David John Theobald (born 15 December 1978) is an English retired semi-professional footballer who played as a defender in the Football League for Brentford, Swansea City and Cambridge United. He played the majority of his career in non-League football, predominantly for Cambridge City, for whom he made over 270 appearances across three spells. He is currently first team coach at Cambridge City.
Playing career
Early years Theobald began his career in the youth system at Cambridge United, before joining the youth setup at Ipswich Town. He progressed to undertake a scholarship, but did not win a call into a first team squad before his release at the end of the 1998–99 season.
Brentford On 8 July 1999, Theobald signed a three-year contract with newly promoted Second Division club Brentford on a free transfer. He was utilised as cover for injuries and had a run in the team as a stand-in right back for the injured Danny Boxall during the 1999–00 season and in central defence for Scott Marshall during 2000–01. Theobald was named in the starting lineup for the 2001 Football League Trophy Final and received a runners-up medal. He was released after Brentford's defeat in the 2002 Second Division play-off final and made just 37 appearances during three seasons at Griffin Park.
Swansea City On 26 July 2002, Theobald signed a one-year contract with Third Division club Swansea City on a free transfer. He made just 12 appearances before leaving the Vetch Field in February 2003.
Cambridge United On 7 February 2003, Theobald joined hometown Third Division club Cambridge United on a contract running until the end of the 2002–03 season. He made just one appearance before his contract expired.
Non-League football Between 2003 and 2018, Theobald had a long career in non-League football, predominantly with Cambridge City, for whom he made 274 appearances and scored 39 goals across three spells. He also played for Canvey Island, Kettering Town, St Albans City, Royston Town, Soham Town Rangers and Bishop's Stortford.
Managerial and coaching career
Soham Town Rangers On 8 October 2015, Theobald and fellow senior player Robbie Nightingale took over as joint-managers of Isthmian League First Division North club Soham Town Rangers. He remained in the role until 4 December 2016, when he followed Nightingale out of the club.
Cambridge City On 5 December 2016, Theobald returned to Southern League Premier Division club Cambridge City as first team coach.
Personal life Theobald attended Impington Village College. He is a Liverpool and Cambridge United supporter.
Career statistics +Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBrentford1999–00Second Division1000000101102000–01Second Division1500000401902001–02Second Division6000001070Total310000060370Swansea City2002–03Third Division100100010120Cambridge United2002–03Third Division40———40Cambridge City (loan)2002–03Southern League Premier Division10———10Canvey Island2003–04Isthmian League Premier Division40320—004232004–05Conference Premier16100—001612005–06Conference Premier30———30Total59420—00614Bishop's Stortford (loan)2004–05Conference South50———50Kettering Town2005–06Conference North31510—00325St Albans City2006–07Conference Premier22310—20253Kettering Town2006–07Conference North190——20210Cambridge City2007–08Conference South29400—503442008–09Southern League Premier Division34631—804572009–10Southern League Premier Division35520—924672010–11Southern League Premier Division37541—804962011–12Southern League Premier Division43921—2047102012–13Southern League Premier Division41273—30515Total21931186—35227239Royston Town2013–14Southern League First Division Central1000—00102014–15Southern League First Division Central19110—40241Total20110—40251Soham Town Rangers2015–16Isthmian League First Division North16210—20192Cambridge City2017–18Southern League First Division East1000—00102018–19Southern League First Division Central2000—0020Total3000—0030Career total439462560050251454
Honours Brentford Football League Trophy runner-up: 2000–01
Canvey Island Isthmian League Premier Division: 2003–04
Cambridge City Southern League Cup: 2009–10
References
External links