Michael Oakes

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Michael Christian Oakes (born 30 October 1973 in Northwich, England) is a former professional football goalkeeper and current coach. He played from 1991 to 2008, most notably for Aston Villa in the Premier League and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the top divisions, with later spells at Cardiff City and several loans early in his career. He earned seven England under-21 caps.

Oakes came through Aston Villa’s youth system and broke into the first team in the mid-1990s. He spent time on loan at Bromsgrove Rovers, Gloucester City, Scarborough and Tranmere Rovers before making his Villa debut in August 1996, aged 22. He remained with Villa until 1999, making around 60 appearances for the club. A controversial red card on Boxing Day 1998 led to discussions about video replays, a debate that followed him for years.

In October 1999, Oakes joined Wolverhampton Wanderers for £500,000 and soon became their first-choice goalkeeper. He stayed with Wolves through promotion battles and their early years in the Premier League, until injuries affected his form. He helped Wolves reach the 2003 playoff final, earning a medal after their win over Sheffield United. After alternating as the first choice and being sidelined by injuries, he left Wolves in May 2007, having made about 220 appearances.

Oakes signed for Cardiff City on a one-year deal in July 2007. He started the season as the first-choice keeper but spent time on the bench when Kasper Schmeichel arrived on loan. He made a limited number of appearances and retired at the end of the 2007–08 season, his final act being a substitute appearance in Cardiff’s FA Cup final defeat to Portsmouth.

Internationally, Oakes won seven England under-21 caps between 1994 and 1995. After retiring from playing, he worked as a goalkeeping coach for Wrexham from 2008 to 2015 and again from 2019, with a spell at Walsall in between. He is the son of former Manchester City player Alan Oakes.