Robbie Willmott

In the summer of 2006, head of Cambridge United's youth development Jez George spotted Willmott playing for Buntingford Town under 16's against Cambridge City and offered him a weeks trial at Cambridge United. Willmott joined United as a scholar and went on to play for Cambridge Regional College in the Eastern Counties Football League to gain further experience in a competitive environment.{{cite web

|url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/FeaturedPlayer/0,,10423~1446151,00.html

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312070111/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/FeaturedPlayer/0,,10423~1446151,00.html

|title= Willmott Enjoying Wing Role

|publisher = Cambridge United F.C.

|date=6 November 2008

|archive-date=12 March 2009}}

Willmott was a product of Cambridge's youth system. He made his senior debut for the club at the age of 17 on 15 September 2007. Willmott was brought on for the last ten minutes at the Abbey Stadium as Cambridge ran out 2–1 winners against Crawley Town.{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10423~39542,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227131646/http://www.cambridge-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10423~39542,00.html |title=Cambridge 2–1 Crawley Town |publisher=Cambridge United F.C |date = 15 September 2007 |archive-date=27 December 2007}} The winger signed his first professional contract with Cambridge United in December 2007{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/CRCScholarsReports/0,,10423~1204786,00.html |title= Needham Market 3 CRC 2 |publisher = Cambridge United F.C. |date = 2 January 2008 |access-date=19 February 2012}} {{dead link|date=January 2014}} and went on to score his first senior goal for United in the FA Cup against Boston United at their York Street ground on 25 October 2008, his overall performance deserving of the man of the match award,{{cite web |url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10423~46605,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219010114/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10423~46605,00.html |title= Boston United 2–3 Cambridge |publisher = Cambridge United F.C.|date = 25 October 2008 |archive-date=19 December 2010 }} an award that Cambridge United manager at the time Gary Brabin concurred with.{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10423~1435458,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030060933/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10423~1435458,00.html |title= Willmott: "It's All Falling Into Place" |publisher = Cambridge United F.C.|date = 28 October 2008 |archive-date=30 October 2008}}

Willmott featured in Cambridge United's Conference Premier play-off final defeat to Torquay United at Wembley Stadium in May 2009.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/league-two/5340211/Torquay-return-to-Football-League-after-beating-Cambridge-United.html |title= Torquay return to Football League after beating Cambridge United|work = The Telegraph |publisher = Telegraph Media Group Ltd|date = 17 May 2009 |access-date=21 February 2012}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/may/17/torquay-united-return-football-league |title= Torquay United regain their Football League status after two years|work = The Guardian|publisher = Guardian News and Media Ltd|date = 17 May 2009 |access-date=21 February 2012}}

He started in the final and the second leg of the semi-final, a game in which he scored for United.{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10423~47245,00.htmll |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507145655/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10423~47245,00.html|title= Cambridge 3–0 Stevenage|publisher = Cambridge United F.C.|date = 4 May 2009 |archive-date=7 May 2009}}

In January 2010, Willmott became an outlandish transfer target for fellow Conference club Histon but Cambridge United turned their offer down.{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Sport/Cambridge-United/Wanted-trio-have-little-to-gain-Jez.htm |title='Wanted trio' have little to gain – Jez |work = Cambridge News

|publisher = Cambridge Newspapers Ltd|date = 9 January 2010 |access-date=21 February 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Sport/Histon/Histons-bold-bid-to-Lewer-Us-trio.htm |title=Histon's bold bid to Lewer U's trio |work = Cambridge News |publisher = Cambridge Newspapers Ltd|date = 4 January 2010 |access-date=21 February 2012}}

Later that year, Willmott criticised former Cambridge United players Danny Crow and Dan Gleeson for joining Conference rivals Luton Town during the summer, he said "But if they (Crow & Gleeson) don't want to play for the club and they don't want to do the graft to get the club into the Football League, then fine. We don't want players who aren't going to put 100% into the team."{{cite web

|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cambridge_utd/8723251.stm |title=Cambridge United's Robbie Willmott admits to failings

|publisher = BBC Sport|date = 4 June 2010 |access-date=24 February 2012}}

Cambridge United sold Willmott to Luton Town in January 2011 for a transfer fee of £50,000. On his departure former Cambridge United manager Martin Ling said of Willmott "I feel it's a good move for Robbie, on a football front I'm disappointed to lose a player of his quality, He will be hard to replace from within but that's where it's got to be. Sometimes you have to manage difficult situations."{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/luton_town/9380130.stm |title=Luton Town sign Cambridge United's Robbie Willmott |publisher = BBC Sport|date = 28 January 2011 |access-date=19 February 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Sport/Cambridge-United/Hatter-boy-Robbie.htm |title=Hatter-boy Robbie|work = Cambridge News |publisher = Cambridge Newspapers Ltd|date = 28 January 2011 |access-date=19 February 2012}}

On signing Willmott, former Luton Town manager Richard Money said "There were a lot of clubs interested in him...I think it's fair to say that most of the bigger clubs in our division were interested in him and one or two clubs as far up as the Championship. We tried to sign him two or three times and it's always nice, with Monday still to come, to get the deal done with some comfort."{{cite web |url=http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/Sport/Luton-Town-FC/Money-hopes-to-avoid-manic-Monday-in-transfer-window.htm |title=Money hopes to avoid manic Monday in transfer window |work = Bedfordshire on Sunday |publisher = LSN Media Ltd |date = 30 January 2011 |access-date=21 February 2012}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.cambs24.co.uk/sport/robbie_willmott_makes_50_000_move_to_luton_town_1_787358?action=login |title=Robbie Willmott makes £50,000 move to Luton Town |work=Cambs24 |publisher=Archant Community Media Ltd |date=28 January 2011 |access-date=24 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821085115/http://www.cambs24.co.uk/sport/robbie_willmott_makes_50_000_move_to_luton_town_1_787358?action=login |archive-date=21 August 2014 |url-status=dead }}

He made his debut for the Hatters on 1 February 2011, coming on as a sub in Luton Town's 4–0 victory over Darlington at Kenilworth Road.{{cite web

|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/9377874.stm |title=Luton 4–0 Darlington |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 1 February 2011 |access-date=20 February 2012}} and scored his first goal on his full debut at Newport County on 18 February 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town-hatters/cruel_exiles_ending_as_hatters_are_left_heartbroken_by_late_leveller_1_2432213 |title=Cruel Exiles ending as Hatters are left heartbroken by late leveller |work = Luton Today |publisher = Johnston Publishing Ltd |date = 19 February 2011 |access-date=19 February 2012}}

In May 2011, Willmott played in his second Conference Premier play-off final, this time at the City of Manchester Stadium, and once again found himself on the losing side.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13418508 |title=AFC Wimbledon 0–0 Luton Town (4–3 on pens) |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 21 May 2011 | access-date=21 February 2012}}

At the end of the 2010–11 season, Willmott was acclaimed as one of the season's star performers with his inclusion in the Conference team of the season, the only Luton Town player to be represented.{{cite web |url=http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/Sport/Luton-Town-FC/Willmott-is-one-of-leagues-best-15062011.htm |title=Willmott is one of league's best |work = Bedfordshire on Sunday |publisher = LSN Media Ltd |date = 15 June 2011 |access-date=21 February 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/details.php?news_id=4787 |title=Blue Square Bet Premier 'Team of the Year' |publisher=Football Conference |date=13 June 2011 |access-date=21 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822050941/http://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/details.php?news_id=4787 |archive-date=22 August 2014 |url-status=dead }} As such, he was the subject of transfer speculation in August 2011 when Forest Green Rovers made two bids for him which Luton Town rejected out of hand.{{cite web |url=http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/Sport/Luton-Town-FC/Hatters-in-no-player-exits-vow-31082011.htm |title=Hatters in no player exits vow |work = Bedfordshire on Sunday |publisher = LSN Media Ltd |date = 31 August 2011 |access-date=20 February 2012}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/mobile/football/14677774 |title=Forest Green Rovers striker Reece Styche signs new deal |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 26 August 2011 |access-date=21 February 2012}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/mobile/football/14736628 |title=Luton reject second Willmott bid from Forest Green Rovers |publisher = BBC Sport |date = 31 August 2011 |access-date=21 February 2012}}

After a disappointing 1–1 draw against AFC Telford in December 2011 Willmott, Luton Town's goal scorer, jumped to the defence of under-fire Luton Town manager Gary Brabin when he said "We're all 100 per cent behind the gaffer. We're all working hard in training, we're all committed to the gaffer and we believe he is the man to take us up the league."{{cite web |url=http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town-hatters/willmott_backs_under_fire_hatters_boss_1_3296475 |title=Willmott backs under-fire Hatters boss |work = Luton Today |publisher = Johnston Publishing Ltd |date = 1 December 2011 |access-date=22 February 2012}}

Willmott was released by Luton Town at the end of the 2011–12 season and became a free agent. On 17 July 2012, he re-signed with Cambridge United on a two-year contract, less than two years after departing the U's.{{cite web

|url=http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10423~2851967,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720220008/http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10423~2851967,00.html

|title=Robbie Returns!

|publisher = Cambridge United FC

|date = 17 July 2012

|archive-date=20 July 2012}}

Willmott joined Newport County on 10 January 2013{{cite web

|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20977184 |title=Newport County sign winger Willmott from Cambridge United

|publisher = BBC Sport|date = 10 January 2013 |access-date=22 February 2013}} and scored two goals on his début in a 4–2 away win at Lincoln City on 12 January.{{cite web

|url=http://www.newport-county.co.uk/index.php?cat=report&id=129 |title=Lincoln City v Newport County

|publisher =Newport County AFC |date = 12 January 2013 |access-date=22 February 2013}} In the 2012–13 season he was part of the Newport team that finished 3rd in the league, reaching the Conference Premier play-offs. Newport County won the play-off final versus Wrexham at Wembley stadium 2–0 to return to the Football League after a 25-year absence with promotion to Football League Two.{{Cite news

| first = Dewi

| last = Hughes

| title = Wrexham 0–2 Newport

| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22335600

| publisher = BBC Sport

| date = 5 May 2013

| access-date = 5 May 2013}}

He was released by Newport manager Terry Butcher in May 2015 at the end of his contract along with ten other senior players in a cost cutting drive.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32703882|title=Newport County: Aaron O'Connor one of 11 senior players to leave|date=12 May 2015|publisher=BBC Sport}}

On 4 June 2015 Willmott joined Conference South club Ebbsfleet United.{{cite web|url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/13314010.former-exiles-ace-robbie-willmott-set-for-conference-south/|title=Former Exiles ace Robbie Willmott set for Conference South|website=South Wales Argus|date=4 June 2015 }}

On 26 November 2015 Willmott joined National League side Eastleigh on a loan until 2 January 2016.

{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34935059|title=Robbie Willmott: Eastleigh agree loan for Ebbsfleet midfielder|date=26 November 2015|publisher=BBC Sport}}

In July 2016, Willmott signed for Chelmsford City alongside Corby Moore, following former manager Rod Stringer to the club.{{Cite web |url=http://www.chelmsfordcityfc.com/news/moore-and-willmott-added-to-clarets-squad-1640295.html |title=Moore and Willmott Added to Clarets Squad |publisher=Chelmsford City F.C. |date=5 June 2016}} On 16 August 2016, Willmott made his debut against Truro City, going on to pick up an assist.{{Cite web |url= https://www.claretarmy.co.uk/matches/clarets-come-from-behind-to-snatch-opening-day-draw/ |title= Clarets come from behind to snatch opening day draw |publisher= Chelmsford City F.C }}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} At the end of the 2016–17 season Willmott collected the Player of the Year award for Chelmsford after contributing over 30 assists in his single season at the club.{{cite magazine |last= Owers|first= Luke|date= 4 August 2017 |title= Chelmsford City Supporters Club |magazine= Chelmsford City F.C. match day programme|location=Chelmsford |publisher= Chelmsford City F.C.}} During his time at Chelmsford, Willmott worked in a local supermarket alongside playing for the club.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47138437|title=FA Cup: Goalkeeper's wife has twin girls and rise of the supermarket shelf-stacker|date=6 February 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}

On 18 May 2017, Willmott re-joined Newport County on a two-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39963052|title=Newport County re-sign David Pipe and Robbie Willmott|date=18 May 2017|publisher=BBC Sport}} He made his second debut for Newport on the opening day of the 2017–18 season, in a 3–3 draw at Stevenage.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40761204 |title=Stevenage 3–3 Newport County |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 August 2017 |access-date=5 August 2017}} Whilst at Newport, Willmott lived with teammates including Joss Labadie across the road from Newport's ground, Rodney Parade.

On 7 January 2018, Willmott assisted the second goal for Shawn McCoulsky in the 2–1 FA Cup 3rd Round win against Championship club Leeds United.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42526173 Newport beat Leeds] On 27 January 2018 Willmott assisted the goal for Pádraig Amond in the 1–1 FA Cup 4th Round draw against Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42756217 Newport draw with Tottenham] Tottenham won the replay 2–0.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42882967 Tottenham beat Newport]

On 6 January 2019, Willmott assisted the first goal for Jamille Matt in the 2–1 FA Cup 3rd Round win against Premier League club Leicester City.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46713172 Newport beat Leicester] On 5 February 2019 Willmott scored the first goal and assisted the second goal for Pádraig Amond in the 2–0 FA Cup 4th Round replay win against Championship club Middlesbrough.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47037237 Willmott scores v Middlesbrough] On 8 February 2019 he signed a two-year contract extension to the end of the 2020–21 season.[https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/17419846.newport-county-fa-cup-hero-robbie-willmott-signs-new-deal/ Willmott contract extension] In the FA Cup 5th round on 16 February 2019 Willmott provided the assist for Amond's goal in Newport's 4–1 defeat against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47180807 |title=Newport County 1–4 Manchester City |publisher=BBC Sport |first=Michael |last=Pearlman |date=16 February 2019 |access-date=17 February 2019}}

Willmott was part of the team that reached the League Two playoff final at Wembley Stadium on 25 May 2019. Newport lost to Tranmere Rovers, 1-0 after a goal in the 119th minute.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48318580|title=League Two play-off final: Newport County 0-1 Tranmere Rovers|first=Michael |last=Pearlman|date=25 May 2019|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=6 December 2019}} In June 2021 Willmott signed a one-year contract extension with Newport County to the end of the 2021-22 season.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57669764 Willmott extends at Newport] In March 2022 he extended his contract until the end of the 2022-23 season.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60824251 Willmott contract extension] He was released by Newport at the end of the 2022-23 season.[https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/20232/may/2223-retained-list/ Newport County retained list]

On 1 February 2021, Willmott joined League Two side Exeter City on loan for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55892239 |title=Robbie Willmott: Newport County midfielder joins Exeter City on loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 February 2021 |accessdate=1 February 2021}} He made his debut for Exeter as a second-half substitute in the 1-0 League Two win against Stevenage on 2 February 2021.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55284157 Willmott Exeter debut] He made his home debut for Exeter in the starting line-up for the 3-2 League Two win against Bradford City on 6 February 2021, providing the assist for Exeter's second goal.[https://www.devonlive.com/sport/football/football-news/lets-keep-winning-run-going-4975758 Willmott Exeter home debut] He scored his first Exeter goal in the 2-1 League Two win against Colchester United on 23 February 2021.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56079589 Willmott first Exeter goal]

On 5 January 2023, Willmott joined fellow League Two club Walsall on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.saddlers.co.uk/news/2023/january/robbie-willmott-joins-the-saddlers/|title=Robbie Willmott joins the Saddlers|website=www.saddlers.co.uk|date=5 January 2023|accessdate=5 January 2023}}

On 16 June 2023 Willmott joined National League club Woking on a permanent contract.{{cite web |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/willmott-reunited-fellow-county-great-160638629.html |title=Willmott reunited with fellow County great in National League after Parade exit |first=Chris |last=Kirwan |website=Yahoo Sport |date=16 June 2023 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230618192952/https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/willmott-reunited-fellow-county-great-160638629.html |archive-date=18 June 2023}}

On 20 October 2023, Willmott joined National League South side, Weston-super-Mare on loan for the remainder of the season.{{Cite news |title=Willmott Leaves On Loan |url=https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/8355/willmott-leaves-on-loan/ |publisher=Woking F.C. |first=Daniel |last=O'Sullivan |date=20 October 2023 |accessdate=20 October 2023}}

On 26 April 2024, it was announced that Willmott would leave Woking at the end of his contract in June.{{Cite news |title=2023/24 Retained and Released List |url=https://www.wokingfc.co.uk/news/article/8562/2023-24-retained-and-released-list/ |publisher=Woking FC |date=26 April 2024 |accessdate=26 April 2024}}

On 1 August 2024, Willmott joined Cymru Premier club Barry Town United.{{cite web|url=https://barrytown.co.uk/midfielder-robbie-willmott-joins-the-town/|title=MIDFIELDER ROBBIE WILLMOTT JOINS THE TOWN|website=barrytown.co.uk|date=1 August 2024|accessdate=2 August 2024}}

Willmott was first called up for England C duty in February 2011{{cite web

|url=http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/2011/EnglandCSquad_240111.aspx |title= England C squad named |publisher = The Football Association|date = 9 February 2011 |access-date=25 February 2012}} but had to withdraw from the squad to face Belgium in the semi-finals of the International Challenge trophy due to injury.{{cite web

|url=http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~2288988,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214160629/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~2288988,00.html |title= Robbie Ruled Out |publisher = Luton Town F.C.|date = 9 February 2011 |archive-date=14 February 2011}}

He was once again called up for England C in August 2011 in a squad for a friendly with India U23.{{cite news| title = Watkins reaping rewards of Hatters' faith with England call-up | url = http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/Sport/Luton-Town-FC/Watkins-reaping-rewards-of-Hatters-faith-with-England-call-up-24082011.htm| work = Bedfordshire on Sunday| publisher = LSN Media Ltd| date = 24 August 2011| access-date = 20 February 2012}} However, the game was cancelled shortly afterwards.{{cite news| title = England v India cancelled| url = http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/2011/india-announcement-240811| publisher = The Football Association| date = 25 August 2011| access-date = 20 February 2012}}

He finally made his England C debut in a friendly against Gibraltar on 15 November 2011, starting the match before being replaced at half time in a 3–1 defeat.{{cite news| title = England rocked by Gibraltar| url = http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/match-centre/2011/GibraltarvEngland/report-151111.aspx| publisher = The Football Association| date = 15 November 2011| access-date = 20 February 2012}}{{cite news| title = Debuts for Luton trio as Gibraltar rock England C| url = http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/sport/debuts_for_luton_trio_as_gibraltar_rock_england_c_1_3252917| work = Bedford Today| publisher = Johnston Publishing Ltd| date = 17 November 2011| access-date = 20 February 2012}}

Willmott is comfortable playing on either wing or as a wing back and sometimes centrally as an attacking midfielder. His pace and ability to dribble and cross make him a formidable opponent when he is on top of his game.{{cite web

|url=http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10372~41215,00.html

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524154149/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10372~41215,00.html

|title= Robbie Willmott

|publisher = Luton Town F.C.

|archive-date=24 May 2012}}

{{Updated|match played 20 April 2024}}

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Category:1990 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Harlow

Category:English men's footballers

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Category:Men's association football wingers

Category:Cambridge Regional College F.C. players

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