Jack Blake
{{short description|Scottish footballer}}
{{for|the boxer|Bandsman Jack Blake}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Jack Blake
| image =
| caption =
| fullname = Jack James Blake{{cite web|url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0,,10794~179534,00.pdf |title=Professional Retain List & Free Transfers 2012/13 |publisher=The Football League |date=3 June 2013 |access-date=8 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802074454/http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0%2C%2C10794~179534%2C00.pdf |archive-date= 2 August 2014 }}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|09|22|df=y}}
| birth_place = Nottingham, England
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Indy Eleven
| clubnumber = 8
| youthyears1 = 2002–2004
| youthclubs1 = Notts County
| youthyears2 = 2004–2013
| youthclubs2 = Nottingham Forest
| years1 = 2013–2015
| clubs1 = Nottingham Forest
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2013
| clubs2 = → Mansfield Town (loan)
| caps2 = 3
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2016
| clubs3 = Minnesota United
| caps3 = 11
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2017
| clubs4 = Jacksonville Armada
| caps4 = 27
| goals4 = 10
| years5 = 2018
| clubs5 = Tampa Bay Rowdies
| caps5 = 6
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2018
| clubs6 = → Real Monarchs (loan)
| caps6 = 17
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2019–2020
| clubs7 = Real Monarchs
| caps7 = 38
| goals7 = 9
| years8 = 2021–2022
| clubs8 = San Diego Loyal
| caps8 = 51
| goals8 = 8
| years9 = 2023–
| clubs9 = Indy Eleven
| caps9 = 65
| goals9 = 15
| nationalyears1 = 2011–2012
| nationalteam1 = Scotland U19
| nationalcaps1 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| club-update = 19:48, 29 May 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 28 October 2019
}}
Jack James Blake (born 22 September 1994) is a professional footballer who plays for USL Championship side Indy Eleven. Born in England, he has represented Scotland at youth level.
Career
= Nottingham Forest (2013–2015) =
Blake started his football career at the Notts County youth level before joining neighbours Nottingham Forest at youth level from the under-10's team through to the club's academy. In May 2012, Blake was awarded his first professional contract with the club.{{cite web|url=http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/article/teen-stars-sign-up-11842.aspx|title=Teen Stars Sign Up|publisher=Nottingham Forest F.C.|date=8 May 2012|access-date=24 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124065732/http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/article/teen-stars-sign-up-11842.aspx|archive-date=24 November 2012|url-status=dead}} Blake then made a first team breakthrough when he was included in the bench for the senior team for the club's home game against Peterborough United on 12 January 2013.{{cite news|title=In the Spotlight: Jack Blake|url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/spotlight/story-17880470-detail/story.html|publisher=Nottingham Post|date=17 January 2013|access-date=24 August 2016}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
== Mansfield Town (loan, 2013) ==
Blake was loaned for a month to county rivals, Mansfield Town on 19 October 2013.{{cite news|title=Nottingham Forest midfielder Jack Blake joins Mansfield on loan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24580926|publisher=BBC Sport|date=19 October 2013|access-date=24 August 2016}} He made his professional debut on 22 October 2013 during a 0–0 draw against Bury.{{cite news|title=Bury 0 - 0 Mansfield Town|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24529783|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 October 2013|access-date=24 August 2016}} After making his professional debut, Blake expressed his happiness to make his debut.{{cite web|url=http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/blake-happy-with-senior-debut-1129531.aspx|title=Blake happy with senior debut|publisher=Mansfield Town F.C.|date=23 October 2013|access-date=24 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824213118/http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/blake-happy-with-senior-debut-1129531.aspx|archive-date=24 August 2016|url-status=live}} After making three appearances for the club, Blake made his return to his parent club.{{cite web|url=http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/blake-returns-to-forest-1180589.aspx|title=Blake returns to Forest|publisher=Nottingham Post|date=18 November 2013|access-date=24 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824213602/http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/blake-returns-to-forest-1180589.aspx|archive-date=24 August 2016|url-status=live}} Despite rumors that Blake may returned to Mansfield Town on loan for the second time,{{cite news|title=Nottingham Forest midfielder Jack Blake likely to return from Mansfield Town|url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/nottingham-forest-midfielder-jack-blake-likely/story-20081082-detail/story.html|publisher=Nottingham Post|date=14 November 2013|access-date=24 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116220357/http://www.nottinghampost.com/Nottingham-Forest-midfielder-Jack-Blake-likely/story-20081082-detail/story.html|archive-date=16 November 2013|url-status=dead}} this was played down by manager Paul Cox.{{cite news|title=Mansfield Town boosted by return of injured quartet|url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/mansfield-town-boosted-return-injured-quartet/story-20098222-detail/story.html|publisher=Nottingham Post|date=19 November 2013|access-date=24 August 2016}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
After his loan spell at Mansfield Town came to an end, Blake continued playing in the club's reserve until being released by the club at the end of the 2014–15 season.{{cite news|title=Football League confirm players released by Nottingham Forest|url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/football-league-confirm-players-released/story-26687376-detail/story.html|publisher=Nottingham Post|date=12 June 2015|access-date=24 August 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717185805/http://www.nottinghampost.com/Football-League-confirm-players-released/story-26687376-detail/story.html|archive-date=17 July 2015}}
=Minnesota United (2016)=
On 26 May 2016, Minnesota United announced that Blake had signed with the North American Soccer League club.{{cite web |title=Jack Blake Signs With Loons |url=http://www.mnunitedfc.com/news/2016/05/26/jack-blake-signs-with-loons |work=Minnesota United FC |access-date=26 May 2016 |archive-date=22 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022180740/http://www.mnunitedfc.com/news/2016/05/26/jack-blake-signs-with-loons |url-status=dead }} Seven days later on 2 June 2016, Blake scored his first Minnesota United debut (and his first professional goal) in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, winning 3–0 against Saint Louis.{{cite news|title=Minnesota United FC Defeats St. Louis FC 2-0 In US Open Cup Action, Will Host Sporting Kansas City|url=http://fiftyfive.one/2016/06/minnesota-united-fc-hangs-win-2-0-st-louis-fc-us-open-cup-action/|publisher=FiftyFive One OfficiaL Website|date=2 June 2016|access-date=24 August 2016}}
=Jacksonville Armada (2017)=
On 18 January 2017, it was reported that the Jacksonville Armada had signed Blake ahead of the NASL's 2017 season.{{cite news|title=Armada Signs Midfielder Jack Blake |url=http://www.armadafc.com/news/2017/01/18/armada-signs-midfielder-jack-blake |work=Jacksonville Armada FC |access-date=18 January 2017}} Blake was named the NASL's Young Player of the Year after recording nine goals and four assists with the Armada.{{cite web|title=Jacksonville Midfielder Jack Blake Named NASL Young Player of the Year |url=http://www.nasl.com/news/2017/11/08/jacksonville-midfielder-jack-blake-named-nasl-young-player-of-the-year |work=NASL.com |access-date=8 February 2018 |date=8 November 2017}}
=Tampa Bay Rowdies (2018)=
On 8 February 2018, the Tampa Bay Rowdies announced they had received Blake on a season-long loan from Jacksonville.{{cite web |title=Rowdies Add 2017 NASL Young Player of the Year Jack Blake to Roster |url=http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/884679 |work=RowdiesSoccer.com |access-date=8 February 2018 |date=8 February 2018 |archive-date=9 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209003120/http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/884679 |url-status=dead }} A little over a month later, on 15 March 2018, he terminated his Armada FC contact, and joined the Rowdies on a permanent basis.{{cite web |title=Rowdies Sign Midfielder Jack Blake to Permanent Deal |url=https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/898113 |work=RowdiesSoccer.com |access-date=16 March 2018 |date=15 March 2018 |archive-date=17 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317035918/https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/898113 |url-status=dead }}
On 19 June 2018, Blake moved on loan to Utah-based USL side Real Monarchs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsl.com/post/2018/06/19/real-monarchs-slc-ink-jack-blake-loan-tampa-bay-rowdies|title = Real Monarchs SLC Ink Jack Blake on Loan from Tampa Bay Rowdies | Real Salt Lake}}
= Real Monarchs (2019–2020) =
Blake's moved to Salt Lake permanently ahead of their 2019 season, going on to captain Real Monarchs during their 2019 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsl.com/players/jack-blake|title = Jack Blake | Real Salt Lake}} He re-signed with the club on 18 December 2019 for the 2020 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/real-monarchs-re-sign-midfielder-jack-blake/n-5581682|title = Real Monarchs Re-Sign Midfielder Jack Blake|date = 18 December 2019}} He announced his departure from the club in December 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://kslsports.com/447610/real-monarchs-captain-jack-blake-announces-departure-from-club/|title = Real Monarchs Captain Jack Blake Announces Departure from Club|date = 4 December 2020}}
= San Diego Loyal (2021–2022) =
= Indy Eleven (2023–present) =
After two seasons in San Diego, Blake moved to USL Championship club Indy Eleven on 6 January 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1254046-jack-blake-makes-move-to-indy-eleven|title=Jack Blake makes move to Indy Eleven|author=USLChampionship com Staff|date=6 January 2023|website=USL Championship}}
Blake scored the first goal for Indy Eleven in the 2024 USL Championship season in a 2–1 defeat at Oakland Roots on 9 March 2024.{{Cite web |title=Recap - OAK 2:1 IND |url=https://www.indyeleven.com/news/2024/03/10/indy-eleven-falls-in-season-opener-at-oakland/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=Indy Eleven |language=en-US}} Blake scored two goals for Indy Eleven in their 5–3 defeat away to rivals Louisville City, a penalty kick in the 34th minute and the team's second goal of the game in the 60th minute, assisted by Sebastian Guenzatti.{{Cite web |title=Recap – LOU 5:3 IND |url=https://www.indyeleven.com/news/2024/04/06/recap-lou-53-ind/ |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=Indy Eleven |language=en-US}} He scored a second brace in a 2–1 home victory over Phoenix Rising on 25 May, leading the team to an 8 game winning streak in all competitions.{{Cite web |title=Recap - IND 2:1 PHX |url=https://www.indyeleven.com/news/2024/05/25/recap-ind-21-phx/ |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=Indy Eleven |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Indy XI 2-1 Phoenix (May 25, 2024) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/691930/phoenix-rising-fc-indy-eleven |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=ESPN |language=en}} Blake was named to the USL Championship team of the week five times in the first 12 weeks of the 2024 season, notably leading the Eleven to a 9-game undefeated streak in all competitions and a perfect month of May with no draws or losses.{{Cite web |title=Blake Named to USL Championship Team of the Week |url=https://www.indyeleven.com/news/2024/05/28/blake-named-to-usl-championship-team-of-the-week/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Indy Eleven |language=en-US}} Blake led the team with 4 league goals and one U.S. Open Cup goal in May 2024.{{Cite web |title=2024 Player Stats |url=https://www.indyeleven.com/player-stats/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Indy Eleven |language=en-US}} Blake scored his eleventh league goal for Indy Eleven, and 8th goal of the season, on 9 June 2024, converting a penalty in the team's 1–0 away victory over Birmingham Legion FC.{{Cite web |title=RECAP - BHM 0:1 IND |url=https://www.indyeleven.com/news/2024/06/09/recap-bhm-01-ind/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=Indy Eleven |language=en-US}} Blake ended the season as the club's joint top goalscorer in the league and helped lead the team to a historic first semifinal in the U.S. Open Cup, defeating Major League Soccer (MLS) side Atlanta United FC in the quarterfinals.{{Cite web |title=Cinderella Semifinalists Indy Eleven Make Open Cup Lemonade in Turbulent 2024 |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2024/08/cinderella-semifinalists-indy-eleven-make-open-cup-lemonade-in-turbulent-2024 |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=www.ussoccer.com |language=en}}
Indy Eleven announced that Blake would return for a third consecutive season on 20 November 2024.{{Cite web |title=Indy Eleven Announces Returnees for 2025 |url=https://www.indyeleven.com/news/2024/11/20/indy-eleven-announces-returnees-for-2025/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Indy Eleven |language=en-US}} Blake scored the opening goal for Indy Eleven's 2025 season, converting a penalty kick in the 3rd minute of their 3–1 away victory over Miami FC on 15 March 2025.{{Cite web |title=Recap-MIA 1:3 IND |url=https://www.indyeleven.com/news/2025/03/15/recap-mia-13-ind-2/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Indy Eleven |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Indy XI 3-1 Miami FC (Mar 15, 2025) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/726130/indy-eleven-miami-fc |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=ESPN |language=en}}
International career
Though he was born in Nottingham, England, Blake is eligible to play for Scotland through his Scottish grandfather. In September 2011, Blake was called up by Scotland U19 and went on to make five appearances for the team.{{cite news|title=Hot Forest prospect Jack Blake is new midfield target for Stags manager Paul Cox|url=http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/hot-forest-prospect-jack-blake-is-new-midfield-target-for-stags-manager-paul-cox-1-6157860|publisher=Mansfield and Ashfield Chad|date=17 September 2011|access-date=24 August 2016|archive-date=28 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828070559/http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/hot-forest-prospect-jack-blake-is-new-midfield-target-for-stags-manager-paul-cox-1-6157860|url-status=dead}}
Personal life
Blake earned his U.S. green card in 2019.{{cite news |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/42553634/the-british-footballer-with-a-goal-to-make-it-big-in-the-us |title=The British footballer with a goal to make it big in the US |author=Christian Hewgill |date=4 January 2018| publisher=BBC.com |access-date=7 January 2018}} His status also qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 28 May 2025.}}
| 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"|National Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Nottingham Forest
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14
|EFL Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2014–15
|EFL Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 0 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="2" |Mansfield Town (loan)
|3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 3 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2" |Total
!3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 3 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="2" |Minnesota United
|2016 |NASL |11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 12 | 1 | |||
| colspan="2" |Total
!11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 12 | 1 | ||
| rowspan="2" |Jacksonville Armada
|2017 |NASL |27 | 10 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 29 | 11 | |||
| colspan="2" |Total
!27 | 10 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 29 | 11 | |||
| rowspan="2" |Tampa Bay Rowdies
|2018 |USL |6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 7 | 1 | |||
| colspan="2" |Total
!6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 7 | 1 | |||
| Real Monarchs (loan)
|2018 |USL |17 | 1 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 17 | 1 | ||||
| rowspan="3" |Real Monarchs
|2019 |USL Championship |25 | 8 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 4 | 3 | 29 | 11 | |||
| 2020
|USL C |13 | 1 | colspan="2" |Cancelled: COVID-19 pandemic | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 13 | 1 | ||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!55 | 10 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 4 | 3 | 59 | 13 | |||
| rowspan="3" |San Diego Loyal
|2021 |USL C |25 | 5 | colspan="2" |Cancelled: COVID-19 pandemic | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 25 | 5 | ||||
| 2022
|USL C |26 | 3 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 27 | 3 | |||
| colspan="2" |Total
!51 | 8 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 52 | 8 | |||
| rowspan="4" |Indy Eleven
|2023 |USL C |30 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0
|0 | colspan="2" |— | 32 | 3 | |||
| 2024
|USL C |26 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1
|0 | colspan="2" |— | 31 | 11 | |||
| 2025
|USL C |9 |1 |1 |0 |2 |1 |0 |0 |12 |2 | ||||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!65 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 3
!1 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 16 | ||
| colspan="3" |Career total
!218 | 43 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 237 | 50 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{SFA player|221573}}
{{Indy Eleven squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blake, Jack}}
Category:Footballers from Nottingham
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Scottish men's footballers
Category:Scotland men's youth international footballers
Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players
Category:Mansfield Town F.C. players
Category:Minnesota United FC (2010–2016) players
Category:Jacksonville Armada FC players
Category:Tampa Bay Rowdies players
Category:Real Monarchs players
Category:San Diego Loyal SC players
Category:English Football League players
Category:North American Soccer League (2011–2017) players
Category:USL Championship players
Category:Scottish expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
Category:Scottish expatriate men's footballers
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:English expatriate men's footballers