| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alan Chadwick Blake | ||
| Date of birth | 16 June 1993 | ||
| Place of birth | Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Bristol Pirates | ||
| Number | 93 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2008-2010 | Worcester Rovers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2010 | Worcester Rovers | 6 | (6) |
| 2011- | Bristol Pirates | ? | (?) |
| International career | |||
| 2011- | England U21 | 4 | (3) |
| 2011- | England | 2 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Alan Chadwick Blake (born 16 June 1993), better known as Chad Blake, is an English footballer who plays for the BritLeague's Bristol Pirates.
Rise to stardom
editBlake was one of the finalists of BTN's Be A BritLeague Pro competition, a reality show in which promising footballers from the lower regional leagues try and earn themselves a BritLeague contract. Matt Cook won the show, and subsequently signed with Manchester Rockers, but Blake was impressive enough for him to be signed up by Bristol Pirates. He especially won the praise of then-London United and England midfielder CraiCo, who was a mentor/pundit on the show, who said:
| “ | I just saw Chad train this morning and he looks the part. Honestly, I've never seen anyone go past people like that since Canachega retired. This kid's got what it takes to be the next big thing. | ” |
Making the big league and early England call-up
editHis early season form for the Pirates attracted the attention of England manager Marco Garibaldi, who decided to call him up for the qualifying matches against Iceland. At 17 years, nine months and ten days, he became the youngest England player since Edward Redwood, who was slightly younger when he made his England debut in 2003. He is the first Bristol Pirates player to play for England while at the club.