James Bailey

James Joseph Bailey (born 18 September 1988) is an English footballer who most recently played for Yeovil Town.

He primarily plays in midfield, but can also play as a right-back.

Born in Bollington, England, Bailey started his football career at Bollington United Juniors before joining Crewe Alexandra, where he signed his first professional contract in the summer of 2007.

Bailey made his full Crewe debut at right back at 19 years of age, when he came on as an 89th-minute substitute for Danny Woodards in a League One home fixture against Doncaster Rovers on 22 December 2007, with Crewe 2–0 down.

Doncaster scored twice in the final minute for a final scoreline of 4–0.

This proved to be Bailey's sole appearance of the 2007–08 season, but he earned a one-year deal with the club, which he signed in May 2008, with first team coach Steve Holland stating "We are delighted that James has signed a new contract. He has been given another year and we will review it again in relation to his progress. He has made progress this year and now it is up to him to go on again and compete for a place in the squad."

An impressive pre-season saw Bailey return to the side for the opening fixture of the 2008–09 season, where he started in his now familiar midfield role, as Crewe lost 2–1 to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Bailey made his first appearance of 2009–10 season, coming against Dagenham & Redbridge in the opening game of the season, where he played 27 minutes after coming on as a substitute, as Crewe Alexandra lost 2–1.

However, he suffered an injury that kept him out for a month.

It wasn't until on 3 October 2009 when Bailey returned to the starting line–up against Rotherham United and played the whole game, as the club lost 3–2.

He then started in the next five matches before suffering a lower abdominal injury that eventually kept him out for three months.

Despite suffering further injuries later in the season, Bailey retained his position in the first team for the club's 2009–10 season, making 23 appearances in all competitions.

Following the end of the 2009–10 season, his performances for Crewe impressed and he was linked with a move to Championship club Derby County, alongside Crewe teammate John Brayford, in a joint £1m deal in May 2010, where he was seen as a long-term replacement for veteran midfielder Robbie Savage.

It wasn't until on 12 February 2010 when Bailey returned to the starting line–up and helped Crewe Alexandra win 2–1 against Burton Albion.

He then played a role on assisting goals on three occasions, including two consecutive assists against Barnet and Grimsby Town between 6 March 2010 and 9 March 2010.

Crewe confirmed that an offer for the pair, believed to be £1m rising to £1.3m with add-ons and a percentage sell on clause, had been accepted on 18 May 2010.

Bailey formally completed his move to Derby County on 19 May 2010 for an undisclosed fee and took the number 16 shirt, signing a three-year contract.

On this signing, Derby manager Nigel Clough said, "James is a determined midfielder who has been impressive every time we have watched him and we're delighted he has… joined us."

He was placed straight into the first team during the club's 2010–11 pre-season fixtures, as a holding midfielder alongside Robbie Savage in a 4–2–3–1 formation, scoring in a 3–3 draw at AFC Bournemouth.

His competitive debut for the Rams came in a 2–1 victory at Leeds United in the opening game of the 2010–11 season.

His first goal came in a 2–2 draw with Queens Park Rangers in a performance which earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Week for 31 August 2010.

Bailey was ever-present in the first 18 games of Derby's 2010–11 campaign, playing every minute of every match and kept two consecutive clean sheets on two separate occasions.

However, he only missed his first game in November after being ruled out with the flu.

After missing out one match, Bailey returned to the starting line–up against Burnley on 27 November 2010 and played 90 minutes, as the club lost 2–1.

He continued to start for Derby County since returning to the first team in nine out of the ten matches for the side.

He continued to remain involved in the first team for the remainder of the 2010–11 season and went on to make thirty–eight appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

Bailey picked up the Sammy Crooks Young Player of the Year award in his first season with the club.

Bailey said after picking this award, "It's a great feeling to get the young player of the year award and it's good that the manager has thought highly of me. Hopefully I can press on now and get player of the year, voted by everybody, next season."

Although the season was a disappointing one for Crewe, who were relegated to League Two, it was a personal success for Bailey, as he kept his place in the side with a number of mature performances in central midfield alongside Michael O'Connor and earned a new and improved contract until 2011, as he recorded 31 league and cup appearances throughout the campaign, with only injury preventing him appearing in more after he was ruled out for much of the season from January onwards.

However, during a match against Portsmouth on 5 February 2011, Bailey suffered a groin injury, resulting in him being substituted in the 58th minute and was sidelined for a month.

It wasn't until on 19 March 2011 when he returned to the first team, coming on as a late substitute, in a 2–2 draw against Crystal Palace.

Bailey started the 2011–12 season in Derby's first XI, helping them to four wins from their first five games and into second in the table.

However, he sustained an ankle injury in training in September 2011 ruled him out for three months.

It wasn't until on 26 November 2011 when Bailey returned to the starting line–up against West Ham United and played the whole game, as the club lost 3–1.

He then started in the midfield position for the next two months before struggling to break into the first team, after losing his place to Jeff Hendrick.

In the January transfer window Bailey was linked with moves away from Pride Park with Premier League clubs reportedly interested in the player, but he ended up staying at the club.

At the end of the 2011–12 season, Bailey made twenty–four appearances in all competitions.

In May 2012, Derby said they were open to offers for the player and on 22 May 2012, Bailey was transfer listed by the club with a year left on his contract.

Clough said the reason why Bailey was transfer list was down to the form of Hendrick and Craig Bryson in central midfield.

In July 2012, Clough said that they had received "one or two" enquiries for Bailey but no firm offers.