Owen Dale (born 1 November 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for club Northampton Town.
He previously played for Plymouth Argyle, on loan from Oxford United. Signed from Blackpool in February 2024, he previously played over 100 games for Crewe Alexandra. He has had loan spells at Witton Albion, Altrincham, Blackpool, Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic.
Career Crewe Alexandra Dale signed professional terms with Crewe in March 2016. He made his debut on 29 August 2017, coming on as a 70th minute substitute for Charlie Kirk in an EFL Trophy group stage game against Newcastle United U21s at Gresty Road. He made his league debut in Crewe's next game, coming on as a second-half substitute for Callum Ainley at Grimsby Town on 2 September 2017.
In November 2017, Dale joined Witton Albion, initially on a month's loan, later extended to the end of the 2017–18 season, scoring five times in 25 first team appearances. In August 2018, Dale joined Altrincham on a month's loan (later extended by a further month) making his debut at Darlington on 25 August. He scored his first Altrincham goal, the opener in a 3–1 home win against Alfreton Town, on 13 October 2018. He returned to his parent club in November 2018 after impressing during his time with Altrincham.Edwards, John (28 November 2018), Owen Dale returns to Crewe , Altrincham F.C.
Dale scored his first senior goal for Crewe in a 6–1 defeat of Crawley Town at Gresty Road on 16 March 2019. After 26 appearances as a substitute, he made his first start in a Crewe shirt against Salford City at Gresty Road on 21 September 2019.
A contract extension clause was triggered by Crewe in June 2020. After scoring four goals in four games, Dale was named EFL League One Player of the Month for December 2020. In Crewe's end-of-season awards, Dale won four awards including Player of the Season.
Blackpool (loan) Dale joined Blackpool on 1 September 2021. This was initially reported as a £500,000 transfer deal,"Blackpool finally get their man as Crewe winger completes last-minute deadline day switch" – Blackpool Gazette, 1 September 2021 but was later confirmed as a loan deal, with the option to complete a transfer in January 2022. He scored on his debut for the Lancashire club, shortly after coming on as a second-half substitute in Blackpool's 3–2 victory at Reading on 20 October 2021; he also provided an assist for one of Blackpool's other goals.Reading 2–3 Blackpool – BBC Sport, 20 October 2021. Retrieved: 21 October 2021. However, he made just six further appearances, and returned, unfit to play, to Crewe on 11 January 2022.
Blackpool On 13 January 2022, Blackpool signed Dale, for an undisclosed fee, on a two-year contract. On 26 April 2022, he scored his first goal as a permanent Blackpool player, in a 2–0 victory against Barnsley at Oakwell.
Portsmouth (loan) On 7 August 2022, Dale joined Portsmouth on loan for the remainder of the 2022–23 season, making his first Pompey start in a 3–0 EFL League Cup first round win at Cardiff City on 9 August 2022, and scoring his first goal in a 3–1 victory against Bristol Rovers on 20 August 2022.
Oxford United Dale returned to Blackpool and made 32 appearances, mainly at wing-back, but started just one League One game in December 2023 and January 2024. With under six months left on his Tangerines contract, he moved to Oxford United on 1 February 2024, making his debut two days later as a 68th minute substitute in a 1–1 home draw against Reading. He scored his first goal for Oxford in the side's 4–0 victory over Fleetwood Town on 1 April 2024.
Wigan Athletic (loan) On 3 February 2025, Dale joined Wigan Athletic on loan to the end of the season, making his debut in the side's 2–1 FA Cup Fourth Round defeat against Fulham on 8 February 2025.
Plymouth Argyle (loan) On 1 September 2025, Dale joined Plymouth Argyle on loan to the end of the season, making his first appearance as a second-half substitute in the side's 4–2 defeat of Stockport County on 6 September 2025. In December 2025, Dale suffered grade three ligament damage in his ankle that was anticipated to rule him out for up to three months.
On 11 May 2026, Oxford said Dale would leave in the summer when his contract expired.
Northampton Town On 1 September 2026, Dale signed for Northampton Town.
Career statistics
ClubSeasonDivisionLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCrewe Alexandra2017–18League Two40000020602018–19League Two1610000001612019–20League Two2704120313622020–21League One431120102148122021–22League One2000100030Crewe Alexandra total921261407210915Witton Albion (loan)2017–18Northern Premier League255------255Altrincham (loan)2018–19Conference North12330----153Blackpool (loan)2021–22Championship7100000071Blackpool2021–22Championship81000000812023–24Championship232411041324Blackpool total313411041405Portsmouth (loan)2022–23League One432102040502Oxford United2023–24League One1810000001812024–25Championship110001000120Wigan Athletic (loan)2024–25League One171100000181Plymouth Argyle (loan)2025–26League One281100030321Career total286301629020533138
Honours Crewe Alexandra EFL League Two second-place promotion: 2019–20
Oxford United EFL League One play-offs: 2024
Individual Crewe Alexandra Player of the Year: 2020–21 EFL League One Player of the Month: December 2020
Personal life Dale is in a relationship with Jessica Beaumont, who he met while at Crewe Alexandra. They have a son (Xavier) and daughter (Etta).
References
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