Andy Oakes

Andrew Mark Oakes (born 11 January 1977) is an English former football goalkeeper.

He spent his early years at Macclesfield Town and Winsford United, before playing for Hull City in 1998–99. He was then signed by Premier League side Derby County for £465,000. He spent six years at Pride Park as a backup keeper and also spent brief spells on loan at Port Vale and Bolton Wanderers. He signed with Walsall in March 2005 before moving on to Swansea City in August 2006. He signed with Darlington in May 2007 before leaving the game two years later.

Career In May 1993, Oakes joined Burnley's youth training scheme, but was released when his two-year apprenticeship ended. Oakes played once for the "Silkmen", in a 2–0 FA Cup defeat to Rochdale, where he reportedly played with a broken finger after an unexpected callup. Oakes' performances for Winsford United attracted the attention of Hull City manager Warren Joyce, who had previously known him from his time as a Burnley apprentice. Oakes established himself as Hull's first-choice goalkeeper during the club's successful fight against relegation in the second half of the 1998–99 season, replacing Steve Wilson. He immediately went out on loan with Port Vale but returned to Pride Park within three weeks having failed to make an appearance for Brian Horton's "Valiants".

He made his Derby debut against Sunderland in February 2001, keeping a clean sheet. but only made the one appearance.

He moved on to Paul Merson's Walsall on a free transfer in March 2005, and featured in the last nine games of the campaign. He played 30 games in 2005–06, having missed September to December. With the "Saddlers" suffering relegation, he was released from the Bescot Stadium in May 2006. He signed with Kenny Jackett's Swansea City in August 2006. Playing six games of the 2006–07 season, with only one appearances coming at the Liberty Stadium, he was not offered a new contract in the summer by new boss Roberto Martínez. Oakes signed with Darlington in May 2007. He made 18 appearances for Dave Penney's "Quakers", before retiring from the game in 2009.

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