Zema Abbey

Zema Abbey (born 17 April 1977) is an English former professional footballer, who played as a striker.

Zema Abbey
Personal information
Date of birth (1977-04-17) 17 April 1977
Place of birth Luton, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s) Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–1999 Baldock Town
1999–2000 Hitchin Town
2000 Cambridge United 22 (5)
2000 → Hitchin Town (loan)
2000–2004 Norwich City 59 (7)
2004 → Boston United (loan) 5 (1)
2004 Wycombe Wanderers 5 (0)
2004–2005 Bradford City 6 (1)
2005 Torquay United 6 (1)
2005–2006 Forest Green Rovers 26 (2)
2006 Kettering Town
2007 Barton Rovers
2007–2009 Halesowen Town 42 (8)
2009–2013 Arlesey Town
Teams managed
2011–2013 Arlesey Town
2013–2014 St Neots Town (joint with Gary King)
2015–2018 Arlesey Town (joint with Nathan Abbey)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:09, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

He has a degree in Sports Science and Leisure Management from the University of Bedfordshire.[1] His younger brother, Nathan, was also a professional footballer. He also owns a Luton-based company that sell footwear.

Playing career

Born in Luton to parents from St. Vincent, Abbey began his career with Arlesey Town, before spending a season each at both Baldock Town and Hitchin Town, before joining Cambridge United in February 2000. He soon established himself in the Cambridge side, earning a £350,000 move to Norwich City in December 2000.[2] However his time at Carrow Road was marred by two career threatening knee injuries, causing him to miss most of the 2003–04 promotion season, though he was given a championship medal at the end of the season. He was given a three-month contract to prove his fitness at the start of the following season.[3] He spent September 2004 on loan at Boston United, playing alongside Paul Gascoigne and scoring once against Chester City.[4] He then moved to Wycombe Wanderers on a free transfer the following month. In November 2004 he moved to Bradford City on a short-term deal.[5] He made his debut for Bradford on 20 November against Brentford when he scored after just two minutes but received the first red card of his career for violent conduct after a clash with Deon Burton.[6][7] His second game did not come for nearly a month because of suspension and he played a total of only six games before he was released by manager Colin Todd.[8] Abbey joined Stoke City on a month trial in January 2005 playing in the club's reserve side. Despite scoring against Sheffield United Reserves Abbey was not offered a contract.[9] In March 2005 he moved to Torquay United, but was released at the end of the 2004–05 season after one goal against MK Dons.[10]

He joined Forest Green Rovers in August 2005, playing 26 times before being released in April 2006.[11]

He joined Kettering Town in August 2006 in time for the start of the 2006–07 Conference North season,[12] but was released in November 2006.

In January 2007 he signed for Barton Rovers[13] He signed for Halesowen Town in November 2007.[14][15] He was linked with a move to Corby Town in December 2008,[16] but remained with Halesowen.[17] At the start of the 2009–10 season, he returned to Arlesey Town where he was appointed player/assistant manager.

Management career

In June 2011, Abbey was appointed as the first team manager at Arlesey.[18]

In November 2013, Abbey moved with his brother Nathan Abbey to St Neots as joint manager with Gary King. [19]

Abbey was re-appointed Arlesey Town manager in February 2015 as the replacement for Nick Ironton. He took on the title of joint manager alongside his brother Nathan Abbey. The brothers left the club at the end of the 2017–18 season.

Honours

References
  1. Slater, Gary (21 January 2001). "Abbey makes up for lost time". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 24 May 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
  2. "Abbey striking changes". BBC News. 20 December 2000. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
  3. "Abbey offered short deal". BBC News. 23 May 2004. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
  4. "Boston 3-1 Chester". BBC Sport. BBC. 30 August 2004. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  5. "Bantams sign Abbey from Chairboys". BBC Sport. 16 November 2004. Retrieved 22 February 2008.
  6. "Brentford 1–2 Bradford". BBC Sport. 20 November 2004. Retrieved 22 February 2008.
  7. "Abbey stunned after sending off". BBC Sport. 23 November 2004. Retrieved 22 February 2008.
  8. "Bantams boss keen to loan striker". BBC Sport. 17 January 2005. Retrieved 22 February 2008.
  9. "Stoke City 2 Sheffield United 0". stokecityfc.com. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  10. "Torquay 1-0 MK Dons". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 April 2005. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  11. "A few surprises in Forest Green Rovers' retained list". Retrieved 20 May 2007.
  12. "Zema signs". Archived from the original on 27 April 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
  13. "Abbey coup for Rovers". Retrieved 20 May 2007.
  14. "12/11/2007 – w/c 05/11/2007". Archived from the original on 26 October 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2007.
  15. "Former Hatters' team-mates re-unite at Barton". Retrieved 18 November 2007.
  16. "Corby reveal new signing". Evening Telegraph. 12 October 2008. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
  17. "Halesowen Town v Merthyr Tydfil". Halesowen Town Official Website. 20 January 2009. Archived from the original on 26 December 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2009.
  18. "Abbey in charge at Arlesey". Non League Daily. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  19. "Abbey brothers leave Arlesey Town for St Neots". The Comet. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
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