Rob Sinclair (footballer, born 1989)

Rob Sinclair

Personal information
Full name	Robert James Sinclair
Date of birth	29 August 1989
Place of birth	Bedford, England[1]
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current team	Forest Green Rovers
Number	19
Youth career
2006–2007	Luton Town
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2007–2008	Luton Town	0	(0)
2008	→ Salisbury City (loan)	16	(1)
2008–2010	Salisbury City	38	(1)
2010–2012	Stevenage	27	(2)
2012	→ Aldershot Town (loan)	4	(0)
2012–2013	Stevenage	0	(0)
2012–2013	→ Aldershot Town (loan)	6	(0)
2013–2014	Salisbury City	37	(2)
2014–	Forest Green Rovers	80	(3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:05, 9 April 2016 (UTC).

Robert James "Rob" Sinclair (born 29 August 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Forest Green Rovers.

Sinclair started his career at Luton Town, and played regularly for the club's Under–18 side and reserve team. He was loaned out to Conference Premier side Salisbury City until the end of the 2007–08 season. On return to his parent club in May 2008, Sinclair was released by Luton, and joined Salisbury permanently a week after his release. Injury disrupted his time at the club, playing 54 games during his two and a half-year tenure at the club. He was told to find a new club when Salisbury were relegated two divisions after a breach of Conference rules on unpaid debts, and he subsequently joined Stevenage on a free transfer in June 2010. He helped Stevenage earn promotion to League One in his first season with the club. Following a brief loan spell at Aldershot Town in March 2012, Sinclair left Stevenage in June 2012, only to rejoin the club three months later. He was loaned out once again to Aldershot in November 2012. In January 2013, Sinclair left Stevenage by mutual consent, and signed for Salisbury City, his second spell at the club. He left Salisbury in the summer of 2014 and in June 2014 joined Forest Green Rovers.

Career

Sinclair began his career as a trainee with Luton Town, and was a regular in the club's Under–18 team and reserve side, where he played as a right winger.^[3] He progressed through the youth system at Luton, and signed a one-year professional contract with the club in July 2007.^[4] On signing the deal, Sinclair said "I've been at Luton since I was eight so you can say it's something of a dream. The club have been great and really helped bring my game on".^[4] However, despite appearing in two of the club's pre-season friendlies, Sinclair failed to make the breakthrough into the first–team during the 2007–08 season, and was subsequently loaned out to Conference Premier side Salisbury City in January 2008.^[5] He made his debut for Salisbury in the club's 1–0 win against Northwich Victoria, playing the whole match.^[6] Sinclair also provided the assist for Liam Feeney's goal in Salisbury's 3–1 home victory against Droylsden.^[7] He scored his first professional goal in a 3–2 defeat at Woking, scoring from close-range to restore parity in the first–half.^[8] In total, Sinclair played 16 times for Salisbury during the latter stages of the club's 2007–08 campaign, scoring once.^[9] On his three-month loan spell, Sinclair said "It's been very enjoyable. It's worked out very well for me, first–team football has helped me massively. It's about the physical side mainly".^[4]

When he returned to his parent club, he was told by manager Mick Harford that he was surplus to requirements at the club, and was subsequently released when his contract expired in May 2008.^[4] Just a week after being released, Sinclair joined Salisbury on a permanent basis on a two-year contract.^[1] Sinclair missed the start of the 2008–09 season because of a knee injury, which he suffered in Salisbury's pre–season friendly against Port Vale.^[10] The injury ultimately ruled him out of first–team action for two months, and he returned to the starting eleven in October 2008, playing 64 minutes in Salisbury's 2–0 loss at Stevenage.^[11] In the following game, Sinclair provided the cross for Sean Clohessy to score Salisbury's second in the side's 2–0 win against Crawley Town.^[12] In Salisbury's 4–0 loss at Cambridge United, Sinclair suffered a recurrence of the knee injury he sustained at the start of the season,^[13] and did not feature again for the club until February 2009 – coming on a substitute in Salisbury's 1–1 draw at Wrexham, assisting Charles Ademeno's equaliser.^[14] Sinclair's only goal of the 2008–09 season came on the final day of the season, scoring Salisbury's first goal in a 2–2 draw against Ebbsfleet United, scoring from long-range.^[15] In an injury filled season, Sinclair played a total of 15 times in all competitions, scoring one goal.^[16] He started in the club's 2–0 win against Rushden & Diamonds at Nene Park on the first day of the 2009–10 season.^[17] The following game, he set up Daniel Webb for the only goal of the game in a 1–0 win against Kidderminster Harriers,^[18] as well as providing assists in victories against both Hayes & Yeading and Grays Athletic respectively.^[19][20] He also played in Salisbury's 1–1 home draw against his former club, Luton Town.^[21] He made two assists in Salisbury's 3–0 home win against Histon,^[22] and also provided the cross for Patrick Cox to divert home.^[23] However, he was stretchered off in the 30th minute in the club's 1–1 draw against Wrexham in February 2010,^[24] and subsequently did not play again for the rest of the season.^[25] He made 29 appearances for Salisbury during the season,^[25] but was told to find a new club when Salisbury were relegated two divisions after a breach of Conference rules on unpaid debts.^[26]

Stevenage

In June 2010, Sinclair signed for League Two side Stevenage.^[27] On joining Stevenage, Sinclair said "signing for Stevenage just came out of the blue. With all the trouble Salisbury were in we did not know what league we were going to be in next season and as such the club couldn't offer contracts".^[28] He was assigned the number 23 shirt ahead of the 2010–11 season.^[29] Sinclair made his Stevenage debut in the club's first ever Football League fixture, a 2–2 draw against Macclesfield Town, coming on as a substitute in the 71st minute and assisting Charlie Griffin's 89th-minute equaliser.^[29] He subsequently started in the club's next game just two days later, playing 75 minutes in the side's 2–1 loss to Portsmouth.^[30] Sinclair provided assists in home victories against Barnet and Rotherham United respectively,^[31][32] as well as playing a through ball for John Mousinho to score the only goal of the game against Wycombe Wanderers.^[33] Three days later, Sinclair deftly played in Stevenage striker Craig Reid, who finished neatly to earn Stevenage a 2–1 win at Oxford United.^[34] He missed Stevenage's win against Lincoln City due to injury,^[35] but returned as a 64th-minute substitute in the club's 2–0 win at Burton Albion.^[36] In the following game, on 26 March 2011, Sinclair scored his first goals for the club, netting twice in Stevenage's comprehensive 4–0 win over Macclesfield Town at Moss Rose.^[37] He suffered a groin injury in training the week after Stevenage's 3–3 draw with Bury, resulting in him missing Stevenage's successful play-off campaign.^[38] Sinclair played 31 games for Stevenage in his first season with the club, scoring two goals.^[39]

The injury ultimately ruled Sinclair out of the first half of the 2011–12 season.^[40] Sinclair revealed that there had been a number of complications with the injury, with his "tendon coming away from the bone by two centimetres", as well as the doctor refusing to give him injections as a result of the tendon movement.^[40] Having made no first-team appearances for Stevenage as a result of the injury, Sinclair joined League Two side Aldershot Town on a one-month loan deal on 13 March 2012, to gain match fitness.^[41][42] He made his debut for Aldershot later that day, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute in a 2–2 away draw with Crawley Town.^[43] Sinclair made four appearances during his loan spell at Aldershot, three of which as a substitute.^[44] He returned to Stevenage on 9 April 2012, but ultimately made no appearances for the club during the campaign.^[45]

In June 2012, Sinclair left Stevenage despite being offered a one-year contract extension, stating he wanted to play first-team football and no longer wished to be "a bit-part player".^[46] However, three months later, in early September, he rejoined the club on a one-year deal.^[47] Having made no appearances for Stevenage during the opening months of the 2012–13 season, Sinclair joined Aldershot Town for a second loan spell in November 2012, joining on a one-month loan agreement, which was later extended for a further month.^[48][49] He returned to Stevenage, but failed to make any first-team appearances.

Salisbury City

Sinclair rejoined Conference South side Salisbury City on 31 January 2013.^[50] He signed for Salisbury on a free transfer after leaving Stevenage by mutual consent.^[50] He made a goalscoring debut for the club, coming on as a 57th-minute substitute and scoring Salisbury's second goal in an eventual 3–1 home victory over Bromley on 2 February 2013.^[51] Signing for Salisbury meant that he would be playing with his brother Stuart professionally for the first time, as before this they had only ever played together in youth sides. Stuart had already been playing for Salisbury for a year. This led to some great chemistry on the pitch between the two, and made for some very attractive football. He featured regularly in the first team for Salisbury for the second half of the 2012–13 season. He signed a new contract ahead of the 2013–14 season, as did his brother Stuart, meaning they would still both be playing together professionally for a further season.

Forest Green Rovers

In June 2014, Sinclair joined Forest Green Rovers, signing a two-year contract with the club.^[52] He made his debut for the club on 9 August 2014 on the opening day of the 2014–15 Conference National season in a 1–0 away win at Southport.^[53] He scored his first goal in a 2–1 defeat at The New Lawn on 27 September 2014 against Barnet.^[54] On 31 October 2014, it was announced that he had been named the Conference National Player of the Month for October.^[55]

At the end of the 2014–15 season he helped the club to the Conference National play-offs for the first time, playing in both semi-final matches against Bristol Rovers who won the tie 3–0 on aggregate.^[56] He again helped Forest Green reach the play-offs in the 2015-16 season, but missed out on the chance to play at Wembley Stadium in the club's National League play-off final defeat to Grimsby Town due to injury.^[57]

On 1 June 2016, he agreed a new two-year contract to remain at Forest Green until the summer of 2018.^[58]

Personal life

Sinclair was born and raised in Bedford.^[28] His brother, Stuart Sinclair, played football for Luton Town and Salisbury City,^[4] and is currently playing for Bristol Rovers F.C.

Honours

Stevenage

• League Two play-offs (1): 2010–11

Career statistics

As of 18 January 2014.

Club	Season	League^[A]		FA Cup		League Cup		Other^[B]		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Luton Town	2007–08[59]	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Salisbury City	2007–08[9]	16	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	16	1
	2008–09[16]	14	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	15	1
	2009–10[25]	24	0	3	0	0	0	4	0	31	0
	Total	54	2	4	0	0	0	4	0	62	2
Stevenage	2010–11[39]	27	2	2	0	1	0	1	0	31	2
	2011–12[60]	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2012–13[61]	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total	27	2	2	0	1	0	1	0	31	2
Aldershot Town (loan)	2011–12[62]	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
	2012–13[63]	6	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
	Total	10	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
Salisbury City	2012–13[64]	16	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	17	2
	Total	16	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	17	2
Career totals		107	6	7	0	1	0	6	0	121	6

A. ^ The "League" column constitutes appearances and goals (including those as a substitute) in the Football League and Football Conference.

B. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals (including those as a substitute) in the FA Trophy, Football League Trophy and Conference South play-offs.

References

1. "Rob Sinclair all time playing career". Soccerbase. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
2. "Robert Sinclair – ESPN". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
3. "Reserves to field 2 trialists". Luton Town F.C. 28 February 2006. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
4. "Rob Sinclair – Midfielder". Luton Town F.C. 7 August 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
5. "Sinclair joins Salisbury". Luton Town F.C. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
6. "Northwich 0–1 Salisbury". BBC Sport. 9 February 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
7. "Salisbury 3–1 Droylsden". BBC Sport. 1 March 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
8. "Woking 3–2 Salisbury". BBC Sport. 24 March 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
9. "Salisbury 2007/2008 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
10. "Sinclair to miss season's start". BBC Sport. 25 July 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
11. "Stevenage 2–0 Salisbury". BBC Sport. 18 October 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
12. "Salisbury 2–0 Crawley". BBC Sport. 30 October 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
13. "Cambridge 4–0 Salisbury". BBC Sport. 20 December 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
14. "Wrexham 1–1 Salisbury". BBC Sport. 28 February 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
15. "Ebbsfleet 2–2 Salisbury". BBC Sport. 26 April 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
16. "Salisbury 2008/2009 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
17. "Rushden & Diamonds 0–2 Salisbury". BBC Sport. 8 August 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
18. "Salisbury 1–0 Kidderminster". Soccerbase. 11 August 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
19. "Hayes & Yeading 3–4 Salisbury". BBC Sport. 31 August 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
20. "Salisbury 2–0 Grays Ath". BBC Sport. 8 September 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
21. "Sinclair ready for Luton reunion". BBC Sport. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
22. "Salisbury 3–0 Histon". BBC Sport. 23 January 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
23. "Salisbury 1–0 Tamworth". BBC Sport. 16 February 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
24. "Salisbury 1–1 Wrexham". BBC Sport. 27 February 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
25. "Salisbury 2009/2010 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
26. "Ups and Downs". BBC Sport. 10 June 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
27. "Wingers Peter Winn and Robbie Sinclair join Stevenage". BBC Sport. 4 June 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
28. "It's good to be back home – Rob Sinclair". The Comet. 21 June 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
29. "Stevenage 2–2 Macclesfield Town". BBC Sport. 7 August 2010. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
30. "Stevenage 1–2 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 9 August 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
31. "Stevenage 4–2 Barnet". BBC Sport. 3 January 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
32. "Stevenage 3–0 Rotherham". BBC Sport. 25 January 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
33. "Wycombe 0–1 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
34. "Oxford 1–2 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
35. "Stevenage 2–1 Lincoln". BBC Sport. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
36. "Burton 0–2 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
37. "Macclesfield 0–4 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 26 March 2011. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
38. "Stevenage 3–3 Bury". BBC Sport. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
39. "Stevenage 2010/2011 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
40. "Sinclair may face operation". The Comet. 18 July 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
41. "Rob Sinclair secures one month loan deal". Stevenage F.C. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
42. "Stevenage midfielder Robert Sinclair joins Aldershot on loan". BBC Sport. 14 March 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
43. "Crawley 2–2 Aldershot". BBC Sport. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
44. "Games played by Rob Sinclair in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
45. Stevenage v Carlisle United matchday programme. Stevenage F.C. 2012. p. 12.
46. "Sinclair leaves Stevenage". Eastern Daily Press. 25 June 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
47. "Squad list confirmation". Stevenage F.C. 14 September 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
48. "Sinclair secures loan move". Stevenage F.C. 6 November 2012. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
49. "Shots loans extended". Stevenage F.C. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
50. "Sinclair returns to the Whites". Salisbury City F.C. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
51. "Salisbury City 3–1 Bromley". Soccerway. 2 February 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
52. "Rob Sinclair: Forest Green sign third Salisbury player". BBC Sport. 30 June 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
53. "Southport 0–1 Forest Green". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
54. "Forest Green 1–2 Barnet". BBC Sport. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
55. "Sinclair insists personal accolade is down to his team-mates". Stroud News & Journal. 2 November 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
56. "Bristol Rovers 2–0 Forest Green". BBC Sport. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
57. "Forest Green Rovers 1-3 Grimsby Town". BBC Sport. 15 May 2016.
58. "Rob Sinclair: Forest Green Rovers midfielder agrees new two-year contract". BBC Sport. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
59. "Luton Town 2007/2008 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
60. "Stevenage 2011/2012 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
61. "Stevenage 2012/2013 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
62. "Aldershot Town 2011/2012 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
63. "Aldershot Town 2012/2013 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
64. "Matches – Salisbury City". Soccerway. Retrieved 16 February 2013.

External links

• Rob Sinclair career statistics at Soccerbase