James Bailey (footballer)

Born in Bollington, England, Bailey started his football career at Bollington United Juniors before joining Crewe Alexandra, where he signed his first professional contract in the summer of 2007.[3][4]

Bailey made his full Crewe debut at right back at 19 years of age, when he came on as an 89th-minute substitute for Danny Woodards in a League One home fixture against Doncaster Rovers on 22 December 2007, with Crewe 2–0 down. Doncaster scored twice in the final minute for a final scoreline of 4–0.[5] This proved to be Bailey's sole appearance of the 2007–08 season, but he earned a one-year deal with the club, which he signed in May 2008,[2] with first team coach Steve Holland stating "We are delighted that James has signed a new contract. He has been given another year and we will review it again in relation to his progress. He has made progress this year and now it is up to him to go on again and compete for a place in the squad."[6]

An impressive pre-season saw Bailey return to the side for the opening fixture of the 2008–09 season, where he started in his now familiar midfield role, as Crewe lost 2–1 to Brighton & Hove Albion.[7]Although the season was a disappointing one for Crewe, who were relegated to League Two, it was a personal success for Bailey, as he kept his place in the side with a number of mature performances in central midfield alongside Michael O'Connor[4] and earned a new and improved contract until 2011,[8] as he recorded 31 league and cup appearances throughout the campaign, with only injury preventing him appearing in more after he was ruled out for much of the season from January onwards.[4][9]

Bailey made his first appearance of 2009–10 season, coming against Dagenham & Redbridge in the opening game of the season, where he played 27 minutes after coming on as a substitute, as Crewe Alexandra lost 2–1.[10] However, he suffered an injury that kept him out for a month.[11] It wasn’t until on 3 October 2009 when Bailey returned to the starting line–up against Rotherham United and played the whole game, as the club lost 3–2.[12] He then started in the next five matches before suffering a lower abdominal injury that eventually kept him out for three months.[13] It wasn’t until on 12 February 2010 when Bailey returned to the starting line–up and helped Crewe Alexandra won 2–1 against Burton Albion.[14] He then played a role on assisting goals on three occasions, including two consecutive assists against Barnet and Grimsby Town between 6 March 2010 and 9 March 2010.[15] Despite suffering further injuries later in the season, Bailey retained his position in the first team for the club's 2009–10 season, making 23 appearances in all competitions.[16]

Following the end of the 2009–10 season, his performances for Crewe impressed and he was linked with a move to Championship club Derby County, alongside Crewe teammate John Brayford, in a joint £1m deal in May 2010,[17] where he was seen as a long-term replacement for veteran midfielder Robbie Savage.[18] Crewe confirmed that an offer for the pair, believed to be £1m rising to £1.3m with add-ons and a percentage sell on clause, had been accepted on 18 May 2010.[19]

Bailey formally completed his move to Derby County on 19 May 2010 for an undisclosed fee and took the number 16 shirt, signing a three-year contract.[2][20] On this signing, Derby manager Nigel Clough said, "James is a determined midfielder who has been impressive every time we have watched him and we're delighted he has… joined us."[2][21]

He was placed straight into the first team during the club's 2010–11 pre-season fixtures, as a holding midfielder alongside Robbie Savage in a 4–2–3–1 formation, scoring in a 3–3 draw at A.F.C. Bournemouth.[22][23] His competitive debut for the Rams came in a 2–1 victory at Leeds United on the opening game of the 2010–11 season.[24] His first goal came in a 2–2 draw with Queens Park Rangers in a performance which earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Week for 31 August 2010.[25][26] Bailey was ever-present in the first 18 games of Derby's 2010–11 campaign, playing every minute of every match and kept two consecutive clean sheets on two separate occasions.[27] However, he only missed his first game in November after being ruled out with the flu.[28] After missing out one match, Bailey returned to the starting line–up against Burnley on 27 November 2010 and played 90 minutes, as the club lost 2–1.[29] He continued to start for Derby County since returning to the first team in nine out of the ten matches for the side.[30] However during a match against Portsmouth on 5 February 2011, Bailey suffered a groin injury, resulting in him being substituted in the 58th minutes and was sidelined for a month.[31] It wasn’t until on 19 March 2011 when he returned to the first team, coming on as a late substitute, in a 2–2 draw against Crystal Palace.[32] He continued to remain involved in the first team for the reminder of the 2010–11 season and went on to make thirty–eight appearances and scoring once in all competitions.[33] Bailey picked up the Sammy Crooks Young Player of the Year award in his first season with the club.[2] Bailey said after picking this award, "It's a great feeling to get the young player of the year award and it's good that the manager has thought highly of me. Hopefully I can press on now and get player of the year, voted by everybody, next season."[2][34]

Bailey started the 2011–12 season in Derby's first XI, helping them to four wins from their first five games and into second in the table.[35] However, he sustained an ankle injury in training in September 2011 ruled him out for three months.[36] It wasn’t until on 26 November 2011 when Bailey returned to the starting line–up against West Ham United and played the whole game, as the club lost 3–1.[37] He then started in the midfield position for the next two months before struggling to break into the first team, after losing his place to Jeff Hendrick.[38] In the January transfer window Bailey was linked with moves away from Pride Park with Premier League clubs reportedly interested in the player, but he ended up staying at the club.[2] At the end of the 2011–12 season, Bailey made twenty–four appearances in all competitions. In May 2012, Derby said they were open to offers for the player[2] and on 22 May 2012, Bailey was transfer listed by the club with a year left on his contract. Clough said the reason why Bailey was transfer list was down to the form of Hendrick and Craig Bryson in central midfield.[2][39] In July 2012, Clough said that they had received "one or two" enquiries for Bailey but no firm offers.[2] Despite this Bailey's contract was extended until the summer of 2014.[40]

On 25 September 2012, Bailey joined League One side Coventry City on loan for three months.[41] He made his debut for the club, starting the whole game, in a 6–1 loss against Arsenal in the third round of the League Cup.[42] At the completion of his loan spell, Bailey featured 18 times for Coventry, scoring one goal in Coventry's 1–1 draw at Preston North End on 22 December.[43][44] He also contributed three consecutive assists between 24 November 2012 and 15 December 2012.[45] Bailey said he was unclear about if he would rejoin the Sky Blues in the January transfer window, stating the Derby and Coventry were in talks over his future.[43] Bailey returned to Coventry on a loan until the end of the 2012–13 season on 1 January.[46] Bailey played a further 15 times in his second loan spell, scoring one goal against Oldham Athletic on 19 January 2013.[47] Following this, he returned to his parent club.[48]

In May, Bailey was placed on Derby County's transfer list with a year left on his contract.[49] However, Bailey was unable to find a club in the summer transfer window and in late August he was ruled out for six weeks with a torn knee ligament.[50] Bailey continued to be rehabilitated throughout the month and made his return in the club's U21 reserves against Hull City U21 reserves; a game which was won by Derby.[51] After the match, Bailey describe his return from injury as 'new lease of life'.[52] Despite being fit throughout the season, Bailey's first team opportunities were hard to come by under Manager Steve McClaren. He made just two Derby County appearances in over a year, against Blackpool[53] and Chelsea.[54]

After four years at the club, Bailey was finally released after his contract expired in the summer.[55]

Bailey remained a free agent until on 22 July 2014, Bailey signed a two-year deal with League One side Barnsley.[56] He was previously linked with a move back to Crewe Alexandra.[57]

Bailey made his Barnsley debut, playing as a right-midfield position, in a 1–0 loss against Crawley Town in the opening game of the season.[58] However, Bailey didn't make a perfect start when Bailey sustained a groin injury that saw him missed four matches and then sent-off after a second bookable offense, in a 2–1 loss against Peterborough United on 18 October 2014.[59] After being dropped out in the first team for nearly two months, he made his return to the first team, starting the whole game, in a 2–0 win against Crewe Alexandra on 21 February 2015.[60] Bailey's performance against Colchester United on 6 April 2015 was praised by Manager Lee Johnson.[61] However, he was dropped from the first team for the rest of the season, with Manager Johnson quoting: "His range of passing is very good. But the tactical, physical and mental sides need to be improved."[62] In his first season at Barnsley, Bailey made twenty-nine appearance in all competitions.

However, on 23 July 2015, it was announced that Bailey left the club by mutual consent to allow him to pursue other football opportunities.[63]

Bailey was signed by Indian Super League club FC Pune City on 30 July 2015 for the 2015 Indian Super League.[64]

He made his FC Pune City debut, starting a match and played 45 minutes before being substituted, in a 3–1 win against Mumbai City in the opening game of the season.[65] It wasn’t until on 2 December 2015 when Bailey scored his first goal for the club, in a 3–2 loss against NorthEast United.[66] By the time he departed from FC Pune City, Bailey made eight appearances and scoring once in all competitions for the side.

On 15 January 2016, Bailey signed with the Ottawa Fury.[67]

Bailey made his Ottawa Fury debut in the opening game of the season, starting the whole game, in a 2–1 loss against New York Cosmos.[68] He then played in the first leg of the Canadian Championship Preliminary Round against FC Edmonton and set up the club’s first goal of the game, in a 3–0 win.[69] In the return leg, Bailey started the whole game, as Ottawa Fury went through to the next round after winning 3–2 on aggregate.[70] He then became a first team regular for the club, establishing himself in the midfield position.[71]

At the end of the 2016 season, Bailey went on to make thirty–three appearances in all competitions. Following this, he left the club on 13 December 2016.[72] Reflecting on his time at India and Canada, Bailey said: "I enjoyed my time abroad. To be doing the job I love and get to travel and see different places was great."[73]

On 3 February 2017, Bailey returned to English football to sign for League Two club Carlisle United on a short-term contract until the end of the season.[74]

He made his Carlisle United debut, coming on as a 85th minute substitute, in a 2–1 win against Leyton Orient on 4 February 2017.[75] In a match against Cambridge United on 11 March 2017, Bailey received a straight red card in the 90th minutes for "for an off the ball incident", as the club lost 3–0.[76] After serving a three match ban, he returned to the starting line–up on 1 April 2017, helping Carlisle United win 3–0. [77] Despite this, Bailey continued to remain involved in the first team for the club and helped Carlisle reach the League Two play-off semi-finals. [78] He played in both legs against Exeter City, as the club lost 6–5 on aggregate.[79]

At the end of the season, having made fourteen appearances for the side, Bailey was offered a new contract with the Cumbrian side,[80] but this offer was withdrawn on 9 June 2017.[81]

On 4 July 2017, Bailey signed for fellow League Two club Yeovil Town on a two-year contract.[82] Ahead of the 2017–18 season, he was given a number sixteen shirts, as well as, the club’s captaincy.[83]

Bailey made his Yeovil Town debut in the opening game of the season, starting the whole game, as the club lost 8–2 against Luton Town.[84] After the match, he issued an apology on behalf of the players, saying: "We know we let ourselves and the fans down. We felt the same as everyone else connected with the club and know the performance was unacceptable. The support we had at Luton was fantastic and we didn’t repay them how we wanted. Most were still there at the end of the game when our performance didn’t merit that. As a group, we want to apologise and give fans their money back."[85] In a follow–up match against Accrington Stanley, Bailey made amends for the club’s performances and set up a goal for Olufela Olomola, who scored twice, in a 3–2 win.[86] It wasn’t until on 26 September 2017 when he scored his first goal for Yeovil Town, in a 3–2 win against Chesterfield.[87] Since making his debut for the club, Bailey quickly became a first team regular for Yeovil Town, playing in the midfield position.[88] This last until he suffered a knee injury during a 2–0 win against Cheltenham Town on 26 December 2017.[89] Initially out for two to three months, Bailey was sidelined for the rest of the 2017–18 season.[90]

The 2018–19 season saw Bailey continued to recovery from a knee injury.[91] On 1 February 2019, Bailey had his contract with Yeovil terminated by mutual consent on medical grounds having struggled to recover from a serious knee injury.[92]