James Trafford
Personal information
Full name James Harrington Trafford[1]
Date of birth (2002-10-10) 10 October 2002[2]
Place of birth Cockermouth, England
Height 6 ft 6 in (1.97 m)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Burnley
Number 1
Youth career
Cockermouth
Carlisle United
2015–2021 Manchester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2023 Manchester City 0 (0)
2021–2022 → Accrington Stanley (loan) 11 (0)
2022 → Bolton Wanderers (loan) 22 (0)
2022–2023 → Bolton Wanderers (loan) 45 (0)
2023– Burnley 21 (0)
International career‡
2018–2019 England U17 7 (0)
2019 England U18 2 (0)
2019 England U19 1 (0)
2021–2022 England U20 5 (0)
2022– England U21 16 (0)
Medal record
Representing  England
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Winner2023 Georgia–Romania
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:47, 12 January 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11:30, 21 November 2023 (UTC)

James Harrington Trafford (born 10 October 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Burnley.[3]

Early life

Trafford grew up in Greysouthen in a farming family.[4] He was a Chelsea fan.[4] He attended Cockermouth School and St Bede's College.[4] He learned to drive on a tractor[5] and in his early career he would return to help out on the family farm in the off-season.[6]

Club career

Manchester City

Trafford began his career with Cockermouth and Carlisle United, signing with Manchester City in August 2015 at the age of 12.[4] At Carlisle he began as a midfielder but volunteered to become a goalkeeper at age nine.[6]

He moved on loan to Accrington Stanley in July 2021.[7] This loan was later described as "challenging" due to injuries and losing his first-team place.[6]

Trafford signed on loan for Bolton Wanderers on 13 January 2022, until the end of the 2021–22 season.[8] He kept four clean sheets in his first four games, the first time a goalkeeper had done so in Bolton's entire history.[9][10][5]

On 15 June 2022, Trafford rejoined Bolton on loan for a further season.[11][12] In July 2022, he signed a new five year contract with Manchester City.[13] By October he was noted for his clean sheets,[14] and Trafford broke Bolton's record for consecutive home clean sheets on 4 February, with the 1–0 win over Cheltenham Town being his eighth in a row.[15][16][17] He was able to extend the record to nine,[18][5] though was unable to have it reach double figures as on 25 February he conceded against Port Vale in a 2–1 win, the first time since 2 December.[19] On 2 April, he started in the 2023 EFL Trophy final and kept a clean sheet in 4–0 win against Plymouth Argyle.[20] Trafford's clean sheet in a 1–0 win against Shrewbury Town on 22 April was his 25th of the season, which broke the record for the most clean sheets by a Bolton goalkeeper in one season.[21][22] He finished the season with a total of 26 clean sheets.[5] He helped Bolton qualify for the play-offs, though they were defeated by Barnsley in the semi-finals.[23] He was voted as Bolton's Young Player of the Year for the 2022–23 season, together with Conor Bradley.[24][25] His performances during the season saw him named in the PFA Team of the Year for League One.[26] He said his time at Bolton turned him from a "long, skinny boy" into a "long, skinny man".[27]

Burnley

On 3 July 2023, it was announced that a £15 million transfer fee had been agreed between Manchester City and Burnley for Trafford.[28] With add-ons, the deal could reach a total of £19 million — which if met would break Burnley's transfer record.[5] On 20 July 2023, Trafford's move to Burnley was officially completed.[29][30] Due to their sell-on clause, Carlisle United got 15% of the fee for around £2.25m.[31] He became the third most expensive British goalkeeper in history.[32]

He made his Burnley and Premier League debut on 11 August 2023, in a 3–0 home defeat to his former club Manchester City.[33] He earned high praise after Man of the Match performance in a 1–1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on 9 December in which he made 10 saves.[34][35]

International career

Trafford played his first international match of his career for England U17 on 24 March 2018 against Croatia U17 in which he saved a penalty and kept a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw despite England being down to ten men.[36] He made a further six appearances for the U17 including one appearance at the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, then played twice for England U18, and once for England U19.[37]

On 6 September 2021, Trafford made his debut for the England U20s during a 6–1 victory over Romania U20s at St. George's Park.[38]

On 25 May 2022, Trafford received his first call up to the England U21 squad ahead of the final round of 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches.[39] Trafford made his debut in the 5–0 win away to Kosovo.[40]

On 14 June 2023, Trafford was included in the England squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[41] He did not concede a goal during the tournament in six matches,[5] the first time a goalkeeper had done this in the tournament's history,[42] and saved a stoppage-time penalty and its rebound in the final against Spain as England won the game 1–0.[43] His mentality was praised by England under-21 manager Lee Carsley.[44] It was later reported that Trafford had told friends that he would save a penalty that game.[32]

Style of play

He spent his early career as an outfield player.[4] At Carlisle he began as a midfielder but volunteered to become a goalkeeper at age 9.[6] He has been praised for his reflexes and distribution.[45] He is noted for his ability to get clean sheets, breaking multiple records with Bolton Wanderers[14][5][15][21] and winning the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship without conceding a goal.[5][43][42]

Career statistics

As of match played 12 January 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester City U23 2020–21[46] ———2[lower-alpha 1]020
Manchester City 2021–22[47] Premier League 0000000000
2022–23[48] Premier League 0000000000
Total 0000000000
Accrington Stanley (loan) 2021–22[47] League One 110000000110
Bolton Wanderers (loan) 2021–22[47] League One 220———220
Bolton Wanderers (loan) 2022–23[48] League One 45010006[lower-alpha 2]0520
Burnley 2023–24[49] Premier League 210000000210
Career total 9901000801080
  1. ↑ Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  2. ↑ Four appearances in the EFL Trophy, two appearances in the play-offs

Honours

Bolton Wanderers

England U21

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "EFL – Squad List 2021/22" (PDF). English English Football League. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 "James Trafford". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
  3. ↑ James Trafford at Soccerway
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "James, 12, signs for mega-rich Man City". Times and Star. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "From farm to final - England's future number one?" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Fisher, Ben (4 July 2023). "James Trafford is the rising star with designs on being England's No 1" – via The Guardian.
  7. ↑ "Accrington sign Mumbongo and Trafford". BBC Sport.
  8. ↑ "James Trafford: Bolton Wanderers sign Manchester City goalkeeper". BBC Sport.
  9. ↑ "'I'm just a farm boy at heart' – Wanderers keeper Trafford on his rural roots". The Bolton News.
  10. ↑ "'REPORT: Wanderers 2 Cambridge Utd 0". Bolton Wanderers Official Website.
  11. ↑ "Trafford Back For More". Bolton Wanderers Official Website.
  12. ↑ "Trafford rejoins Bolton on loan from Man City". BBC Sport.
  13. ↑ McDougall, John (16 July 2022). "Man City goalkeeper on League One return over Championship loan". Manchester Evening News.
  14. 1 2 McDougall, John (12 October 2022). "Bolton goalkeeper Trafford's impressive clean sheet haul & League One standings". Manchester Evening News.
  15. 1 2 "Trafford: Record Is A Group Effort". www.bwfc.co.uk.
  16. ↑ "Cumbrian goalkeeper helps club break record". News and Star.
  17. ↑ Brown, Dan (4 February 2023). "Man City goalkeeping pecking order might be set to change". Manchester Evening News.
  18. ↑ "Bolton Wanderers 5-0 Milton Keynes Dons". BBC Sport.
  19. ↑ "Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Port Vale". BBC Sport.
  20. 1 2 Pilnick, Brent (2 April 2023). "Bolton Wanderers 4–0 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  21. 1 2 Marc, Iles (23 April 2023). "Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Shrewsbury Town - Marc Iles's big match verdict". The Bolton News.
  22. ↑ Marc, Iles (30 April 2023). "Liverpool teen Conor Bradley wins hat-trick of Bolton Wanderers awards". The Bolton News.
  23. ↑ "Barnsley edge past Bolton to reach play-off final" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  24. 1 2 "Bradley Is Season Star". Bolton Wanderers. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  25. ↑ Iles, Marc (30 April 2023). "'We're not finished yet!' Prize guy Conor wants more glory in the play-offs". The Bolton News. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  26. 1 2 "Erling Haaland: Manchester City forward wins PFA men's Player of the Year award". BBC Sport. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  27. ↑ "James Trafford's thank-you message to Wanderers after play-off heroics". The Bolton News. 15 May 2023.
  28. ↑ "Burnley agree £15m deal for Man City's Trafford" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  29. ↑ "CLARETS CAPTURE TRAFFORD". Burnley Football Club. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  30. ↑ "Burnley sign Man City's Trafford in £19m deal" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  31. ↑ "Report makes claim about Carlisle United cash from keeper transfer". News and Star. 17 July 2023.
  32. 1 2 "James Trafford: Man City youth product and U21 penalty hero is a future England No 1 who can shine at Burnley". Sky Sports.
  33. ↑ "Cumbrian keeper makes Premier League debut against Haaland and City". News and Star. 12 August 2023.
  34. ↑ Brighton 1-1 Burnley: James Trafford's late heroics earn relegation-threatened visitors crucial point
  35. ↑ Vincent Kompany's immediate reaction to Burnley's draw at Brighton & James Trafford's solo display
  36. ↑ Association, The Football. "Drama in Denmark as ten-men England held to a draw by Croatia in Euro qualifying". www.thefa.com.
  37. ↑ "James Trafford » Internationals". worldfootball.net.
  38. ↑ "Six at SGP for MU20s". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  39. ↑ "Lee Carsley has made his pick for Young Lions' four games in June as they target MU21 EURO qualification". EnglandFootball.com. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  40. ↑ "Match report: Kosovo 0–5 England MU21s". EnglandFootball.com. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  41. ↑ "England MU21s squad named for EURO Finals". EnglandFootball.com. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  42. 1 2 Howell, Alex (8 July 2023). "England U21 1–0 Spain U21: England win Under-21 Euros for first time in 39 years". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  43. 1 2 Athletic, The (8 July 2023). "England vs Spain live updates". The Athletic. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  44. ↑ "Trafford has 'top mentality' to succeed - Carsley" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  45. ↑ Froston, Nancy. "Rapid reflexes and pin-point distribution can take Bolton's City loanee Trafford to the top". The Athletic.
  46. ↑ "Games played by James Trafford in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  47. 1 2 3 "Games played by James Trafford in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  48. 1 2 "Games played by James Trafford in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  49. ↑ "Games played by James Trafford in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  50. ↑ Howell, Alex (8 July 2023). "England beat Spain to win Euro U21 Championship". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  51. ↑ "2023 Under-21 EURO Team of the Tournament". UEFA.com. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
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