James Tarkowski

James Tarkowski

Tarkowski playing for Oldham Athletic in 2012
Personal information
Full nameJames Alan Tarkowski[1]
Date of birth19 November 1992
Place of birthNew Moston, England
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[2]
Playing positionDefender
Club information
Current team
Brentford
Number26
Youth career
2009–2011Oldham Athletic
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2011–2014Oldham Athletic72(5)
2014–Brentford46(3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12:13, 11 April 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

James Alan Tarkowski (born 19 November 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Brentford. He began his career at Oldham Athletic, where he made 89 appearances before leaving in 2014.[3]

Career

Oldham Athletic

Early years

Tarkowski grew up in New Moston, Manchester[4] and joined League One side Oldham Athletic on a two-year scholarship in May 2009.[5] He made his reserve team debut in October 2009. A centre back,[6] Tarkowski was called up to the first team for the first time for a league match versus Plymouth Argyle on 15 January 2011.[7] He was allocated the number 31 shirt[8] and was an unused substitute for the 2–0 win.[9] His senior debut came on 22 January, coming on as an 80th minute substitute for the injured Neal Trotman[10] in a 2–1 home win over Brentford.[11] Tarkowski made his first Latics start in a 1–0 defeat to Leyton Orient on 12 March and played the full 90 minutes.[12] Tarkowski was awarded a two-year professional contract by the club in May 2011.[13] He made 9 appearances during the second half of the 2010–11 season and scored no goals.[14]

Now wearing the number 16 shirt, Tarkowski received his first call into the first team of the 2011–12 season on 3 September 2011, when he was an unused substitute for a 1–1 league draw with Huddersfield Town.[15] He had to wait until 10 December 2011 to make his first appearance of the season, when he came on as a 61st minute substitute for Jean-Yves Mvoto in a 2–0 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.[16] A half time substitute appearance in Oldham's 2–1 Football League Trophy Northern Area final first leg defeat to Chesterfield on 30 January 2012[17] kicked off a run which saw Tarkowski included in almost all of Oldham's first team squads until the end of the season.[18] Tarkowski crowned his run of appearances by scoring his first senior goal for the club on the last day of the season in a 2–1 win over Carlisle United.[19] He made 18 appearances during the 2011–12 season and scored one goal.[18] Tarkowski put his first team breakthrough down to "working hard in training to keep myself in good condition. Also playing well for the reserves and then a bit of luck with other player in my positions getting injuries or suspensions".[20]

Breakthrough

Given the number 6 shirt, Tarkowski began the 2012–13 season as a first choice centre back alongside Jean-Yves Mvoto and started Oldham's first six games of the season.[21] He scored his first goal of the season in a 2–0 league win over Crewe Alexandra on 2 October 2012.[22] Tarkowski played a part in Oldham's run to the fifth round of the FA Cup, playing in the first round win over Conference Premier side Kidderminster Harriers[23] and starting in the home draw and away replay defeat to Premier League side Everton in the fifth round.[24][25] He scored his second goal of the season in a 2–1 league win over Stevenage on 19 February 2013.[26] Tarkowski made 26 appearances and scored two goals during the 2012–13 season.[21] He signed a new two-year contract in the summer of 2013.[27]

Tarkowski began the 2013–14 season with a bang, scoring Oldham's first goal in a 4–3 away league win over Stevenage on the opening day.[28] He was picked by the Latics supporters as Oldham's Player Of The Month for August 2013.[29] Now lining up at centre back alongside Jonathan Grounds,[30] Tarkowski scored his second goal in a 2–1 defeat to Preston North End on 9 September 2013.[31] Tarkowski was an ever-present in Oldham's runs to the Northern Area semi-final of the Football League Trophy and the third round of the FA Cup. He started the FA Cup third round tie against Premier League side Liverpool at Anfield and scored an 82nd minute own goal, which consigned the Latics to a 2–0 defeat.[32] In the midst of transfer interest from Premier League sides Manchester United,[30] Liverpool,[30] Stoke City[33] and Newcastle United[33] and Championship sides Huddersfield Town and Burnley,[34] Tarkowski's form saw him offered a new contract extending until the end of the 2016–17 season on 22 January 2014.[35] Tarkowski departed Oldham on 31 January, having made 36 appearances and scored three goals during the 2013–14 season.[36] During his time with the Latics, Tarkowski made 89 appearances and scored six goals.[3]

Brentford

Tarkowski signed for League One side Brentford on a three-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee on 31 January 2014.[37] Manager Mark Warburton said "James ticks the box for us in terms of his age and he has lots of development left in him. We think this is a very good piece of business for the club".[37] As part of the deal, Tarkowski was to return to Oldham Athletic on a one-month loan on February 8,[38] but the loan was blocked due to injuries to centre backs Tony Craig and Harlee Dean.[39] Oldham manager Lee Johnson stated that he expected Tarkowski "to come back on loan as there was a gentlemen's agreement, but he's their (Brentford's) player. We've got no argument if they say he's staying there".[40] Tarkowski was called into the first team squad for the first time for a league match at Crewe Alexandra on 15 February.[41] He remained an unused substitute for the 3–1 win. On having to wait to make his first team debut, Tarkowski said "I was prepared to come and sit on the bench and I've got to keep my fitness levels up to make sure I'm ready for when I'm called upon".[42] Injury to Harlee Dean saw Tarkowski make his first Brentford appearance with a start in a 0–0 draw away to Carlisle United on 1 March.[43] Tarkowski scored his first goal for the club on his third appearance, heading in to send the Bees on their way to a 2–0 victory over Tranmere Rovers on 11 March.[44] Tarkowski was sent off for the first time in his career in a 1–0 win over Leyton Orient on 15 March.[45] Following Brentford's promotion to the Championship on 18 April, Tarkowski scored his second goal for the club in a 2–2 draw at Milton Keynes Dons on 21 April.[46] He finished the 2013–14 season with 13 appearances and two goals.[47]

Tarkowski began his first season at Championship level as an ever-present in the Bees' league matches.[48] He suffered a dip in form in September and early October, stepping up to take his first penalty for the club in a league match versus Leeds United on 27 September and hammering the ball over the bar.[49] He was spared his blushes, with Jota and Alan McCormack on target in the eventual 2–0 win.[49] Tarkowski gave away a penalty in a 2–1 defeat to Watford on 30 September and received his fourth yellow card of the season (his third in four games).[50] Another yellow card in a 0–0 draw with Wigan Athletic on 18 October saw Tarkowski incur a suspension and he failed to appear again until 28 December,[48] scoring what proved to be Wolverhampton Wanderers' winner with an own goal in a 2–1 defeat.[51] Despite the blunder, Tarkowski held onto his starting place and scored his first goal of the season against Reading on 25 April 2015, making sure of the points with the second in a 2-0 win.[52]

Personal life

Tarkowski attended New Moston Primary School and Failsworth High School, which he left in 2009.[53] He is a Manchester United fan and admired David Beckham and Paul Scholes while growing up.[22]

Career statistics

As of match played 6 April 2015.[3]
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Oldham Athletic 2010–11[14] League One 9000000090
2011–12[18] League One 16100002[lower-alpha 1]0181
2012–13[21] League One 21230101[lower-alpha 1]0262
2013–14[36] League One 26250104[lower-alpha 1]1363
Total 725802071896
Brentford 2013–14[36] League One 132———132
2014–15[48] Championship 2901010—310
Total 4221010—442
Career total 11479030711338
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Appearances in Football League Trophy

Honours

Brentford

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 18 May 2013. p. 40. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  2. ↑ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 509. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "James Tarkowski | Football Stats | Brentford | Age 21". Soccer Base. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  4. ↑ "Tarkowski celebrates Latics call up". Oldham Athletic AFC. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  5. ↑ "Young hopefuls sign up". Oldham Chronicle. 12 May 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  6. ↑ "Oldham Athletic AFC Player Profiles". Oldhamathletic.co.uk. 2013-07-06. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  7. ↑ "Scholars win first team calls". Oldham Athletic AFC. 14 January 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  8. ↑ "James joins Senior Squad". Oldham Athletic AFC. 21 January 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  9. ↑ "BBC Sport – Football – Plymouth 0–2 Oldham". BBC News. 2011-01-15. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  10. ↑ "Dream Time For Tarkowski". Oldham Athletic AFC. 24 January 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  11. ↑ "Oldham 2–1 Brentford". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 22 January 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  12. ↑ http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/page/NewsUpdate/0,,10337~2314257,00.html
  13. ↑ "Pro Deal For Winchester". Oldham Athletic AFC. 12 May 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "James Tarkowski | Football Stats | Brentford | Season 2010/2011". Soccer Base. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  15. ↑ "BBC Sport – Oldham 1–1 Huddersfield". Bbc.co.uk. 2011-09-03. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  16. ↑ "BBC Sport – Oldham 0–2 Sheffield Wed". Bbc.co.uk. 2011-12-10. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  17. ↑ "BBC Sport – Chesterfield 2–1 Oldham". Bbc.co.uk. 2012-01-18. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 "James Tarkowski | Football Stats | Brentford | Season 2011/2012". Soccer Base. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  19. ↑ "Oldham 2–1 Carlisle". BBC. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  20. ↑ "Interview with James Tarkowski | The Disguised Pass". Thedisguisedpass.wordpress.com. 2012-08-21. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 "James Tarkowski | Football Stats | Brentford | Season 2012/2013". Soccer Base. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Scott, Ged (2012-10-03). "BBC Sport – Crewe Alexandra 0–2 Oldham Athletic". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  23. ↑ "BBC Sport – Kidderminster 0–2 Oldham". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  24. ↑ Bevan, Chris. "BBC Sport – Oldham 2–2 Everton". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  25. ↑ Magowan, Alistair (2013-02-27). "BBC Sport – FA Cup: Everton 3–1 Oldham". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  26. ↑ "BBC Sport – Stevenage 1–2 Oldham". Bbc.co.uk. 2013-02-19. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  27. ↑ "Tarkowski Signs New Contract". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  28. ↑ "BBC Sport – Stevenage 3–4 Oldham". Bbc.co.uk. 2013-08-03. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  29. ↑ "Tarkowski wins award". Oldhamathletic.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 "Oldham defender James Tarkowski coy on Manchester United links". Manchester Evening News. 2013-10-18. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  31. ↑ "BBC Sport – Preston 2–1 Oldham". Bbc.co.uk. 2013-09-09. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  32. ↑ Sanghera, Mandeep. "BBC Sport – Liverpool 2–0 Oldham Athletic". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Harry Beck (2013-09-11). "Stoke and Newcastle Chase Oldham Defender James Tarkowski". FTBpro. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  34. ↑ "Huddersfield Town – James Tarkowski in January Transfer swoop?". Huddersfield.vitalfootball.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  35. ↑ "Oldham: James Tarkowski offered new Latics deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 "James Tarkowski | Football Stats | Brentford | Season 2013/2014". Soccer Base. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "Brentford Sign James Tarkowski". Brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  38. ↑ "Central Defender Leaves Boundary Park". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  39. ↑ Murtagh, Jacob (2014-02-08). "Bees make Tarkowski U-turn". Get West London. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  40. ↑ "BBC Sport – James Tarkowski: Oldham expect Brentford defender to return". Bbc.co.uk. 2014-02-10. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  41. ↑ "BBC Sport – Crewe Alexandra 1–3 Brentford". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  42. ↑ Murtagh, Jacob (2014-02-26). "Tarkowski willing to bide time at Brentford". Get West London. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  43. ↑ "BBC Sport – Carlisle United 0–0 Brentford". Bbc.co.uk. 2014-03-01. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  44. ↑ "BBC Sport – Brentford 2–0 Tranmere Rovers". Bbc.co.uk. 2014-03-11. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  45. ↑ "BBC Sport – Leyton Orient 0–1 Brentford". Bbc.co.uk. 2014-03-15. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  46. ↑ "BBC Sport – Milton Keynes Dons 2–2 Brentford". Bbc.co.uk. 2013-08-02. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  47. ↑ http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=58187&season_id=143
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 48.2 "Games played by James Tarkowski in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29289510
  50. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29320618
  51. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30566334
  52. ↑ http://www.espnfc.com/player/155226/james-tarkowski?season=2014
  53. ↑ "Latics – Manchester United". Oldham Athletic AFC. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2011.

External links

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