running until the end of the 2002–03 season. He made just one appearance before his contract expired.
= Non-League football =
Between 2003 and 2018, Theobald had a long career in non-League football, predominantly with Cambridge City, for whom he made 274 appearances and scored 39 goals across three spells.{{Cite web |last=Dunn |first=Andrew |title=Theobald returns as first team coach |url=http://www.cambridgecityfc.com/artman/publish/article_4026.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227061848/http://www.cambridgecityfc.com/artman/publish/article_4026.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 December 2017 |access-date=26 December 2017 |website=www.cambridgecityfc.com}} He also played for Canvey Island, Kettering Town, St Albans City, Royston Town, Soham Town Rangers and Bishop's Stortford.
Managerial and coaching career
= Soham Town Rangers =
On 8 October 2015, Theobald and fellow senior player Robbie Nightingale took over as joint-managers of Isthmian League First Division North club Soham Town Rangers.{{Cite news |title=Steve Fallon quits Soham Town Rangers as experienced duo take over |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/isthmian-league-step-three/13922/steve-fallon-quits-soham-town-rangers-as-experienced-duo-take-over/ |access-date=29 July 2018 |work=The Non League Football Paper – Daily football news |language=en-GB}} He remained in the role until 4 December 2016, when he followed Nightingale out of the club.{{Cite news |last=Pearce |first=Seb |title=Dave Theobald praises Soham Town Rangers players, chairman and fans after following Robbie Nightingale in leaving the club |url=https://www.elystandard.co.uk/sport/22768128.dave-theobald-praises-soham-town-rangers-players-chairman-fans-following-robbie-nightingale-leaving-club/ |access-date=29 July 2018 |work=Ely Standard |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Guy |date=30 November 2016 |title=Robbie Nightingale is appointed Cambridge City manager |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/robbie-nightingale-appointed-cambridge-city-12255072 |access-date=29 July 2018 |work=cambridgenews}}
= Cambridge City =
On 5 December 2016, Theobald returned to Southern League Premier Division club Cambridge City as first team coach.{{Cite web |title=Players |url=https://www.cambridgecityfc.com/mens-first-team |access-date=25 April 2019 |website=www.cambridgecityfc.com}}
Personal life
Theobald attended Impington Village College.{{Cite web |last=MacInnes |first=Keith |title=Featured Player: David Theobald |url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/team/view/featured_player/0,,10421~206293,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020811171437/http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/team/view/featured_player/0,,10421~206293,00.html |archive-date=11 August 2002 |access-date=26 December 2017 |website=Brentford Football Club}} He is a Liverpool and Cambridge United supporter.
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="4" |Brentford
|1999–00{{Soccerbase season|id=10637|season=1999|accessdate=28 July 2018}} |10 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy}} |0 |11 |0 |
| 2000–01{{Soccerbase season|id=10637|season=2000|accessdate=28 July 2018}}
|Second Division |15 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |4{{efn|name=FLT}} |0 |19 |0 |
| 2001–02{{Soccerbase season|id=10637|season=2001|accessdate=28 July 2018}}
|Second Division |6 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1{{efn|name=FLT}} |0 |7 |0 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!31 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !6 !0 !37 !0 |
| Swansea City
|2002–03{{Soccerbase season|id=10637|season=2002|accessdate=28 July 2018}} |10 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 |1{{efn|name=FLT}} |0 |12 |0 |
| Cambridge United
|Third Division |4 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |4 |0 |
| Cambridge City (loan)
|Southern League Premier Division |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |1 |0 |
| rowspan="4" |Canvey Island
|Isthmian League Premier Division |40 |3 |2 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |42 |3 |
| 2004–05{{Cite web |title=Player Details: Season 2004–2005 |url=http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2004/player_details.php?playerid=3497 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729200556/http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2004/player_details.php?playerid=3497 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 July 2018 |access-date=28 July 2018 |website=SoccerFacts UK}}
|16 |1 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |16 |1 |
| 2005–06{{Cite web |title=Player Details: Season 2005–2006 |url=http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2005/player_details.php?playerid=3497 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729200621/http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2005/player_details.php?playerid=3497 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 July 2018 |access-date=28 July 2018 |website=SoccerFacts UK}}
|Conference Premier |3 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |3 |0 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!59 !4 !2 !0 ! colspan="2" |— !0 !0 !61 !4 |
| Bishop's Stortford (loan)
|5 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |5 |0 |
| Kettering Town
|31 |5 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |32 |5 |
| St Albans City
|2006–07{{Cite web |title=Season 2006–07 appearances |url=https://www.saintsstatistics.co.uk/index.php/pictures-video/video/player2/playerlisa/418/?season=88 |access-date=19 January 2024 |website=St Albans City F.C. History & Archives}} |Conference Premier |22 |3 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |2{{efn|One appearance in FA Trophy; one appearance in Herts Senior Cup}} |0 |25 |3 |
| Kettering Town
|Conference North |19 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |2{{efn|Appearances in Conference North play-offs}} |0 |21 |0 |
| rowspan="7" |Cambridge City
|2007–08{{Cite web |title=Goals and Games 07/08 |url=http://www.cambridgecityfc.com/afolder/App_and_Goalscorers07_08.shtml |access-date=29 July 2018 |website=www.cambridgecityfc.com}} |Conference South |29 |4 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |5{{efn|Three appearances in FA Trophy; two appearances in Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup}} |0 |34 |4 |
| 2008–09{{Cite web |title=Goals and Games 08/09 |url=http://www.cambridgecityfc.com/afolder/App_and_Goalscorers08_09.shtml |access-date=29 July 2018 |website=www.cambridgecityfc.com}}
|Southern League Premier Division |34 |6 |3 |1 | colspan="2" |— |8{{efn|Four appearances in FA Trophy; two appearances in Southern League Cup; two appearances in Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup}} |0 |45 |7 |
| 2009–10
|Southern League Premier Division |35 |5 |2 |0 | colspan="2" |— |9{{efn|Seven appearances, two goals in Southern League Cup; one appearance in FA Trophy; one appearance in Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup}} |2 |46 |7 |
| 2010–11
|Southern League Premier Division |37 |5 |4 |1 | colspan="2" |— |8{{efn|Three appearances in FA Trophy; three appearances in Southern League Cup; one appearance in Southern League Premier Division play-offs; one appearance in Southern League Championship}} |0 |49 |6 |
| 2011–12
|Southern League Premier Division |43 |9 |2 |1 | colspan="2" |— |2{{efn|Appearances in FA Trophy}} |0 |47 |10 |
| 2012–13
|Southern League Premier Division |41 |2 |7 |3 | colspan="2" |— |3{{efn|Two appearances in Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup; one appearance in FA Trophy}} |0 |51 |5 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!219 !31 !18 !6 ! colspan="2" |— !35 !2 !272 !39 |
| rowspan="3" |Royston Town
|2013–14{{Cite web |title=Dave Theobald Profile |url=https://www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com/player/dave-theobald |access-date=29 July 2018 |website=Aylesbury United FC}} |Southern League First Division Central |1 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |1 |0 |
| 2014–15
|Southern League First Division Central |19 |1 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |4{{efn|One appearance in Herts Senior Cup; one appearance in Herts Charity Cup}} |0 |24 |1 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!20 !1 !1 !0 ! colspan="2" |— !4 !0 !25 !1 |
| Soham Town Rangers
|2015–16{{Cite web |title=Soham Town Rangers {{!}} Appearances {{!}} David Theobald {{!}} 2015–2016 |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/soham-town-rangers/appearances/2015-2016/david-theobald/31266 |access-date=21 July 2019 |website=Football Web Pages}} |Isthmian League First Division North |16 |2 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |2{{efn|One appearance in FA Trophy; one appearance in Isthmian League Cup}} |0 |19 |2 |
| rowspan="3" |Cambridge City
|Southern League First Division East |1 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |1 |0 |
| 2018–19
|Southern League First Division Central |2 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |2 |0 |
| colspan="2" |Total
!3 !0 !0 !0 ! colspan="2" |— !0 !0 !3 !0 |
| colspan="3" |Career total
!439 !46 !25 !6 !0 !0 !50 !2 !514 !54 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Brentford
- Football League Trophy runner-up: 2000–01{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1289338.stm |title=Vale vault Brentford to lift Vans trophy |website=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2001 |access-date=18 March 2024}}
Canvey Island
- Isthmian League Premier Division: 2003–04{{Cite web |title=Player Details: Season 2003–2004 |url=http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2003/player_details.php?playerid=2031 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729230354/http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2003/player_details.php?playerid=2031 |archive-date=29 July 2018 |access-date=28 July 2018 |website=SoccerFacts UK}}
Cambridge City
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{soccerbase|id=10637|name=David Theobald}}
- {{soccerbase|id=36839|name=David Theobald}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Theobald, David}}
Category:Footballers from Cambridge
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players
Category:Brentford F.C. players
Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players
Category:Cambridge United F.C. players
Category:Canvey Island F.C. players
Category:Bishop's Stortford F.C. players
Category:Kettering Town F.C. players
Category:St Albans City F.C. players
Category:Cambridge City F.C. players
Category:Royston Town F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Southern Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Soham Town Rangers F.C. players
Category:Soham Town Rangers F.C. managers