Asa Hall Explained

Asa Hall
Fullname:Asa Philip Hall[1]
Birth Date:29 November 1986
Birth Place:Dudley, England
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Torquay United
Clubnumber:8
Youthclubs1:Wolverhampton Wanderers
Youthyears2:–2004
Youthclubs2:Birmingham City
Years1:2004–2008
Clubs1:Birmingham City
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2006
Clubs2:Boston United (loan)
Caps2:12
Goals2:0
Years3:2007
Clubs3:Ashford Town (Kent) (loan)
Caps3:10
Goals3:1
Years4:2008
Clubs4:Shrewsbury Town (loan)
Caps4:15
Goals4:3
Years5:2008–2010
Clubs5:Luton Town
Caps5:74
Goals5:15
Years6:2010–2012
Clubs6:Oxford United
Caps6:75
Goals6:11
Years7:2012–2014
Clubs7:Shrewsbury Town
Caps7:32
Goals7:2
Years8:2013
Clubs8:Aldershot Town (loan)
Caps8:16
Goals8:0
Years9:2013
Clubs9:Oxford United (loan)
Caps9:19
Goals9:3
Years10:2014–2017
Clubs10:Cheltenham Town
Caps10:45
Goals10:3
Years11:2017
Clubs11:York City (loan)
Caps11:13
Goals11:1
Years12:2017–2018
Clubs12:Barrow
Caps12:37
Goals12:3
Years13:2018–2024
Clubs13:Torquay United
Caps13:174
Goals13:39
Years14:2024–
Clubs14:Tiverton Town
Caps14:0
Goals14:0
Nationalyears1:2005
Nationalteam1:England U19
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2005
Nationalteam2:England U20
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:13:46, 26 April 2024 (UTC)

Asa Philip Hall (born 29 November 1986) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Southern League club Tiverton Town.

Hall turned professional with Birmingham City, but never played for their first team. He went on to play in the Football League for Boston United, Shrewsbury Town (on loan), Luton Town and Oxford United before rejoining Shrewsbury Town in 2012. He spent time on loan at Aldershot Town and back at Oxford United in 2013.

He represented England at under-19 and under-20 level.

Career

Birmingham City

Hall was born in Dudley, West Midlands.[1] He played football in the youth system at Wolverhampton Wanderers before moving to Birmingham City,[2] where he signed his first professional contract at the age of 17.[3] By 18 he was a regular in the reserve team.[4] Birmingham's Academy director Stewart Hall described him as "the outstanding prospect in the under-18 group" and he was expected to challenge for a first team place.[2] In March 2005 he made his debut for England under-19s,[5] and in May, he was named Birmingham's young player of the 2004–05 season.[6] Later that year he played for England under-20s.[7]

Loan spells

Hall made 12 appearances during three months spent on loan at League Two club Boston United in the 2005–06 season.[8] He signed a one-year contract with Birmingham before the 2006–07 season,[9] spent the last month of the season on loan at Ashford Town (Kent),[10] and signed a further year's contract with Birmingham before the 2007–08 season.[11]

In January 2008, Hall joined Shrewsbury Town of League Two on loan for the remainder of the season.[12] He made his debut for the Shrews on 19 January against Morecambe, and scored the first goal in a 2–0 win.[13] Hall was offered a permanent deal with Shrewsbury by their manager Gary Peters before his sacking in March. In May, when Hall was released by Birmingham, Peters' replacement Paul Simpson also offered him a contract. The player appeared keen to sign but eventually rejected the offer.[14]

Luton Town

Hall signed for Luton Town in August 2008.[15] He was a regular member of the first team, and helped the club reach the 2009 Football League Trophy Final, scoring in the penalty shoot-out to defeat Brighton & Hove Albion in the semi-final.[16] The next season, Hall was again a regular player, though the arrival of Simon Heslop in March saw him demoted to the bench by new Luton manager Richard Money. Hall was released from his Luton contract at the end of the season, having made 89 appearances and scored 17 goals in his time at the club.[17]

Oxford United

On 20 May 2010, Hall signed for Oxford United, newly promoted back to the Football League, on a two-year deal.[18]

Hall decided not to renew his contract with Oxford, preferring to return nearer his Midlands home.[19]

Shrewsbury Town

In May 2012, Hall agreed to rejoin Shrewsbury Town in July after his Oxford contract expired,[19] and made his second Shrewsbury debut as a substitute in a League Cup match against Leeds United on 11 August.[20] In February 2013 Hall moved to Aldershot Town on loan; he made 16 league appearances before returning to Shrewsbury at the end of the season. In May 2013, Shrewsbury manager Graham Turner said he intended to talk to Hall about his future with the club,[21] and he was sent on another loan spell at Oxford United on 3 July.[22]

Hall returned to Shrewsbury at the end of his loan in January 2014, with Turner indicating he was no longer part of his plans and was available for transfer.[23] Despite this, he was allocated a squad number and appeared as a substitute in Shrewsbury's next match against Leyton Orient.[24] With Turner departing the club later that month, Hall expressed his desire to stay at Shrewsbury and fight for his place, despite interest from his former Oxford manager Chris Wilder to sign him at his new club Northampton Town.[25]

Following Shrewsbury's relegation, Hall was released at the end of his contract.[26]

Cheltenham Town

On 28 May 2014, Hall signed for League Two club Cheltenham Town on a two-year contract.[27] He tore his calf four minutes into his debut, and complications from that injury kept him out for a year.[27] [28]

On 23 February 2017, Hall joined National League club York City on a one-month loan.[29] On 21 May 2017, he started as York beat Macclesfield Town 3–2 at Wembley Stadium in the 2017 FA Trophy Final.[30] Hall was released by Cheltenham at the end of 2016–17.[31]

Barrow

Hall signed for National League club Barrow on 23 June 2017.[32] He was made available for transfer at the end of the 2017–18 season.[33]

Torquay United

Hall signed for newly relegated National League South club Torquay United on 21 June 2018.[34]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Birmingham City2005–06Premier League00000000
Boston United (loan)2005–06League Two120120
Ashford Town (Kent) (loan)2006–07[35] Isthmian League Division One South101101
Shrewsbury Town (loan)2007–08League Two153153
Luton Town2008–09League Two42102020515111
2009–10[36] Conference Premier3255110386
Total74157120618917
Oxford United2010–11League Two414102000444
2011–12League Two347101020387
Total75112030208211
Shrewsbury Town2012–13League One152101011183
2013–14League One170170
Total322101011353
Aldershot Town (loan)2012–13League Two160160
Oxford United (loan)2013–14League Two193001010213
Cheltenham Town2014–15League Two1000000010
2015–16National League3422010372
2016–17League Two101001020131
Total453201030513
York City (loan)2016–17National League13130161
Barrow2017–18National League3730010383
Torquay United2018–19[37] National League South3263110367
2019–20National League1940010204
2020–21National League381023424415
2021–22National League3060000306
2022–23National League3084100349
2023–24[38] [39] National League South2551020285
Total174391058219246
Career total522812268025457791

Honours

Luton Town

2008–09[1]

Cheltenham Town

2015–16[38]

York City

2016–17[30]

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Book: Barry J. . Hugman . The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10 . 2009 . Mainstream Publishing . Edinburgh . 978-1-84596-474-0 . 179.
  2. News: Young star Asa set for big break . Evening Mail . Birmingham . 18 February 2005 . 22 January 2016.
  3. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20110719053000/http://www.bufc.co.uk/article/269129/United-borrow-Citys-Hall?ccyCode=USD . United borrow City's Hall . Boston United F.C. . 6 January 2006 . 19 July 2011.
  4. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20120218033105/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~642041%2C00.html . Young star gets England call . Birmingham City F.C. . 18 March 2005 . 18 February 2012 . dead.
  5. Web site: England's matches: The under 19's: 1991–2010 . England Football Online . Chris Goodwin, Glen Isherwood & Peter Young . 27 August 2014 . 21 July 2018.
  6. News: Heskey cleans up at awards . Birmingham Mail . 12 May 2005 . 15 June 2013.
  7. Web site: England's matches: The under 20's . England Football Online . Chris Goodwin, Glen Isherwood & Peter Young . 28 March 2018 . 21 July 2018.
  8. News: Hall leaves Pilgrims after loan . BBC Sport . 9 April 2006 . 15 January 2008.
  9. News: Blues stunner as axe falls on Kenny . Colin . Tattum . Birmingham Mail . 9 May 2006 . 15 June 2013.
  10. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20110809093218/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1025161%2C00.html . Quartet offered new deals . Birmingham City F.C. . 14 May 2007 . 9 August 2011 . dead.
  11. News: Wright rejects new Blues deal . Colin . Tattum . Birmingham Mail . 5 July 2007 . 15 June 2013.
  12. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20080118102430/http://www.blues.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1216131%2C00.html . Hall joins the Shrews . Birmingham City F.C. . 15 January 2008 . 18 January 2008 . dead.
  13. News: Shrewsbury 2–0 Morecambe . BBC Sport . 19 January 2008 . 25 January 2008.
  14. News: Hall turns down Shrewsbury deal . BBC Sport . 4 June 2008 . 18 June 2008.
  15. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20080809222345/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10372~1360794%2C00.html . After the wait, here's the first eight! . 7 August 2008 . Luton Town F.C. . 9 August 2008 . dead.
  16. News: Price sends Luton to Wembley . Sky Sports . 17 February 2009 . 19 February 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090221181151/http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0%2C19764%2C11065_3100677%2C00.html . 21 February 2009 . dead.
  17. Web site: Town release quartet . Luton Town F.C. . 7 May 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100509023357/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10372~2046279%2C00.html . 9 May 2010 . dead.
  18. News: Oxford United sign former Luton Town man Asa Hall . BBC Sport . 20 May 2010 . 20 May 2010.
  19. News: Asa Hall joins Shrewsbury Town on free transfer . Shropshire Star . Telford . 15 May 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304135719/http://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/shrewsbury-town-fc/2012/05/15/asa-hall-joins-shrewsbury-town-on-free-transfer/ . 4 March 2016 . dead.
  20. News: Leeds 4–0 Shrewsbury . BBC Sport . 11 August 2012 . 15 June 2013.
  21. News: Shrewsbury to decide on the future of Asa Hall . Shropshire Star . Telford . 9 May 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304135746/http://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/shrewsbury-town-fc/2013/05/09/shrewsbury-to-decide-on-asa-halls-future/ . 4 March 2016 . dead.
  22. News: Asa Hall set for six-month loan return to Oxford United . Mark . Edwards . The Oxford Times . 3 July 2013 . 22 January 2016.
  23. News: Up-for-sale Asa Hall back at Shrewsbury Town . Shropshire Star . Telford . 3 January 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160128153413/http://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/shrewsbury-town-fc/2014/01/03/up-for-sale-asa-hall-back-at-shrewsbury/ . 28 January 2016 . dead.
  24. News: Shrewsbury 0–2 Leyton Orient . BBC Sport . 7 January 2014 . 13 January 2014.
  25. News: Northampton boss Wilder tracking Shrewsbury's Hall . Shropshire Star . Telford . 31 January 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160128180047/http://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/shrewsbury-town-fc/2014/01/31/northampton-boss-wilder-tracking-shrewsburys-hall/ . 28 January 2016 . dead.
  26. Web site: The retained and released list . Shrewsbury Town F.C. . 13 May 2014 . 11 January 2018.
  27. News: Asa Hall: Cheltenham sign former Shrewsbury midfielder . BBC Sport . 29 May 2014 . 22 January 2016.
  28. News: Cheltenham Town midfielder Asa Hall on his 'surreal' return to action after a year out injured . James . Young . Gloucestershire Echo . Cheltenham . 14 August 2015 . 22 January 2016.
  29. News: Dave . Flett . Cheltenham midfielder Asa Hall joins York City on loan . The Press . York . 23 February 2017 . 23 February 2017.
  30. News: Dave . Flett . York City lift FA Trophy to win at Wembley for a fourth time in their history . The Press . York . 21 May 2017 . 22 May 2017.
  31. News: Cheltenham Town: Eleven players released after 21st place finish . BBC Sport . 9 May 2017 . 1 June 2017.
  32. News: Barrow sign midfielders Asa Hall and Bedsente Gomis . BBC Sport . 23 June 2017 . 23 June 2017.
  33. News: Barrow AFC release six players and put five up for sale . The Mail . Barrow-in-Furness . 10 May 2018 . 29 May 2018.
  34. Web site: Asa Hall signs for TUFC . Patrick . Tinkler . Torquay United F.C. . 21 June 2018 . 21 June 2018.
  35. Web site: Isthmian Football League 2006–07 season: All competitions: Player's Appearances – Hall Asa Philip . football.mitoo . 22 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160128200827/http://football.mitoo.co/PlayersHistory2.cfm?PI=168951&LeagueCode=ISTH2006 . 28 January 2016.
  36. Book: Tony . Williams . James . Wright . Non-League Club Directory 2011 . 2010 . Tony Williams Publications . 978-1-869833-68-8 . 118–119.
  37. For FA Cup ties not covered by Soccerway: Web site: FA Cup: Lymington Town 0–7 Torquay United . Torquay United F.C. . 22 September 2018 . 13 October 2020.
    Web site: Emirates FA Cup: Brightlingsea Regent 0–3 Torquay United . Torquay United F.C. . 6 October 2018 . 13 October 2020.
  38. Web site: A. Hall: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 25 April 2024.
  39. For FA Cup ties not covered by Soccerway: Web site: Report: Wimborne Town 0–3 United . Torquay United F.C. . 16 September 2023 . 29 October 2023.
    Web site: Report: United 5–0 Hungerford . Torquay United F.C. . 30 September 2023 . 29 October 2023.
  40. News: National League South Team Of The Season Confirmed . Sam Elliott . Vanarama National League . 10 May 2019 . 3 June 2023.