Chris Eagles is an English former professional footballer born in 1985.
He began his professional career at Manchester United, making his debut in 2003.
Eagles played for Burnley F.C. from 2008 to 2011, contributing to their promotion success.
Biography
Early Life
Christopher Mark Eagles was born in 1985 in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Growing up, he was a passionate football fan and a season ticket holder at Tottenham Hotspur, often attending matches with his family. His football journey began in earnest when he joined the youth system at Watford at the age of 14, before moving to the prestigious Manchester United academy, which would shape his early career.
Career
Eagles made his professional debut for Manchester United on October 28, 2003, in a League Cup match against Leeds United. He quickly made a name for himself, earning a nomination for the League Cup talent award due to his promising performances. His time at United included a loan spell at Watford, where he scored his first senior goal, and a brief loan to Sheffield Wednesday. After leaving Manchester United in 2008, he played for several clubs, including Burnley, Bolton Wanderers, and Blackpool, showcasing his skills as a winger and attacking midfielder. Known for his natural ability and technical skills, Eagles was praised for making difficult plays look easy, although he faced criticism for his tactical discipline.
Personal Life
In September 2021, Eagles faced personal challenges, joining Alcoholics Anonymous after an incident involving alcohol. This came after a split from his fiancée, Danielle Mitchinson, with whom he shares two children. Despite these struggles, Eagles has continued to be recognized for his contributions to football, including winning the FA Community Shield with Manchester United and the Football League Championship play-offs with both Watford and Burnley.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Eagles was a winger, though he could also play as an attacking midfielder. Writing for The Guardian in December 2008, Steve Claridge reported that Eagles "is a natural footballer who makes the difficult things look easy", boasting natural ability and composure, as well as good distribution skills; he did however, criticize his tactical discipline and defensive work rate. Former Bury teammate Tom Pope said that: his "technique was frighteningly good – that was his ability on the ball, dribbling and his awareness of players around him".
Eagles was born in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, and was a season ticket holder at Tottenham Hotspur, whom he went to see with his family. Originally coming through the youth system at Watford, Eagles left when he was 14 to join the Manchester United academy. The compensation owed to Watford for this move would later form part of the package, which took Danny Webber in the opposite direction.
Manchester United
Eagles made his first-team debut for Manchester United on 28 October 2003 as a second-half substitute for Kieran Richardson in an extra time win away to Leeds United in the League Cup. He played once more that season, this time as a substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo as United lost 2–0 away to West Bromwich Albion in the fourth round of the League Cup. His performances saw him nominated for the new League Cup talent award, awarded to the young player judged to have made the best first-team breakthrough in the competition. He played in the 2004 FA Community Shield, coming on as a 74th-minute substitute in a 3–1 defeat by Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium. Eagles was loaned out to Watford on 21 January 2005. He scored his first goal in senior football in a 2–0 win over Gillingham at Vicarage Road on 5 February. He made 13 Championship appearances for the "Hornets", and manager Ray Lewington said that: "he is an exciting player and has done very well". He was also loaned to Sheffield Wednesday for the first half of the 2005–06 season. Manager Paul Sturrock…
- Club
- Burnley F.C. (2008–2011)
- Club
- Bolton Wanderers F.C. (2011–2014)
- Club
- Watford F.C. (2005–2005)
- Club
- Sheffield Wednesday F.C. (2005–2005)
- Club
- Manchester United F.C. (2003–2008)
- Club
- N.E.C. (2006–2006)
- Club
- Watford F.C. (2006–2006)
- Club
- Blackpool F.C. (2014–2015)
- Club
- Charlton Athletic F.C. (2015–2015)
- Club
- Bury F.C. (2015–)
- League
- Premier League
Personal
Eagles joined Alcoholics Anonymous in September 2021 after being found by police while drunk in charge of a vehicle outside the home of ex-girlfriend Jennifer Metcalfe; he was banned from driving for three months and fined £1,250. He had recently split from his fiancée, Danielle Mitchinson, with whom he had two children during an eight-year relationship.
Legacy
Manchester United
FA Community Shield: 2007 Watford
Football League Championship play-offs: 2006 Burnley
Football League Championship play-offs: 2009
Clubs
Played together with
A. H. AlbutManchester United F.C.- Aaron BarnesCharlton Athletic F.C.
Aaron GrundyBury F.C. · 2005–2008- Aaron HulmeManchester United F.C. · 1906–1909
Aaron LennonBurnley F.C. · 2018–2020- Aaron LennonBurnley F.C. · 2021–2022
Aaron McCareyBury F.C. · 2015–2015
Aaron MooyBolton Wanderers F.C. · 2009–2010
Aaron MorleyBolton Wanderers F.C. · 2022
Aaron Wan-BissakaManchester United F.C. · 2019–2024- Abdisalam IbrahimN.E.C. · 2011–2012
Abdoulaye DoucouréWatford F.C. · 2016–2016
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Christopher Mark Eagles is an English former professional footballer who played as a winger.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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