One to Watch – Michael Symes

Michael Symes has been outlined by Vital QPR as the One to Watch ahead of tomorrow night’s game with Accrington.

Name: Michael Symes

Date of Birth: 31-10-1983 (Great Yarmouth)

Previous Clubs: Everton, Crewe Alexandra (L), Bradford City, Macclesfield Town (L2), Stockport County (L), Shrewsbury Town (L), Shrewsbury Town, AFC Bournemouth (L), Accrington Stanley (L).

Appearances (Goals): 110 (20)

The striker came up through the ranks at Everton where he forged a useful partnership with now Manchester United and England star Wayne Rooney. Both were an integral part of the Toffees` run to the FA Youth Cup final in which they lost to Stefan Moore`s Aston Villa.

In March 2004 Symes was loaned out to Crewe Alexandra making his debut away at Nottingham Forest in a 2-0 defeat. He scored a goal in his third game with Alex in a 3-1 home win over Coventry City.

The loan spell took him until the end of the season and without making an appearance for Everton he was released by David Moyes. He had a successful trial at Bradford City in the summer and made his debut in the opening day defeat against Hartlepool United.

After missing a penalty against Peterborough United he was dropped in favour of Dele Adebola and his subsequent loan deal to Darlington was halted by the Football League. He bounced back to score a brace against Sheffield Wednesday but they remained his only goals of the 2004-05 season.

He joined Macclesfield Town on loan but an ankle injury put a premature end to his time at Moss Rose. He made one appearance on loan at Stockport County in January 2006 before returning to Valley Parade.

Symes bagged a goal against Brentford taking his tally to three as he rounded off an injury hit season with Bradford. The Bantams loaned him out for a third time, this time to League Two Shrewsbury Town.

More appearances finally gave the striker the goals he craved and he later signed a permanent contract with the Shrews. He scored 13 goals in his first season but it wasn`t enough to take them out of League Two, losing to Bristol Rovers in the playoff final.

Symes made 25 appearances for the Shrews in the first part of the 2007-08 season, but failed to make a similar impact with only four goals to his name. He joined Macclesfield on loan once again but only managed one goal in 14 appearances.

After vowing to force his way into new boss Paul Simpson`s plans, Symes started brightly with two goals in his first three games. But a baron spell including a humiliating defeat at the hands of Blyth Spartans in the FA Cup he was loaned out to Bournemouth then Accrington Stanley respectively – only one goal coming for Accrington at the back end of the campaign.

He was released by Shrewsbury at the end of the 2008-09 season and was immediately snapped up by former loan club Accrington Stanley




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