Caleb Folan

Caleb Folan

Born 26 October 1982 (Age 18 at debut)

Position: Forward

(Diamonds player #154)

Total appearances 7

(6 League, 1 League Trophy)

Debut:

5 October 2001 (Home Hartlepool United)

Final game:

3 November 2001 (Away Swansea City)

Caleb was born in Leeds and progressed through the youth set up at Leeds United before gaining a professional contract with the club. After failing to make the first team, he joined Diamonds on a one month loan on 4 October 2001, making his Nene Park debut the following day as a second half substitute against Hartlepool United. Although the striker only made two starts, he was popular with the crowds for his explosive pace for such a tall player although he failed to score during his time with Diamonds.

After his return to Leeds, he spent a month on loan at Hull City later in the month. He was released by Leeds in February 2003, joining Chesterfield on a free transfer. Despite a knee operation in April 2006, he had four successful years with the Spireites, and earned a £500,000 move to Wigan Athletic in January 2007 during their inaugural Premiership season. He scored twice in sixteen appearances. On transfer deadline day (31 August 2007), Championship side Hull City paid £1million to acquire the striker as he helped the Tigers attain Premiership status, although he was stretchered off in his debut game at Blackpool although the injury proved not too serious. With his grandparents coming from the Republic of Ireland, he joined the international squad for the European Championship qualifier against Cyprus In October 2008, coming on as a late substitution. On 17 September 2009, he went out on a three month loan to Championship side Middlesbrough, before returning to Hull City. After not being part of Hull’s future plans, he was released from his contract and signed for Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids on 16 March 2011. He scored six times during the season, but parted company before the start of the following season and returned to the UK. On 29 February 2012, he signed for Championship side Birmingham City for the remainder of the 2011/2012 season, but was released in the summer of 2012. During early-December 2012, Caleb joined Malaysian Super League side Terengganu PBDKT T-Team for the start of their 2013 season (runs from January to July). Despite his year-long contract, he failed to score in ten appearances for the Titans, and it was announced on 27 May 2013, that it had been mutally agreed for him to end his time with the club. On 28 September 2013, it was announced that Caleb had joined League One side Bradford City, with international clearance received on 3 October. After a short spell with the Bantams he moved back to Asia, this time in Myanmar, before quitting the game shortly afterwards.

Appearances

2001/2002 – squad number 31