Dominic Blizzard

Dominic Blizzard
Personal information
Full nameDominic John Blizzard[1]
Date of birth2 September 1985[2]
Place of birthHigh Wycombe, England
Height6 ft 2.5 in (1.89 m)[1]
Playing positionMidfielder
Club information
Current team
Plymouth Argyle
Number11
Youth career
2001–2002Watford
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2002–2007Watford29(2)
2007→ Stockport County (loan)7(0)
2007→ Milton Keynes Dons (loan)8(0)
2007Milton Keynes Dons0(0)
2007–2009Stockport County58(4)
2009–2011Bristol Rovers39(1)
2011→ Port Vale (loan)1(0)
2011–2013Yeovil Town54(4)
2013–Plymouth Argyle48(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:20, 15 March 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Dominic John Blizzard (born 2 September 1985) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Plymouth Argyle in League Two.

Working his way through the Watford youth side, he turned professional at the club in 2002. In 2007 he joined Stockport County and then Milton Keynes Dons on loan, before signing with the Dons permanently later in the year. He left the Dons after just a few months, and then signed with Stockport. In 2009 he transferred to Bristol Rovers, before leaving the club following a brief period on loan at Port Vale in 2011. He signed with Yeovil Town in July 2011, who were promoted out of League One via the play-offs in May 2013. He switched to Plymouth Argyle in June 2013.

Playing career

Watford

Blizzard started his career with Watford, signing his first professional contract in April 2002.[3] He made his debut for the club against Norwich City on 24 April 2004 at Vicarage Road, scoring the consolation goal in a 2–1 defeat.[4] This was enough to win him a new contract at the end of the season.[5] After making a number of appearances in 2004–05, he signed a new deal in February 2005 that would keep him at the club until summer 2007.[6] The following month he became a first-team regular when Aidy Boothroyd replaced Ray Lewington as manager.

He started the 2005–06 season in the first-team, but contracted the Epstein–Barr virus in late September and did not play a first-team game for Watford again.[7] He returned to the bench for a single game, on 14 April 2006, wearing a goalkeeper's kit. With second choice goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain out ill, the semi-fit Blizzard took the substitute goalkeeper spot, having played the position as a child. Having made just one first-team appearance in 2006–07, Blizzard spent the second half of the season on loan at Stockport County and Milton Keynes Dons.[8] He played in both of the "Dons" play-off games, which saw them lose 2–1 on aggregate to Shrewsbury Town.

Milton Keynes Dons & Stockport County

In May 2007, he signed a two-year deal with the MK Dons.[9] However on 8 August it was announced that Blizzard had left the Dons by mutual consent,[10] after new boss Paul Ince was unimpressed with his pre-season performances.[11] Two days later, Stockport confirmed Blizzard would be re-joining the club as a free agent. He helped County into the play-offs during his first season at Edgeley Park, but missed the final itself due to a hamstring injury.

Bristol Rovers

Despite there being reported interest from Championship clubs, Blizzard joined League One club Bristol Rovers on a free transfer in July 2009, having agreed the deal over a week earlier.[12] He signed a three-year deal.[13] Despite missing most of the pre-season due to suffering from influenza,[14][15] he made his debut as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat to Leyton Orient on 8 August 2009. On 15 February 2010, he made a challenge on Charlton Athletic's Grant Basey that "Addicks" boss Phil Parkinson described as "one of the worst I've seen".[16] Though at first there were concerns that he had broken Basey's leg, the resulting injury turned out to be ankle ligament damage.[17] This came ten days after Blizzard had told that the media that he was frustrated with being left on the bench.[18] He was a regular starter for the rest of the season.[19] On 27 February 2010 he scored his first and only goal for Bristol Rovers against Colchester United.[20]

During the 2010–11 season, Blizzard lost his starting place in the "Pirates" first eleven, as new signing Wayne Brown came in and took his place. He gained his first start of the season in September, after Brown was ruled out with an ankle problem.[21] Two months later manager Paul Trollope announced his intention to try to find a club for Blizzard to join on loan.[22] In March 2011, he joined Port Vale on loan until the end of the season; this reunited him with Jim Gannon, his former boss at Stockport.[23] His spell would last a matter of days however. Arriving on the 18th, he played in the 3–0 defeat to Accrington Stanley on the 19th, and returned to Rovers on the 21st after Gannon was sacked.[24][25] He departed parent club Rovers by mutual consent in June 2011.[26]

Yeovil Town

In July 2011, Blizzard joined Yeovil Town on a one-year contract.[27] He scored his first goal for the club in the FA Cup, hitting a twenty-yard drive in a 3–0 win away to Hereford United.[28] Seven days later, on 19 November, he scored in the 2–2 draw with nearby rivals Exeter City at Huish Park.[29] After returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury, he scored in a 3–2 defeat at Carlisle United on 25 February.[30] His next goal was in a 3–2 win at home to Chesterfield on 28 April.[31] On 15 May, Blizzard was reported to be one of four players set to leave the club after rejecting manager Gary Johnson's offer of a new contract.[32] However two days later it was announced that he had signed a new one-year deal with the club.[33] Blizzard told BBC Somerset: "I've signed and there was never a point that I wasn't going to sign. I'm happy with the whole environment. That's why I'm willing to sign again."[34]

He made 30 appearances in the 2012–13 campaign, though did not feature in the play-off final victory over Brentford which took the "Glovers" into the Championship.[35] Blizzard was released by Yeovil at the end of the season along with Richard Hinds and Gavin Williams.[36]

Plymouth Argyle

On 25 June 2013, Dominic agreed to sign a two-year deal with League Two club Plymouth Argyle.[37] He scored his first goal for the club with an "impressive strike from long range" against Southend United in a 1–1 draw at Home Park on 11 January 2014.[38] In total he made 31 appearances for the "Pilgrims" in the 2013–14 campaign as Plymouth posted a tenth-place finish.

Playing style

Blizzard can play anywhere across the midfield, though preferring a central role he can play as an attacking or defensive midfielder.[3] He has been described as a skilled passing footballer.[13]

Career statistics

As of match played on 14 March 2015.[39]
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Watford
2003–04[40]
 First Division 210000–21
2004–05[41]
 Championship 1711400–221
2005–06[42]
 Championship 100001100111
2006–07[43]
 Premier League 000010–10
Total 292106100363
Milton Keynes Dons (loan)
2006–07[43]
 League Two 8000002[lower-alpha 1]0100
Milton Keynes Dons
2007–08[44]
 League Two 0000000000
Total 80000020100
Stockport County (loan)
2006–07[43]
 League Two 7000000070
Stockport County
2007–08[44]
 League Two 27100211[lower-alpha 1]0302
2008–09[45]
 League One 313101000333
Total 654103110705
Bristol Rovers
2009–10[46]
 League One 34110201[lower-alpha 2]0381
2010–11[47]
 League One 5000101[lower-alpha 2]070
Total 391103020451
Port Vale (loan)
2010–11[47]
 League Two 1000000010
Yeovil Town
2011–12[48]
 League One 303210000324
2012–13[49]
 League One 24110203[lower-alpha 2]0301
Total 544312030625
Plymouth Argyle
2013–14[50]
 League Two 261401000311
2014–15[51]
 League Two 22110001[lower-alpha 2]0241
Total 482501010552
Career totals 244131111529027916
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Appearances in League Two play-offs
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Appearances in Football League Trophy

Honours

Stockport County
Yeovil Town

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hugman, Barry (2007). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 49. ISBN 978-1-84596-246-3.
  2. ↑ "ESPN Soccernet". Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Player profile". bristolrovers.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  4. ↑ "Watford 1-2 Norwich". BBC Sport. 24 April 2004. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  5. ↑ "Watford to retain quintet". BBC Sport. 12 May 2004. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  6. ↑ "Blizzard signs new Hornets deal". BBC Sport. 24 February 2005. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  7. ↑ "Blizzard's a big signing, says Bristol Rovers coach Trollope". Evening Post. 10 July 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  8. ↑ "Stockport take cover in Blizzard". BBC Sport. 8 February 2007. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  9. ↑ "Allen starts shake-up at MK Dons". BBC Sport. 21 May 2007. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  10. ↑ "Blizzard ends spell with MK Dons". BBC Sport. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  11. ↑ "Blizzard released". Milton Keynes Citizen. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  12. ↑ "Blizzard signs for Bristol Rovers". bristolrovers.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Pirates sign midfielder Blizzard". BBC Sport. 9 July 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  14. ↑ "Rovers' Blizzard playing catch-up". BBC Sport. 24 July 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  15. ↑ "Blizzard to miss pre-season trip". BBC Sport. 17 July 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  16. ↑ "Referee apologised for decision - Charlton's Parkinson". BBC Sport. 23 February 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  17. ↑ "Injury to Charlton's Grant Basey not as bad as feared". BBC Sport. 16 February 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  18. ↑ "Dominic Blizzard 'frustrated' on Bristol Rovers bench". BBC Sport. 5 February 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  19. ↑ "Bristol Rovers star Blizzard enjoying first real run of games". Evening Post. 27 March 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  20. ↑ "Bristol Rovers 3 - 2 Colchester". BBC Sport. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  21. ↑ "Three Changes". bristolrovers.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2011. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  22. ↑ "Bristol Rovers set to loan out Dominic Blizzard". BBC Sport. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  23. ↑ "Port Vale sign Bristol Rovers' Dominic Blizzard". BBC Sport. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  24. ↑ "Blizzard Returns to Rovers". port-vale.co.uk. 21 March 2011. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  25. ↑ "Manager Jim Gannon parts company with Port Vale". BBC Sport. 21 March 2011. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  26. ↑ "Dominic Departs". bristolrovers.co.uk. 29 June 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  27. ↑ "Midfielder Dominic Blizzard signs for Yeovil Town". BBC Sport. 14 July 2011.
  28. ↑ Prime, Richard (12 November 2011). "Full-time: Hereford United 0 Yeovil Town 3". Hereford Times. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
  29. ↑ "Yeovil 2 - 2 Exeter". BBC Sport. 19 November 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  30. ↑ "Francois Zoko snatched an injury-time winner for Carlisle over Yeovil.". BBC Sport. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  31. ↑ "Andy Williams' rasping 25-yard shot saw Chesterfield relegated from League One after just one season". BBC Sport. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  32. ↑ "Yeovil Town to lose four players after failing to agree deals". BBC Sport. 14 May 2012.
  33. ↑ "Dominic Signs New Deal". ytfc.net. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  34. ↑ "Dominic Blizzard clarifies future at Yeovil Town". BBC Sport. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  35. ↑ "Brentford 1–2 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  36. ↑ "Yeovil Town: Gavin Williams among three to leave Glovers". BBC Sport. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  37. ↑ "Blizzard On The Way". pAFC.co.uk. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  38. ↑ "Plymouth 1-1 Southend". BBC. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  39. ↑ "Dominic Blizzard". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  40. ↑ "Games played by Dominic Blizzard in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  41. ↑ "Games played by Dominic Blizzard in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  42. ↑ "Games played by Dominic Blizzard in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 "Games played by Dominic Blizzard in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 "Games played by Dominic Blizzard in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  45. ↑ "Games played by Dominic Blizzard in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  46. ↑ "Games played by Dominic Blizzard in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 "Games played by Dominic Blizzard in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  48. ↑ "Games played by Dominic Blizzard in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  49. ↑ "Games played by Dominic Blizzard in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  50. ↑ "Games played by Dominic Blizzard in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  51. ↑ "Games played by Dominic Blizzard in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 15 March 2015.

External links