Dominic Poleon

Poleon attended Brampton Manor Academy in East Ham. He began his career in football across the city in the junior teams at Chelsea but failed to progress at the Premier League club. He would join Southend United for the later years of his school life and travelled with them on a tour of France in 2009 aged 15 before being signed by Leeds a year later after being identified by Head of Recruitment Steve Holmes.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}}

Poleon joined Leeds in the summer of 2010. He gained good reviews in the youth and reserve teams in his first year at the club. In the following 2011–12 season, Poleon was the leading scorer for the United youth team with 12 goals. He capped his second season at the club by signing a one-year professional contract along with fellow youth prospects Ross Killock and Monty Gimpel.{{cite news | url=http://www.throughitalltogether.com/2012/6/11/3077716/youth-trio-sign-professional-deals | title=Youth Trio Sign Professional Deals|last=Hill|first=Thomas | website=SB Nation | date=11 June 2012 | access-date=25 August 2012}}

After scoring for the club's Development Team in a 2–0 friendly match victory over Alfreton Town at North Street on 21 July 2012, Poleon and several other youngsters including Sam Byram, Nathan Turner, Lewis Turner and Monty Gimpel, travelled with the senior team the following week on a pre-season tour of Cornwall and Devon. He scored again against Tavistock in a 6–0 victory and featuring as a substitute in subsequent games versus Bodmin Town and Torquay United as Leeds recorded three wins from three on their summer tour.{{Cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120804/three-of-the-best-see-off-preston_2247585_2870743 | title = Three of the Best See Off Preston|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806174027/http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120804/three-of-the-best-see-off-preston_2247585_2870743|archive-date=6 August 2012 | access-date = 4 August 2012 | website = Leeds United A.F.C. | date = 4 August 2012|url-status=dead}} The tour provided Poleon with the perfect opportunity to demonstrate his competency at a senior level ahead of a make-or-break year.

His performances in further pre-season games would lead to the young striker joining fellow prospect Sam Byram on the fringes of the first team for the start of manager Neil Warnock's first full season in charge as he was assigned the number 26 shirt for the campaign. He made his first team début for Leeds in the first game of the season coming on as a 76th-minute substitute against Shrewsbury Town at Elland Road in the League Cup fixture on 11 August 2012.{{Cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120811/shrewsbury-live_2247585_2878205 | title = Shrewsbury Live | access-date = 11 August 2012 | website = Leeds United A.F.C. | date = 11 August 2012}} He would make his league début two weeks later when he replaced Ross McCormack in Leeds' 2–1 win over Peterborough United.{{Cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19304184 | title = Peterborough 1–2 Leeds United | access-date = 25 August 2012 | website = Leeds United A.F.C. | date = 25 August 2012}}

Poleon made his first start for Leeds United in a league game against Nottingham Forest on 22 September after impressing as a substitute in a 2–3 league defeat against Hull City earlier in the week. He marked the occasion with his first professional goal in the 25th minute.{{Cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120922/forest-live_2247585_2926400 | title = FOREST LIVE | access-date = 22 September 2012 | website = Leeds United A.F.C. | date = 22 September 2012}} Prior to the game against Forest, Neil Warnock had questioned Poleon's work ethic and approach to the game, saying that he risked his career 'fizzling out' if he didn't change his attitude.{{cite news | url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/leeds-united-poleon-must-get-attitude-right-warnock-1-4952220|last=Hay|first=Phil | title=Leeds United: Poleon must get attitude right – Warnock | website=Yorkshire Evening Post | date=23 September 2012 | access-date=23 September 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926010121/http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/latest-whites-news/leeds-united-poleon-must-get-attitude-right-warnock-1-4952220 | archive-date=26 September 2012 | url-status=dead }} He likened Poleon's attitude to his former protégé at Crystal Palace, Victor Moses, who would prove to increase his application before joining Premier League side Wigan Athletic in £2.5m deal in 2010 and reigning UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea for a fee of around £9m two years later. The imminent loan signing of another of Warnock's former protégés and Moses' former teammate at Palace, Ryan Hall, would further limit Poleon's first-team opportunities at United as he would look to gain valuable playing experience from a loan spell in the lower leagues.

On 15 October 2012, Poleon and teammate Zac Thompson joined League One strugglers Bury on month-long loan deals.{{Cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19948052 | title = Bury sign Leeds duo Dominic Poleon & Zac Thompson on loan | access-date = 15 October 2012 | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 15 October 2012}} Both youngsters would be working under the newly appointed Bury manager Kevin Blackwell, who had a seventeen-year association with Warnock as player and coach between 1986 and 2003 and had managed Poleon's parent club between 2004 and 2006. He was assigned the number 33 shirt and made his debut for the Shakers in the 1–1 home draw versus Carlisle United.{{Cite news | url = http://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/article/leeds-brace-join-on-loan-426425.aspx | title = Leeds Brace Join on Loan | access-date = 15 October 2012 | website = Bury F.C. | date = 15 October 2012 | archive-date = 24 June 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160624203752/http://www.buryfc.co.uk//news/article/leeds-brace-join-on-loan-426425.aspx | url-status = dead }} Poleon had hit the post in the game and provided the assist for goalscorer Thompson in the first-half.{{Cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19880256 | title = Bury 1–1 Carlisle | access-date = 16 October 2012 | publisher = BBC Sport| date = 16 October 2012}} The energy and commitment of the youngsters lead to instant praise from Blackwell after the game; observing that "the two young lads from Leeds were absolutely out on their feet after that. For them, the warm up matters, every time they train matters, when they travel in – it matters and I'm really pleased with both of them, the whole team."{{Cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20121017/former-boss-thanks-the-gaffer_2247585_2951078 | title = Former Boss Thanks the Gaffer | access-date = 23 October 2012 | website = Leeds United | date = 17 October 2012}}{{Cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19939718 | title = Yeovil 2–1 Bury | access-date = 20 October 2012 | publisher = BBC Sport| date = 20 October 2012}}

Poleon scored his first goal for the club in his second game versus Yeovil Town, equalising on the 74th minute mark at Huish Park in a 1–2 defeat. He continued his impressive early form over the following games; adding another assist in a 2–1 victory over Hartlepool United and his second goal in a 1–1 draw at home to Walsall. Poleon got a touch on the ball as it dribbled towards goal, with Poleon getting the final stroke before it nestled into the bottom corner against Portsmouth.{{cite web|url=http://www.buryfc.co.uk/news/article/three-points-three-on-the-bounce-479644.aspx|title=Three points, three on the bounce|website=Bury F.C.|date=10 November 2012|access-date=29 July 2013}}{{Cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19958272 | title = Bury 2–1 Hartlepool United | access-date = 27 October 2012 | publisher = BBC Sport| date = 23 October 2012}}{{Cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20014141 | title = Bury 1–1 Walsall | access-date = 27 October 2012 | publisher = BBC Sport| date = 27 October 2012}} On 19 November, Poleon's loan at Bury was extended until 3 January 2013 but he was recalled by his parent club only a day later due to suspensions and injuries.{{Cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20121119/duos-loans-extended-at-bury_2247585_2985124 | title = Duo's Loans Extended at Bury | access-date = 19 November 2012| website = Leeds United Official Website| date = 19 November 2012}} During Poleon's seven league games; the Shakers accumulated eleven points having previously only picked up four from their first ten.

Poleon was recalled by Leeds on 20 November due to injuries and suspensions at his parent club, coupled with his own good form at Bury.{{Cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20121120/dom-recalled-from-bury-spell_2247585_2986012 | title = Dom recalled from Bury loan spell | access-date = 20 November 2012 | publisher = Leeds United Official Website| date = 20 November 2012}} On 18 January 2013, Poleon signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with Leeds.{{Cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21059232 | title = Leeds United: Dominic Poleon signs new contract | publisher = BBC Sport| date = 18 January 2013}}

Poleon joined Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United on loan until the end of the season on 12 February 2013. Blades boss Danny Wilson described Poleon as being "raw and unpredictable but very quick... he can get in behind the back of people and he can get a goal. We just feel he can add a little bit extra from the bench or even start."{{cite news|title=Sheffield United sign Dominic Poleon on loan from Leeds|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21429584|access-date=13 February 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 February 2013}} After playing seven times for Sheffield, Poleon was recalled by Leeds caretaker manager Neil Redfearn, after the departure of Neil Warnock.{{cite news|title=Striker Recalled From Loan Spell|url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20130403/striker-recalled-from-loan-spell_2247585_3131078|website=Leeds United A.F.C.|date=3 April 2013|access-date=3 April 2013}}

Poleon scored his second goal for Leeds at Vicarage Road on the final day of the season in Leeds' 2–1 win against Watford after appearing as an early substitute for the injured Steve Morison. During this match Poleon was involved in a controversial collision in which he appeared to push Ikechi Anya, resulting in him accidentally colliding with goalkeeper Jonathan Bond, and earning himself a yellow card. Bond was rendered unconscious and was stretchered off the pitch with a suspected broken nose. Whilst the push was perceived as cynical by many opposing fans, he later posted on his official Twitter that he did not mean to injure the keeper and stressed he had no malicious intentions.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22320478 | title=Watford Miss Out on Automatic Promotion | publisher=BBC Sport | date=4 May 2013}}

Poleon scored his first goal of the 2013–14 season on his first start, in a League Cup tie at home to Chesterfield. Poleon's goal proved to be the winner as Leeds won the game 2–1.{{cite news | url=http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/ggk04vq4m7p1gym7wdjoyytn/title/united-secure-second-round-spot | title=United Secure Second Round Spot |website=Leeds United A.F.C | date=7 August 2013 | access-date=7 August 2013}}

On 1 September 2014, in the final hour of transfer deadline day, Poleon signed a two-year contract with Oldham Athletic for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news | url=http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/article/20140901-dominic-poleon-sings-1892245.aspx | title=Latics Make Deadline Day Signing | website=Oldham Athletic A.F.C. | access-date=1 September 2014}}

Poleon signed for AFC Wimbledon on 2 July 2016.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36693870 | title=Dominic Poleon: AFC Wimbledon sign Oldham Athletic striker | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2 July 2016 | access-date=30 August 2016}} He scored his first goals for Wimbledon when he scored twice in an EFL Trophy tie against Swansea City Under-23s on 30 August 2016.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37161878 | title=Wimbledon 3–0 Swansea U23s | publisher=BBC Sport | date=2 July 2016 | access-date=30 August 2016}}

He signed for Bradford City in June 2017 on a two-year deal.{{cite web |title=Dominic Poleon: Bradford City sign AFC Wimbledon forward |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40437330 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 June 2017}}

On 5 July 2018, Poleon agreed to join League Two side Crawley Town on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite news |title=Reds Sign Striker Dominic Poleon |url=https://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/2018/july/05.07-dominic-poleon-signs/ |website=Crawley Town FC |date=5 July 2018 |access-date=5 July 2018}}

Poleon's contract at Crawley was cancelled by mutual consent on 2 September 2019 to enable him to join League Two Newport County on the same day until the end of the 2019–20 season.{{cite web |last1=Penman |first1=Andrew |title=Newport County sign former Crawley Town striker |url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/football/newportcounty/17876160.newport-county-sign-former-crawley-town-striker-dominic-poleon/ |website=South Wales Argus|date=2 September 2019}} He made his debut for Newport 14 September 2019 in the 2–0 defeat to Northampton Town as a second-half substitute.{{cite web |title=Northampton Town 2-0 Newport County: Cobblers end Exiles' winning run |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49617859 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 September 2019}}

On 30 January 2020, Poleon joined National League side Dover Athletic on loan until the end of the season.{{cite news |last=Williams |first=David |title=Newport County AFC's Dominic Poleon joins Dover Athletic on loan for rest of the season |url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/18199258.newport-county-afcs-dominic-poleon-joins-dover-athletic-loan-rest-season/ |publisher=South Wales Argus |date=30 January 2020}} Poleon was released by Newport County at the end of the 2019–20 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/2020/june/club-update-22-06/|title=NEWPORT COUNTY AFC CONFIRM LIST OF PLAYERS RETAINED AND RELEASED|website=newport-county.co.uk}}

On 9 February 2021, Poleon joined National League South side Ebbsleet United on a free transfer following a successful trial period with the club.{{cite web|url=https://www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk/fleet-land-former-leeds-leading-man/|title=Fleet land former Leeds leading man|website=ebbsfleetunited.co.uk|date=9 February 2021|accessdate=10 February 2021}}

A successful February 2023 where Poleon scored seven goals in seven matches, taking Ebbsfleet fourteen points clear of the team in second position, saw the striker win the National League South Player of the Month award.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/its-a-fleet-double-as-dom-and-dennis-take-south-ac-75096|title=It's A Fleet Double As Dom And Dennis Take South Acclaim|website=www.thenationalleague.org.uk|date=13 March 2023|accessdate=13 March 2023}} On 7 April 2023, he scored a fourth hat-trick of the season to take his league tally to thirty-six goals, securing a 3–0 victory over Oxford City to secure the National League South title and promotion back to the fifth tier. {{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65216377|title=Ebbsfleet United win title to seal National League return after three years|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 April 2023|accessdate=8 April 2023}} Having finished the season as top goalscorer, he was named the National League South Player of the Season. {{cite web|url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/meet-your-national-league-south-seasons-big-winner-76016|title=Meet Your National League South Season's Big Winners!|website=www.thenationalleague.org.uk|date=9 May 2023|accessdate=9 May 2023}}

Poleon was born in England and is of St Lucian descent.{{Cite web |url=https://www.stlucianewsonline.com/exploring-saint-lucias-football-diaspora-sports-commentary/ |title=Exploring Saint Lucia's football diaspora|last=Finisterre|first=Terry|date=19 April 2015|website=St. Lucia News |access-date=20 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615112138/https://www.stlucianewsonline.com/exploring-saint-lucias-football-diaspora-sports-commentary/ |archive-date=15 June 2018 |url-status=dead }} On 16 June 2023, Poleon made his debut for the Saint Lucia national football team, in a 3–1 defeat to Martinique in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup preliminary round.{{Cite web |date=16 June 2023 |title=Martinique 3–1 Saint Lucia |url=https://www.concacaf.com/en/gold-cup/game-details/ |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=www.concacaf.com |language=en}} On 7 September 2023, he scored his first goals for his country with a hat-trick in a 5–1 victory over Sint Maarten.{{cite web|url=https://www.concacaf.com/en/nations-league/game-details?matchid=712920|title=Game Details|website=www.concacaf.com/en|accessdate=15 September 2023}}

{{updated|match played 1 June 2024|{{Cite news |title=D. Poleon |url=https://us.soccerway.com/players/dominic-poleon/258013/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=26 July 2018}}}}

;Notes

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{updated|match played 7 September 2023}}{{NFT player |id=91290 |name=Poleon, Dominic|accessdate=21 June 2022}}

:Scores and results Saint Lucia's goal tally first.

Ebbsfleet United

• National League South: 2022–23

Individual

• National League South Player of the Month: February 2023
• National League South Player of the Season: 2022–23
• Ebbsfleet United Supporters' Player of the Season: 2022–23
• Ebbsfleet United Players' Player of the Season: 2022–23

{{reflist}}

• {{Soccerbase}}

{{Ebbsfleet United F.C. squad}}

{{2022–23 National League South Team of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Poleon, Dominic}}

Category:1993 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Newham

Category:Saint Lucian men's footballers

Category:Saint Lucia men's international footballers

Category:English men's footballers

Category:English people of Saint Lucian descent

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Chelsea F.C. players

Category:Southend United F.C. players

Category:Leeds United F.C. players

Category:Bury F.C. players

Category:Sheffield United F.C. players

Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:AFC Wimbledon players

Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players

Category:Crawley Town F.C. players

Category:Newport County A.F.C. players

Category:Dover Athletic F.C. players

Category:Ebbsfleet United F.C. players

Category:National League (English football) players

Category:Black British sportsmen

Category:21st-century English sportsmen