Michael Black (footballer)

Arsenal

Black started his career in the academy at Arsenal, joining as a trainee in 1993 and later joined by his brother Tommy. He won the 1994 FA Youth Cup with Arsenal. He graduated to the first team during the 1997–98 season and was awarded the number 33 shirt. Now wearing the number 28 shirt for the 1998–99 season, Black made his only appearance for the first team in a UEFA Champions League group stage match against Panathinaikos on 9 December 1998, replacing Alberto Méndez after 78 minutes of the 3–1 win. Black was released by the Gunners in the summer of 1999.

Brentford (loan)

Black joined Division Two side Brentford on a one-month loan on 29 August 1997. He failed to make an appearance for the club after departed after his loan expired.

Millwall (loan)

Black signed for Division Two side Millwall on a three-month loan on 3 October 1997. He made his debut the following day, playing the full 90 minutes of a 2–1 victory over Blackpool. He scored the first senior goal of his career in the following game, netting the winner in a 2–1 victory over Oldham Athletic. He scored his second goal for the club with the opener in a 3–1 victory over Gillingham on 1 November. Black made 14 appearances and scored two goals before returning to Arsenal on 3 January 1998.

Tranmere Rovers

Black signed a permanent deal with Division One side Tranmere Rovers in July 1999. He made regular appearances during the 1999–00 season and bagged his first goal for the club in a 4–0 League Cup fourth round demolition of Barnsley on 30 November, scoring within three minutes of arriving as a late substitute for Alan Mahon. Rovers fought their way to the 2000 League Cup Final and with Black as an unused substitute, they were defeated 2–1 by Leicester City. Black made 27 appearances during the 1999–00 season and scored one goal. Black failed to make an appearance for Tranmere during the 2000–01 season and departed the club on 31 January 2001.

Southend United (loan and permanent transfer)

Black joined Division Three side Southend United on a one-month loan on 29 December 2000 and made his debut the following day, coming on as a 67th-minute substitute for David Lee in a 1–1 draw with Torquay United. After two further appearances, the loan was turned into a permanent transfer on 31 January 2001. Black scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 defeat to Kidderminster Harriers on 20 February, "bizarrely" side-footing the ball into an empty net from 30 yards after Harriers goalkeeper Tim Clarke raced out to clear the ball. Black made 16 appearances and scored one goal during the 2000–01 season. After failing to agree terms over a new contract, Black left the club in the summer of 2001.

Barking & East Ham United

Following persistent trouble with a knee ligament problem (which caused potential moves to Chesterfield and Queens Park Rangers to fall through), Black signed for Isthmian League Division One side Barking & East Ham United during the early months of the 2001–02 season. A recovery from the injury saw Black become an integral part of the team and manager Richard Thomas opening talks in March 2002 over a new contract. He also wore the captain's armband and was named the Supporters' Player of the Year. He signed new contract in April. He left the club in the summer of 2003.

Bishop's Stortford

Black signed for Isthmian League Premier Division side Bishop's Stortford in the summer of 2003. One of his first goals for the club came in pre-season, netting in a 4–4 draw with a Tottenham Hotspur XI. He made his competitive debut in a 3–0 defeat to Ford United on 16 August. Utilised as a substitute or rarely completing 90 minutes when given a start, Black made only seven appearances for the club before departing in late October 2003.

Return to Barking & East Ham United

Black re-signed for Barking & East Ham United in late October 2003. He made one appearance before leaving the club on 8 November.

Billericay Town

Black joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Billericay Town in early November 2003. He made his debut with a start in a 1–0 win over Basingstoke Town on 8 November. Black scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with Aylesbury United on 13 December. He found the net for the second time on 21 February 2004, scoring Billericay's opening goal in a 4–1 rout of Heybridge Swifts. Black made 23 appearances and scored two goals during the 2003–04 season and departed the Blues at the end of the campaign.

Cheshunt

Black signed for Isthmian League Premier Division side Cheshunt in August 2004. He made his debut for the club on 14 August, replacing Dean Harding after 75 minutes of a 3–1 victory over Harrow Borough. Black made his first start for the club in a 5–2 win over Dover Athletic on 21 August. His final appearance came in a 0–0 FA Trophy third round draw with Leyton on 15 January 2005, departing the club shortly afterwards. Black made 21 appearances during his time with the Ambers.

Boreham Wood

Black signed for Southern League Eastern Division side Boreham Wood in January 2005. He was one of a mass exodus of Cheshunt staff to sign for the Wood, which included ten players and manager Andy Leese. He made his debut in a match versus Berkhamsted on 18 January. Black scored his first goal for the club in a 5–0 rout of Sittingbourne on 26 February. He bagged his second goal of the 2004–05 season with the second in a 3–2 winner over Wivenhoe Town on 16 April. Remaining with the club for the 2005–06 season and now playing Southern League Division One East football, Black made the highest seasonal appearance and goalscoring totals of his career so far, accumulating 46 appearances and scoring six goals. In a successful season, the Wood reached the FA Trophy semi-finals and brought home the Southern League Division One East title, the first senior silverware of Black's career. He left the club in the summer of 2006.

Enfield Town

Black signed for Isthmian League Division One North outfit Enfield Town prior to the start of the 2006–07 season. He made his debut in a 2–1 defeat to AFC Hornchurch on 19 August 2006. His time with the club was fleeting and he made his ninth and final appearance in a 0–0 draw with Aveley on 23 September.

Potters Bar Town

Black joined Isthmian League Division One North side Potters Bar Town in November 2006. He made his debut in a 1–0 defeat to Ware on 7 November. In a mediocre season for the club, he made 33 appearances and scored one goal, netting in a 2–1 win over former employers Enfield Town on 3 February 2007.

Return to Billericay Town

Black moved back up to the Isthmian League Premier Division to re-sign for Billericay Town in November 2007. He made his second debut for the club in a 1–0 win over Hastings United on 22 December 2007. He made 19 appearances and scored no goals during what remained of the 2007–08 season. Black was released at the end of the campaign.

Tilbury

Black signed for Isthmian League Division One North side Tilbury in the summer of 2008. He made his debut in a 3–1 win over Witham Town on 16 August 2008. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 FA Trophy preliminary round draw with Rothwell Town on 4 October. Black hit a patch of form in December, netting three goals in four games, scoring in a 2–1 Isthmian League Cup win over Folkestone Invicta and a brace in a 4–1 league win over Ware. He won the second piece of silverware of his career when he appeared in the 2–0 2009 Isthmian League Cup Final win over Harrow Borough on 8 April. During the course of the 2008–09 season, Black made 44 appearances and five goals. Black departed the club in the summer of 2009, citing work commitments.

Hutton Old Boys

Black resurfaced at Essex Saturday Veterans League Premier Division side Hutton Old Boys in 2012, winning the title and the Essex Saturday Veterans Cup during the 2013–14 season. He made 12 appearances and scored five goals during the 2013–14 season.

As a player

Arsenal

Boreham Wood

Tilbury

Hutton Old Boys

As an individual

Barking & East Ham United Supporters' Player of the Year: 2001–02