James Wilson (footballer, born 1989)

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

James Wilson
Wilson at Bristol Rovers in 2023
Personal information
Full name James Steven Wilson[1]
Date of birth (1989-02-26) 26 February 1989 (age 35)[2]
Place of birth Newport, Wales[3]
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[4]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
Bristol Rovers
Number 5
Youth career
0000–2008 Bristol City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2014 Bristol City 31 (0)
2008–2009Brentford (loan) 14 (0)
2009–2010Brentford (loan) 13 (0)
2013–2014Cheltenham Town (loan) 4 (0)
2014–2016 Oldham Athletic 100 (2)
2016–2018 Sheffield United 7 (1)
2017–2018Walsall (loan) 19 (1)
2018–2019 Lincoln City 19 (2)
2019–2021 Ipswich Town 40 (2)
2021–2023 Plymouth Argyle 80 (1)
2023– Bristol Rovers 35 (1)
International career
2006–2008 Wales U19 9 (0)
2009 Wales U21 3 (1)
2013 Wales 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:35, 2 October 2024 (UTC)

Club career

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Bristol City

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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.[5] 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.[5] 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,[3] the loan deal later extended to 1 January 2010.[6] 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.[7] He made 14 appearances during his second loan spell at Griffin Park.[8]

He saw his first team involvement at Bristol City increase during the 2011–12 season, making 23 appearances in all competitions.[9]

On 13 September 2013, Wilson joined Cheltenham Town on an initial one-month loan,[10] 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.[11]

Oldham Athletic

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On 31 January 2014, Wilson signed for Oldham Athletic until the end of the 2013–14 season with a view to extending deal.[12] 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.[11]

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.[13] He became a first-team regular during the 2014–15 season, making 46 appearances in all competitions, scoring once.[14]

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.[15]

Sheffield United

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On 5 July 2016, Wilson signed for Sheffield United on a two-year contract, after rejecting a new deal with Oldham.[3] 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.[16]

On 17 July 2017, Wilson joined League One club Walsall on loan until the end of the season.[17] He made 20 appearances during his time at the club, scoring once.[16]

Lincoln City

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On 12 January 2018, Wilson signed for Lincoln City on a two-and-a-half-year deal, after leaving Sheffield United by mutual consent.[18] Wilson was cup-tied for Lincoln's win in the 2018 EFL Trophy Final.[19] He made 10 appearances during his first season at Sincil Bank.[16]

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.[20] His contract was terminated by mutual consent at the end of the season.[21]

Ipswich Town

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On 2 August 2019, Wilson signed a short-term contract with Ipswich Town until 1 January 2020.[22] The next day, he made his debut for the club in a 1–0 away win against Burton Albion.[23] 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.[24] He made 31 appearances during his first season at Ipswich.[25]

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.[26] 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.[27] 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.[28] 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.[29]

Plymouth Argyle

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On 20 May 2021, Wilson was announced to be joining Plymouth Argyle on a free transfer following his release from Ipswich.[30]

He made 41 appearances[31] across the course of the 2022–23 season as Argyle were promoted to the Championship as Champions.[32] Following the conclusion of the season, he was offered a new contract by the club.[33] 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.[34]

Bristol Rovers

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On 23 June 2023, Wilson returned to League One with Bristol Rovers, signing a two-year deal.[35] Following the completion of his signing, a late unsuccessful attempt from Wycombe Wanderers to secure his signature was revealed.[36] 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.[37] Having returned to first-team action, he established himself as a starter for the club,[38] scoring his first goal in December 2023 in an FA Cup Second round victory over Crewe Alexandra.[39] 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.[40]

International career

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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.[41] He made his senior international debut for his country on 15 October 2013, in 1–1 draw against Belgium.[42]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 1 October 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goal Apps Goal Apps Goal Apps Goal Apps Goal
Bristol City 2008–09[5] Championship 2 0 0 0 1 1 3 1
2009–10[8] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2010–11[43] Championship 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
2011–12[9] Championship 21 0 1 0 1 0 23 0
2012–13[44] Championship 6 0 1 0 0 0 7 0
Bristol City totals 31 0 2 0 2 1 0 0 35 1
Brentford (loan) 2008–09[5] League Two 14 0 0 0 1 0 1[a] 0 16 0
Brentford (loan) 2009–10[8] League One 13 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 14 0
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2013–14[11] League Two 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Oldham Athletic 2013–14[11] League One 16 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 1
2014–15[14] League One 41 1 1 0 1 0 3[a] 0 46 1
2015–16[15] League One 43 0 2 0 1 0 1[a] 0 47 0
Oldham Athletic totals 100 2 3 0 2 0 4 0 109 2
Sheffield United 2016–17[16] League One 7 1 0 0 1 0 2[b] 0 10 1
2017–18[16] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sheffield United totals 7 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 10 1
Walsall (loan) 2017–18[16] League One 19 1 0 0 0 0 1[b] 0 20 1
Lincoln City 2017–18[16] League Two 8 1 0 0 0 0 2[c] 0 10 1
2018–19[45] League Two 11 1 1 0 2 0 2[b] 0 16 1
Lincoln City totals 19 2 1 0 2 0 4 0 26 2
Ipswich Town 2019–20[25] League One 23 0 3 0 1 0 4[b] 0 31 0
2020–21[46] League One 17 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 18 2
Ipswich Town totals 40 2 3 0 2 0 4 0 49 2
Plymouth Argyle 2021–22[47] League One 42 0 4 0 1 0 2[b] 0 49 0
2022–23[31] League One 41 1 1 0 1 0 3[b] 0 46 1
Plymouth Argyle totals 83 1 5 0 2 0 5 0 95 1
Bristol Rovers 2023–24[48] League One 26 0 2 1 0 0 3[b] 0 31 1
2024–25[49] League One 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 1
Bristol Rovers totals 35 1 2 1 0 0 3 0 40 2
Careers total 365 10 17 1 12 1 24 0 418 12
  1. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  3. ^ Appearances in EFL League Two play-offs

International

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As of match played 15 October 2013[50]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Wales 2013 1 0
Total 1 0

Honours

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Brentford

Sheffield United

Lincoln City

Plymouth Argyle

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Ipswich Town" (PDF). English Football League. p. 36. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  2. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  3. ^ a b c d "History Boys: James Wilson". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Ipswich Town Official Website - Profile - James Wilson". Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d "Games played by James Wilson in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  6. ^ "Wilson extends loan deal at Bees". BBC Sport. 2 September 2009. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
  7. ^ "Wycombe 1–0 Brentford". BBC Sport. 24 November 2009. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
  8. ^ a b c "Games played by James Wilson in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  9. ^ a b "Games played by James Wilson in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  10. ^ Brown, James. "Wilson In, Inniss Out". www.ctfc.com.
  11. ^ a b c d "Games played by James Wilson in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  12. ^ "Central Defender Joins Latics". Bristol City FC. 31 January 2014.
  13. ^ "Oldham Athletic retained list". Oldham Athletic A.F.C. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  14. ^ a b "Games played by James Wilson in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  15. ^ a b "Games played by James Wilson in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g "Games played by James Wilson in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  17. ^ "James Wilson: Walsall sign Sheffield United defender on season-long loan". BBC Sport. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  18. ^ "Lincoln City sign defender James Wilson on two-and-a-half-year deal". 12 January 2018.
  19. ^ "In-form Lincoln City pose big threat to Shrewsbury Town in Checkatrade Trophy final". shropshirestar.com. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  20. ^ "James Wilson Training with Ipswich Town". East Anglian Daily Times. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  21. ^ Whiley, Mark (29 June 2019). "Cowley on Wilson's departure and what it means for the squad". LincolnshireLive. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  22. ^ "Town Sign James Wilson". Ipswich Town. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  23. ^ "Burton Albion 0–1 Ipswich Town". BBC Sport. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  24. ^ "WILSON SIGNS NEW DEAL WITH BLUES". www.itfc.co.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  25. ^ a b "Games played by James Wilson in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  26. ^ "Wilson Nearing Return". Ipswich Town F.C. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  27. ^ "Accrington Stanley 1–2 Ipswich Town". BBC Sport. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  28. ^ a b Warren, Andy (7 May 2021). "Wilson wins player-of-the-year award". Ipswich Star. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  29. ^ "Freddie Included in Further Exits". Ipswich Town F.C. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  30. ^ "James Wilson Signs". www.pafc.co.uk. 20 May 2021.
  31. ^ a b "Games played by James Wilson in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  32. ^ "Port Vale 1-3 Plymouth: Argyle comeback victory secures League One title". Sky Sports. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  33. ^ "Retained List". www.pafc.co.uk. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  34. ^ "Wilson to Depart". www.pafc.co.uk. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  35. ^ "James Wilson Joins Rovers". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  36. ^ Piercy, James (23 June 2023). "Bristol Rovers secure signing of James Wilson after late attempt from rivals to hijack move". Bristol Post. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  37. ^ Hargraves, Daniel (4 October 2023). "Bristol Rovers injuries in full with the Gas unable to name full bench against Port Vale". Bristol Post. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  38. ^ Hargraves, Daniel (11 December 2023). "Bristol Rovers' unsung hero starts to show why Gas invested as partnership continues to build". Bristol Post. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  39. ^ "Crewe Alexandra 2–4 Bristol Rovers: League One side into FA Cup round three". BBC Sport. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  40. ^ Hargraves, Daniel (1 January 2024). "'Most disappointed I've been' - Matt Taylor offers scathing verdict after 'soft' Wycombe defeat". Bristol Post. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  41. ^ "World Cup qualifying: Wales 2–1 Scotland". BBC Sport. 12 October 2012.
  42. ^ "Belgium 1–1 Wales". BBC Sport. 15 October 2013.
  43. ^ "Games played by James Wilson in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  44. ^ "Games played by James Wilson in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  45. ^ "Games played by James Wilson in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  46. ^ "Games played by James Wilson in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  47. ^ "Games played by James Wilson in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  48. ^ "Games played by James Wilson in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  49. ^ "Games played by James Wilson in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  50. ^ James Wilson at National-Football-Teams.com
  51. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2009). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2009–2010. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 45, 104–105. ISBN 978-0-7553-1948-0.
  52. ^ "Sheffield United 3-2 Chesterfield". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  53. ^ "League Two: 2018/19: Current table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
    "Lincoln: Squad details: 2018/19". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  54. ^ Scott, Ged (8 April 2018). "Lincoln City 1–0 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  55. ^ "Plymouth beat Port Vale to win League One title". BBC Sport. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  56. ^ Pilnick, Brent (2 April 2023). "Bolton crush Plymouth to win Papa Johns Trophy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
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