David Ijaha
David Ijaha (born 17 February 1990) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder or defender for Dartford of the National League South.[1]
Ijaha captaining Whitehawk in 2017 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 20 February 1990 | ||
Place of birth | London,[1] England | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Dartford | ||
Youth career | |||
2002–2005 | Chelsea | ||
2006–2008 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2010–2011 | Harrow Borough[2] | 39 | (2) |
2011–2012 | St Albans City[3] | 62 | (3) |
2012–2014 | Tonbridge Angels[1] | 55 | (4) |
2014 | Hayes & Yeading United[3] | 7 | (0) |
2014–2016 | Whitehawk[1] | 62 | (2) |
2016–2017 | Plymouth Argyle | 3 | (0) |
2017 | Wealdstone | 3 | (0) |
2017–2018 | Whitehawk | 31 | (2) |
2018–2019 | Welling United | 35 | (3) |
2019–2020 | Dulwich Hamlet | 26 | (3) |
2020– | Dartford | 9 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 06:18, 7 February 2021 (UTC) |
Career
Early career
Ijaha was at his local Chelsea academy for three years as a youngster, being released at the age of 15. Having earned a place at an England Schoolboy training camp he met up with Kyle Bennett who introduced him to Wolverhampton Wanderers,[4] where he spent two seasons playing for the U18 side and the reserves,[5] before being released.[6]
Non-League career
After a spell out of the game, Ijaha joined Harrow Borough in August 2010 and then followed his manager David Howell to Southern Premier Division St Albans City, where he was made captain. He signed for National League South side Tonbridge Angels in December 2013.[6] Following Tonbridge's relegation, Ijaha joined Hayes & Yeading United at the start of the 2014–2015 season, where he had been a long term target of manager Phil Babb. However, he soon moved to National League South rivals Whitehawk[7] where he spent two seasons.
Plymouth Argyle
At the start of the 2016–2017 season, Ijaha was invited down to Home Park for a trial by Plymouth Argyle's assistant manager Craig Brewster, who had previously coached in Sussex at Whitehawk. Ijaha impressed enough to be offered a contract [8] and he made his Football League debut at the age of 27, playing for Plymouth Argyle in a 3–0 loss against Luton Town on 6 August 2016.[1] After struggling with a long-term injury,[9] Ijaha was released at the end of the 2016–17 season having made three league appearances.[10]
Later career
Ijaha had a short spell with National League South club Wealdstone at the beginning of the 2017–18 season,[11] before rejoining Whitehawk and being appointed captain in September.[12]
After a season at Welling United in 2018/19 and another season at Dulwich Hamlet in 2019/20, Ijaha joined league rivals Dartford for the 2020/21 season.
Personal life
Ijaha was educated at St Thomas More School in Chelsea.[4]
Career statistics
- One appearance in the FA Trophy and one in the Southern League Cup
- One appearance in the Herts Charity Cup, one in the FA Trophy, one in the Southern League Cup and one in the Herts Senior Cup
- Appearances in the FA Trophy
- Appearances in the FA Trophy and Sussex Senior Cup
- Appearances in the EFL Trophy
References
- David Ijaha at Soccerway. Retrieved 8 August 2017. The discrepancy between source and infobox figures for Whitehawk is because Soccerway counts playoff matches in with league matches and Wikipedia does not.
- "David Ijaha - Harrow Borough Football Club First Team". Pitchero.
- "David Ijaha". aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk. Aylesbury United FC and Luke Buckingham Brown. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
- Whitehawk Official Matchday Programme v Chippenham Town, 25 November 2017
- "Stourbridge 1 Wolves 4". Birmingham Mail. 9 January 2008.
- http://www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk/news/david-ijaha-signs-for-the-angels-807392.html
- "Ijaha Makes Hawks Switch". 2 October 2014.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36827560%7Caccessdate=21 December 2017
- Cross, Beren (8 August 2017). "David Ijaha secures non-league contract after Argyle exit". Plymouth Herald.
- Munday, David (10 May 2017). "Plymouth Argyle release nine first team players as retained list is announced". Plymouth Herald. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- "Player news – one in & one out". Wealdstone F.C. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
- "David Ijaha". Whitehawk F.C. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
- "D. Ijaha - Profile". Soccerway.
- "Whitehawk FC".
- "David Ijaha". Pitchero. Retrieved 21 December 2017.