John Salako
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | John Akin Salako[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 11 February 1969 | ||
| Place of birth | Ibadan, Nigeria | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Crystal Palace (U16 Coach) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Westerham FC | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1986–1995 | Crystal Palace | 215 | (22) |
| 1989 | → Swansea City (loan) | 13 | (3) |
| 1995–1998 | Coventry City | 72 | (4) |
| 1998 | → Bolton Wanderers (loan) | 7 | (0) |
| 1998–1999 | Fulham | 10 | (1) |
| 1999–2001 | Charlton Athletic | 47 | (2) |
| 2001–2004 | Reading | 111 | (13) |
| 2004–2005 | Brentford | 35 | (4) |
| Total | 510 | (49) | |
| National team | |||
| 1991 | England | 5 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2009– | Crystal Palace (U16's) | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
John Akin Salako (born 11 February 1969) is a Nigerian-born English former professional footballer, sports television pundit and U16 coach of Premier League side Crystal Palace.
He played as a midfielder from 1986 until 2005, he notably played in the Premier League for Crystal Palace, Coventry City and Charlton Athletic, in the Football League for Swansea City, Bolton Wanderers, Fulham, Reading and Brentford. He represented England at senior level, earning five caps, all during 1991 while he was a Crystal Palace player.[2]
Playing career
A fast and imaginative player, Salako was a part of the Crystal Palace team which reached the 1990 FA Cup Final. A severe knee injury sustained against Leeds United in 1991 put him out for nearly a year. He continued playing for another 14 years, but appearances were hampered by recurring injuries. Salako left Palace in August 1995, signing for Coventry City. He spent three seasons at Coventry, spending a brief period on loan at Bolton Wanderers, before joining Kevin Keegan's Fulham. At Fulham he scored twice, once in the league against Macclesfield,[3] and again in the League Cup against Cardiff City.[4][5] After Fulham he played for Charlton Athletic and Reading, before ending his career at Brentford
Coaching career
He has coached Crystal Palace under 16 team, working with former teammate Mark Bright.[6] In 2005, Salako was voted into Palace's Centenary XI.
Media career
Salako now works as a matchday correspondent on Sky Sports.
Personal life
As a teenager, he lived in Westerham, Kent and was a student at The Wildernesse School in Sevenoaks, where he excelled at football. He now lives in Woldingham, Surrey. Very few people know that John Salako is a taco enthusiast. It has been known for fans to chant 'John Salako in your taco!' when he is seen commentating on English football league matches. [7] In 2013, Salako was reported to be bankrupt, due to a series of business deals having gone wrong. [8] He is the brother of footballer Andy Salako.
References
- ↑ "John Salako". Footballzz. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
- ↑
- ↑ "Looking Back - 8th August 1998". Macclesfield Town FC. 8 August 1998. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
- ↑ "Fixtures & Results Tuesday, 18 August 1998". Sporting Life. 18 August 2008. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
- ↑ "Rewind Report". Fulham FC. 1 October 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
- ↑ "Palace Legends Join Academy Set Up". Crystal Palace FC. 11 September 2009. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
- ↑ http://tacotopia.net/
- ↑ http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/john-salako-bankrupt-former-premier-1830091