Michael Bakare

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Michael Bakare

| image =

| caption = Bakare playing for Connah's Quay in February 2019.

| fullname = Michael Adewale A. Oluwabunmi Bakare{{cite web

| title = List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/01/2012 and 31/01/2012 | url = http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/RulesandRegulations/~/media/Files/PDF/TheFA/PlayerRegistrations/2012/January%202012.ashx | publisher = The Football Association

| access-date = 5 March 2012}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|12|1|df=y}}

| birth_place = Hackney, England

| height = {{height|m=1.81}}

| position = Forward, defender

| currentclub = Glacis United (player-manager)

| clubnumber = 5

| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 2006–2007 | caps1 = | goals1 = | clubs1 = Hertford Town

| years2 = 2007 | caps2 = | goals2 = | clubs2 = Waltham Forest

| years3 = 2007–2008 | caps3 = | goals3 = | clubs3 = Welwyn Garden City

| years4 = 2008–2009 | caps4 = | goals4 = | clubs4 = Leyton

| years5 = 2009–2010 | caps5 = 19 | goals5 = 1 | clubs5 = Welling United

| years6 = 2010 | caps6 = 5 | goals6 = 0 | clubs6 = Thurrock

| years7 = 2010–2011 | caps7 = 35 | goals7 = 13 | clubs7 = Bishop's Stortford

| years8 = 2011–2012 | caps8 = 10 | goals8 = 5 | clubs8 = Chelmsford City

| years9 = 2012 | caps9 = 9 | goals9 = 0 | clubs9 = Macclesfield Town

| years10 = 2012 | caps10 = 11 | goals10 = 0 | clubs10 = Southport

| years11 = 2012 | caps11 = 1 | goals11 = 1 | clubs11 = → Droylsden (loan)

| years12 = 2012–2013 | caps12 = 14 | goals12 = 5 | clubs12 = Chelmsford City

| years13 = 2013–2014 | caps13 = 12 | goals13 = 1 | clubs13 = Dover Athletic

| years14 = 2014 | caps14 = 17 | goals14 = 5 | clubs14 = Tonbridge Angels

| years15 = 2014 | caps15 = 11 | goals15 = 1 | clubs15 = Braintree Town

| years16 = 2015 | caps16 = 2 | goals16 = 1 | clubs16 = → Bury Town (loan)

| years17 = 2015 | caps17 = | goals17 = | clubs17 = VCD Athletic

| years18 = 2015 | caps18 = | goals18 = | clubs18 = Witham Town

| years19 = 2015–2016 | caps19 = 21 | goals19 = 3 | clubs19 = Welling United

| years20 = 2016–2017 | caps20 = 8 | goals20 = 0 | clubs20 = Wrexham

| years21 = 2016 | caps21 = | goals21 = 4 | clubs21 = → Billericay Town (loan)

| years22 = 2017 | caps22 = 4 | goals22 = 2 | clubs22 = Warrington Town

| years23 = 2017–2020 | caps23 = 81 | goals23 = 30 | clubs23 = Connah's Quay Nomads

| years24 = 2021 | caps24 = 1 | goals24 = 1 | clubs24 = Hereford

| years25 = 2021 | caps25 = 11 | goals25 = 4 | clubs25 = Fjölnir

| years26 = 2021–2022 | caps26 = 7 | goals26 = 4 | clubs26 = Leatherhead

| years27 = 2022 | caps27 = 2 | goals27 = 0 | clubs27 = Arbroath

| years28 = 2022 | caps28 = 11 | goals28 = 2 | clubs28 = HIFK

| years29 = 2023 | caps29 = 4 | goals29 = 1 | clubs29 = Enfield Town

| years30 = 2023– | caps30 = 30 | goals30 = 4 | clubs30 = Glacis United

| manageryears1 = 2024–

| managerclubs1 = Glacis United (player-manager)

| club-update = 11:42, 14 March 2025 (UTC)

}}

Michael Adewale A. Oluwabunmi Bakare (born 1 December 1986) is an English professional footballer who plays for Glacis United. Formerly a forward, Bakare converted to a defender later in his career.

Career

=Early career=

Bakare started his senior career in the 2006–07 season, playing for Hertford Town and Waltham Forest.{{cite web|url=https://www.times-series.co.uk/sport/1001243.bees-go-back-to-front/|title=Bees go back to front|publisher=Hendon & Finchley Times|date=2 November 2006|access-date=14 February 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.walthamstowfc.com/2019/01/08/bakare-michael/|title=Bakare, Michael|publisher=Walthamstow F.C.|date=8 January 2019|access-date=14 February 2021}} The following season, Bakare signed for Welwyn Garden City.{{cite web|url=http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/players/michael-bakare/|title=Michael Bakare|publisher=Aylesbury United F.C.|access-date=14 February 2021}} In 2008, Bakare signed for Leyton, before spells with Welling United,{{cite web|title=Latest moves ...|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=60751|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130015750/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=60751|url-status=usurped|archive-date=30 January 2013|publisher=NonLeagueDaily.com|access-date=26 October 2012|date=13 September 2009}} and Thurrock. In 2010, Bakare joined Bishop's Stortford.{{cite web|title=Stortford bring in new trio|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=71022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130023719/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=71022|url-status=usurped|archive-date=30 January 2013|publisher=NonLeagueDaily.com|access-date=26 October 2012|date=29 October 2010}} It was here where he first made a real impact, converting from a full back and midfielder to a forward player.

Following an impressive 9 goals in 14 games early in the 2011/12 season, Bakare joined Conference South club Chelmsford City, in a free transfer on 19 October 2011.{{cite web|title=Chelmsford sign Bishop's Stortford's Michael Bakare|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15365239|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=26 October 2012|date=19 October 2011}} He continued to impress at his new club, scoring 5 goals in 10 games, which earned Bakare a move to Football League side, Macclesfield Town on 17 January 2012.

=Macclesfield Town=

Bakare signed on a free transfer,{{cite web|title=Macclesfield chance for Bakare|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=81716|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130044350/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=81716|url-status=usurped|archive-date=30 January 2013|publisher=NonLeagueDaily.com|access-date=26 October 2012|date=16 January 2012}} and made his first appearance as a substitute against Swindon Town on 21 January 2012. He was however limited to substitute appearances at Macclesfield, not starting a single game, and was released by the club, following their relegation at the end of the 2011/2012 season, making only 9 appearances.{{cite web|title=Macc release sixteen players|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=84934|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130032328/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=84934|url-status=usurped|archive-date=30 January 2013|publisher=NonLeagueDaily.com|access-date=26 October 2012|date=23 May 2012}} His last game was against Southend United on 5 May 2012.

=Southport=

Conference National club Southport took Bakare on trial in July 2012. After a single appearance in a friendly against Skelmersdale United it was announced manager Liam Watson had signed the player to a contract for the 2012–13 season at the club's AGM on 27 July 2012.

==Droylsden (loan)==

In October 2012 he joined Droylsden on loan{{cite web|title=Southport Loan Bakare To Droylsden|url=http://www.bluesqnorth.com/story/0,20970,6347_8194338,00.html|publisher=Blue Square North|access-date=26 October 2012|date=25 October 2012}} and scored on his club debut on 27 October as the club beat Colwyn Bay.

==2013–2016==

From then on he has been somewhat of a journeyman, going on to play for Chelmsford City, Dover Athletic, Tonbridge Angels, Braintree Town, Bury Town, VCD Athletic and Witham Town{{cite web|title=Ryman League Premier Division relegation-battlers Witham Town have signed Harry Cook from Tilbury and Michael Bakare from VCD Athletic. |url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/witham-add-two-to-squad-38385/|publisher=Pitchero|access-date=22 June 2016|date=22 June 2016}} before rejoining his former club Welling United for the 2015/16 season.{{cite web|title=Trio of New Wings. |url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/trio-of-new-wings-42676/|publisher=Pitchero|access-date=22 June 2016|date=22 June 2016}}

=Wrexham=

On 22 June 2016, he joined Wrexham, along with his Welling teammate Nortei Nortey, on a 1-year deal.{{cite web|title=Wrexham recruit Nortei Nortey and Michael Bakare|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36602125|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=22 June 2016|date=22 June 2016}} He made his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2016–17 season, in a 0–0 draw with Dover Athletic.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36930828 |title=Wrexham 0–0 Dover Athletic |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 August 2016 |access-date=8 August 2016}}

On 24 November 2016, he joined Billericay Town on loan from Wrexham until January 2017. He made his debut in a league match against Metropolitan Police where he won his side a penalty before converting it himself, in a game that finished 1–1. Following the end of his loan spell, Bakare returned to Wrexham where his contract was cancelled by mutual consent on 23 January 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/michael-bakare-leaves-wrexham-afc-12495143 |title=Michael Bakare leaves Wrexham AFC after seeing contract terminated |work=Daily Post|author=Rob Griffiths |date=23 January 2017 |access-date=23 January 2017}}

=Warrington Town=

Bakare signed for Warrington Town on 23 March 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.evostikleague.co.uk/transfer-deadline-day-the-last-moves-35725 |title=Final Moves before window closed |publisher=Evostikleague.co.uk |author=Evo Stik |date=23 March 2017 |access-date=23 March 2017}}

=Connah's Quay Nomads=

In August 2017, Bakare joined Welsh Premier League side Connah's Quay Nomads, alongside his brother Mathias, after a successful trial period.{{cite web |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-wrexham-afc-striker-joins-13462944 |title=Former Wrexham AFC striker joins Connah's Quay Nomads |work=Daily Post|author=Rob Griffiths |date=11 August 2017 |access-date=11 August 2017}} In May 2018, he scored in the Welsh Cup final, helping his team to a 4–1 win. In December 2018, Bakare extended his contract with Connah's Quay for a further year.{{cite web|url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/football/17317139.michael-bakare-signs-new-one-year-deal-with-connahs-quay-nomads/|title = Bakare extends his stay at top of the table Nomads| date=23 December 2018 }}

=Hereford=

On 16 February 2021, Bakare joined National League North side Hereford on a short-term deal.{{cite web |url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/new-signing-bulls-bring-in-bakare/ |title=Bulls bring in Bakare |publisher=Hereford FC |date=16 February 2021 |access-date=16 February 2021}}

=Iceland=

On 13 July 2021, Bakare signed for Icelandic 1. deild karla side Fjölnir, joining a team outside of the UK for the first time.{{cite web|url=https://www.mbl.is/sport/efstadeild/2021/07/13/fjolnir_verdur_25_lid_soknarmannsins/|title=Fjölnir verður 25. lið sóknarmannsins|website=mbl.is|date=13 July 2021|access-date=26 July 2021|language=Icelandic}}

=Leatherhead=

In November 2021, he returned to England and signed for Isthmian League Premier Division side Leatherhead.{{cite web|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/leatherhead/appearances/michael-bakare/934182|title=Leatherhead – Appearances – Michael Bakare|website=Football Web Pages|access-date=27 January 2022}}

=Arbroath=

In February 2022, Bakare signed a short-term deal with Scottish Championship side Arbroath until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.arbroathfc.co.uk/michael-bakare/|title=Michael Bakare|website=arbroathfc.co.uk|date=11 February 2022 |access-date=11 February 2022}}

=HIFK=

In July 2022, Bakare joined Veikkausliiga side HIFK until the end of the year.{{cite web|url=https://hifkfotboll.fi/2022/07/michael-bakare-vahvistamaan-hifkta/|title=Michael Bakare vahvistamaan HIFK:ta!|publisher=HIFK Fotboll|date=24 July 2022|accessdate=27 July 2022|language=Finnish}}

=Enfield Town=

In March 2023, Bakare returned to England and signed for Isthmian League Premier Division club Enfield Town on a contract till the end of the season.{{cite web|title=Enfield Town – New Arrivals |url=https://etfc.london/new-arrivals/|publisher=Enfield Town|date=29 March 2023|accessdate=28 April 2023}}