Quick Facts
Biography
Gary Dean Sawyer (born 5 July 1985) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for League Two club Plymouth Argyle. He previously played for Leyton Orient as well as Plymouth Argyle, Weymouth, Exeter City, Bristol City and Bristol Rovers.
Career
Sawyer was born in Bideford, Devon, and developed his football career in the youth system at Plymouth Argyle. In the 2003–04 season, Sawyer had a loan spell with Weymouth, during which he made only one appearance. He joined Conference club Exeter City on loan for the 2004–05 season, appearing regularly in the first team and playing in the club's FA Cup ties against Manchester United, and remained at the club for the following season.
Sawyer made his debut in the Football League on 8 August 2006, as a second-half substitute as Plymouth won 1–0 against Colchester United in the Football League Championship. He signed a two-and-a-half-year deal in November 2006, and made his first start for Argyle later that month at home to Luton Town. His performances during the season earned him Argyle's Young Player of the Season award for 2006–07 and a new three-year deal, contracting him to the club until 2010.
Sawyer went on to be a regular starter for the Pilgrims throughout the 2007–08 season, and scored his first goal for the club, against Colchester United on 4 March 2008.
In March 2010, Sawyer joined fellow Championship club Bristol City on loan for the remainder of the 2009–10 season. Out of contract at the end of the season, Sawyer had turned down the offer of a contract extension from Plymouth, and said he hoped to earn himself a permanent deal with Bristol City.
On 30 June 2010, Sawyer joined League One Club Bristol Rovers on a two-year deal. He got his first sending off for the Pirates on 11 September 2010, against Brentford, with two bookable offences.
On 12 May 2012, Sawyer signed for Leyton Orient, again on a two-year deal. On 14 August 2012, He played first game for Leyton Orient, in 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic at The Valley.
Sawyer returned to his first club, Plymouth Argyle on the 25th of June, 2015, after being released by Leyton Orient following their relegation from League 1.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
| Weymouth | ||||||||||
| 2003–04 | 1 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | - | |
| Exeter City | ||||||||||
| 2004–05 | 32 | 2 | - | 4 | 0 | - | 36 | 2 | - | |
| 2005–06 | 30 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | - | 31 | 0 | - | |
| Plymouth Argyle | ||||||||||
| 2006–07 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | - | 26 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2007–08 | 31 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | - | 35 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2008–09 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | 13 | 3 | 2 | |
| 2009–10 | 29 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | - | 32 | 1 | 3 | |
| Career | 158 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 174 | 7 | 7 | |
Statistics accurate as of 13 March 2010.