Yahoo Sports Bobby Zamora – A Promotion Sparker
Robert Lester Zamora might not have been the biggest, fastest, or even the best forward of his generation, but his legacy looms large as a player who led three different clubs to four separate league promotions and had a knack for scoring clutch winners.
Early Life & Soccer Setbacks
Born in Barking, England in 1981, Bobby grew up a supporter of nearby club West Ham United. As a youth player, he logged time at Senrab F.C. alongside future professionals John Terry, Ledley King and Paul Konchesky. He moved to West Ham’s renowned Academy of Football but was released at 14. He then joined Norwich City’s academy, only to face rejection once again when he turned 16.
Breakthrough at Brighton (That’s Zamora)
At 18 years-old, Zamora joined Bristol Rovers. He played four matches for them before being loaned out to Bath City and then Brighton & Hove Albion during the same year. After scoring six goals in six matches for Brighton, he made his transfer permanent for the 2000-01 season. Within the next three seasons, Zamora seared his name into the list of legends for the Seagulls. Appreciative fans even created his own chant, called “That’s Zamora.” His 77 goals fueled Brighton’s promotions from the Fourth Division into what is now the Championship, elevating the club’s profile across the country at the same time.
Spurs, Hammers & Cottagers… Oh My!
Over the next nine seasons, Zamora would log time with three different London-based clubs.
The first was Tottenham Hotspur. Manager Glenn Hoddle lured him up to the top flight, but he never fully meshed at White Hart Lane and departed after a single year after recording one goal and 18 appearances.
His next port-of-call was second division West Ham, who swapped him for Jermain Defoe. This time, Zamora had an immediate impact, scoring in his debut appearance away and at home. He also delivered four goals in their Championship playoff run to earn the club promotion to the Premier League. Appearances in the FA Cup final and a long-term contract followed before a bout of tendinitis curtailed his playing time. Over his five seasons as a Hammer he earned 40 goals and 4 assists in 152 games.
Moving to Fulham in 2008, the next four years saw him juggle bouts of injury with periods of brilliance. He also evolved his game, becoming more of an all-round contributor rather than a straight-up finisher. He finished his spell at Craven Cottage with 37 goals and 25 assists in 136 appearances.
Denouement & Brighton Redux
In 2011 Zamora transferred to Fulham’s rivals Queens Park Rangers. While not at his peak ability, and suffering prolonged absences due to injury, he could still make a difference. In his four year stint, he recorded 14 goals and 12 assists in 92 appearances. None were more important than his lone goal against Derby County in the 2013-14 Championship playoff at Wembley that brought QPR back into the Premier League one year after their relegation.
In 2015 Zamora once again returned to Brighton. Twelve years and 166 days later, he scored a goal in blue & white pinstripes and got to hear the crowd chant his tribute song “That’s Zamora” once again. He retired after one season in 2016, but reputedly still contributes to the Seagulls’ success as a part-time striker coach on Fabian Hürzeler’s staff. While most folks sing “Happy Birthday”, I think a rendition of that Brighton “That’s Zamora” is more appropriate.
Many happy returns to Bobby Zamora!
