Dominic Blizzard

English footballer (born 1983)

He started the 2005–06 season in the first team, but contracted the Epstein–Barr virus in late September and did not play a first team game for Watford again. He returned to the bench for a single game, on 14 April 2006, wearing a goalkeeper's kit. With second choice goalkeeper Alec Chamberlain out ill, the semi fit Blizzard took the substitute goalkeeper spot, having played the position as a child. Having made just one first team appearance in 2006–07, Blizzard spent the second half of the season on loan at Stockport County and Milton Keynes Dons. He played in both of the "Dons" play off games, which saw them lose 2–1 on aggregate to Shrewsbury Town.

In May 2007, he signed a two year deal with the MK Dons. However, on 8 August it was announced that Blizzard had left the Dons by mutual consent, after new boss Paul Ince was unimpressed with his pre season performances. Two days later, Stockport confirmed Blizzard would be re joining the club as a free agent. He helped County into the play offs during his first season at Edgeley Park, but missed the final itself due to a hamstring injury.

Despite there being reported interest from Championship clubs, Blizzard joined League One club Bristol Rovers on a free transfer in July 2009, having agreed the deal over a week earlier. He signed a three year deal. Despite missing most of the pre season due to suffering from influenza, he made his debut as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat to Leyton Orient on 8 August 2009. On 15 February 2010, he made a challenge on Charlton Athletic's Grant Basey that "Addicks" boss Phil Parkinson described as "one of the worst I've seen". Though at first there were concerns that he had broken Basey's leg, the resulting injury turned out to be ankle ligament damage. This came ten days after Blizzard had told that the media that he was frustrated with being left on the bench. He was a regular starter for the rest of the season. On 27 February 2010 he scored his first and only goal for Bristol Rovers against Colchester United. During the 2010–11 season, Blizzard lost his starting place in the "Pirates" first XI, as new signing Wayne Brown came in and took his place. He gained his first start of the season in September, after Brown was ruled out with an ankle problem. Two months later manager Paul Trollope announced his intention to try to find a club for Blizzard to join on loan. In March 2011, he joined Port Vale on loan until the end of the season; this reunited him with Jim Gannon, his former boss at Stockport. His spell would last a matter of days however. Arriving on the 18th, he played in the 3–0 defeat to Accrington Stanley on the 19th, and returned to Rovers on the 21st after Gannon was sacked. He departed parent club Rovers by mutual consent in June 2011.

In July 2011, Blizzard joined Yeovil Town on a one year contract. He scored his first goal for the club in the FA Cup, hitting a drive in a 3–0 win away to Hereford United. Seven days later, on 19 November, he scored in the 2–2 draw with nearby rivals Exeter City at Huish Park. After returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury, he scored in a 3–2 defeat at Carlisle United on 25 February. His next goal was in a 3–2 win at home to Chesterfield on 28 April. On 15 May, Blizzard was reported to be one of four players set to leave the club after rejecting manager Gary Johnson's offer of a new contract. However, two days later it was announced that he had signed a new one year deal with the club. Blizzard told BBC Somerset: "I've signed and there was never a point that I wasn't going to sign. I'm happy with the whole environment. That's why I'm willing to sign again." He made 30 appearances in the 2012–13 campaign, though did not feature in the play off final victory over Brentford which took the "Glovers" into the Championship. Blizzard was released by Yeovil at the end of the season along with Richard Hinds and Gavin Williams.

On 25 June 2013, Dominic agreed to sign a two year deal with League Two club Plymouth Argyle. He scored his first goal for the club with an "impressive strike from long range" against Southend United in a 1–1 draw at Home Park on 11 January 2014. In total he made 31 appearances for the "Pilgrims" in the 2013–14 campaign as Plymouth posted a tenth place finish. He made 31 league appearances in the 2014–15 season, scoring one goal in a 1–0 win over Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on 6 September. Argyle reached the play offs, losing to Wycombe Wanderers at the semi final stage. Blizzard was released by manager John Sheridan in May 2015. Blizzard has indicated that Sheridan's decision to release him was "a bit personal" but stated that he enjoyed his time as a Plymouth Argyle player.