Isaac Vassell
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Isaac Vassell
| image = Isaac Vassell October 2017.jpg
| image_size =
| alt = man in football training kit on a grass pitch
| caption = Vassell warming up for Birmingham City, October 2017
| fullname = Isaac Cleveland Vassell{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-professional-retain-list--free-transfers---2017-18.pdf |title=Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Birmingham City |publisher=English Football League |page=5 |access-date=16 June 2018}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|9|9|df=y}}{{Hugman|25649|access-date=23 July 2016}}
| birth_place = Newquay, England
| height = {{convert|1.81|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/birmingham-city/players/isaac-vassell/ |title=Isaac Vassell |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |access-date=7 August 2019 |archive-date=7 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807220123/https://www.bcfc.com/birmingham-city/players/isaac-vassell/ |url-status=dead }}
| position = Striker
| currentclub = Bath City
| clubnumber = 20
| youthyears1 = 2005–2011 | youthclubs1 = Plymouth Argyle
| years1 = 2011–2014 | clubs1 = Plymouth Argyle | caps1 = 6 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2012 | clubs2 = → Truro City (loan) | caps2 = 6 | goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2012 | clubs3 = → Bideford (loan) | caps3 = | goals3 =
| years4 = 2014 | clubs4 = → Weymouth (loan) | caps4 = 12 | goals4 = 5
| years5 = 2014–2016 | clubs5 = Truro City | caps5 = 79 | goals5 = 22
| years6 = 2016–2017 | clubs6 = Luton Town | caps6 = 42 | goals6 = 10
| years7 = 2017–2019 | clubs7 = Birmingham City | caps7 = 23 | goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2019–2022 | clubs8 = Cardiff City | caps8 = 2 | goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2024– | clubs9 = Bath City | caps9 = 6 | goals9 = 0
| club-update = 19:28, 28 April 2024 (UTC)
}}
Isaac Cleveland Vassell (born 9 September 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for National League South team Bath City. He previously played in the Football League for Cardiff City, Plymouth Argyle, Luton Town and Birmingham City and in non-league football for Truro City, Bideford and Weymouth.
Career
=Plymouth Argyle=
Born in Newquay, Cornwall, Vassell made his professional debut on the opening day of 2011–12, coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute for Tom Hitchcock in a 1–1 draw with Shrewsbury Town at the New Meadow.{{cite news |title=Shrewsbury Town 1–1 Plymouth Argyle |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/shrewsbury-vs-plymouth/237135 |publisher=Sky Sports |date=6 August 2011 |access-date=23 July 2016}}{{cite news |title=Apprentice Vassell handed debut |url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/apprentice-vassell-handed-debut/story-13089657-detail/story.html |newspaper=Plymouth Herald |date=7 August 2011 |access-date=19 August 2017}}{{dead link|date=October 2017}} He joined Truro City on a work experience loan in March 2012 until the end of the season,{{cite news |title=Plymouth Argyle's Isaac Vassell joins Truro City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17364787 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 March 2012 |access-date=14 March 2012}}{{cite news |first=Simon |last=Larkins |title=Truro City sign Darius Vassell's nephew |url=http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/sport/9589161.Truro_City_sign_Darius_Vassell_s_nephew/ |newspaper=Falmouth Packet |date=14 March 2012 |access-date=14 March 2012}} where he made six appearances for the club in the Conference South. Vassell moved to Bideford on loan in August 2012 for three months.{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Parsons |title=Vass joins Bideford |url=https://www.pafc.co.uk/news/2012/august/vass-joins-bideford/ |publisher=Plymouth Argyle F.C. |date=31 August 2012 |access-date=6 July 2017}} He played in two cup matches for Plymouth in 2013–14 before joining Weymouth on loan until the end of the season in March 2014.{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Errington |title=Argyle pair Jamie Richards and Isaac Vassell make loan moves to Weymouth |url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Argyle-pair-Jamie-Richards-Isaac-Vassell-make/story-20813014-detail/story.html |newspaper=Plymouth Herald |date=14 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924074527/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Argyle-pair-Jamie-Richards-Isaac-Vassell-make/story-20813014-detail/story.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}
=Truro City=
After his release from Plymouth at the end of 2013–14, Vassell returned to Truro City, and after scoring two goals in a 5–0 friendly win over Godolphin Atlantic on 11 July 2014, he signed for the club the following day.{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Errington |title=Isaac Vassell signs for Truro City after leaving Plymouth Argyle |url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Isaac-Vassell-signs-Truro-City-leaving-Plymouth/story-21457497-detail/story.html |newspaper=Plymouth Herald |date=13 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924074906/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Isaac-Vassell-signs-Truro-City-leaving-Plymouth/story-21457497-detail/story.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}
=Luton Town=
Vassell signed for League Two club Luton Town on a one-year contract on 23 July 2016 after a successful trial.{{cite news |title=Isaac Vassell: Luton sign former Plymouth and Truro City striker |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36875526 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 July 2016 |access-date=23 July 2016}} He made his debut as a substitute in a 3–1 win at home to newly relegated Championship club Aston Villa in the EFL Cup first round on 10 August. After entering 13 of his first 16 matches as a substitute, Vassell forced his way into the starting lineup on a regular basis, and scored his first goal for Luton in a 2–0 win away to Morecambe on 19 November.{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Simmonds |title=Vassell off the mark as classy Hatters win at Shrimps |url=https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/vassell-off-the-mark-as-classy-hatters-win-at-shrimps-1-7688504 |newspaper=Luton Today |date=19 November 2016 |access-date=18 February 2018}} Vassell scored the winning goal in Luton's 3–2 win away to Swindon Town in the EFL Trophy second round on 6 December, ensuring their progression to the third round.{{cite news |first=James |last=Cunliffe |title=Match report: Much-changed Luton Town deservedly defeat Swindon to progress in Trophy |url=http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/match-report-much-changed-luton-town-deservedly-defeat-swindon-to-progress-in-trophy/story-29963519-detail/story.html |newspaper=Bedfordshire on Sunday |location=Bedford |date=6 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021114122/http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/match-report-much-changed-luton-town-deservedly-defeat-swindon-to-progress-in-trophy/story-29963519-detail/story.html |archive-date=21 October 2017 |url-status=dead}} Luton exercised the option of a one-year extension to his contract on 20 December to keep him at the club until the summer of 2018, having made 23 appearances and scored two goals up to that point in 2016–17.{{cite news |title=Isaac Vassell: Luton Town striker signs new deal with League Two side |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38383679 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 December 2016 |access-date=20 December 2016}} He scored the opening goal in a 2–0 win at home to Cambridge United on 28 January 2017, which marked the start of a run of five goals from four matches.{{cite news |title=Luton Town 2–0 Cambridge United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38700945 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 January 2017 |access-date=6 July 2017}} Vassell scored Luton's third goal in a 4–1 win away to Accrington Stanley on 29 April, a result that confirmed their place in the play-offs.{{cite news |title=Accrington Stanley 1–4 Luton Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39676227 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 April 2017 |access-date=6 July 2017}} He scored Luton's second goal in their 3–2 defeat away to Blackpool in the play-off semi-final first leg,{{cite news |first=Nathan |last=Middleton |title=Blackpool 3–2 Luton Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39833952 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 May 2017 |access-date=6 July 2017}} and played in the 3–3 home draw in the second leg, meaning Luton lost the tie 6–5 on aggregate.{{cite news |first=Brendon |last=Mitchell |title=Luton Town 3–3 Blackpool (agg: 5–6) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39879758 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 May 2017 |access-date=6 July 2017}} Vassell finished 2016–17 with 53 appearances and 14 goals. He scored twice on the opening day of 2017–18 in an 8–2 victory at home to Yeovil Town, but departed the club later that month having made 55 appearances and scored 16 goals.{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Simmonds |title=Hatters agree to sell Vassell to Birmingham |url=https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/hatters-agree-to-sell-vassell-to-birmingham-1-8101723 |newspaper=Luton Today |date=14 August 2017 |access-date=18 February 2018}}
=Birmingham City=
On 14 August 2017, Harry Redknapp signed Vassell for Championship club Birmingham City on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee,{{cite news |title=Isaac Vassell: Birmingham City sign striker on four-year deal from Luton |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40923933 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2017 |access-date=14 August 2017}} reported by the Birmingham Mail as "over £1 million".{{cite news |first=Alex |last=Dicken |title=A revealing insight into Birmingham City striker Isaac Vassell by his boyhood mentor |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-isaac-vassell-exclusive-13487968 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=17 August 2017 |access-date=18 February 2018}} He made his debut the following day in a 0–0 draw with Bolton Wanderers at St Andrew's, coming on as a substitute for Clayton Donaldson in the 73rd minute.{{cite news |title=Birmingham City 0–0 Bolton Wanderers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40858337 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 August 2017 |access-date=16 August 2017}} Making his first start in the EFL Cup at home to AFC Bournemouth, he was prevented from scoring after rounding the goalkeeper only by Tyrone Mings' "desperate backheel".{{cite news |url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/15489127.Cherries_fight_back_to_sink_Birmingham_in_Carabao_Cup/ |title=Cherries fight back to sink Birmingham in Carabao Cup |first=Ned |last=Payne |newspaper=Bournemouth Daily Echo |date=22 August 2017 |access-date=22 February 2018}} A hamstring injury forced Vassell off at half-time, but not before his manager was impressed:{{blockquote|text=He's got the ability to be a real player, there's no doubt about that. I've been really excited by what I've seen of him. He's powerful, he's strong and that pace is just electric. This kid is on the shoulder and away he goes. He's got this terrible habit, when he loses the ball he chases and tries to get it back – It's terrible isn't it? They normally stand around and watch like 'I've lost the ball', but this kid chases after it. I said to him: 'Whatever you do, don't ever stop doing that'. That's a big part of his game.{{cite news |url=https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/harry-redknapp-say-former-plymouth-367535 |title=Harry Redknapp had this to say about former Plymouth Argyle youngster Isaac Vassell |first=Stuart |last=James |newspaper=Plymouth Herald |date=23 August 2017 |access-date=22 February 2018}}}} Vassell returned to the team as a substitute in a 3–1 defeat at home to Preston North End on 16 September, after which Redknapp was sacked. Two weeks later, under the caretaker management of Lee Carsley, Vassell scored his first goal for Birmingham on 27 September at home to Sheffield Wednesday, when he ran onto Jacques Maghoma's through ball to give his team just their second win of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41328965 |title=Birmingham City 1–0 Sheffield Wednesday |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 September 2017 |access-date=27 September 2017}}{{cite web |url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2017/september/match-report-for-birmingham-city-vs-sheffield-wednesday-on-27-sep-17/ |title=Report: Birmingham 1–0 Wednesday |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C. |date=27 September 2017 |access-date=22 February 2018}} When Steve Cotterill took over as manager, he put Vassell straight into his starting eleven.{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/birmingham-city-1-cardiff-city-13760692 |title=Birmingham City 1 Cardiff City 0: Full-time report as Che Adams' strike gives Steve Cotterill first win |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=13 October 2017 |access-date=22 February 2018}} On his third league start, in the derby against Aston Villa on 29 October, he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and was out for the rest of the season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41821683 |title=Isaac Vassell: Birmingham City striker may miss rest of Blues season |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 October 2017 |access-date=22 February 2018}} A hip injury the following August delayed his recovery,{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/boss-makes-admission-birmingham-city-15076812 |title=Boss makes admission about Birmingham City as striker issues message |first=Shane |last=Ireland |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=27 August 2018 |access-date=28 January 2019}} and he was unable to return to first-team action until 14 months after the original incident, coming on for the last few minutes of a 2–1 defeat at home to Middlesbrough in January 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/norwich-vs-birmham/preview/392872 |title=Norwich vs Birmingham preview: Championship clash live on Sky Sports Football |publisher=Sky Sorts |date=18 January 2019 |access-date=28 January 2019}} He finished that season with 14 appearances, all but two as a substitute, and did not score.
=Cardiff City=
Vassell signed a three-year contract with Championship club Cardiff City on 8 August 2019; the fee was undisclosed.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49264605 |title=Isaac Vassell: Cardiff City sign Birmingham City striker |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 August 2019 |access-date=8 August 2019}} He made his debut two days later as a substitute during a 2–1 victory over Luton Town, scoring the winning goal in injury time.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49214329 |title=Cardiff City 2–1 Luton Town |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2019 |access-date=10 August 2019}} After making three appearances, it was announced that Vassell was ruled out for up to two months due to a thigh injury suffered in an under-23 game.{{cite news |title=Isaac Vassell: Cardiff City forward out for up to two months |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49840025 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 September 2019 |access-date=29 September 2019}} On 10 June 2022, Cardiff announced Vassell would leave the club when his contract expires on 30 June.{{Cite web |title=2021/22 Retained List {{!}} Cardiff |url=https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/202122-retained-list |access-date=10 June 2022 |website=www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk |language=en}}
= Bath City =
On 26 February 2024, Vessell signed for National League South side Bath City.{{Cite web |last=Howe |first=Simon |date=2024-02-26 |title=Player News - Isaac Vassell |url=http://www.bathcityfc.com/player-news-isaac-vassell/ |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Bath City FC |language=en-GB}} He was previously a free agent.
Personal life
Vassell is a cousin of former Aston Villa, Manchester City, Leicester City and England striker Darius Vassell.
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 23 April 2024}}
| 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|Plymouth Argyle
|2011–12{{soccerbase season|61002|2011|access-date=23 July 2016}} |6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2012–13{{soccerbase season|61002|2012|access-date=23 July 2016}}
|League Two |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2013–14{{soccerbase season|61002|2013|access-date=23 July 2016}}
|League Two |0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!6||0||3||0||1||0||0||0||10||0 | ||||||||||
| Truro City (loan)
|2011–12{{cite web |title=I. Vassell: Summary |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/isaac-vassell/199618/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=9 June 2019}} |6 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 6 | 0 | ||||
| Weymouth (loan)
|Southern League Premier Division |12 | 5 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 12 | 5 | ||||
| rowspan=3|Truro City
|Southern League Premier Division |40 | 13 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 8{{efn|Four appearances and two goals in Southern League Cup, two appearances in FA Trophy, two appearances and one goal in Southern League Premier Division play-offs}} | 3 | 49 | 16 | ||
| 2015–16{{cite web |title=Player profiles: Isaac Vassell |url=http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/players/isaac-vassell |publisher=Aylesbury United F.C. |access-date=23 July 2016}}
|39 | 9 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 4{{efn|Appearances in FA Trophy}} | 3 | 45 | 12 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!79 | 22 | 3 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 12 | 6 | 94 | 28 | ||
| rowspan=3|Luton Town
|2016–17{{soccerbase season|61002|2016|access-date=6 July 2017}} |League Two |40 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9{{efn|Seven appearances and five goals in EFL Trophy, two appearances and one goal in League Two play-offs}} | 6 | 53 | 14 | |
| 2017–18
|League Two |2 | 2 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2 | 2 | |||
| colspan=2|Total
!42||10||2||0||2||0||9||6||55||16 | ||||||||||
| rowspan=4|Birmingham City
|2017–18{{soccerbase season|61002|2017|access-date=7 May 2018}} |9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 10 | 1 | ||
| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|61002|2018|access-date=5 May 2019}}
|Championship |14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 14 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20
|Championship |0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | |||
| colspan=2|Total
!23||1||0||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||24||1 | ||||||||||
| rowspan=4|Cardiff City
|2019–20{{soccerbase season|61002|2019|access-date=8 August 2019}} |Championship |2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 3 | 1 | ||
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|61002|2020|access-date=3 September 2020}}
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22{{soccerbase season|61002|2021|access-date=1 August 2021}}
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!2||1||0||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||3||1 | ||||||||||
| Bath City
|National League South |6 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|Appearance in National League South play-offs}} | 0 | 7 | 0 | |||
| colspan=3|Career total
!176||39||8||0||5||0||22||12||211||51 |
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Portal|Cornwall}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Bath City F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vassell, Isaac}}
Category:Footballers from Cornwall
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players
Category:Truro City F.C. players
Category:Bideford A.F.C. players
Category:Weymouth F.C. players
Category:Luton Town F.C. players
Category:Birmingham City F.C. players
Category:Cardiff City F.C. players
Category:Bath City F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players