Famous Athletes Biography: Dexter Blackstock

Monday, 26 March 2012

Dexter Blackstock

Dexter Blackstock Biography

Dexter Blackstock, (born May 20, 1986 in Oxford, England), is an English footballer who currently plays for Queens Park Rangers in the Football League Championship. He is normally a centre-forward.

Initially from Oxford United F.C., he came through the Oxford youth system and was then signed by Southampton, who had to pay United compensation of £275,000 as a result. Due to an injury crisis he was brought into the Southampton first team, where he scored a hat-trick against Colchester United in the Carling Cup in 2004. He then scored in the local derby against Portsmouth in Southampton's 2-1 win, thus establishing himself in the squad.

He has been sent on loan twice; to Plymouth Argyle in February 2005 for twelve weeks, scoring 4 goals in 14 appearances, and to Derby County in October 2005, scoring 3 goals in 9 appearances. He was recalled from Derby on 22 December 2005 after the appointment of George Burley as Southampton manager.

On February 18, 2006 he played in goal for the final ten minutes of the FA Cup fifth round tie against Newcastle. An injury to Bartosz Bialkowski and with Southampton having used all three substitutes, meant that Blackstock had to take over.

Although Blackstock had featured regularly under Burley, Southampton's purchase of Bradley Wright-Phillips meant that Blackstock had more competition for a role in Southampton's first team. As a result, Blackstock moved to Queens Park Rangers on August 10, 2006 for a fee believed to be around £500,000. He has since become a fan favourite at QPR through his tireless work ethic and strong performances in attack, as well as becoming the club's top scorer in the 2006/07 season.

Dexter Blackstock