Netan Sansara

Netan Sansara

Sansara playing for Walsall
Personal information
Full name	Netan Nico Sansara
Date of birth	(1989-08-03) 3 August 1989
Place of birth	Walsall, England
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position	Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2008–2010	Walsall	40	(0)
2010	Dundee	3	(0)
2010	AFC Telford United	0	(0)
2010–2011	Corby Town	22	(2)
2011–2012	PAEEK	26	(0)
2012–2013	FC Vestsjælland	14	(0)
2013–2014	Boston United	20	(1)
2014-	Stourbridge	?	(?)
National team
	England U18	2	(0)
	England U19	1	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:43, 6 January 2014 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals).

Netan Nico Sansara (born 3 August 1989) is an English footballer who plays as a defender.

He has previously played for Walsall, Dundee, AFC Telford United, Corby Town, PAEEK and FC Vestsjælland.

Early life

Sansara was born in Walsall. He grew up in the Darlaston area, playing for his local team Darlaston Town. As a child he attended Pinfold Street Primary School and Darlaston Community Science College School, he played for all school football teams. He also represented his county, the Staffordshire district. During his time in the Walsall youth team Sansara completed A levels in Psychology, Physical Education and Biology.

Club career

Walsall

Sansara made his Walsall debut on 9 August 2008 in the Football League One game with Yeovil Town which ended in a 1–1 draw.^[1] Having come through the youth ranks at Walsall, he was handed a professional contract at the age of 17, by then Walsall manager Richard Money, after impressing him during youth team and reserve team games.^[2] Sansara made his professional debut the following season by newly appointed Walsall manager Jimmy Mullen against Yeovil Town. He said, "I thought he did well. But he's played well against Aston Villa and Wolves in pre-season, as well as other teams when Boertien wasn't available. I've given him his debut and he'll look back when he's 35 and say 'Jimmy Mullen gave me an opportunity'. He might even thank me one day! But I thought he was excellent – very good."^[3]

At the start of the 2009–10 season, Sansara was handed the squad number three, by manager Chris Hutchings. However, during a pre-season friendly in July 2010 against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sansara's progress was halted due to an ankle ligament injury sustained in a tackle with Greg Halford.^[4] He made a return to action for his first start away at Colchester United in October 2009. The Saddlers lost 2–1.^[5]

Sansara went on to make another 19 appearances during the 2009–10 season.

Dundee, AFC Telford and Corby

The start of August 2010, saw Sansara make five appearances for Dundee in the Scottish First Division. Following his release by Dundee in October he joined Grimsby Town on trial but failed to earn a deal and joined AFC Telford United on a non-contract basis deal.^[6] He left the club without making an appearance and finished the season with Corby Town.

PAEEK

In July 2011, it had been announced that Sansara had signed for Cypriot side PAEEK. It had been revealed that Sansara had also received other offers during the summer but was to have been quoted stating he thought this move was the best for the development of his career.

On 17 September 2011, in the opening game of the season, Sansara made his debut for PAEEK. He completed the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 win over Ethnikos Assia.^[7]

In December 2011 it was announced that Sansara was offered a new deal by PAEEK after a string of impressive displays in defence for the Cypriot side.^[8]

Sansara helped PAEEK to finish in fourth place.^[9] He made 26 appearances out of 27, missing only one game through suspension after picking up five bookings. His performances for PAEEK saw him shortlisted for the Player of the Year award at the inaugural Asian Football Awards, which took place at Wembley Stadium in January 2012.^[10] Sansara was offered a new contract in Dec 2011 and was said to be considering his options at the end of the 2011–12 campaign.

FC Vestsjælland

In July 2012 it was announced that Sansara had joined Danish First Division club FC Vestsjælland after rejecting a new two-year contract offered by former Cypriot club PAEEK. Sansara signed a one-year deal with the Danish club.^[11][12] On 8 August, Sansara made his FC Vestsjælland debut against Hobro IK, playing the full 90 minutes. The game ended in a 1–1 draw.^[13]

Boston United

In June 2013 Sansara turned down the chance to return to FC Vestsjælland after helping them win promotion to the Danish superliga.^[14] In July 2013 Sansara joined Conference North side Boston United.^[15]

International career

Sansara has represented England youth at under-18 and under-19 level, earning three caps. He made his England debut against Holland at Yeovil's Huish Park.^[16][17][18] He then went on to earn another two caps at international level for England, once with the under-18's and his last coming for the under-19's.

Sansara is of Indian origin. Sansara got his first international call-up for India for a warm-up to a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Qatar.^[19]

Personal life

Sansara worked with the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) to try to increase the number of British Asians taking up a career in professional football, and has attended meetings with the PFA to achieve this goal.^[20]

He is also an ambassador for Kick It Out (Lets Kick Racism Out of Football), when appointed Sansara was quoted "I have been working closely with the Kick It Out campaign for a while now, and I look forward to continuing to assist the work. I hope to act as a role model to the next generation of young British Asian talent."^[21][22][23]

In January 2012, Sansara was nominated for the Asian player of the year award 2012 at the Asian Football Awards. The event held at Wembley stadium and supported by Kick It Out (Lets Kick Racism Out Of Football) and The Football Association. He was nominated alongside players such as Zesh Rehman and Michael Chopra.^[24]

In May 2013 Sansara was crown the British Indian Awards sports personality of the year after a season with Danish team FC Vestsjælland. Sansara beat England cricketers Ravi Bopara and Monty Panesar to the award.^[25]

Career statistics

As of 21 November 2009

References

External links

• Netan Sansara career stats at Soccerbase