Kyle McFadzean

[Bergen Blade]

McFadzean is one who have done well after being released by United. I remember him being compared to Chris Morgan. He's been linked with Bolton now.

A bit about the way his career at United ended:

CRAWLEY TOWN defender Kyle McFadzean will be hoping to prove a point to those who he claims let him down at the start of his career when he sets about shackling one of the most feared attacks in the country at Old Trafford this evening.

McFadzean thought he was destined to spend the whole of his career at the club he supported as a child, Sheffield United, when he penned his first professional contract having come through the club's youth academy.

The centre-half was given a squad number for the 2005-06 season, when the Blades won promotion to the Premier League, but did not play.


Tragedy struck for the young defender, then 19, when one of his friends died after crashing into a bus on his way back from watching an England game.

McFadzean admits he was left stunned by the accident - but was also upset at how he claims the club treated him in the aftermath of the crash.

"Two of my mates were in a car crash after a head-on collision with a bus and one of them died," he explained.

"I spoke to United, asked them for they day off for the funeral and they didn't believe me so I just left." McFadzean refused to answer the club's calls and spent a few months out of the game, piling on three stone, before Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law handed the defender a new contract at the Conference North side after he proved his fitness.

"I lost my love of the game but he helped me get it back, I owe everything to Nicky Law," McFadzean said.

After three season at Alfreton, McFadzean was spotted by Crawley manager Steve Evans, who tabled a "substantial" bid for him that was accepted in August 2010.

The 23-year-old has blossomed under Evans, making his way into the England C team, and playing all five of Crawley's FA Cup games on the way to securing a battle with the league leaders United.

Bookmakers have made Crawley 35-1 to win today's game against the 11-times cup winners, but McFadzean believes his side can pull off an upset.

"It's unbelievable. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said. "I might not be able to play at Old Trafford again so we have to take our chances when they come. Whatever team they put out it will be a good one, but we have to go there thinking we can win."

 

[Highbury_Blade]

We've only got one side of the story, but if true that really is crappy behaviour by United.

 

[Wapping Blade]

We've only got one side of the story, but if true that really is crappy behaviour by United.

Why, because he ran off and refused to answer their calls - sheesh!

 

[Highbury_Blade]

If my employer refused to let me take the day off for a friends funeral, i think i pretty much do the same.

But like i said we've only got one side of the story.

 

[super_pig]

worrying thing is that it sounds half believable

 

[bladeinspaceandtime]

worrying thing is that it sounds half believable

If its true then its very poor behaviour as a responsible employer - but maybe other things had gone on in the past, who knows?

 

[davidpinder]

He probably rang up and spoke to one of the daft birds who answers the phone.

 

[Trigger Blade]

If my employer refused to let me take the day off for a friends funeral, i think i pretty much do the same.

But like i said we've only got one side of the story.

He said they didn't believe him, it wouldn't have been that difficult for him to prove it, however upsetting that might have been. He didn't have to walk away, he could have just accepted the consequences of taking a day off without permission.

You'd have to say he paid a heavy price, regardless. Three years out of league football is a big chunk of his earning potential.

 

[Sothall_Blade]

He said they didn't believe him, it wouldn't have been that difficult for him to prove it, however upsetting that might have been. He didn't have to walk away, he could have just accepted the consequences of taking a day off without permission.
You'd have to say he paid a heavy price, regardless. Three years out of league football is a big chunk of his earning potential.

Something doesn't add up does it. Why would the club have not believed him? Maybe he'd lied about a reason for requesting absence before?
Why didn't he speak to somebody higher up the tree at United if he had a genuine grievance? Or even the PFA etc..
How does a fit 19 year old lad suddenly manage to pile on three stone in weight in a few months? "Refuelling problems" perhaps?
It sounds to me like he wanted to be a pro footballer without putting the effort in and had to drop down the leagues before the penny dropped.

 

[Bladesman]

Something doesn't add up does it. Why would the club have not believed him? Maybe he'd lied about a reason for requesting absence before?
Why didn't he speak to somebody higher up the tree at United if he had a genuine grievance? Or even the PFA etc..
How does a fit 19 year old lad suddenly manage to pile on three stone in weight in a few months? "Refuelling problems" perhaps?
It sounds to me like he wanted to be a pro footballer without putting the effort in and had to drop down the leagues before the penny dropped.

True seems that way.

I reckon the club probably just asked for some sort of confirmation of the funeral date.

It must of been a hard time for him and it also seems the club made the effort to contact him enough times.

Lack of communication more on his part really.

 

[metty]

Something doesn't add up does it. Why would the club have not believed him? Maybe he'd lied about a reason for requesting absence before?
Why didn't he speak to somebody higher up the tree at United if he had a genuine grievance? Or even the PFA etc..
How does a fit 19 year old lad suddenly manage to pile on three stone in weight in a few months? "Refuelling problems" perhaps?
It sounds to me like he wanted to be a pro footballer without putting the effort in and had to drop down the leagues before the penny dropped.

You've got it in one

 

[beightonblade]

I can tell you......... The Blades are not good to work for.

 

[madeinsheffield]

They can't be that bad, doesn't his brother also play for the academy??

 

[JohnDenver]

They can't be that bad, doesn't his brother also play for the academy??

I think at least three of the family have played for United's youth.

 

[Rodley]

Fair play to McFadzean - carved out a very decent career and only just dropping out of the Championship to Spireites at the ripe old age of 38!!

Kyle McFadzean departs

An agreement has been reached with Kyle McFadzean to cancel his contract, enabling the defender to prolong his career with another club

www.rovers.co.uk

 

[Argentinemanager]

My lad saw him outside the hotel on saturday, i didnt recognise him but he was posing for pictures with some fans, but a good move for him

 

[Tarqs]

Fair play to McFadzean - carved out a very decent career and only just dropping out of the Championship to Spireites at the ripe old age of 38!!

Kyle McFadzean departs

An agreement has been reached with Kyle McFadzean to cancel his contract, enabling the defender to prolong his career with another club

www.rovers.co.uk

458 appearances as a pro... and having known him from pretty young (school), i'd have never guessed he'd have gone to that level. Majority in the championship too, fair play.

 

[Rodley]

458 appearances as a pro... and having known him from pretty young (school), i'd have never guessed he'd have gone to that level. Majority in the championship too, fair play.

Yep no idea he played so much Championship football this last 7 or 8 years. GLTTL.

 

[Bl4desutd]

458 appearances as a pro... and having known him from pretty young (school), i'd have never guessed he'd have gone to that level. Majority in the championship too, fair play.

I played with his dad JOHN (Mackie). He was a fantastic footballer but very unpredictable and unreliable. Unlike Kyle, John was was very skilful, almost Ndyia esq

 

[mancunianblade]

Text book thread revival from Rodley here Tikaboo son

 

[mancunianblade]

Have to say the career trajectory is mightily impressive didn't make a a championship appearance until his late 20s

 

[Silent Blade]

Looked good in our youth matches but got a bad injury before he got released by us

 

[Eric_Brooks]

 

[S20Eddie]

I played with his dad JOHN (Mackie). He was a fantastic footballer but very unpredictable and unreliable. Unlike Kyle, John was was very skilful, almost Ndyia esq

You needed 2 balls on the field when Mackie was playing coz you weren't going to get his..... quality player

 

[bottsy]

You needed 2 balls on the field when Mackie was playing coz you weren't going to get his..... quality player

Likewise, was at school and played with his dad alongside Alan (Harry's dad) maguire, not the brightest crayon in the box was Mackie but good at footie

 

[Russtheblade]

Looked good in our youth matches but got a bad injury before he got released by us

I understood he quit rather than being released, as he couldn't cope with the strict discipline needed as a young pro

 

[Houston_Blade]

He was a beast at Alfreton but never would have had him as having the career he’s had mainly due to fitness. He’s kept himself in shape well towards the middle and end of his career though.