Luke Waterfall
{{Short description|English footballer (born 1990)}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Luke Waterfall
| image = LukeWaterfall.jpg
| caption = Waterfall warming up for Hartlepool United in 2024
| full_name = Luke Mathew Waterfall{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-professional-retain-list--free-transfers---2017-18.pdf |title=Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Lincoln City |publisher=English Football League |page=82 |accessdate=20 June 2018}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|7|30|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/player/_/id/121472/luke-waterfall |title=Luke Waterfall: Overview |publisher=ESPN |accessdate=4 October 2021}}
| birth_place = Sheffield, England
| height = {{convert|1.88|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/luke-waterfall/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211004215756/https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/luke-waterfall/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 October 2021 |title=Luke Waterfall |publisher=Grimsby Town F.C. |access-date=4 October 2021}}
| position = Centre-back{{Hugman|26411|accessdate=16 August 2019}}
| currentclub = Hartlepool United
| clubnumber = 5
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2008
| youthclubs1 = Barnsley
| years1 = 2008–2009
| clubs1 = Tranmere Rovers
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2008
| clubs2 = → Altrincham (loan)
| caps2 = 1
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2009–2010
| clubs3 = Ilkeston Town
| caps3 = 35
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2010–2013
| clubs4 = Gainsborough Trinity
| caps4 = 104
| goals4 = 8
| years5 = 2013–2015
| clubs5 = Scunthorpe United
| caps5 = 9
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2014
| clubs6 = → Macclesfield Town (loan)
| caps6 = 17
| goals6 = 2
| years7 = 2014–2015
| clubs7 = → Mansfield Town (loan)
| caps7 = 5
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2015
| clubs8 = Wrexham
| caps8 = 9
| goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2015–2018
| clubs9 = Lincoln City
| caps9 = 111
| goals9 = 15
| years10 = 2018–2019
| clubs10 = Shrewsbury Town
| caps10 = 44
| goals10 = 5
| years11 = 2019–2024
| clubs11 = Grimsby Town
| caps11 = 156
| goals11 = 12
| years12 = 2024–
| clubs12 = Hartlepool United
| caps12 = 42
| goals12 = 2
| nationalyears1 =
| nationalteam1 =
| nationalcaps1 =
| nationalgoals1 =
| club-update = 19:07, 18 April 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Luke Mathew Waterfall (born 30 July 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for {{English football updater|HartlepU}} club Hartlepool United. He will depart the club on 30 June 2025.
He has previously played in the English Football League for Scunthorpe United, Mansfield Town, Lincoln City and Shrewsbury Town and at non-league level for Altrincham, Ilkeston Town, Gainsborough Trinity, Macclesfield Town and Wrexham. He was part of the Lincoln team that won the National League and FA Trophy and the Grimsby Town team that was promoted to the EFL via the play-offs in 2022. He joined Hartlepool United in 2024.
Career
=Early career=
Born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire,{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10 |year=2009 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-84596-474-0 |page=430}} Waterfall started his career with Barnsley and was a regular for their youth and reserve teams in the 2007–08 season.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_3833531,00.html |title=Waterfall drops into Rovers |website=Sky Sports |date=18 July 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016215013/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_3833531,00.html |archivedate=16 October 2012}} After being released, he signed for League One club Tranmere Rovers on 18 July 2008 after a successful trial.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tranmere_rovers/7513447.stm |title=Tranmere sign defender Waterfall |website=BBC Sport |date=18 July 2008 |accessdate=20 June 2018}} He made his debut on 12 August after coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute in a 2–0 defeat away to Grimsby Town in the League Cup. He made his first start on 2 September in a 1–0 victory over Accrington Stanley in the Football League Trophy.
He joined Conference Premier club Altrincham on 14 October 2008 on loan,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/altrincham/7668926.stm |title=Altrincham sign Waterfall on loan |website=BBC Sport |date=14 October 2008 |accessdate=17 July 2009}} and made one appearance in the league as a substitute and three cup starts.{{Cite web|url=http://www.altrinchamfc.co.uk/revu2008.htm|title = Altrincham FC}} He was released by Tranmere at the end of 2008–09.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tranmere_rovers/8056053.stm |title=Four players released by Tranmere |website=BBC Sport |date=18 May 2009 |accessdate=17 July 2009}}
File:Luke Waterfall 18-07-2009 1.jpg in 2009]]
He had unsuccessful trials with Conference Premier clubs Oxford United and York City{{cite news |url=http://www.witneygazette.co.uk/sport/4490392.Oxford_United_new_boys_out_to_impress/ |title=Oxford United new boys out to impress |first=Nick |last=Farrant |newspaper=Witney Gazette |date=14 July 2009 |accessdate=1 January 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/4510836.York_City_manager_Martin_Foyle_jettisons_trialists_Luke_Waterfall_and_Andy_Taylor/ |title=York City manager Martin Foyle jettisons trialists Luke Waterfall and Andy Taylor |first=Steve |last=Carroll |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=24 July 2009 |accessdate=1 January 2016}} before signing for Conference North club Ilkeston Town in August 2009 after a successful trial.{{cite news |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/luke-waterfall-228784/ |title=Luke Waterfall |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |accessdate=20 June 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.ilkestonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/wilson-wheels-and-deals-as-squad-keeps-growing-1-910492 |title=Wilson wheels and deals as squad keeps growing |newspaper=Ilkeston Advertiser |date=30 July 2009 |accessdate=20 June 2018}} He finished 2009–10 with 43 appearances and two goals. He signed for Ilkeston's divisional rivals Gainsborough Trinity in May 2010.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8708633.stm |title=Gainsborough Trinity trio sign new contracts |website=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2010 |accessdate=1 January 2016}}
=Scunthorpe United=
Waterfall signed for newly relegated League Two club Scunthorpe United on 4 June 2013 on a one-year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22770401 |title=Scunthorpe United: Michael Collins signs one-year extension |website=BBC Sport |date=4 June 2013 |accessdate=20 June 2018}} On 5 August 2014, he moved to League Two Macclesfield Town on a one-month loan,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28658058 |title=Luke Waterfall: Macclesfield Town sign Scunthorpe United defender |date=5 August 2014 |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport}} with manager John Askey requiring him to cover during the search for a new defender, with several trialists failing to be up to his standard.{{cite news |last=Glendinning |first=Mike |url=https://www.macclesfield-live.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/macclesfield-town-sign-luke-waterfall-7574154 |title=Macc manager Askey takes the plunge on Waterfall |date=6 August 2014 |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=Macclesfield Express}} On 7 November, he moved to Mansfield Town on loan until January 2015.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29949145 |title=Macc manager Askey takes the plunge on Waterfall |date=7 November 2014 |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport}} He made seven appearances for The Stags before his loan expired.{{cite news |url=https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/stags-defensive-loanee-pair-return-parent-clubs-2249606 |title=Stags defensive loanee pair return to parent clubs |date=5 January 2015 |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=Mansfield Chad}}
=Wrexham=
Waterfall signed for Conference Premier club Wrexham on 15 January 2015 on a one-and-a-half-year contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30841585 |title=Wrexham sign Scunthorpe centre-back Luke Waterfall |website=BBC Sport |date=15 January 2015 |access-date=20 June 2018}} Wrexham approached him late into negotiations with two unnamed clubs, causing Waterfall to "make an easy decision" by signing for The Dragons.{{cite news |last=Griffiths |first=Rob |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/luke-waterfall-relishing-move-wrexham-8460818 |title=Luke Waterfall: Once Wrexham FC came in for me, my mind was made up |date=16 January 2015 |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=North Wales Daily Post}}
=Lincoln City=
He spent only half a season with Wrexham before signing for their National League rivals Lincoln City on 2 June on a two-year contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32978789 |title=Luke Waterfall: Lincoln City sign Wrexham defender |website=BBC Sport |date=2 June 2015 |access-date=20 June 2018}} He was appointed club captain.{{Cite web |title=Wounded Shrewsbury Town will hit back, says Luke Waterfall |last=Edwards |first=Joe |work=Shropshire Star |date=13 August 2018 |access-date=28 January 2019 |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2018/08/13/wounded-shrewsbury-town-will-hit-back-says-luke-waterfall/}} Waterfall made 55 appearances and scored seven goals in 2016–17 as Lincoln were promoted to EFL League Two as National League champions,{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=1505 |title=National League: 2016/17: Latest table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=4 October 2021}} as well as leading Lincoln to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup by defeating Guiseley, Altrincham, Oldham Athletic, Ipswich Town and Brighton & Hove Albion before defeating Premier League side Burnley. The Imps were eventually beaten 5–0 by Arsenal.{{cite web | url=https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/journey-well-never-forget-recalling-721289 | title=The journey we'll never forget - recalling City's history-making FA Cup run | date=2 November 2017 }}
On 5 April 2018, Waterfall as captain lifted the EFL Trophy as the Imps defeated Shrewsbury Town at Wembley Stadium.{{cite web | url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11760/11317165/lincoln-citys-luke-waterfall-on-the-clubs-rise-and-their-wembley-dream | title=Lincoln City's Luke Waterfall on the club's rise and their Wembley dream }} Several months later Shrewsbury would meet Waterfall's release clause and convince him to sign for the Shropshire side. Waterfall thanked Lincoln fans and called the decision to leave the "toughest decision" of his career, saying a three-year contract and League One football was too good to turn down.{{cite web | url=https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/luke-waterfall-thanks-lincoln-city-1875371 | title=Waterfall thanks fans after the toughest decision of his career | date=8 August 2018 }}
=Shrewsbury Town=
Waterfall signed for League One club Shrewsbury Town by on 7 August 2018 on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45096580 |title=Luke Waterfall: Shrewsbury Town sign Lincoln City skipper for undisclosed fee |website=BBC Sport |date=7 August 2018 |access-date=7 August 2018}} After only one season with The Shrews His contract with the club was terminated by mutual consent on 15 August 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2019/08/15/luke-waterfall-leaves-shrewsbury-town-by-mutual-consent/ |title=Luke Waterfall leaves Shrewsbury Town by mutual consent |first=Lewis |last=Cox |newspaper=Shropshire Star |location=Telford |date=15 August 2019 |access-date=16 August 2019}}
=Grimsby Town=
The same day, Waterfall signed for League Two club Grimsby Town on a two-year contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49362256 |title=Luke Waterfall: Grimsby Town sign centre-back following Shrewsbury Town release |website=BBC Sport |date=15 August 2019 |access-date=16 August 2019}}
Ian Holloway was replaced as manager by Paul Hurst, but neither could prevent Grimsby from being relegated back to the National League at the end of the 2020–21 season.{{cite news | url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/grimsby-town-relegated-league-two-5337306 | title=Grimsby Town have been relegated from the EFL | newspaper=Grimsbylive | date=27 April 2021 }}
On 28 May 2022, Waterfall scored twice including a 119th minute winner in extra-time of the semi-final play-off against Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground, helping Grimsby win 5–4 to reach the final.{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Aled |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61560268 |title=Wrexham 4–5 Grimsby Town: Luke Waterfall's winner late in extra time seals thrilling win |date=28 May 2022 |access-date=28 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport}} Waterfall captained the Mariners in the 2022 National League play-off final as Grimsby beat Solihull Moors 2–1 at the London Stadium to return to the Football League.{{cite news | url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/grimsby-town-ratings-solihull-moors-7167271 | title=Grimsby Town player ratings as McAtee and four others star in Solihull comeback | newspaper=Grimsbylive | date=5 June 2022 }}
Waterfall was voted into the National League Team of the Season for the 2021–22 season, alongside teammate John McAtee.{{cite news | url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/two-grimsby-town-players-named-7191979 | title=Two Grimsby players are named as National League Team of the Season is announced | newspaper=Grimsbylive | date=10 June 2022 }} On 17 June 2022, Waterfall signed a new two-year contract to keep him at Blundell Park until the summer of 2024.{{cite web | url=https://gtfc.co.uk/waterfall-pens-new-deal/ | title=Waterfall Pens New Deal! - Grimsby Town Football Club | date=17 June 2022 }}
Waterfall was part of the Grimsby team that reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1939, mirroring the progress he made with Lincoln in 2016. He played the full 90 minutes of the 2–1 win away at Premier League side Southampton that secured that achievement.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64799742 | title=Grimsby stun Southampton to reach FA Cup last eight | work=BBC Sport }}{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64984194 | title=Brighton end Grimsby's run to reach FA Cup semis | work=BBC Sport }}
=Hartlepool United=
On 25 January 2024, it was announced that Waterfall had signed for Hartlepool United.{{cite web |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2024/january/luke-waterfall-joins-pools/ |title=Luke Waterfall joins Pools |website=Hartlepool United FC |date=25 January 2024 |access-date=25 January 2024}} Early in his Hartlepool career, he formed a strong centre-back partnership with Tom Parkes.{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-uniteds-202324-national-league-season-end-of-term-grades-4606784 |title=Hartlepool United's 2023/24 National League season end of term grades |first=Robbie |last=Stelling |website=Hartlepool Mail |date=26 April 2024 |access-date=6 May 2024}}
He was named as Hartlepool's club captain at the start of the 2023–24 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/luke-waterfall-appointed-club-captain/ |title=Luke Waterfall appointed Club Captain |publisher=Hartlepool United |date=26 July 2024 |access-date=26 July 2024}} In August 2024, he received red cards in successive home matches.{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-united-0-0-braintree-town-pools-battle-to-a-point-despite-another-reckless-red-card-for-skipper-luke-waterfall-4763955 |title=Hartlepool United 0–0 Braintree Town: Pools battle to a point despite another reckless red card for skipper Luke Waterfall |first=Robbie |last=Stelling |website=Hartlepool Mail |date=31 August 2024 |access-date=7 September 2024}} At the end of the 2024–25 season, it was announced that he would be released by Hartlepool at the end of his contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/retained-list-2/ |title=Retained List |website=Hartlepool United FC |date=24 May 2025 |access-date=25 May 2025}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 18 April 2025}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
Wrexham
- FA Trophy runner-up: 2014–15{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/32100052 |title=North Ferriby United 3–3 Wrexham (5–4 on pens) |author=Aled Williams |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 March 2015 |access-date=13 February 2023}}
Lincoln City
- National League: 2016–17{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2017–2018 |year=2017 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-3397-4 |pages=640–641}}
- EFL Trophy: 2017–18{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43674770 |title=Lincoln City 1–0 Shrewsbury Town |first=Ged |last=Scott |website=BBC Sport |date=8 April 2018 |accessdate=17 May 2018}}
Grimsby Town
- National League play-offs: 2022
Individual
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/luke-waterfall/ Profile] at the Hartlepool United F.C. website
{{Hartlepool United F.C. squad}}
{{2021–22 National League Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Waterfall, Luke}}
Category:Footballers from Sheffield
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Barnsley F.C. players
Category:Tranmere Rovers F.C. players
Category:Altrincham F.C. players
Category:Ilkeston Town F.C. (1945) players
Category:Gainsborough Trinity F.C. players
Category:Scunthorpe United F.C. players
Category:Macclesfield Town F.C. players
Category:Mansfield Town F.C. players
Category:Wrexham A.F.C. players
Category:Lincoln City F.C. players
Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. players
Category:Grimsby Town F.C. players
Category:Hartlepool United F.C. players
Category:National League (English football) players