Jack Bonham
{{short description|English footballer (born 1993)}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Jack Bonham
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1993|9|14}}
| birth_place = Stevenage, England{{Cite book |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 |publisher=Headline |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8 |editor-last=Rollin |editor-first=Glenda |edition=43rd |location=London |page=444 |editor-last2=Rollin |editor-first2=Jack}}
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub = Stoke City
| clubnumber = 13
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2010
| youthclubs1 = Watford
| years1 = 2010–2013
| clubs1 = Watford
| caps1 = 1
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2012
| clubs2 = → Harrow Borough (loan)
| caps2 = 9
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2013–2019
| clubs3 = Brentford
| caps3 = 2
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2013–2014
| clubs4 = → Arlesey Town (loan)
| caps4 = 15
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2017–2018
| clubs5 = → Carlisle United (loan)
| caps5 = 42
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2018–2019
| clubs6 = → Bristol Rovers (loan)
| caps6 = 40
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2019–2021
| clubs7 = Gillingham
| caps7 = 79
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2021–
| clubs8 = Stoke City
| caps8 = 53
| goals8 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2009–2010
| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U17
| nationalcaps1 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 12:46, 6 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Jack Elliott Bonham (born 14 September 1993) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for {{English football updater|StokeCty}} club Stoke City.
A product of the Watford academy, Bonham spent time on loan at Harrow Borough, before transferring to Brentford in June 2013. After failing to break into the team, he spent much of his later career with the club away on loan, before transferring to Gillingham in 2019. Following two seasons as the Gills' first-choice goalkeeper, he transferred to Stoke City in 2021. Although born in England, Bonham represented the Republic of Ireland at U17 level.
Club career
=Watford=
== 2010–2012 ==
Bonham signed a scholarship deal with Watford in June 2010, but quickly signed his first professional contract three months later, having just turned 17.{{Cite web |date=17 September 2010 |title=Bonham signs pro deal |url=http://www.watfordfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~2156668,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815024624/http://www.watfordfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~2156668,00.html |archive-date=15 August 2018 |access-date=14 August 2018 |website=watfordfc.com}} Due to first team goalkeeper Scott Loach incurring a suspension,{{Cite web |title=Youth trio loaned to Harrow Borough |url=http://www.watford.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=273217 |access-date=7 April 2014 |publisher=Watford.vitalfootball.co.uk |archive-date=27 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227091819/http://www.watford.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=273217 |url-status=dead }} Bonham won his maiden call up to the first team squad on 26 November 2011, when he was an unused substitute during a 0–0 Championship draw with Doncaster Rovers. Bonham was an unused substitute on 12 occasions during the 2012–13 season.
On 17 February 2012, Bonham joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Harrow Borough on a one-month emergency loan.{{Cite web |date=17 February 2012 |title=Official: Youth trio join Harrow Borough |url=http://www.watfordfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~2614232,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815062243/http://www.watfordfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~2614232,00.html |archive-date=15 August 2018 |access-date=14 August 2018 |website=watfordfc.com}} He made the first senior appearance of his career the following day, conceding two goals in a 2–2 draw with Bury Town.{{Cite web |title=All Competitions : Player's Appearances – Bonham Jack |url=http://football.mitoo.co.uk/PlayersHistory2.cfm?PI=1220342&LeagueCode=ISTH2011 |access-date=7 April 2014 |publisher=Football.mitoo}} On 14 March, the loan was extended by a further month. He returned to Watford in April after he broke a bone in his hand during a 4–3 defeat to Canvey Island.{{Cite web |date=4 April 2012 |title=Watford goalkeeper Jack Bonham returns from Harrow Borough loan |url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/9631108.Watford_keeper_returns_from_loan_due_to_injury/ |access-date=11 May 2013 |publisher=Watford Observer}} He made 9 appearances for the club and failed to keep a clean sheet.
== 2012–13 ==
Bonham made his only appearance for Watford on 4 May 2013, when he came on as a substitute for injured goalkeeper Jonathan Bond after 24 minutes of the final game of the season against Leeds United. He was only included in the squad due to an injury sustained in the warm up by first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and was at fault for both Leeds' goals in the 2–1 defeat,{{Cite news |last=Calvin |first=Michael |date=5 May 2013 |title=Watford 1 Leeds United 2 match report: Jack Bonham left in private hell as he lets Watford's chances slip |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/watford-1-leeds-united-2-match-report-jack-bonham-left-in-private-hell-as-he-lets-watfords-chances-slip-8604153.html |access-date=7 April 2014}} which cost Watford the chance of automatic promotion to the Premier League.{{Cite web |last=Osborne |first=Chris |date=4 May 2013 |title=Watford 1–2 Leeds |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22320478 |access-date=4 May 2013 |publisher=BBC Sport}} After the match, Watford manager Gianfranco Zola refused to blame Bonham for his actions.{{Cite news |date=4 May 2013 |title=Football – Zola 'won't blame Bonham for loss' |publisher=Yahoo! Eurosport |url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-zola-wont-blame-bonham-loss-163520576.html |url-status=dead |access-date=8 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705185840/https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-zola-wont-blame-bonham-loss-163520576.html |archive-date=5 July 2015}} Bonham was not called into the matchday squads during Watford's unsuccessful playoff campaign. On 7 June 2013, Watford announced that Bonham's contract would not be renewed and he was released by the club.{{Cite news |date=7 June 2013 |title=Official: Released Players Confirmed |publisher=Watford Website |url=http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/130607-released-players-857432.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629092911/http://www.watfordfc.com//news/article/130607-released-players-857432.aspx |archive-date=29 June 2016}}{{Cite news |date=8 June 2013 |title=Watford release seven to leave squad of 15 |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22826958 |access-date=26 April 2021}}
=Brentford=
== 2013–14 and loan to Arlesey Town ==
On 12 June 2013, Bonham signed a two-year contract with League One club Brentford on a free transfer.{{Cite news |date=12 June 2013 |title=Brentford sign Jack Bonham |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-sign-jack-bonham_59492}}{{Cite news |date=12 June 2013 |title=Brentford: Watford goalkeeper Jack Bonham signs on a free |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22873650 |access-date=26 April 2021}} He made his debut for the club in a League Cup first round tie at home to Dagenham & Redbridge on 6 August, in which Brentford ran out 3–2 extra time winners.{{Soccerbase season|63312|2013|access-date=5 October 2014}} His second appearance came in the following round away to Derby County, in which he endured a torrid evening as the home side cruised to a 3–0 lead before half time, eventually winning 5–0. Bonham made his league debut on 7 September, coming off the bench against Bradford City after starting keeper David Button was sent off. Described as a 'nightmare afternoon' in press reports,{{Cite news |title=League round-up: Jack Bonham's Bradford battering |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/league-roundup-jack-bonhams-bradford-battering-8803544.html |access-date=5 October 2014}} he conceded four goals as Brentford lost 4–0.
Bonham spent much of the remainder of the 2013–14 season away on loan at Southern League Premier Division club Arlesey Town.{{Cite web |last=Wickham |first=Chris |title=Jack Bonham makes loan move |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/jack-bonham-makes-loan-move_58149 |access-date=17 April 2017 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en}} Joining on 15 November 2013,{{Cite web |title=Jack Bonham Signs on Loan From Brentford |url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/arleseytownfc/news/jack-bonham-signs-on-loan-from-brentford-1096085.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202235920/http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/arleseytownfc/news/jack-bonham-signs-on-loan-from-brentford-1096085.html |archive-date=2 December 2013 |access-date=7 April 2014 |publisher=Arlesey Town FC}} he made his debut the following day in a 2–0 FA Trophy third qualifying round victory over Marlow. He endured another nightmare afternoon in the following round, conceding five goals in a 5–1 defeat to Whitehawk on 30 November. After four successive defeats and conceding 12 goals, Bonham helped Arlesey to three consecutive league wins in December. At the end of the month, his loan was extended until the end of the 2013–14 season.{{Cite web |date=31 December 2013 |title=Jack Bonham To Stay at Arlesey Town |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/jack-bonham-to-stay-at-arlesey-town_58530 |access-date=7 April 2014 |publisher=Brentfordfc.com}} Bonham was recalled on 8 February 2014, after making 19 appearances.{{Cite web |date=8 February 2014 |title=Jack Bonham Returns From Arlesey Town |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/jack-bonham-returns-from-arlesey-town_61493 |access-date=7 April 2014 |publisher=Brentfordfc.com}}
== 2014–15 ==
Following Brentford's promotion to the Championship,{{Fchd|id=BRENTFOR|name=Brentford F.C.}} a persistent shoulder injury suffered by Richard Lee saw Bonham serve as backup to David Button through the 2014–15 season. He signed a new {{frac|3|1|2}} year contract on 2 January 2015 and celebrated his signing the following day with his only appearance of the season with a start in an FA Cup third round match versus Brighton & Hove Albion.{{Cite web |last=Wickham |first=Chris |title=Brentford goalkeeper Jack Bonham signs new three-and-a-half year contract |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/new-contract-for-goalkeeper-jack_63685 |access-date=26 April 2015 |website=brentfordfc.com}} He conceded two late goals as Brentford were knocked out after suffering a 2–0 defeat, though winning the club's social media man of the match award proved to be a consolation.{{Cite tweet |number=553970720230080512 |user=BrentfordFC |title=After signing his new deal @JackBonham1 leads Social Media M.O.M vote from Brighton defeat}}
== 2015–2017 ==
Bonham had a nightmare start to the 2015–16 season, conceding four goals on his sole appearance against Oxford United in the League Cup first round on 11 August 2015. He again served as David Button's backup throughout the campaign.{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Tom |date=18 May 2016 |title=Jack Bonham not making life easy for Brentford's David Button |url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brentford-goalkeeper-david-button-feels-11343487 |access-date=3 December 2022 |website=MyLondon |language=en}} Despite the departure of Button on 19 July 2016,{{Cite web |title=David Button leaves Brentford for Fulham |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/david-button-departs-for-fulham_67556 |access-date=9 August 2016}} Bonham entered the 2016–17 season as second-choice behind new signing Dan Bentley.{{Cite web |title=Brentford sign Daniel Bentley on four-year deal |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/brentford-sign-dan-bentley_67342 |access-date=9 August 2016}} He made his first appearance of the season in a 1–0 EFL Cup first round defeat to Exeter City on 9 August 2016. Having failed to make an appearance in nearly five months, Bonham revealed in late December 2016 that it was "frustrating" to be denied the chance to move away on loan.{{Cite news |last=Street |first=Tim |date=28 December 2016 |title=Brentford keeper believes his career is in limbo |work=getwestlondon |url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brentford-keeper-believes-career-limbo-12379500 |access-date=28 December 2016}} He made his second and final appearance of the season with his first Brentford start in a 1–1 draw versus Barnsley on 17 April 2017 and won the club's man of the match award for his performance.{{Cite news |last=Chapman |first=Mark |title=Jack Bonham repays Dean Smith's faith with excellent performance |language=en |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/jack-bonham-repays-dean-smiths-faith-with-excellent-performance_159966 |access-date=17 April 2017}}{{Cite news |last=Brett |first=Ciaran |title=Match Recap: Barnsley vs Brentford |language=en |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2017/april/match-recap-barnsley-vs-brentford/ |access-date=18 April 2017 |archive-date=28 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828230853/https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2017/april/match-recap-barnsley-vs-brentford/ |url-status=dead }}
== 2017–18 and loan to Carlisle United ==
Bonham signed a one-year contract extension in June 2017, which would keep him at Griffin Park until the end of the 2018–19 season.{{Cite news |title=Jack Bonham signs new contract |language=en |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/jack-bonham-signs-new-contract_178098 |access-date=27 June 2017}} He spent the entire 2017–18 season away on loan at League Two club Carlisle United.{{Cite news |title=Jack Bonham extends stay at Carlisle United |language=en-gb |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/jack-bonham-extends-stay-at-carlisle-united_233450 |access-date=22 December 2017}} Bonham's performances in January 2018 saw him nominated for the PFA League Two Fans' Player of the Month award and he finished the season with 49 appearances.{{Cite news |title=Carlisle United vote: Jack Bonham up for PFA Bristol Street Motors EFL League Two Player of the Month Award |language=en-gb |url=https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2018/february/bonhampfapotm8feb18/ |access-date=8 February 2018}}
== 2018–19 and loan to Bristol Rovers ==
On 27 August 2018, Bonham joined League One club Bristol Rovers on loan until the end of the 2018–19 season.{{Cite news |title=Rovers Wrap Up Goalkeeper Bonham Loan Deal |language=en-gb |url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2018/august/bonham-loan/ |access-date=27 August 2018 |archive-date=27 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827210006/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2018/august/bonham-loan/ |url-status=dead }} He had an impressive start to his time with the club and was reported on 15 October 2018 to have "the best save percentage of any first-choice goalkeeper in England so far this season, with 91.5%".{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Lyall |title=Republic of Ireland considering Brentford's Jack Bonham for future call-up |language=en |work=Sky Sports |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12020/11526785/ireland-considering-brentford-goalkeeper-jack-bonham-for-future-call-up |access-date=15 October 2018}} Bonham finished the season with 46 appearances. Bonham departed Brentford when his contract expired at the end of the 2018–19 season, after making just seven appearances during six seasons at Griffin Park.{{Cite web |title=First Team squad update |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/first-team-squad-update_391494 |access-date=7 May 2019 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}
=Gillingham=
On 4 June 2019, Bonham signed a two-year contract with League One club Gillingham on a free transfer,{{Cite web |title=Gills sign keeper Jack Bonham |url=https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2019/june/jack-bonham/ |access-date=4 June 2019 |website=www.gillinghamfootballclub.com |language=en-gb}} effective 1 July 2019.{{Cite web |title=Jack Bonham – Goalkeeper – First Team |url=https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/goalkeeper/jack-bonham/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926045551/https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/goalkeeper/jack-bonham/ |archive-date=26 September 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |publisher=Gillingham F.C.}} He made 89 appearances during two mid-table seasons with the club and departed Priestfield after rejecting a new contract at the end of the 2020–21 season.{{Soccerbase}}{{Fchd|id=GILLINGH|name=Gillingham F.C.}}{{Cite web |title=Retained list confirmed |url=https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2021/may/retained-list-confirmed-202021/ |access-date=14 May 2021 |website=www.gillinghamfootballclub.com |language=en-gb}}
=Stoke City=
== 2021–22 ==
On 28 June 2021, Bonham signed a two-year contract with Championship club Stoke City.{{Cite web |title=Jack Bonham: Stoke City sign Gillingham keeper on two-year deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57643620 |access-date=20 May 2022 |website=BBC Sport|date=28 June 2021 }}{{Cite web |title=Bonham to check in |url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2021/june/Bonham-to-check-in/ |access-date=29 June 2021 |website=Stoke City FC|date=28 June 2021 }} He failed to win a call into a matchday squad until 20 November 2021,{{Soccerway|id=219475|accessdate=21 May 2022}} when he was promoted to the substitutes' bench due to first-choice goalkeeper Josef Bursik suffering a torn thigh muscle.{{Cite web |title=Injury setback for Bursik |url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2021/november/20/7a4d2340-4a1f-11ec-a95f-cdb4a6051215/ |access-date=21 May 2022 |website=Stoke City FC|date=20 November 2021 }} Bonham backed up second-choice goalkeeper Adam Davies until January 2022, when he assumed the starting role. After Davies' transfer away from the club in January 2022 and Bursik's return from injury one month later,{{Cite web |title=Four changes for Swans clash |url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2022/february/08/four-changes-for-swans-clash/ |access-date=21 May 2022 |website=Stoke City FC|date=8 February 2022 }}{{Cite web |title=Michael O'Neill explains thinking on goalkeeper decision at Stoke City |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-joe-bursik-bonham-6766821 |access-date=20 May 2022 |website=Stoke Sentinel|date=7 March 2022 }} Bonham largely held the starting spot through to the end of the 2021–22 season and finished the campaign with 17 appearances.
== 2022–2025 ==
Bonham improved his tally to 28 appearances during the 2022–23 season and the one-year option to extend his contract was exercised at the end of the campaign.{{Cite web |title=Seven to depart as Potters pave the way for summer reset |url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2023/may/10/seven-to-depart-as-potters-pave-the-way-for-summer-reset/ |access-date=10 May 2023 |website=Stoke City FC|date=10 May 2023 }} Bonham signed another one-year contract extension in November 2023.{{cite web |title=Jack Bonham: Stoke City goalkeeper signs new one-year deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67453948 |website=BBC Sport |date=17 November 2023 |access-date=17 November 2023}} Behind successive loan signings Mark Travers and Daniel Iversen in the pecking order,{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Pete |title=Pete Smith's Stoke City end of season player ratings for 35-man squad |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-season-player-ratings-9272394 |website=Stoke Sentinel |date=9 May 2024 |access-date=12 May 2024}} Bonham made 16 appearances during a mid-table 2023–24 season.{{Fchd|id=STOKEC|name=Stoke City F.C.}} Despite the presence of Viktor Johansson restricting Bonham to just two cup appearances during the 2024–25 season,{{Cite web |title=Stoke FC Player Appearances {{!}} 2024/25 |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2477&teamTabs=stats&season_id=157 |access-date=3 May 2025 |website=Soccer Base}} he signed a further one-year contract extension in May 2025. {{cite web|url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2025/may/05/potters-provide-end-of-season-contracts-update/|title=Potters provide end of season contracts update|website=www.stokecityfc.com|date=5 May 2025|accessdate=5 May 2025}}
International career
Bonham won five caps for the Republic of Ireland U17 team in 2009 and 2010.{{Cite web |title=Jack Bonham |url=http://www.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/player.php?id=261&level=ss17 |access-date=11 April 2016 |website=soccerscene.ie}}{{Cite web |date=1 September 2009 |title=Hornets go global |url=http://www.watfordfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1784196,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815024648/http://www.watfordfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1784196,00.html |archive-date=15 August 2018 |access-date=14 August 2018 |website=watfordfc.com}} In October 2018, it was reported that the full Republic of Ireland team were considering calling up Bonham, due to his club form at Bristol Rovers.
Career statistics
{{Updated|match played 3 May 2025}}
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
- [http://www.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/player.php?id=261&level=ss17 Jack Bonham] at soccerscene.ie
- [http://www.fai.ie/ireland/player/250012725 Jack Bonham] at fai.ie
- [https://www.stokecityfc.com/players/jackbonham Jack Bonham] at stokecityfc.com
{{Stoke City F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bonham, Jack}}
Category:Footballers from Stevenage
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers
Category:English men's footballers
Category:English people of Irish descent
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Harrow Borough F.C. players
Category:Brentford F.C. players
Category:Arlesey Town F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Isthmian League players
Category:Southern Football League players
Category:Carlisle United F.C. players
Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players
Category:Gillingham F.C. players
Category:Stoke City F.C. players