Lewis Haldane

Port Vale In August 2009, he joined Port Vale for a trial period. This came despite talk of a loan move to Newport County. He started a loan spell at Vale Park on 1 September, hopeful of later earning a permanent deal with the club. The one-month loan was extended by another month to keep him in Vale colours for October, before the deal was extended once again in November. Spending the maximum allowed loan time at Vale Park (93 days), he scored once in a total of twenty appearances. He remained in training with the club, hopeful of a short-term contract in January 2010.

Due to sign permanently for the "Vale", he was instead only able to re-join the club on loan on 31 December 2009, having failed to gain a release from Rovers. That release was eventually secured however. Haldane signed for Vale on 27 January 2010, just days before the transfer window closed. He was sent off in his first game as a fully signed Vale player, to his great disappointment. He was offered a new contract by the club at the end of the season, and quickly signed the two-year deal.

In the 2010–11 pre-season, Haldane was rushed into hospital after being bitten by a blandford fly during a training session. The unusual illness kept him bed stricken, and cost him his place in the team's trip to Ireland, giving Gary Roberts a chance to earn a contract. He spent two weeks in hospital. He had to wait until November before he had returned to match fitness, and even longer before returning to full fitness. Following his recovery he managed to finish the season with 27 appearances to his name.

Haldane won his first start of the 2011–12 campaign in a League Trophy clash with Tranmere Rovers; however, he landed awkwardly after an aerial challenge, the result of which was a double leg break and another lengthy spell on the sidelines. By January 2012 the bone had completely healed, however, manager Micky Adams confirmed that another operation looked likely. Three months later he took to the field again in a reserve team clash with Burton Albion. He was allowed to prove his fitness when he was offered a new six-month contract in May 2012. However, two months later he went under the knife again to remove scar tissue from his left ankle. The leg injury proved too severe, and his retirement was officially announced on 7 October.

Non-League Haldane began the 2013–14 season with Southern League side Yate Town. He helped the "Bluebells" to a ninth place in Division One South & West in 2013–14. He was a prolific goalscorer, scoring two consecutive hat-tricks in February. He rejected an approach from Paulton Rovers in August 2014, and three months later instead joined Frome Town. The "Robins" finished one place above the Southern League Premier Division relegation zone in 2014–15. He re-signed with Yate Town in January 2016. Yate finished 16th in Division One South & West in 2015–16, but Haldane was unable to feature due to work commitments.

International career Although Haldane was born in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, due to parentage, he had Welsh eligibility and was called up to the under-21 squad for the first time in August 2006. His only under-21 cap came in a goalless draw with Turkey on 2 September 2006.

In February 2009, Haldane was selected to represent England C for the fixture against Malta under-21s. However, he was forced to withdraw because he had previously represented Wales at under-21 level.

Style of play Haldane was a pacey winger, adept at working either flank.

Personal life Already boasting a considerable amount of body art, Haldane had his girlfriend's name (Michelle) tattooed onto his torso in February 2010 as a Valentine's Day gesture. After retiring as a professional footballer in October 2012 he began working for a lorry components company in Bristol.

Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

147!!15!!12!!0!!3!!0!!14!!2!!176!!17

63!!3!!7!!0!!2!!0!!3!!1!!75!!4

2014–15 Football League Trophy runner-up: 2006–07