 Eagles withBurnley in 2011 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Christopher Mark Eagles[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1985-11-19)19 November 1985 (age 40)[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Hemel Hempstead, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Winger Attacking midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1998–2000 | Watford | ||
| 2000–2003 | Manchester United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2003–2008 | Manchester United | 6 | (1) |
| 2005 | →Watford (loan) | 13 | (1) |
| 2005 | →Sheffield Wednesday (loan) | 25 | (3) |
| 2006 | →Watford (loan) | 17 | (3) |
| 2006 | →NEC Nijmegen (loan) | 15 | (1) |
| 2008–2011 | Burnley | 120 | (20) |
| 2011–2014 | Bolton Wanderers | 93 | (17) |
| 2014–2015 | Blackpool | 7 | (1) |
| 2015 | Charlton Athletic | 15 | (2) |
| 2015–2016 | Bury | 4 | (0) |
| 2016–2017 | Accrington Stanley | 6 | (0) |
| 2017 | Port Vale | 20 | (4) |
| 2017–2018 | Ross County | 8 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | Oldham Athletic | 15 | (0) |
| Total | 364 | (53) | |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Christopher Mark Eagles (born 19 November 1985) is an English former professionalfootballer who played as awinger.
After coming through theyouth system atWatford, he began his professional career withManchester United. He was unable to break into the first-team regularly. He played 17 times for United, including in the2004 and2007 FA Community Shield matches. He had twoloan spells back at Watford, as well as withSheffield Wednesday and Dutch clubNEC Nijmegen, before a permanent move toBurnley for a £1.2 million fee in July 2008. He spent three seasons with the club, helping them to winpromotion out of theChampionship in2009. He was sold on toBolton Wanderers in July 2011, where he stayed for another three seasons. He went on to have brief spells withBlackpool,Charlton Athletic,Bury,Accrington Stanley,Port Vale andRoss County. He joinedOldham Athletic in July 2019 after spending more than a year away from the game before leaving hiscontract early in January 2020.
Eagles was born inHemel Hempstead,Hertfordshire,[2] and was a season ticket holder atTottenham Hotspur, whom he went to see with his family.[3] Originally coming through theyouth system atWatford, Eagles left when he was 14 to join theManchester United academy. The compensation owed to Watford for this move would later form part of the package, which tookDanny Webber in the opposite direction.[4]
Eagles made his first-team debut for Manchester United on 28 October 2003 as a second-half substitute forKieran Richardson in anextra time win away toLeeds United in theLeague Cup.[5] He played once more that season, this time as a substitute forCristiano Ronaldo as United lost 2–0 away toWest Bromwich Albion in the fourth round of the League Cup.[6] His performances saw him nominated for the new League Cup talent award, awarded to the young player judged to have made the best first-team breakthrough in the competition.[7] He played in the2004 FA Community Shield, coming on as a 74th-minute substitute in a 3–1 defeat byArsenal at theMillennium Stadium.[8]
Eagles wasloaned out to Watford on 21 January 2005.[9] He scored his first goal in senior football in a 2–0 win overGillingham atVicarage Road on 5 February.[10] He made 13Championship appearances for the "Hornets", andmanagerRay Lewington said that: "he is an exciting player and has done very well".[11] He was also loaned toSheffield Wednesday for the first half of the2005–06 season.[12] ManagerPaul Sturrock stated that: "Sir Alex said to me that he wants this player to play in front of big crowds and see how he handles it".[13] He scored his first goal for the "Owls" in a 1–0 victory overLeeds United atHillsborough on 13 September.[14] He ended his loan spell at Wednesday with three goals in 25 appearances. On 6 January 2006, Eagles returned on loan toAidy Boothroyd's Watford.[15] He scored the only goal of the match againstStoke City in the first league appearance of his second loan spell at Watford.[16] He scored the winning goal in the 1–0 away win atBrighton & Hove Albion on 18 February from 50 yards (46 m) (almost the halfway line),[17] which won him the club's goal of the season award. Watford reached the2006 Championship play-off final, and Eagles was an unused substitute as they securedpromotion to thePremier League with a 3–0 win over Leeds United.[18]
On 31 August 2006, Eagles agreed to spend four months on loan at DutchEredivisie sideNEC Nijmegen to gain more experience.[19] He decided to take the option of returning toOld Trafford on 21 December after struggling to get many games at theStadion de Goffert.[20] On 13 March, Eagles featured in the second half for United in theUEFA Celebration Matchexhibition game atOld Trafford againstMarcello Lippi's Europe XI.[21] On 28 April, Eagles scored his first senior goal for United in a 4–2 Premier League win overEverton; after coming on as a second-half substitute, he scored a 93rd-minute goal to put the result beyond doubt as United went five points clear in their race for the Premier League title.[22] He was an unused substitute in the2007 FA Community Shield, as United beatChelsea on penalties following a 1–1 draw.[23]
In July 2008, Eagles signed forBurnley on a three-yearcontract for an undisclosed fee.[24] TheLondon Evening Standard reported that the fee was £1.2 million, of which £200,000 would go to Watford as part of a sell-on clause.[25] ManagerOwen Coyle said: "He can play as a striker, or behind the striker or wide or as a central midfielder. He gives you a host of variations, but outwith that he's a talented footballer and that's what we want – young exciting talents to complement the quality we already have."[24] Eagles made his league debut for Burnley on 9 August in a 4–1 loss to Sheffield Wednesday.[26] On 27 September, he scored his first goal for Burnley in a 3–1 victory over rivalsPreston North End.[27] He was nominated for theChampionship Player of the Month award for November, losing out toChris Iwelumo.[28] He ended the2008–09 season with eight goals in 57 league and cup appearances, and came on as a 69th-minute substitute forRobbie Blake as Burnley beatSheffield United 1–0 in theChampionship play-off final atWembley Stadium.[29]
He scored two goals in 34 Premier League games in the2009–10 campaign as Burnley wererelegated in 18th-place. In July 2010, the "Clarets" accepted a bid from Scottish championsRangers to buy Eagles,[30] but the player was unable to agree terms with the Scottish club and remained in England.[31] He agreed a new two-year contract with Burnley the following month.[32] In October 2010, managerBrian Laws said that Eagles was "unplayable" and in "absolutely magnificent form" after scoring five goals in the space of four games.[33] Eagles went on to score 15 goals in 48 appearances for Burnley in the2010–11 season, and newly appointed managerEddie Howe was reported to have planned to build his team around Eagles.[34]
In July 2011, Eagles and his Burnley teammateTyrone Mears joinedBolton Wanderers on a three-year contract for a joint fee in the region of £3 million, linking up with their ex-managerOwen Coyle for the second time in their careers.[35] He made his debut in a 4–0 away win atQueens Park Rangers on 13 August, where he created anassist for the second goal put in his own net byDanny Gabbidon.[36] On 20 September, he scored his first goal for the "Trotters", from 25 yards (23 m), in the League Cup third round 2–0 away win againstAston Villa.[37] He also scored a brace in a 5–0 win overStoke City at theReebok Stadium on 6 November.[38] He found himself out of the starting line-up for a short time due toTuncay Şanlı being in form, but he came back to the starting line-up on 21 April, where he scored in a 1–1 draw at home toSwansea City.[39] At the end of the season, Bolton were relegated to theChampionship.
The fans named Eagles Player of the Month for August, September and October of the new season. He finished the2012–13 season as Bolton's top goalscorer with twelve goals, and also created the most, with twelve assists.[40] His form in April earned him a nomination for the Championship Player of the Month award.[41]
He played just 18 games in the2013–14 season and was released by the club in May 2014.[42] Shortly after his release from Bolton, he explained that he was disappointed at aspects of his departure. Still, he admired the club's supporters and the town.[43] In July 2014, Eagles was awarded anhonorary degree by theUniversity of Bolton for his services to sport.[44] He later blamed managerDougie Freedman for his exit, saying "I didn't like him and I didn't like the way he managed. He showed me no respect".[45]
On 18 November 2014, Eagles joinedBlackpool on a short-term contract until January 2015.[46] He played seven games for the "Tangerines", but leftBloomfield Road at the expiry of his contract despite both he and managerLee Clark reportedly being keen to extend his stay at the club.[47] Eagles signed forCharlton Athletic on 19 February 2015 on afree transfer until the end of the2014–15 season.[48] He scored on his Charlton debut, as the "Addicks" won 3–0 away atWigan Athletic; managerGuy Luzon said that "he played well for his first time".[49] He leftThe Valley at the expiry of his contract in May 2015.[50]
Eagles had trials withPreston North End, Wigan Athletic, andCoventry City before joiningLeague One clubBury in October 2015 on a contract until the end of the2015–16 season.[51][52][53] However, four months later he was sent to train withRyan Kidd and the youth team by managerDavid Flitcroft, who deemed him not fit enough to train with the first-team.[54] He was released in the summer and signed withJohn Coleman'sLeague Two sideAccrington Stanley in August 2016.[55] The following month he agreed to stay at theCrown Ground until January after settling in well at the club.[56]
He joined League One sidePort Vale on a short-term contract after impressing managerMichael Brown during a trial game in January 2017.[57] After initially being used out wide, he was moved to a number 10 role and scored in consecutive games againstSouthend United andSwindon Town to pick up important points for Vale's relegation battle.[58] He won a place on the EFL Team of the Week after picking up an assist and a goal in a 2–0 win overAFC Wimbledon atVale Park on 1 April.[59] He also scored the only goal of the penultimate game of the season againstWalsall on 25 April to take the "Valiants" ultimately unsuccessful battle against relegation to the last day of the2016–17 season; the strike won him the club's Goal of the Season award.[60][61] He left the club at the end of the season, but returned to train at Vale Park in November 2017 after new managerNeil Aspin offered him a contract, which Eagles rejected.[62]
On 23 November 2017, Eagles signed forScottish Premiership clubRoss County until the end of the2017–18 season, reuniting with former manager Owen Coyle at theScottish Premiership club.[63] Eagles left Ross County by mutual consent on 4 April, a month after Coyle had resigned as manager.[64]
After spending 15 months as afree agent, Eagles returned to League Two on 27 July 2019 after signing a one-year deal withOldham Athletic, with the option of a further year.[65] However, he departedBoundary Park on 6 January 2020 after agreeing to a mutual termination of his contract.[66]
On 14 November 2021, Eagles played in a charity match as part of a team of Bolton Wanderers Legends against the current Bolton first-team, with the match helping to raise money for the mother of Bolton playerGethin Jones, who had been diagnosed withMotor neuron disease. The Bolton first team won 7–4, with Eagles scoring twice for the Legends team.[67]
Eagles was awinger, though he could also play as anattacking midfielder. Writing forThe Guardian in December 2008,Steve Claridge reported that Eagles "is a natural footballer who makes the difficult things look easy", boasting natural ability and composure, as well as good distribution skills; he did however, criticize his tactical discipline and defensivework rate.[68] Former Bury teammateTom Pope said that: his "technique was frighteningly good – that was his ability on the ball,dribbling and his awareness of players around him".[69]
Eagles joinedAlcoholics Anonymous in September 2021 after being found by police while drunk in charge of a vehicle outside the home of ex-girlfriendJennifer Metcalfe; he was banned from driving for three months and fined £1,250.[70] He had recently split from his fiancée, Danielle Mitchinson, with whom he had two children during an eight-year relationship.[71]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester United | 2003–04[72] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2004–05[73] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2005–06[74] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07[75] | Premier League | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 1 | ||
| 2007–08[76] | Premier League | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 1 | ||
| Watford (loan) | 2004–05[73] | Championship | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 1 | ||
| Sheffield Wednesday (loan) | 2005–06[74] | Championship | 25 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 25 | 3 | ||
| Watford (loan) | 2005–06[74] | Championship | 17 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1[c] | 0 | 19 | 3 | |
| NEC Nijmegen (loan) | 2006–07[77] | Eredivisie | 15 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 17 | 2 | |||
| Burnley | 2008–09[78] | Championship | 43 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 | — | 3[c] | 0 | 57 | 7 | |
| 2009–10[79] | Premier League | 34 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 38 | 3 | |||
| 2010–11[80] | Championship | 43 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 48 | 15 | |||
| Total | 120 | 20 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 2 | — | 3 | 0 | 143 | 25 | |||
| Bolton Wanderers | 2011–12[81] | Premier League | 34 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 41 | 6 | ||
| 2012–13[82] | Championship | 43 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 47 | 12 | |||
| 2013–14[83] | Championship | 16 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 18 | 1 | |||
| Total | 93 | 17 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 106 | 19 | ||||
| Blackpool | 2014–15[84] | Championship | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 1 | ||
| Charlton Athletic | 2014–15[84] | Championship | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 15 | 2 | ||
| Bury | 2015–16[85] | League One | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Accrington Stanley | 2016–17[86] | EFL League Two | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 2[d] | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| Port Vale | 2016–17[86] | EFL League One | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 20 | 4 | ||
| Ross County | 2017–18[87] | Scottish Premiership | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Oldham Athletic | 2019–20[88] | EFL League Two | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[d] | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Career total | 364 | 53 | 25 | 5 | 23 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 423 | 62 | ||
Manchester United
Watford
Burnley
