Dale Jasper

Dale William Jasper (14 January 1964 – 30 January 2020) was an English professional footballer who played in the Football League in defence and in midfield for Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crewe Alexandra.^[3]

Dale Jasper

Personal information
Full name	Dale William Jasper[1]
Date of birth	(1964-01-14)14 January 1964[1]
Place of birth	Croydon,[1] England
Date of death	30 January 2020(2020-01-30) (aged 56)
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
0000–1982	Chelsea
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1982–1985	Chelsea	10	(0)
1985–1988	Brighton & Hove Albion	49	(6)
1988–1992	Crewe Alexandra	111	(2)
1992–1993	Crawley Town
	Kingstonian
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Jasper signed as a professional for Chelsea in January 1982 from Chelsea Juniors. He captained the Chelsea Reserves in The Football Combination. He found it difficult to break into the first team, partly because the two established centre backs were captain Colin Pates and Joe McLaughlin, who were ever-present. He made his first team debut at Cardiff City in March 1984. He played midfield, fullback and centre-half in his first three games for Chelsea^[4] - all regarded as dramatic games for Chelsea, for whom contemporary Pat Nevin wrote a 2020 tribute likening Jasper to David Luiz for his defensive midfield passing abilities.^[5]

While a Chelsea player, Jasper interested Stoke City having been recommended by Alan Hudson, the ex-Chelsea star. However, Jasper's father did not want his son leaving London, so no move to Stoke ensued.^[6]

Jasper was a versatile defender who moved on a free transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion in 1985.^[4] There he played under managers Alan Mullery and Barry Lloyd, and was part of the squad who won promotion from Division Three in his second season (1987-88).^[7]

Jasper joined Crewe Alexandra in 1988 and made over 100 first-team midfield appearances as "a stylish passer and creator" under manager Dario Gradi, helping the team win promotion in his first season. He moved to Crawley Town in 1992.^[8]

Honours

Brighton & Hove Albion

• Football League Third Division runners-up: 1987–88

Crewe Alexandra

• Football League Fourth Division third-place promotion winner: 1988–89

References

1. "Dale Jasper". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
2. Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 86. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
3. Dale Jasper Profile at Neil Brown.
4. Chelsea Football Club 1905-1986: The Full Statistical Story by Scott Cheshire and Ron Hockings ISBN 0-95 11640-0-7
5. "DALE JASPER 1964-2020 - PAT NEVIN PAYS TRIBUTE". ChelseaFC.com. Chelsea F.C. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
6. The Working Man's Ballet by Alan Hudson , p95. Robson Books. ISBN 1-86105-104-2
7. Owen, Brian (31 January 2020). "Dale Jasper recalled as a top guy and real talent". The Argus. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
8. "Crewe legendary Midfielder Dale Jasper Has Sadly Passed Away". CreweAlex.net. CAFC. Retrieved 31 January 2020.