Michael Jacobs (footballer)

This article is about the footballer. For other uses, see Michael Jacobs.

Michael Jacobs

Jacobs playing for Wigan Athletic in 2018
Personal information
Full name	Michael Edward Jacobs [1]
Date of birth	(1991-11-04) 4 November 1991 (age 32)
Place of birth	Rothwell, Northamptonshire, England
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) [2]
Position(s)	Left winger
Team information
Current team	Chesterfield
Number	10
Youth career
2007–2009	Northampton Town
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2009–2012	Northampton Town	87	(11)
2010	→ Nuneaton Town (loan)	4	(0)
2012–2014	Derby County	42	(2)
2013–2014	→ Wolverhampton Wanderers (loan)	9	(1)
2014–2015	Wolverhampton Wanderers	33	(7)
2015	→ Blackpool (loan)	5	(1)
2015–2020	Wigan Athletic	176	(32)
2020–2023	Portsmouth	76	(12)
2023–	Chesterfield	24	(4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:24, 14 January 2024 (UTC)

Michael Edward Jacobs (born 4 November 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left winger for EFL League Two club Chesterfield.

He began his career at Northampton Town, making his professional debut in 2009 and winning back-to-back Player of the Season awards in 2011 and 2012. He moved to Championship side Derby County in June 2012 for a fee of around £400,000, before signing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2014 after a successful loan period. Eighteen months later, having been part of Wolves' promotion from League One, he moved to Wigan Athletic. He spent five years with Wigan where he won the League One title twice, in 2016 and 2018 respectively, and amassed 188 appearances and 32 goals.

Career

Northampton Town

Born in Rothwell, Northamptonshire, Jacobs came through the youth ranks at Northampton Town, and made his debut on 6 October 2009 in a 2–1 home win against Bournemouth in the Football League Trophy. ^[3] His next appearance came in the next round of the competition, when Northampton lost 3–1 at Milton Keynes Dons. ^[4] In February 2010, he was loaned out for a month – in a move classed as "work experience" – to non-League team Nuneaton Town to gain regular first team experience. ^[5] During this spell he made four appearances.

Having signed a professional contract with the club, Jacobs appeared as a substitute in Northampton's opening game of the 2010–11 season; a 3–0 loss at Torquay. ^[6] Three days later he scored his first senior goal as he netted in a 2–0 League Cup win against League One side Brighton & Hove Albion. ^[7] He became a regular for Northampton and scored his second goal on 22 September in a 2–2 draw against Premier League side Liverpool at Anfield in the next round of the League Cup. After the game went to a penalty shoot-out, Jacobs scored his as Northampton won the shoot-out 4–2. ^[8] He ended the season with eight goals and was named the club's Player of the Year. ^[9] He remained a regular in Northampton's team during the 2011–12 season, in which he scored seven goals.

Derby County

After making 100 appearances in total, Jacobs' contract with Northampton expired at the end of the 2011–12 season leading to lengthy speculation that he would move to Championship side Derby County. ^[10] On 26 June, he signed a three-year contract with Derby. As he was under 24, Northampton were entitled to compensation, either agreed by the two clubs or set by a tribunal. Derby and Northampton agreed an undisclosed fee for him, believed to be around £400,000 ^[11] and the deal officially went through on 1 July 2012. ^[12]

Jacobs made his Derby debut in a first round League Cup tie against Scunthorpe on 14 August 2012. The match finished 5–5 after extra time, with Jacobs assisting all five of Derby's goals but conceding the penalty that led to Scunthorpe's fifth goal. ^[13] He also scored a penalty in the shoot-out but Derby lost 7–6 and were eliminated. ^[14] After eight consecutive substitute appearances, Jacobs started his first Championship game on 23 October, in a 2–1 win at Ipswich Town. ^[15] He also started the following match, a 3–0 defeat at Peterborough United on 27 October. His next three appearances were all as a late substitute and he didn't become a regular starter until the end of November, when he started eight matches in a row. A performance in a 3–2 win against Birmingham City on 24 November, where he created two goals, earned praise from his manager Nigel Clough, however he was also reminded not to neglect his defensive duties. ^[16] He scored his first Derby goal in a 2–1 home loss to Hull City on 21 December. ^[17]

On New Year's Day 2013 Jacobs was deployed in an unfamiliar role as a forward, in which he scored during a 3–1 win over Middlesbrough as well as setting up a further goal and being named man-of-the-match. ^[18] His performance was praised by Nigel Clough, who noted how well he adapted to the role. ^[19] However, he would start only one further match during the season and began all other fixtures from the substitutes bench.

Jacobs also started the first game of the 2013–14 season on the bench, but was selected to start the second, a 1–0 League Cup win over Oldham, in which he scored the only goal. ^[20] His only playing time continued to come as a substitute, despite a change of manager at Derby as Steve McClaren replaced Nigel Clough in October 2013.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Jacobs playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2014

On 11 November 2013, Jacobs was loaned to League One side Wolverhampton Wanderers in a deal to run until 4 January 2014. ^[21] An unused substitute for Wolves' first game after his arrival, he made his club debut in November 2013 in a goalless draw with Brentford ^[22] and scored his first Wolves goal on 26 December in a 2–0 win against Crewe Alexandra on Boxing Day 2013. ^[23]

Following this loan spell, a permanent deal was agreed on 8 January 2014 for Jacobs to sign for Wolverhampton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee, on a 2+1⁄2-year contract (with the option of an additional year). ^[24] By the end of the season the team had won promotion as League One champions with a record points total for the division (103), with Jacobs contributing eight goals from midfield.

At Championship level, Jacobs was regularly involved in Wolves' first team but fell out of contention as the season progressed. In March 2015 he was sent on loan to fellow Championship club Blackpool in a deal due to last until end of the 2014–15 season. ^[25] He made five appearances (scoring once) as the club unsuccessfully battled relegation before being recalled by Wolves for the run-in. ^[26]

Wigan Athletic

On 27 July 2015, Jacobs moved to newly relegated League One side Wigan Athletic, signing a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. ^[27]

On 16 October 2017, Jacobs signed a two-year contract extension with Wigan which would keep him at the club until the summer of 2020. Upon putting pen-to-paper on the new deal, Jacobs stated: "I have played some of my best football here and I am excited for the future." ^[28]

After spending five years with Wigan, Jacobs left the club upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2019–20 season. ^[29]

Portsmouth

On 14 September 2020, Jacobs was signed by EFL League One team Portsmouth, on a two-year deal. ^[30] For the 2020–21 season, Jacobs was assigned the squad number 24 shirt. ^[31]

Jacobs left Portsmouth at the end of the 2022–23 season, following the expiration of his contract. ^[32]

Chesterfield

On 4 August 2023, Jacobs was signed by National League side Chesterfield, ^[33] reuniting him with his former Wigan manager Paul Cook and teammate Will Grigg.

Career statistics

Jacobs (wearing No.17) in the Wigan Athletic wall, facing a Manchester United free-kick, 2017

As of end of 2023-24 season

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Northampton Town	2009–10 [34]	League Two	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	0
	2010–11 [35]	League Two	41	5	2	1	4	2	1	0	48	8
	2011–12 [36]	League Two	46	6	1	0	2	0	1	1	50	7
	Total		87	11	3	1	6	2	4	1	100	15
Derby County	2012–13 [37]	Championship	39	2	2	0	1	0	0	0	42	2
	2013–14 [38]	Championship	3	0	0	0	3	1	0	0	6	1
	Total		42	2	2	0	4	1	0	0	48	3
Wolverhampton Wanderers	2013–14 [38]	League One	30	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	30	8
	2014–15 [39]	Championship	12	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	13	0
	Total		42	8	0	0	1	0	0	0	43	8
Blackpool (loan)	2014–15 [39]	Championship	5	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	1
Wigan Athletic	2015–16 [40]	League One	35	10	1	0	1	0	1	0	38	10
	2016–17 [41]	Championship	43	3	2	0	1	0	0	0	46	3
	2017–18 [42]	League One	44	12	6	0	0	0	0	0	50	12
	2018–19 [43]	Championship	22	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	22	4
	2019–20 [44]	Championship	32	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	32	3
	Total		176	32	9	0	2	0	1	0	188	32
Portsmouth	2020–21 [45]	League One	20	2	1	0	0	0	1	0	22	2
	2021–22 [46]	League One	24	6	2	0	1	0	5	1	31	7
	2022–23 [47]	League One	32	4	1	0	2	0	4	1	39	5
	Total		76	12	5	0	3	0	10	2	93	14
Chesterfield	2023–24 [48]	National League	40	5	3	0	—		1	1	44	6
Career total			463	70	22	1	16	3	16	4	516	78

Note

A. ^ Soccerbase's stats for the match between Bolton Wanderers and Derby County on 21 August 2012 fail to include the substitute appearance made by Jacobs. ^{[49] [50]} Therefore, until and unless they correct it, he should have one more appearance for Derby than given on his Soccerbase page.

Honours

Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Football League One: 2013–14 ^[51]

Wigan Athletic

• Football League One/EFL League One: 2015–16, ^[52] 2017–18 ^[53]

Portsmouth

• EFL Trophy runner-up: 2019–20 ^[54]

Chesterfield

• National League: 2023–24 ^[55]

References

1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 216. ISBN   9781845966010.
2. Anderson, John (2016). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2016–2017. London: Headline. p. 532. ISBN   978-1-4722-3394-3.
3. "Northampton 2–1 Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 6 October 2009.
4. "MK Dons 3–1 Northampton". BBC Sport. 10 November 2009.
5. "Jacobs joins Nuneaton Town". League Football Education. 5 February 2010.
6. "Torquay 3–0 Northampton". BBC Sport. 7 August 2010.
7. "Northampton 2–0 Brighton". BBC Sport. 10 August 2010.
8. "Liverpool 2–2 Northampton". BBC Sport. 22 September 2010.
9. "Jacobs named player of the year" Archived 25 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine 30 April 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
10. "Northampton Town: Rams raid Cobblers for Jacobs but Cardoza turns down deal". Northampton Chronicle & Echo . JPIMedia. 25 April 2012. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
11. "Michael Jacobs is a cracker – just ask Roy Hodgson". Express & Star . Wolverhampton. 12 November 2013.
12. "Derby swoop to sign youngster Jacobs". Derby County F.C. 25 April 2012. Archived from the original on 28 June 2012.
13. "Derby 5–5 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
14. "Derby County 5–5 Scunthorpe United". Derby County F.C. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
15. "Ipswich 1–2 Derby". BBC Sport. 23 October 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
16. "Creator Michael Jacobs reminded of his defensive duties in Derby County's victory over Birmingham City". Derby Telegraph. 26 November 2012. Archived from the original on 29 November 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
17. "Derby 1–2 Hull". BBC Sport. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
18. "Derby 3–1 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
19. "Michael Jacobs impresses Derby County boss Nigel Clough". BBC Sport. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
20. "Oldham 0–1 Derby". BBC Sport. 6 August 2013.
21. "Michael Jacobs: Derby County midfielder signs for Wolves on loan". BBC Sport. 11 November 2013.
22. "Wolves 0–0 Brentford". BBC Sport. 23 November 2013.
23. "Wolves 2–0 Crewe". BBC Sport. 26 December 2013.
24. "Michael Jacobs joins Wolves from Derby". BBC Sport. 8 January 2014.
25. "Michael Jacobs: Blackpool sign Wolves winger on loan". BBC Sport. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
26. "Jacobs recalled from Blackpool". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 9 April 2015. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015.
27. "Michael Jacobs: Wigan Athletic sign Wolves winger". BBC Sport. 27 July 2015.
28. "Michael Jacobs extends contract at Wigan Athletic". Wigan Athletic F.C. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
29. Watson, Stuart (5 August 2020). "League One transfer guide – The lowdown on every summer signing of 2020". East Anglian Daily Times . Ipswich: Archant . Retrieved 5 September 2020. Wigan Athletic * Paul Cook quit as manager. IN: OUT: Kieffer Moore (Cardiff, £2m), Antonee Robinson (Fulham, £2m), Joe Williams (Bristol City, undisc), David Marshall (Derby, undisc), Jamal Lowe (Swansea, £800k), Joe Gelhardt (Leeds, £1m), Chey Dunkley (Sheff Weds, undisc), Jensen Weir (Brighton, £500k), Alfie Devine (Tottenham, undisc), Lewis Macleod (Plymouth, free), Danny Fox, Anthony Pilkington, Gary Roberts and Michael Jacobs (contracts expired)
30. "Pompey Complete Jacobs Signing". Portsmouth FC. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
31. "First Team Squad". Portsmouth FC. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
32. "Pompey Retained List: Summer 2023". www.portsmouthfc.co.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
33. "Spireites clinch signing of midfielder on eve of new season | Chesterfield FC" . Retrieved 4 August 2023.
34. "Games played by Michael Jacobs in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
35. "Games played by Michael Jacobs in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
36. "Games played by Michael Jacobs in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
37. "Games played by Michael Jacobs in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
38. "Games played by Michael Jacobs in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
39. "Games played by Michael Jacobs in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
40. "Games played by Michael Jacobs in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
41. "Games played by Michael Jacobs in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
42. "Games played by Michael Jacobs in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
43. "Games played by Michael Jacobs in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
44. "Games played by Michael Jacobs in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
45. "Games played by Michael Jacobs in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
46. "Games played by Michael Jacobs in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
47. "Games played by Michael Jacobs in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
48. "Games played by Michael Jacobs in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
49. "Games played by Michael Jacobs in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
50. "Bolton Wanderers 2–0 Derby County". Derby County F.C. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
51. Anderson, John, ed. (2014). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2014–2015. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 386–387. ISBN   978-1-4722-1251-1.
52. Anderson, John, ed. (2016). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2016–2017. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 382–383. ISBN   978-1-4722-3395-0.
53. Anderson, John, ed. (2018). Football Yearbook 2018–2019. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 382–383. ISBN   978-1-4722-6106-9.
54. Williams, Adam (13 March 2021). "Portsmouth 0–0 Salford City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
55. "National League: 2023/24: Current table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
    "Chesterfield: Squad details: 2023/24". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 April 2024.

External links

• Michael Jacobs at Soccerbase