Theo Vassell
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Theo Vassell
|image =
|image_size =
|caption =
|fullname = Theo Gary Carlstan Vassell{{cite web |url=https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/gc-media-assets.gc.eflservices.co.uk/f9455bd0-4dac-11ee-8864-711544c578ce.pdf |title=EFL – Squad List 2023/24: Salford City – In Squad Players |publisher=English Football League |page=132 |access-date=6 January 2024}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|1|2|df=y}}{{cite web |title=FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2018/2019 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2018-2019/fltwo/portv.htm |website=www.footballsquads.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2021}}
|birth_place = Stoke-on-Trent, England
|height = {{convert|1.84|m|order=flip}}
|position = Defender
|currentclub = Barrow
|clubnumber = 42
|youthyears1 =
|youthclubs1 = Hanley Town
|youthyears2 = 2006–2015
|youthclubs2 = Stoke City
|years1 = 2015–2016
|clubs1 = Oldham Athletic
|caps1 = 0
|goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2016
|clubs2 = → Chorley (loan)
|caps2 = 0
|goals2 = 0
|years3 = 2016–2017
|clubs3 = Walsall
|caps3 = 0
|goals3 = 0
|years4 = 2016–2017
|clubs4 = → Chester (loan)
|caps4 = 16
|goals4 = 1
|years5 = 2017
|clubs5 = → Chester (loan)
|caps5 = 15
|goals5 = 0
|years6 = 2017–2018
|clubs6 = Gateshead
|caps6 = 34
|goals6 = 2
|years7 = 2018–2019
|clubs7 = Port Vale
|caps7 = 15
|goals7 = 0
|years8 = 2019–2020
|clubs8 = Macclesfield Town
|caps8 = 17
|goals8 = 2
|years9 = 2020–2021
|clubs9 = Wrexham
|caps9 = 31
|goals9 = 4
|years10 = 2021–2024
|clubs10 = Salford City
|caps10 = 100
|goals10 = 5
|years11 = 2024–
|clubs11 = Barrow
|caps11 = 32
|goals11 = 5
|club-update = 15:52, 27 April 2025 (UTC)
}}
Theo Gary Carlstan Vassell (born 2 January 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for {{English football updater|Barrow}} club Barrow.
He joined Oldham Athletic after leaving the Academy at Stoke City in 2015. He had a youth loan with Chorley early the following year. He signed with Walsall in July 2016 and spent the 2016–17 season on loan at Chester. He joined Gateshead in July 2017 before returning to the English Football League with Port Vale in July 2018. He moved on to Macclesfield Town in July 2019 and dropped back into the National League to join Wrexham for the 2020–21 season. He signed with Salford City in November 2021, and Barrow in July 2024.
Career
=Early career=
Vassell grew up in Stoke-on-Trent and played Ladsandads football for Hanley Town before joining the Academy at Stoke City at the age of nine.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Who is Theo Vassell? All about Port Vale's new signing |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/who-theo-vassell-port-vales-1724299 |accessdate=28 June 2018 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=28 June 2018}} Originally a forward, he later became a defender and was given a two-year scholarship contract in 2013. He had a trial at Oldham Athletic in October 2015 and was given a one-year contract with the option of a second.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34676841|title=Theo Vassell: Oldham sign former Stoke City defender|date=30 October 2015|accessdate=28 June 2018|publisher=BC Sport}} Upon joining the "Latics", manager David Dunn said that "he is really athletic, only 18 and definitely one for the future". On 26 February 2016, he joined National League North side Chorley on a one-month youth loan.{{cite news |title=Vassell Joins Chorley On Loan |url=https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2016/february/vassell-joins-chorley-on-loan/ |accessdate=28 June 2018 |work=oldhamathletic.co.uk |date=26 February 2016 |language=en-gb}} He left Boundary Park after being released by new manager John Sheridan in May 2016.{{cite news |title=Oldham Athletic Retained List |url=https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2016/may/oldham-athletic-retained-list/ |accessdate=29 June 2018 |work=oldhamathletic.co.uk |date=11 May 2016 |language=en-gb}}
On 8 July 2016, he signed a one-year contract with Walsall, with the option for a second.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36747379|title=Theo Vassell: Walsall sign centre-back from Oldham Athletic on one-year deal|date=8 July 2016|accessdate=28 June 2018|publisher=BC Sport}} He had worked with youth team coach Dean Holden at previous club Oldham.{{cite news |last1=Briggs |first1=Daniel |title=Walsall Sign Theo Vassell |url=https://www.saddlers.co.uk/news/2016/july/walsall-sign-theo-vassell/ |accessdate=29 June 2018 |work=saddlers.co.uk |date=8 July 2016 |language=en-gb}} Upon signing him at Walsall, manager Jon Whitney said that "he's quite old school. He just wanted to defend first and foremost, and then work on the technical side. He's one for the future".{{cite news |last1=Coney |first1=Steven |title=Walsall defender Theo Vassell joins Chester on loan until January |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/conference-premier-step-one/16513/walsall-defender-theo-vassell-joins-chester-on-loan-until-january/ |accessdate=28 June 2018 |work=The Non League Football Paper – Daily football news |date=12 July 2016}} Four days later he joined National League side Chester on loan until January 2017, alongside "Saddlers" teammate Liam Roberts.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38668674|title=Theo Vassell: Chester bring back Walsall full-back on loan|date=18 January 2017|accessdate=28 June 2018|publisher=BC Sport}} He made his first-team debut on 6 August, during a 3–0 defeat to Gateshead at the Gateshead International Stadium.{{cite news |title=Gateshead 3-0 Chester |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36930807 |accessdate=29 June 2018 |work=BBC Sport |date=6 August 2016}} On 16 August, he scored his first goal in senior football during a 3–2 defeat at Barrow.{{cite news |last1=Powell |first1=Dave |title=Barrow AFC 3 Chester FC 2 - Dave Powell's match in a minute |url=https://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/barrow-afc-3-chester-fc-11758730 |accessdate=28 June 2018 |work=Chester Chronicle |date=16 August 2016}} He missed two months of action after suffering an injury at Macclesfield Town in October.{{cite news |last1=Powell |first1=Dave |title=Theo Vassell a happy man after securing Chester return |url=https://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/theo-vassell-ive-grown-pitch-12477814 |accessdate=29 June 2018 |work=Chester Chronicle |date=19 January 2017}} He helped the "Blues" to keep 10 clean sheets during his first 16 league appearances of the 2016–17 season and manager Jon McCarthy was keen to extend the loan deal further, which he managed to do after short time back at Walsall in January.{{cite news |last1=Wheelock |first1=Paul |title=Theo Vassell on whether he will return to Chester FC |url=https://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/theo-vassell-whether-return-chester-12430730 |accessdate=28 June 2018 |work=Chester Chronicle |date=10 January 2017}}{{cite news |last1=Powell |first1=Dave |title=Walsall defender Theo Vassell could make Chester FC return |url=https://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/walsall-defender-theo-vassell-could-12409338 |accessdate=28 June 2018 |work=Chester Chronicle |date=5 January 2017}}{{cite news |title=Theo Vassell: Chester bring back Walsall full-back on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38668674 |accessdate=29 June 2018 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 January 2017}} He played a total of 32 games as the "Seals" posted a 19th-place finish in the National League, but was told by Whitney that he would not be retained upon his return to the Bescot Stadium in May 2017.{{cite news |title=Walsall: Jon Whitney releases seven players from League One club |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39806165 |accessdate=29 June 2018 |work=BBC Sport |date=4 May 2017}}
He signed a one-year deal with Gateshead in July 2017 after impressing on a trial basis.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40607257|title=Theo Vassell: Gateshead sign ex-Walsall defender on a one-year deal|date=14 July 2017|accessdate=28 June 2018|publisher=BC Sport}} On 23 September, he was sent off ten minutes into a 2–2 draw at Maidstone United following a foul on winger Zavon Hines. The "Heed" unsuccessfully appealed the decision, and manager Neil Aspin said that the decision to reject the appeal was "extremely disappointing" as "I've been in football 36 years and that is one of the worst red cards I've ever seen".{{cite news |last1=Couch |first1=Jon |title=Aspin dismayed at rejected appeal for 'worst red card decision in 36 years' |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/20411/aspin-dismayed-at-rejected-appeal-for-worst-red-card-decision-in-36-years/ |accessdate=28 June 2018 |work=The Non League Football Paper – Daily football news |date=26 September 2017}} Vassell went on to make 41 appearances for the "Tynesiders", scoring three goals, as the club posted a 17th-place finish under the stewardship of Steve Watson.
=Port Vale=
On 28 June 2018, Vassell won a move to the English Football League when he signed a one-year professional contract with EFL League Two side Port Vale, who were managed by his former Gateshead manager Neil Aspin.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44642057|title=Idris Kanu & Theo Vassell: Port Vale sign Peterborough striker and Gateshead defender|date=28 June 2018|accessdate=28 June 2018|publisher=BC Sport}} He made his debut in the EFL Cup on 14 August, in a 4–0 defeat to Lincoln City at Vale Park, though he entered the game as an 85th-minute substitute for Cristian Montaño with the "Valiants" already four goals down.{{cite news |title=Port Vale v Lincoln City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45092625 |accessdate=14 August 2018 |work=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2018}} He had to wait until the opening EFL Trophy group stage game of the campaign on 9 October for his next appearance, though he featured from the start in the 1–0 victory over EFL League One opponents Burton Albion and Aspin said after the game that his performance gave him cause to consider him for league fixtures.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Neil Aspin cautiously optimistic about Theo Vassell's Port Vale progress |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/neil-aspin-cautiously-optimistic-theo-2093166?732 |accessdate=11 October 2018 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=11 October 2018}} He enjoyed a run of games at left-wing-back in the absence of Montaño, and was praised for his performances by captain Tom Pope.{{cite news |last1=Pope |first1=Tom |title=Why Manny and Monty give Port Vale's league campaign a huge boost |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manny-monty-give-port-vales-2221890 |accessdate=16 November 2018 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=16 November 2018}} However, new Vale manager John Askey confirmed that he would not be offering Vassell a new contract on 16 May.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale's retained list in full as nine players are released |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-retained-list-released-2874111 |accessdate=16 May 2019 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=16 May 2019}}
=Macclesfield Town=
On 18 July 2019, Vassell joined League Two club Macclesfield Town on a one-year deal.{{cite news |title=Theo Vassell: Macclesfield Town sign ex-Port Vale defender |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49033965 |accessdate=19 July 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=18 July 2019}} On 1 February 2020, it was announced that he was one of three players to have left Macclesfield during the January 2020 transfer window, following a meeting with the English Football League.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51340504|title=Emmanuel Osadebe, Theo Vassell & Miles Welch-Hayes leave Macclesfield Town|work=BBC Sport|date=1 February 2020}} He followed former Macclesfield manager Sol Campbell to sign a contract with Southend United, but the deal was unable to be completed after Southend were hit with a transfer embargo.{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Chris |title=The final say: Southend United's win raises spirits but off field problems remain |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/18292186.final-say-southend-uniteds-win-raises-spirits-off-field-problems-remain/ |accessdate=3 April 2020 |work=Echo |date=9 March 2020 |language=en}}
=Wrexham=
On 27 August 2020, Vassell signed a one-year deal for National League club Wrexham.{{Cite web|date=27 August 2020|title=SIGNED {{!}} Theo Vassell signs one-year deal with Wrexham AFC|url=https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/signed-theo-vassell-signs-one-year-deal-with-wrexham-afc|access-date=27 August 2020|website=www.wrexhamafc.co.uk}} Manager Dean Keates said that Vassell would learn a lot playing next to club captain Shaun Pearson in defence.{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Richard |title=Centre-back Theo Vassell believes he can only get better at Wrexham AFC |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/18693179.centre-back-theo-vassell-believes-can-get-better-wrexham-afc/ |access-date=1 June 2021 |work=The Leader |date=2 September 2020 |language=en}} Vassell played 32 games in the 2020–21 campaign, scoring four goals, and was released upon the expiry of his contract.{{cite news |title=CLUB NEWS {{!}} Wrexham AFC announce 2021 retained list |url=https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/club-news-wrexham-afc-announce-2021-retained-list |access-date=3 June 2021 |work=www.wrexhamafc.co.uk |date=1 June 2021 |language=en}}
=Salford City=
On 12 November 2021, Vassell signed a short-term deal with League Two side Salford City after having trained with the club for several months and recovering from tendonitis.{{Cite web |url= https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/theo-vassell-signs-111121/ |title=Theo Vassell signs short-term deal |publisher=Salford City FC |date=12 November 2021 |accessdate=13 November 2021}}{{cite news |title=Salford bring in centre-back Vassell |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59269696 |access-date=15 November 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=12 November 2021}} He made his debut for the club on 20 November as a last minute substitute in a 2–0 win at Harrogate Town.{{cite web |title=Harrogate Town 0-2 Salford City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59271280 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 November 2021|access-date=23 November 2021}} He made 24 starts and three substitute appearances under Gary Bowyer in the 2021–22 campaign. In May 2022, Vassell signed a new two-year contract, saying he felt settled at the club.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61639954 |title=Theo Vassell: Salford City defender signs new two-year deal with League Two club |work=BBC Sport |date=30 May 2022 |access-date=30 May 2022}} He played 56 of Salford's 57 games in the 2022–23 campaign, including two appearances in the play-off semi-final defeat to Stockport County. He scored his first goal of the 2023–24 season in a 3–1 win at Wrexham on 3 February after having recovered from an injury lay-off to form a strike partnership with Curtis Tilt.{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Richard |title=Theo Vassell glad to score first goal of the season against former club Wrexham AFC |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/24102021.theo-vassell-scored-salford-win-wrexham/ |access-date=17 May 2024 |work=The Leader |date=6 February 2024 |language=en}} He was sent off 21 days later in a 5–1 defeat at Mansfield Town.{{cite news |last1=Lomas |first1=John |title=Magnificent Mansfield Town destroy Salford City to go top of League Two |url=https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/magnificent-mansfield-town-destroy-salford-city-to-go-top-of-league-two-4532087 |access-date=17 May 2024 |work=Chad |date=24 February 2024}} He was again sent off on 6 April, in a 1–0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon, after telling the referee "that was an effing disgrace" according to manager Karl Robinson.{{cite news |title=Karl Robinson fumes as two Salford players dismissed in loss at AFC Wimbledon |url=https://www.beinsports.com/en-my/football/league-two/articles/karl-robinson-fumes-as-two-salford-players-dismissed-in-loss-at-afc-wimbledon-2024-04-06 |access-date=17 May 2024 |work=beIN SPORTS |date=6 May 2024 |language=en-my}}
=Barrow=
On 14 July 2024, he signed a one-year deal with League Two club Barrow.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cp08jmj5yqeo|title=Theo Vassell: Barrow sign ex-Salford City defender on one-year deal|date=14 July 2024|website=BBC Sport|access-date=14 July 2024}} He scored three goals in the first ten games of the 2024–25 campaign, and his strike in a 2–0 victory against Newport County put the Bluebirds to the top of the table on 21 September.{{cite news |last1=Goulding |first1=Neil |title=Bluebirds go top with 2-0 victory over Newport County |url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/24601233.bluebirds-go-top-2-0-victory-newport-county/ |access-date=24 September 2024 |work=The Mail |date=22 September 2024 |language=en}} He also made eight clearances and blocked two shots in the match, securing himself a place on the EFL Team of the Week.{{cite news |title=See who made WhoScored's EFL Team of the Week |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2024/september/24/See-who-made-WhoScored-s-EFL-Team-of-the-Week/ |access-date=5 October 2024 |work=EFL |date=24 September 2024 |language=en}} His good form saw him linked with Bristol Rovers, Shrewsbury Town and St Mirren in the January transfer window.{{cite news |last1=Correspondent |first1=Pete O'Rourke, Transfer |title=Exclusive: Bristol Rovers, Shrewsbury and St Mirren race to sign Theo Vassell |url=https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-bristol-rovers-shrewsbury-and-st-mirren-race-to-sign-theo-vassell/ |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=Football Insider |date=6 January 2025}} On 25 January, he scored in a 3–0 win over Grimsby Town at Holker Street to secure himself a place on WhoScored's top five performers in Sky Bet League Two.{{cite news |title=Five of WhoScored's top performers in Sky Bet League Two |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2025/january/27/five-of-whoscored-s-top-performers-in-sky-bet-league-two/ |access-date=31 January 2025 |work=EFL |date=27 January 2025 |language=en}}
Style of play
A defender, Vassell plays primarily as a centre-back but can also play as a full-back.{{cite news |last1=Powell |first1=Dave |title=Vassell on his learning curve and a possible FA Cup bow |url=https://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/theo-vassell-chester-fc-learning-12021905 |accessdate=29 June 2018 |work=Chester Chronicle |date=14 October 2016}}
Personal life
Vassell has battled with depression since childhood, which led to suicide attempts as a teenager.{{cite news |last1=Whitwell |first1=Laurie |title=Vassell: 'I used to say, "If I feel like this, why would I want to live?" Talking's lifted a weight.' |url=https://theathletic.com/3667301/2022/10/10/i-used-to-say-if-i-feel-like-this-why-would-i-want-to-live-talking-has-lifted-a-weight/ |access-date=12 May 2023 |work=The Athletic |date=10 October 2022 |language=en}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 26 April 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"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|EFL Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Oldham Athletic
|2015–16{{Soccerbase season|id=88884|season=2015|accessdate=1 July 2017}} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Chorley (loan)
|2015–16{{Soccerway|theo-vassell/428391}} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Walsall
|2016–17{{Soccerbase season|id=88884|season=2016|accessdate=1 July 2017}} |League One |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Chester (loan)
|31 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 32 | 1 | ||
| Gateshead
|National League |34 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5{{efn|name=FAT|Appearance(s) in FA Trophy.}} | |1 | 41 | 3 | ||
| Port Vale
|2018–19{{Soccerbase season|id=88884|season=2018|accessdate=1 July 2017}} |15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5{{efn|name=eft|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 22 | 0 | |
| Macclesfield Town
|2019–20{{Soccerbase season|id=88884|season=2019|accessdate=1 July 2017}} |League Two |17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=eft}} | 0 | 20 | 2 | |
| Wrexham
|National League |31 | 4 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 32 | 4 | ||
| rowspan="4"|Salford City
|2021–22{{Soccerbase season|id=88884|season=2021|accessdate=1 July 2021}} |League Two |27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 | |
| 2022–23{{Soccerbase season|id=88884|season=2022|accessdate=1 July 2021}}
|League Two |45 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8{{efn|Six appearances in EFL Trophy and two appearances in EFL League Two play-offs}} | 0 | 56 | 3 | |
| 2023–24{{Soccerbase season|id=88884|season=2023|accessdate=1 July 2021}}
|League Two |28 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=eft}} | 0 | 32 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!100 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 115 | 5 | |
| Barrow
|2024–25{{Soccerbase season|id=88884|season=2024|accessdate=1 July 2021}} |League Two |32 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=eft}} | 1 | 39 | 6 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!260 | 19 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 23 | 2 | 301 | 21 |
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Barrow A.F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vassell, Theo}}
Category:Footballers from Stoke-on-Trent
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Hanley Town F.C. players
Category:Stoke City F.C. players
Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players
Category:Gateshead F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Macclesfield Town F.C. players
Category:Wrexham A.F.C. players
Category:Salford City F.C. players
Category:Barrow A.F.C. players
Category:National League (English football) players