Will Boyle

Will Boyle
Personal information
Full name William Sam Douglas Harry Boyle
Date of birth (1995-09-01) 1 September 1995 (age 29)
Place of birth Garforth, England
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Position(s) Centre back[2]
Team information
Current team
 Wrexham
Number 25
Youth career
–2010 Garforth Villa
2010–2015 Huddersfield Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2017 Huddersfield Town 2 (0)
2015 → Kidderminster Harriers (loan) 2 (0)
2015 → Macclesfield Town (loan) 0 (0)
2015–2016 → York City (loan) 6 (0)
2016 → York City (loan) 6 (0)
2016–2017 → Kilmarnock (loan) 11 (0)
2017–2022 Cheltenham Town 166 (23)
2022–2023 Huddersfield Town 16 (0)
2023– Wrexham 24 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 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 EFL League One club Wrexham.

Early life and club career

Huddersfield Town

William Sam Douglas Harry Boyle[3] was born on 1 September 1995[4] in Garforth, West Yorkshire.[5] 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.[6] He was nearly ever-present for the under-18 team in the 2012–13 season.[6] He made his first-team debut for Huddersfield as a late substitute in the 3–0 win against Reading on 24 February 2015.[7]

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.[7][8] On 5 August, he joined National League club Macclesfield Town on loan for two months.[7]

On 18 November 2015, Boyle joined League Two club York City on a youth loan until 3 January 2016.[9] 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.[10][11] He struck up a partnership at centre-back with Dave Winfield,[12] and despite York wanting to extend his loan[13] Boyle returned to Huddersfield in January 2016.[14] Having made only one appearance as a late substitute after returning to Huddersfield,[15] he rejoined York on loan until the end of the 2015–16 season on 26 February 2016.[16]

In June 2016, Boyle joined Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock on a six-month loan.[17] 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.[18] Boyle returned to Huddersfield in January 2017,[19] having made 14 appearances and scored 1 goal for Kilmarnock.[20]

Cheltenham Town

Boyle signed for League Two club Cheltenham Town on 9 January 2017 on a one-and-a-half-year contract.[21] He made his debut in a 3–0 home victory over Accrington Stanley on 14 January 2017.[22] In April 2018, he signed a new contract to keep him at the club until June 2020.[23]

Boyle signed a new two-year contract at Cheltenham in May 2020.[24] Following an impressive 2020–21 season, Boyle was named in the League Two Team of the Season[25] and the PFA Team of the Year for League Two.[26]

Huddersfield Town return and Wrexham

On 6 June 2022, Boyle agreed to return to Championship club Huddersfield Town on a free transfer.[27] He signed a two-year contract, effective from 1 July upon the expiration of his contract with Cheltenham.[27]

Boyle signed for newly promoted League Two club Wrexham on 13 July 2023 on a three-year contract.[28] 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.[29][30]

International career

Boyle's father is Scottish, and he attended a training camp for the Scotland national under-18 team in October 2012.[31]

Career statistics

As of match played 12 November 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Huddersfield Town 2014–15[32] Championship 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 0
2015–16[33] Championship 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 0
2016–17[20] Championship 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
Total 2 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 0
Kidderminster Harriers (loan) 2014–15[34] Conference Premier 2 0 — — — 2 0
Macclesfield Town (loan) 2015–16[34] National League 0 0 — — — 0 0
York City (loan) 2015–16[33] League Two 12 0 — — — 12 0
Kilmarnock (loan) 2016–17[20] Scottish Premiership 11 0 — 3 1 — 14 1
Cheltenham Town 2016–17[20] League Two 21 2 — — 2[c] 0 23 2
2017–18[35] League Two 34 5 1 0 2 0 3[c] 0 40 5
2018–19[36] League Two 38 4 1 0 2 0 4[c] 2 45 6
2019–20[37] League Two 13 2 2 0 0 0 4[d] 0 19 2
2020–21[38] League Two 29 6 4 1 2 0 1[c] 0 36 7
2021–22[39] League One 31 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 33 4
Total 166 23 8 1 8 0 14 2 196 26
Huddersfield Town 2022–23[40] Championship 16 0 1 0 1 0 — 18 0
Wrexham 2023–24[29] League Two 24 3 0 0 1 1 3[c] 0 28 4
2024–25 League One 0 0 0 0 1 1 3[c] 1 4 2
Total 24 3 0 0 2 2 6 1 32 6
Career total 233 26 9 1 14 3 20 3 276 33
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes Scottish League Cup, EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b c d e f Appearances in EFL Trophy
  4. ^ Two appearances in EFL Trophy, two in League Two play-offs

Honours

Cheltenham Town

Wrexham

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Will Boyle". Wrexham A.F.C. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  2. ^ "William Boyle". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  3. ^ "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  4. ^ "William Boyle: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Will Boyle". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Huddersfield Town AFC player profiles: William Boyle". Huddersfield Town A.F.C. Archived from the original on 22 November 2015.
  7. ^ a b c Thomson, Doug (5 August 2015). "Huddersfield Town defender William Boyle is loaned to Macclesfield who play Torquay in their National League opener". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  8. ^ Thomson, Doug (26 March 2015). "Huddersfield Town loan teenage defender William Boyle to Kidderminster Harriers". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  9. ^ Martini, Peter (18 November 2015). "York City sign Huddersfield youth captain – and 'leader' – William Boyle on loan". The Press. York. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  10. ^ Flett, Dave (23 November 2015). "Marvin McCoy back on York City's transfer list". The Press. York. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  11. ^ Flett, Dave (22 November 2015). "Leyton Orient mete out capital punishment against York City". The Press. York. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  12. ^ Flett, Dave (16 December 2015). "Dave Winfield declares William Boyle partnership can solve York City's defensive woes". The Press. York. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  13. ^ Flett, Dave (2 January 2016). "York City hoping to make Tottenham winger Kenny McEvoy's loan move permanent". The Press. York. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  14. ^ Thomson, Doug (5 January 2016). "Former Huddersfield Town duo in talks with Glasgow Rangers". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  15. ^ Flett, Dave (25 February 2016). "Huddersfield's Will Boyle in the bag for loan return to York City". The Press. York. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  16. ^ Flett, Dave (26 February 2016). "Young guns Bradley Fewster and Lubo Satka could be next for a York City rest". The Press. York. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  17. ^ Thomson, Doug (24 June 2016). "Huddersfield Town loan duo to Kilmarnock". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  18. ^ "Kilmarnock beat Clyde as Albion Rovers and Morton draw". BBC Sport. 16 July 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  19. ^ "Kilmarnock: Luke Hendrie extends loan spell, but Adams, Bojaj, Boyle, Burn leave". BBC Sport. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  20. ^ a b c d "Games played by Will Boyle in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  21. ^ "Cheltenham Town sign goalkeeper Scott Brown and defender Will Boyle". BBC Sport. 9 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  22. ^ "Cheltenham Town 3–0 Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  23. ^ "Will Boyle: Cheltenham Town defender signs new deal running to 2020". BBC Sport. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  24. ^ Palmer, Jon (29 May 2020). "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". Gloucestershire Live. Local World. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  25. ^ a b "2021 EFL Awards winners announced". English Football League. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  26. ^ a b "Norwich City dominate with six players in PFA Championship team of the year". BBC Sport. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  27. ^ a b "Will Boyle agrees return to Town!". Huddersfield Town A.F.C. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  28. ^ "Defender Will Boyle signs from Huddersfield Town". Wrexham A.F.C. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  29. ^ a b "Games played by Will Boyle in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  30. ^ Pritchard, Dafydd (15 August 2023). "Wrexham 4–2 Walsall". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  31. ^ Thomson, Doug (15 October 2012). "Huddersfield Town youngster William Boyle set for Scotland under 18 training camp". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  32. ^ "Games played by Will Boyle in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  33. ^ a b "Games played by Will Boyle in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  34. ^ a b "W. Boyle: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  35. ^ "Games played by Will Boyle in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  36. ^ "Games played by Will Boyle in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  37. ^ "Games played by Will Boyle in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  38. ^ "Games played by Will Boyle in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  39. ^ "Games played by Will Boyle in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  40. ^ "Games played by Will Boyle in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  41. ^ Palmer, Jon (22 May 2022). "Huddersfield Town closing in on Cheltenham Town captain Will Boyle". Gloucestershire Live. Local World. Retrieved 15 July 2023. 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.
  42. ^ "END-OF-SEASON GALLERY | Relive the Red Dragons' memorable season". www.wrexhamafc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  • Profile at the Wrexham A.F.C. website