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Zach Jeacock

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Zach Jeacock
Personal information
Full name Zachary Anton John Jeacock[1]
Date of birth (2001-05-08) 8 May 2001 (age 23)[2]
Place of birth Birmingham, England
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Southend United
(on loan from Lincoln City)
Number 1
Youth career
2006–2009 West Hagley
2009–2018 Birmingham City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2024 Birmingham City 4 (0)
2018 → Stourport Swifts (loan) 2 (0)
2019–2020 → Gloucester City (loan) 13 (0)
2021–2022 → Salford City (loan) 1 (0)
2023–2024 → Gloucester City (loan) 28 (0)
2024– Lincoln City 2 (0)
2024– → Southend United (loan) 3 (0)
International career
2019 England U19 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:29, 16 November 2024 (UTC)

Zachary Anton John Jeacock (born 8 May 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for National League club Southend United, on loan from EFL League One club Lincoln City.

He began his career with Birmingham City, and made his Football League debut for the club in the EFL Championship in 2020. He also spent time on loan at Stourport Swifts of the Midland League Premier Division, National League North club Gloucester City (two spells), and Salford City of League Two. He left Birmingham by mutual consent in January 2024. In international football, he has represented England at under-19 level.

Early life and career

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Jeacock was born in Birmingham[2] and lived in Chaddesley Corbett, Worcestershire, where he attended Winterfold House preparatory school before moving on to nearby Bromsgrove School.[3][4] He played football as an attacking midfielder or striker for West Hagley F.C. before, a few days after his eighth birthday in May 2009, becoming the then youngest boy to sign for Birmingham City.[3] He went on to compete for Birchfield Harriers as a sprinter,[5] and played football as a defender, only converting to goalkeeper at the age of 14.[4]

Jeacock took up a two-year scholarship with Birmingham City's Academy in July 2017.[1] He went on to make ten appearances for Birmingham's development squad team in the 2018–19 season as they finished as runners-up in the Professional Development League northern section and lost out to Leeds United on penalties for the overall title.[6][7] He was offered a three-year deal in March 2019,[8] and signed it in May.[9] His apprenticeship went well off the field as well: he achieved top grades in his BTEC course, was selected in League Football Education's Team of the Year, and was described by Birmingham City's Head of Education and Welfare, Mark Sinclair, as "an excellent ambassador for the football club, and somebody who has embraced all aspects of his apprenticeship, with him maximising his opportunities to continually develop himself and others."[10]

Senior career

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Birmingham City

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2019–2021

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In August 2019, Birmingham City loaned Jeacock to National League North club Gloucester City for the season.[6] He went straight into the starting eleven and in his fourth appearance, after his team came back from 2–0 down to lead 3–2 at Kidderminster Harriers, he saved a late penalty and was named man of the match.[11] He started in 10 of the first 12 matches of the league season – he was away on international duty for the other two – but then a broken hand kept him out until January 2020. After a couple of games for Birmingham U23s, he rejoined Gloucester City and made three more appearances in January before he was recalled by Birmingham to "explore other loan opportunities".[12][13] No such opportunities occurred before the season was abandoned because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He played in the first team's pre-season friendlies in August 2020 before the arrival of Andrés Prieto,[14] who started the first competitive fixture of the season, in the 2020–21 EFL Cup at home to Cambridge United, with Jeacock on the bench.[15] He was selected ahead of the injured Prieto and the newly arrived Neil Etheridge to start the opening match of the Championship season, at home to Brentford on 12 September.[16] He kept a clean sheet as Birmingham won the match 1–0,[17] after which Etheridge became first choice and Prieto second. Jeacock injured an ankle playing for Birmingham U23s, required surgery, and was out for much of the season. He made another four appearances for the U23s as they went on to win the Professional Development League title,[18] but did not himself play in the final.[19] He started the penultimate Championship match of the season, a 4–0 defeat at home to Cardiff City, in which new manager Lee Bowyer fielded a number of fringe players after relegation had been avoided.[20] In July 2021, his contract was extended to run until 2024.[18]

2021–2024

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After Birmingham signed Matija Sarkic on loan to cover Etheridge's recovery from COVID-19,[21] Jeacock was allowed to leave on a season-long loan at League Two club Salford City, whose previous first-choice goalkeeper, Václav Hladký, had left the club.[22][23] Jeacock began the season as backup to Tom King,[12] and made his debut on 31 August in an EFL Trophy match against Oldham Athletic. He conceded once, to a Carl Piergianni header, and his side lost 1–0.[24] With King away on international duty,[25] Jeacock made his first league appearance four days later in a 2–1 defeat away to Carlisle United.[26] Over the next four months, his only appearances were in the EFL Trophy,[26] and on 11 January 2022, after Sarkic suffered a season-ending injury, Jeacock was recalled by Birmingham.[27]

Jeacock made no appearances in the 2022–23 season, and was on the bench for Birmingham's EFL Cup first-round match in August 2023.[12] He rejoined Gloucester City of the National League North on 15 August on loan until 31 January 2024.[28] He was Gloucester's regular goalkeeper throughout his spell, making 31 appearances in all competitions.[12]

When his loan expired, he returned to Birmingham, and was released by mutual consent on 1 February, with five months of his contract still to run.[29]

Lincoln City

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On 3 July 2024, Jeacock joined Lincoln City on a two-year deal plus a one-year club option.[30] He made his debut in the 2–1 defeat in the EFL Cup to Harrogate Town on 13 August 2024.[31] On 18 October, he was loaned to National League club Southend United until January 2025.[32]

International career

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Jeacock's first inclusion in an England squad came at under-19 level, for friendly matches in September 2019 in preparation for the Euro qualifiers later that year.[33] He made his debut in the starting eleven for a 3–1 win against Greece on 5 September,[34] and remained an unused substitute for the 1–0 defeat to Germany four days later.[35] He was again part of the squad for friendlies against France and Belgium in October, and started in the second game, a 4–2 win in which he was dispossessed in his area for Belgium's first goal.[36][37] A broken hand prevented him being considered for the qualifiers in November.[38]

Career statistics

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As of match played 16 November 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Birmingham City 2018–19[39] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2019–20[40] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2020–21[17] Championship 2 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 0
2021–22[26] Championship 2 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 0
2022–23[41] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2023–24[42] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 4 0 0 0 0 0 — 4 0
Stourport Swifts (loan) 2018–19[43] Midland League Premier Division 2 0 1 0 — — 3 0
Gloucester City (loan) 2019–20[12] National League North 13 0 0 0 — 0 0 13 0
Salford City (loan) 2021–22[26] League Two 1 0 0 0 0 0 3[a] 0 4 0
Gloucester City (loan) 2023–24[12][44] National League North 28 0 1 0 — 2[b] 0 31 0
Lincoln City 2024–25[45] League One 2 0 0 0 1 0 1[a] 0 4 0
Southend United (loan) 2024–25[45] National League 3 0 0 0 — 0 0 3 0
Career total 53 0 2 0 1 0 6 0 62 0
  1. ^ a b Appearances in EFL Trophy
  2. ^ Appearance in FA Trophy

References

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  1. ^ a b "List of Players Registered as Scholars in Accordance with Rule C.3 Between 01/07/2017 and 31/07/2017". The Football Association. p. 53. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 October 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Zach Jeacock". Birmingham City F.C. Archived from the original on 12 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Eight-year-old is singing the Blues". Kidderminster Shuttle. 21 May 2009. Archived from the original on 12 September 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  4. ^ a b Dick, Brian (20 March 2019). "Who are the players retained and released by Birmingham City – the lowdowns". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  5. ^ "Impressive B&RAC excel in Worcester". Redditch Advertiser. 24 May 2012. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  6. ^ a b Gibbon, Tom (18 July 2019). "'Highly rated' Birmingham City goalkeeper signs for Gloucester". GloucestershireLive. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  7. ^ "Report: Leeds United Under-23s 0 Blues Under-23s 0 – Leeds win 4–2 on penalties". Birmingham City F.C. 6 May 2019. Archived from the original on 6 May 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  8. ^ "Deals for Blues scholars". Birmingham City F.C. 20 March 2019. Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  9. ^ "First professional contracts for Blues quartet". Birmingham City F.C. 24 May 2019. Archived from the original on 27 May 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  10. ^ Wylie, Jack (10 June 2019). "The 11 – June 2019 (in depth)". League Football Education. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  11. ^ Townley, John (14 August 2019). "Birmingham City loan keeper praised as Gloucester City defy odds with comeback win at Kidderminster Harriers". GloucestershireLive. Archived from the original on 14 September 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "Z. Jeacock". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  13. ^ "Jeacock returns to Blues". Birmingham City F.C. 4 February 2020. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  14. ^ "Blues snap up Prieto". Birmingham City F.C. 28 August 2020. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  15. ^ Dick, Brian (5 September 2020). "'Rash' – Birmingham City player ratings as Aitor Karanka's men stumble against Cambridge United". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  16. ^ Dick, Brian (12 September 2020). "Aitor Karanka makes shock goalkeeper selection as Birmingham City take on Brentford". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 12 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  17. ^ a b "Games played by Zach Jeacock in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  18. ^ a b "Zach Jeacock signs new deal". Birmingham City F.C. 10 July 2021. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  19. ^ Dick, Brian (24 May 2021). "Blues U23s vs Sheff Utd U23s player ratings: Man City trainee sparkles as George blunts Blades". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  20. ^ Dick, Brian (1 May 2021). "Birmingham City player ratings vs Cardiff: Stirk shines but Blues hammered by Liverpool loan star". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  21. ^ "Matija Sarkic: Birmingham City sign Wolves and Montenegro keeper on loan". BBC Sport. 26 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  22. ^ "Jeacock heads to Salford". Birmingham City F.C. 30 July 2021. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  23. ^ "Hladky leaves for Ipswich Town". Salford City F.C. 28 June 2021. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  24. ^ "Latics 1–0 Salford City". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 31 August 2021. Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  25. ^ Colman, Jon (4 September 2021). "Salford City defender: Carlisle United's Brunton Park "should suit us down to the ground"". News & Star. Carlisle. Archived from the original on 3 July 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  26. ^ a b c d "Games played by Zach Jeacock in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  27. ^ "Zach Jeacock back at Blues". Birmingham City F.C. 11 January 2022. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  28. ^ "Blues' Zach Jeacock loaned to Gloucester City". Birmingham City F.C. 15 August 2023. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  29. ^ "Zach Jeacock leaves Blues". Birmingham City F.C. 1 February 2024. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  30. ^ "Imps add Jeacock to ranks". 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  31. ^ "Imps 1–2 Harrogate Town". Lincoln City FC. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  32. ^ "Shrimpers sign goalkeeper Jeacock". Southend United FC. 18 October 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  33. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (30 August 2019). "Young Lions begin U19 EURO preparations with games against Greece and Germany". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 30 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  34. ^ Walker, Andy (5 September 2019). "The Young Lions kick-off new season with a win over Greece at St. George's Park". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  35. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (9 September 2019). "Paul Simpson's Young Lions suffer 1–0 defeat against Germany in Haiger". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  36. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (4 October 2019). "England MU19s squad selected for games with France and Belgium in Spain this October". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 7 October 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  37. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (12 October 2019). "Paul Simpson's side end Spanish trip with a good win over Belgium in Marbella". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 13 October 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  38. ^ "Match Preview: Gloucester City v Bradford (Park Avenue)". Gloucester City A.F.C. 18 October 2019. Archived from the original on 23 October 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  39. ^ "Games played by Zach Jeacock in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  40. ^ "Games played by Zach Jeacock in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  41. ^ "Games played by Zach Jeacock in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  42. ^ "Games played by Zach Jeacock in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  43. ^ "Midland Football League: 2018–19: Zachary Jeacock player stats". FA Fulltime. Archived from the original on 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  44. ^ For FA Cup 2nd qualifying round: "'Sacked in the morning' – Gloucester City fans let feelings known after slumping out of FA Cup". Severn Sport. 16 September 2023. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  45. ^ a b "Games played by Zach Jeacock in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
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