Graham Deakin (footballer)

Graham Deakin
Personal information
Full name Graham Lee Deakin
Date of birth (1987-04-24) 24 April 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth Birmingham, England
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Stafford Rangers (assistant manager)
Youth career
–2006 Walsall
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2007 Walsall 0 (0)
2006 Tamworth 5 (0)
–2014 Sutton Coldfield Town
2014 Rushall Olympic
2014– Sutton Coldfield Town
Managerial career
2020– Hednesford Town (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:00, 23 October 2020 (UTC)

Graham Lee Deakin (born 24 April 1987) is an English footballer assistant manager and former player who is currently assistant manager of Northern Premier League Division One West side Stafford Rangers. As a player, he spent most of his career playing as a midfielder.

Playing career

Walsall

Deakin played one first team match for Walsall in the Football League Trophy semi final on 24 January 2006.

Walsall met Swansea City in the semi-final, Swansea City took an early lead through Leon Knight. Walsall eventually equalised through an Alex Nicholls goal in the second half. Andy Robinson gave Swansea the lead in the 83rd minute but his goal was quickly cancelled out by an equaliser from James Constable which sent the match to extra-time.[1] Deakin was introduced to the action during extra-time, coming on as a 108th-minute substitute for David McDermott. The match eventually required a penalty shoot-out. The opening eight penalties were all successfully converted before the following four were all missed. The shootout ended when Deakin missed his side's eighth penalty, allowing Alan Tate to convert the winning penalty for Swansea.[2]

Tamworth

Deakin signed for Conference National side Tamworth on loan on the 31 August 2006.[3]

Sutton Coldfield Town

Following a brief spell with Rushall Olympic, Deakin returned to sign for Sutton Coldfield Town on 24 August 2014.[4]

Coaching career

In October 2024, Deakin joined Stafford Rangers as assistant manager.[5]

Personal life

Deakin's father, Graham Sr., died in 2022 from injuries sustained while trying to take his own life. Subsequently, Deakin has helped to set up a West Midlands mental health hub specifically for men, as well as linking up with non-profit organisation Sport Against Suicide.[6]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 27 October 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Walsall 2006–07 League 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Tamworth (loan) 2006–07 Football Conference 5 0 0 0 — 0 0 5 0
Career total 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 6 0

References

  1. ^ "Swansea 2–2 Walsall". BBC Sport. 24 January 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Swansea City v Walsall, 24 January 2006". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Saddlers teenager joins Tamworth". bbc.co.uk. 31 August 2006. Retrieved 31 August 2006.
  4. ^ "New Signing". SCTFC.com. 24 August 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  5. ^ "Club Statement". www.staffordrangersfc.co.uk. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  6. ^ "FA Cup: The former footballer setting up a mental health hub after his father's death". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 August 2022.