Arron Rhys Davies (born 22 June 1984) is a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He made one appearance for the Wales national team.

Arron Davies
Davies playing for Exeter City in 2013
Personal information
Full name Arron Rhys Davies
Date of birth (1984-06-22) 22 June 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth Cardiff, Wales
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1993–1997 Cardiff City
1997–2002 Southampton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2004 Southampton 0 (0)
2004Barnsley (loan) 4 (0)
2004–2007 Yeovil Town 101 (22)
2007–2010 Nottingham Forest 32 (1)
2009Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 7 (0)
2010 Brighton & Hove Albion 0 (0)
2010Yeovil Town (loan) 10 (0)
2010–2011 Peterborough United 22 (1)
2011–2012 Northampton Town 15 (4)
2012–2016 Exeter City 136 (10)
2016–2017 Accrington Stanley 4 (1)
Total 331 (39)
International career
2003 Wales U19 2 (0)
2004–2006 Wales U21 14 (4)
2006 Wales 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early life

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Davies was brought up in Llantwit Major, where he attended Llantwit Major Comprehensive School.[citation needed]

Club career

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Southampton

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Davies joined Southampton's Centre of Excellence at Bath[1] before moving up to the Academy. He made his first appearance for the reserves in September 2001 and became a regular for the Saints reserves in the 2002–03 season after moving from the wing to a striking role. Between March and April 2003 he scored 4 times in 5 reserve games, which brought him to the attention of first team manager Gordon Strachan. Strachan named Davies in his initial 20-man squad for the 2003 FA Cup final, however he failed to make the bench. Davies also travelled to Bucharest for Saints' UEFA Cup tie.

Although seemingly on the verge of breaking into the senior team, Davies never made a first team appearance for Southampton. In February 2004, he went on loan to Second Division side Barnsley. On 14 February 2004 he made his debut for Barnsley in a 1–0 loss against Wrexham.

Davies was released by Southampton following the arrival of new manager Harry Redknapp in December 2004.[2]

Yeovil Town

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Davies playing for Yeovil Town in 2007

On 16 December 2004, Davies moved to League Two side Yeovil Town on a free transfer[3][4]

On 18 December 2004, Davies scored the winning goal on his debut in a 3–2 victory over Leyton Orient. On 29 January 2005, Davies scored in a 3–2 loss against Charlton Athletic in the fourth round of the FA Cup.[5]

In February 2005, Davies scored in four consecutive matches against Chester City, Scunthorpe United, Grimsby Town and Northampton Town. Yeovil finished the 2004–05 season as champions of League Two and won promotion to League One.[citation needed]

Davies blossomed during 2005–06, where he scored 8 goals in 39 appearances. On 4 March 2006, he scored a hat-trick against Chesterfield in a 3–0 victory.[6] At the end of the season, Davies signed a new two-year contract with Yeovil, keeping him at the club until 2008.[7]

In 2006–07, Davies scored 6 league goals. On 18 May 2007, he scored twice in Yeovil's 5–2 Football League One Play-off semi-final win against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. His goals helped Yeovil to a 5–4 aggregate win.[8] 27 May 2007, Yeovil lost 2–0 against Blackpool on in the League One Play-off Final.

Nottingham Forest

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6 July 2007, Davies moved to League One side Nottingham Forest in a combined £1.2m deal with teammate Chris Cohen. On 6 July 2007, he signed a three-year contract.[9]

Davies missed the start of the 2007–08 season due to injury. 30 October 2007, He made his debut as a substitute in a 0–0 draw against Oldham. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win against Crewe Alexandra.[10] Unfortunately, injuries limited the number of appearances Davies made for The Reds. Forest finished the season in second place and won gained promotion to the Championship.

Davies' appearances were again limited due to injury during the 2008–09 season.

On 1 September 2009, Davies signed on loan with League One side Brighton & Hove Albion until the end of the year.[11] However, after only 7 appearances, Brighton terminated his loan on 2 December 2009.

On 19 January 2010, Davies, along with James Reid, Aaron Mitchell and Joe Heath, had his contract terminated by mutual consent.[12]

Return to Yeovil

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In January 2010, a proposed move to join his former club, Yeovil Town, collapsed due to FIFA regulations which state that a player "may only play for two clubs in any one season where he has been on contract or a standard loan". This prevented Davies from signing for a third club during the season.[13]

To avoid these regulations, Davies signed on non-contract terms with Brighton & Hove Albion on 11 February 2010. Once signed, he was loaned to Yeovil for the remainder of the season.[14]

Peterborough United

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On 9 July 2010, Davies was signed by former boss Gary Johnson for Peterborough United on a two-year contract.[15]

On 7 August 2010, Davies made his debut in a 3–0 win against Bristol Rovers. On 4 September 2010, Davies sustained a hamstring injury in a 1–0 loss against Tranmere Rovers. He was sidelined for three weeks following the match.[16]

On 2 November 2010, Davies scored his first goal in over three years in a 3–1 win over against Walsall.[17] Peterborough were promoted to the Championship at the end of the season after beating Huddersfield 3-0 in the play-off final.

Davies was transfer listed and then had his contract terminated by mutual consent by new manager Darren Ferguson at the end of the 2010–11 season.[18]

Northampton Town

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On 30 June 2011, Davies was signed by Gary Johnson for a third time at League Two side Northampton Town.[19]

On 6 August 2011, Davies made his debut for the club in a 0–0 draw against Accrington Stanley. On 20 August 2011, Davies scored his first goal in a 3–2 loss against Cheltenham Town.

Gary Johnson was sacked in mid-November 2011 and replaced by Aidy Boothroyd. Under Boothroyd, Davies' first team opportunities were limited.

On 4 July 2012, Davies had his contract terminated with Northampton Town by mutual consent.[20]

Exeter City

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On 5 July 2012, Davies signed with League Two side Exeter City.[21]

On 19 October 2013, Davies scored a spectacular dipping long range effort from the sideline against Scunthorpe United in a 4–0 away victory. The goal was voted by Exeter supporters as the club's goal of the season.[22]

Davies left Exeter at the end of the 2015–16 season after the club could not afford to offer him a new contract.[23]

Accrington Stanley

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On 1 August 2016, Davies joined fellow League Two side Accrington Stanley on a one-year contract.[24] He scored his first goal for Accrington in a 2–1 loss to Exeter City on 20 August 2016.[25]

International career

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Davies has represented his country at all levels including captaining Wales at under-21 level.

He earned his only senior international cap for Wales as a substitute in a 2–1 friendly victory against Trinidad and Tobago.[26]

Career statistics

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Club

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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
Southampton 2002–03[27] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2003–04[28] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2004–05[29] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Barnsley (loan) 2003–04[28] Second Division 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Yeovil Town 2004–05[29] League Two 23 8 2 1 0 0 0 0 25 9
2005–06[30] League One 39 8 3 1 2 1 1[a] 0 45 10
2006–07[31] League One 39 6 1 0 1 0 4[b] 2 45 8
Total 101 22 6 2 3 1 5 2 115 27
Nottingham Forest 2007–08[32] League One 19 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 22 1
2008–09[33] Championship 13 0 2 0 1 0 16 0
2009–10[34] Championship 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0
Total 32 1 5 0 3 0 0 0 40 1
Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 2009–10[34] League One 7 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 8 0
Brighton & Hove Albion 2009–10[34] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Yeovil Town (loan) 2009–10[34] League One 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Peterborough United 2010–11[35] League One 22 1 4 0 1 0 1[a] 0 28 1
Northampton Town 2011–12[36] League Two 15 4 1 0 2 0 1[a] 0 19 4
Exeter City 2012–13[37] League Two 37 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 38 3
2013–14[38] League Two 32 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 34 2
2014–15[39] League Two 39 4 1 0 1 0 1[a] 0 42 4
2015–16[40] League Two 28 1 4 0 2 0 1[a] 0 35 1
Total 136 10 6 0 5 0 2 0 148 10
Accrington Stanley 2016–17[41] League Two 4 1 2 0 2 0 2[a] 0 10 1
Career totals 331 39 24 2 16 1 12 2 383 44
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Three appearances and two goals in the Football League One Play-offs and one appearance in the Football League Trophy

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Wales[42] 2006 1 0
Total 1 0

Honours

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Yeovil Town

Nottingham Forest

Peterborough United

References

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  1. ^ Saints' youth team news update Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine (broken link)
  2. ^ Holley, Duncan; Chalk, Gary (2003). In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC. Hagiology Publishing. ISBN 0-9534474-3-X.
  3. ^ "Glovers trial Davies". Sky Sports. 16 December 2004. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  4. ^ "Glovers trial Davies". Sky Sports. 15 December 2004. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  5. ^ "Addicks get past Glovers". Sky Sports. 29 January 2005. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  6. ^ "Chesterfield 0–3 Yeovil". BBC News. 4 March 2006.
  7. ^ "Davies stays at Yeovil". Sky Sports. 31 May 2006. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  8. ^ Sinnott, John (18 May 2007). "Nottm Forest 2-5 Yeovil". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  9. ^ "BBC Sport – Football – My Club – Nottm Forest – Forest seal deal for Glovers duo".
  10. ^ "Nott'm Forest 2-0 Crewe". BBC. 23 November 2007. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  11. ^ "Davies sent to Seagulls". Sky Sports. 1 September 2009. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  12. ^ "Forest release quartet". Sky Sports. 19 January 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  13. ^ "Yeovil Town are denied the signing of Arron Davies". BBC Sport. 29 January 2009. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  14. ^ "Yeovil Town re-sign Wales cap Arron Davies". BBC Sport. 11 February 2010. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  15. ^ "Arron Davies signs two-year Peterborough deal". BBC Sport. 9 July 2010.
  16. ^ "Hamstring blow for Davies". Sky Sports. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  17. ^ "Walsall 1 - 3 Peterborough". BBC. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  18. ^ "Peterborough United release listed winger Arron Davies". BBC Sport. 29 June 2011.
  19. ^ "Davies is latest new addition". Northampton Town F.C. 30 June 2011. Archived from the original on 5 July 2011.
  20. ^ "Midfielder Davies has Cobblers contract terminated". Northampton Chronicle & Echo. 4 July 2012.
  21. ^ "Exeter City sign Northampton winger Arron Davies". BBC Sport. 5 July 2012.
  22. ^ "Scunthorpe 0–4 Exeter". BBC Sport. 19 October 2013.
  23. ^ "Paul Tisdale says Exeter City wanted to keep Arron Davies and David Noble". BBC Sport. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  24. ^ "Arron Davies: Accrington Stanley sign ex-Exeter City midfielder". BBC Sport. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  25. ^ "Accrington 1–2 Exeter". BBC Sport. 20 August 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  26. ^ "Wales 2–1 Trinidad & Tobago". BBC Sport. 27 May 2006.
  27. ^ "Games played by Arron Davies in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  28. ^ a b "Games played by Arron Davies in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  29. ^ a b "Games played by Arron Davies in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  30. ^ "Games played by Arron Davies in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  31. ^ "Games played by Arron Davies in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  32. ^ "Games played by Arron Davies in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  33. ^ "Games played by Arron Davies in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  34. ^ a b c d "Games played by Arron Davies in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  35. ^ "Games played by Arron Davies in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  36. ^ "Games played by Arron Davies in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  37. ^ "Games played by Arron Davies in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  38. ^ "Games played by Arron Davies in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  39. ^ "Games played by Arron Davies in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  40. ^ "Games played by Arron Davies in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  41. ^ "Games played by Arron Davies in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  42. ^ "Arron Davies". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  43. ^ "A.Davies". Soccerway. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
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