{{Short description|English footballer (born 1978)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Use British English|date=June 2016}} {{Infobox football biography | name = David Theobald | image = | fullname = David John Theobald<ref name="Hugman">{{Hugman|19422|accessdate=21 October 2015}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|12|15|df=y}} | birth_place = Cambridge, England | height = 1.88m<ref name="Soccerbase" /> | position = Defender | currentclub = Cambridge City (first team coach) | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Cambridge United | youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–1997 | youthclubs2 = Ipswich Town | years1 = 1997–1999 | years2 = 1999–2002 | years3 = 2002–2003 | years4 = 2003 | years5 = 2003 | caps5 = 1 | goals5 = 0 | clubs5 = → Cambridge City (loan) | years6 = 2003–2005 | years7 = 2004 | years8 = 2005–2006 | years9 = 2006–2007 | years10 = 2007 | years11 = 2007–2013 | years12 = 2013–2015 | years13 = 2015–2016 | clubs1 = Ipswich Town | clubs2 = Brentford | clubs3 = Swansea City | clubs4 = Cambridge United | clubs6 = Canvey Island | clubs7 = → Bishop's Stortford (loan) | clubs8 = Kettering Town | clubs9 = St Albans City | clubs10 = Kettering Town | clubs11 = Cambridge City | caps11 = 219 | goals11 = 31 | clubs12 = Royston Town | clubs13 = Soham Town Rangers | caps1 = 0 | caps2 = 31 | caps3 = 10 | caps4 = 4 | caps6 = 59 | caps7 = 5 | caps8 = 31 | caps9 = 22 | caps10 = 19 | goals1 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | goals3 = 0 | goals4 = 0 | goals6 = 4 | goals7 = 0 | goals8 = 5 | goals9 = 3 | goals10 = 0 | caps12 = 20 | caps13 = 16 | goals12 = 1 | goals13 = 2 | years14 = 2017–2019 | caps14 = 1 | goals14 = 0 | clubs14 = Cambridge City | manageryears1 = 2015–2016 | managerclubs1 = Soham Town Rangers (joint-manager) | manageryears2 = 2016 | managerclubs2 = Soham Town Rangers }} '''David John Theobald''' (born 15 December 1978) is an English retired semi-professional footballer who played as a defender in the Football League for Brentford, Swansea City and Cambridge United. He played the majority of his career in non-League football, predominantly for Cambridge City, for whom he made over 270 appearances across three spells. He is currently first team coach at Cambridge City.
== Playing career ==
=== Early years === Theobald began his career in the youth system at Cambridge United, before joining the youth setup at Ipswich Town.<ref name="MacInnes" /> He progressed to undertake a scholarship, but did not win a call into a first team squad before his release at the end of the 1998–99 season.<ref name="MacInnes" />
=== Brentford === On 8 July 1999, Theobald signed a three-year contract with newly promoted Second Division club Brentford on a free transfer.<ref name="MacInnes" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Premier and Football League transfers |url=https://www.11v11.com/transfers/2000/t176/ |access-date=29 July 2018 |website=www.11v11.com}}</ref> He was utilised as cover for injuries and had a run in the team as a stand-in right back for the injured Danny Boxall during the 1999–00 season and in central defence for Scott Marshall during 2000–01.<ref name="Timeless">{{Cite book |last1=Haynes |first1=Graham |title=Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006 |last2=Coumbe |first2=Frank |date=18 November 2006 |publisher=Yore Publications |isbn=9780955294914 |edition=First |page=159 |language=English}}</ref> Theobald was named in the starting lineup for the 2001 Football League Trophy Final and received a runners-up medal.<ref name="Timeless" /> He was released after Brentford's defeat in the 2002 Second Division play-off final and made just 37 appearances during three seasons at Griffin Park.<ref name="Soccerbase">{{Soccerbase|id=10637}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bees release six |url=http://world.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~224523,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083939/http://world.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~224523,00.html |archive-date=12 February 2018 |access-date=29 July 2018}}</ref>
=== Swansea City === On 26 July 2002, Theobald signed a one-year contract with Third Division club Swansea City on a free transfer.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 July 2002 |title=Swans clinch double signing |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/2154047.stm |access-date=29 July 2018 |language=en-GB}}</ref> He made just 12 appearances before leaving the Vetch Field in February 2003.<ref name="Soccerbase0203" />
=== Cambridge United === On 7 February 2003, Theobald joined hometown Third Division club Cambridge United on a contract running until the end of the 2002–03 season.<ref name="Soccerbase" /> He made just one appearance before his contract expired.<ref name="Soccerbase0203" />
=== Non-League football === Between 2003 and 2018, Theobald had a long career in non-League football, predominantly with Cambridge City, for whom he made 274 appearances and scored 39 goals across three spells.<ref name="Dunn">{{Cite web |last=Dunn |first=Andrew |title=Theobald returns as first team coach |url=http://www.cambridgecityfc.com/artman/publish/article_4026.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227061848/http://www.cambridgecityfc.com/artman/publish/article_4026.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 December 2017 |access-date=26 December 2017 |website=www.cambridgecityfc.com}}</ref> He also played for Canvey Island, Kettering Town, St Albans City, Royston Town, Soham Town Rangers and Bishop's Stortford.<ref name="aylesburyunitedfc" />
== Managerial and coaching career ==
=== Soham Town Rangers === On 8 October 2015, Theobald and fellow senior player Robbie Nightingale took over as joint-managers of Isthmian League First Division North club Soham Town Rangers.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Steve Fallon quits Soham Town Rangers as experienced duo take over |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/isthmian-league-step-three/13922/steve-fallon-quits-soham-town-rangers-as-experienced-duo-take-over/ |access-date=29 July 2018 |work=The Non League Football Paper – Daily football news |language=en-GB}}</ref> He remained in the role until 4 December 2016, when he followed Nightingale out of the club.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pearce |first=Seb |title=Dave Theobald praises Soham Town Rangers players, chairman and fans after following Robbie Nightingale in leaving the club |url=https://www.elystandard.co.uk/sport/22768128.dave-theobald-praises-soham-town-rangers-players-chairman-fans-following-robbie-nightingale-leaving-club/ |access-date=29 July 2018 |work=Ely Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Guy |date=30 November 2016 |title=Robbie Nightingale is appointed Cambridge City manager |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/robbie-nightingale-appointed-cambridge-city-12255072 |access-date=29 July 2018 |work=cambridgenews}}</ref>
=== Cambridge City === On 5 December 2016, Theobald returned to Southern League Premier Division club Cambridge City as first team coach.<ref name="Dunn" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Players |url=https://www.cambridgecityfc.com/mens-first-team |access-date=25 April 2019 |website=www.cambridgecityfc.com}}</ref>
== Personal life == Theobald attended Impington Village College.<ref name="MacInnes">{{Cite web |last=MacInnes |first=Keith |title=Featured Player: David Theobald |url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/team/view/featured_player/0,,10421~206293,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020811171437/http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/team/view/featured_player/0,,10421~206293,00.html |archive-date=11 August 2002 |access-date=26 December 2017 |website=Brentford Football Club}}</ref> He is a Liverpool and Cambridge United supporter.<ref name="MacInnes" />
== Career statistics == {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" |+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition ! rowspan="2" |Club ! rowspan="2" |Season ! colspan="3" |League ! colspan="2" |FA Cup ! colspan="2" |League Cup ! colspan="2" |Other ! colspan="2" |Total |- !Division !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals |- | rowspan="4" |Brentford |1999–00<ref name="Soccerbase9900">{{Soccerbase season|id=10637|season=1999|accessdate=28 July 2018}}</ref> |Second Division |10 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy}} |0 |11 |0 |- |2000–01<ref>{{Soccerbase season|id=10637|season=2000|accessdate=28 July 2018}}</ref> |Second Division |15 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |4{{efn|name=FLT}} |0 |19 |0 |- |2001–02<ref>{{Soccerbase season|id=10637|season=2001|accessdate=28 July 2018}}</ref> |Second Division |6 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 |1{{efn|name=FLT}} |0 |7 |0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !31 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !6 !0 !37 !0 |- |Swansea City |2002–03<ref name="Soccerbase0203">{{Soccerbase season|id=10637|season=2002|accessdate=28 July 2018}}</ref> |Third Division |10 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 |1{{efn|name=FLT}} |0 |12 |0 |- |Cambridge United |2002–03<ref name="Soccerbase0203" /> |Third Division |4 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |4 |0 |- |Cambridge City (loan) |2002–03<ref>{{Cite web |title=Goals and Games 02/03 |url=http://www.cambridgecityfc.com/afolder/App_and_Goalscorers02_03.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729200636/http://www.cambridgecityfc.com/afolder/App_and_Goalscorers02_03.shtml |archive-date=29 July 2018 |access-date=29 July 2018 |website=www.cambridgecityfc.com}}</ref> |Southern League Premier Division |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |1 |0 |- | rowspan="4" |Canvey Island |2003–04<ref name="soccerfactsuk0304" /> |Isthmian League Premier Division |40 |3 |2 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |42 |3 |- |2004–05<ref name="soccerfactsuk0405">{{Cite web |title=Player Details: Season 2004–2005 |url=http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2004/player_details.php?playerid=3497 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729200556/http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2004/player_details.php?playerid=3497 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 July 2018 |access-date=28 July 2018 |website=SoccerFacts UK}}</ref> |Conference Premier |16 |1 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |16 |1 |- |2005–06<ref name="soccerfactsuk0506">{{Cite web |title=Player Details: Season 2005–2006 |url=http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2005/player_details.php?playerid=3497 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729200621/http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2005/player_details.php?playerid=3497 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 July 2018 |access-date=28 July 2018 |website=SoccerFacts UK}}</ref> |Conference Premier |3 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |3 |0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !59 !4 !2 !0 ! colspan="2" |— !0 !0 !61 !4 |- |Bishop's Stortford (loan) |2004–05<ref name="soccerfactsuk0405" /> |Conference South |5 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |5 |0 |- |Kettering Town |2005–06<ref name="soccerfactsuk0506" /> |Conference North |31 |5 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |32 |5 |- |St Albans City |2006–07<ref>{{Cite web |title=Season 2006–07 appearances |url=https://www.saintsstatistics.co.uk/index.php/pictures-video/video/player2/playerlisa/418/?season=88 |access-date=19 January 2024 |website=St Albans City F.C. History & Archives}}</ref> |Conference Premier |22 |3 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |2{{efn|One appearance in FA Trophy; one appearance in Herts Senior Cup}} |0 |25 |3 |- |Kettering Town |2006–07<ref>{{Cite web |title=Player Details: Season 2005–2006 |url=http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2006/player_details.php?playerid=3497 |access-date=28 July 2018 |website=SoccerFacts UK}}</ref> |Conference North |19 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |2{{efn|Appearances in Conference North play-offs}} |0 |21 |0 |- | rowspan="7" |Cambridge City |2007–08<ref>{{Cite web |title=Goals and Games 07/08 |url=http://www.cambridgecityfc.com/afolder/App_and_Goalscorers07_08.shtml |access-date=29 July 2018 |website=www.cambridgecityfc.com}}</ref> |Conference South |29 |4 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |5{{efn|Three appearances in FA Trophy; two appearances in Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup}} |0 |34 |4 |- |2008–09<ref>{{Cite web |title=Goals and Games 08/09 |url=http://www.cambridgecityfc.com/afolder/App_and_Goalscorers08_09.shtml |access-date=29 July 2018 |website=www.cambridgecityfc.com}}</ref> |Southern League Premier Division |34 |6 |3 |1 | colspan="2" |— |8{{efn|Four appearances in FA Trophy; two appearances in Southern League Cup; two appearances in Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup}} |0 |45 |7 |- |2009–10<ref name="aylesburyunitedfc" /> |Southern League Premier Division |35 |5 |2 |0 | colspan="2" |— |9{{efn|Seven appearances, two goals in Southern League Cup; one appearance in FA Trophy; one appearance in Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup}} |2 |46 |7 |- |2010–11<ref name="aylesburyunitedfc" /> |Southern League Premier Division |37 |5 |4 |1 | colspan="2" |— |8{{efn|Three appearances in FA Trophy; three appearances in Southern League Cup; one appearance in Southern League Premier Division play-offs; one appearance in Southern League Championship}} |0 |49 |6 |- |2011–12<ref name="aylesburyunitedfc" /> |Southern League Premier Division |43 |9 |2 |1 | colspan="2" |— |2{{efn|Appearances in FA Trophy}} |0 |47 |10 |- |2012–13<ref name="aylesburyunitedfc" /> |Southern League Premier Division |41 |2 |7 |3 | colspan="2" |— |3{{efn|Two appearances in Cambridgeshire Invitation Cup; one appearance in FA Trophy}} |0 |51 |5 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !219 !31 !18 !6 ! colspan="2" |— !35 !2 !272 !39 |- | rowspan="3" |Royston Town |2013–14<ref name="aylesburyunitedfc">{{Cite web |title=Dave Theobald Profile |url=https://www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com/player/dave-theobald |access-date=29 July 2018 |website=Aylesbury United FC}}</ref> |Southern League First Division Central |1 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |1 |0 |- |2014–15<ref name="aylesburyunitedfc" /> |Southern League First Division Central |19 |1 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |4{{efn|One appearance in Herts Senior Cup; one appearance in Herts Charity Cup}} |0 |24 |1 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !20 !1 !1 !0 ! colspan="2" |— !4 !0 !25 !1 |- |Soham Town Rangers |2015–16<ref>{{Cite web |title=Soham Town Rangers {{!}} Appearances {{!}} David Theobald {{!}} 2015–2016 |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/soham-town-rangers/appearances/2015-2016/david-theobald/31266 |access-date=21 July 2019 |website=Football Web Pages}}</ref> |Isthmian League First Division North |16 |2 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |— |2{{efn|One appearance in FA Trophy; one appearance in Isthmian League Cup}} |0 |19 |2 |- | rowspan="3" |Cambridge City |2017–18<ref name="aylesburyunitedfc" /> |Southern League First Division East |1 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |1 |0 |- |2018–19<ref name="aylesburyunitedfc" /> |Southern League First Division Central |2 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |2 |0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !3 !0 !0 !0 ! colspan="2" |— !0 !0 !3 !0 |- ! colspan="3" |Career total !439 !46 !25 !6 !0 !0 !50 !2 !514 !54 |}
{{notelist}}
== Honours == '''Brentford''' *Football League Trophy runner-up: 2000–01<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1289338.stm |title=Vale vault Brentford to lift Vans trophy |website=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2001 |access-date=18 March 2024}}</ref>
'''Canvey Island''' *Isthmian League Premier Division: 2003–04<ref name="soccerfactsuk0304">{{Cite web |title=Player Details: Season 2003–2004 |url=http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2003/player_details.php?playerid=2031 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729230354/http://soccerfactsuk.co.uk/s2003/player_details.php?playerid=2031 |archive-date=29 July 2018 |access-date=28 July 2018 |website=SoccerFacts UK}}</ref>
'''Cambridge City''' * Southern League Cup: 2009–10<ref name="cambridgecityfc0910">{{Cite web |title=Goals and Games 09/10 |url=http://www.cambridgecityfc.com/afolder/App_and_Goalscorers09_10.shtml |access-date=29 July 2018 |website=www.cambridgecityfc.com}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{soccerbase|id=10637|name=David Theobald}} *{{soccerbase|id=36839|name=David Theobald}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Theobald, David}} Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Cambridge Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players Category:Brentford F.C. players Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players Category:Cambridge United F.C. players Category:Canvey Island F.C. players Category:Bishop's Stortford F.C. players Category:Kettering Town F.C. players Category:St Albans City F.C. players Category:Cambridge City F.C. players Category:Royston Town F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:Southern Football League players Category:National League (English football) players Category:Soham Town Rangers F.C. players Category:Soham Town Rangers F.C. managers Category:Isthmian League managers Category:English football managers