Gavin Oliver
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Gavin Oliver
|image = Gavin oliver.jpg
|image_size = 150
|caption = Oliver playing for Bradford City.
|fullname = Gavin Ronald Oliver{{Hugman|14950|accessdate=2 April 2020}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|9|6|df=y}}
|birth_place = Felling, England
|position = Central defender
|youthyears1 = 1979–1980
|youthclubs1 = Sheffield Wednesday
|years1 = 1980–1985
|clubs1 = Sheffield Wednesday
|caps1 = 20
|goals1 = 0
|years2 = 1983
|clubs2 = → Tranmere Rovers (loan)
|caps2 = 17
|goals2 = 1
|years3 = 1985
|clubs3 = → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)
|caps3 = 16
|goals3 = 0
|years4 = 1985–1995
|clubs4 = Bradford City
|caps4 = 313
|goals4 = 9
|totalcaps = 366
|totalgoals = 10
}}
Gavin Ronald Oliver (born 6 September 1962) is an English former professional footballer who made more than 350 Football League appearances playing as a central defender.
Career
Oliver played for Sheffield Wednesday, Tranmere Rovers, Brighton & Hove Albion and Bradford City.{{cite web|url=http://www.adrianbullock.com/swfc/stats/play0446.htm|title=Gavin Oliver|accessdate=7 January 2017|website=The Sheffield Wednesday Archive}}{{cite web|url=http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player9/gavinoliver.html|title=Gavin Oliver|accessdate=7 January 2017|website=Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database|publisher=Neil Brown}}
He began his career as a centre forward but switched to playing as a central defender following an injury to a player in that position in a youth match. He joined Sheffield Wednesday's groundstaff in July 1979, and turned professional in August 1980. After loan spells at Tranmere Rovers and Brighton & Hove Albion he signed for Bradford City for £20,000 in November 1985.{{cite web |url=http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/BantamsGreats/0,,10266~122444,00.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809191151/http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/BantamsGreats/0%2C%2C10266~122444%2C00.html |title=Profile |archivedate=9 August 2011 |accessdate=7 January 2017 |publisher=Bradford City A.F.C. |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}
After retiring as a player, in November 2007 he was working as Sunderland's recruitment officer.{{cite news|url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1807367.sunderland_a_shining_light_in_academy_world/|title=Sunderland a shining light in academy world|date=3 November 2007|accessdate=7 January 2017|author=Paul Fraser|newspaper=The Northern Echo}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oliver, Gavin}}
Category:Footballers from Tyne and Wear
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players
Category:Tranmere Rovers F.C. players
Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players
Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Sunderland A.F.C. non-playing staff
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