Chris Zebroski

Club career

Zebroski was a youth player for his hometown club Swindon Town, but was released after failing to earn a professional contract. After his release there he trained under the watch of former Wales international Steve Lowndes at Cirencester football academy, it was from here that he was spotted by scouts of Championship club Plymouth Argyle and signed as a youth player by the club. He later signed a professional contract, and made four first-team appearances for Argyle before his contract was terminated after he was found guilty of gross misconduct by the club This followed an incident involving the club captain Paul Wotton.

Three weeks after leaving Plymouth Argyle, he was signed for Millwall by manager Nigel Spackman. On 21 March 2007, Zebroski joined Oxford United on a month's loan. On 31 July 2007, Zebroski signed for Conference National side Torquay United on loan until May 2008, and went on to score 19 goals in league and cup competitions during the 2007–08 season.

He was transferred to Wycombe Wanderers for £20,000 in June 2008. Zebroski finished the 2008–09 season with seven goals from 33 league matches, mostly from the wing, helping the team win promotion to League One. The start of the 2009–10 season saw Zebroski score two goals in a 3–2 defeat at Charlton Athletic.On 20 November 2009, Zebroski returned to Torquay United on loan with a view to permanent transfer in January. On 26 November 2010 Zebroski was given a 12 month community order and fine for kicking and punching a soldier in a street fight in Torquay in August 2010. He scored twice in a 5–0 home win against Darlington on 12 December and the move later became permanent.

After helping the club avoid relegation from League Two during the 2009–10 campaign, Zebroski scored 16 league goals to help the club finish seventh and reach the play-offs the following season. In the semi-final first leg versus Shrewsbury at Plainmoor, Zebroski scored the first goal to set up a 2–0 victory. The second leg finished 0–0, leaving Torquay to play Stevenage in the play-off final at Old Trafford. Stevenage won the match 1–0. In July 2011 he followed former Torquay manager Paul Buckle to his new club, Bristol Rovers.

On August 2012 Zebroski joined Cheltenham Town. His contract with Cheltenham was cancelled by mutual consent on 4 January 2013 after Zebroski withdrew from the matchday squad at short notice on a number of occasions.

On Monday 25 February 2013, it was announced that Zebroski had joined Conference South side Eastleigh. He scored his first goal for the club in the 1–0 win over Eastbourne Borough on 2 March 2013.

On 5 June 2013 Zebroski signed for newly promoted league two club Newport County. Newport finished the 2013–14 season in a creditable 14th position in the league, Zebroski being top scorer with 13 goals.

Following his release from prison Zebroski rejoined Eastleigh in June 2017.

Conviction

On 11 March 2015, Zebroski was charged with assault and attempted robbery during a drunken assault in Swindon. He was already awaiting sentencing for a road rage incident in Swindon in December 2014. During the trial at Swindon Crown Court, Zebroski admitted four charges of robbery, attempted robbery and assault relating to two incidents. The court heard that on 18 December 2014 he crashed his BMW into a taxi, and then attacked another driver who filmed him. Subsequently, arrested by Wiltshire Police, interviewed under caution Zebroski told police he was an alcoholic. Released on police bail, in February 2015 whilst admittedly under the influence of alcohol, he assaulted and attempted to rob two men in Swindon, and was again arrested. At a sentencing hearing on 17 April 2015, Zebroski was jailed for four years and four months. As a result of his conviction, his contract was immediately terminated by Newport County.

Honours