Cameron Belford
Full nameCameron Dale Belford[1]
Birth date16 October 1988 (age 38)
Birth placeNuneaton, England
PositionGoalkeeper
CurrentclubColeshill Town
Youthyears 1–2006
Youthclubs 1Coventry City
Years 12006–2007
Clubs 1Coventry City
Caps 10
Goals 10
Years 22006
Clubs 2→ Tamworth (loan)
Caps 21
Goals 20
Years 32007–2013
Clubs 3Bury
Caps 378
Goals 30
Years 42007–2008
Clubs 4→ Worcester City (loan)
Caps 422
Goals 40
Years 52012
Clubs 5→ Southend United (loan)
Caps 513
Goals 50
Years 62012
Clubs 6→ Southend United (loan)
Caps 64
Goals 60
Years 72012–2013
Clubs 7→ Accrington Stanley (loan)
Caps 75
Goals 70
Years 82013–2014
Clubs 8Tamworth
Caps 846
Goals 80
Years 92014
Clubs 9Mansfield Town
Caps 90
Goals 90
Years 102014–2015
Clubs 10Rushall Olympic
Caps 1025
Goals 100
Years 112015
Clubs 11Swindon Town
Caps 111
Goals 110
Years 122015–2016
Clubs 12Wrexham
Caps 1219
Goals 120
Years 132016
Clubs 13→ Stranraer (loan)
Caps 1316
Goals 130
Years 142016–2018
Clubs 14Stranraer
Caps 1458
Goals 140
Years 152018
Clubs 15Forest Green Rovers
Caps 150
Goals 150
Years 162018
Clubs 16Chorley
Caps 162
Goals 160
Years 172018–2020
Clubs 17Nuneaton Borough
Caps 1734
Goals 170
Years 182019–2020
Clubs 18→ FC United of Manchester (loan)
Caps 1820
Goals 180
Years 192020–2022

Cameron Dale Belford (born 16 October 1988) is an English semi-professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Coleshill Town.

Playing career

Early career

Born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, Belford started his career at Coventry City and had a brief loan spell at Conference National side Tamworth during the 2006–07 season playing one game against Morecambe, where Tamworth lost 1–0, his father Dale was on the substitutes' bench as back up goalkeeper.[2] Belford returned to Coventry soon after the match and was assigned squad number 43, but was released by City in May 2007, without having made a first team appearance.[3]

Bury

In August 2007, Belford joined League Two side Bury on a one-year contract after a short trial at Kettering Town.[4] With a lack of first team opportunities at Gigg Lane, Belford joined Conference North team Worcester City on loan for a month on 30 November, becoming one of Richard Dryden's first signings.[5] He made his City debut on 2 December against Barrow at St George's Lane; the game was drawn 1–1.[6] After impressing in the following games his loan spell with Worcester was extended until the end of the season.[7] His impressive form continued for City and he won the club's player of the month award for March.[8] In April 2008, Bury manager Alan Knill offered Belford a contract for the 2008–09 season.[8] and he was recalled from his loan spell at the same time.[8][9] He appeared in 22 league and 2 cup games for Worcester City.[10]

On 3 May 2008, Belford made his debut as a 75th-minute substitute against Accrington Stanley at the Crown Ground replacing Jim Provett with Bury winning the game 2–0.[11] In October 2009 Belford impressed many against Rotherham United when he came on after 27 minutes into the first half when first team goalkeeper Wayne Brown came off injured. He made a number of fine saves and denied Ian Sharps from scoring a late equalizer. He kept the score down to 2–1 to Bury.

In the 2010–11 season he had established a number one goalkeeper spot after some fine performances in the latter part of the season before.

Belford scored his first goal for Bury in a penalty shoot out in a EFL Trophy tie against Shrewsbury Town after calmly saving a Danny O'Donnell spot kick and slotting home the next kick himself. The shootout finished 6–5 to Bury. On 23 October 2010 during a League Two game against Southend United Belford suffered a serious facial injury in a collision with an opposition forward. The injury was a fractured cheek bone so manager Alan Knill brought in Owain Fon Williams to replace Belford. On 25 April 2011, Belford played and helped Bury gain promotion to League One in a 3–2 win at Chesterfield, during which he was victim of an assault on his problem cheekbone from a Chesterfield youth during a pitch invasion after Chesterfield's equalising second goal.[12] On 3 March 2012, Belford joined League Two side Southend United on a one-month loan as cover for Glenn Morris. During that spell he helped the Shrimpers reach the League Two play-offs but was unable to help them progress beyond the semi-final stage.[13]

On 14 August 2012, Belford returned to Southend for a second loan spell.[14] He was brought in as Southend had no first choice goalkeeper prior to their League Cup fixture against Peterborough United. However, he made only 3 appearances after Southend signed Paul Smith to be their first choice goalkeeper. Once his loan spell finished, he returned to Bury, but ironically the next week Smith was injured in a match against Gillingham.[15] Belford declined the opportunity to return to Southend for a third loan spell.[16]

In late-December, Belford joined Accrington Stanley on a seven-day emergency loan deal, following Ian Dunbavin's injury and a cover for Paul Rachubka.[17]

On 27 March 2015 Belford announced on social media website Twitter that he had joined Swindon Town for the remainder of the 2014–15 season.[18] He only made 1 appearance for Swindon, being substituted on 3 May 2015 after his brother, Tyrell Belford, was sent off.[19]

Wrexham

On 27 May 2015, Belford signed a one-year deal with Wrexham.[20] After making 19 appearances for Wrexham, Belford lost his place to on loan goalkeeper Rhys Taylor, after the Dragons were knocked out of the FA Cup by National League North side Gainsborough Trinity[21] In January 2016, Belford moved on loan to Scottish League One side Stranraer in order to gain regular football.[21] His first appearance for the Blues came in a 2–0 league victory against Cowdenbeath.[22]

Stranraer

After being released by Wrexham, Belford returned to Stair Park to sign a permanent contract with Stranraer in June 2016.[23]

Forest Green Rovers

Belford returned to England in January 2018, signing for EFL League Two club Forest Green Rovers on short-term deal until the end of the 2017–18 season.[24][25]

He was released by Forest Green at the end of the 2017–18 season.[26]

Chorley

He then joined Chorley. He played in the opening two league matches of the season but left the club in search of first team football after losing his place.[27]

Nuneaton Borough

He later signed for Nuneaton Borough.[28]

On 21 September 2019, he joined FC United of Manchester on loan for one month.[29] The loan was extended until the end of November[30] and again until the end of January 2020.[31]

Radcliffe

On 16 June 2020, Belford joined Northern Premier League Premier Division side Radcliffe, linking up once again with manager Lee Fowler, who he had worked with at Nuneaton.[32] He made his league debut for the club on 19 September in a 4–2 defeat against Buxton. In October, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, semi-professional leagues across the United Kingdom were curtailed. Prior to the season being curtailed, Belford made 11 appearances in all competitions for Radcliffe.

Stafford Rangers

In June 2022, Belford joined Stafford Rangers.[33]

Coleshill Town

In May 2025, Belford joined Northern Premier League Division One Midlands side Coleshill Town.[34]

Club statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Coventry City2006–07[35]Championship0000000000
Tamworth (loan)2006–07[35]Conference National1000—0010
Bury2007–08[36]League Two1000000010
2008–09[37]1000000010
2009–10[38]8000001[a]090
2010–11[39]39000101[a]0410
2011–12[40]League One23010201[a]0270
2012–13[41]7000000070
Total790103030860
Southend United (loan)2011–12[40]|League Two13000002[b]0150
Southend United (loan)2012–13[41]4000100050
Accrington Stanley (loan)2012–13[41]5000000050
Tamworth2013–14[42]Conference Premier46030—4[c]0530
Mansfield Town2014–15[43]League Two0000000000
Rushall Olympic2014–15NPL – Premier Division25000—00250
Swindon Town2015–16[44]League One1000000010
Wrexham2015–16[44]National League19000—00190
Stranraer (loan)2015–16[44]Scottish League One16000004[d]0200
Stranraer2016–17[45]36020203[e]0430
2017–18[46]22010202[e]0270
Total740304050700
Forest Green Rovers2017–18[46]League Two0000000000
Radcliffe2020-21[47]Northern Premier League
Premier Division		802[f]0001[c]0110
2021-22[48]2913[f]0004[c]0361
Total371500050471
Stafford Rangers2022–23[49]Northern Premier League Premier Division42010—4[g]0470
2023–24[50]Northern Premier League Premier Division38010—3[c]0420
2024–25[51]Northern Premier League Division One West31020—4[h]0370
Total111040001101260
Career total4151160803404731
  1. ^ Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Appearances in the League Two play-offs
  3. ^ Appearances in the FA Trophy
  4. ^ Appearances in the Scottish Championship play-offs
  5. ^ Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  6. ^ Appearances in the FA Cup Qualifying rounds
  7. ^ Two appearances in FA Trophy, two appearances in Staffordshire Senior Cup
  8. ^ Three appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance in Staffordshire Senior Cup

Personal life

He is the son of Tamworth goalkeeper Dale Belford and the brother of former Swindon Town goalkeeper Tyrell Belford.[52]

References

  1. ^ Hugman, Barry J. (ed.) (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream. p. 40. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ^ "Tamworth 0–1 Morecambe". BBC Sport. 30 December 2006. Archived 11 November 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 13 August 2007.
  3. ^ "The Championship form guide". BBC Sport. 6 August 2007. Archived 11 November 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 13 August 2007.
  4. ^ "Bury snap up Richardson & Belford". BBC Sport. 12 August 2007. Archived 10 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 13 August 2007.
  5. ^ "New City boss adds reinforcements". BBC Sport. 30 November 2007. Archived 11 November 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
  6. ^ "City 1 Barrow 1". Worcester News. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 3 May 2008. [dead link]
  7. ^ "Keeper Belford extends City stay". BBC Sport. 2 January 2008. Archived 10 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
  8. ^ "Belford returns to Bury". Worcester News. 18 April 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2008. [dead link]
  9. ^ "Danks prepared to leave Worcester". BBC Sport. 21 April 2008. Archived 10 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
  10. ^ "Worcester City Player Cameron Belford". The Worcester City FC Archive. Archived from the original on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  11. ^ "Accrington Stanley 0–2 Bury". BBC Sport. 3 May 2008. Archived 6 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
  12. ^ "Arrests after Bury goalkeeper assault". BBC News. 25 April 2011. Archived 25 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  13. ^ "Southend bring in Bury goalkeeper Cameron Belford". BBC Sport. 3 March 2012. Archived 8 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  14. ^ "Belford returns on loan". Southend United Official Website. 14 August 2012. Archived 16 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  15. ^ "Southend United sign Cameron Belford on loan from Bury for second time". Southend Standard. 14 August 2012. Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  16. ^ "Southend United's Daniel Bentley pleased with his 'perfect day'". Southend Standard. 25 September 2012. Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  17. ^ "Accrington Stanley sign Bury's Cameron Belford on loan". BBC. 29 December 2012. Archived 1 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  18. ^ "Delighted to put pen to paper @Official_STFC till the end of the season.. Looking forward to the promotion push #GreatToBeBack #STFC". Twitter. 27 March 2015. Archived 5 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  19. ^ "Swindon Town 2-2 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. 3 May 2015. Archived 29 May 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  20. ^ Wrexham AFC. "Wrexham AFC sign Lee Fowler and Cameron Belford". Archived from the original on 27 May 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2015.
  21. ^ "Keeper Heads Out on Loan". wrexhamfc.co.uk. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  22. ^ "Cowdenbeath 0–2 Stranraer". BBC Sport. 23 January 2016. Archived 14 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  23. ^ "Belford Is Back". stranrearfc.org. 3 June 2016. Archived 11 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  24. ^ "FGR sign new goalkeeper". Forest Green Rovers FC. 26 January 2018. Archived 26 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  25. ^ "Belford exit". Stranraer FC. 26 January 2018. Archived 26 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  26. ^ "Forest Green Rovers: Isaiah Osbourne offered new deal as 12 players depart". BBC Sport. 7 May 2018. Archived 11 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  27. ^ "Urwin is Magpies No.1 choice after Belford's exit". Chorley Guardian. 24 August 2018. Archived 24 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  28. ^ "Former Wrexham goalkeeper Cameron Belford lifts the lid on plight at Nuneaton Borough". The Leader. 14 October 2018. Archived 24 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  29. ^ "Former Wrexham goalkeeper Cameron Belford lifts the lid on plight at Nuneaton Borough". FC United of Manchester. 21 September 2019. Archived 10 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  30. ^ "Cameron Belford Extends Loan". Archived 10 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  31. ^ "Cameron Belford Loan Extended". Archived 30 November 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  32. ^ Lord, Adam (16 June 2020). "Ex-Bury goalkeeper signs up to be Radcliffe's new No.1". Bury Times. Archived 22 December 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  33. ^ "Belford's at the Double". www.staffordrangersfc.co.uk. 11 June 2022. Archived 14 June 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  34. ^ "PLAYER ANNOUNCEMENT First player in the door and hoping to keep our door shut is goalkeeper Cameron Belford, Harry isn't messing about and is going for experience. Belford's had time locally at Stafford Rangers, Nuneaton, Tamworth & Rushall. He also has league experience with Bury, Southend and Accrington Stranley. "Welcome to Coleshill"". No. 1924889550096306632. 20 May 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
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  47. ^ "Radcliffe – Appearances – Cameron Belford – 2020-2021". Footballwebpages.co.uk. Archived 22 December 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  48. ^ "Radcliffe – Appearances – Cameron Belford – 2021-2022". Footballwebpages.co.uk. Archived 22 December 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  49. ^ "Stafford Rangers – Appearances – Cameron Belford – 2022-2023". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  50. ^ "Stafford Rangers – Appearances – Cameron Belford – 2023-2024". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  51. ^ "Stafford Rangers – Appearances – Cameron Belford – 2024-2025". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  52. ^ "How Tamworth keeps on producing great 'keepers". This is Tamworth. 25 November 2011. Archived from the original on 23 December 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2013.