Former Bristol City attacker makes history as Championship’s all-time record appearance maker

Albert Adomah etched himself into EFL Championship history as he became the Championship’s all-time appearance maker.

After appearing in Queens Park Rangers’ 1-0 win over West Brom, he made his 456th outing in England’s second tier.

It saw him move above Luke Chambers who had previously held the record, but with the defender at Colchester United, it doesn’t look like he’ll compete for it back from Adomah.

Taking to Twitter to share his personal triumph, Adomah tweeted: “One for the history books. Most Championship football appearances, 456”, before sharing a video which has a slideshow of all the clubs he had played for.

Adomah’s 12-year association with the Championship began with Bristol City after joining from Barnet.

The Lambeth-born winger had already racked up just under 200 appearances first for Harrow Borough and then Barnet in the Football League, but joined City on a free transfer, which later became £150,000 after a tribunal.

Signed by Steve Coppell, the former Royals boss handed him his debut in his first and only game in charge before leaving which came as a shock to everybody. Despite being a Coppell signing, Adomah would still go on to become a key figure for City, quickly earning popular status amongst supporters for his style of play.

Under the stewardship of Keith Millen, his return of five goals and ten assists earned him City’s Player of the Year in his first year with the club and as a result, he was given a contract extension.

The following season Derek McInnes came in but he could only return five goals and eight assists as the club bravely staved off the threat of relegation, nine points clear of the drop zone.

Adomah would then play what was to be his third and final season at the club, remaining a regular fixture in the side. His seven goals and ten assists weren’t enough though as the club under Sean O’Driscoll were relegated to League One.

He didn’t plan to stay at the club following their relegation and after handing in a transfer request, moved to Middlesbrough, bringing to an end with the team.

Appearing on BBC’s Sound of the City back in November 2020, the mercurial winger was complimentary of his time at Ashton Gate.

“I appreciated every moment that I had there,” he said. “I know we had ups and downs but the way I played, I’m sure I entertained some of the City supporters. I’ll never forget the supporters cheering my name on, it spurred me on.

“I knew that they loved me from day one, I’ve always got a soft spot for the supporters and the club.

“Every time I come back to Ashton Gate, they always show great appreciation for what I did for the club and I accept that by applauding them back. I’ve got great memories there.”

Since leaving City, Adomah has been in and around the top teams of the division, reaching the Premier League as runners-up with Middlesbrough in 2015, before four years later winning promotion to the Premier League with Aston Villa.

Despite playing a role in both sides’ promotions to the English top flight, he made only two appearances there and instead has been a mainstay of the Championship.

He later moved on to Nottingham Forest but his stay was cut short there as he was loaned to Cardiff City after spending half a season at the City Ground. Adomah would be allowed to leave the club a year into his contract to join his boyhood team QPR.

His move to Loftus Road has had the desired impact with the Hoops currently in the top four of the division, just five points off of second-placed Bournemouth with a game in hand.