Gareth Bale
Personal information
Full name	Gareth Frank Bale
Date of birth	July 16, 1989 (1989-07-16) (age 18)
Place of birth	Cardiff, Wales
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing position	Left-Back, Left-Winger
Club information
Current club	Tottenham Hotspur
Number	16
Youth clubs
	Southampton
Senior clubs1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
2005-2007 2007-	Southampton Tottenham Hotspur	40 (5) 06 (2)
National team2
2006- 2006-	Wales U21 Wales	03 (0) 11 (2)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:15, 22 October 2007 (UTC). 2 National team caps and goals correct as of 19:43, 17 October 2007 (UTC). * Appearances (Goals) is the 197th day of the year (198th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_2. ... This article is about the capital city of Wales. ... This article is about the country. ... The Bolton players in white are defending - the nearest player is trying to prevent the Fulham forward in cyan from crossing the ball. ... Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is an English professional football club which plays in the Premier League. ... Southampton Football Club is a professional English football team, nicknamed The Saints and based in the city of Southampton. ... Southampton Football Club is a professional English football team, nicknamed The Saints and based in the city of Southampton. ... Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is an English professional football club which plays in the Premier League. ... First International 1992 Largest win Worst defeat Italy 8-1 Wales Pavia, September 5, 2003 UEFA U-21 Championship Appearances None (First in n/a) Best result 3rd of 5 in Qual. ... First international  Scotland 4 - 0 Wales (Glasgow, Scotland; 26 March 1876) Biggest win Wales 11 - 0 Ireland  (Wrexham, Wales; 3 March 1888) Biggest defeat  Scotland 9 - 0 Wales (Glasgow, Scotland; 23 March 1878) World Cup Appearances 1 (First in 1958) Best result Quarter-finals, 1958 The Wales national football team...

Gareth Frank Bale (born July 16, 1989) is a Welsh football player, currently playing for Tottenham Hotspur. is the 197th day of the year (198th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the country. ... A player (wearing the red kit) has penetrated the defence (in the white kit) and is taking a shot at goal. ... Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is an English professional football club which plays in the Premier League. ...

In December 2006 he won the Carwyn James Award for the BBC Wales Young Sports Personality of the Year ^[1] BBC Wales (Welsh: ) is a division of the British Broadcasting Corporation for Wales. ...

Schooldays

Bale was born in Cardiff and attended Eglwys Newydd Primary School at Whitchurch. His outstanding talent was evident from very early on, in particular his poise and left foot. It was while at this school he first came to the attention of Southampton at 9 years old, when he was playing in a 5 a side tournament with his first club, Cardiff Civil Service football club. This article is about the capital city of Wales. ... Whitchurch (Welsh Yr Eglwys Newydd eglwys church + newydd new) is a suburb of Cardiff, Wales. ... Southampton Football Club is a professional English football team, nicknamed The Saints and based in the city of Southampton. ...

Bale then attended Whitchurch High School ^[2] in Cardiff, where, as well as football, he played rugby and hockey and was a distance runner. Because of his superior skills, the school's PE teacher, Gwyn Morris, had to write special rules. These restricted Bale to playing one-touch football and not using his left foot. Whilst at Whitchurch, Bale trained at Southampton's satellite academy in Bath, although there was initially some doubt if Southampton would give him a scholarship due to his height. Whitchurch High School is a large, co-educational, comprehensive secondary school in the suburb of Whitchurch in Cardiff, Wales taught in the medium of English. ... Physical education (PE) is the interdisciplinary study of all area of science relating to the transmission of physical knowledge and skills to an individual or a group, the application of these skills, and their results. ...

Despite being only 16 at the time, he helped the school's under-18 side win the Cardiff & Vale Senior Cup. He left school in the summer of 2005 with a Grade A in PE amongst his GCSE results. In his final year at school he was awarded the PE department's prize for services to sport. In the presentation, Morris commented: "Gareth has a fierce determination to succeed and has the character and qualities to achieve his personal goals. He is one of the most unselfish individuals that I have had the pleasure to help educate."^[3]

Playing career

Southampton

At the age of 16 years and 275 days, Bale became the second youngest player ever to play for the Saints (after Theo Walcott) when he made his debut on April 17, 2006. He played the whole match as Southampton defeated Millwall 2-0. Theo James Walcott (born 16 March 1989 in Stanmore, London[1]) is an English footballer who currently plays for Arsenal, having signed there from Southampton on 20 January 2006. ... is the 107th day of the year (108th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Millwall Football Club are an English professional football team based at the New Den Stadium in Bermondsey, South East London. ...

On 6 August 2006 ^[4] Bale managed to swing home a left foot free kick to level the scores to 1-1 against Derby County. Both Rudi Skácel and Bale stood over the ball and the youngster took it sweetly, leaving the keeper with no chance with the ball sailing into the top right hand corner. He celebrated with his trademark twirl in the air. This was three weeks after his 17th birthday. The final score at Pride Park was 2-2. is the 218th day of the year (219th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Derby County Football Club are an English football club based in Derby, who play in the Premier League. ... Rudolf Rudi Skacel (pronounced Skatchal; born July 17, 1979) is a professional footballer currently playing for Southampton and has been capped at international level by the Czech Republic. ... Pride Park is a business park on the outskirts of the city centre of Derby, UK. It includes Pride Park Stadium. ...

He scored again, at St. Mary's, against Coventry City ^[5] in the team's second game of the 2006-07 season with another superbly executed free kick, and further developed his reputation as a free kick specialist when he struck the post from one against West Bromwich Albion.^[6] By December 16, 2006, Bale's goal count had risen to five, thanks to a late equaliser against Sunderland ^[7] and expertly-taken free-kicks away to Hull ^[8] and at home to Norwich City. St Marys Stadium is the home stadium of Southampton F.C.. The Saints have been in residence since August 2001 when they moved from the The Dell, which for the final years of its life, held just over 15,000 spectators - less than half the size of the new... Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, is an English football club based in Coventry, UK. Coventry City were founding members of the FA Premier League in 1992. ... West Bromwich Albion Football Club (also known as West Brom, The Baggies, Albion, The Albion, The Throstles or W.B.A.) are an English professional football club based in West Bromwich, West Midlands. ... is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sunderland Association Football Club is a professional football club, based at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, in North-East England. ... Hull City Association Football Club is an English football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire. ... Norwich City Football Club (also known as The Canaries) is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. ...

On 4 March 2007, he was named the Football League Young Player of the Year.^[9] This capped an incredible first full season as a professional footballer in which he was one of the Saints' most creative players even though operating from the left-back position whilst his defending improved immeasurably as the season progressed. is the 63rd day of the year (64th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

His final game for Southampton was in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final against Derby County on 12 May 2007. Bale suffered an injury during the second half, preventing him from appearing in the second leg.^[10] In total, he made 45 appearances for the Saints, scoring 5 goals. The Football League Championship Playoffs are a series of playoff matches contested by the teams finishing from 3rd to 6th in the Coca Cola Football League Championship table. ... Derby County Football Club are an English football club based in Derby, who play in the Premier League. ... is the 132nd day of the year (133rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Tottenham Hotspur

Bale completed a transfer to Tottenham on 25 May 2007, arranging a four-year deal, with Tottenham making an immediate payment of £5 million, with further additional payments that could see Bale's transfer go up to £10m.^[11] He played his first game for Spurs in a friendly against St. Patrick's Athletic on 12 July 2007, but was substituted on the 80th minute with a minor dead-leg. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is an English professional football club which plays in the Premier League. ... is the 145th day of the year (146th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... St Patricks Athletic Football Club is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland Premier Division. ... is the 193rd day of the year (194th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

He made his debut for Tottenham Hotspur on August 26 away against Manchester United, putting in a very impressive performance.^[12] is the 238th day of the year (239th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Manchester United Football Club are a world-famous English football club, based at the Old Trafford stadium in Trafford, Greater Manchester, and are one of the most popular sports clubs in the world, with over 50 million supporters worldwide. ...

In just his second Spurs appearance, he scored his first goal for Tottenham in the 3-3 draw with Fulham on September 1 when he latched on to Robbie Keane's flick, charged down the left flank unopposed and coolly slotted past goalkeeper Antti Niemi.^[13] Bale then went on to score again against Arsenal in the North London Derby, scoring a brilliant free kick inside the near post of Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia. He continued his rich vein of form by scoring in the League Cup home tie against Middlesbrough, making it 3 goals in 4 starts for the 18-year-old. He also set up Spurs' goal against Anothorsis Famagusta in the UEFA Cup. Fulham Football Club are an English football team based in Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Robert David Robbie Keane (born 8 July 1980 in Tallaght, Dublin) is an Irish footballer, who currently plays as a striker for Tottenham Hotspur . ... Antti Niemi (born May 31, 1972 in Oulu) is a Finnish football goalkeeper who currently plays for Fulham F.C. in the English Premiership. ... Manuel Rivero Almunia (born May 19, 1977 in Pamplona) is a Spanish football player who currently plays for Arsenal as a goalkeeper. ... Middlesbrough Football Club (commonly known as Boro) are an English football club based in Middlesbrough. ...

Wales

He made the senior Welsh squad at the end of the 2005-06 season and then played his debut on 27 May 2006 ^[14] as a substitute in a 2-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago, making him the youngest ever player to play for Wales^[15] aged just 16 years and 315 days to break Lewin Nyatanga's three-month old record. In the game he set up the winner for Robert Earnshaw. First international  Scotland 4 - 0 Wales (Glasgow, Scotland; 26 March 1876) Biggest win Wales 11 - 0 Ireland  (Wrexham, Wales; 3 March 1888) Biggest defeat  Scotland 9 - 0 Wales (Glasgow, Scotland; 23 March 1878) World Cup Appearances 1 (First in 1958) Best result Quarter-finals, 1958 The Wales national football team... is the 147th day of the year (148th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Lewin John Nyatanga (born August 18, 1988 in Burton upon Trent, England) is an English born Welsh football defender who plays for Wales at international level. ... Robert Earnshaw (born April 6, 1981) is a Zambian-born Welsh international football player. ...

On 7 October 2006 he became the youngest person to score a goal for the full Welsh national team in the Euro 2008 qualification match against Slovakia with a trade-mark free kick ^[16]. He scored his second goal for Wales in a 3-0 win over San Marino on 28 March 2007. is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 87th day of the year (88th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Brian Flynn, the U-21 Wales manager has expressed comments of the potential in Bale as a future star of the game. Although being trained as a left-back, Bale's left-footed prowess and free kick ability have evoked comparisons to the legendary left-footed winger Ryan Giggs, also from Wales.^[17] Brian Flynn, (born 1955) is a Welsh football manager and former Welsh international player . ... Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE[2] (born Ryan Joseph Wilson on 29 November 1973 in Cardiff) is a Welsh footballer, currently playing for Manchester United in the English Premiership, and formerly for the Welsh national team prior to his retirement from international football on 2 June 2007. ...

Career stats

Southampton Football Club is a professional English football team, nicknamed The Saints and based in the city of Southampton. ... Tottenham Hotspur F.C. is a North London association football team, also known by the nickname Spurs. ... is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Honours

As a player

With Southampton Southampton Football Club is a professional English football team, nicknamed The Saints and based in the city of Southampton. ...

• 2006 FA Premier Academy League Championship
• 2007 Football League Young Player of the Year

References

is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 329th day of the year (330th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... This article is about the day. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 154th day of the year (155th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... BBC Sport is the sports division of the BBC. It became a fully dedicated division of the BBC in 2000. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 145th day of the year (146th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 145th day of the year (146th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC Sport is the sports division of the BBC. It became a fully dedicated division of the BBC in 2000. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 238th day of the year (239th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 238th day of the year (239th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC Sport is the sports division of the BBC. It became a fully dedicated division of the BBC in 2000. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 245th day of the year (246th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

External links

• Gareth Bale career stats at Soccerbase
• Bale enjoying a fairytale start
• Feature on icwales.co.uk