Jack Blake

For the boxer, see Bandsman Jack Blake.

Jack Blake
Personal information
Full name Jack James Blake[1]
Date of birth (1994-09-22) 22 September 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth Nottingham, England
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Indy Eleven
Number 8
Youth career
2002–2004 Notts County
2004–2013 Nottingham Forest
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2015 Nottingham Forest 0 (0)
2013 → Mansfield Town (loan) 3 (0)
2016 Minnesota United 11 (0)
2017 Jacksonville Armada 27 (10)
2018 Tampa Bay Rowdies 6 (1)
2018 → Real Monarchs (loan) 17 (1)
2019–2020 Real Monarchs 38 (9)
2021–2022 San Diego Loyal 51 (8)
2023– Indy Eleven 56 (13)
International career‡
2011–2012 Scotland U19 5 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 October 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 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.[2] 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.[3]

Mansfield Town (loan, 2013)

Blake was loaned for a month to county rivals, Mansfield Town on 19 October 2013.[4] He made his professional debut on 22 October 2013 during a 0–0 draw against Bury.[5] After making his professional debut, Blake expressed his happiness to make his debut.[6] After making three appearances for the club, Blake made his return to his parent club.[7] Despite rumors that Blake may returned to Mansfield Town on loan for the second time,[8] this was played down by manager Paul Cox.[9]

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.[10]

Minnesota United (2016)

On 26 May 2016, Minnesota United announced that Blake had signed with the North American Soccer League club.[11] 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.[12]

Jacksonville Armada (2017)

On 18 January 2017, it was reported that the Jacksonville Armada had signed Blake ahead of the NASL's 2017 season.[13] Blake was named the NASL's Young Player of the Year after recording nine goals and four assists with the Armada.[14]

Tampa Bay Rowdies (2018)

On 8 February 2018, the Tampa Bay Rowdies announced they had received Blake on a season-long loan from Jacksonville.[15] A little over a month later, on 15 March 2018, he terminated his Armada FC contact, and joined the Rowdies on a permanent basis.[16]

On 19 June 2018, Blake moved on loan to Utah-based USL side Real Monarchs.[17]

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.[18] He re-signed with the club on 18 December 2019 for the 2020 season.[19] He announced his departure from the club in December 2020.[20]

San Diego Loyal (2021–2022)

On 14 December 2019, Blake signed with USL Championship side San Diego Loyal.[21]

Indy Eleven (2023–present)

After two seasons in San Diego, Blake moved to USL Championship club Indy Eleven on 6 January 2023.[22]

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.[23] 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.[24] 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.[25][26] 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.[27] Blake led the team with 4 league goals and one U.S. Open Cup goal in May 2024.[28] 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.[29] 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.[30]

Indy Eleven announced that Blake would return for a third consecutive season on 20 November 2024.[31]

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.[32]

Personal life

Blake earned his U.S. green card in 2019.[33] His status also qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 3 November 2024.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Nottingham Forest 2012–13 EFL Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
2013–14 EFL Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
2014–15 EFL Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
Mansfield Town (loan) 2013–14 EFL League Two 3 0 0 0 0 0 — — 3 0
Total 3 0 0 0 0 0 — — 3 0
Minnesota United 2016 NASL 11 0 1 1 — — — 12 1
Total 11 0 1 1 0 0 — — 12 1
Jacksonville Armada 2017 NASL 27 10 2 1 — — — 29 11
Total 27 10 2 1 — — — 29 11
Tampa Bay Rowdies 2018 USL 6 1 1 0 — — — 7 1
Total 6 1 1 0 — — — 7 1
Real Monarchs (loan) 2018 USL 17 1 — — — — 17 1
Real Monarchs 2019 USL Championship 25 8 — — — 4 3 29 11
2020 USL Championship 13 1 — — — — 13 1
Total 55 10 — — — 4 3 59 13
San Diego Loyal 2021 USL Championship 25 5 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic — — — 25 5
2022 USL Championship 26 3 1 0 — — — 27 3
Total 51 8 1 0 — — — 52 8
Indy Eleven 2023 USL Championship 30 3 2 0 0 0 — — 32 3
2024 USL Championship 26 9 3 1 1 0 — — 30 10
Total 56 12 5 1 1 0 — 0 0 62 13
Career total 209 41 10 3 1 0 — — 4 3 224 47

References

  1. ^ "Professional Retain List & Free Transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 3 June 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  2. ^ "Teen Stars Sign Up". Nottingham Forest F.C. 8 May 2012. Archived from the original on 24 November 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  3. ^ "In the Spotlight: Jack Blake". Nottingham Post. 17 January 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ "Nottingham Forest midfielder Jack Blake joins Mansfield on loan". BBC Sport. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  5. ^ "Bury 0 - 0 Mansfield Town". BBC Sport. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  6. ^ "Blake happy with senior debut". Mansfield Town F.C. 23 October 2013. Archived from the original on 24 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  7. ^ "Blake returns to Forest". Nottingham Post. 18 November 2013. Archived from the original on 24 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  8. ^ "Nottingham Forest midfielder Jack Blake likely to return from Mansfield Town". Nottingham Post. 14 November 2013. Archived from the original on 16 November 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  9. ^ "Mansfield Town boosted by return of injured quartet". Nottingham Post. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  10. ^ "Football League confirm players released by Nottingham Forest". Nottingham Post. 12 June 2015. Archived from the original on 17 July 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  11. ^ "Jack Blake Signs With Loons". Minnesota United FC. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  12. ^ "Minnesota United FC Defeats St. Louis FC 2-0 In US Open Cup Action, Will Host Sporting Kansas City". FiftyFive One OfficiaL Website. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  13. ^ "Armada Signs Midfielder Jack Blake". Jacksonville Armada FC. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  14. ^ "Jacksonville Midfielder Jack Blake Named NASL Young Player of the Year". NASL.com. 8 November 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  15. ^ "Rowdies Add 2017 NASL Young Player of the Year Jack Blake to Roster". RowdiesSoccer.com. 8 February 2018. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  16. ^ "Rowdies Sign Midfielder Jack Blake to Permanent Deal". RowdiesSoccer.com. 15 March 2018. Archived from the original on 17 March 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  17. ^ "Real Monarchs SLC Ink Jack Blake on Loan from Tampa Bay Rowdies | Real Salt Lake".
  18. ^ "Jack Blake | Real Salt Lake".
  19. ^ "Real Monarchs Re-Sign Midfielder Jack Blake". 18 December 2019.
  20. ^ "Real Monarchs Captain Jack Blake Announces Departure from Club". 4 December 2020.
  21. ^ "Jack Blake Joins Midfield Corps at San Diego Loyal SC". 14 December 2020.
  22. ^ USLChampionship com Staff (6 January 2023). "Jack Blake makes move to Indy Eleven". USL Championship.
  23. ^ "Recap - OAK 2:1 IND". Indy Eleven. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  24. ^ "Recap – LOU 5:3 IND". Indy Eleven. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  25. ^ "Recap - IND 2:1 PHX". Indy Eleven. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  26. ^ "Indy XI 2-1 Phoenix (May 25, 2024) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  27. ^ "Blake Named to USL Championship Team of the Week". Indy Eleven. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  28. ^ "2024 Player Stats". Indy Eleven. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  29. ^ "RECAP - BHM 0:1 IND". Indy Eleven. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Cinderella Semifinalists Indy Eleven Make Open Cup Lemonade in Turbulent 2024". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  31. ^ "Indy Eleven Announces Returnees for 2025". Indy Eleven. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  32. ^ "Hot Forest prospect Jack Blake is new midfield target for Stags manager Paul Cox". Mansfield and Ashfield Chad. 17 September 2011. Archived from the original on 28 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  33. ^ Christian Hewgill (4 January 2018). "The British footballer with a goal to make it big in the US". BBC.com. Retrieved 7 January 2018.