Damian Batt

Damian Batt

Batt with Oxford United following the 2010 Conference National play-off Final
Personal information
Full nameDamian Alexander Nathaniel Batt[1]
Date of birth16 September 1984[1]
Place of birthWelwyn Garden City, England
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Playing positionDefender
Youth career
2001–2004Norwich City
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2004Redbridge1(0)
2004–2006Barnet37(1)
2006–2007St Albans City22(2)
2007–2008Stevenage Borough10(0)
2007→ St Albans City (loan)8(1)
2008→ Woking (loan)13(1)
2008Fisher Athletic7(1)
2008–2009Grays Athletic10(0)
2009–2013Oxford United158(3)
2013–2014Eastleigh15(0)
2014–2015Dagenham & Redbridge28(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:14, 3 April 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Damian Alexander Nathaniel Batt (born 16 September 1984) is an English footballer who most recently played for Dagenham & Redbridge.

Career

Batt was born in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.[1] He started his career in the youth system at Norwich City, even though his signature was sought by many London clubs.[2] He scored Norwich's first goal in the 2-1 FA Youth Cup victory over the previous season's champions Aston Villa in December 2002.[2] He accompanied the first team during the 2003 pre-season tour to the Netherlands and prior to the signing of Marc Edworthy, was acting as second choice right back behind Keith Briggs.[2] In January 2004, it was announced that he would not be offered professional terms by the Canaries.[2] He subsequently joined Wycombe Wanderers on trial, featuring in a reserve team game against Oxford United.[2] He later went on trial at Cheltenham Town and Bournemouth but to no avail and didn't earn a permanent deal.[2]

In the summer of 2004, he signed for Conference South side Redbridge on a free transfer, making his debut in a 3–0 defeat to Basingstoke Town.[2] Following Redbridge's poor start to the season, Batt was released after just two weeks with the club making a single appearance.[2] In September 2004, he signed for Conference National side Barnet, making his debut in a 3–1 win over Stevenage Borough in the Football League Trophy.[2] Barnet won the Conference title in his first season with the club, gaining promotion to Football League Two.[2] In May 2005, he signed a new one-year contract with the club after making nineteen appearances in the previous campaign, scoring once in the 7–1 rout against Farnborough Town.[3] He failed to secure a regular starting place for the club in the Football League and Barnet announced in May 2006 that he would not be retained.[2]

He subsequently signed for newly promoted Conference National side St Albans City on a non-contract basis in August 2006.[2][4] His debut came in September, a 2–1 win over Oxford United.[5] He impressed for St Albans and was signed by fellow Conference National side Stevenage Borough on a free transfer in January 2007.[2] In September 2007, after failing to hold down a regular place in the side he re-joined his former club St Albans on loan for three months, who had been relegated to the Conference South.[2] In February 2008 upon his return to Stevenage, he was loaned out again to fellow Conference National side Woking, where he stayed until the end of the season.[2]

In the summer of 2008, Stevenage decided not to retain Batt and he dropped down a division to sign for Conference South side Fisher Athletic.[6] His stay at the south London club was only brief and he signed for Conference Premier side Grays Athletic on a non-contract basis in October 2008.[7] He impressed during his short spell with the club and despite the offer of a new contract, he signed for fellow Conference Premier side Oxford United in January 2009.[7][8] He played a major part in the club's success featuring in the 2010 Conference National play-off Final win over York City at Wembley Stadium, gaining promotion to League Two.[2] In the summer of 2010, he signed a two-year contract extension on a deal until 2013.[9] The following season he was included in the League Two PFA Team of the Year after making thirty appearances.[10] In May 2013, he was released by Oxford along with twelve other players after four years at the club, making 180 appearances and scoring three times.[2]

In July 2013, he joined Major League Soccer side Vancouver Whitecaps FC on a one-week trial.[11] However, a move failed to materialise and in September 2013 he announced that he retired from professional football, which he described as "the hardest decision of my life", in order to pursue his business interests.[12] Later on in the month he signed for part-time Conference South side Eastleigh, despite several offers from other clubs.[13] He found his opportunities limited at the club making only twelve starts and departed Eastleigh in January 2014.[14]

In June 2014, he came out of retirement and returned to full-time football with League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge penning a two-year contract.[15] Dagenham released Batt from his contract on 20 April 2015.[16]

Personal life

His younger brother Shaun is also a professional footballer who has played in the Football League most notably for Peterborough United, Millwall and Leyton Orient.[17] Outside of football, he is the Managing Director of Alexander Du'bel Group Ltd, a company that offers lifestyle membership that offers savings on products and services.[18]

Career statistics

As of match played 3 April 2015.
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Redbridge 2004–05[19] Conference South 1000—0010
Barnet 2004–05[20] Conference National 15100—4[lower-alpha 1]0191
2005–06[21] League Two 22010202[lower-alpha 2]0270
Total 371102060461
St Albans City 2006–07[5] Conference National 22200—1[lower-alpha 3]0232
Stevenage Borough 2006–07[22] Conference National 8000—0080
2007–08[23] Conference Premier 2000—2[lower-alpha 4]040
Total 10000—20120
St Albans City (loan) 2007–08[23] Conference South 8100—0081
Woking (loan) 2007–08[23] Conference Premier 13100—3[lower-alpha 5]0161
Fisher Athletic 2008–09[24] Conference South 7110—0081
Grays Athletic 2008–09[7] Conference Premier 10000—2[lower-alpha 6]0120
Oxford United 2008–09[25] Conference Premier 16000—00160
2009–10[26] Conference Premier 37130—5[lower-alpha 7]0451
2010–11[27] League Two 280101000300
2011–12[28] League Two 40110102[lower-alpha 2]0441
2012–13[29] League Two 37130203[lower-alpha 2]0451
Total 158380401001803
Eastleigh 2013–14[30] Conference South 15010—4[lower-alpha 3]0200
Dagenham & Redbridge 2014–15[31] League Two 28020101[lower-alpha 2]0320
Career total 3099130702903589
  1. ↑ Two appearances in Football League Trophy, two in FA Trophy
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  4. ↑ One appearance in FA Trophy, one in Conference League Cup
  5. ↑ One appearance in Conference League Cup, two in Surrey Senior Cup
  6. ↑ One appearance in FA Trophy, one in Essex Senior Cup
  7. ↑ Two appearances in FA Trophy, three in Conference Premier play-offs

Honours

Barnet

Oxford United

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2006). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2006–07. Mainstream Publishing. p. 37. ISBN 9781845961114.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 "Damian Batt - Flown From the Nest". Flown From the Nest. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  3. ↑ "Batt Signs on". Barnet-Mad. 21 May 2005. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  4. ↑ "St Albans secure signing of Batt". BBC Sport. 1 September 2006. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Games played by Damian Batt in 2006/2007". St Albans City F.C. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  6. ↑ "Damian Batt - Boro Guide". Boro Guide. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Games played by Damian Batt in 2008/2009 for Grays". Grays Athletic F.C. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  8. ↑ "Oxford sign Grays defender Batt". BBC Sport. 24 January 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  9. ↑ "Defender Damian Batt signs new deal at Oxford United". BBC Sport. 24 July 2010. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  10. ↑ "Oxford's Damian Batt in League Two team of the year". BBC Sport. 18 April 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  11. ↑ "English defender Damian Batt trialing with Vancouver Whitecaps, hopes to add fullback depth". Major League Soccer. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  12. ↑ "Former Oxford United defender Batt retires". Oxford Mail. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  13. ↑ "Eastleigh Sign Damian Batt". Eastleigh F.C. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  14. ↑ "Batt and Rose Depart Spitfires". Non League Pitchero. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  15. ↑ "Daggers Add To Backline". Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  16. ↑ "Damian Batt: Dagenham release defender by mutual consent". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  17. ↑ Swann, Alan (15 June 2010). "Batt out to complete famous family double". Peterborough Today. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  18. ↑ "Batt setting up a new venture". Total Football Mag. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  19. ↑ "Games played by Damian Batt in 2004/2005 for Redbridge". SoccerFactsUK. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  20. ↑ "Games played by Damian Batt in 2004/2005". Barnet-Mad. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  21. ↑ "Games played by Damian Batt in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  22. ↑ "Games played by Damian Batt in 2006/2007 for Stevenage". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 "Games played by Damian Batt in 2007/2008". Boro Guide. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  24. ↑ "Games played by Damian Batt in 2008/2009". Aylesbury United F.C. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  25. ↑ "Games played by Damian Batt in 2008/2009 for Oxford". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  26. ↑ "Games played by Damian Batt in 2009/2010 for Oxford". Barnet-Mad. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  27. ↑ "Games played by Damian Batt in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  28. ↑ "Games played by Damian Batt in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  29. ↑ "Games played by Damian Batt in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  30. ↑ "Games played by Damian Batt in 2013/2014". Eastleigh F.C. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  31. ↑ "Games played by Damian Batt in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 August 2014.

External links