James Wilson (footballer, born 1989) explained

James Wilson
Fullname:James Steven Wilson[1]
Birth Date:26 February 1989[2]
Birth Place:Newport, Wales[3]
Height:[4]
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Bristol Rovers
Clubnumber:5
Youthyears1:–2008
Youthclubs1:Bristol City
Years1:2008–2014
Clubs1:Bristol City
Caps1:31
Goals1:0
Years2:2008–2009
Clubs2:Brentford (loan)
Caps2:14
Goals2:0
Years3:2009–2010
Clubs3:Brentford (loan)
Caps3:13
Goals3:0
Years4:2013–2014
Clubs4:Cheltenham Town (loan)
Caps4:4
Goals4:0
Years5:2014–2016
Clubs5:Oldham Athletic
Caps5:100
Goals5:2
Years6:2016–2018
Clubs6:Sheffield United
Caps6:7
Goals6:1
Years7:2017–2018
Clubs7:Walsall (loan)
Caps7:19
Goals7:1
Years8:2018–2019
Clubs8:Lincoln City
Caps8:19
Goals8:2
Years9:2019–2021
Clubs9:Ipswich Town
Caps9:40
Goals9:2
Years10:2021–2023
Clubs10:Plymouth Argyle
Caps10:80
Goals10:1
Years11:2023–
Clubs11:Bristol Rovers
Caps11:26
Goals11:0
Nationalyears1:2006–2008
Nationalteam1:Wales U19
Nationalcaps1:9
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2009
Nationalteam2:Wales U21
Nationalcaps2:3
Nationalgoals2:1
Nationalyears3:2013
Nationalteam3:Wales
Nationalcaps3:1
Nationalgoals3:0
Club-Update:13:19, 28 April 2024 (UTC)

James Steven Wilson (born 26 February 1989) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Bristol Rovers. He has also represented Wales at international level. Primarily a centre-back, he can also play at right-back.

Club career

Bristol City

Wilson began his career at Bristol City, graduating from the club's academy before going on to make his debut for the first-team in 2008. He scored on his debut for the club on 26 August 2008, in a 2–1 League Cup loss to Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road. He was loaned out to Brentford for the first three months of the 2008–09 season, where he put in a number of impressive performances in a central defensive partnership with Reading loanee Alan Bennett. He made 16 appearances for the club during his loan spell. Despite returning to Ashton Gate by November, Wilson was able to claim a Football League Two winners medal.[3]

He rejoined Brentford in an initial one-month loan deal on 20 August 2009, the loan deal later extended to 1 January 2010.[5] Wilson was dismissed for a professional foul on Gareth Ainsworth during an away match against Wycombe Wanderers on 24 November and gives away a penalty, although Wojciech Szczęsny saved the spot-kick, Brentford still lost 1–0 at the end.[6] He made 14 appearances during his second loan spell at Griffin Park.

He saw his first team involvement at Bristol City increase during the 2011–12 season, making 23 appearances in all competitions.

On 13 September 2013, Wilson joined Cheltenham Town on an initial one-month loan,[7] making his debut for the club on 14 September 2013 in a 2–2 draw with Oxford United. He made 4 appearances before returning from his loan spell at the club.

Oldham Athletic

On 31 January 2014, Wilson signed for Oldham Athletic until the end of the 2013–14 season with a view to extending deal.[8] He scored his first goal for the club on 29 April 2014, in a 1–1 draw with Sheffield United. He made 16 appearances during his first season at Oldham.

The one-year option that the club had on Wilson's contract was exercised, extending his contract till the end of the 2014–15 season.[9] He became a first-team regular during the 2014–15 season, making 46 appearances in all competitions, scoring once.

He continued to be a regular in the first-team at Boundary Park during the 2015–16 season. He made 47 appearances in all competitions over the course of the season.

Sheffield United

On 5 July 2016, Wilson signed for Sheffield United on a two-year contract, after rejecting a new deal with Oldham. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 win over Oxford United at Bramall Lane on 27 August 2016. He made 10 appearances during the 2016–17 season, as Sheffield United won the League One title and promotion to the Championship.

On 17 July 2017, Wilson joined League One club Walsall on loan until the end of the season.[10] He made 20 appearances during his time at the club, scoring once.

Lincoln City

On 12 January 2018, Wilson signed for Lincoln City on a two-and-a-half-year deal, after leaving Sheffield United by mutual consent.[11] Wilson was cup-tied for Lincoln's win in the 2018 EFL Trophy Final.[12] He made 10 appearances during his first season at Sincil Bank.

After suffering a broken ankle during a match against Cambridge United, Wilson found his first team opportunities limited during the 2018–19 season. He made 16 appearances as Lincoln won the League Two title.[13] His contract was terminated by mutual consent at the end of the season.[14]

Ipswich Town

On 2 August 2019, Wilson signed a short-term contract with Ipswich Town until 1 January 2020.[15] The next day, he made his debut for the club in a 1–0 away win against Burton Albion.[16] After making 8 appearances for the club and impressing, Wilson signed a 18-month extension in October 2019, keeping him at the club until 2021.[17] He made 31 appearances during his first season at Ipswich.

Wilson featured regularly during the early part of the 2020–21 season, before picking up a knee injury in October. He returned to the first-team squad on 20 February, starting in a 0–0 draw with Oxford United.[18] Wilson scored his first goal for Ipswich in a 2–1 away win over Accrington Stanley on 2 March 2021, and his second against his former club Lincoln the following week.[19] Wilson's impressive performances when he was fit to play during the season earned him Ipswich's Player of the Year award for the 2020–21 season.[20] Despite this, on 10 May 2021, Ipswich announced that Wilson would be released following the end of his contract after being informed by new manager Paul Cook that he was not in his plans for the following season.[21]

Plymouth Argyle

On 20 May 2021, Wilson was announced to be joining Plymouth Argyle on a free transfer following his release from Ipswich.[22]

He made 41 appearances across the course of the 2022–23 season as Argyle were promoted to the Championship as Champions.[23] Following the conclusion of the season, he was offered a new contract by the club.[24] On 13 June 2023, it was revealed that he would be departing the club with the deadline for a decision on the offer having expired.[25]

Bristol Rovers

On 23 June 2023, Wilson returned to League One with Bristol Rovers, signing a two-year deal.[26] Following the completion of his signing, a late unsuccessful attempt from Wycombe Wanderers to secure his signature was revealed.[27] His early time at the club was marred by injury, making just five appearances in all competitions before a knee injury picked up during training in late September ruled him out for an estimated period of six weeks.[28] Having returned to first-team action, he established himself as a starter for the club,[29] scoring his first goal in December 2023 in an FA Cup Second round victory over Crewe Alexandra.[30] Following a calf injury picked up in a 2–1 victory over Charlton Athletic in December 2023, manager Matt Taylor revealed that he would be unavailable for months as opposed to weeks.[31]

International career

Wilson is a former Wales under-21 international, and captained Wales at under-19 level.

He received his first call-up to the senior Wales squad in October 2012.[32] He made his senior international debut for his country on 15 October 2013, in 1–1 draw against Belgium.[33]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalAppsGoalAppsGoalAppsGoalAppsGoal
Bristol City2008–09Championship20001131
2009–10Championship00000000
2010–11Championship20000020
2011–12Championship2101010230
2012–13Championship60100070
Bristol City totals310202100351
Brentford (loan)2008–09League Two140001010160
Brentford (loan)2009–10League One130100000140
Cheltenham Town (loan)2013–14League Two4000000040
Oldham Athletic2013–14League One161000000161
2014–15League One411101030461
2015–16League One430201010470
Oldham Athletic totals10023020401092
Sheffield United2016–17League One71001020101
2017–18Championship00000000
Sheffield United totals71001020101
Walsall (loan)2017–18League One191000010201
Lincoln City2017–18League Two81000020101
2018–19League Two111102020161
Lincoln City totals192102040262
Ipswich Town2019–20League One230301040310
2020–21League One172001000182
Ipswich Town totals402302040492
Plymouth Argyle2021–22League One420401020490
2022–23League One411101030461
Plymouth Arglye totals831502050951
Bristol Rovers2023–24League One260210030311
Careers total356917112124040911

International

Honours

Brentford

2008–09[34]

Sheffield United

2016–17[35]

Lincoln City

2017–18[37]

Plymouth Argyle

Individual

2020–21[20]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Notification of shirt numbers: Ipswich Town . English Football League . 36 . 21 September 2020.
  2. Book: Barry J. . Hugman . The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10 . 2009 . Mainstream Publishing . 978-1-84596-474-0.
  3. Web site: History Boys: James Wilson . www.brentfordfc.com . en-gb . 2 June 2019.
  4. Web site: Ipswich Town Official Website - Profile - James Wilson . 25 October 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201001221710/https://www.itfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/james-wilson/ . 1 October 2020 . dead.
  5. News: Wilson extends loan deal at Bees. BBC Sport. 2 September 2009. 21 December 2009.
  6. News: Wycombe 1–0 Brentford. BBC Sport. 24 November 2009. 21 December 2009.
  7. Web site: Wilson In, Inniss Out. James. Brown. www.ctfc.com.
  8. Web site: Central Defender Joins Latics . Bristol City FC . 31 January 2014.
  9. News: Oldham Athletic retained list. Oldham Athletic A.F.C.. 7 May 2014.
  10. Web site: James Wilson: Walsall sign Sheffield United defender on season-long loan . BBC Sport . 17 July 2017 . 18 July 2017 .
  11. Web site: Lincoln City sign defender James Wilson on two-and-a-half-year deal . 12 January 2018 .
  12. News: In-form Lincoln City pose big threat to Shrewsbury Town in Checkatrade Trophy final. shropshirestar.com. 8 April 2018 . 17 May 2019.
  13. News: James Wilson Training with Ipswich Town . East Anglian Daily Times . 17 July 2019 . 3 August 2019.
  14. Web site: Whiley . Mark . Cowley on Wilson's departure and what it means for the squad . LincolnshireLive . 8 July 2021 . en . 29 June 2019.
  15. News: Town Sign James Wilson . Ipswich Town . 2 August 2019 . 2 August 2019.
  16. News: Burton Albion 0–1 Ipswich Town . BBC Sport . 3 August 2019 . 14 August 2019.
  17. Web site: WILSON SIGNS NEW DEAL WITH BLUES . www.itfc.co.uk . 8 July 2021 . en-gb.
  18. News: Wilson Nearing Return . . 12 February 2021 . 5 March 2021.
  19. News: Accrington Stanley 1–2 Ipswich Town . BBC Sport . 2 March 2021 . 2 March 2021.
  20. News: Wilson wins player-of-the-year award . Andy . Warren . Ipswich Star . 7 May 2021 . 7 May 2021.
  21. Web site: Freddie Included in Further Exits . . 10 May 2021 . 10 May 2021.
  22. Web site: James Wilson Signs. www.pafc.co.uk. 20 May 2021.
  23. Web site: Port Vale 1-3 Plymouth: Argyle comeback victory secures League One title. Sky Sports. 7 May 2023. 13 June 2023.
  24. Web site: Retained List. www.pafc.co.uk. 10 May 2023. 13 June 2023.
  25. Web site: Wilson to Depart. www.pafc.co.uk. 13 June 2023. 13 June 2023.
  26. Web site: James Wilson Joins Rovers. www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 23 June 2023. 25 June 2023.
  27. Web site: Bristol Rovers secure signing of James Wilson after late attempt from rivals to hijack move. Bristol Post. Piercy. James. 23 June 2023. 26 June 2023.
  28. Web site: Bristol Rovers injuries in full with the Gas unable to name full bench against Port Vale. Bristol Post. Hargraves. Daniel. 4 October 2023. 4 October 2023.
  29. Web site: Bristol Rovers' unsung hero starts to show why Gas invested as partnership continues to build. Bristol Post. Hargraves. Daniel. 11 December 2023. 13 December 2023.
  30. Web site: Crewe Alexandra 2–4 Bristol Rovers: League One side into FA Cup round three. BBC Sport. 12 December 2023. 13 December 2023.
  31. Web site: 'Most disappointed I've been' - Matt Taylor offers scathing verdict after 'soft' Wycombe defeat. Bristol Post. Hargraves. Daniel. 1 January 2024. 2 January 2024.
  32. Web site: World Cup qualifying: Wales 2–1 Scotland. 12 October 2012. BBC Sport.
  33. Web site: Belgium 1–1 Wales. 15 October 2013. BBC Sport.
  34. Book: Glenda . Rollin . Jack . Rollin . Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2009–2010 . 2009 . Headline Publishing Group . London . 978-0-7553-1948-0 . 45, 104–105.
  35. Web site: Sheffield United 3-2 Chesterfield . BBC Sport . 21 July 2019.
  36. Web site: League Two: 2018/19: Current table . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 5 May 2019.
    Web site: Lincoln: Squad details: 2018/19 . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 5 May 2019.
  37. News: Lincoln City 1–0 Shrewsbury Town . Ged . Scott . BBC Sport . 8 April 2018 . 17 May 2018.
  38. News: 7 May 2023 . Plymouth beat Port Vale to win League One title . BBC Sport . 4 August 2023.
  39. Web site: Pilnick . Brent . 2 April 2023 . Bolton crush Plymouth to win Papa Johns Trophy . 4 August 2023 . BBC Sport.