Theo Vassell

Theo Gary Carlstan Vassell (born 2 January 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League Two club Barrow.

Theo Vassell

Personal information
Full name	Theo Gary Carlstan Vassell[1]
Date of birth	(1997-01-02) 2 January 1997 (age 28)[2]
Place of birth	Stoke-on-Trent, England[2]
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.84 m)[3]
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Barrow
Number	42
Youth career
	Hanley Town
2006–2015	Stoke City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2015–2016	Oldham Athletic	0	(0)
2016	→ Chorley (loan)	0	(0)
2016–2017	Walsall	0	(0)
2016–2017	→ Chester (loan)	16	(1)
2017	→ Chester (loan)	15	(0)
2017–2018	Gateshead	34	(2)
2018–2019	Port Vale	15	(0)
2019–2020	Macclesfield Town	17	(2)
2020–2021	Wrexham	31	(4)
2021–2024	Salford City	100	(5)
2024–	Barrow	30	(5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:11, 22 February 2025 (UTC)

He joined Oldham Athletic after leaving the Academy at Stoke City in 2015. He had a youth loan with Chorley early the following year. He signed with Walsall in July 2016 and spent the 2016–17 season on loan at Chester. He joined Gateshead in July 2017 before returning to the English Football League with Port Vale in July 2018. He moved on to Macclesfield Town in July 2019 and dropped back into the National League to join Wrexham for the 2020–21 season. He signed with Salford City in November 2021, and Barrow in July 2024.

Career

Early career

Vassell grew up in Stoke-on-Trent and played Ladsandads football for Hanley Town before joining the Academy at Stoke City at the age of nine.^[4] Originally a forward, he later became a defender and was given a two-year scholarship contract in 2013.^[4] He had a trial at Oldham Athletic in October 2015 and was given a one-year contract with the option of a second.^[5][4] Upon joining the "Latics", manager David Dunn said that "he is really athletic, only 18 and definitely one for the future".^[4] On 26 February 2016, he joined National League North side Chorley on a one-month youth loan.^[6] He left Boundary Park after being released by new manager John Sheridan in May 2016.^[7]

On 8 July 2016, he signed a one-year contract with Walsall, with the option for a second.^[8] He had worked with youth team coach Dean Holden at previous club Oldham.^[9] Upon signing him at Walsall, manager Jon Whitney said that "he's quite old school. He just wanted to defend first and foremost, and then work on the technical side. He's one for the future".^[10] Four days later he joined National League side Chester on loan until January 2017, alongside "Saddlers" teammate Liam Roberts.^[10][11] He made his first-team debut on 6 August, during a 3–0 defeat to Gateshead at the Gateshead International Stadium.^[12] On 16 August, he scored his first goal in senior football during a 3–2 defeat at Barrow.^[13] He missed two months of action after suffering an injury at Macclesfield Town in October.^[14] He helped the "Blues" to keep 10 clean sheets during his first 16 league appearances of the 2016–17 season and manager Jon McCarthy was keen to extend the loan deal further, which he managed to do after short time back at Walsall in January.^[15][16][17] He played a total of 32 games as the "Seals" posted a 19th-place finish in the National League, but was told by Whitney that he would not be retained upon his return to the Bescot Stadium in May 2017.^[18]

He signed a one-year deal with Gateshead in July 2017 after impressing on a trial basis.^[19] On 23 September, he was sent off ten minutes into a 2–2 draw at Maidstone United following a foul on winger Zavon Hines. The "Heed" unsuccessfully appealed the decision, and manager Neil Aspin said that the decision to reject the appeal was "extremely disappointing" as "I've been in football 36 years and that is one of the worst red cards I've ever seen".^[20] Vassell went on to make 41 appearances for the "Tynesiders", scoring three goals, as the club posted a 17th-place finish under the stewardship of Steve Watson.

Port Vale

On 28 June 2018, Vassell won a move to the English Football League when he signed a one-year professional contract with EFL League Two side Port Vale, who were managed by his former Gateshead manager Neil Aspin.^[21] He made his debut in the EFL Cup on 14 August, in a 4–0 defeat to Lincoln City at Vale Park, though he entered the game as an 85th-minute substitute for Cristian Montaño with the "Valiants" already four goals down.^[22] He had to wait until the opening EFL Trophy group stage game of the campaign on 9 October for his next appearance, though he featured from the start in the 1–0 victory over EFL League One opponents Burton Albion and Aspin said after the game that his performance gave him cause to consider him for league fixtures.^[23] He enjoyed a run of games at left-wing-back in the absence of Montaño, and was praised for his performances by captain Tom Pope.^[24] However, new Vale manager John Askey confirmed that he would not be offering Vassell a new contract on 16 May.^[25]

Macclesfield Town

On 18 July 2019, Vassell joined League Two club Macclesfield Town on a one-year deal.^[26] On 1 February 2020, it was announced that he was one of three players to have left Macclesfield during the January 2020 transfer window, following a meeting with the English Football League.^[27] He followed former Macclesfield manager Sol Campbell to sign a contract with Southend United, but the deal was unable to be completed after Southend were hit with a transfer embargo.^[28]

Wrexham

On 27 August 2020, Vassell signed a one-year deal for National League club Wrexham.^[29] Manager Dean Keates said that Vassell would learn a lot playing next to club captain Shaun Pearson in defence.^[30] Vassell played 32 games in the 2020–21 campaign, scoring four goals,^[3] and was released upon the expiry of his contract.^[31]

Salford City

On 12 November 2021, Vassell signed a short-term deal with League Two side Salford City after having trained with the club for several months and recovering from tendonitis.^[32][33] He made his debut for the club on 20 November as a last minute substitute in a 2–0 win at Harrogate Town.^[34] He made 24 starts and three substitute appearances under Gary Bowyer in the 2021–22 campaign.^[35] In May 2022, Vassell signed a new two-year contract, saying he felt settled at the club.^[36] He played 56 of Salford's 57 games in the 2022–23 campaign, including two appearances in the play-off semi-final defeat to Stockport County.^[37] He scored his first goal of the 2023–24 season in a 3–1 win at Wrexham on 3 February after having recovered from an injury lay-off to form a strike partnership with Curtis Tilt.^[38] He was sent off 21 days later in a 5–1 defeat at Mansfield Town.^[39] He was again sent off on 6 April, in a 1–0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon, after telling the referee "that was an effing disgrace" according to manager Karl Robinson.^[40]

Barrow

On 14 July 2024, he signed a one-year deal with League Two club Barrow.^[41] He scored three goals in the first ten games of the 2024–25 campaign, and his strike in a 2–0 victory against Newport County put the Bluebirds to the top of the table on 21 September.^[42][43] He also made eight clearances and blocked two shots in the match, securing himself a place on the EFL Team of the Week.^[44] His good form saw him linked with Bristol Rovers, Shrewsbury Town and St Mirren in the January transfer window.^[45] On 25 January, he scored in a 3–0 win over Grimsby Town at Holker Street to secure himself a place on WhoScored's top five performers in Sky Bet League Two.^[46]

Style of play

A defender, Vassell plays primarily as a centre-back but can also play as a full-back.^[47]

Personal life

Vassell has battled with depression since childhood, which led to suicide attempts as a teenager.^[48]

Career statistics

As of match played 22 February 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Oldham Athletic	2015–16[49]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Chorley (loan)	2015–16[3]	National League North	0	0	0	0	—		0	0	0	0
Walsall	2016–17[50]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Chester (loan)	2016–17[3]	National League	31	1	1	0	—		0	0	32	1
Gateshead	2017–18[3]	National League	34	2	2	0	—		5[a]	1	41	3
Port Vale	2018–19[51]	League Two	15	0	1	0	1	0	5[b]	0	22	0
Macclesfield Town	2019–20[52]	League Two	17	2	0	0	2	0	1[b]	0	20	2
Wrexham	2020–21[3]	National League	31	4	1	0	—		0	0	32	4
Salford City	2021–22[35]	League Two	27	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	27	1
	2022–23[37]	League Two	45	3	2	0	1	0	8[c]	0	56	3
	2023–24[53]	League Two	28	1	2	0	1	0	1[b]	0	32	1
	Total		100	5	4	0	2	0	9	0	115	5
Barrow	2024–25[42]	League Two	30	5	1	0	3	0	3[b]	1	37	6
Career total			258	19	10	0	8	0	23	2	299	21

1. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy.
2. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
3. Six appearances in EFL Trophy and two appearances in EFL League Two play-offs

References

1. "EFL – Squad List 2023/24: Salford City – In Squad Players" (PDF). English Football League. p. 132. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
2. "FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2018/2019". www.footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
3. Theo Vassell at Soccerway
4. Baggaley, Michael (28 June 2018). "Who is Theo Vassell? All about Port Vale's new signing". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
5. "Theo Vassell: Oldham sign former Stoke City defender". BC Sport. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
6. "Vassell Joins Chorley On Loan". oldhamathletic.co.uk. 26 February 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
7. "Oldham Athletic Retained List". oldhamathletic.co.uk. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
8. "Theo Vassell: Walsall sign centre-back from Oldham Athletic on one-year deal". BC Sport. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
9. Briggs, Daniel (8 July 2016). "Walsall Sign Theo Vassell". saddlers.co.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
10. Coney, Steven (12 July 2016). "Walsall defender Theo Vassell joins Chester on loan until January". The Non League Football Paper – Daily football news. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
11. "Theo Vassell: Chester bring back Walsall full-back on loan". BC Sport. 18 January 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
12. "Gateshead 3-0 Chester". BBC Sport. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
13. Powell, Dave (16 August 2016). "Barrow AFC 3 Chester FC 2 - Dave Powell's match in a minute". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
14. Powell, Dave (19 January 2017). "Theo Vassell a happy man after securing Chester return". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
15. Wheelock, Paul (10 January 2017). "Theo Vassell on whether he will return to Chester FC". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
16. Powell, Dave (5 January 2017). "Walsall defender Theo Vassell could make Chester FC return". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
17. "Theo Vassell: Chester bring back Walsall full-back on loan". BBC Sport. 18 January 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
18. "Walsall: Jon Whitney releases seven players from League One club". BBC Sport. 4 May 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
19. "Theo Vassell: Gateshead sign ex-Walsall defender on a one-year deal". BC Sport. 14 July 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
20. Couch, Jon (26 September 2017). "Aspin dismayed at rejected appeal for 'worst red card decision in 36 years'". The Non League Football Paper – Daily football news. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
21. "Idris Kanu & Theo Vassell: Port Vale sign Peterborough striker and Gateshead defender". BC Sport. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
22. "Port Vale v Lincoln City". BBC Sport. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
23. Baggaley, Michael (11 October 2018). "Neil Aspin cautiously optimistic about Theo Vassell's Port Vale progress". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
24. Pope, Tom (16 November 2018). "Why Manny and Monty give Port Vale's league campaign a huge boost". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
25. Baggaley, Michael (16 May 2019). "Port Vale's retained list in full as nine players are released". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
26. "Theo Vassell: Macclesfield Town sign ex-Port Vale defender". BBC Sport. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
27. "Emmanuel Osadebe, Theo Vassell & Miles Welch-Hayes leave Macclesfield Town". BBC Sport. 1 February 2020.
28. Phillips, Chris (9 March 2020). "The final say: Southend United's win raises spirits but off field problems remain". Echo. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
29. "SIGNED | Theo Vassell signs one-year deal with Wrexham AFC". www.wrexhamafc.co.uk. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
30. Williams, Richard (2 September 2020). "Centre-back Theo Vassell believes he can only get better at Wrexham AFC". The Leader. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
31. "CLUB NEWS | Wrexham AFC announce 2021 retained list". www.wrexhamafc.co.uk. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
32. "Theo Vassell signs short-term deal". Salford City FC. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
33. "Salford bring in centre-back Vassell". BBC Sport. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
34. "Harrogate Town 0-2 Salford City". BBC Sport. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
35. "Games played by Theo Vassell in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
36. "Theo Vassell: Salford City defender signs new two-year deal with League Two club". BBC Sport. 30 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
37. "Games played by Theo Vassell in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
38. Williams, Richard (6 February 2024). "Theo Vassell glad to score first goal of the season against former club Wrexham AFC". The Leader. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
39. Lomas, John (24 February 2024). "Magnificent Mansfield Town destroy Salford City to go top of League Two". Chad. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
40. "Karl Robinson fumes as two Salford players dismissed in loss at AFC Wimbledon". beIN SPORTS. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
41. "Theo Vassell: Barrow sign ex-Salford City defender on one-year deal". BBC Sport. 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
42. "Games played by Theo Vassell in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
43. Goulding, Neil (22 September 2024). "Bluebirds go top with 2-0 victory over Newport County". The Mail. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
44. "See who made WhoScored's EFL Team of the Week". EFL. 24 September 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
45. Correspondent, Pete O'Rourke, Transfer (6 January 2025). "Exclusive: Bristol Rovers, Shrewsbury and St Mirren race to sign Theo Vassell". Football Insider. Retrieved 9 January 2025. {{cite news}}: |last1= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
46. "Five of WhoScored's top performers in Sky Bet League Two". EFL. 27 January 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
47. Powell, Dave (14 October 2016). "Vassell on his learning curve and a possible FA Cup bow". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
48. Whitwell, Laurie (10 October 2022). "Vassell: 'I used to say, "If I feel like this, why would I want to live?" Talking's lifted a weight.'". The Athletic. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
49. "Games played by Theo Vassell in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
50. "Games played by Theo Vassell in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
51. "Games played by Theo Vassell in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
52. "Games played by Theo Vassell in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
53. "Games played by Theo Vassell in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2021.