Name: Stefan Oakes
Date of Birth:
Birthplace:
Height: 180cm
Position: Central/Left-sided midfielder
Previous Clubs:
The cultured midfielder kicked-off his career with Leicester City under the guidance of one of the greatest managers of his generation, Martin O’Neill, who handed the youngster his first professional contract in August ’97 after Oakes had progressed through the ranks at, what-was, Filbert Street.
However following O’Neill’s departure to Celtic, Oakes began to fall out-of-favour the new managers as they didn’t hold the youngster quite so highly. Nevertheless, Oakes went on to start 51 times for ‘City, as well as 28 appearances from the bench, in all competitions – including the Premiership.
However, injury soon troubled Stefan’s season and he joined Crewe Alexandra on loan for the remaining few months of last season, starting just four times.
And when his contract at the Walker’s crisp-bowl eventually ran out, Oakes spent little time as a free-agent as First Division Walsall were all-to-happy to snap-up the tough-tackling midfielder on a free transfer.
But first-team opportunities were few and far between even at the Bescot Stadium and no sooner was his number was up for his first start of the campaign, had he been dismissed in the 6-1 defeat against Coventry.