Nathan Abbey

Luton Town

Nathanael Abbey was born on 11 July 1978 in Islington, London, and began his football career as a trainee with Luton Town, turning professional in August 1995. His first team debut came on 26 August 1997 in the League Cup first round second leg tie at home to Colchester United, a 1–1 draw taking the Hatters into the second round. Later that season he had a spell on loan to Football Conference side Woking. He had to wait until January 1999 for this next first team appearance for Luton, playing in the 3–0 defeat at home to Walsall in the Football League Trophy. His league debut came the following month, on 6 February, playing in the 2–1 win away to Burnley. Abbey began the 1999–2000 season as Luton's first choice goalkeeper, previous first choice Kelvin Davis having been sold to Wimbledon to aid Luton's financial problems, and remained a regular throughout the season. In the summer of 2000, Luton manager Ricky Hill signed Mark Ovendale and chose him to start the season in place of him. However, Abbey soon regained his place in the side, though spent most of the season in and out of the side as first Lil Fuccillo and then Joe Kinnear took over as Luton manager.

Chesterfield

With Luton relegated to the bottom flight of the Football League, Abbey was released by Luton and joined Chesterfield in August 2001. He was an ever-present the following season and won the Chesterfield Player of the Year Award, but left after failing to agree a new…

Abbey joined his brother Zema as player/assistant manager at Arlesey Town. In November 2013, Abbey moved with his brother to St Neots Town. Abbey left the club at the same time as his brother a couple of months into the 2014–15 season, with Gary King assuming sole control of the first team. Abbey soon joined Dunstable Town in late 2014. In February 2015, he returned to Arlesey Town as player-joint manager alongside his brother. The two left the club in May 2018. In the summer 2018, Abbey joined Bedford Town both as a player and as an assistant coach, monitoring the match analysis. Ahead of the 2019–20 season, Abbey was promoted to joint-head coach alongside Jon Taylor. On 3 November 2019, Taylor decided to step back and Abbey agreed to take on the role by himself. However, he decided to step back on 14 January 2020 after a disappointing run of form since he took charge of the team. In December 2021 it was announced that Bedford FC had been sold to new owner Peter McCormack. The club team, now known as Real Bedford, is currently managed by Nathan Abbey as it continues its season in the Spartan South Midlands Football League.

As of 18 November 2018

His brother, Zema, was also a professional footballer.