Andre Alexandre George Blackman is an English footballer who plays for Blackpool.
A left back, he can also play as a Wing back and a Left Winger.
He has previously played for Bristol City, AFC Wimbledon, Celtic, Inverness Caledonian
Thistle and Plymouth Argyle.
He played in the academies of both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Club career Early career
Blackman began his career at Afewee Academy in Brixton before joining as a trainee with
Arsenal, moving to Tottenham Hotspur and then signing for Portsmouth at the age of 16.
He also had spell's with Chelsea, and West Ham.
Bristol City Blackman started his professional career by
signing a two year contract with Bristol City after his release by Portsmouth.
He made his debut for Bristol City in the League Cup match against Brentford on 11 August
2009.
On 1 October 2009, Blackman was released by Bristol City over a disciplinary matter, without
making a league appearance.
He then went on trial with Championship side Leicester City, which proved to be unsuccessful.
Wimbledon After declaring he wanted to "sort his life
out", Blackman signed for Conference National club AFC Wimbledon on 1 June 2010, and made
his debut in their 1-0 away win against Southport on 14 August; however, after a handful of
appearances, Blackman was declared surplus to requirements and was replaced by Chris
Bush, and subsequently Gareth Gwillim.
Blackman featured in 18 League, Cup and friendly matches scoring twice, including one against
an Arsenal XI - his former club.
On 12 January 2011, Blackman went on trial with Oldham Athletic, but was not signed.
On 9 February 2011, it was announced that Blackman had joined an unnamed league club
on trial.
Celtic In October 2011, Blackman had a trial with
Scottish Premier League side Celtic, playing his first match in a year when Celtic's development
squad played a bounce game against a Rangers XI.
This trial resulted in Blackman signing for Celtic in November 2011.
He made his debut for Celtic on 3 March, in a 1–1 draw with Aberdeen.
Although not featured enough at Celtic, the club won their first title in over 4 years.
At Celtic, Blackman says he thanked Neil Lennon for saving his football career after a troubled
year and does admits he had to show humility and has plenty of mental strength to make
a breakthrough.
At the end of the season, Blackman was awarded 'Tackle of the Year' at Celtic when a video
was shown of Blackman accidentally tackled the manager Lennon as he skidding toward him
during a match earlier this year, crashing him to the turf
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Blackman was loaned to Inverness CT for the
first part of the 2012–13 season in order to get more first team experience.
It will be his first loan career.
On 15 September 2012, Blackman made his debut for the club in a 1-1 draw against Aberdeen
where he made impressive debut, resulting him earning a man of the match.
His loan spell was terminated by Inverness CT, however, three months early.
Manager Terry Butcher revealed he terminated Blackman loan spell because of his poor attitude
and discipline.
He was released by Celtic in November 2012, just one year after signing for the club.
Plymouth Argyle Blackman signed a six-month contract with
Plymouth Argyle in July 2013.
He made his debut in the club's first game of the new season at Southend United, and
also started in the next two matches before losing his place in the team.
Blackman scored the first goal of his career in a Football League Trophy tie against Swindon
Town, but he remained on the fringes of the team and made his ninth and final appearance
for the club in October.
He was released when his contract expired in January 2014.
Dover Athletic In March 2014, he joined Conference South
club Dover Athletic on non-contract terms and scored on his debut against Dartford in
the Kent Senior Cup.
Maidenhead Shortly after his move to Dover Athletic,
Blackman joined Conference South side Maidenhead United.
Trial with Leeds On 23 May 2014, Blackman was strongly linked
with a move to Leeds United, after Leeds owner Massimo Cellino showed an interest in reviving
his career.
On 28 June 2014, Blackman was pictured with the Leeds United first team squad at the launch
of the Leeds 2014/15 shirt at Elland Road.
On 30 June 2014, Blackman traveled with Leeds on their 2 week pre-season training camp to
Santa Cristina in Italy, with Leeds officially announcing Blackman had joined them on trial.
References
External links Andre Blackman career stats at Soccerbase