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Luke Wilkinson

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Luke Wilkinson
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 34)[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*
Years Team Apps (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 12 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 02:31, 27 October 2024 (UTC)

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

Youth career

[edit]

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

[edit]

Portsmouth

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

Woking

[edit]

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

[edit]
As of match played 26 October 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Eastleigh (loan) 2009–10[51] Conference South 6 1 — — — 6 1
Dagenham & Redbridge 2010–11[52] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012–13[53] League Two 43 6 1 0 0 0 2[a] 0 46 6
2013–14[54] League Two 22 0 1 0 0 0 2[a] 0 25 0
Total 65 6 2 0 0 0 4 0 71 6
Boreham Wood (loan) 2010–11[12] Conference South 26 1 — — 2[b] 0 28 1
2011–12[14] Conference South 23 3 1 0 — 1[b] 0 25 3
Total 49 4 1 0 — 3 0 53 4
Dartford (loan) 2011–12[55] Conference South 14 4 — — 4[c] 0 18 4
Luton Town 2014–15[56] League Two 42 4 4 0 1 0 1[a] 0 48 4
2015–16[38] League Two 20 3 2 0 2 0 0 0 24 3
Total 62 7 6 0 3 0 1 0 72 7
Stevenage 2015–16[38] League Two 19 2 — — — 19 2
2016–17[57] League Two 40 4 1 0 2 0 2[d] 0 45 4
2017–18[58] League Two 27 1 2 0 1 0 3[d] 0 33 1
2018–19[59] League Two 18 1 1 0 0 0 3[d] 0 22 1
Total 104 8 4 0 3 0 8 0 119 8
Yeovil Town 2019–20[60] National League 26 3 2 1 — 3[e] 0 31 4
2020–21[60] National League 18 2 2 1 — 0 0 20 3
2021–22[60] National League 33 1 3 0 — 2[f] 0 38 1
Total 77 6 7 2 — 5 0 89 8
Woking 2022–23[60] National League 26 3 1 0 — 0 0 27 3
2023–24[60] National League 23 0 0 0 — 1[b] 0 24 0
Total 49 3 1 0 — 1 0 51 3
Salisbury 2024–25[60] National League South 12 0 2 0 — 0 0 14 0
Career total 438 39 23 2 6 0 25 0 494 41
  1. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  3. ^ One appearance in Kent Senior Cup, three in Conference South play-offs
  4. ^ a b c 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

[edit]

Dartford

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "Eight youngsters handed deals". Vital Bristol City. 7 June 2007. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d "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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b c d e f "L. Wilkinson: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
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