' DARCY BLAKE '
Sat Oct 24, 2015 9:09 pm
Ex-Wales international Blake quit football and has been playing rugby for his local team in recent months
24/10/2015
Wales online
Former Cardiff City and Wales defender Darcy Blake has returned to the game he walked away from after signing with Welsh League Division One strugglers Aberbargoed Buds.
The 26-year-old will take on a player/coach role at the club as they bid to avoid relegation.
Last month we reported how Blake had turned his back on football and begun playing rugby for New Tredegar after seeing his career hit the buffers.
But he is now set to take up the round-ball game again, albeit at a low level.
Aberbargoed caretaker boss John Lewis told the South Wales Argus : “We are delighted to have Darcy on board.
“He attended training on Wednesday and you could still see the quality he still has. Obviously his fitness needs working on and if he can manage that, then it's a terrific signing for us.
“However we are not naïve to think if matters work out for him, that he will stay with us for the rest of his career.
“So if he does return to a higher level, then we will have the satisfaction of helping him on his way.”
Blake had spells at Crystal Palace, Newport County and North Gwent club Tredegar Arms FC after leaving Cardiff City as a Wales international in 2012.
Darcy Blake keeps Wayne Rooney quiet at Wembley in 2011
Related: Peter Whttingham: 'It wasn't the greatest experience but I want another crack at the Premier League!'
His last match as a professional was for Newport County during May 2014, while his final match for Cardiff City came in the 2012 Championship play-offs.
He played 90 minutes in the first leg as the Bluebirds lost 2-0 against West Ham at home and went on as a second half substitute at Upton Park.
The former Blackwood Comprehensive School pupil joined Cardiff City’s youth development programme at 10-years-old and spent 14 years with the Bluebirds.
Darcy Blake in action for Newport County against Rochdale
Related: Cardiff City aim to mount serious promotion push in order to convince Vincent Tan to spend in January
He played in the League Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley in 2012, making well over 100 first team appearances in total.
He also played for Wales at under-17, under-19, under-21 and senior levels, making his full debut against Switzerland in Basel during 2010. His final international outing was in a 2-0 defeat against Bosnia during August 2012.
24/10/2015
Wales online
Former Cardiff City and Wales defender Darcy Blake has returned to the game he walked away from after signing with Welsh League Division One strugglers Aberbargoed Buds.
The 26-year-old will take on a player/coach role at the club as they bid to avoid relegation.
Last month we reported how Blake had turned his back on football and begun playing rugby for New Tredegar after seeing his career hit the buffers.
But he is now set to take up the round-ball game again, albeit at a low level.
Aberbargoed caretaker boss John Lewis told the South Wales Argus : “We are delighted to have Darcy on board.
“He attended training on Wednesday and you could still see the quality he still has. Obviously his fitness needs working on and if he can manage that, then it's a terrific signing for us.
“However we are not naïve to think if matters work out for him, that he will stay with us for the rest of his career.
“So if he does return to a higher level, then we will have the satisfaction of helping him on his way.”
Blake had spells at Crystal Palace, Newport County and North Gwent club Tredegar Arms FC after leaving Cardiff City as a Wales international in 2012.
Darcy Blake keeps Wayne Rooney quiet at Wembley in 2011
Related: Peter Whttingham: 'It wasn't the greatest experience but I want another crack at the Premier League!'
His last match as a professional was for Newport County during May 2014, while his final match for Cardiff City came in the 2012 Championship play-offs.
He played 90 minutes in the first leg as the Bluebirds lost 2-0 against West Ham at home and went on as a second half substitute at Upton Park.
The former Blackwood Comprehensive School pupil joined Cardiff City’s youth development programme at 10-years-old and spent 14 years with the Bluebirds.
Darcy Blake in action for Newport County against Rochdale
Related: Cardiff City aim to mount serious promotion push in order to convince Vincent Tan to spend in January
He played in the League Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley in 2012, making well over 100 first team appearances in total.
He also played for Wales at under-17, under-19, under-21 and senior levels, making his full debut against Switzerland in Basel during 2010. His final international outing was in a 2-0 defeat against Bosnia during August 2012.
Re: ' DARCY BLAKE '
Sat Oct 24, 2015 9:27 pm
Sometimes after success in football and when and when your relatively immature, you may have to hit the bottom before you realise what you had and then bounce back twice as strong. That's life and football is especially brutal that way. I honestly wish that this will be the case for the clearly talented Darcy, as we've all seen him play some magnificent performances at the top levels and I think he could still have a decent career.
Re: ' DARCY BLAKE '
Sat Oct 24, 2015 9:28 pm
Like you said what a waste.
Re: ' DARCY BLAKE '
Sun Oct 25, 2015 9:34 am
They best ton pentre away 3.1
Re: ' DARCY BLAKE '
Sun Oct 25, 2015 6:13 pm
Waiting for someone to say 'he had Rooney in his back pocket'...