Michael Cheek
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Michael Cheek
| image = Michael Cheek 2017-04-01 1.jpg
| caption = Cheek in 2017
| fullname = Michael Cheek
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|08|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = Nuneaton, England
| height = 1.85m
| position = Striker
| currentclub = Bromley
| clubnumber = 9
| years1 = 2008–2009
| clubs1 = Stanway Rovers
| caps1 = 5
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2009–2011
| clubs2 = Marks Tey
| caps2 = 8
| goals2 = 11
| years3 = 2011–2012
| clubs3 = Stanway Rovers
| caps3 = 54
| goals3 = 28
| years4 = 2012–2014
| clubs4 = Heybridge Swifts
| caps4 = 54
| goals4 = 30
| years5 = 2014–2015
| clubs5 = Chelmsford City
| caps5 = 59
| goals5 = 27
| years6 = 2015–2017
| clubs6 = Braintree Town
| caps6 = 84
| goals6 = 34
| years7 = 2017–2018
| clubs7 = Dagenham & Redbridge
| caps7 = 34
| goals7 = 13
| years8 = 2018–2019
| clubs8 = Ebbsfleet United
| caps8 = 39
| goals8 = 16
| years9 = 2019–
| clubs9 = Bromley
| caps9 = 229
| goals9 = 120
| nationalyears1 = 2022
| nationalteam1 = England C
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 18:07, 26 December 2024 (UTC)
}}
Michael Cheek (born 23 August 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for EFL League Two side Bromley.
Career
=Early career=
Cheek began his senior career with Stanway Rovers. After playing for the reserves in the 2007–08 season,https://football.mitoo.co.uk/PlayersHistory2.cfm?PI=189710&LeagueCode=ECFL2007 Cheek made his senior debut in October 2008.https://football.mitoo.co.uk/PlayersHistory2.cfm?PI=83345&LeagueCode=ECFL2008https://football.mitoo.co.uk/PlayersHistory2.cfm?PI=340427&LeagueCode=ECFL2009 Cheek played for Marks Tey in the Colchester & East Essex League between 2009 and 2011.{{cite web |url=https://football.mitoo.co.uk/ShowNews.cfm?LeagueCode=CEEFL2009&SeasonName=2009-2010%20Season&LeagueName=Colchester%20%26%20East%20Essex%20Football%20League |title=C&EEFL annual general meeting |publisher=Colchester & East Essex Football League |accessdate=11 August 2024}}https://football.mitoo.co.uk/PlayersHistory2.cfm?PI=528831&LeagueCode=CEEFL2009https://football.mitoo.co.uk/PlayersHistory2.cfm?PI=702129&LeagueCode=CEEFL2010 He re-joined Stanway, where he scored 34 goals in 60 games in all competitions,https://football.mitoo.co.uk/PlayersHistory2.cfm?PI=610037&LeagueCode=ECFL2010https://football.mitoo.co.uk/PlayersHistory2.cfm?PI=855981&LeagueCode=ECFL2011 before signing for Heybridge Swifts in May 2012, alongside teammates Ben Newson and Russell Malton.{{cite web |url=https://www.maldonandburnhamstandard.co.uk/sport/9738628.rovers-trio-make-the-switch-to-heybridge-swifts/ |title=Rovers trio make the switch to Heybridge Swifts |publisher=Maldon Standard |date=31 May 2012 |accessdate=11 August 2024}}
=Chelmsford City=
In January 2014, following 13 goals in 20 league appearances for Heybridge Swifts during the opening months of the 2013–14 season,{{cite web |url=https://www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com/player/michael-cheek|title=Michael Cheek |publisher=Aylesbury United F.C. |accessdate=11 August 2024}} Cheek signed for National League South club Chelmsford City. Cheek's arrival at the club followed former Heybridge manager Mark Hawkes, who had joined Chelmsford in November 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.maldonandburnhamstandard.co.uk/sport/10910237.striker-cheek-is-set-to-leave-heybridge-swifts-and-join-chelmsford-city/ |title=Striker Cheek is set to leave Heybridge Swifts and join Chelmsford City |publisher=Maldon Standard |date=31 May 2012 |accessdate=11 August 2024}} On 21 January 2014, in his second game for the club, Cheek scored his first Chelmsford goal, in a 3–1 win away to Concord Rangers.{{cite web |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/10953122.skrill-south-concord-rangers-1-chelmsford-city-3/|title=SKRILL SOUTH: Concord Rangers 1, Chelmsford City 3 |publisher=Basildon Echo |date=21 January 2014 |accessdate=11 August 2024}} Cheek finished the 2013–14 season with 12 goals from 20 appearances, a tally which included four goals in a 7–1 win against Tonbridge Angels on Easter Monday.{{cite web |url=https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/chelmsfordcityfc/teams/62438/match-centre/1-778857?__hstc=74707725.2f3f33a24b44870ec4a577029c49e44b.1702684800314.1702684800315.1702684800316.1&__hssc=74707725.1.1702684800317&__hsfp=659407567 |title=Chelmsford City 7–1 Tonbridge Angels|publisher=Chelmsford City F.C.|accessdate=11 August 2024}}
On 28 December 2014, Cheek recorded his second four goal haul for Chelmsford in a 5–3 win away to Staines Town.{{cite web |url=https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/chelmsfordcityfc/teams/62438/match-centre/1-1001832/report|title=Four-Goal Cheek helps see off Staines
|publisher=Chelmsford City F.C.|date=28 December 2014|accessdate=11 August 2024}} Despite only scoring one goal in his final 13 appearances for Chelmsford, Cheek scored 23 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions for the club during the 2014–15 season.
=Braintree Town=
On 23 May 2015, it was announced Cheek has signed for National League side Braintree Town. Upon signing, Braintree boss Danny Cowley said "Michael Cheek was the best all-round forward in the Conference South last year".{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32858990 |title=Michael Cheek: Braintree Town sign Chelmsford City striker |publisher=BBC |date=23 May 2015 |accessdate=10 August 2024}} After scoring 15 league goals in his debut season for the club, Cheek signed a new one-year deal with Braintree in June 2016.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36428092 |title=Braintree Town: Michael Cheek and Chez Isaac sign new contracts |publisher=BBC |date=1 June 2016 |accessdate=10 August 2024}}
Ahead of the 2016–17 National League season, after playing as a lone striker in the previous campaign, Cheek's role at Braintree changed, following the appointment of Jamie Day and the signings of Lee Barnard and Jack Midson.{{cite web |url=https://www.braintreeandwithamtimes.co.uk/sport/14648156.michael-cheek-is-looking-forward-to-having-a-different-attacking-role-for-braintree-town/|title=Michael Cheek is looking forward to having a different attacking role for Braintree Town |publisher=Braintree & Witham Times |date=29 July 2016 |accessdate=11 August 2024}} Despite Day's sacking in September 2016,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37467103|title=Jamie Day: Braintree Town part company with manager|publisher=Braintree & Witham Times |date=25 September 2016 |accessdate=11 August 2024}} Cheek scored 15 goals in 40 appearances as Braintree were relegated back to the National League South.
=Dagenham & Redbridge=
Following Braintree's relegation, Cheek opted to the leave the club. In June 2017, he signed for National League club Dagenham & Redbridge on a two-year deal.{{cite web |url=https://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/news/20920370.dagenham-redbridge-sign-striker-michael-cheek-braintree-town/ |title=Dagenham & Redbridge sign striker Michael Cheek from Braintree Town |publisher=Barking and Dagenham Post |date=15 June 2017 |accessdate=10 August 2024}} He scored on his debut for Dagenham, in a 2–1 win against Barrow on 5 August 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=79412&season_id=150 |title=Michael Cheek |publisher=Soccerbase}}
=Ebbsfleet United=
In August 2018, Cheek signed for fellow National League side Ebbsfleet United for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web |url=https://www.time1075.net/michael-cheek-leaves-daggers-for-ebbsfleet/ |title=Michael Cheek leaves Daggers for Ebbsfleet |publisher=Time 107.5FM |date=2 August 2018 |accessdate=10 August 2024}} Due to off-field financial issues at the club, Cheek spent only one season with Ebbsfleet. He described the situation as "difficult" and said it caused him stress due to the players failing to be paid on time regularly. Upon his departure, Cheek said to the local press "This season has definitely taught me a lot, on and off the field. I’ve met some great players and I’ve learned that, as a team, we can do more even if off-field issues are a problem. It’s the best group of players I’ve played with in all honesty, characters and talent-wise. It’s just a shame the way it’s ended."{{cite web |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/sport/the-day-fleets-emotion-came-out-204542/ |title=Michael Cheek on the stress caused by Ebbsfleet United paying wages late |publisher=Kent Online |date=14 May 2019 |accessdate=10 August 2024}}
=Bromley=
On 10 May 2019, Cheek signed for Bromley.{{cite web |url=https://kentishfootball.co.uk/news/bromley100519 |title=Bromley sign Ebbsfleet United striker Michael Cheek |publisher=Kentish Football |date=10 May 2019 |accessdate=10 August 2024}} Cheek scored on his home debut for Bromley against his former club Ebbsfleet in a 3–1 win on 6 August 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.bromleyfc.co.uk/news/club/michael-cheek-surpasses-200-appearances/ |title=Michael Cheek surpasses 200 appearances |publisher=Bromley FC |date=12 November 2023 |accessdate=10 August 2024}} He scored 13 times in 37 league appearances in his first season with Bromley.
In January 2021, he signed a new deal with the club.{{cite web |url=https://www.bromleyfc.co.uk/news/first-team/michael-cheek-signs-new-deal/ |title=Michael Cheek signs new deal! |publisher=Bromley FC |date=18 January 2021 |accessdate=10 August 2024}} Following the 2020–21 National League season, Cheek won the Golden Boot award after scoring 21 league goals for Bromley in the National League, as well as a further four in cup competitions.{{cite web |url=https://www.bromleyfc.co.uk/news/first-team/cheek-wins-national-league-golden-boot/|title=Cheek wins National League Golden Boot award|publisher=Bromley F.C. |date=11 June 2021 |accessdate=11 August 2024}}
On 22 May 2022, Cheek scored the only goal in the 2022 FA Trophy final against Wrexham at Wembley Stadium.
In May 2024, he scored twice at Wembley in the 2024 National League play-off final. Bromley drew the game 2–2 and won 4–3 on penalties against Solihull Moors. Cheek also scored his penalty in the shootout. The win meant that Bromley had secured promotion to the English Football League for the first time in the club's history.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/czd8v92911dt#Line-ups |title=Bromley 2–2 Solihull Moors: Line-ups |website=BBC Sport |date=5 May 2024 |access-date=10 August 2024}}
On 10 August 2024, Cheek scored Bromley's first goal in the Football League, in a 2–0 win away to Harrogate Town.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/video/34020/13194858/michael-cheek-nets-first-ever-efl-goal-for-bromley |title=Michael Cheek nets first ever EFL goal for Bromley |publisher=Sky Sports |date=10 August 2024 |accessdate=10 August 2024}}
International career
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 26 December 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|EFL Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan=3|Chelmsford City
|2013–14{{cite web |title=M. Cheek: Summary |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/-/320668/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=20 August 2024 }} |20 | 12 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 20 | 12 | ||||
| 2014–15
|Conference South |39 | 15 | 5 | 5 | colspan=2|— | 2{{efn|One appearance and one goal in FA Trophy, one appearance and two goals in Essex Senior Cup}} | 3 | 46 | 23 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!59||27||5||5||colspan=2|—||2||3||66||35 | ||||||||||
| rowspan=3|Braintree Town
|40 | 15 | 3 | 2 | colspan=2|— | 4{{efn|Two appearances in FA Trophy, two appearances in National League play-offs}} | 0 | 47 | 17 | ||
| 2016–17
|National League |44 | 19 | 3 | 3 | colspan=2|— | 3{{efn|name=FAT|Appearance(s) in FA Trophy}} | 3 | 50 | 25 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!84||34||6||5||colspan=2|—||7||3||97||42 | ||||||||||
| Dagenham & Redbridge
|National League |34 | 13 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|name=FAT}} | 1 | 36 | 13 | ||
| Ebbsfleet United
|National League |39 | 16 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|name=FAT}} | 0 | 41 | 16 | ||
| rowspan=7|Bromley
|National League |37 | 13 | 3 | 2 | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|name=FAT}} | 0 | 41 | 15 | ||
| 2020–21
|National League |43 | 23 | 2 | 1 | colspan=2|— | 2{{efn|One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance in National League play-offs}} | 1 | 47 | 25 | ||
| 2021–22
|National League |42 | 17 | 2 | 1 | colspan=2|— | 3{{efn|name=FAT}} | 5 | 47 | 22 | ||
| 2022–23
|National League |43 | 15 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 3{{efn|One appearance in FA Trophy, two appearances and two goals in National League play-offs}} | 2 | 47 | 17 | ||
| 2023–24
|National League |44 | 21 | 2 | 1 | colspan=2|— | 7{{efn|Five appearances and two goals in FA Trophy, two appearances and two goals in National League play-offs}} | 4 | 53 | 26 | ||
| 2024–25{{soccerbase season|79412|2024|access-date=20 August 2024 }}
|20 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 13 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!229||101||12||6||1||0||16||12||258||119 | ||||||||||
| colspan=3|Career total
!445||191||25||16||1||0||27||19||498||226 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase|79412|Michael Cheek}}
- {{Soccerway|320668}}
{{Bromley F.C. squad}}
{{National League top scorers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cheek, Michael}}
Category:Footballers from Nuneaton
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Stanway Rovers F.C. players
Category:Heybridge Swifts F.C. players
Category:Chelmsford City F.C. players
Category:Braintree Town F.C. players
Category:Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. players
Category:Ebbsfleet United F.C. players
Category:National League (English football) players