Will Boyle
{{Short description|English footballer (born 1995)}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Will Boyle
| image =
| caption =
| full_name = William Sam Douglas Harry Boyle
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|9|1|df=y}}
| birth_place = Garforth, England
| height = {{convert|1.91|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/will-boyle/ |title=Will Boyle |publisher=Wrexham A.F.C. |access-date=15 July 2023}}
| position = Centre back{{Hugman|26933|William Boyle|access-date=11 July 2019}}
| currentclub = Wrexham
| clubnumber = 25
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2010
| youthclubs1 = Garforth Villa
| youthyears2 = 2010–2015
| youthclubs2 = Huddersfield Town
| years1 = 2015–2017
| clubs1 = Huddersfield Town
| caps1 = 2
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2015
| clubs2 = → Kidderminster Harriers (loan)
| caps2 = 2
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2015
| clubs3 = → Macclesfield Town (loan)
| caps3 = 0
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2015–2016
| clubs4 = → York City (loan)
| caps4 = 6
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2016
| clubs5 = → York City (loan)
| caps5 = 6
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2016–2017
| clubs6 = → Kilmarnock (loan)
| caps6 = 11
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2017–2022
| clubs7 = Cheltenham Town
| caps7 = 166
| goals7 = 23
| years8 = 2022–2023
| clubs8 = Huddersfield Town
| caps8 = 16
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2023–
| clubs9 = Wrexham
| caps9 = 24
| goals9 = 3
| club-update = 21:51, 15 April 2024 (UTC)
}}
William Sam Douglas Harry Boyle (born 1 September 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre back for {{English football updater|Wrexham}} club Wrexham.
Early life and club career
=Huddersfield Town=
William Sam Douglas Harry Boyle{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/june/efl-club-retained-and-released-lists-published/ |title=EFL: Club retained and released lists published |publisher=English Football League |date=23 June 2016 |access-date=2 January 2018}} was born on 1 September 1995{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/player/_/id/207609/william-boyle |title=William Boyle: Overview |publisher=ESPN |access-date=9 April 2020}} in Garforth, West Yorkshire.{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/will-boyle-248897/ |title=Will Boyle |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=13 December 2018}} He attended Garforth Community College (now Garforth Academy) before joining Huddersfield Town's academy at under-15 level from his local club Garforth Villa in October 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.htafc.com/team/player-profile/william-boyle/34 |title=Huddersfield Town AFC player profiles: William Boyle |publisher=Huddersfield Town A.F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122192742/http://www.htafc.com/team/player-profile/william-boyle/34 |archive-date=22 November 2015}} He was nearly ever-present for the under-18 team in the 2012–13 season. He made his first-team debut for Huddersfield as a late substitute in the 3–0 win against Reading on 24 February 2015.{{cite news |url=https://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-town-defender-william-boyle-9795624 |title=Huddersfield Town defender William Boyle is loaned to Macclesfield who play Torquay in their National League opener |first=Doug |last=Thomson |newspaper=Huddersfield Daily Examiner |date=5 August 2015 |access-date=5 February 2018}}
On 26 March 2015, he joined Conference Premier (now National League) club Kidderminster Harriers on loan for the rest of the 2014–15 season, and made two appearances for the club.{{cite news |url=https://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-town-loan-teenage-defender-8928935 |title=Huddersfield Town loan teenage defender William Boyle to Kidderminster Harriers |first=Doug |last=Thomson |newspaper=Huddersfield Daily Examiner |date=26 March 2015 |access-date=5 February 2018}} On 5 August, he joined National League club Macclesfield Town on loan for two months.
On 18 November 2015, Boyle joined League Two club York City on a youth loan until 3 January 2016.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/14039248.York_City_sign_Huddersfield_youth_captain___and__leader____William_Boyle_on_loan/ |title=York City sign Huddersfield youth captain – and 'leader' – William Boyle on loan |first=Peter |last=Martini |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=18 November 2015 |access-date=26 February 2016}} He made his debut on 21 November 2015 when starting York's 3–2 away to Leyton Orient, in which he struggled to cope with the physicality of opponent striker Ollie Palmer.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/14097423.Marvin_McCoy_back_on_York_City_s_transfer_list/ |title=Marvin McCoy back on York City's transfer list |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=23 November 2015 |access-date=26 February 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/14095476.Leyton_Orient_mete_out_capital_punishment_against_York_City/ |title=Leyton Orient mete out capital punishment against York City |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=22 November 2015 |access-date=26 February 2016}} He struck up a partnership at centre-back with Dave Winfield,{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/14148019.Dave_Winfield_declares_William_Boyle_partnership_can_solve_York_City_s_defensive_woes/ |title=Dave Winfield declares William Boyle partnership can solve York City's defensive woes |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=16 December 2015 |access-date=26 February 2016}} and despite York wanting to extend his loan{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/14178669.York_City_hoping_to_make_Tottenham_winger_Kenny_McEvoy_s_loan_move_permanent/ |title=York City hoping to make Tottenham winger Kenny McEvoy's loan move permanent |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=2 January 2016 |access-date=26 February 2016}} Boyle returned to Huddersfield in January 2016.{{cite news |url=https://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/former-huddersfield-town-duo-talks-10688075 |title=Former Huddersfield Town duo in talks with Glasgow Rangers |first=Doug |last=Thomson |newspaper=Huddersfield Daily Examiner |date=5 January 2016 |access-date=5 February 2018}} Having made only one appearance as a late substitute after returning to Huddersfield,{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/14302456.Huddersfield_s_Will_Boyle_in_the_bag_for_loan_return_to_York_City/ |title=Huddersfield's Will Boyle in the bag for loan return to York City |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=25 February 2016 |access-date=26 February 2016}} he rejoined York on loan until the end of the 2015–16 season on 26 February 2016.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/14305700.Young_guns_Bradley_Fewster_and_Lubo_Satka_could_be_next_for_a_York_City_rest/ |title=Young guns Bradley Fewster and Lubo Satka could be next for a York City rest |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=26 February 2016 |access-date=26 February 2016}}
In June 2016, Boyle joined Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock on a six-month loan.{{cite news |url=https://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-town-loan-duo-kilmarnock-11520012 |title=Huddersfield Town loan duo to Kilmarnock |first=Doug |last=Thomson |newspaper=Huddersfield Daily Examiner |date=24 June 2016 |access-date=5 February 2018}} He scored on his debut, as Kilmarnock beat Clyde 2–1 in the Scottish League Cup on 16 July 2016. The goal came after he had earlier conceded a penalty, which was saved by Kilmarnock goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36816349 |title=Kilmarnock beat Clyde as Albion Rovers and Morton draw |website=BBC Sport |date=16 July 2016 |access-date=19 July 2016}} Boyle returned to Huddersfield in January 2017,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38535581 |title=Kilmarnock: Luke Hendrie extends loan spell, but Adams, Bojaj, Boyle, Burn leave |website=BBC Sport |date=6 January 2017 |access-date=9 January 2017}} having made 14 appearances and scored 1 goal for Kilmarnock.
=Cheltenham Town=
Boyle signed for League Two club Cheltenham Town on 9 January 2017 on a one-and-a-half-year contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38559325 |title=Cheltenham Town sign goalkeeper Scott Brown and defender Will Boyle |website=BBC Sport |date=9 January 2017 |access-date=9 January 2017}} He made his debut in a 3–0 home victory over Accrington Stanley on 14 January 2017.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38539284 |title=Cheltenham Town 3–0 Accrington Stanley |website=BBC Sport |date=14 January 2017 |access-date=5 February 2021}} In April 2018, he signed a new contract to keep him at the club until June 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43797731 |title=Will Boyle: Cheltenham Town defender signs new deal running to 2020 |website=BBC Sport |date=17 April 2018 |access-date=5 February 2021}}
Boyle signed a new two-year contract at Cheltenham in May 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-huddersfield-town-defender-boyle-4176161 |title=Former Huddersfield Town defender Will Boyle on new contract at Cheltenham Town, 'Tour de Yorkshire' and yoga during lockdown and the play-off challenge ahead |first=Jon |last=Palmer |website=Gloucestershire Live |publisher=Local World |date=29 May 2020 |access-date=15 July 2023}} Following an impressive 2020–21 season, Boyle was named in the League Two Team of the Season{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2021/april/2021-efl-awards-winners-announced/ |title=2021 EFL Awards winners announced |publisher=English Football League |date=29 April 2021 |access-date=15 July 2023}} and the PFA Team of the Year for League Two.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57345692 |title=Norwich City dominate with six players in PFA Championship team of the year |website=BBC Sport |date=3 June 2021 |access-date=15 July 2023}}
=Huddersfield Town return and Wrexham=
On 6 June 2022, Boyle agreed to return to Championship club Huddersfield Town on a free transfer.{{cite web |url=https://www.htafc.com/news/2022/june/will-boyle-agrees-return-to-town/ |title=Will Boyle agrees return to Town! |publisher=Huddersfield Town A.F.C. |date=6 June 2022 |access-date=15 July 2023}} He signed a two-year contract, effective from 1 July upon the expiration of his contract with Cheltenham.
Boyle signed for newly promoted League Two club Wrexham on 13 July 2023 on a three-year contract.{{cite web |url=https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2023/july/signed--defender-will-boyle-signs-from-huddersfield-town/ |title=Defender Will Boyle signs from Huddersfield Town |publisher=Wrexham A.F.C. |date=13 July 2023 |access-date=15 July 2023}} He made his debut on 12 August when starting Wrexham's 1–1 draw away to AFC Wimbledon before scoring his first goal three days with a header in a 4–2 home win over Walsall.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66435747 |title=Wrexham 4–2 Walsall |first=Dafydd |last=Pritchard |website=BBC Sport |date=15 August 2023 |access-date=16 August 2023}}
International career
Boyle's father is Scottish, and he attended a training camp for the Scotland national under-18 team in October 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-town-youngster-william-boyle-4941092 |title=Huddersfield Town youngster William Boyle set for Scotland under 18 training camp |first=Doug |last=Thomson |newspaper=Huddersfield Daily Examiner |date=15 October 2012 |access-date=5 February 2018}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 12 November 2024}}
| 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"|National Cup{{efn|Includes FA Cup}} !colspan="2"|League Cup{{efn|Includes Scottish League Cup, EFL Cup}} !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Huddersfield Town
|2014–15{{soccerbase season|76329|2014|access-date=15 July 2023}} |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16{{soccerbase season|76329|2015|access-date=15 July 2023}}
|Championship |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2016–17
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!2||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0 | ||||||||||
| Kidderminster Harriers (loan)
|2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Macclesfield Town (loan)
|2015–16{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/william-boyle/391409/ |title=W. Boyle: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=10 April 2018}} |0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||||
| York City (loan)
|12 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 0 | ||||
| Kilmarnock (loan)
|11 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 1 | |||
| rowspan="7"|Cheltenham Town
|2016–17{{soccerbase season|76329|2016|access-date=15 July 2023}} |League Two |21 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearances in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 23 | 2 | |||
| 2017–18{{soccerbase season|76329|2017|access-date=15 July 2023}}
|League Two |34 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 40 | 5 | |
| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|76329|2018|access-date=15 July 2023}}
|League Two |38 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 2 | 45 | 6 | |
| 2019–20{{soccerbase season|76329|2019|access-date=15 July 2023}}
|League Two |13 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4{{efn|Two appearances in EFL Trophy, two in League Two play-offs}} | 0 | 19 | 2 | |
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|76329|2020|access-date=15 July 2023}}
|League Two |29 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 36 | 7 | |
| 2021–22{{soccerbase season|76329|2021|access-date=15 July 2023}}
|31 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 4 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!166||23||8||1||8||0||14||2||196||26 | ||||||||||
| Huddersfield Town
|2022–23{{soccerbase season|76329|2022|access-date=15 July 2023}} |Championship |16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Wrexham
|2023–24{{soccerbase season|76329|2023|access-date=16 August 2023}} |League Two |24 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 28 | 4 | |
| 2024–25
|League One |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 1 | 4 | 2 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!24||3||0||0||2||2||6||1||32||6 | ||||||||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!233||26||9||1||14||3||20||3||276||33 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Cheltenham Town
- EFL League Two: 2020–21{{cite web |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/huddersfield-town-closing-cheltenham-town-7114419 |title=Huddersfield Town closing in on Cheltenham Town captain Will Boyle |first=Jon |last=Palmer |website=Gloucestershire Live |publisher=Local World |date=22 May 2022 |access-date=15 July 2023 |quote=In his five-and-a-half seasons with the Robins, Boyle helped the club progress from League Two relegation battlers to title winners in 2020/21, having missed out in the play-off semi-finals the previous season.}}
Wrexham
- EFL League Two runner-up: 2023–24{{cite web |title=END-OF-SEASON GALLERY {{!}} Relive the Red Dragons' memorable season |url=https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2024/april/end-of-season-gallery--relive-the-red-dragons-memorable-season/ |access-date=3 January 2025 |website=www.wrexhamafc.co.uk}}
Individual
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/will-boyle/ Profile] at the Wrexham A.F.C. website
{{Wrexham A.F.C. squad}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 =
{{2020–21 EFL League Two PFA Team of the Year}}
{{2020–21 EFL League Two Team of the Season}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boyle, Will}}
Category:Sportspeople from Garforth
Category:Footballers from West Yorkshire
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Huddersfield Town A.F.C. players
Category:Kidderminster Harriers F.C. players
Category:Macclesfield Town F.C. players
Category:York City F.C. players
Category:Kilmarnock F.C. players
Category:Wrexham A.F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:English people of Scottish descent