Luke Wilkinson

Wilkinson was born in Wells, Somerset. He started his career in the youth system of Bristol City and was offered a two-year scholarship in June 2007.{{cite web |title=Eight youngsters handed deals |url=http://www.bristolcity.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=68290 |publisher=Vital Bristol City |date=7 June 2007 |accessdate=25 January 2014}} He was part of the side that competed in the Premier Academy League.

Wilkinson was released early from his contract with Bristol City at the age of 17 and was offered a trial by Premier League club Portsmouth.{{cite news |title=Wilkinson goes south |url=http://www.somersetlive.co.uk/wilkinson-goes-south/story-12303872-detail/story.html |newspaper=Somerset Live |location=Yeovil |date=9 July 2009 |accessdate=17 September 2016}} He played in a reserve game against Fulham, in which first-team manager Paul Hart described as the most impressive debut he had seen from any young player. The reserves remained unbeaten with Wilkinson in defence until the end of the season. His outstanding form for the reserves earned him a professional contract in July 2009.

In January 2010, he joined League Two club Northampton Town on a one-month loan, however, he failed to make an appearance for the club.{{cite web |title=Northampton sign Luke Wilkinson and Stephen O'Flynn |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/northampton_town/8443266.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 January 2010 |accessdate=8 September 2012}}

In February 2010, he joined Conference South club Eastleigh on an initial one-month loan, which was later extended until the end of the season.{{cite web |first=Wendy |last=Gee |title=Sacrificial lambs – Tessem and Day depart. Goodhind to return? |url=http://eastleighfc.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/sacrificial-lambs.html |publisher=Daily Echo |date=26 February 2010 |accessdate=17 April 2016}}

In the summer of 2010, Wilkinson was released by Portsmouth and signed for newly promoted League One club Dagenham & Redbridge on a three-year contract.{{cite web |title=Dagenham & Redbridge sign Luke Wilkinson |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dagenham_and_redbridge/8794496.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 July 2010 |accessdate=8 September 2012}} In November 2010, he joined Conference South club Boreham Wood on an initial one-month loan, making his debut in a 3–2 defeat at home to Dover Athletic.{{cite web |title=Freak leaves it bleak for Wood |url=http://www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk/freak-leaves-it-bleak-for-wood/ |publisher=Boreham Wood F.C. |accessdate=17 April 2016}} The loan was then extended by a further month,{{cite news |first=Iain |last=Liddle |title=Bas Savage pens new contract at Dagenham & Redbridge |url=http://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/sport/football/dagenham-and-redbridge/bas_savage_pens_new_contract_at_dagenham_redbridge_1_755388 |newspaper=Barking & Dagenham Post |location=Ilford |date=16 December 2010 |accessdate=12 February 2017}} before it was extended once more until the end of the season.{{cite web |title=Ola Sogbanmu has loan extended to end of season |url=http://www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co.uk/ola-sogbanmu-has-loan-extended-to-end-of-season/ |publisher=Boreham Wood F.C. |accessdate=12 February 2017}} Wilkinson scored his first goal on the final day of 2010–11 in a 3–0 win at home to Lewes and finished the season with 28 appearances. He rejoined Boreham Wood in August 2011 on a five-month loan.{{cite web |title=Player profiles: Luke Wilkinson |url=http://www.daggers.co.uk/team/player-profile/index.aspx?playerid=426383&tcmuri=243281 |publisher=Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201145141/http://www.daggers.co.uk/team/player-profile/index.aspx?playerid=426383&tcmuri=243281 |archivedate=1 February 2014 |url-status=dead}} He was a mainstay in the team, making 25 appearances, the last of which came in a 2–1 defeat at home to Woking on 28 January 2012, before returning to Dagenham at the end of January. In February 2012, he joined fellow Conference South club Dartford on loan.{{cite web |title=Darts borrow Daggers defender |url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/darts-borrow-daggers-defender-11154/ |publisher=Pitchero |accessdate=17 April 2016}} In March 2012, his loan was extended until the end of the season after scoring two headers in consecutive wins over Havant & Waterlooville and Sutton United.{{cite web |title=Dartford extend the loan of defender Luke Wilkinson |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17478844 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 March 2012 |accessdate=10 June 2014}} He claimed his first piece of silverware as Dartford were promoted to the Conference Premier via their play-off win over Welling United on 13 May 2012.{{cite news |first=Alex |last=Hoad |title=Dartford 1 Welling United 0 |url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/dartford-1-welling-united-0-a64480/ |newspaper=Kent Online |date=13 May 2012 |accessdate=17 April 2016}}

Wilkinson made his professional debut for Dagenham on 1 September 2012 in a 2–2 draw Kingsmeadow to AFC Wimbledon.{{cite web |title=AFC Wimbledon 2–2 Dag & Red |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19377957 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2012 |accessdate=8 September 2012}} He cemented his place in the first-team by scoring four goals, which prompted Daggers manager John Still to offer him a new contract until 2015.{{cite web |title=Luke Wilkinson signs contract extension |url=http://www.daggers.co.uk/news/article/luke-wilkinson-signs-contract-extension-529898.aspx |publisher=Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. |date=6 December 2012 |accessdate=6 December 2012}} He finished 2012–13 with 46 appearances in all competitions and won the club's Player of the Year award.{{cite web |title=Villa, Norwich eyeing Dagenham & Redbridge defender Luke Wilkinson |url=http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/villa-norwich-eyeing-dagenham-redbridge-defender-luke-wilkinson-3962011 |publisher=Tribal Football |accessdate=10 June 2014}} This led to reported interest from Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Norwich City. However, no move materialised and Wilkinson admitted that he needed another few years to develop as a player before making the step up.{{cite news |first=Colin |last=Munford |title=Wilkinson needs more experience but is aware of transfer rumours |url=http://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/sport/football/dagenham-and-redbridge/wilkinson_needs_more_experience_but_is_aware_of_transfer_rumours_1_2235092 |newspaper=Barking & Dagenham Post |location=Ilford |date=13 June 2013 |accessdate=17 April 2016}}

Wilkinson's start to the 2013–14 season was delayed by a groin injury picked up in pre-season, before making his return at the end of August in a 3–0 defeat to Mansfield Town.{{cite news |first=Colin |last=Munford |title=Daggers defender transfer listed – at his own request |url=http://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/sport/football/dagenham-and-redbridge/daggers_defender_transfer_listed_at_his_own_request_1_3619493 |newspaper=Barking & Dagenham Post |location=Ilford |date=28 May 2014 |accessdate=17 April 2016}} He went on to make 25 appearances but a combination of further injuries, the form of Scott Doe and Brian Saah, and the late emergence of Ian Gayle resigned Wilkinson to the bench for the majority of the season. In May 2014, he was placed on the transfer list at his own request and his name was circulated to other clubs highlighting his availability. In June 2014, he stated he was happy to fight for his place if a move away from the club didn't materialise.{{cite news |first=Colin |last=Munford |title=Daggers defender happy to stay if move away fails |url=http://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/sport/football/dagenham-and-redbridge/daggers_defender_happy_to_stay_if_move_away_fails_1_3632383 |newspaper=Barking & Dagenham Post |location=Ilford |date=6 June 2014 |accessdate=17 April 2016}}

On 7 July 2014, Wilkinson signed for League Two club Luton Town on a one-year contract, managed by his former Dagenham manager John Still, for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web |title=Luke Wilkinson: Luton Town sign defender from Dagenham |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28198459 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 July 2014 |accessdate=17 April 2016}} He debuted on the opening day of 2014–15 in a 1–0 win away to Carlisle United, Luton's first Football League match in five years.{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Sharp |title=Football: Carlisle United 0 Luton Town 1 – Hatters mark Football League return with victory |url=http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/football-carlisle-united-0-luton-town-1-hatters/story-22284692-detail/story.html |newspaper=Bedfordshire on Sunday |location=Bedford |date=9 August 2014 |accessdate=12 February 2017}} Wilkinson scored his first goal in a 2–0 win at home to Oxford United on 27 September 2014,{{cite news |first=Jamie |last=May |title=Match report: Luton Town 2 Oxford United 0 – lightning start as Hatters claim back-to-back wins |url=http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/match-report-luton-town-2-oxford-united-0/story-23008856-detail/story.html |newspaper=Bedfordshire on Sunday |location=Bedford |date=27 September 2014 |accessdate=12 February 2017}} and this was followed up with a goal in the following match, a 2–1 win away to Stevenage.{{cite web |title=Stevenage 1–2 Luton Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29390181 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 October 2014 |accessdate=29 February 2016}} He was named League Two Player of the Month for September 2014, during which Luton kept a clean sheet in each of the four matches Wilkinson played in that month.{{cite web |title=Luke Wilkinson named Sky Bet League 2 Player of the Month |url=http://www.efl.com/news/article/2014/20141009sepleague2potmrp-2008004.aspx |publisher=The Football League |date=10 October 2014 |accessdate=15 December 2016}} Wilkinson was sent off on two occasions, the first coming in stoppage time during a 1–0 defeat away to Burton Albion on 22 November, a result that ended Luton's 11-match unbeaten run in League Two,{{cite web |title=Burton Albion 1–0 Luton Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30065527 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 November 2014 |accessdate=29 February 2016}} and the second coming in a 1–0 win at home to Carlisle United on 14 February 2015.{{cite web |title=Luton Town 1–0 Carlisle United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31423610 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 February 2015 |accessdate=29 February 2016}} The latter red card coincided with a four match suspension for defensive partner Steve McNulty, who was sent off for a studs-up challenge in the previous match, a 2–2 draw at home to York City.{{cite web |title=Luton Town 2–2 York City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31106306 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 February 2015 |accessdate=29 February 2016}} In their absence, Luton lost twice in a row, during which stand-in defenders Alex Lacey and Fraser Franks failed to impress.{{cite news |first=James |last=Cunliffe |title=Luton Town: Luke Wilkinson poised to return to line-up after stand in defenders miss chance to impress |url=http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/luton-town-luke-wilkinson-poised-return-line/story-26082393-detail/story.html |newspaper=Bedfordshire on Sunday |location=Bedford |date=25 February 2015 |accessdate=15 November 2016}} Wilkinson finished the season with four goals from 48 appearances, triggering a one-year contract extension to keep him at Luton until the summer of 2016.{{cite news |first=James |last=Cunliffe |title=Luton Town: Twelve out of contract Hatters set to learn their fates |url=http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/luton-town-contract-hatters-set-learn-fate/story-26440469-detail/story.html |newspaper=Bedfordshire on Sunday |location=Bedford |date=5 May 2015 |accessdate=15 December 2016}}

Wilkinson made his first appearance of 2015–16 in the starting lineup away to Accrington Stanley on the opening day of the season, which finished as a 1–1 draw,{{cite web |title=Accrington Stanley 1–1 Luton Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33744481 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 August 2015 |accessdate=12 February 2017}} and followed up with a goal in the following league match, a 2–2 draw at home to Oxford United on 15 August 2015.{{cite web |title=Luton Town 2–2 Oxford United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33831956 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 August 2015 |accessdate=29 February 2016}} He went on to score two goals in September, the first coming in a 3–1 win away to Cambridge United on 5 September,{{cite web |title=Cambridge United 1–3 Luton Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34093869 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 September 2015 |accessdate=29 February 2016}} and the second coming in a 3–1 win away to Morecambe on 29 September.{{cite web |title=Morecambe 1–3 Luton Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34321569 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 September 2015 |accessdate=29 February 2016}} Wilkinson made his final appearance for Luton in a 4–3 defeat at home to Northampton Town on 12 December.

On 22 January 2016, Wilkinson was sold to fellow League Two club Stevenage on a contract until the end of 2015–16, with Luton replacing him with Alan Sheehan, who was signed on loan from Bradford City later that day.{{cite web |title=Luke Wilkinson: Stevenage sign Luton Town defender |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35383100 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 January 2016 |accessdate=29 February 2016}}{{cite web |title=Alan Sheehan heads to Luton on loan from Bradford |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11745/10139688/alan-sheehan-heads-to-luton-on-loan-from-bradford |publisher=Sky Sports |date=22 January 2016 |accessdate=12 February 2017}} Wilkinson said he was surprised by the decision but was looking forward to helping Stevenage climb the table.{{cite news |first=Alan |last=Scott |title=Stevenage Luke Wilkinson interview: Luton Town exit shock amid allegations of 'Dagenham clique' |url=http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/stevenage-luke-wilkinson-interview-luton-town/story-28593903-detail/story.html |newspaper=Hertfordshire Mercury |location=Hertford |date=24 January 2016 |accessdate=17 September 2016}} He debuted a day later in a 0–0 draw at home to Barnet.{{cite news |title=Stevenage 0 Barnet 0 match report: Boro's recruits from Derby County and Luton shine in bore draw |url=http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/8203-stevenage-0-barnet-0-match-report-boro-s/story-28590647-detail/story.html |newspaper=Hertfordshire Mercury |location=Hertford |date=23 January 2016 |accessdate=12 February 2017}} Wilkinson scored his first two goals for Stevenage in a 3–2 defeat at home to League Two leaders Northampton Town on 19 March.{{cite web |title=Stevenage 2–3 Northampton Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35792003 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 March 2016 |accessdate=19 March 2016}} He finished the season with 19 appearances for Stevenage and signed a new undisclosed length contract with the club after the end of the season.{{cite web |title=Luke Wilkinson: Defender signs new deal of undisclosed length at Stevenage |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36304198 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2016 |accessdate=16 May 2016}}

Wilkinson was released by Stevenage at the end of the 2018–19 season.{{cite news |first=Dan |last=Mountney |title=Stevenage release eight players including experienced midfielder Michael Timlin |url=https://www.thecomet.net/stevenage-fc/stevenage-fc-announce-retained-and-released-list-1-6041470 |newspaper=The Comet |location=Stevenage |date=9 May 2019 |accessdate=1 July 2019}}

Following his release from Stevenage, Wilkinson signed for National League club Yeovil Town on a two-year contract.{{cite news |title=Luke Wilkinson: Yeovil Town sign ex-Stevenage defender on a free transfer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48725186 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 June 2019 |accessdate=1 July 2019}}

On 20 May 2022, Wilkinson agreed to join fellow National League club Woking upon the expiry of his contract with Yeovil, signing a two-year contract and linking up with his former manager Darren Sarll.{{cite web |url=https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/7864/luke-wilkinson-agrees-to-sign/ |title=Luke Wilkinson agrees to sign |publisher=Woking F.C. |date=20 May 2022 |access-date=20 May 2022 }} He went onto make his debut for the club during an opening day away defeat to York City, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 loss.{{Cite news |title=York City vs. Woking |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2022/08/06/england/conference-national/york-city-fc/woking-fc/3839567/ |publisher=Soccerway |date=6 August 2022 |accessdate=24 April 2024}} A month later, Wilkinson scored his first goal for the Cards, doubling the side's lead in a 3–0 home victory over Oldham Athletic.{{Cite news |title=Woking vs. Oldham Athletic |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/13/england/conference-national/woking-fc/oldham-athletic-afc/3839661/ |publisher=Soccerway |date=13 September 2022 |accessdate=24 April 2024}} Wilkinson featured 27 times in his debut campaign with the Surrey-based side, becoming an influential figure in their play-off campaign.

During his second season at Woking, Wilkinson struggled with injuries and ultimately only featured 23 times in all competitions. On 24 April 2024, he announced that he would be leaving the club at the end of his contract.{{Cite news |title=Luke Wilkinson on X |url=https://twitter.com/lukewilko90/status/1783083721639260282 |website=X |date=24 April 2024 |accessdate=24 April 2024}}

{{updated|match played 26 December 2024}}

{{notelist}}

Dartford

• Conference South play-offs: 2011–12

Individual

• Dagenham & Redbridge Player of the Year: 2012–13
• Football League Two Player of the Month: September 2014

{{reflist}}

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{{Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. Player of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilkinson, Luke}}

Category:1990 births

Category:Living people

Category:English men's footballers

Category:People from Wells, Somerset

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:Portsmouth F.C. players

Category:Eastleigh F.C. players

Category:Northampton Town F.C. players

Category:Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. players

Category:Boreham Wood F.C. players

Category:Dartford F.C. players

Category:Luton Town F.C. players

Category:Stevenage F.C. players

Category:Yeovil Town F.C. players

Category:Woking F.C. players

Category:Salisbury F.C. players

Category:Wells City F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:National League (English football) players

Category:Footballers from Somerset

Category:21st-century English sportsmen