Members News: Former Sky Blue Noughties Midfielder Is 38 Today. ‘Happy Birthday’, Isaac!

In December 2021 we announced the signing of our then latest recruit Isaac Osbourne and both he and the Association today have another reason to celebrate. Isaac, who played well over a century of Sky Blue first team games between 2003 -11 is celebrating his 38th Birthday today! Congrats!

Born into a footballing family in Erdington, Birmingham on 22nd June 1986 Isaac eventually learnt his footballing ropes, like many other aspiring professionals, as a part of the Sky Blues youth set-up from 1999 when he impressed on trial as a youngster. He had previous trials with brother Isaiah at Derby County and Aston Villa but it was the Sky Blues that gave him is chance. Isaiah, on the other hand, stayed with the Villa until 2011 playing thirty Premier League games with them before developing his career (approaching 300 games and eight goals) with the likes of Hibernian, Blackpool, Scunthorpe United, Forest Green Rovers, Walsall and most recently (2019) Nuneaton Borough locally.

Isaac, a defensive midfielder, progressed from the youth team to CCFC’s reserves in 2002 to be given his first team chance by Sky Blue ‘gaffer’ Gary McAllister.  The first time he was on the bench (but unused) was in the Sky Blues 1–0 home defeat  against Watford on 1st February 2003 but it was not too long before he made his Sky Blue debut from the start, in a Division One game at Highfield Road, a goalless draw against Gillingham, on 26th April 2003! He had made his first Sky Blue appearance aged just sixteen years of age and 308 days one of the club’s youngest ever debutants! He was used sparingly in the first team, being a regular in the reserves (though sometimes injury hampered his contribution) and in 2005 was awarded that seasons ‘Young Player of the Year Award‘ by the club.