Lewis Wing
{{short description|English association football player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Lewis Wing
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|6|23|df=y}}{{cite tweet |author=Lewis Wing |user=winglewy |number=745892558044266497 |date=23 June 2016 |title=Sharing my birthday with the legend, zidane today!! |accessdate=9 March 2020 }}
| birth_place = Newton Aycliffe, England{{cite web | url= https://www.mfc.co.uk/teams/middlesbrough/lewis-wing | title= Lewis Wing | publisher= Middlesbrough FC | accessdate=24 August 2017 | website=mfc.co.uk}}
| height =
| position = Attacking midfielder
| currentclub = Reading
| clubnumber = 29
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2009
| youthclubs1 = Darlington
| years1 =
| clubs1 = Brandon United
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 2012
| clubs2 = Newton Aycliffe
| caps2 =
| goals2 =
| years3 = 2012–{{0|0000}}
| clubs3 = Esh Winning
| caps3 =
| goals3 =
| years4 = {{0|0000}}–2014
| clubs4 = Tow Law Town
| caps4 =
| years5 = 2014
| clubs5 = Seaham Red Star
| caps5 =
| goals5 =
| years6 = 2014
| clubs6 = Darlington 1883
| caps6 = 2
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2014
| clubs7 = Seaham Red Star
| caps7 =
| goals7 =
| years8 = 2014
| clubs8 = Newton Aycliffe
| caps8 = 5
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2014–2015
| clubs9 = Seaham Red Star
| caps9 =
| goals9 =
| years10 = 2015–2017
| clubs10 = Shildon
| caps10 = 73
| goals10 = 36
| years11 = 2015
| clubs11 = → Seaham Red Star (loan)
| caps11 =
| goals11 =
| years12 = 2017–2022
| clubs12 = Middlesbrough
| caps12 = 80
| goals12 = 12
| years13 = 2018
| clubs13 = → Yeovil Town (loan)
| caps13 = 20
| goals13 = 3
| years14 = 2021
| clubs14 = → Rotherham United (loan)
| caps14 = 20
| goals14 = 2
| years15 = 2021–2022
| clubs15 = → Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
| caps15 = 18
| goals15 = 0
| years16 = 2022–2023
| clubs16 = Wycombe Wanderers
| caps16 = 57
| goals16 = 11
| years17 = 2023–
| clubs17 = Reading
| caps17 = 88
| goals17 = 19
| club-update = 14:34, 6 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Lewis Wing (born 23 June 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays for {{English football updater|Reading}} club Reading as an attacking midfielder.
Club career
=Early career=
Born in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, Wing attended Woodham Comprehensive School followed by Durham Sixth Form Centre where he studied Sports Science.{{cite web |url=https://www.newtonnews.co.uk/aycliffe-footballer-signs-for-middlesbrough/ |title=Aycliffe footballer signs for Middlesbrough |work=Newton News |date=29 September 2017 |accessdate=9 March 2020 }} He started playing football from the age of five for Newton Aycliffe Sports Club going on to play for Norton & Stockton Ancients as a junior. Wing later ended up in the youth system of Darlington until he was released at the age of 14 for "being too small".{{cite web |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/17485457.lewis-wing-exclusive-in-depth-interview-middlesbrough-star/ |last=Fraser |first=Paul |title=Lewis Wing: Exclusive in-depth interview with Middlesbrough star |work=The Northern Echo |publisher=Newsquest |date=9 March 2019 |accessdate=9 March 2020 }} Wing quit playing football for two years following his release by Darlington, instead he focused on getting his golf handicap down to five until he was invited to play for local Sunday league side Newton Aycliffe Working Men's Club who were at the time managed by his cousin Jason Steele.
While playing Sunday league football and still at college, Wing was scouted by Northern League side Brandon United who he made his senior debut for at the age of 16. He combined playing football and his studies with employment at a branch of Tesco in Newton Aycliffe in the evenings. Wing then played for his home town club Newton Aycliffe, before in September 2012 he joined Esh Winning.{{cite tweet |author-link=Newton Aycliffe F.C. |user=NAycliffeFC |number=250324175959502848 |date=24 September 2012 |title=Young forward Lewis Wing has joined Esh Winning. Allan Oliver has been busy again and added to the squad. Full details released soon. |accessdate=9 March 2020 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk/teams/210815/match-centre/0-4368991/report |title=Match Report: Newton Aycliffe FC 1–2 Esh Winning |work=Newton Aycliffe F.C. |publisher=Pitchero Ltd |date=13 October 2012 |accessdate=9 March 2020 }} He eventually joined Northern League Division Two side Tow Law Town, where he established himself as a regular member of the first team for a couple of seasons.{{cite web |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/five-minute-audition-mechanical-leg-15492204 |title=Five minute audition, 'mechanical leg' & Wolves interest: Lewis Wing's Northern League story |last=Tallentire |first=Philip |work=TeessideLive |publisher=Reach plc |date=2 December 2018 |accessdate=9 March 2020 }}
On 3 January 2014, Wing left Tow Law Town to sign for fellow Northern League Division Two side Seaham Red Star.{{Cite tweet |user=SeahamRedStar |author-link=Seaham Red Star F.C. |number=419226563792896000 |date =3 January 2014 |title=The Star sign duo as they land midfielder Lewis Wing from Tow Law Town FC and forward Josh Home-Jackson from Sunderland RCA |accessdate=21 August 2020 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/lewis-wing-call-changed-life-15871681 |title=Lewis Wing on a call that changed his life and his Boro-mad dad's pride as he 'lives the dream' |last=Shaw |first=Dominic |work=TeessideLive |publisher=Reach plc |date=22 February 2019 |accessdate=9 March 2020 }} Wing made his debut for Seaham Red Star in a 2–1 victory against Heaton Stannington, on 5 January 2014.{{cite web |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/northernleague/10914833.must-kill-teams-off-----ainsley/ |title="We must kill teams off" --- Ainsley |last=Simpson |first=Ray |work=The Northern Echo |publisher=Newsquest |date=5 January 2014 |accessdate=9 March 2020 }} After two months with Seaham Red Star, Wing left to rejoin Darlington 1883 five years after they released him from their youth system.{{cite web |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/11079395.north-east-football-live-saturday-march-15/ |title=North-East Football Live: Saturday, March 15 |work=The Northern Echo |publisher=Newsquest |date=15 March 2014 |accessdate=9 March 2020 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/11083739.gray-hoping-make-another-signing/ |title=Gray hoping to make another signing |last=Stoddart |first=Craig |work=The Northern Echo |publisher=Newsquest |date=18 March 2014 |accessdate=9 March 2020 }} Wing made two appearances as a sub for Darlington before returning to Seaham Red Star.{{cite web |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/11112173.mitchell-proves-instant-hit-quakers/ |title=Mitchell proves to be an instant hit with Quakers |last=Stoddart |first=Craig |work=The Northern Echo |publisher=Newsquest |date=29 March 2014 |accessdate=9 March 2020 }} Having started the 2013–14 season back at Newton Aycliffe where he made five further league appearances, Wing rejoined Seaham Red Star for a third spell on 28 August 2014.{{cite web |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/northernleague/11440165.aycliffe-crook-need-morale-boost/ |title=Aycliffe and Crook need a morale boost |last=Simpson |first=Ray |work=The Northern Echo |publisher=Newsquest |date=29 August 2014 |accessdate=9 March 2020 }}{{Cite tweet |user=SeahamRedStar |author-link=Seaham Red Star F.C. |number=505081445430624257 |date =28 August 2014 |title=SRSFC sign midfielder @winglewy (Lewis Wing) from @NAycliffeFC #followthestar |accessdate=21 August 2020 }} Wing's performances helped inspire Seaham Red Star to win the Northern League Division Two title in 2015.
Having previously turned down a move to Spennymoor Town during the 2014–15 season, Wing signed for Northern League Division One side Shildon in June 2015.{{cite web |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/northernleague/13345006.shildon-boss-forrest-happy-squad/ |title=Shildon boss Forrest happy with squad |last=Simpson |first=Ray |work=The Northern Echo |publisher=Newsquest |date=29 June 2015 |accessdate=9 March 2020 }} While he returned to Seaham Red Star on loan for eight weeks in November 2015,{{Cite tweet |user=SeahamRedStar |author-link=Seaham Red Star F.C. |number=662666423135805440|date =6 November 2015 |title=SRSFC have completed the loan signing of midfielder Lewis Wing from @Shildon_AFC #followthestar |accessdate=21 August 2020 }} Wing's first season saw him score 11 goals in 42 appearances for Shildon, as the club won the Northern League Division One title,{{cite web | url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/watch-incoming-middlesbrough-talent-lewis-12825659 | title=Watch incoming Middlesbrough talent Lewis Wing score sensational solo goal for Shildon in Northern League |last=Taylor |first=Jonathon |work=TeessideLive |publisher=Reach plc |date=31 March 2017 |accessdate=24 August 2017 }} their first Northern League title since the 1930s.{{cite web |url=https://www.swd.news/champions-shildon-afc-win-the-northern-league/ |title=Champions! Shildon AFC win the Northern League |work=Shildon & District Town Crier |publisher=South West Durham News |date=5 May 2016 |accessdate=26 November 2020 }}
Wing's second season with Shildon would turn out to be even more prolific as he netted 37 times for the Northern League outfit.{{cite web | url= http://nonleague.pitchero.com/transfers/middlesbrough-complete-wing-signing/ | title= Middlesbrough Complete Wing Signing | publisher= Non-League Pitchero | accessdate=24 August 2017 | website=non-league.pitchero.com}}
=Middlesbrough=
His performances for Shildon led to Wing being scouted by Championship side Middlesbrough, with whom he signed a pre-contract agreement in March 2017. The deal was confirmed on 28 June 2017, with Wing signing a one-year contract and linking up with the Middlesbrough under-23s team.{{cite web |url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/boro-complete-deal-for-lewis-wing |title=Boro Complete Deal For Lewis Wing |publisher=Middlesbrough FC |accessdate=24 August 2017 |website=mfc.co.uk}} On 24 August 2017, he made his debut for the club in the EFL Cup, coming on as a late substitute for Grant Leadbitter in a 3–0 win over Scunthorpe United at the Riverside Stadium.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40932283 |title=Middlesbrough 3–0 Scunthorpe United |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |accessdate=24 August 2017 }} In November 2017, having played in one further EFL Cup match, Wing signed a contract extension with Middlesbrough to extend his stay until the end of the 2018–19 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42071895 |title=Lewis Wing: Middlesbrough midfielder signs contract extension |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=21 November 2017 |accessdate=9 March 2020 }}
==Yeovil Town loan==
On 5 January 2018, Wing joined League Two side Yeovil Town on loan until the end of the season.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42581783 |title=Yeovil Town: Corey Whelan, Lewis Wing and Marcus Barnes sign on loan |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=5 January 2018 |accessdate=5 January 2018 }} He made his debut in the FA Cup, coming on as a late substitute for Jared Bird in a 2–0 victory over Bradford City at Huish Park.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42519696 |title=Yeovil Town 2–0 Bradford City |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=6 January 2018 |accessdate=4 August 2018 }} Wing scored his first goal for the club on 20 January 2018 in a 1–2 loss to Chesterfield.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42672171 |title=Yeovil Town 1–2 Chesterfield |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=20 January 2018 |accessdate=4 August 2018 }} He would go on to score two more goals and provide an assist in 22 total appearances for the club.{{soccerbase season|107315|2017|accessdate=5 May 2018}}
==Return to Middlesbrough==
Wing started his first league game for Middlesbrough on 7 August 2018, providing two assists in a 3–0 victory over Sheffield United.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45014858 |title=Middlesbrough 3–0 Sheffield United |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=7 August 2018 |accessdate=16 August 2018}} In October 2018, Wing extended his contract at the Middlesbrough until the end of the 2021-22 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45824845 |title=Lewis Wing: Middlesbrough midfielder signs new contract |work=BBC Sport |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=11 October 2018 |accessdate=9 March 2020 }}
==Loan to Rotherham==
On 1 February 2021, Wing joined Rotherham United on loan until the end of the 2020–21 season.{{cite web |title=Lewis Wing Joins Rotherham United |url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/lewis-wing-joins-rotherham-united |publisher=Middlesbrough FC - Official Site |access-date=1 February 2021}} He made his debut as a substitute in the 3–0 home victory against Derby County on 3 February 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/view,onthewhistle-report-rotherham-united-3-derby-county-0_37715.htm|title=On-the-whistle report: Rotherham United 3 Derby County 0|publisher=Rotherham Advertiser|date=3 February 2021}}
==Loan to Sheffield Wednesday==
On 27 July 2021, Wing joined Sheffield Wednesday on a season-long loan deal.{{cite web |title=Lewis Wing completes move to S6|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2021/july/lewis-wing-completes-move-to-s6/|publisher=Sheffield Wednesday FC |access-date=27 July 2021}} He would make his competitive debut on 1 August 2021, at home to Huddersfield Town in the EFL Cup.{{cite web |title=Report: Wednesday 0-0 (2-4p) Huddersfield|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/matches/fixtures/first-team/2021222/august/sheffield-wednesday-vs-huddersfield-town-on-10-aug-21/|publisher=Sheffield Wednesday F.C. |access-date=1 August 2021}} His first goal would come against Mansfield Town in the EFL Trophy on 5 October 2021.{{cite web |title=Report: Mansfield 1-2 Wednesday|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2021/october/report-mansfield-1-2-wednesday/|publisher=Sheffield Wednesday FC |access-date=5 October 2021}}
=Wycombe Wanderers=
On 31 January 2022, Wing joined League One side Wycombe Wanderers on a permanent basis, on a 6 month contract.{{cite web |title=Gareth Makes Late Swoop for Championship Midfielder|url=https://www.wwfc.com/news/2022/january/gareth-makes-last-gasp-swoop-for-championship-midfielder/|publisher=Wycombe Wanderers |access-date=31 January 2022 }} He scored his first two goals for the club in a 3-1 victory over Crewe Alexandra on 5 March.{{cite web|title=Crewe 1-3 Wycombe|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/crewe-alexandra-vs-wycombe-wanderers/report/448325|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=6 March 2022}} He ended the 2022–23 season as Wycombe's joint-top goal scorer on nine, but rejected a new contract and chose to leave the club in May 2023.{{cite web |title=Matt holds contract talks|url= https://www.wwfc.com/news/2023/may/10/matt-holds-contract-talks/|publisher=Wycombe Wanderers |access-date= 27 May 2023}}
=Reading=
On 21 July 2023, Reading announced the signing of Wing to a three-year contract.{{cite web |title=ROYALS SECURE THE SERVICES OF LEWIS WING|url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2023/july/21/royals-secure-the-services-of-lewis-wing/ |website=readingfc.co.uk |publisher=Reading F.C. |access-date=21 July 2023 |date=21 July 2023}}
Wing enjoyed a successful first season with Reading, picking up the Player of the Season award; Wing won the award after scoring 11 and assisting 11 goals across all competitions as Reading finished 17th.{{cite web |title=Lewis Wing wins Player of the Season!|url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2024/april/27/player-of-the-season-award-2023-24-wing/ |website=readingfc.co.uk | publisher=Reading F.C. |access-date=14 January 2025 |date=27 April 2024}}
On 19 October 2024, Wing scored from outside of the box to put Reading in a 2-1 lead over Crawley. The goal was praised as one of the best goals of the League One season.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cdje0ve1xd4t
On 23 May 2025, Wing signed a new contact with Reading, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2028.{{cite web |title=LEWIS WING EXTENDS CONTRACT |url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2025/may/23/wing-2028/ |website=readingfc.co.uk |publisher=Reading F.C. |access-date=23 May 2025 |date=23 May 2025}}
Personal life
Wing is related to former Middlesbrough and current Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Jason Steele.{{cite web | url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/lewis-wing-a-set-piece-12873032 |title=Lewis Wing: 'A set-piece specialist who always hits the target' - lowdown on Middlesbrough signing |last=Steel |first=Adam |work=TeessideLive |publisher=Reach plc |date=10 April 2017 |accessdate=24 August 2017 }}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 3 May 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|FA Cup !colspan=2|EFL Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Tow Law Town
|colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | ||||||
| Seaham Red Star
|NL Division Two |colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | ||||||
| Darlington 1883
|2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Newton Aycliffe
|5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Seaham Red Star
|NL Division Two |colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | ||||||
| rowspan=3|Shildon
|NL Division One |32 | 9 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 8{{efn|One appearance in FA Vase, four appearances and two goals in Northern League Cup, two appearances in Durham Challenge Cup, one appearance in Cleator Cup}} | 2 | 42 | 11 | ||
| 2016–17
|NL Division One |41 | 27 | 4 | 3 | colspan=2|— | 12{{efn|Four appearances and two goals in FA Vase, four appearances and one goal in Northern League Cup, three appearances and four goals in Durham Challenge Cup, one appearance in Cleator Cup}} | 7 | 57 | 37 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!73||36||6||3||colspan=2|—||20||9||99||48 | ||||||||||
| Seaham Red Star (loan)
|NL Division One |colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | ||||||
| rowspan=6|Middlesbrough
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|107315|2018|accessdate=6 January 2019}}
|Championship |28 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | colspan=2|— | 34 | 5 | ||
| 2019–20{{soccerbase season|107315|2019|accessdate=6 January 2019}}
|Championship |40 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 41 | 7 | ||
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|107315|2020|accessdate=4 May 2021}}
|Championship |12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 15 | 2 | ||
| 2021–22{{soccerbase season|107315|2021|accessdate=4 May 2021}}
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!80||12||5||1||7||1||colspan=2|—||92||14 | ||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Middlesbrough U23
|colspan=3|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearance in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2018–19
|colspan=3|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 1{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Yeovil Town (loan)
|20 | 3 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 22 | 3 | |||
| Rotherham United (loan)
|Championship |20 | 2 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 20 | 2 | ||||
| Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
|18 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 1 | 24 | 1 | |
| rowspan=3|Wycombe Wanderers
|League One |13 | 2 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 2{{efn|Appearance in League One play-offs}} | 0 | 15 | 2 | |||
| 2022–23{{soccerbase season|107315|2022|access-date=16 October 2022}}
|League One |44 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 48 | 9 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!57||11||1||0||2||0||3||0||63||11 | ||||||||||
| rowspan=3|Reading
|2023–24{{soccerbase season|107315|2023|access-date=17 August 2023}} |League One |42 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 49 | 11 | |
| 2024–25{{soccerbase season|107315|2024|access-date=30 August 2024}}
|League One |46 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 50 | 11 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!88||19||4||2||2||1||5||0||99||22 | ||||||||||
| colspan=3|Career total
!363||83||20||6||12||2||33||10||428||101 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
{{Reading F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Reading F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wing, Lewis}}
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Darlington F.C. players
Category:Brandon United F.C. players
Category:Newton Aycliffe F.C. players
Category:Esh Winning F.C. players
Category:Tow Law Town F.C. players
Category:Seaham Red Star F.C. players
Category:Shildon A.F.C. players
Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players
Category:Yeovil Town F.C. players
Category:Rotherham United F.C. players
Category:Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players
Category:Wycombe Wanderers F.C. players
Category:Northern Football League players
Category:Northern Premier League players
Category:English Football League players