Tate: Alan

2012-2013 (Leeds Player Details) (Player Details)

Central Defender

Born: Easington, Co. Durham: 02-09-1982

Debut: Crystal Palace (h): 24-11-2012

6’1” 13st 3lb (2012)

Tate began his career as a trainee at Manchester United before signing a professional contract on 1st August 2000. Although he went on to captain United's reserve team, which included such players as Quinton Fortune, Luke Chadwick and Chris Eagles, he failed to break into the first team. He went on a six months loan to Royal Antwerp, Manchester United's feeder club, from 1st December 2001, making seven appearances for them in the Belgian First Division. While he did not score for them in his time there, he did score an own goal against Gent on 17 February 2002, the first goal in a 3–3 draw. Tate had two loan spells at Swansea City, the first from 18th November 2002 to 4th May 2003, he started twenty-seven games for the Swans, and the second spell, from 24th October 2003 to 29th December 2003, he started nine League games and one start in the Football League Trophy. He signed for Swansea City on 6th February 2004. Originally a centre-back, Tate made the transition to right-back slot and proved his versatility by also in the centre of midfield. He was named Swansea's Player of the Year in 2005-06, the season in which the club won the Football League Trophy final against Carlisle United on 2nd April 2006. In the same season the club also narrowly failed to win the League One play-off final against Barnsley on 27th May 2006. They were beaten after a penalty shoot-out in which Tate missed the vital fifth penalty. He continued mainly playing at right-back under Kenny Jackett and the club won the League One Championship in the 2006–07 season. When Roberto Martínez took over as the new manager by the 2007–08 season, Tate lost his place at right-back to new arrival Angel Rangel but appeared in twenty-five League games. In the following season he played most defensive positions, including goalkeeper and finally left back as he managed twenty-five League appearances in the season. In 2009-10 he was back to his central defensive role, due to an injury to Garry Monk and was club captain for most of the season, making thirty-nine League appearances and was voted Swansea "Player of the Year". He was left-back from the start of the 2010-11 season but after Garry Monk was again injured early in January 2011, making forty League appearances in Brendan Rodgers' team that gained promotion to the EPL via the Football League Championship play-offs. He captained Swansea in their first ever EPL game on 15th August 2011, when they were beaten 4-0 by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. He became one of three players that had played for the club in all four Divisions of the Football League, having been in the team that survived playing in the famous victory over Hull City at the Vetch Field that secured the Swans their Football League status at the end of the 2002-03 season. On 28th August 2011, Tate broke his leg in a golf buggy accident, ruling him out for six months. He did not make his comeback until he came on as a late substitute in the penultimate game of the 2011–12 season at Old Trafford appearing against his former club, Manchester United. In September 2011 he had signed a new four year contract. He had made three starts and had one game from the bench in the EPL when he was loaned to Leeds United on 22nd November 2012 and started ten League games and one F.A. Cup tie at Elland Road before returning on 22nd January 2013. Having been initially loaned for one month, Tate made his debut for Leeds against Crystal Palace on 24th November 2012 and he was handed the squad number fifteen. He turned in good performances against Crystal Palace and Leicester City, when he helped Leeds earn two wins in his first two games. After the takeover of Leeds by GFH Capital on 21st December 2012, New Leeds director Salem Patel revealed Leeds were in negotiations with Swansea City to sign Tate on a permanent deal. On 1 January, Tate extended his loan spell at Leeds until the 26 January. To the end of the 2012-13 season Tate had scored five League goals in two hundred and thirty-four starts and twenty-three substitute appearances, has made eighteen starts and had one game from the bench in the F.A. Cup, has made twelve starts and had one game from the bench in the League Cup and started eleven Football League and three Football League Championship play-offs games, since signing permanently for Swansea. 2013-14 will be his Testimonial year with Swansea City.