Dom Bernard

Dominic Archie Bernard (born 29 March 1997) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League Two club Forest Green Rovers.

Bernard began his football career with Birmingham City. He made his senior debut while on loan to Aldershot Town of the National League in 2018–19, and was released at the end of that season without having played senior football for Birmingham. He signed for Forest Green Rovers in July 2019.

Although born in Gloucester, England, Bernard has represented the Republic of Ireland internationally at under-17 and under-18 levels.

Club Career

Early life and club career

Bernard was born in Gloucester. and attended Upton St Leonards primary school. He represented Gloucestershire Schools at football at primary school level, as well as playing for local team Tredworth Tigers, before joining Birmingham's Academy at the age of 12. He took up a scholarship with the club in July 2013. By 2014–15 pre-season, he was captain of the under-18 team.

Birmingham City

Bernard played in the Birmingham team, a mixture of first-team and reserve players, that won the 2014–15 Birmingham Senior Cup, and signed his first professional contract, of two years, a few days later. According to coach Steve Spooner, "Dom is your thinking man's footballer. He is very calm and composed on the ball and seldom goes to ground. He sees things quickly and his reading of the game is excellent." He was a member of the Birmingham reserve team that lost the 2016 Birmingham Senior Cup final to National League North champions Solihull Moors. He was one of three youngsters – the others were Josh Dacres-Cogley and Wes Harding – who began their pre-season training with the first team, but suffered an Achilles injury that kept him out for most of the 2016–17 season.

The club took up the one-year option on Bernard's contract for the 2017–18 season, and offered him a further year for 2018–19. Initially a member of the U23 squad for pre-season