David Ronald Pipe (born 5 November 1983) is a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a midfielder or full-back.

David Pipe
Pipe after playing for Newport County in the 2012 FA Trophy Final
Personal information
Full name David Ronald Pipe[1]
Date of birth (1983-11-05) 5 November 1983 (age 40)[1]
Place of birth Caerphilly, Wales
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder or Full-back
Youth career
0000–2001 Coventry City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2004 Coventry City 21 (2)
2004–2007 Notts County 141 (4)
2007–2010 Bristol Rovers 86 (3)
2009–2010Cheltenham Town (loan) 8 (0)
2011–2014 Newport County 100 (0)
2014–2016 Forest Green Rovers 66 (1)
2016–2017 Eastleigh 9 (0)
2017Newport County (loan) 21 (0)
2017–2019 Newport County 54 (0)
Total 525 (10)
International career
2002–2005 Wales U21[2] 12 (0)
2003 Wales 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career edit

Born in Caerphilly, Wales, Pipe began his career in the youth system at Coventry City.[1] He made his senior debut for the Sky Blues on 31 August 2002 as a second-half substitute for Gary McSheffrey in a 1–0 home defeat against Nottingham Forest.[3] He scored his first senior goal in an away win over Gillingham on 5 October 2002 when he netted alongside Jay Bothroyd.[4] At the start of the 2003–04 season, he was limited to just a single League Cup appearance.

Notts County edit

He subsequently joined Notts County on loan in January 2004.[5] He made his debut for his new loan club three days later on 17 January 2004, helping them to a 1–0 away win over Wrexham.[6] In April 2004, he had his contract at Coventry terminated, allowing him to join Notts County permanently on a two-year contract.[7]

Bristol Rovers edit

Having been a mainstay of the Notts County squad for three consecutive seasons, Bristol Rovers paid £50,000 for his services in July 2007.[8] His first appearance for Bristol Rovers came in a 1–1 away draw against Port Vale in August 2007.[9]

He joined Cheltenham Town on loan in November 2009.[10] His loan at Whaddon Road was then extended until the end of January 2010.[11] He returned to Bristol Rovers at the end of the month but failed to make another appearance in the 2009–10 season. In June 2010, he was jailed for 38 months for fracturing the skull of another man in an unprovoked attack in Bristol in September 2009.[12]

Newport County edit

In September 2011, he spent time training with Conference Premier side Newport County whom he signed for on a non-contract basis later that month.[13] He made his debut for Newport County on 17 September 2011 playing 75 minutes in a 1–0 away defeat against Braintree Town.[14] He helped Newport to the final of the 2011–12 FA Trophy at Wembley Stadium in May 2012, however was on the losing side as York City came out on top in a 2–0 win.[15][16] Pipe was selected as Newport County's Player of the Year for the 2011–12 season.

In June 2012, he was appointed as captain of Newport County. Twelve months after he been a part of a side that had lost at Wembley in the FA Trophy final, he led Newport to the Football League as captain at Wembley in a 2–0 win over Wrexham in the 2013 Conference Premier play-off final on 5 May 2013.[17] In June 2013, he was named in the 2012–13 Conference Premier team of the season[18]

He was a regular in the Newport County side in their first year back in Football League Two, making 25 League Two appearances. However in February 2014, it was announced that he would be let go alongside Michael Flynn at the end of the season.[19] Two months later, in April 2014, it was confirmed that he had been released by Newport.[20] In the same month, he insisted there was no falling out with manager Justin Edinburgh in relation to the decision for him to be released.[21]

Forest Green Rovers edit

On 7 May 2014, he joined Forest Green Rovers on a two-year deal, also being named captain at The New Lawn.[22][23] He made his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2014–15 Conference Premier season on 9 August 2014, providing an assist in a 1–0 away win at Southport.[24] He ended the 2014–15 season having helped Forest Green into the Conference National play-offs, only to be knocked out in the semi-finals by his former club, Bristol Rovers.[25]

On 4 September 2015, he was named National League August Player of the Month after helping Forest Green to seven straight league victories in the opening month of the 2015–16 season.[26] He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 derby draw with Cheltenham Town on 22 September 2015.[27] He helped Forest Green reach the National League play-off final in May 2016, starting at Wembley Stadium in a 3–1 loss to Grimsby Town on 15 May 2016.[28] The following day on 16 May 2016 he was released by the club.[29]

Eastleigh edit

On 20 May 2016, after his release from Forest Green Rovers, Pipe joined Eastleigh on a one-year deal.[30]

Return to Newport County edit

On 5 January 2017, Pipe returned to former club Newport County on loan until the end of the 2016–17 season.[31] He made his second debut for Newport in the starting line-up in a 3–1 defeat to Stevenage in League Two on 7 January 2017.[32] Pipe provided the left footed cross for Mark O'Brien's 89th-minute winner in a 2–1 victory at home to Notts County, which ensured Newport's survival in League Two on the final day of the 2016-17 season.[33] Pipe was released by Eastleigh at the end of the 2016–17 season. On 18 May 2017 Pipe rejoined Newport County on a one-year contract.[34] In February 2018, his contract was extended to the end of the 2018–19 season.[35] He was part of the team that reached the League Two playoff final at Wembley Stadium on 25 May 2019, although he was an unused substitute in the final. Newport lost to Tranmere Rovers, 1-0 after a goal in the 119th minute.[36]On 23 April 2019 Pipe announced his retirement from play at the end of the 2018-19 season.[37]

International career edit

Pipe earned his only international cap for Wales in 2003 in a friendly international against the United States.[38][39] He had previously played for Wales at youth level and earned 12 caps for the under-21 team.[1]

Career statistics edit

As of match played 2 September 2017
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Coventry City 2002–03[40] First Division 21 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 24 2
2003–04[41] 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Total 21 2 1 0 3 0 0 0 25 2
Notts County 2003–04[41] Second Division 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 0
2004–05[42] League Two 41 2 4 0 2 0 1[a] 0 48 2
2005–06[43] 43 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 46 2
2006–07[44] 39 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 42 0
Total 141 4 7 0 5 0 1 0 154 4
Bristol Rovers 2007–08[45] League One 40 2 7 0 2 0 1[a] 0 50 2
2008–09[46] 39 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 40 1
2009–10[47] 7 0 0 0 2 0 1[a] 0 10 0
Total 86 3 7 0 5 0 2 0 100 3
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2009–10[47] League Two 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
Newport County 2011–12[48] Conference Premier 34 0 1 0 8[b] 0 43 0
2012–13[49] 41 0 0 0 3[c] 0 44 0
2013–14[50] League Two 25 0 1 0 0 0 3[a] 0 29 0
Total 100 0 2 0 0 0 14 0 116 0
Forest Green Rovers 2013–14[51] Conference Premier 34 0 0 0 4[d] 0 38 0
2015–16[52] 30 1 2 0 3[e] 0 35 1
Total 64 1 2 0 7 0 73 1
Eastleigh 2016–17[53] National League 9 0 3 0 0 0 12 0
Newport County 2016–17[53] League Two 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 0
2017–18[54] 2 0 0 0 2 0 1[a] 0 5 0
Total 23 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 26 0
Career total 366 7 15 0 10 0 23 0 414 7
  1. ^ a b c d e Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Appearances in the FA Trophy
  3. ^ Appearances in the Conference Premier play-offs
  4. ^ Two appearances in the FA Trophy and two in the Conference Premier play-offs
  5. ^ One appearance in the FA Trophy and two in the Conference Premier play-offs

Honours edit

Newport County

Individual

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 335. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 980. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  3. ^ "Coventry 0–1 Nottingham Forest". BBC Sport. 31 August 2002.
  4. ^ "Gillingham 0–2 Coventry". BBC Sport. 5 October 2002.
  5. ^ "Mills bags loan duo". BBC Sport. 14 January 2004.
  6. ^ "Wrexham 0–1 Notts County". BBC Sport. 17 January 2004.
  7. ^ "Pipe signs for Magpies". BBC Sport. 15 April 2004.
  8. ^ "Bristol Rovers swoop to sign Pipe". BBC Sport. 10 July 2007.
  9. ^ "Port Vale 1–1 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 11 August 2007.
  10. ^ "Cheltenham recruit pair on loan". BBC Sport. 26 November 2009.
  11. ^ "Defender David Pipe stays on loan at Cheltenham". BBC Sport. 4 January 2010.
  12. ^ "Footballer David Pipe jailed over club attack". BBC News. 15 June 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  13. ^ "Newport County sign former Wales midfielder David Pipe". BBC Sport. 15 September 2011.
  14. ^ "Braintree Town 1–0 Newport County". BBC Sport. 17 September 2011.
  15. ^ "Lanre Oyebanjo seals York City's FA Trophy win against Newport County". 12 May 2012.
  16. ^ "Newport County 0–2 York City". BBC Sport. 12 May 2012.
  17. ^ "Wrexham 0–2 Newport County". BBC Sport. 5 May 2013.
  18. ^ "Newport duo named in Conference Premier team of the season". BBC Sport. 8 June 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  19. ^ "David Pipe and Michael Flynn to leave Exiles". BBC Sport. 26 February 2014.
  20. ^ "Defender David Pipe released by Exiles". BBC Sport. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  21. ^ "No animosity over Newport County exit says defender". BBC Sport. 25 April 2014.
  22. ^ "Forest Green Rovers sign ex-Newport defender". BBC Sport. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  23. ^ "Forest Green boss Ady Pennock swoops for Newport County captain David Pipe". Stroud News & Journal. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  24. ^ "Southport 0–1 Forest Green". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  25. ^ "Bristol Rovers 2–0 Forest Green". BBC Sport. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  26. ^ "Ady Pennock and David Pipe land Vanarama National League awards for August". Stroud Life. 4 September 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  27. ^ "Forest Green 2–2 Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  28. ^ "Forest Green 1–3 Grimsby Town". BBC Sport. 15 May 2016.
  29. ^ "Darren Carter: Forest Green Rovers have 'unfinished business' in National League". BBC Sport. 16 May 2016.
  30. ^ "David Pipe Signs For the Spitfires". Eastleigh F.C. 20 May 2016. Archived from the original on 1 June 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  31. ^ "Graham Westley: 'Bringing David Pipe back a 'no-brainer'". BBC Sport. 5 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  32. ^ Newport debut
  33. ^ "Newport County 2–1 Notts County". BBC Sport. 6 May 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  34. ^ Pipe re-joins Newport
  35. ^ Pipe contract extended
  36. ^ Pearlman, Michael (25 May 2019). "League Two play-off final: Newport County 0-1 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  37. ^ Pipe retires
  38. ^ "USA sink poor Wales". BBC Sport. 27 May 2003. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  39. ^ "David Pipe". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  40. ^ "Games played by David Pipe in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  41. ^ a b "Games played by David Pipe in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  42. ^ "Games played by David Pipe in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  43. ^ "Games played by David Pipe in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  44. ^ "Games played by David Pipe in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  45. ^ "Games played by David Pipe in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  46. ^ "Games played by David Pipe in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  47. ^ a b "Games played by David Pipe in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  48. ^ "Games played by David Pipe in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  49. ^ "Games played by David Pipe in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  50. ^ "Games played by David Pipe in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  51. ^ "Games played by David Pipe in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  52. ^ "Games played by David Pipe in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  53. ^ a b "Games played by David Pipe in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  54. ^ "Games played by David Pipe in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  55. ^ "National League (Sky Sports)". Sky Sports. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  56. ^ Ian Woodcock (12 May 2012). "FA Trophy: Newport County 0–2 York City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  57. ^ "Newport duo named in Conference Premier team of the season". BBC Sport. 8 June 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2023.

External links edit