Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Carl Dale | ||
Date of birth | 29 April 1966 | ||
Place of birth | Colwyn Bay, Wales | ||
Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) | ||
Playing position | Striker | ||
Youth career | |||
Arsenal | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1983–1985 | Conwy United | ? | (?) |
1985–1986 | Rhyl | ? | (?) |
1986–1988 | Bangor City | ? | (?) |
1988–1991 | Chester City | 116 | (41) |
1991–1998 | Cardiff City | 211 | (71) |
1998–1999 | Yeovil Town | 19 | (4) |
1999–2001 | Newport County | 71 | (33) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:33, 7 May 2007 (UTC). |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:33, 7 May 2007 (UTC).
Carl Dale (born 29 April 1966) is a Welsh former professional footballer. During his career, he made over 300 appearances in the Football League for Cardiff City and Chester City, scoring over 100 goals. He remains a cult favourite among the fans of his former teams.
Dale started his career at Arsenal, where he was on schoolboy forms, but was released by the club and instead began his senior playing career at Welsh side Conwy United. He was a prolific scorer for the North Walian side, scoring 47 goals during the 1984–85 season which remained a club record until 1996 when it was surpassed by Ken McKenna, and followed it up by finding the net on a regular basis for their neighbours Rhyl and Bangor City. This prompted a move from Bangor City to English Football League side Chester City in May 1988, for £12,000.
Unlike many strikers to move up from non-league to professional football, Dale remained prolific in Division Three. He made his debut as a substitute in the opening game of the 1988–89 season against Blackpool, with his first goal following a fortnight later against Bristol City. He ended the season with 24 goals to his name, with 22 of them coming in league matches as he struck up a successful forward partnership with Steve Johnson. The highlight was a hat-trick in a 7–0 demolition of Fulham in April 1989, with Dale comfortably finishing as the club's top scorer and player of the season.