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Will Atkinson

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For other people with the same name, see William Atkinson (disambiguation).

Will Atkinson
Atkinson playing for Southend United in 2014
Personal information
Full name William Henry Atkinson[1]
Date of birth (1988-10-14) 14 October 1988 (age 36)[1]
Place of birth Driffield, England[2]
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Mickleover
Youth career
1997–2006 Hull City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2012 Hull City 6 (1)
2007 → Port Vale (loan) 4 (0)
2008 → Mansfield Town (loan) 12 (0)
2009–2010 → Rochdale (loan) 15 (3)
2010–2011 → Rotherham United (loan) 3 (1)
2011 → Rochdale (loan) 21 (2)
2011–2012 → Plymouth Argyle (loan) 22 (4)
2012 → Bradford City (loan) 12 (1)
2012–2013 Bradford City 42 (1)
2013–2017 Southend United 154 (10)
2017–2019 Mansfield Town 57 (3)
2019–2020 Port Vale 11 (1)
2020–2021 Alfreton Town 12 (0)
2021–2022 Southend United 33 (0)
2022–2023 Boston United 37 (0)
2023– Mickleover 37 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:07, 9 May 2024 (UTC)

William Henry Atkinson (born 14 October 1988) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Mickleover.

Having begun his professional career with Hull City in 2006, Atkinson spent time on loan with Port Vale, Mansfield Town, Rochdale (twice), Rotherham United and Plymouth Argyle. He was promoted out of League Two with Rochdale in 2009–10. He signed with Bradford City in July 2012. He played in the 2013 League Cup final defeat and the 2013 League Two play-off final victory. He signed with Southend United in July 2013 and helped the club to win the 2015 League Two play-off final. He signed with Mansfield Town in May 2017. He signed a short-term deal with Port Vale in October 2019, remaining at the club until the end of the 2019–20 season. He signed with Southend United in August 2021 after spending the curtailed 2020–21 season with Alfreton Town. He joined Boston United for the 2022–23 season and Mickleover for the following season.

Career

[edit]

Hull City

[edit]

Born in Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire, Atkinson started his career as a trainee with Hull City.[1] In December 2006, at the age of eighteen, he penned a two-and-a-half-year professional deal with the club.[3][4]

In October 2007, he joined caretaker manager Dean Glover's Port Vale in League One for a six-week loan period.[5] He made his senior debut on 13 October, in a 1–0 defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion at Vale Park.[6] Fourteen days later he won his first start, in a 2–1 win over Swindon Town. He made a total of four appearances for the "Valiants" before returning to Hull after Lee Sinnott replaced Glover as manager.[6] Upon his return he made one substitute appearance for Hull, in an FA Cup defeat to Plymouth Argyle on 5 January. Later in the month, he joined League Two Mansfield Town on a one-month loan.[7][8] Mansfield manager Bill Dearden later extended the deal into a further month,[9] and handed Atkinson a total of ten starts and two substitute appearances. He had a quiet 2008–09, not joining any clubs on loan and not making an appearance for the Hull City first-team, as the "Tigers" enjoyed their maiden season in the Premier League.

He made his League Cup bow on 25 August 2009 and was replaced by Kevin Kilbane 73 minutes into a 3–1 win over Southend United. In November he joined Rochdale on a month-long loan.[10] The loan was extended after the team went unbeaten in his six games at the club.[11] This run included a 3–0 win over Macclesfield Town on 5 December, in which Atkinson scored his first senior goal. Though he returned before the end of the season, his efforts in his fifteen appearances helped Rochdale to win automatic promotion into League One. Upon his return to Hull, he won his first start for the club in the Premier League clash with Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium on 3 May.[12] He marked this landmark appearance with a headed goal, though by this point Hull's relegation was confirmed.[13] Six days later he played in the club's last game of the season, helping them to earn a respectable point at home to Liverpool.[14]

He was selected for four Championship games at the start of 2010–11, before he signed for Rotherham United on loan deadline day (25 November).[15] He played just three games but did find the net in a 5–0 demolition of former club Port Vale.[16] In January 2011, Atkinson decided to rejoin Rochdale on loan for the end of the season, after turning down the opportunity for extending his United loan.[17] He went on to make 21 appearances for "Dale", finding the net twice.

In August 2011, he joined Plymouth Argyle on loan for the entirety of the 2011–12 season.[18] He scored the opening goal on his debut against Rotherham United and at the beginning of September at Burton Albion.[19] Atkinson netted two more goals in November, against Torquay United and Northampton Town respectively.[19] Atkinson was recalled by Hull City in January 2012, having made 25 appearances in all competitions for Argyle.[20][21]

Bradford City

[edit]

In January 2012, he signed on loan with Bradford City until the end of the season.[22] He scored his first goal for the "Bantams" on 28 February, in a 4–0 win over Barnet at Underhill.[23] In July 2012 he signed a one-year contract with Bradford City.[24] On 11 August, he made his first appearance since signing permanently, in a 1–0 win over Notts County at Meadow Lane.[25] He scored his first goal of the season on 3 November, opening the scoring in a 1–1 draw away to Northampton Town in the first round of the FA Cup.[26] He scored his second goal of the season in the replay on 13 November, which finished 3–3, and also scored his penalty in the resulting shoot-out which Bradford won 4–2.[27] On 12 February 2013, he scored his first league goal of the season in a 3–0 win away to Wycombe Wanderers.[28] Having played in all seven matches of Bradford's run to the 2013 final of the League Cup, including victories over Premier League sides Wigan Athletic, Arsenal and Aston Villa, he played at Wembley in the 5–0 defeat to Swansea City.[29] He was a 78th-minute substitute in the play-off final victory over Northampton Town.[30]

Southend United

[edit]
Atkinson playing for Southend United in 2014

In July 2013, Atkinson signed a two-year contract with Southend United, reuniting him with his former Hull City boss, Phil Brown.[31] He was an ever-present in the league for the "Shrimpers" in the 2013–14 season, and helped the club to secure a play-off spot, where they were beaten by Burton Albion at the semi-final stage. He was a first-team regular in the 2014–15 campaign as United again secured a play-off place and played the first 80 minutes of the play-off final as Southend beat Wycombe Wanderers to win promotion into League One.[32] He signed a new two-year contract in June 2015, and went on to make 39 appearances in the 2015–16 campaign as Southend posted a 15th-place finish.[33] Atkinson scored four goals in 41 games in the 2016–17 season as United finished in seventh place, one place and one point outside the play-offs. He scored two of these goals in a 3–0 win over former club Bradford City at Roots Hall on 19 November, which earned himself a place on the EFL team of the week.[34] He chose to leave the club in the summer after feeling that he "wasn't made to feel valued or wanted by Southend".[35]

Mansfield Town

[edit]

On 30 May 2017, Atkinson joined EFL League Two club Mansfield Town as manager Steve Evans's 11th summer signing.[36] He was transfer-listed by Mansfield at the end of the 2017–18 season.[37] However, he remained at Field Mill and was praised by manager David Flitcroft for his contribution as a squad player during the 2018–19 season, before being released in May 2019.[38][39]

Port Vale

[edit]

On 4 October 2019, Atkinson signed a short-term deal with Port Vale, 12 years after briefly playing for the club on loan.[40] He was signed by manager John Askey following injuries to Tom Conlon and Manny Oyeleke, leaving him to compete with Luke Joyce, Jake Taylor, Scott Burgess and Ryan Lloyd for a place in central midfield.[41] He was up to match fitness after having spent a full pre-season training with Doncaster Rovers.[42] He made his "second debut" for the club the following day, playing at right-back in a 3–1 home win over Morecambe, and in doing so set a club record for the longest time between appearances as his previous game for the club came 11 years and 11 months earlier.[43] He scored his first goal for the club on 22 October, when his injury-time strike secured a 2–1 victory over former club Bradford City at Valley Parade.[44] In January 2020, he signed an extended deal to keep him at the club until the end of the 2019–20 season.[45] However, he was not retained at the end of the campaign.[46]

Non-League

[edit]

On 5 November 2020, Atkinson signed with National League North club Alfreton Town.[47] He played 13 games before the 2019–20 season was curtailed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in England.[48]

On 24 August 2021, Atkinson returned for a second spell at Southend United and, in doing so, reunited with former manager Phil Brown; he joined the National League club a short-term deal after impressing on trial.[49] New manager Kevin Maher gave him a contract extension in January, praising Atkinson's work ethic and character.[50] He played 35 matches in the 2021–22 campaign but was not offered a new contract in the summer, much to his surprise.[48]

On 28 June 2022, Atkinson returned to the National League North to join Boston United, with manager Paul Cox stating that "he was much sought after following his time at Southend and we are delighted to have him onboard".[51] He played 37 league games in the 2022–23 season, with Boston posting a 15th-place finish, and was one of 13 players released by the club.[48][52]

Atkison signed with Mickleover of the Southern League Premier Division Central on 26 June 2023.[53] He made 45 appearances in the 2023–24 season, including in the play-off semi-final defeat to AFC Telford United.[54]

Style of play

[edit]

Atkinson is a central midfielder but is versatile and can play at wide right, wing-back and right-back.[41] Port Vale manager John Askey described him as "a good passer of the ball and an intelligent player."[41]

Personal life

[edit]

Atkinson's father, Kevin, director of Hull company Thermoplant Offshore Services, used to run his junior team in Brandesburton.[55] He has two sisters: Rachel and Frances.[55]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 29 April 2023
Club Season Division League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Hull City 2006–07[56] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007–08[57] Championship 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2008–09[58] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2009–10[59] Premier League 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 1
2010–11[60] Championship 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
2011–12[61] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 6 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 8 1
Port Vale (loan) 2007–08[57] League One 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Mansfield Town (loan) 2007–08[57] League Two 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
Rochdale (loan) 2009–10[59] League Two 15 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 3
Rotherham United (loan) 2010–11[60] League Two 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1
Rochdale (loan) 2010–11[60] League One 21 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 2
Plymouth Argyle (loan) 2011–12[61] League Two 22 4 2 0 0 0 1[a] 0 25 4
Bradford City 2011–12[61] League Two 12 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 1
2012–13[62] League Two 42 1 3 2 8 0 4[a][b] 0 57 3
Total 54 2 3 2 8 0 4 0 69 4
Southend United 2013–14[63] League Two 45 2 3 1 1 0 3[a][b] 0 52 3
2014–15[64] League Two 36 2 0 0 1 0 4[a][b] 0 41 2
2015–16[65] League One 36 2 0 0 0 0 3[a] 0 39 2
2016–17[66] League One 37 4 1 0 0 0 3[a] 0 41 4
Total 154 10 4 1 2 0 13 0 175 11
Mansfield Town 2017–18[67] League Two 39 2 3 0 1 0 3 0 46 2
2018–19[68] League Two 18 1 1 0 2 0 4 0 25 1
Total 57 3 4 0 3 0 7 0 71 3
Port Vale 2019–20[69] League Two 11 1 1 0 0 0 3[a] 0 15 1
Alfreton Town 2019–20[48] National League North 12 0 0 0 0 0 1[c] 0 13 0
Southend United 2021–22[48] National League 33 0 1 0 0 0 1[c] 0 35 0
Boston United 2022–23[48] National League North 37 0 0 0 0 0 1[c] 0 38 0
Mickleover 2023–24[54] Southern League
Premier Division Central		 37 2 3 0 0 0 5[d] 0 45 2
2024–25[54] Northern Premier League
Premier Division		 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 477 29 19 3 14 0 36 0 557 32
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Appearance/s in the EFL Trophy.
  2. ^ a b c Appearance/s in the play-offs.
  3. ^ a b c Appearance/s in the FA Trophy.
  4. ^ 4 appearances in the FA Trophy and 1 appearance in the play-offs.

Honours

[edit]

Rochdale

Bradford City

Southend United

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 27. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ^ "Will Atkinson | Player Profile · Aylesbury United Archive". www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Future stars sign up". Hull City A.F.C. Official Website. 8 December 2006. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  4. ^ "Tigers quartet sign pro contracts". BBC Sport. 8 December 2006. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  5. ^ "Struggling Port Vale recruit duo". BBC Sport. 12 October 2007. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  6. ^ a b Baggaley, Michael (4 October 2019). "Who is Will Atkinson: All about the midfielder who has signed for Port Vale". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  7. ^ "Atkinson heads to Mansfield". Hull Daily Mail. 28 August 2001. Archived from the original on 6 February 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2008.
  8. ^ "Stags recruit Tigers midfielder". BBC Sport. 28 January 2008. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  9. ^ "Hull wideman extends Stags stint". BBC Sport. 28 February 2008. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  10. ^ "Rochdale make double loan signing". BBC Sport. 20 November 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  11. ^ "Rochdale extend loans of Will Atkinson and Jason Taylor". BBC Sport. 21 December 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  12. ^ "Wigan 2–2 Hull". BBC Sport. 3 May 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
  13. ^ "Wigan 2–2 Hull". BBC Sport. 3 May 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  14. ^ Reekie, Harry (9 May 2010). "Hull 0–0 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  15. ^ "Rotherham United sign Will Atkinson & Paul Downing". BBC Sport. BBC. 25 November 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
  16. ^ "Rotherham 5–0 Port Vale". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 January 2001. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  17. ^ "Midfielder Will Atkinson rejects Rotherham United deal". BBC Sport. 5 January 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
  18. ^ "Hull City's Will Atkinson joins Plymouth Argyle on loan". BBC Sport. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  19. ^ a b "Will Atkinson". GoS–DB. Greens on Screen. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  20. ^ "Atkinson Recalled From Plymouth Loan". Hull City A.F.C. 12 January 2012. Archived from the original on 3 August 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  21. ^ "Hull City recall Will Atkinson from Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  22. ^ "Atkinson signs up". Bradford City A.F.C. 26 January 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  23. ^ "Barnet 0–4 Bradford" BBC Sport. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  24. ^ "Bradford City sign midfielder Will Atkinson". BBC Sport. BBC. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  25. ^ "Notts County 0–1 Bradford" BBC Sport. 11 August 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  26. ^ "Northampton 1–1 Bradford" BBC Sport. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  27. ^ "Bradford 3–3 Northampton" BBC Sport. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  28. ^ "Wycombe 0–3 Bradford" BBC Sport. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  29. ^ a b McNulty, Phil (24 February 2013). "Bradford 0–5 Swansea". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 22 January 2016.
  30. ^ a b Maiden, Phil (18 May 2013). "Bradford 3–0 Northampton". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 22 January 2016.
  31. ^ "Will Atkinson: Southend United sign midfielder from Bradford". BBC Sport. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  32. ^ a b Shepka, Phil (23 May 2015). "Southend United 1–1 Wycombe Wanderers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  33. ^ "Will Atkinson: Southend United midfielder signs two-year deal". BBC Sport. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  34. ^ "Sky Bet EFL: Team of the Week". www.efl.com. 21 November 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  35. ^ Philips, Chris (1 June 2017). "Atkinson: I didn't feel wanted by Blues". Echo. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  36. ^ "Will Atkinson: Mansfield Town sign Southend United midfielder". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  37. ^ "Mansfield Town release Rhys Bennett and six others transfer-listed". BBC Sport. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  38. ^ Thirkill, Stephen (2 March 2019). "David Flitcroft praises Mansfield Town squad players after 'pleasing' win over Cheltenham Town". www.chad.co.uk. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  39. ^ "Stags announce retained list". www.mansfieldtown.net. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  40. ^ "Will Atkinson: Port Vale sign midfielder on short-term deal". BBC Sport. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  41. ^ a b c Baggaley, Michael (4 October 2019). "Port Vale sign former Hull, Southend and Mansfield midfielder Will Atkinson". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  42. ^ "Will Atkinson 'buzzing' to be back at the Vale". Port Vale F.C. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  43. ^ Baggaley, Michael (5 October 2019). "Will Atkinson makes Port Vale history by playing in Morecambe game". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  44. ^ Baggaley, Michael (22 October 2019). "Bradford 1, Port Vale 2 report: Atkinson's late strike sparks wild celebrations". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  45. ^ Baggaley, Michael (7 January 2020). "Midfielder signs new deal at Port Vale". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  46. ^ Baggaley, Michael (18 May 2020). "Port Vale release six players and offer seven new contracts in retained list". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  47. ^ Sharma, Amar (5 November 2020). "Midfielder and Goalkeeper join the squad". www.alfretontownfootballclub.com. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  48. ^ a b c d e f Will Atkinson at Soccerway. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  49. ^ Phillips, Chris (24 August 2021). "Will Atkinson seals return to Southend United". Echo. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  50. ^ "Atkinson Signs Contract Extension". Southend United F.C. 24 January 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  51. ^ Singleton, Craig (28 June 2022). "United add experienced Atkinson". www.bostonunited.co.uk. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  52. ^ "Boston United let 13 players leave the club after 15th-placed finish". Lincolnshire World. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  53. ^ Scherer, Peter (26 June 2023). "Experienced Midfielder Joins Sports Line-Up – Mickleover Football Club". Mickleover F.C. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  54. ^ a b c "Will Atkinson | Player Profile · Aylesbury United Archive". www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  55. ^ a b Davidson, Trudi (23 February 2013). "Where there's our Will, there's a way to Wembley: Parents pride at Bradford's Atkinson". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  56. ^ "Games played by Will Atkinson in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  57. ^ a b c "Games played by Will Atkinson in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  58. ^ "Games played by Will Atkinson in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  59. ^ a b "Games played by Will Atkinson in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  60. ^ a b c "Games played by Will Atkinson in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  61. ^ a b c "Games played by Will Atkinson in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  62. ^ "Games played by Will Atkinson in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  63. ^ "Games played by Will Atkinson in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  64. ^ "Games played by Will Atkinson in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  65. ^ "Games played by Will Atkinson in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  66. ^ "Games played by Will Atkinson in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  67. ^ "Games played by Will Atkinson in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  68. ^ "Games played by Will Atkinson in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  69. ^ "Games played by Will Atkinson in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  70. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2010). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2010–2011. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 37, 322–323. ISBN 978-0-7553-6107-6.
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