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[2]
Place of birth Wells, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[3]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Woking
Number 6
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– Woking 40 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:35, 7 January 2024 (UTC)

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

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]

Career statistics

As of match played 6 January 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Eastleigh (loan) 2009–10[48] Conference South 61———61
Dagenham & Redbridge 2010–11[49] League One 0000000000
2012–13[50] League Two 43610002[lower-alpha 1]0466
2013–14[51] League Two 22010002[lower-alpha 1]0250
Total 656200040716
Boreham Wood (loan) 2010–11[12] Conference South 261——2[lower-alpha 2]0281
2011–12[14] Conference South 23310—1[lower-alpha 2]0253
Total 49410—30534
Dartford (loan) 2011–12[52] Conference South 144——4[lower-alpha 3]0184
Luton Town 2014–15[53] League Two 42440101[lower-alpha 1]0484
2015–16[38] League Two 203202000243
Total 627603010727
Stevenage 2015–16[38] League Two 192———192
2016–17[54] League Two 40410202[lower-alpha 4]0454
2017–18[55] League Two 27120103[lower-alpha 4]0331
2018–19[56] League Two 18110003[lower-alpha 4]0221
Total 10484030801198
Yeovil Town 2019–20[57] National League 26321—3[lower-alpha 5]0314
2020–21[57] National League 18221—00203
2021–22[57] National League 33130—2[lower-alpha 6]0381
Total 77672—50898
Woking 2022–23[57] National League 26310—00273
2023–24[57] National League 14000—1[lower-alpha 2]0150
Total 40310—10423
Career total 417392126025046941
  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

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". wokingfc.co.uk. Woking F.C. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  48. ↑ Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2010). Non-League Club Directory 2011. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 296–297. ISBN 978-1-869833-68-8.
  49. ↑ "Games played by Luke Wilkinson in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  50. ↑ "Games played by Luke Wilkinson in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  51. ↑ "Games played by Luke Wilkinson in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  52. ↑ "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.
  53. ↑ "Games played by Luke Wilkinson in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  54. ↑ "Games played by Luke Wilkinson in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  55. ↑ "Games played by Luke Wilkinson in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  56. ↑ "Games played by Luke Wilkinson in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  57. 1 2 3 4 5 "L. Wilkinson: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
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