David Thomas Syers (born 30 November 1987) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Dave Syers
Personal information
Full name David Thomas Syers[1]
Date of birth (1987-11-30) 30 November 1987 (age 36)[1]
Place of birth Leeds, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Darlington
Ossett Albion
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2009 Ossett Albion
2009 Harrogate Town
2009–2010 Farsley Celtic
2010 Ossett Albion
2010 Harrogate Town
2010 Guiseley
2010–2012 Bradford City 55 (10)
2012–2014 Doncaster Rovers 34 (3)
2013–2014Scunthorpe United (loan) 15 (5)
2014–2016 Scunthorpe United 31 (5)
2016 Rochdale 6 (0)
2016 Guiseley 2 (0)
2016–2018 Darlington 75 (18)
2018–2023 Farsley Celtic 121 (18)
Total 339 (59)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

After playing youth football with Darlington, Syers played non-league football for Ossett Albion, Harrogate Town, Farsley Celtic and Guiseley while studying at University, before turning professional in 2010 with Bradford City. After spending two seasons with them, he moved to Doncaster Rovers in 2012. While at Doncaster he spent a loan spell with Scunthorpe United, before signing a permanent deal with the club in January 2014. After a period out with injury he moved to Rochdale in January 2016, returned to Guiseley in August, and rejoined Darlington in October, where he spent two years before signing for Farsley Celtic.

Early and personal life edit

Born in Leeds, Syers attended Leeds Grammar School, representing the school at cricket.[3]

He attended the University of Leeds, where he read classics,[4] and represented the English Universities football team during the 2008–09 season.[5][6]

He began training as an accountant after signing for Darlington in October 2016.[7]

Dave married his girlfriend Hannah Bickers in June 2013.[8] In October 2016 he was living near Wetherby.[7]

Football career edit

Non-league career edit

Syers played for Darlington between the ages of 14 and 16.[7] He started his career with Ossett Albion while still at school.[9] After playing more than 150 games with Ossett,[9] he moved to Harrogate Town in April 2009.[10] After making three appearances for Harrogate, Syers moved to Farsley Celtic in June 2009.[11] During that season Syers scored nine league goals for Farsley. After a second spell with Ossett Albion in the latter stages of the 2009–2010 season,[12] Syers returned to Harrogate in March 2010.[13] Syers joined Guiseley on 1 July 2010.[14]

Bradford City edit

Syers went on trial to League Two side Bradford City on 15 July 2010.[15] He signed on non-contract terms with Bradford on 10 August 2010, before making his professional debut for them that same day, in a 2–1 League Cup victory over Nottingham Forest, in which Syers scored the first goal to take the game into extra time.[16] By the end of the week, Syers signed a full-time contract with City for the rest of the season after impressing manager Peter Taylor.[17][18] A day later, Syers made his Football League debut, coming on as a second-half substitute for Tommy Doherty in 1–0 victory over Stevenage.[19] In March 2011, Syers' contract was automatically extended by Bradford until the end of the 2011–12 season, following the activation of a clause in his contract regarding match appearances.[20] Following his first season in professional football, Syers was awarded Bradford City's Player's Player of the Year award by his teammates in May 2011.[21] The full Player of the Year award had been cancelled two weeks earlier by the City board following a "rubbish season."[22]

Syers was injured in the second match of the 2011–12 season, a 2–3 defeat against Leeds United in the League Cup; it was announced that he would be out of action for 10 to 12 weeks.[23]

Doncaster Rovers edit

After his contract with Bradford expired, he signed a two-year deal with Doncaster Rovers on 14 June 2012.[24][25][26] Syers said he was attracted by the ambition of Doncaster's manager, ex-Bradford player Dean Saunders,[27] after the club made him "an offer I couldn't refuse."[28] On the final day of the season, he helped Doncaster win the League One title with a 1–0 win against Brentford.[29]

Scunthorpe United edit

He signed an initial one-month loan deal with Scunthorpe United on 5 October 2013.[30] He was recalled by Doncaster on 3 January 2014.[31]

In January 2014 he was linked with a return to former club Bradford City, though the club denied the speculation.[32] Later that month he signed a permanent two-and-a-half-year contract with Scunthorpe.[33] On 22 February 2014, Syers scored the first hat-trick of his career in a 5–1 home victory over Portsmouth.[34] Syers was injured in the opening game of the 2014–15 season, and missed the rest of the campaign.[35] He later stated that his time injured while with Bradford City was helping him with his latest injury.[36]

Rochdale edit

After being released by Scunthorpe at the start of the month, Syers joined Rochdale on 18 January 2016, on a contract until the end of the season.[37]

Later career edit

His contract with Rochdale was terminated in the summer of 2016, following which he rejoined Guiseley in August 2016.[38]

He moved to Darlington in October 2016,[39][40] and was a first-team regular for the next two years.[41]

Syers left Darlington for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Farsley Celtic in late November 2018.[42][43] He retired in April 2023.[44]

Cricket career edit

Syers played Bradford League cricket for Spen Victoria, Pudsey St Lawrence, Collingham and Farsley, as a wicket-keeper and batsman.[4] In 2010, he scored 225 runs at an average of 75.00 in four innings to help Farsley reach the final of the Priestley Cup, but was unable to play because of his new professional football career.[45]

Career statistics edit

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
Bradford City 2010–11[46] League Two 37 8 1 1 2 1 0 0 40 10
2011–12[47] League Two 18 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 19 2
Total 55 10 1 1 3 1 0 0 59 12
Doncaster Rovers 2012–13[48] League One 32 3 2 0 3 2 1[a] 0 38 5
2013–14[49] Championship 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
Total 34 3 2 0 4 2 1 0 41 5
Scunthorpe United[b] 2013–14[49] League Two 37 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 37 10
2014–15[50] League One 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
2015–16[51] League One 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Total 46 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 46 10
Rochdale 2015–16[51] League One 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Guiseley 2016–17[41] National League 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Darlington 1883 2016–17[41][52] National League North 28 9 0 0 2[c] 0 30 9
Darlington 2017–18[41][53] National League North 34 8 1 0 1[c] 0 36 8
2018–19[41][54] National League North 13 1 1 0 1[c] 0 15 1
Total 75 18 2 0 4 0 81 18
Farsley Celtic 2018–19[55] Northern Premier League Premier Division 17 4 0 0 3[d] 1 20 5
2019–20[41][56] National League North 30 9 2 0 4[c] 1 36 10
2020–21[41][57] National League North 16 2 1 0 2[c] 0 19 2
2021–22[41][58] National League North 27 1 0 0 1[c] 0 28 1
2022–23[41][59] National League North 31 2 2 0 1[c] 1 34 3
Total 121 18 5 0 11 3 137 21
Career total 339 59 10 1 7 3 16 3 372 66
  1. ^ Appearance in the Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Syers scored 5 goals from 15 appearances on loan before joining permanently on 10 January 2014
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Appearances in FA Trophy
  4. ^ Appearances in Northern Premier League Challenge Cup

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Dave Syers". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  2. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 437. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  3. ^ "Wetherall Awards". The Cricket Society. Archived from the original on 18 October 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Bradford City: Football tests are a boon for Syers". Yorkshire Evening Post. 10 January 2011. Archived from the original on 6 August 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  5. ^ "English universities men's football – 2008/2009 season". British Universities and Colleges Sport. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  6. ^ "English Universities Men's Football defeat Guernsey". British Universities and Colleges Sport. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  7. ^ a b c Craig Stoddart (19 October 2016). "Syers has no doubts about playing for Darlington". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  8. ^ Paul Goodwin (31 May 2013). "Doncaster Rovers: Syers meets his match". Doncaster Free Press. Archived from the original on 11 June 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Bradford City: David Syers interview". Yorkshire Evening Post. 6 September 2010. Archived from the original on 5 August 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  10. ^ "Syers goes to Town". Non-League Daily. 1 April 2009. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  11. ^ "Three new Celts". Non-League Daily. 17 June 2009. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  12. ^ Nick Rigg (16 October 2013). "Ossett Albion slip into relegation zone". Wakefield Express. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  13. ^ "Farsley four join Town". Non-League Daily. 12 March 2010. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  14. ^ Ian Whiting (1 July 2010). "Four in, two out for Guiseley". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  15. ^ "Bradford City: Syers on trial with City". Yorkshire Evening Post. 15 July 2010. Archived from the original on 6 August 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  16. ^ "Bradford 2–1 Nott'm Forest". BBC Sport. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  17. ^ "Syers signs City deal". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. 13 August 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  18. ^ "David Syers awarded Bradford City contract". BBC Sport. 13 August 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  19. ^ "Bradford 1–0 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
  20. ^ "Syers' contract clause triggered". Bradford City A.F.C. 18 March 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  21. ^ "Syers wins end of season award". Bradford City A.F.C. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  22. ^ Simon Parker (19 April 2011). "Bradford City bin awards night after rubbish season". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  23. ^ "Bradford City star Syers out for three months". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. 16 August 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  24. ^ "Doncaster Rovers sign David Syers from Bradford City". BBC Sport. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  25. ^ "Rovers sign former Bantam Syers". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 14 June 2012. Archived from the original on 17 June 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  26. ^ Ross Heppenstall (14 June 2012). "David Syers quits Bradford City for Doncaster Rovers". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  27. ^ Ross Heppenstall (15 June 2012). "Dean Saunders tempts David Syers to quit Bradford City for Doncaster". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  28. ^ Simon Parker (22 June 2012). "Bradford City: An offer I couldn't refuse, says David Syers of Doncaster move". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  29. ^ "Brentford 0–1 Doncaster". BBC Sport. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  30. ^ "Scunthorpe United: Doncaster's David Syers joins Iron on loan". BBC Sport. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  31. ^ "Doncaster recall midfielder David Syers from Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 3 January 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  32. ^ Simon Parker (7 January 2014). "Bradford City rule out David Syers return". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  33. ^ "Transfer Window: Scunthorpe sign Paddy Madden and David Syers". BBC Sport. 10 January 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  34. ^ "Scunthorpe 5–1 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2014. David Syers helped himself to the first hat-trick of his career as promotion-chasing Scunthorpe thrashed Pompey.
  35. ^ Shaun Ringwood (13 August 2014). "Scunthorpe United's Dave Syers reveals devastation at horror injury". Scunthorpe Telegraph. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  36. ^ Simon Parker (18 December 2014). "Frustrated Syers learns to cope with long-term absence after Bantams experience". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  37. ^ "Dave Syers: Rochdale sign former Scunthorpe midfielder". BBC Sport. 18 January 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  38. ^ Birkinshaw, Alan (11 August 2016). "Syers is aiming to get up to full speed with Guiseley". Wharfedale Observer. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  39. ^ Ray Simpson. "Quakers sign David Syers". Darlington 1883. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  40. ^ Craig Stoddart (14 October 2016). "Darlington sign former Bradford City midfielder". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  41. ^ a b c d e f g h i "D. Syers". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  42. ^ Ian Whiting (2 December 2018). "Former Bantam Dave Syers key in Farsley fightback". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  43. ^ "Dave Syers". Farsley Celtic F.C. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  44. ^ Nathan Atkinson (29 April 2023). "Former Bradford City player retiring after huge Farsley game". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  45. ^ Alan Birkinshaw (27 August 2010). "New Bradford City player Syers sits out Priestley Cup final". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  46. ^ "Games played by Dave Syers in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  47. ^ "Games played by Dave Syers in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  48. ^ "Games played by Dave Syers in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  49. ^ a b "Games played by Dave Syers in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  50. ^ "Games played by Dave Syers in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  51. ^ a b "Games played by Dave Syers in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
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    Ray Simpson (6 December 2016). "Quakers let two goal lead slip to go out of the Trophy". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  53. ^ Ray Simpson (16 September 2017). "Quakers beaten in Cup by Shields". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
    Ray Simpson (24 November 2017). "Styche an instant hit for Quakers, but Harrogate go through with late winner". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  54. ^ Ray Simpson (22 September 2018). "Quakers beaten by first half goal". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
    Ray Simpson (23 November 2018). "Quakers beaten by to two goals in three second half minutes". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
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  56. ^ "Town bow out of FA Cup". Runcorn Town F.C. 21 September 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
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