Luke Wilkinson

Last updated

Luke Wilkinson
Luke Wilkinson 04-01-2014 1.jpg
Wilkinson playing for Dagenham & Redbridge in 2014
Personal information
Full name Luke Alexander Wilkinson [1]
Date of birth (1990-09-29) 29 September 1990 (age 33) [2]
Place of birth Wells, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) [3]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Salisbury
Youth career
2007–2009 Bristol City
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2009–2010 Portsmouth 0 (0)
2010 → Northampton Town (loan) 0 (0)
2010 → Eastleigh (loan) 6 (1)
2010–2014 Dagenham & Redbridge 65 (6)
2010–2011 → Boreham Wood (loan) 26 (1)
2011–2012 → Boreham Wood (loan) 23 (3)
2012 → Dartford (loan) 14 (4)
2014–2016 Luton Town 62 (7)
2016–2019 Stevenage 104 (8)
2019–2022 Yeovil Town 77 (6)
2022–2024 Woking 49 (3)
2024– Salisbury 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:07, 6 July 2024 (UTC)

Luke Alexander Wilkinson (born 29 September 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for National League South club Salisbury.

Contents

Youth career

Wilkinson was born in Wells, Somerset. [1] He started his career in the youth system of Bristol City and was offered a two-year scholarship in June 2007. [4] He was part of the side that competed in the Premier Academy League. [4]

Club career

Portsmouth

Wilkinson was released early from his contract with Bristol City at the age of 17 and was offered a trial by Premier League club Portsmouth. [5] He played in a reserve game against Fulham, in which first-team manager Paul Hart described as the most impressive debut he had seen from any young player. [5] The reserves remained unbeaten with Wilkinson in defence until the end of the season. [5] His outstanding form for the reserves earned him a professional contract in July 2009. [5]

In January 2010, he joined League Two club Northampton Town on a one-month loan, however, he failed to make an appearance for the club. [6]

In February 2010, he joined Conference South club Eastleigh on an initial one-month loan, which was later extended until the end of the season. [7]

Dagenham & Redbridge

In the summer of 2010, Wilkinson was released by Portsmouth and signed for newly promoted League One club Dagenham & Redbridge on a three-year contract. [8] In November 2010, he joined Conference South club Boreham Wood on an initial one-month loan, making his debut in a 3–2 defeat at home to Dover Athletic. [9] The loan was then extended by a further month, [10] before it was extended once more until the end of the season. [11] Wilkinson scored his first goal on the final day of 2010–11 in a 3–0 win at home to Lewes and finished the season with 28 appearances. [12] He rejoined Boreham Wood in August 2011 on a five-month loan. [13] He was a mainstay in the team, making 25 appearances, the last of which came in a 2–1 defeat at home to Woking on 28 January 2012, before returning to Dagenham at the end of January. [14] In February 2012, he joined fellow Conference South club Dartford on loan. [15] In March 2012, his loan was extended until the end of the season after scoring two headers in consecutive wins over Havant & Waterlooville and Sutton United. [16] He claimed his first piece of silverware as Dartford were promoted to the Conference Premier via their play-off win over Welling United on 13 May 2012. [17]

Wilkinson made his professional debut for Dagenham on 1 September 2012 in a 2–2 draw Kingsmeadow to AFC Wimbledon. [18] He cemented his place in the first-team by scoring four goals, which prompted Daggers manager John Still to offer him a new contract until 2015. [19] He finished 2012–13 with 46 appearances in all competitions and won the club's Player of the Year award. [20] This led to reported interest from Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Norwich City. [20] However, no move materialised and Wilkinson admitted that he needed another few years to develop as a player before making the step up. [21]

Wilkinson's start to the 2013–14 season was delayed by a groin injury picked up in pre-season, before making his return at the end of August in a 3–0 defeat to Mansfield Town. [22] He went on to make 25 appearances but a combination of further injuries, the form of Scott Doe and Brian Saah, and the late emergence of Ian Gayle resigned Wilkinson to the bench for the majority of the season. [22] In May 2014, he was placed on the transfer list at his own request and his name was circulated to other clubs highlighting his availability. [22] In June 2014, he stated he was happy to fight for his place if a move away from the club didn't materialise. [23]

Luton Town

On 7 July 2014, Wilkinson signed for League Two club Luton Town on a one-year contract, managed by his former Dagenham manager John Still, for an undisclosed fee. [24] He debuted on the opening day of 2014–15 in a 1–0 win away to Carlisle United, Luton's first Football League match in five years. [25] Wilkinson scored his first goal in a 2–0 win at home to Oxford United on 27 September 2014, [26] and this was followed up with a goal in the following match, a 2–1 win away to Stevenage. [27] He was named League Two Player of the Month for September 2014, during which Luton kept a clean sheet in each of the four matches Wilkinson played in that month. [28] Wilkinson was sent off on two occasions, the first coming in stoppage time during a 1–0 defeat away to Burton Albion on 22 November, a result that ended Luton's 11-match unbeaten run in League Two, [29] and the second coming in a 1–0 win at home to Carlisle United on 14 February 2015. [30] The latter red card coincided with a four match suspension for defensive partner Steve McNulty, who was sent off for a studs-up challenge in the previous match, a 2–2 draw at home to York City. [31] In their absence, Luton lost twice in a row, during which stand-in defenders Alex Lacey and Fraser Franks failed to impress. [32] Wilkinson finished the season with four goals from 48 appearances, triggering a one-year contract extension to keep him at Luton until the summer of 2016. [33]

Wilkinson made his first appearance of 2015–16 in the starting lineup away to Accrington Stanley on the opening day of the season, which finished as a 1–1 draw, [34] and followed up with a goal in the following league match, a 2–2 draw at home to Oxford United on 15 August 2015. [35] He went on to score two goals in September, the first coming in a 3–1 win away to Cambridge United on 5 September, [36] and the second coming in a 3–1 win away to Morecambe on 29 September. [37] Wilkinson made his final appearance for Luton in a 4–3 defeat at home to Northampton Town on 12 December. [38]

Stevenage

On 22 January 2016, Wilkinson was sold to fellow League Two club Stevenage on a contract until the end of 2015–16, with Luton replacing him with Alan Sheehan, who was signed on loan from Bradford City later that day. [39] [40] Wilkinson said he was surprised by the decision but was looking forward to helping Stevenage climb the table. [41] He debuted a day later in a 0–0 draw at home to Barnet. [42] Wilkinson scored his first two goals for Stevenage in a 3–2 defeat at home to League Two leaders Northampton Town on 19 March. [43] He finished the season with 19 appearances for Stevenage and signed a new undisclosed length contract with the club after the end of the season. [44]

Wilkinson was released by Stevenage at the end of the 2018–19 season. [45]

Yeovil Town

Following his release from Stevenage, Wilkinson signed for National League club Yeovil Town on a two-year contract. [46]

Woking

On 20 May 2022, Wilkinson agreed to join fellow National League club Woking upon the expiry of his contract with Yeovil, signing a two-year contract and linking up with his former manager Darren Sarll. [47] He went onto make his debut for the club during an opening day away defeat to York City, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 loss. [48] A month later, Wilkinson scored his first goal for the Cards, doubling the side's lead in a 3–0 home victory over Oldham Athletic. [49] Wilkinson featured 27 times in his debut campaign with the Surrey-based side, becoming an influential figure in their play-off campaign.

During his second season at Woking, Wilkinson struggled with injuries and ultimately only featured 23 times in all competitions. On 24 April 2024, he announced that he would be leaving the club at the end of his contract. [50]

Career statistics

As of match played 13 April 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeague FA Cup League Cup OtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Eastleigh (loan) 2009–10 [51] Conference South 61———61
Dagenham & Redbridge 2010–11 [52] League One 0000000000
2012–13 [53] League Two 43610002 [lower-alpha 1] 0466
2013–14 [54] League Two22010002 [lower-alpha 1] 0250
Total656200040716
Boreham Wood (loan) 2010–11 [12] Conference South261——2 [lower-alpha 2] 0281
2011–12 [14] Conference South23310—1 [lower-alpha 2] 0253
Total49410—30534
Dartford (loan) 2011–12 [55] Conference South144——4 [lower-alpha 3] 0184
Luton Town 2014–15 [56] League Two42440101 [lower-alpha 1] 0484
2015–16 [38] League Two203202000243
Total627603010727
Stevenage 2015–16 [38] League Two192———192
2016–17 [57] League Two40410202 [lower-alpha 4] 0454
2017–18 [58] League Two27120103 [lower-alpha 4] 0331
2018–19 [59] League Two18110003 [lower-alpha 4] 0221
Total10484030801198
Yeovil Town 2019–20 [60] National League 26321—3 [lower-alpha 5] 0314
2020–21 [60] National League18221—00203
2021–22 [60] National League33130—2 [lower-alpha 6] 0381
Total77672—50898
Woking 2022–23 [60] National League26310—00273
2023–24 [60] National League23000—1 [lower-alpha 2] 0240
Total49310—10513
Salisbury 2024–25 [60] National League South 0000—0000
Career total426392126025048041
  1. 1 2 3 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. 1 2 3 Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  3. ↑ One appearance in Kent Senior Cup, three in Conference South play-offs
  4. 1 2 3 Appearances in EFL Trophy
  5. ↑ Two appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance in National League play-offs
  6. ↑ One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance in Somerset Premier Cup

Honours

Dartford

Individual

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darren Currie</span> English footballer (born 1974)

Darren Paul Currie is an English former footballer who made over 600 appearances in The Football League. He is assistant head coach of Southend United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke Guttridge</span> English footballer

Luke Horace Guttridge is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He previously played for Torquay United, Cambridge United, Southend United, Leyton Orient, Colchester United, Northampton Town, Aldershot Town, Luton Town and Dagenham & Redbridge. He amassed more than 400 appearances in the Football League.

Romain Marcel Georges Vincelot is a French former footballer who played as a midfielder in France and England across a 17-year career.

Daryl McMahon is an Irish professional football manager and former player who is manager of National League South club Hornchurch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craig Mackail-Smith</span> Association football player (born 1984)

Craig Anthony Robert Mackail-Smith is a retired professional footballer who played as a striker. He played in the English Football League for Brighton & Hove Albion, Luton Town, Peterborough United, Wycombe Wanderers, Notts County and Stevenage, and at senior international level for the Scotland national team.

Paul Andrew Benson is an English former professional footballer and coach who played as a striker; he last played for Southern League Premier Division Central club Bedford Town.

Scott Robert Griffiths is an English professional footballer who plays as a full-back and is unattached.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joss Labadie</span> English footballer

Joss Christopher Labadie is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for National League club Solihull Moors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Femi Ilesanmi</span> English association football player

Oluwafemi Abayomi Alaba "Femi" Ilesanmi is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for National League club Boreham Wood.

Bruno Miguel Carvalho Andrade is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a forward for Kettering Town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olly Lee</span> English footballer (born 1991)

Oliver Robert Lee is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke Norris</span> English association football player

Luke Michael Norris is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League Two club Tranmere Rovers.

Blair Sebastian Turgott is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Halmstads. He has previously played for West Ham United and Coventry City and has had loan spells with Bradford City, Colchester United, Rotherham United and Dagenham & Redbridge. Born in England, he represents the Jamaica national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ade Azeez</span> English footballer

Adebayo Linford Kazim "Ade" Azeez is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Billericay Town. He began his career with Charlton Athletic, spending time on loan to Wycombe Wanderers, Leyton Orient, Torquay United and Dagenham & Redbridge before being released in 2014. He then played for AFC Wimbledon, making 85 appearances, before signing for Partick Thistle in 2016. He has represented the England under-19 team.

Conor Dominic Geoffrey Wilkinson is a footballer who plays as a striker for EFL League Two side Colchester United. Born in England, he has represented Ireland at youth level.

Fejiri Shaun China Okenabirhie is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger/forward for Cambridge United.

The 2015–16 season was the 130th in the history of Luton Town Football Club and the club's 90th season in the Football League. Following their eighth-place finish the previous year, Luton were contesting the season in League Two.

Kevin Adom Lokko is an English footballer who plays as a defender for National League club Maidenhead United. He began his career at Norwich City's academy, where he spent two years as an academy scholar and was part of the FA Youth Cup-winning team during the 2012–13 season. He was released in May 2014 and joined Colchester United four months later, although injury meant he did not make any first-team appearances during his one season with the Essex club. Lokko gained his first experience of regular first-team football when he signed for National League club Welling United ahead of the 2015–16 season.

Bailey James Clements is an English professional footballer who plays as a left-back for National League club Chesterfield.

Kane John Smith is an English professional footballer who plays as a right-back for EFL League One club Stevenage.

References

  1. 1 2 "Luke Wilkinson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  2. ↑ Brown, Tony; Joyce, Michael; Longbottom, David, eds. (2013). English National Football Archive Yearbook 2013. Nottingham: Tony Brown. ISBN   978-1-905891-62-7.
  3. ↑ "Luke Wilkinson". ESPN FC. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Eight youngsters handed deals". Vital Bristol City. 7 June 2007. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Wilkinson goes south". Somerset Live. Yeovil. 9 July 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  6. ↑ "Northampton sign Luke Wilkinson and Stephen O'Flynn". BBC Sport. 6 January 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  7. ↑ Gee, Wendy (26 February 2010). "Sacrificial lambs – Tessem and Day depart. Goodhind to return?". Daily Echo. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  8. ↑ "Dagenham & Redbridge sign Luke Wilkinson". BBC Sport. 6 July 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  9. ↑ "Freak leaves it bleak for Wood". Boreham Wood F.C. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  10. ↑ Liddle, Iain (16 December 2010). "Bas Savage pens new contract at Dagenham & Redbridge". Barking & Dagenham Post. Ilford. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  11. ↑ "Ola Sogbanmu has loan extended to end of season". Boreham Wood F.C. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  12. 1 2 "Detailed results – Boreham Wood Football Club season 2010/11" (PDF). Boreham Wood F.C. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  13. ↑ "Player profiles: Luke Wilkinson". Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014.
  14. 1 2 "Detailed results – Boreham Wood Football Club season 2011/12" (PDF). Boreham Wood F.C. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  15. ↑ "Darts borrow Daggers defender". Pitchero. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  16. ↑ "Dartford extend the loan of defender Luke Wilkinson". BBC Sport. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  17. 1 2 Hoad, Alex (13 May 2012). "Dartford 1 Welling United 0". Kent Online. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  18. ↑ "AFC Wimbledon 2–2 Dag & Red". BBC Sport. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  19. ↑ "Luke Wilkinson signs contract extension". Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2012.
  20. 1 2 3 "Villa, Norwich eyeing Dagenham & Redbridge defender Luke Wilkinson". Tribal Football. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  21. ↑ Munford, Colin (13 June 2013). "Wilkinson needs more experience but is aware of transfer rumours". Barking & Dagenham Post. Ilford. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  22. 1 2 3 Munford, Colin (28 May 2014). "Daggers defender transfer listed – at his own request". Barking & Dagenham Post. Ilford. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  23. ↑ Munford, Colin (6 June 2014). "Daggers defender happy to stay if move away fails". Barking & Dagenham Post. Ilford. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  24. ↑ "Luke Wilkinson: Luton Town sign defender from Dagenham". BBC Sport. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  25. ↑ Sharp, Tom (9 August 2014). "Football: Carlisle United 0 Luton Town 1 – Hatters mark Football League return with victory". Bedfordshire on Sunday. Bedford. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  26. ↑ May, Jamie (27 September 2014). "Match report: Luton Town 2 Oxford United 0 – lightning start as Hatters claim back-to-back wins". Bedfordshire on Sunday. Bedford. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  27. ↑ "Stevenage 1–2 Luton Town". BBC Sport. 4 October 2014. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  28. 1 2 "Luke Wilkinson named Sky Bet League 2 Player of the Month". The Football League. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  29. ↑ "Burton Albion 1–0 Luton Town". BBC Sport. 22 November 2014. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  30. ↑ "Luton Town 1–0 Carlisle United". BBC Sport. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  31. ↑ "Luton Town 2–2 York City". BBC Sport. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  32. ↑ Cunliffe, James (25 February 2015). "Luton Town: Luke Wilkinson poised to return to line-up after stand in defenders miss chance to impress". Bedfordshire on Sunday. Bedford. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  33. ↑ Cunliffe, James (5 May 2015). "Luton Town: Twelve out of contract Hatters set to learn their fates". Bedfordshire on Sunday. Bedford. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  34. ↑ "Accrington Stanley 1–1 Luton Town". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  35. ↑ "Luton Town 2–2 Oxford United". BBC Sport. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  36. ↑ "Cambridge United 1–3 Luton Town". BBC Sport. 5 September 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  37. ↑ "Morecambe 1–3 Luton Town". BBC Sport. 29 September 2015. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  38. 1 2 3 "Games played by Luke Wilkinson in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  39. ↑ "Luke Wilkinson: Stevenage sign Luton Town defender". BBC Sport. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  40. ↑ "Alan Sheehan heads to Luton on loan from Bradford". Sky Sports. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  41. ↑ Scott, Alan (24 January 2016). "Stevenage Luke Wilkinson interview: Luton Town exit shock amid allegations of 'Dagenham clique'". Hertfordshire Mercury. Hertford. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  42. ↑ "Stevenage 0 Barnet 0 match report: Boro's recruits from Derby County and Luton shine in bore draw". Hertfordshire Mercury. Hertford. 23 January 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  43. ↑ "Stevenage 2–3 Northampton Town". BBC Sport. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  44. ↑ "Luke Wilkinson: Defender signs new deal of undisclosed length at Stevenage". BBC Sport. 16 May 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  45. ↑ Mountney, Dan (9 May 2019). "Stevenage release eight players including experienced midfielder Michael Timlin". The Comet. Stevenage. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  46. ↑ "Luke Wilkinson: Yeovil Town sign ex-Stevenage defender on a free transfer". BBC Sport. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  47. ↑ "Luke Wilkinson agrees to sign". Woking F.C. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  48. ↑ "York City vs. Woking". Soccerway. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  49. ↑ "Woking vs. Oldham Athletic". Soccerway. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  50. ↑ "Luke Wilkinson on X". X. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  51. ↑ Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2010). Non-League Club Directory 2011. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 296–297. ISBN   978-1-869833-68-8.
  52. ↑ "Games played by Luke Wilkinson in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  53. ↑ "Games played by Luke Wilkinson in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  54. ↑ "Games played by Luke Wilkinson in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  55. ↑ "L. Wilkinson". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
    "Dartford 3–1 Charlton Athletic XI". Kent Sports News. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  56. ↑ "Games played by Luke Wilkinson in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  57. ↑ "Games played by Luke Wilkinson in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  58. ↑ "Games played by Luke Wilkinson in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  59. ↑ "Games played by Luke Wilkinson in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  60. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "L. Wilkinson: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.