Nathan Abbey

Nathan Abbey (born 11 July 1978) is an England professional Football (soccer) goalkeeper, who currently plays for MK Dons

Abbey was born in Islington, London and began his football career as a trainee with Luton Town F.C., turning professional in August 1995. His first team debut came on August 26, 1997 in the Football League Cup first round second leg tie at home to Colchester United F.C., a 1-1 draw taking the Hatters into the second round. Later that season he had a spell on loan to Football Conference side Woking F.C.. He had to wait until January 1999 for this next first team appearance for Luton, playing in the 3-0 defeat at home to Walsall F.C. in the Football League Trophy. His league debut came the following month, on February 6, playing in the 2-1 win away to Burnley F.C..

He began the 1999-2000 season as Luton's first choice goalkeeper, previous first choice Kelvin Davis having been sold to Wimbledon F.C. to aid Luton's financial problems, and remained a regular throughout the season. In the summer of 2000, Luton manager Ricky Hill signed Mark Ovendale and chose him to start the season in place of Abbey. However, Abbey soon regained his place in the side, though spent most of the season in and out of the side as first Lil Fuccillo and then Joe Kinnear took over as Luton manager.

With Luton relegated to the bottom flight of the English Football League, Abbey was released by Luton and joined Chesterfield F.C. in August 2001. He was an ever-present the following season and won the Chesterfield Player of the Year Award, but left after failing to agree a new contract.

He joined Northampton Town F.C. in August 2002, but struggled to establish himself and was released at the end of the season having played only eight games. He returned to Luton on trial, but in July 2003 signed for Conference side Stevenage Borough F.C.. He played six conference games before returning to Luton Town in October 2003. He was released by Luton manager Mike Newell (footballer) the following month, joining Macclesfield Town F.C. where he again failed to make the first team and was released, joining non-league Hayes F.C. in December 2003. Abbey had similar experiences on moving to Ipswich Town F.C. later the same month and Burnley F.C. in January 2004, although at least at Burnley he remained at the club until the end of the season.

In July 2004, Abbey signed for Boston United F.C., playing 61 league games over the next season and a half. He had a spell on loan with Leyton Orient F.C. in December 2005 and moved to Bristol City F.C. on a free transfer in February 2006. He made just one appearance for City, as a substitute, before being released at the end of the season.

He signed for Torquay United F.C. in July 2006 and was soon installed as first choice goalkeeper by Torquay manager Ian Atkins.

Despite being ever-present in the Torquay goal from the start of the 2006-07 season, Abbey was only offered a one-month extension to his existing six month contract and left the club at the end of his contract on December 28, 2006. His last game for Torquay came on December 26, 2006 at home to Milton Keynes Dons F.C. where Torquay manager Lubos Kubik decided to substitute him for debutant keeper Martin Horsell with seven minutes of the game remaining and Torquay 2-0 down. At the end of the game Abbey received a generous and loud send-off from the Torquay fans, ensuring that he knew that he was not the only one who disagreed with the club's contract offer.

Abbey signed for Brentford F.C. on December 29 2006 on an emergency loan as regular goalkeepers Stuart Nelson and Clark Masters were injured. He signed a permanent contract on January 26, 2007. He made sixteen appearances for The Bees before being released on May 16, 2007. He signed for Milton Keynes shortly before the start of the 2007-08 season.

His brother Zema Abbey is also a professional footballer.