Wyll Stanway

Wylliam Sam Stanway{{Cite web |title=Holker Old Boys AFC Reserves {{!}} Furness Premier League sponsored by Paul Hunt of Bargain Booze |url=https://fulltime.thefa.com/displayTeam.html?divisionseason=911070901&teamID=954173463#tab-4 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=fulltime.thefa.com}} was born on 21 May 2001 in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria.{{Cite web |title=Wyll Stanway |url=https://stats.acscricket.com/Archive/Players/2235/2235232/2235232.html |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=The Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians}} He is one of four siblings, with two brothers and an older sister, footballer Georgia Stanway.{{Cite web |last=Baggaley |first=Michael |date=2022-07-06 |title=Wyll Stanway talks Chester FC, supporters and new season |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wyll-stanway-chester-fc-keeper-24414337 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Cheshire Live |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Chabo |first1=Elena |title=Georgia Stanway talks teamwork, mindfulness, and the future of women's football |url=https://www.stylist.co.uk/people/georgia-stanway-interview-manchester-city-england-forward-womens-football-team-sport/260621 |access-date=27 May 2019 |work=Stylist |issue=460}} They are from Askam-in-Furness.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-20 |title=Stanway family make history as Georgia and Wyll win accolades within 24 hours |url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/24594418.stanway-family-make-history-bayern-barrow/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=The Mail |language=en}}

Though the siblings all played football together growing up, Stanway played club and National Counties cricket before his football career. His father had previously made the Cumberland County Cricket Second XI in 1991,{{Cite web |title=Paul Stanway |url=https://stats.acscricket.com/Archive/Players/2332/2332534/2332534.html |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=stats.acscricket.com}} with Georgia and their younger brother also representing Cumbria's youth teams.{{Cite web |title=Georgia Stanway |url=https://stats.acscricket.com/Archive/Players/1107/1107523/1107523.html |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=The Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians}} In cricket, Wyll Stanway was an all-rounder, playing for Furness Cricket Club as well as grade cricket in Australia and representing Cumbria up to and including senior.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-15 |title=Cockermouth emerge as main threat to Furness in cricket top flight |url=https://www.whitehavennews.co.uk/news/19514738.cockermouth-emerge-main-threat-furness-cumbria-league-top-flight/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Whitehaven News |language=en}} When he was 17, he captained the under-18 Twenty20 team of Carrum Cricket Club in Melbourne.{{Cite web |date=2018-12-22 |title=Furness pair Stanway and Shaw making mark in Australia |url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/17316019.furness-cricket-clubs-wyll-stanway-josh-shaw-making-mark-australia/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=The Mail |language=en}} Stanway made his senior debut for Cumbria (then Cumberland) in 2019, and played for them in the NCCA Knockout Trophy and 2021 National Counties Championship.{{Cite web |title=Wyll Stanway Profile - Cricket Player England {{!}} Stats, Records, Video |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/wyll-stanway-1192182 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bone |first=Andy |date=2021-08-11 |title=NCCA Championship ED2: Wells set for Bucks debut in Cumbria + all the team news |url=https://www.sportsshots.org.uk/2021/08/11/ncca-championship-ed2-wells-set-for-bucks-debut-in-cumbria-all-the-team-news/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Sports Shots |language=en-GB}} A noted batsman for Furness and other clubs,{{Cite web |last=Hui |first=Jin |date=2019-06-20 |title=It's a nightmare for bowlers |url=https://dandenong.starcommunity.com.au/sport/2019-06-21/its-a-nightmare-for-bowlers/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Dandenong Star Journal |language=en-US}} he had success as a bowler for Cumbria.{{Cite web |last=Travers |first=Chris |date=2021-08-18 |title=NCCA review: Beds and Herefordshire seal promotion, Oxfordshire stun Berkshire |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/other-sport/ncca-championship-cricket-matches-reports-5801080 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Stoke on Trent Live |language=en}}

He attended the Chetwynde School{{cite web|date=2024-03-07|title=Something in their DNA – Second Stanway sibling receives England call-up|url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/24170114.georgia-stanway-brother-wyll-called-england-football/|access-date=2024-03-18|website=The Mail}} and worked part-time in the nuclear engineering industry as a support worker, having reduced his hours when he joined Chester.

Having played in some youth teams of local club Barrow's Performance Centre,{{Cite web |date=2024-05-24 |title=Stanway returns to Barrow - England international signs with AFC |url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/24342987.england-international-wyll-stanway-signs-barrow-afc/ |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=The Mail |language=en}} Stanway and his brothers played for Holker Old Boys as teenagers;{{Cite web |date=2020-01-31 |title=Holker Old Boys back themselves to continue revival |url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/18202034.holker-old-boys-back-continue-revival-daisy-hill/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=The Mail}}{{Cite web |title=Town put run of defeats behind them |url=https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/15016812.town-put-run-of-defeats-behind-them/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=St Helens Star |date=11 January 2017}} Stanway and his younger brother had stopped playing there by 2019, at which point Wyll was focused on cricket, while older brother JP was still at the club as a striker.{{Cite web |date=2019-05-04 |title=Stanway continuing family's sporting success story |url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/17618562.manchester-city-striker-georgia-stanway-continuing-familys-sporting-success-story/ |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=The Mail}} Continuing in local football, Wyll Stanway played as an outfield centre-back until he was 19, in early 2021,{{Cite web |last=Tomlinson |first=Andy |date=2022-08-25 |title=Roker Roundup: Sunderland linked with brother of Lionesses star & Bennette speaks in Costa Rica |url=https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2022/8/25/23322273/roker-roundup-sunderland-linked-with-brother-of-lionesses-star-bennette-speaks-in-costa-rica |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=Roker Report}} when Furness Rovers needed a substitute goalkeeper. Stanway discovered this due to the manager being a friend, and offered to "stand in net for them". As a goalkeeper, he was described as a raw talent. In June 2021 he moved from Furness Rovers{{Cite web |last=Baggaley |first=Michael |date=2022-06-17 |title=Verdict on Wyll Stanway as keeper prepares for new season at Chester FC |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wyll-stanway-chester-fc-contract-24247549 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Cheshire Live}} to Holker Old Boys,{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2022-01-28 |title=BREAKING {{!}} Wyll Stanway signs for Chester FC |url=https://chesterfc.com/breaking-wyll-stanway-signs-for-chester-fc/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Chester Football Club}} and a few months into the 2021–22 season he also signed for Lancaster City on dual registration.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-23 |title=Duo join Lancaster City - The Pitching In Northern Premier League |url=https://www.thenpl.co.uk/duo-join-lancaster-city-68718 |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=www.thenpl.co.uk |language=en}} He made 12 appearances for Holker Old Boys and 5 for Lancaster before, in January 2022, he transferred to Chester.{{cite web | url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/lancaster-city/appearances/2021-2022/wyll-stanway/935108 | title=Lancaster City | Appearances | Wyll Stanway | 2021-2022 | Football Web Pages }}

He signed for Chester on a non-contract basis until the end of the 2021–22 season, making 11 league appearances.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-16 |title=Wyll Stanway |url=https://chesterfc.com/player/wyll-stanway/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Chester Football Club |language=en-US}} His debut for the club in February 2022 meant he had gone from step 7 football at Furness Rovers to step 2 in seven months, reported as an "incredible rise".{{Cite web |last=Richardson |first=David |date=2022-02-13 |title=Wyll's big step up is testament to Blues |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/419396/wylls-big-step-up-is-testament-to-blues/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=The Non-League Football Paper |language=en-US}} He was not used for a period during the season, with the manager choosing a more experienced goalkeeper instead, but returned to a starting role towards the end, including keeping a clean sheet in four of the last five games. In June 2022 he signed a one-year contract for Chester. At the time, he described his good run of form as bittersweet, due to it coming at the end of a season. His progress as a goalkeeper saw him draw attention from other clubs.

In the 2022–23 season, Stanway spent time on loan at three clubs. He joined F.C. United of Manchester on 28-day loan at the end of September 2022,{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2022-09-23 |title=NEWS {{!}} Wyll Stanway joins FC United on loan |url=https://chesterfc.com/news-wyll-stanway-joins-fc-united-on-loan/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Chester Football Club |language=en-US}} where he played seven games and was named player of the match twice, including on his debut.{{Cite web |title=Match Preview : FC aim for three consecutive league wins |url=https://fc-utd.co.uk/news-story/match-preview--fc-aim-for-three-consecutive-league-wins- |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=fc-utd.co.uk}}{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=James |date=2022-09-24 |title=Yellows frustrated by man of the match 'keeper |url=https://www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk/2022/09/24/yellows-frustrated-by-man-of-the-match-keeper/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=Warrington Worldwide |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Marske lose at home to League leaders FC United of Manchester |url=https://www.marskeunitedfc.org/teams/204935/match-centre/1-10699107/report |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=www.marskeunitedfc.org |language=en}} After F.C. United he went to Bootle, intended to be until the end of the season. He was recalled from Bootle by Chester at the end of November 2022 and sent instead to Macclesfield for the remainder of the season,{{Cite web |date=1 December 2022 |title=Wyll Stanway moves to Macclesfield on loan |url=https://cumbriacrack.com/2022/12/01/wyll-stanway-moves-to-macclesfield-on-loan |website=Cumbria Crack}} after Macclesfield's first-choice goalkeeper suffered an injury.{{Cite web |title=Player Profiles: Goalkeepers |url=https://macclesfieldfcarchives.co.uk/player-profiles/goalkeepers/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=Macclesfield FC Archives, Unofficial Fan Account |language=en-US}} With Macclesfield he won the Division One West of the Northern Premier League.{{cite web |

url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/macclesfield/appearances/2022-2023/wyll-stanway/944101 | title=Macclesfield | Appearances | Wyll Stanway | 2022-2023 | Football Web Pages }} Robbie Savage, a board member of the club, later revealed that Macclesfield had wanted to offer Stanway a permanent deal, but could not agree terms with Chester.

Stanway was kept under contract at Chester for the 2023–24 season,{{Cite web |date=2023-05-30 |title=Boss Calum is thrilled as striker Caton signs two-year deal with Chester |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/23556186.talented-striker-caton-signs-two-year-deal-blues/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=The Leader |language=en}} being given the number 1 shirt.{{Cite web|last=Albert2|date=2023-07-13|title=Chester FC Squad Numbers confirmed for 2023/24!|url=https://chesterfc.com/chester-fc-squad-numbers-confirmed-for-2023-24/|access-date=2024-03-18|website=Chester Football Club}} By the end of January 2024, he had kept 18 clean sheets for them in the season;{{Cite web |date=2024-01-31 |title=Our terrific team of the week won't go far wrong with an eight-goal striker! |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/sport/24088201.team-week-weeks-selection-packed-quality/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=The Leader |language=en}} he finished the season with 22 clean sheets, having played every minute. He was also voted as Chester's player of the season by the club's travelling fans.{{Cite web |last=Albert2 |date=2024-05-23 |title=Wyll Stanway joins Barrow AFC |url=https://chesterfc.com/wyll-stanway-joins-barrow-afc/ |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=Chester Football Club |language=en-US}}

On 23 May 2024, EFL League Two side Barrow announced that they had signed Stanway to a professional two-year contract, with option for another year, for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-23 |title=Wyll Stanway: Barrow sign Chester goalkeeper for undisclosed fee |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c722jx3xe87o |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} Chester manager Calum McIntyre described the fee as "significant". Stanway was expected to be second choice behind Paul Farman, but an injury to Farman early in the season saw Stanway step up.{{Cite news |title=Barrow keeper Stanway wants to keep building on displays |url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/25107613.barrows-stanway-wants-keep-building-displays/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250423072143/https://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/25107613.barrows-stanway-wants-keep-building-displays/ |archive-date=2025-04-23 |access-date=2025-05-04 |work=The Mail |language=en}} He made his debut in the English Football League on 14 September 2024, which Barrow won 2–1 away at Grimsby Town, and was named player of the match. He was an unused substitute in the EFL Cup third-round tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 24 September, which saw Barrow knocked out of the competition.{{Cite news |last=Hashim |first=Taha |date=2024-09-24 |title=Nkunku's hat-trick sends Chelsea on Carabao Cup cruise against Barrow |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/sep/24/chelsea-barrow-carabao-cup-match-report |access-date=2024-09-26 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} The team then won the Lancashire Senior Cup on 26 November in a 1–1 draw against Burnley Under-23s, decided by a penalty shoot-out in which Stanway made two saves.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-26 |title=Wyll's the penalty hero as Barrow win Lancashire Senior Cup |url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/24752951.wylls-penalty-hero-barrow-win-lancashire-senior-cup/ |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=The Mail |language=en}}

He was re-introduced to the starting squad later in the season, and after twelve EFL appearances kept his first clean sheet in the league on 5 April 2025 with a 3–0 away victory at MK Dons: he made seven vital saves, including six inside the box, and was named in the EFL Team of the Week.{{Cite web |last=EFL |date=2025-04-07 |title=Fantasy EFL: Who were the weekend's top scoring players in gameweek 35? |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2025/april/07/fantasy-efl--who-were-the-weekend-s-top-scoring-players-in-gameweek-35-/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=EFL |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Elliott |first=Charlie |date=2025-04-07 |title=EFL Team of the Week: Birmingham City ace with a brace of goals and assists in statement win |url=https://www.theleaguepaper.com/features/efl-team-of-the-week/438709/efl-team-of-the-week-birmingham-city-ace-with-a-brace-of-goals-and-assists-in-statement-win/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=The League Paper |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Milton Keynes Dons vs Barrow: League Two stats & head-to-head |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cn91djwe0y9t#Report |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} Stanway followed this with four consecutive clean sheets before providing the assist for Barrow's third goal in a 3–3 draw to Bromley{{Cite web |date=26 April 2025 |title=Barrow 3-3 Bromley: Visitors snatch point in stoppage time |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cvgnppdqnrvt |website=BBC Sport}} and ending the season with another clean sheet away.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-04 |title=Ten-man Barrow fight for hard-earned point on the road |url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/25137357.ten-man-barrow-fight-hard-earned-point-road/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=The Mail |language=en}} He received the club's young player of the season award.{{Cite web |date=25 April 2025 |others=Barrow AFC |title=Local lad Wyll Stanway claims the Young Player Of The Season Award. 🏆 |url=https://www.instagram.com/barrowafc/p/DI4ZgKnMXBH/ |via=Instagram}}

In March 2024, he was called up to the England national football C team as one of two step 2 players in the squad,{{cite web|url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/non-league-paper/481341/england-c-squad-for-wales-c-clash-revealed/|website=The Non-League Paper|title=England C squad for Wales C clash revealed|date=6 March 2024}} debuting as a substitute in a match against Wales C.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-19 |title=BBC Radio Cumbria - BBC Radio Cumbria Sport, Wyll Stanway |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0hknvc1 |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}

Macclesfield

• Division One West: 2022–23

Barrow

• Lancashire Senior Cup: 2024

Individual

• Chester F.C. Away Travel Player of the Season: 2023–24
• Barrow A.F.C. Young Player of the Season: 2024–25

{{reflist}}

{{Barrow A.F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stanway, Wyll}}

Category:2001 births

Category:Living people

Category:Cricketers from Barrow-in-Furness

Category:English expatriate cricketers in Australia

Category:Cumberland cricketers

Category:Footballers from Barrow-in-Furness

Category:Men's association football goalkeepers

Category:Holker Old Boys A.F.C. players

Category:Lancaster City F.C. players

Category:Chester F.C. players

Category:F.C. United of Manchester players

Category:Macclesfield F.C. players

Category:Barrow A.F.C. players

Category:English cricketers

Category:England men's semi-pro international footballers