Andy Wilkinson
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{for|the American singer-songwriter|Andy Wilkinson (singer-songwriter)}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Andy Wilkinson
| image = Andy Wilkinson cropped.jpg
| image_size = 200
| caption = Wilkinson playing for Stoke City in 2009
| fullname = Andrew Gordon Wilkinson
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|8|6|df=y}}
| birth_place = Yarnfield, Stone, England
| height = {{height|m=1.80}}
| position = Right back
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 1997 | youthclubs1 = Stone Dominoes
| youthyears2 = 1998–2001| youthclubs2 = Stoke City
| years1 = 2001–2016| clubs1 = Stoke City | caps1 = 160 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2003–2004| clubs2 = → Telford United (loan) | caps2 = 8 | goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2004–2005| clubs3 = → Partick Thistle (loan)| caps3 = 12 | goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2005 | clubs4 = → Shrewsbury Town (loan)| caps4 = 9 | goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2006–2007| clubs5 = → Blackpool (loan) | caps5 = 7 | goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2014–2015| clubs6 = → Millwall (loan) | caps6 = 9 | goals6 = 0
| totalcaps = 205 | totalgoals = 1
}}
Andrew Gordon Wilkinson (born 6 August 1984) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender.
Wilkinson joined Stoke City's academy from his local club Stone Dominoes and made his professional debut in October 2001. Since then Wilkinson has gradually worked his way into the first team and after four loan moves and a number of injury problems had restricted his career. He broke into the side during the 2007–08 season in which Stoke were promoted to the Premier League. He helped Stoke establish themselves in the top-flight in 2008–09 and 2009–10 and he played in the 2011 FA Cup Final which Stoke lost 1–0 to Manchester City.
He played in the UEFA Europa League in 2011–12 as Stoke again finished in mid-table. He remained in the side in 2012–13 under Tony Pulis before Mark Hughes was appointed manager in May 2013 and Wilkinson became a fringe member of the squad. After failing to regain his place in the first team in 2014–15, Wilkinson joined Millwall on loan. He retired from football in February 2016 after struggling to recover from a serious head injury.
Career
=Stoke City=
Wilkinson was born in Stone, Staffordshire, and is a graduate from Stoke City's youth academy. In 2001, he signed his first professional contract with the club. He made his Stoke City debut on 16 October 2001 in a Football League Trophy match against Blackpool, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute for Clive Clarke.{{cite news|title=Blackpool 3–2 Stoke|date=16 October 2001 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1600475.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=22 November 2012}} His influence on the first-team may have been greater had it not have been for some unfortunate injuries which ruled him out for the entire 2002–03 season. He had to wait until the 2003–04 season to start playing again, starting the League Cup first-round tie against Rochdale.{{cite news|title=Stoke 2–1 Rochdale|date=19 August 2003 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/3161473.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=22 November 2012}}
In November 2003 Wilkinson joined Conference National side Telford United on an initial one-month loan to gain first team experience.{{cite news|title=Telford seal Wilkinson deal|date=15 November 2003 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3273427.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=22 November 2012}} He was sent-off in a 0–0 draw with Shrewsbury in December 2003.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/3296701.stm|title=Shrewsbury 0–0 Telford |accessdate=30 December 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 December 2003}} Despite this Telford extended his loan to February however he was recalled by Stoke in January.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3321433.stm|title=Telford extend Wilkinson loan |accessdate=30 December 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 December 2003}} Wilkinson returned to Stoke where he made three appearances in the Football League. These included his league debut against Walsall on 31 January as an 80th-minute substitute for Lewis Neal and his first league start in a 4–1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on 4 May.{{cite news|title=Stoke 4–1 West Brom|date=4 May 2004 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/3679995.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=31 May 2013}}
For the beginning of the 2004–05 season Wilkinson was loaned to Scottish Division One side Partick Thistle,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3891153.stm |title=Partick land Wilkinson on loan|accessdate=10 July 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport | date=13 July 2004}} for whom he scored his only professional goal against Clyde.{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article402243.ece|title=Clyde 1–1 Partick|accessdate=8 July 2009 |work=Times.co.uk |publisher=Times Sport | location=London | date=12 December 2004}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Returning to Stoke in January 2005, he played one game against Millwall before being sent out on loan again, this time to Football League Two side Shrewsbury Town for the remainder of the season, where he made nine appearances.{{cite news|title=Shrews snap up Wilkinson on loan|date=9 March 2005 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4333499.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=22 November 2012}}
In the 2005–06 season Wilkinson, made six first-team appearances before suffering ankle ligament damage playing against Southampton in April 2006, which forced him out of action for several months.{{cite web|title=Wilkinson's Word |url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~822821,00.html |work=Stoke City F.C |accessdate=5 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906010119/http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10310~822821%2C00.html |archivedate=6 September 2009 }} In the summer of 2006 Wilkinson signed a new two-year contract keeping him at Stoke until 2008.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/5154770.stm |title=Wilkinson commits future to Stoke |accessdate=10 July 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport | date=6 July 2006}} After he recovered from his injury he was sent out on loan to Blackpool.{{cite web|title=Trio Loaned Out |url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~932885,00.html |work=Stoke City F.C |accessdate=5 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906010125/http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10310~932885%2C00.html |archivedate=6 September 2009 }} This deal was thought to be made permanent but he managed to get a run in the Stoke side after he returned from his loan spell. Blackpool did make a £150,000 bid which was however rejected and in the end Wilkinson decided not to move.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6958205.stm |title=Stoke reject Wilkinson approach|accessdate=10 July 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport | date=22 August 2007}} During the 2007–08 season Wilkinson broke into the first team and made 20 appearances as Stoke City were promoted to the Premier League. During the season Both Wilkinson and fellow academy product Carl Dickinson were an important part of Stoke's promotion.{{cite web |url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Stoke-City-Boss-Pulis-hails-young-stars/story-12500267-detail/story.html|title=Boss Pulis hails his young stars|accessdate=25 September 2011 |publisher=The Sentinel}}
On 26 December 2008 he was sent off for a second bookable offence in the game against Manchester United, despite this he kept his place in the side at the expense of club captain Andy Griffin and went on to occupy the right back position for the rest of the season. In February 2009 Wilkinson revealed that he would like to stay at Stoke City for the rest of his career.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7894982.stm "Wilkinson harbours one-club dream"], Retrieved on 23 June 2009 His impressive performances for Stoke led to the club offering him a new contract.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8057751.stm "Wilkinson offered new Stoke deal"], Retrieved on 8 July 2009 On 8 July 2009 Andy Wilkinson signed a new three-year contract which kept him at Stoke until 2012 which he described as another dream.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8138316.stm|title=New deals for Diao and Wilkinson |accessdate=8 July 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport | date=8 July 2009| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090709012724/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8138316.stm| archivedate= 9 July 2009| url-status=live}}
After the arrival of Robert Huth, Wilkinson lost his place in the side and became one of a number first-team players stuck on the Stoke bench.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8307090.stm|title=Wilkinson eager for Stoke berth|accessdate=30 December 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 October 2009}} He played in the 1–0 win over Portsmouth due to the suspension to Abdoulaye Faye, and he put in a man of the match performance and almost scored his first ever goal for Stoke by beating two Pompey defenders before shooting just over Jamie Ashdown's goal. Wilkinson himself described it as his best Stoke display yet.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8374970.stm "My best Stoke display – Wilkinson"], Retrieved on 24 November 2009 Wilkinson was sent-off for the second time in his Stoke career when the Potters beat Portsmouth 2–1 at Fratton Park after he committed two bookable offences on Aruna Dindane.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8522049.stm|title=Portsmouth 1 – 2 Stoke|date=20 February 2010 |accessdate=25 September 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}}
Wilkinson made his 100th senior appearance for Stoke on 26 September 2010 against Newcastle United.{{cite web|url=http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10310~52065,00.html |title=Newcastle vs Stoke City |accessdate=26 September 2010 |publisher=stokecityfc.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014040411/http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10310~52065%2C00.html |archivedate=14 October 2010 |url-status=dead }} He made his 100th league appearance for Stoke on 9 April 2011 against Tottenham Hotspur.{{cite news|title=Tottenham 3 – 2 Stoke|date=9 April 2011 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9448905.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=5 June 2013}} After the 5–0 FA Cup semi-final win over Bolton Wanderers Wilkinson signed a new contract keeping him at the Britannia Stadium until 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2343368,00.html |title=New Contract For FA Cup Hero |accessdate=2 April 2011 |publisher=stokecityfc.com |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426071109/http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10310~2343368%2C00.html |archivedate=26 April 2011 }}{{cite news|title=Defender Andy Wilkinson signs new contract with Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13156166|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=31 May 2013}} He played in the 2011 FA Cup Final against Manchester City as Stoke lost 1–0.{{cite news|title=Man City 1–0 Stoke|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13346941|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=18 March 2013}} Wilkinson scored his first goal in a Stoke shirt during a pre-season friendly against Austrian side SV Thal in July 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2392688,00.html |title=SV Thal 1 Stoke City 3 |accessdate=15 July 2011 |publisher=stokecityfc.com |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718014521/http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10310~2392688%2C00.html |archivedate=18 July 2011 }} He almost scored his first senior goal in a match against Manchester United but his powerful shot was deflected onto the post by David de Gea. After the match Wilkinson stated that it was one of the best games he has played in.{{cite news|title=Wilkinson hails Stoke display against Manchester United|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15052003.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=29 September 2011}} He celebrated ten years as a Stoke City player on 15 October 2011 with a 2–0 victory over Fulham.{{cite web|title='I Want To Be Here Forever' – Wilkinson |url=http://origin-www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2483707,00.html |work=stokecityfc.com |accessdate=16 October 2011 }}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He played a major part in Stoke's Europa League run to the knock-out stages playing in eight of the club's 12 European fixtures.
Wilkinson began the 2012–13 season a decent form but was given a retrospective three match ban after an altercation with Mario Balotelli in Stoke's 1–1 draw with Manchester City.{{cite news|title=Stoke's Andy Wilkinson banned after Mario Balotelli clash|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19639435|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=22 November 2012}} Whilst Wilkinson served his suspension new signing Geoff Cameron took his position at right back but due to Marc Wilson breaking his leg Wilkinson filled in at left back.{{cite web|title=Andy Wilkinson ready to fill left-back position for Potters|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Stoke-City-Andy-Wilkinson-ready-left-position/story-17201286-detail/story.html|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=22 November 2012}} He made his 150th league appearance for Stoke against Newcastle United on 9 March 2013.{{cite web|title=Andy Wilkinson urges fans to keep the faith |url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Stoke-City-Andy-Wilkinson-urges-fans-faith/story-18399927-detail/story.html#axzz2NskswbiQ|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=18 March 2013}} Wilkinson played in 26 matches in 2012–13 as Stoke finished in 13th position. In May 2013 Tony Pulis was replaced by Mark Hughes and Wilkinson found himself unable to get regular playing time with Hughes playing Geoff Cameron at right-back.{{cite web|title=Club ready to offer Andy Wilkinson a new deal|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Club-ready-offer-Andy-Wilkinson-new/story-20647695-detail/story.html|work=Stoke Sentinel|accessdate=18 February 2014}} Despite his lack to playing time he was offered a new contract by the club in February 2014.{{cite web|title=Andy Wilkinson says he's fit and ready to fight for a place in the first team|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Andy-Wilkinson-says-s-fit-ready-fight/story-20703878-detail/story.html|work=Stoke Sentinel|accessdate=4 March 2014}} Wilkinson signed a one-year extension to his contract on 16 May 2014.{{Cite web |title=Wilkinson Signs On |url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/wilkinson-signs-on-1555161.aspx |work=Stoke City FC |date=16 May 2014}}{{cite web|title=Andy Wilkinson signs one-year deal|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Andy-Wilkinson-signs-year-deal/story-21104650-detail/story.html?|work=Stoke Sentinel|accessdate=16 May 2014}}
On 20 October 2014 Wilkinson joined Millwall on a three-month loan.{{cite web|title=Wilkinson Joins Millwall|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/wilkinson-joins-millwall-2027913.aspx|website=Stoke City F.C|accessdate=20 October 2014}} He played nine times for the Lions before returning to Stoke in January 2015.{{cite web|title=Wilkinson returns to Stoke|url=http://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/article/wilkinson-returns-to-stoke-2213395.aspx?|website=Millwall F.C|accessdate=19 January 2015}} With Wilkinson leaving Stoke at the end of the 2014–15 season he received a special recognition award for his contribution to Stoke, in total he spent 14 seasons at the Britannia Stadium making 194 appearances.{{cite web|title=Nzonzi Steals The Show|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/nzonzi-steals-the-show-2463505.aspx|website=Stoke City|accessdate=24 May 2015}} On 29 July 2015 Stoke announced that Wilkinson had signed a short-term contract with the club in order to help him recover from a serious head injury he sustained playing against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup.{{cite web|title=Short-Term Deal For Wilkinson|url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/short-term-deal-for-wilkinson-2579781.aspx|website=Stoke City|accessdate=29 July 2015}} Wilkinson later revealed his injury had caused some damage to his brain.{{cite web|title=Andy Wilkinson determined to play on|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Andy-Wilkinson-determined-play/story-28189587-detail/story.html?|website=Stoke Sentinel|accessdate=21 November 2015}} Wilkinson announced his retirement from football in February 2016.{{cite web|title=Andy Wilkinson announces retirement from football|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Andy-Wilkinson-announces-retirement/story-28769453-detail/story.html?|website=Stoke Sentinel|accessdate=19 February 2016}}{{cite web|title=Andy Wilkinson announces retirement after concussion injury|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11701/10173608/andy-wilkinson-announces-retirement-after-concussion-injury|publisher=Sky Sports|accessdate=19 February 2016}}
Wilkinson was granted a testimonial match by the club, which was played on 16 May 2016 attracting over 16,000 Stoke supporters.{{cite web|title=Over 16,000 fans salute GOAL scoring hero Andy Wilkinson at testimonial|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-16-000-fans-salute-GOAL-scoring-hero/story-29280386-detail/story.html|website=Stoke Sentinel|accessdate=17 May 2016}}
Coaching career
Wilkinson was appointed assistant manager of Stoke City U18s for the 2018–19 season.{{cite web |title=Academy coaching details confirmed |url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/russell-takes-charge-of-u23s |website=Stoke City |accessdate=8 July 2018}}
Personal life
Born in Stone, Wilkinson grew up supporting his local side Stoke City.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9461432.stm|title=Andy Wilkinson revels in Stoke's FA Cup semi-final win|accessdate=19 April 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 April 2011}} He attended Alleyne's High School from 1997 to 2000.{{cite web|title=Stoke City star Andy Wilkinson and Nick Hancock open new open-air gym|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Gym-ll-fix-villagers-work-Wilko/story-15110247-detail/story.html|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=28 January 2013}} His mother Carolyn worked as a nurse for Douglas Macmillan and his brother Gareth is a solicitor.{{cite web|title=Last shift for sister Carolyn|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/shift-sister-Carolyn/story-15521450-detail/story.html|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=28 January 2013}} He has a daughter, Eva and a son, William.{{cite web|title=We need to unleash our 'A' game on Wigan, says Wilko|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/story-15645311-detail/story.html?|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=28 March 2012}} Wilkinson married his fiancé Emma on 25 May 2011 at local church of Whitmore parish.{{cite web |url=http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/246600/Stoke-s-local-hero-Andy-Wilkinson-driven-by-priceless-ambition|title=Stoke's local hero Andy Wilkinson driven by priceless ambition|date=14 May 2011 |accessdate=3 September 2011 |publisher=express.co.uk}}
Wilkinson and fellow footballer Chris Birchall used to own Zenn nightclub in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, which was closed in July 2008 due to debts.[http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/article-228450-details/article.html "Football stars lose as Zenn club in Hanley collapses"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908040357/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/article-228450-details/article.html |date=8 September 2009 }}, Retrieved on 23 June 2009 He was best man at Birchall's wedding in June 2012 and is also godfather to his son Ashley.{{cite web|last=Cody|first=Sharrett|title=Wilkinson looking forward to mixing it up with Birchall|url=http://www.thecrew.com/blog/post/2012/07/24/wilkinson-looking-forward-mixing-it-birchall|work=Columbus Crew|accessdate=24 July 2012}}
In 2015 Wilkinson set up his own property company which he called, no.28 properties.
Career statistics
{{notelist}}
Honours
; Stoke City
- Football League Championship runner-up: 2007–08
- FA Cup runner-up: 2010–11
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Andy Wilkinson}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
- [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15391899.stm Video interview] {{Webarchive|url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20111020205601/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15391899.stm |date=20 October 2011 }} on BBC Sport
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilkinson, Andy}}
Category:Footballers from Stone, Staffordshire
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Stoke City F.C. players
Category:Telford United F.C. players
Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. players
Category:Partick Thistle F.C. players
Category:Blackpool F.C. players
Category:Millwall F.C. players
Category:Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Scottish Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players