Dominic Blizzard
{{Short description|English footballer (born 1983)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Dominic Blizzard
| image =
| caption =
| fullname = Dominic John Blizzard{{cite book|last=Hugman|first=Barry|title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08|year=2007|publisher=Mainstream Publishing|location=Edinburgh|isbn=978-1-84596-246-3|page=49}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|9|2|df=y}}{{cite web |title=GoS-DB Players |url=https://www.greensonscreen.co.uk/gosdb-players2.asp?pid=1067&scp=1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |website=www.greensonscreen.co.uk |access-date=30 October 2022}}
| birth_place = High Wycombe, England
| position = Midfielder
| youthyears1 = 1998–2002 | youthclubs1 = Watford
| years1 = 2002–2007 | clubs1 = Watford | caps1 = 29 | goals1 = 2
| years2 = 2007 | clubs2 = → Stockport County (loan) | caps2 = 7 | goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2007 | clubs3 = → Milton Keynes Dons (loan) | caps3 = 8 | goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2007 | clubs4 = Milton Keynes Dons | caps4 = 0 | goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2007–2009 | clubs5 = Stockport County | caps5 = 58 | goals5 = 4
| years6 = 2009–2011 | clubs6 = Bristol Rovers | caps6 = 39 | goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2011 | clubs7 = → Port Vale (loan) | caps7 = 1 | goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2011–2013 | clubs8 = Yeovil Town | caps8 = 54 | goals8 = 4
| years9 = 2013–2015 | clubs9 = Plymouth Argyle | caps9 = 57 | goals9 = 2
| totalcaps = 253|totalgoals = 13
}}
Dominic John Blizzard (born 2 September 1983) is an English actor, and former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
He worked his way through the Watford youth side and turned professional at the club in 2002. In 2007, he joined Stockport County and then Milton Keynes Dons on loan, before signing with the Dons permanently later in the year. He left the Dons after just a few months and then signed with Stockport. In 2009, he transferred to Bristol Rovers, before leaving the club following a brief period on loan at Port Vale in 2011. He signed with Yeovil Town in July 2011, who were promoted out of League One via the play-offs in May 2013. He switched to Plymouth Argyle for two years in June 2013. He turned to acting in 2015.
Football career
=Watford=
Blizzard started his career with Watford, signing his first professional contract in April 2002.{{cite web|url=http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10328~30114,00.html|title=Player profile|work=bristolrovers.co.uk|access-date=18 March 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325032836/http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0%2C%2C10328~30114%2C00.html|archive-date=25 March 2011}} He made his debut for the club against Norwich City on 24 April 2004 at Vicarage Road, scoring the consolation goal in a 2–1 defeat.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/3634663.stm|title=Watford 1-2 Norwich|date=24 April 2004|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 March 2011}} This was enough to win him a new contract at the end of the season.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/3702937.stm|title=Watford to retain quintet|date=12 May 2004|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 March 2011}} After making some appearances in 2004–05, he signed a new deal in February 2005 that would keep him at the club until summer 2007.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/4295451.stm|title=Blizzard signs new Hornets deal |date=24 February 2005|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 March 2011}} The following month he became a first-team regular when Aidy Boothroyd replaced Ray Lewington as manager.
He started the 2005–06 season in the first-team but contracted the Epstein–Barr virus in late September and did not play a first-team game for Watford again.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Blizzard-s-big-signing-says-Bristol-Rovers-coach-Trollope/article-1153629-detail/article.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913234832/http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Blizzard-s-big-signing-says-Bristol-Rovers-coach-Trollope/article-1153629-detail/article.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 September 2012|title=Blizzard's a big signing, says Bristol Rovers coach Trollope|date=10 July 2009|work=Evening Post|access-date=18 March 2011}} He returned to the bench for a single game, on 14 April 2006, wearing a goalkeeper's kit. With second-choice goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain out ill, the semi-fit Blizzard took the substitute goalkeeper spot, having played the position as a child. Having made just one first-team appearance in 2006–07, Blizzard spent the second half of the season on loan at Stockport County and Milton Keynes Dons.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stockport/6341727.stm|title=Stockport take cover in Blizzard |date=8 February 2007|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 March 2011}} He played in both of the "Dons" play-off games, which saw them lose 2–1 on aggregate to Shrewsbury Town.
=Milton Keynes Dons and Stockport County=
In May 2007, he signed a two-year deal with the MK Dons.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wimbledon/6677031.stm|title=Allen starts shake-up at MK Dons |date=21 May 2007|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 March 2011}} However, on 8 August it was announced that Blizzard had left the Dons by mutual consent,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wimbledon/6936782.stm|title=Blizzard ends spell with MK Dons |date=8 August 2007|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 March 2011}} after new boss Paul Ince was unimpressed with his pre-season performances.{{cite web|url=http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/football/mk-dons/blizzard_released_1_864868|title=Blizzard released|date=9 August 2007|work=Milton Keynes Citizen|access-date=18 March 2011}} Two days later, Stockport confirmed Blizzard would be re-joining the club as a free agent. He helped County into the play-offs during his first season at Edgeley Park but missed the final itself due to a hamstring injury.
=Bristol Rovers=
Despite there being reported interest from Championship clubs, Blizzard joined League One club Bristol Rovers on a free transfer in July 2009, having agreed the deal over a week earlier.{{cite web |url=http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10328~1703311,00.html |title=Blizzard signs for Bristol Rovers |access-date=9 July 2009 |work=bristolrovers.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712030144/http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0%2C%2C10328~1703311%2C00.html |archive-date=12 July 2009}} He signed a three-year deal.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_rovers/8140505.stm|title=Pirates sign midfielder Blizzard |date=9 July 2009|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 March 2011}} Despite missing most of the pre-season due to suffering from influenza,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_rovers/8166869.stm|title=Rovers' Blizzard playing catch-up |date=24 July 2009|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 March 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_rovers/8154280.stm|title=Blizzard to miss pre-season trip |date=17 July 2009|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 March 2011}} he made his debut as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat to Leyton Orient on 8 August 2009. On 15 February 2010, he made a challenge on Charlton Athletic's Grant Basey that "Addicks" boss Phil Parkinson described as "one of the worst I've seen".{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/charlton_athletic/8530449.stm|title=Referee apologised for decision - Charlton's Parkinson|date=23 February 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 March 2011}} Though at first there were concerns that he had broken Basey's leg, the resulting injury turned out to be ankle ligament damage.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/charlton_athletic/8518458.stm|title=Injury to Charlton's Grant Basey not as bad as feared |date=16 February 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 March 2011}} This came ten days after Blizzard had told that the media that he was frustrated with being left on the bench.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_rovers/8500401.stm|title=Dominic Blizzard 'frustrated' on Bristol Rovers bench |date=5 February 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 March 2011}} He was a regular starter for the rest of the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Bristol-Rovers-star-Blizzard-enjoying-real-run-games/article-1948999-detail/article.html|title=Bristol Rovers star Blizzard enjoying first real run of games|date=27 March 2010|work=Evening Post|access-date=18 March 2011}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On 27 February 2010 he scored his first and only goal for Bristol Rovers against Colchester United.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8499070.stm|title=Bristol Rovers 3 - 2 Colchester |date=27 February 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=31 May 2012}}
During the 2010–11 season, Blizzard lost his starting place in the "Pirates" first XI as a new signing Wayne Brown came in and took his place. He gained his first start of the season in September, after Brown was ruled out with an ankle problem.{{cite web|url=http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10328~2144519,00.html|title=Three Changes|date=4 September 2010|work=bristolrovers.co.uk|access-date=18 March 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100906180157/http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0%2C%2C10328~2144519%2C00.html|archive-date=6 September 2010}} Two months later manager Paul Trollope announced his intention to try to find a club for Blizzard to join on loan.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bristol_rovers/9166829.stm|title=Bristol Rovers set to loan out Dominic Blizzard |date=8 November 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 March 2011}} In March 2011, he joined Port Vale on loan until the end of the season; this reunited him with Jim Gannon, his former boss at Stockport.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9429219.stm|title=Port Vale sign Bristol Rovers' Dominic Blizzard |date=18 March 2011|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 March 2011}} His spell would last a matter of days however. Arriving on the 18th, he played in the 3–0 defeat to Accrington Stanley on the 19th, and returned to Rovers on the 21st after Gannon was sacked.{{cite web |url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2321142,00.html |title=Blizzard Returns to Rovers |date=21 March 2011 |work=port-vale.co.uk |access-date=21 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324104250/http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10381~2321142%2C00.html |archive-date=24 March 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9431553.stm|title=Manager Jim Gannon parts company with Port Vale |date=21 March 2011|work=BBC Sport|access-date=21 March 2011}} He departed parent club Rovers by mutual consent in June 2011.{{cite news |url=http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10328~2383801,00.html |title=Dominic Departs |date=29 June 2011 |work=bristolrovers.co.uk |access-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702073021/http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0%2C%2C10328~2383801%2C00.html |archive-date=2 July 2011}}
=Yeovil Town=
In July 2011, Blizzard joined Yeovil Town on a one-year contract.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14158365.stm |title=Midfielder Dominic Blizzard signs for Yeovil Town |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 July 2011}} He scored his first goal for the club in the FA Cup, hitting a {{convert|20|yd}} drive in a 3–0 win away to Hereford United.{{cite news|last=Prime|first=Richard|title=Full-time: Hereford United 0 Yeovil Town 3|url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/thebulls/league_two/reports/9361161.Full_time__Hereford_United_0_Yeovil_Town_3/|access-date=13 November 2011|newspaper=Hereford Times|date=12 November 2011}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Seven days later, on 19 November, he scored in the 2–2 draw with nearby rivals Exeter City at Huish Park.{{cite news|title=Yeovil 2 - 2 Exeter|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15704876.stm|access-date=29 January 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=19 November 2011}} After returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury, he scored in a 3–2 defeat at Carlisle United on 25 February.{{cite news|title=Francois Zoko snatched an injury-time winner for Carlisle over Yeovil.|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17083248|access-date=26 February 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=25 February 2012}} His next goal was in a 3–2 win at home to Chesterfield on 28 April.{{cite news|title=Yeovil 3-2 Chesterfield|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17796281|access-date=28 April 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=28 April 2012|quote=Andy Williams' rasping {{convert|25|yd}} shot saw Chesterfield relegated from League One after just one season.}} On 15 May, Blizzard was reported to be one of four players set to leave the club after rejecting manager Gary Johnson's offer of a new contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18069971 |title=Yeovil Town to lose four players after failing to agree deals |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 May 2012 }} However, two days later it was announced that he had signed a new one-year deal with the club.{{cite news|title=Dominic Signs New Deal|url=http://www.ytfc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10673~2761161,00.html|access-date=17 May 2012|newspaper=ytfc.net|date=17 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805211250/http://www.ytfc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10673~2761161,00.html|archive-date=5 August 2012}} Blizzard told BBC Somerset: "I've signed and there was never a point that I wasn't going to sign. I'm happy with the whole environment. That's why I'm willing to sign again."{{cite news|title=Dominic Blizzard clarifies future at Yeovil Town|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18122716|access-date=18 May 2012|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=18 May 2012}}
He made 30 appearances in the 2012–13 campaign, though did not feature in the play-off final victory over Brentford which took the "Glovers" into the Championship.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22499110 |title=Brentford 1–2 Yeovil |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2013 |access-date=20 May 2013 }} Blizzard was released by Yeovil at the end of the season along with Richard Hinds and Gavin Williams.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22776059 |title=Yeovil Town: Gavin Williams among three to leave Glovers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 June 2013 |access-date=4 June 2013 }}
=Plymouth Argyle=
On 25 June 2013, Dominic agreed to sign a two-year deal with League Two club Plymouth Argyle.{{cite news |url=http://www.pafc.co.uk/news/article/blizzard-on-the-way-879474.aspx#qHiMZKhd0tz1Qq8I.99 |title=Blizzard On The Way|publisher=pAFC.co.uk |date=25 June 2013 |access-date=25 June 2013 }} He scored his first goal for the club with an "impressive strike from long range" against Southend United in a 1–1 draw at Home Park on 11 January 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25600295|title=Plymouth 1-1 Southend|publisher=BBC|date=11 January 2014 |access-date=14 January 2014}} In total he made 31 appearances for the "Pilgrims" in the 2013–14 campaign as Plymouth posted a tenth-place finish.
He made 31 league appearances in the 2014–15 season, scoring one goal in a 1–0 win over Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on 6 September.{{cite news|title=Luton Town 0-1 Plymouth Argyle|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28993408|access-date=24 October 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=6 September 2014}} Argyle reached the play-offs, losing to Wycombe Wanderers at the semi-final stage.{{cite news|last1=Shepka|first1=Phil|title=Wycombe Wanderers 2 - 1 Plymouth|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32620014|access-date=15 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=14 May 2015}} Blizzard was released by manager John Sheridan in May 2015.{{cite news|title=Plymouth Argyle: Jason Banton and Dominic Blizzard released|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32757242|access-date=18 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=15 May 2015}} Blizzard has indicated that Sheridan's decision to release him was "a bit personal" but stated that he enjoyed his time as a Plymouth Argyle player.{{cite news|last1=Munday|first1=David|title=Dominic Blizzard disappointed to be released by John Sheridan|url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Dominic-Blizzard-disappointed-released-John/story-26606641-detail/story.html|access-date=22 May 2016|work=The Herald|date=31 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003123157/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Dominic-Blizzard-disappointed-released-John/story-26606641-detail/story.html|archive-date=3 October 2015}}
Style of play
Blizzard could play anywhere across the midfield, though preferring a central role, he could also play as an attacking or defensive midfielder. He had been described as a skilled passing footballer.
Acting career
Blizzard turned to acting in 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.mandy.com/actor/profile/dom-blizzard#|title=Dom Blizzard|access-date=24 January 2019|work=Mandy.com}} Trained at the Actors Studio at Pinewood Studios, he also worked as a part-time scriptwriter.
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="5"|Watford
|2003–04{{Soccerbase season|id=38264|season=2003|accessdate=1 January 2017}} |2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 2 | 1 | ||
| 2004–05{{Soccerbase season|id=38264|season=2004|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
|17 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 22 | 1 | ||
| 2005–06{{Soccerbase season|id=38264|season=2005|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
|Championship |10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2006–07{{Soccerbase season|id=38264|season=2006|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 1 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!29 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 3 | |
| Milton Keynes Dons (loan)
|8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=L2PO|Appearances in League Two play-offs}} | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| rowspan="2"|Milton Keynes Dons
|2007–08{{Soccerbase season|id=38264|season=2007|accessdate=1 January 2017}} |League Two |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| Stockport County (loan)
|League Two |7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"|Stockport County
|League Two |27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1{{efn|name=L2PO}} | 0 | 30 | 2 | |
| 2008–09{{Soccerbase season|id=38264|season=2008|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
|31 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 3 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!65 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 70 | 5 | |
| rowspan="3"|Bristol Rovers
|2009–10{{Soccerbase season|id=38264|season=2009|accessdate=1 January 2017}} |League One |34 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=FLT|Appearances in Football League Trophy}} | 0 | 38 | 1 | |
| 2010–11{{Soccerbase season|id=38264|season=2010|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
|League One |5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!39 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 45 | 1 | |
| Port Vale (loan)
|League Two |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| rowspan="3"|Yeovil Town
|2011–12{{Soccerbase season|id=38264|season=2011|accessdate=1 January 2017}} |League One |30 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 4 | |
| 2012–13{{Soccerbase season|id=38264|season=2012|accessdate=1 January 2017}}
|League One |24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 30 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!54 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 62 | 5 | |
| rowspan="3"|Plymouth Argyle
|2013–14{{Soccerbase season|id=38264|season=2013|accessdate=1 January 2017}} |League Two |26 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 1 | |
| 2014–15{{Soccerbase season|38264|2014|name=Dominic Blizzard|accessdate=15 March 2015}}
|League Two |31 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=FLT1|One appearance in Football League Trophy; one appearance in League Two play-offs}} | 0 | 34 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!57 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 65 | 2 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!253 | 13 | 11 | 1 | 15 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 289 | 16 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Stockport County
Yeovil Town
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blizzard, Dominic}}
Category:Footballers from High Wycombe
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Stockport County F.C. players
Category:Milton Keynes Dons F.C. players
Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Yeovil Town F.C. players
Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:21st-century English male actors
Category:English screenwriters