David Vaughan

Crewe Alexandra

Born in Abergele, Conwy, Vaughan began his career as a trainee at Crewe Alexandra. Initially an attacking full-back, manager Dario Gradi turned him into a left-sided midfielder. Vaughan made his debut on 19 August 2000 in a 0–0 draw with Blackburn Rovers. It was to be his only appearance in the 2000–01 season. The following season he made 16 appearances and scored his first goal for the club on 26 January 2002 in a 4–2 win over Rotherham United in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Crewe finished in 22nd place in Division One and so were relegated to Division Two. The 2002–03 season saw Vaughan make 40 appearances, scoring four goals as Alex finished second in the Second Division, securing an immediate return to the First Division. He also scored the first goal in an 8–0 win over Doncaster Rovers in the Football League Trophy on 10 December 2002. Sixteen days later he scored his first league goal in a 4–0 win over Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road. The 2003–04 season saw Vaughan make 33 appearances as Crewe finished 18th in the First Division. The following season he made 48 appearances and scored six goals in what was now the Championship as Crewe avoided relegation on goal difference. In 2005–06 Crewe were relegated to League One, with Vaughan making a total of 36 appearances and scoring five goals. Back in League One, Vaughan made a total of 35 appearances in 2006–07, scoring four goals. He played one game at the start of 2007–08; then, on 17 August,…

Club

International

Source:

Wales score listed first, score column indicates score after each Vaughan goal.

On 4 September 2020, Vaughan rejoined Crewe Alexandra as an academy coach, and in August 2022 became assistant manager of Crewe's under-18 team. A year later, he was promoted to be manager of the under-18s.

Vaughan made two appearances for Wales under-19s in 2002, scoring one goal. Between 2002 and 2005 he made eight appearances for Wales under-21s, scoring three goals. He made his Wales debut in a 2–0 away defeat by the United States on 26 May 2003, playing 90 minutes. His first appearance in 2009 came in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier on 10 October, a 1–2 defeat to Finland at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium. Vaughan set up Craig Bellamy to equalise for Wales in the 17th minute. Four days later he scored his first international goal by finishing off a Gareth Bale pass as Wales beat Liechtenstein 2–0 at the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz. He was a part of Wales' successful UEFA Euro 2016 squad, in which they advanced to the semi-finals. However, he remained an unused substitute throughout the tournament in France. Vaughan retired from international football in July 2016.