Dale Belford

Dale Belford (born 11 July 1967) is an English football manager and former player who is first team coach at Stratford Town. As a player, he spent most of his career playing as a goalkeeper.

Playing career

Aston Villa and Sutton Coldfield Town

Born in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, Belford started his career as an apprentice for Aston Villa before signing a professional contract in July 1985, but after failing to secure a first team slot, he moved on to Sutton Coldfield Town in December 1986.

Notts County, VS Rugby and Nuneaton Borough

After only a few months with the club, Belford moved on to Notts County in March 1987 and spells with VS Rugby and Nuneaton Borough were soon to follow.

Tamworth

In October 1988, Belford joined Tamworth and set a club record of 712 minutes without conceding a goal in February and March 1989. He was part of the FA Vase winning team in 1989.

Second spell with Sutton Coldfield Town and Tamworth

Belford moved on in July 1990 for a second spell with Sutton Coldfield Town. For the rest of the 1990s, Belford became a well travelled non-league goalkeeper. He played for Tamworth (in his second spell).

Hinckley United and Atherstone United

Then signed for Hinckley United in July 1997 but left Hinckley in August 1998 due to work commitments. He moved on to Atherstone United, where he suffered a potentially career-ending broken ankle while playing for Atherstone in April 1999. He was honoured in a benefit game in August 1999. He returned to light training in October 1999, and in only his third game back after injury, he helped Nuneaton Sunday League side Lancet win the Tribune Cup in May 2000. He returned to play for Atherstone and at the end of the 2001–01 season won five awards at the club's presentation night, including the supporters' and players' player of year awards. In April 2002, he was given a commemorative plate before the first whistle of the match against Chippenham Town to mark his 100th consecutive appearance for Atherstone, and was named as the club's player of the year in May 2002. ''"Evergreen Dale Belford has been recognised as Mr Consistency after being named Atherstone United's Player of the Year."'' Atherstone went into liquidation in 2003 and Belford left to join Gresley Rovers.

Gresley Rovers

Belford joined Gresley Rovers in September 2003, and was voted the club's Players' Player of the Year at the end of the 2003–04 season. He missed almost four months of the 2004–05 season due to a back injury suffered in October 2004. He rejoined Hinckley United on loan in February 2005 for a second spell with the club.

Return to Sutton Coldfield Town again

Belford then moved on to the steps of a coaching role when he rejoined Sutton Coldfield Town in May 2005 as a player-goalkeeping coach.

Returning to Tamworth again

At the start of the 2006–07 season, Belford re-joined Tamworth for his third spell occupying the same role as player-goalkeeping coach. ''"New Tamworth player-coach Dale Belford is backing boss Mark Cooper to get it right at The Lamb. Belford, who is a Lambs legend after keeping goal during ... "'' He and club captain Adie Smith took charge of the first-team following the departure of manager Mark Cooper and assistant- manager Richard Dryden in January 2007.

Shepshed Dynamo and Coalville Town

In 2007, Belford followed former Lambs Assistant Manager Richard Dryden to Northern Premier League First Division side Shepshed Dynamo, where he became the oldest player make his Shepshed debut in February 2007. Belford's stay at Shepshed Dynamo was a short one with him following former manager Adam Stevens to Midland Football Alliance side Coalville Town in June 2007.

Hinckley United and Atherstone Town

Dale then re-joined Hinckley United, now in the Conference North, for his third spell in September 2007, occupying a familiar role as player/goalkeeping coach. Belford joined former club Atherstone Town in July 2008 as assistant-manager and resigned from the role in April 2009, after guiding them to the play-offs of the Southern League Midland division.

Managerial career

Atherstone Town

On 2 February 2010, it was announced that Belford was to become the new manager at Atherstone Town following the resignation of the previous manager Darren Fulford. After just over a year with the club, Belford left his post as manager.

Tamworth (caretaker)

Belford once again returned to Tamworth as a player-coach in March 2011. Following Des Lyttle's departure as Tamworth manager in April 2011, Belford was appointed caretaker manager for the four remaining league games. His first game in charge was away at play-off chasing York City in which he won 2–1. His second game in charge ended in 1–0 defeat at home to fellow league strugglers Southport. The game ended with three Tamworth players receiving red cards ( Liam Mitchell, Richard Tait and Michael Wylde). Belford's next game in charge was an away fixture at promotion chasing Wrexham. Due to the suspensions from the previous match Belford named himself as a substitute. Tamworth goalkeeper Louis Connor got injured in stoppage time and saw Belford donning the goalkeeper jersey once again for the last few minutes of the game. Belford is now the only player to play for Tamworth in four decades (1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s). Belford's fourth and final game in charge saw him take on Forest Green Rovers in a must win game. In a very edgy 90 minutes, Tamworth did win the match 2–1 thus meaning Belford had kept the club in the Conference National at the expense of Southport who eventually stayed up due to Rushden & Diamonds entering liquidation.

Following a meeting with chairman Bob Andrews on Monday 14 January 2013 that saw Marcus Law was relieved of his manager duties, Dale Belford was once again appointed as caretaker-manager for the foreseeable future with former Lambs player Scott Lindsey as his assistant.

Rugby Town

Early into the 2015–16 season, Belford replaced Gary Mills as manager at Rugby Town. Belford left the club after a 9th-placed finish, in April 2016.

Stratford Town

On 25 January 2020, Belford was confirmed as assistant manager to Paul Davis at Stratford Town.

Stafford Rangers

In October 2024, Belford was appointed manager of Stafford Rangers.

Return to Stratford Town

On 14 January 2025, Belford returned to Stratford Town as first team coach.

Personal life

He is the son of Tamworth kitman Buster Belford and the father of professional goalkeepers Cameron Belford and Tyrell Belford. His cousins are Stafford Rangers striker Kyle Perry and Bilston Town defender Todd Perry. Belford's maternal grandfather, Bill Scattergood also played for Nuneaton Borough, between 1947 and 1952.

Honours

Tamworth
*FA Vase: 1988–89

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Belford, Dale
1967 births
Living people
Footballers from Burton upon Trent
English men's footballers
Men's association football goalkeepers
Aston Villa F.C. players
Sutton Coldfield Town F.C. players
Notts County F.C. players
Rugby Town F.C. players
Nuneaton Town F.C. players
Tamworth F.C. players
Hinckley United F.C. players
Atherstone Town F.C. players
Gresley Rovers F.C. players
Shepshed Dynamo F.C. players
Coalville Town F.C. players
Nuneaton Griff F.C. players
English Football League players
National League (English football) players
English football managers
Tamworth F.C. managers
Atherstone Town F.C. managers
Rugby Town F.C. managers
Stafford Rangers F.C. managers
National League (English football) managers
Northern Premier League managers
Southern Football League managers