John Oster

Oster started his career at Grimsby Town and had progressed through the youth ranks at the club and was inducted into the first team in the same youth squad as players such as Danny Butterfield, Matthew Bloomer and Daryl Clare. He was promoted to the first team scene in the 1994–95 season when the club were in the old First Division. However, he didn't make his debut until the 1996–97 campaign where he made his debut in a 3–1 win away at Charlton Athletic on 26 November 1996. Following Grimsby's relegation from the First Division, Oster was sold by The Mariners, for a fee of £1.5 million that saw him break the club's record transfer sale that was initially held by Gary Croft following his move to Blackburn Rovers for £1 million a year earlier. He had only played twenty-six times in all competitions, scoring four goals upon his departure.

The Mariners sold Oster to Everton for £1.5 million in 1997,[1] aged only 18 and having played only 25 matches. It transpired that he had made the wrong move though, as he was rarely utilised in his favoured winger's role, in a 4–4–2 formation. Oster scored three times during his spell at Everton; once in the league against Barnsley,[2] once in the League Cup against Scunthorpe United[3] and once in the FA Cup against Coventry City.[4]

Oster moved to Sunderland for a fee in excess of £1 million,[1] but again failed to find regular form. His low point at the club was when he was involved in an incident that ended the career of reserve player Mark Maley by accidentally shooting him in the eye with an air rifle.[5] While at Sunderland, during the 2002–2003 season, he spent five months back on loan with his former club Grimsby Town. He enjoyed two fruitful and productive spells with the club during that season, but despite this his goals and performances could not save The Mariners from relegation, as the club struggled to stop a slide down the Football League ladder. Oster was released by Sunderland in January 2005,[6] shortly after returning to the Black Cats in disgrace from a loan at Leeds United,[7] where he scored once against Millwall.[8] There was little doubt that Grimsby would have liked Oster back but could not afford him and their financial position and reduced league status made it an unattractive option for the player.

Following a short spell at Burnley,[1] where he scored once against Coventry,[9] Oster joined Reading on 2 August 2005.[10]

Oster made his debut for Reading against Brighton & Hove Albion on 9 August 2005 as a substitute.[11] In January 2007, he extended his contract at the Madejski Stadium until the summer of 2008.[12] He notched his first Premier League goal in nearly 10 years against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium where the Royals were defeated for the first time in 2007, 2–1.[13] After a couple of years as a squad player with the Royals, including a number of Premier League sub appearances, he was released by Reading following their relegation from the Premier League, on 16 May 2008.[14]

Before signing for Crystal Palace, Oster had a trial spell at Championship rivals Derby County. Oster signed an initial six-month contract for Crystal Palace on 11 August 2008, which was extended by a further 18 months.[15] He scored on his debut against Hereford United in the League Cup.[16]

Oster left Crystal Palace in the summer and joined Doncaster Rovers on a six-month contract. Oster made his Doncaster debut on 8 August 2009, coming on as a second-half substitute against Watford. He extended his contract in January 2010 to keep him at the club until the end of the 2009–10 season. He scored his first goal for Doncaster against Peterborough United on 16 March 2010.[17]

Due to his impressive form in the 2009/10 season, Rovers offered Oster the opportunity to renew his contract with the club. Oster agreed and committed to Doncaster for a further two years. Oster has been an ever present for Doncaster in the 2010–11 season after topping the Rovers' appearance chart in mid April with 38 starts. In May 2012, Oster was released by the club after the expiry of his contract.[18]

On 7 September 2012, Oster signed for Football League Two club Barnet. On 19 October 2012, he scored his first goal for Barnet, scoring the third goal in a 4–0 win against Northampton Town.[19] Oster was released by manager Edgar Davids at the end of the season following Barnet's relegation from League Two.[20]

On 20 September 2013, Oster signed for Conference Premier club Gateshead on non-contract terms, the move being his first into Non-league.[21] He made his debut the following day as a second-half substitute against Tamworth.[22] He scored his first goal for Gateshead on 21 December 2013 in a 2–4 defeat at Luton Town.[23]