Rhys Weston

Rhys Weston
Personal information
Full nameRhys David Weston
Date of birth27 October 1980
Place of birthKingston upon Thames, London, England
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing positionDefender
Youth career
–1999Arsenal Academy
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1999–2000Arsenal1(0)
2000–2006Cardiff City182(2)
2006Viking1(0)
2007Port Vale15(0)
2007–2010Walsall102(1)
2010–2012Dundee55(1)
2012KR Reykjavík13(0)
2012Sabah FA6(0)
2013–2014AFC Wimbledon7(0)
2014→ Sutton United (loan)6(0)
National team
2000–2001Wales U214(0)
2000–2005Wales7(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 3 May 2014 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Rhys David Weston (born 27 October 1980) is an English-born Welsh professional footballer who plays as a defender; he is without a club following his release by AFC Wimbledon in May 2014. He has represented the Welsh national football team seven times.

An Arsenal Academy graduate, he made one appearance in the 1999–2000 campaign, before signing with Cardiff City. He spent six years with Cardiff, making 214 appearances in league and cup, helping them to two promotions. Released by the club in 2006, he travelled to Norway to sign with Viking FK, though he only played the one game. In 2007 he transferred to Walsall via Port Vale. He then moved to Scottish club Dundee in 2010 and captained the side to a second-place finish in the First Division in 2011–12. In May 2012, he joined Icelandic club KR Reykjavík. Five months later he signed for Malaysian club Sabah FA. He returned to England with AFC Wimbledon in July 2013, and from there was loaned out to Sutton United in January 2014.

Club career

Arsenal

Weston played for Arsenal as a youth player, before he made his senior debut in the League Cup against Middlesbrough on 30 November 1999, Arsène Wenger bringing him on at half time to replace Oleh Luzhnyi. Also making his debut for Arsenal that day was Ashley Cole.[1] His first start came on 14 May 2000 at St James' Park, he was taken off for fellow youngster Brian McGovern after 67 minutes – Newcastle United finished 4–2 winners. It was the final league game of the season and neither side had anything to play for other than pride. It was to be his only top flight appearance in English football. His first and only senior game at Highbury came on 1 November 2000, in a 2–1 defeat to Ipswich Town in the League Cup third round. He was taken off to give Lee Canoville his debut on 74 minutes.

Cardiff City

Cardiff City chairman Sam Hammam saw Weston's potential and signed him for £300,000 in November 2000.[2] The Welsh club were then in the basement division and had strong promotion ambitions. Weston made his Ninian Park debut on 22 November, Cardiff coming from behind to beat Lincoln City 3–2. He settled into the first team well and played another 31 games that season as the club finished second behind Brighton & Hove Albion.

The "Bluebirds" hopes of back-to-back promotions were ended by Stoke City in the play-offs in 2001–02. Weston played 43 games that season, also picking up eight cautions along the way. At the season's end he signed a long-term contract with the club.[3] Cardiff managed to break out of the Second Division in 2002–03 via a 1–0 victory over Queens Park Rangers in the play-off final. Weston picked up ten yellow cards that season, but also scored his first senior goal on 26 October with a last minute effort of a 4–0 home win over Tranmere Rovers. Weston and Cardiff adapted well to life in the First Division, though he played only 24 league games during the 2003–04 campaign. The defender remained upbeat throughout the campaign.[4][5] His season was hampered by a knee injury in October 2003, which required surgery.[6] In March 2004 he then damaged the cartilage in his other knee.[7]

In the 2004–05 season, the first season of the Football League Championship, he played 25 games. In April 2005 he suffered an ankle injury which sidelined him for the rest of the season.[8] At the end of the season Weston was one of five players who took "substantial reductions in their wages" (20%[1]) in order to pave the way for the arrival of Darren Purse.[9] This was the beginning of the end of his career with the "Bluebirds", as new manager Dave Jones did not rate Weston.[1] Jones told him he was transfer-listed, though no offers came for the full-back.[1] In the 2005–06 season Weston hit 30 league games – this was in part due to some defensive departures from the previous season.[10] He also revisited Highbury in an FA Cup encounter on 7 January, though the "Gunners" ran out 2–1 winners thanks to a brace from Robert Pirès. In July 2006 he was left out of the club's pre-season tour of Canada.[11] Cardiff were consistently finished in mid-table, though Weston's time at Cardiff was limited and he played his final game for the club on 22 August 2006, in a 2–0 defeat by League Two Barnet with Trésor Kandol scoring both goals. Weston was replaced by youngster Darcy Blake at half time. Weston was released at the end of the month and joined top Norwegian side Viking in the Tippeligaen on a short-term deal.[12]

Viking FK and Port Vale

His only match with the Stavanger-based club lasted just twelve minutes, as Weston dislocated his shoulder and was taken off.[1] With the Viking manager sacked just four days after Weston's arrival, the incoming manager did not speak English, and so did not offer Weston a contract.[1] Upon returning to the United Kingdom, Dave Jones refused to let him train with Cardiff, and so he instead began training with Yeovil Town.[1]

Weston signed with League One side Port Vale in February 2007 after a period on trial,[13][14][15] signing a contract that paid four times less than the contract he was on at Cardiff.[1] He played fifteen games under Martin Foyle before being released at the end of the season.[16] Foyle had told him he wanted a more attacking full-back, though would go on to tell a BBC interviewer that Weston's "attitude was wrong".[1] Weston believed the real reason was down to money.[1]

Walsall

Weston was signed by Walsall, also of League One, on 16 July 2007.[17] In doing so he rejected an opportunity from Hereford United.[18] He made his debut for the club on 18 August in 1–0 defeat at Leyton Orient. Weston played in fifty games in 2007–08 before penning a new two-year deal in March.[19] On 20 September 2008, he was sent off for the first time in his career. The match was a bad tempered affair at Brighton's Withdean Stadium, Weston was dismissed after 15 minutes and was followed by teammate Netan Sansara on 33 minutes, despite this a 44th minute Dwayne Mattis header earned the "Saddlers" a 1–0 win.[20] Weston played 31 games that season and scored the third goal of his career on Boxing Day, a 64th minute winner against Stockport County at the Bescot Stadium. He made thirty appearances in the 2009–10 season, before manager Chris Hutchings decided against offering him a fresh contract at the end of the season.[21]

Dundee

In July 2010, Weston signed a one-year contract with Dundee, following a trial with Motherwell.[22][23] He made 32 appearances in his first season in Scotland in which Dundee would have finished just one point short of the First Division champions, Dunfermline Athletic, but instead finished in sixth place following a 25-point deduction for entering administration. Despite reported interest from Scottish Premier League sides,[24] he signed a new one-year deal at the end of the season.[25] He was appointed as captain for the start of the 2011–12 season by manager Barry Smith. He led the "Dark Blues" to a second-place finish, as Ross County ran away with the title, before leaving Dens Park in May.

KR Reykjavík and Sabah FA

Weston signed with Rúnar Kristinsson's Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur on a two-year deal in May 2012.[26] The Icelandic club were aiming to retain their Úrvalsdeild title in 2012. In August 2012, Weston announced that due to financial circumstances at the club, he was in discussion for terms to cancel his contract.[27] In October 2012, he signed with Malaysian club Sabah FA.[28]

AFC Wimbledon

In July 2013, Weston went on trial with League Two side AFC Wimbledon,[29] and scored a goal in the "Dons" first friendly of the 2013–14 season, a 2–2 draw with Conference side Dartford at Princes Park on 6 July.[30] He played the full ninety minutes in the "Dons" next friendly, a 2–0 win over Northern Premier League Premier Division side F.C. United of Manchester at The Cherry Red Records Stadium on 13 July.[31] Weston came on as a second-half substitute in AFC Wimbledon's third pre–season game of the 2013–14 season, a 1–1 home draw against Championship side Charlton Athletic on 18 July.[32] Three days later, Weston made his fourth friendly appearance for "The Dons" and played the full match as they beat Isthmian League Division One South side Walton Casuals 1–0 away at Waterside Stadium.[33] Weston played in the "Dons" final pre–season game of the 2013–14 season, a 3–0 defeat to Italian Lega Pro Seconda Divisione/A side A.C. Monza Brianza 1912 at the Stadio Brianteo on 27 July 2013.[34] Following Weston playing in all but one of the "Dons" pre–season games, manager Neal Ardley revealed he was hoping to sign Weston to a deal with AFC Wimbledon[35] and on 7 August 2013, AFC Wimbledon confirmed the signing of Weston with Ardley praising Weston’s desire to earn a contract with his dedication to the cause during pre–season.[36]

On 6 January 2014, Weston joined Conference South side Sutton United on a one-month loan.[37] He played six games during his stay at the Borough Sports Ground. He did not feature for Wimbledon in the second half of the season and was not offered a new contract in the summer.[38]

International career

Weston won seven caps for Wales between 2000 and 2005 and also won at least four caps for the under-21 side. Born in England, he qualified for Wales due to his father being born in South Wales.[39] His first senior cap came against Portugal on 2 June 2000, with Wales recording a 3–0 loss.[40] He was a late substitute for Gareth Roberts.

Weston then went into an under-21 side that fared poorly in the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. The Welsh team drew one and lost nine, Weston played in four of these games. On 1 September he played in a 4–1 defeat to Belarus.[41] On 6 October he played in a 2–0 defeat to Norway,[42] four days later he played in a 2–1 defeat to Poland.[43] On 23 March 2001, he was part of a Wales side that lost 1–0 to Armenia.[44]

His next call-up for the senior team was for a friendly with Croatia on 21 August 2002.[45] He was a 60th minute substitute for Darren Barnard, the game finished 1–1.[46] He earned three caps in the UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying group stage. He played the last 20 minutes of a 2–0 win over Azerbaijan on 20 November 2002, coming on for Mark Delaney.[47] His first senior start came on 12 February 2003, a 2–2 draw with Serbia and Montenegro, he played 60 minutes before being substituted for Matthew Jones.[48] He also played in the 10 September 2003 game with Finland; 72 minutes into the Finland game he was taken off for Andy Johnson and watched from the bench as the game finished 1–1, the draw was enough to book Wales a play–off match against Russia.[49]

His last game for Wales was also John Toshack's first game as manager. Toshack brought Weston on for Rob Edwards after 49 minutes in a 2–0 win over Hungary on 9 February 2005.[50] Toshack also called him into the squad for a November 2005 friendly with Cyprus,[51] though Weston did not make it onto the pitch. His final international call–up was on 1 March 2006 in a goalless draw with Paraguay, in which Weston remained on the bench.[52]

Statistics

As of 6 January 2014.
Season Club Division League National Cup League Cup Other[A] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1999–2000[53]ArsenalPremier League1000100020
2000–01[54]0000100010
Total 1000200030
2000–01[54]Cardiff CityThird Division280301010330
2001–02[55]Second Division370301020430
2002–03[56]382502040492
2003–04[57]First Division240101000260
2004–05[58]Championship250202000290
2005–06[59]300103000340
2006–07[60]0000100010
Total 1822150110702152
2006–07Viking FKTippeligaen1000000010
Total 1000000010
2006–07[60]Port ValeLeague One150000000150
Total 150000000150
2007–08[61]WalsallLeague One440500010500
2008–09[62]311000000311
2009–10[63]270201000300
Total 10217010101111
2010–11[64]DundeeFirst Division300101000320
2011–12[65]251002010281
Total 551103010601
2012[66]KR ReykjavíkÚrvalsdeild130000030160
Total 130000030160
2012Sabah FASuper League6000000060
Total 6000000060
2013–14[67] AFC WimbledonLeague Two7000001080
2013–14[68]Sutton United (loan)Conference South6000000060
Total 7000001080
Career total 38842301701304414
A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances (including substitutions) and goals in either the Football League Trophy, Football League play-offs, Scottish Challenge Cup, Icelandic Cup or UEFA Champions League.

Honours

Arsenal
Cardiff City
Dundee

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 "Have boots will travel: The other side of football's summer sales". The Independent. 6 June 2007. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  2. ↑ "Weston signs for Cardiff". BBC Sport. 20 November 2000. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  3. ↑ "Cardiff jettison Jeanne". BBC Sport. 31 May 2002. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  4. ↑ "Weston upbeat after draw". BBC Sport. 31 August 2003. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  5. ↑ "Weston remains upbeat". BBC Sport. 14 December 2003. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  6. ↑ "Weston out for a month". BBC Sport. 16 October 2003. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  7. ↑ "Weston faces month out". BBC Sport. 1 March 2004. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  8. ↑ "Weston boost as Vidmar nears exit". BBC Sport. 6 April 2005. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  9. ↑ "Cardiff five take cuts for Purse". BBC Sport. 21 July 2005. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  10. ↑ "Weston upbeat on Cardiff chances". BBC Sport. 14 July 2005. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  11. ↑ "Bluebirds try out Libyan skipper". BBC Sport. 12 July 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  12. ↑ "Discarded Weston eyes Norway move". BBC Sport. 1 September 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  13. ↑ "Duo given trials by Vale manager". BBC Sport. 30 January 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  14. ↑ "Port Vale wrap up Weston transfer". BBC Sport. 12 February 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  15. ↑ "Weston wants fresh start at Vale". BBC Sport. 13 February 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  16. ↑ "Vale boss Foyle clears the decks". BBC Sport. 9 May 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  17. ↑ "Defender Weston signs for Walsall". BBC Sport. 16 July 2007. Retrieved 16 July 2007.
  18. ↑ "People think all footballers are millionaires, but that is not the case for 90 per cent... I will have to work for the rest of my days just to live". Daily Mail. 31 May 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  19. ↑ "Weston signs new deal at Walsall". BBC Sport. 3 March 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  20. ↑ "Saddlers boss praises youngsters". BBC Sport. 22 September 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  21. ↑ "Walsall release Rhys Weston and Sam Parkin". BBC Sport. 4 May 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  22. ↑ "Weston reaps the whirlwind". PressAndJournal.co.uk. 2 August 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
  23. ↑ Barnes, John (27 April 2010). "Walsall full-back Rhys Weston on trial with Motherwell". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  24. ↑ "Saturday's Scottish gossip". BBC Sport. 14 May 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  25. ↑ "Dundee re-sign keeper Douglas and central defensive duo". BBC Sport. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  26. ↑ Roache, Ian (3 May 2012). "'You have to be ready to travel' — Dundee's Rhys Weston is off to Iceland". The Courier. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  27. ↑ Weston, Rhys (22 August 2012). "'Rhys Wheston: The Footballing Rollercoaster". mysportsthoughts.com.
  28. ↑ "Sabah FA lining up six new signings to beef up squad". Daily Express. 25 October 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  29. ↑ "Weston handed Dons trial". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  30. ↑ "Fenlon strikes in draw". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  31. ↑ "Pell finishes off United". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  32. ↑ "The Dons hold Charlton". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  33. ↑ "Chace lifts Wimbledon". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  34. ↑ "Match report from Monza". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  35. ↑ "Neal aims to sign Weston". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  36. ↑ "Weston cleared to play". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  37. ↑ "Weston heads to Sutton". sportinglife.com. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  38. ↑ "Seb Brown and Jack Midson among eight released". BBC Sport. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  39. ↑ "Weston heads to Wales". BBC Sport. 15 November 2000. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  40. ↑ "Match Report - Portugal 3 - 0 Wales". Football Association of Wales. 2 June 2000. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  41. ↑ "Match Report - Belarus 4 - 1 Wales". Football Association of Wales. 1 September 2000. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  42. ↑ "Match Report - Wales 0 - 2 Norway". Football Association of Wales. 6 October 2000. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  43. ↑ "Match Report - Poland 2 - 1 Wales". Football Association of Wales. 10 October 2000. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  44. ↑ "Match Report - Armenia 1 - 0 Wales". Football Association of Wales. 23 March 2001. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  45. ↑ "Weston's Wales call". BBC Sport. 15 August 2002. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  46. ↑ "Match Report - Croatia 1 - 1 Wales". Football Association of Wales. 21 August 2002. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  47. ↑ "Match Report - Azerbaijan 0 - 2 Wales". Football Association of Wales. 20 November 2002. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  48. ↑ "Match Report - Wales 2 - 2 Bosnia-Herzegovina". Football Association of Wales. 12 February 2003. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  49. ↑ "Match Report - Wales 1 - 1 Finland". Football Association of Wales. 10 September 2003. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  50. ↑ "Match Report - Wales 2 - 0 Hungary". Football Association of Wales. 9 February 2005. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  51. ↑ "Weston profits from shock recall". BBC Sport. 14 November 2005. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  52. ↑ "Match Report - Wales 0 - 0 Paraguay". Football Association of Wales. 1 March 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  53. ↑ "Games played by Rhys Weston in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 "Games played by Rhys Weston in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  55. ↑ "Games played by Rhys Weston in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  56. ↑ "Games played by Rhys Weston in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  57. ↑ "Games played by Rhys Weston in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  58. ↑ "Games played by Rhys Weston in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  59. ↑ "Games played by Rhys Weston in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 "Games played by Rhys Weston in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  61. ↑ "Games played by Rhys Weston in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  62. ↑ "Games played by Rhys Weston in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  63. ↑ "Games played by Rhys Weston in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  64. ↑ "Games played by Rhys Weston in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  65. ↑ "Games played by Rhys Weston in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  66. ↑ "Stats". Soccerway. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  67. ↑ "Games played by Rhys Weston in 2013/14". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  68. ↑ "Stats". Soccerway. Retrieved 6 January 2014.

External links