Alex Wynter

Alex Wynter
Personal information
Full name Alex James Wynter[1]
Date of birth (1993-09-15) 15 September 1993 (age 31)[2]
Place of birth Croydon, England
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
2003–2010 Crystal Palace
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2015 Crystal Palace 0 (0)
2013 → Eastbourne Borough (loan) 6 (0)
2014 → Sutton United (loan) 6 (0)
2014 → Colchester United (loan) 6 (1)
2014 → Portsmouth (loan) 10 (0)
2015–2017 Colchester United 45 (0)
2017–2018 Maidstone United 41 (5)
2018–2022 Eastleigh 73 (5)
2022–2023 Eastbourne Borough 13 (1)
International career‡
2017 England C 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:08, 12 November 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:13, 28 November 2017 (UTC)

Alex James Wynter (born 15 September 1993) is an English professional footballer who most recently played as a defender for National League South club Eastbourne Borough.

Wynter had progressed through the youth system at Crystal Palace since the age of nine, where he made two cup appearances. He had loan spells at Eastbourne Borough, Sutton United, Colchester United and Portsmouth, before joining Colchester on a permanent basis in January 2015. He joined Eastleigh in July 2018, following an impressive season at Maidstone United.

Career

Early career

Born in Croydon,[2] Wynter joined the Crystal Palace Academy at the age of nine whilst he was attending Davidson Primary School based in his hometown. He later attended the Crystal Palace affiliated Oasis Academy Shirley Park between 2005 and 2010, where he was head boy. He made his professional debut whilst studying at Oasis Academy, appearing in the FA Cup while still in year 11. He left the academy with twelve GCSEs, including six at grade A.[3]

Alongside the academy, Wynter regularly featured in the Croydon Schools' team across multiple age groups. He scored hat-tricks against Woking Schools' in a 10–0 win at under-11 level in September 2004,[4] Ashford Schools' in a 5–0 win[5] and Sutton Schools' in a 6–2 win in December 2004,[6] and a further hat-trick against Godalming Schools' in a 7–2 away win in January 2005[7] as he helped his side to the London School's Shield final.[8] He scored for London Schools' in their 5–1 win over Surrey Schools' to lift the trophy for his side in April 2005.[9]

The following year, Wynter helped the Croydon Schools' under-12s side retain the English Schools' South-East Area Patrick Haugh Trophy after defeating Mid Sussex Schools' 3–1, with Wynter scoring the opening two goals for Croydon Schools'.[10] He also helped his side to retain the Gibson Cup with two goals in their 3–0 win over Woking Schools' in April 2006.[11]

He continued his goalscoring form in the under-13 age group, scoring a hat-trick in the English Schools' Football Association Wimbledon Challenge Trophy against Canterbury Schools' in a 10–0 victory.[12] He later helped his age group to a third consecutive season of success with victory in the Challenge Trophy with a goal in extra time to beat Gravesham Schools', and a hat-trick against Bedford Schools' in the semi-final stage of the Oxford United Invitation Cup in May 2007.[13]

Crystal Palace

With Crystal Palace struggling financially, and facing an injury crisis with a number of players out on loan, manager Neil Warnock named only four players on the substitutes bench for an FA Cup third round tie away to Sheffield Wednesday on 2 January 2010. This included the 16-year-old Wynter, who was sent on for his debut as a substitute for Darren Ambrose three minutes into stoppage time in the second half.[14][15] Wynter was then offered a three-year professional deal at Palace in April 2010, alongside Wilfried Zaha and Jonathan Williams.[16]

Eastbourne Borough loan

On 28 February 2013, Wynter joined Conference South side Eastbourne Borough on loan for an initial one-month deal. He made his debut two days later in Eastbourne's 1–0 defeat at Eastleigh.[17] He made six appearances during his loan spell with the club, which came to an end on 30 March, playing the full 90 minutes in each game.[18]

Return to Crystal Palace

Wynter was handed his first start for Crystal Palace in a League Cup fixture against Bristol City on 27 August. He was replaced after 68 minutes by Kyle De Silva as the Eagles were defeated 2–1.[19]

Sutton United loan

On 3 January 2014, Wynter joined Sutton United in a short-term loan deal.[20] He made his debut in Sutton's 2–0 win at Chelmsford City on 11 January,[21] making six appearances for the Conference South side before returning to Crystal Palace following the expiry of his loan.[18]

Colchester United loan

After returning from his Conference South loan with Sutton, Wynter was quickly signed on loan by League One club Colchester United until the end of the 2013–14 season on 27 March 2014.[22] He made his debut as a second-half substitute for Dominic Vose in the U's 2–1 home defeat to Tranmere Rovers on 5 April.[23] However, for Colchester's trip to Stevenage on 12 April, Joe Dunne handed Wynter a start, as Colchester eased their relegation fears with a 3–2 win, as Stevenage's Filipe Morais was sent off after shoving Wynter.[24] After the match, his performance was described as "exceptional" by Dunne.[25] Wynter then started in all of Colchester's remaining games for the season,[26] including scoring his first professional goal as Colchester sealed their League One status with a 4–1 thrashing of already-promoted Brentford on 26 April. Wynter's goal came after 32 minutes, heading in Ryan Dickson's corner to double the U's advantage.[27] He ended his stay in Essex with six appearances to his name.[26]

Following the expiry of his loan at the end of the season, Colchester expressed an interest in signing Wynter on a permanent basis, but a move did not come to fruition,[28] despite stating himself that he would be happy to return should the opportunity arise.[29]

Portsmouth loan

Wynter joined League Two Portsmouth in a season-long loan deal in July 2014.[30] He made his debut in Portsmouth's 1–0 win over League One opposition Peterborough United in the League Cup on 12 August,[31] and played in Pompey's 3–1 Football League Trophy triumph over Yeovil Town on 2 September,[32] but didn't make his first league appearance until 7 September, starting in their 2–0 away defeat to Burton Albion.[33]

Wynter was played in a wing-back role by Portsmouth manager Andy Awford, despite never having played in the position before, and said that he was "ready to thrive" in his new position.[34] Following a string of poor performances, Awford scrapped his 3-5-2 system that utilised wing-backs, but did not blame Wynter or his teammates for the lack of function within the system.[35] After making 15 appearances for Portsmouth in all competitions, Awford brought in Gillingham loanee Matt Fish as a replacement for Wynter, but insisted he would remain a part of his squad but the situation would be reassessed in the January transfer window.[36] However, on 28 December, both Fish and Wynter returned to their parent clubs after the loans were not renewed with both players having fallen out of favour at Fratton Park.[37]

Colchester United

Wynter rejoined Colchester United on 10 January 2015, on this occasion on a permanent basis, signing an 18-month contract ahead of the U's League One game against Peterborough United the same day.[38] He made his second debut for the club later that day, starting in defence and helping his teammates to a clean sheet in a 2–0 victory at London Road.[39]

During Colchester's FA Cup fourth round match against Tottenham Hotspur on 30 January 2016, Wynter was involved in a sickening collision with fellow U's defender Tom Eastman after just two minutes of the game. Wynter suffered concussion and a seizure while on the field. He was taken to hospital, where he was reported to have been sitting up and talking by half-time in the 4–1 defeat for Colchester.[citation needed] He finally made a return to first-team action on 23 April when he came on for Gavin Massey in a tactical substitution following Joe Edwards' dismissal in the 17th minute of the 3–0 defeat to Burton Albion, a result which saw Colchester relegated to League Two.[40]

Despite Colchester suffering relegation to League Two, Wynter signed a two-year contract extension with the club on 27 April 2016.[41] He ended the 2015–16 season with 16 appearances for the U's.[42]

Wynter described the 2016–17 season as not "a great season for me personally", where he had been "mainly on the bench".[43] He played just 20 games across the season, five of which were cup matches.[44]

Maidstone United

On 4 August 2017, Wynter's contract with Colchester United was cancelled by mutual consent and he opted to join National League side Maidstone United the same day.[45]

Eastleigh

On 29 June 2018, Wynter agreed to join fellow National League side Eastleigh on a one-year deal following an impressive campaign at Maidstone.[46] Wynter was released at the end of the 2021–22 season.[47]

Career statistics

As of 19 November 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Crystal Palace 2009–10[48] Championship 0 0 1 0 0 0 – 1 0
2010–11[49] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 0
2011–12[50] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 0
2012–13[51] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 0
2013–14[26] Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 – 1 0
2014–15[52] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 0
Total 0 0 1 0 1 0 – 2 0
Eastbourne Borough (loan) 2012–13[18] Conference South 6 0 – – – 6 0
Sutton United (loan) 2013–14[18] Conference South 6 0 – – – 6 0
Colchester United (loan) 2013–14[26] League One 6 1 – – – 6 1
Portsmouth (loan) 2014–15[52] League Two 10 0 2 0 1 0 2[a] 0 15 0
Colchester United 2014–15[52] League One 18 0 – – – 18 0
2015–16[42] League One 12 0 2 0 1 0 1[a] 0 16 0
2016–17[44] League Two 15 0 1 0 1 0 3[b] 0 20 0
Total 45 0 3 0 2 0 4 0 54 0
Maidstone United 2017–18[53] National League 41 5 4 1 – 4[c] 0 49 6
Eastleigh 2018–19[54] National League 43 4 0 0 – 2[d] 0 45 4
2019–20[55] National League 11 0 0 0 – 1[c] 0 12 0
2020–21[56] National League 19 1 2 0 – 1[c] 0 22 1
2021–22 National League 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 0 0
Total 73 5 2 0 0 0 4 0 79 5
Eastbourne Borough 2022–23[57] National League South 13 1 0 0 — 1[c] 0 14 1
Career total 200 11 12 1 4 0 15 0 231 12
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Appearance in EFL Trophy
  3. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  4. ^ Two appearances in National League play-offs

References

  1. ^ "List of Temporary Transfers of Players under Written Contract Between 01/07/2014 and 31/07/2014" (PDF). The Football Association. 31 July 2014. p. 50. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Alex Wynter at Soccerbase
  3. ^ "Crystal Palace Academy". Oasis Academy Shirley Park. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  4. ^ "Schools Football: Croydon's demolition job". Croydon Guardian. Croydon. 29 September 2004. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  5. ^ "School's Football: U11s cup tie runneth over, but they go through". Croydon Guardian. Croydon. 8 December 2004. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  6. ^ "School Football: Free-scoring Croydon borough youngsters". Croydon Guardian. Croydon. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  7. ^ "Schools Football: Godalming given the runaround by U11s". Croydon Guardian. Croydon. 26 January 2005. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  8. ^ "Schools Football: Schools into Shield final". Croydon Guardian. Croydon. 9 February 2005. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  9. ^ "Schools Football: Croydon boys at the heart of Surrey Schools' double win". Croydon Guardian. Croydon. 13 April 2005. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  10. ^ Lomas, David (29 March 2006). "Schools football: U12s triumph in cup final again". Croydon Guardian. Croydon. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  11. ^ Lomas, David (3 May 2006). "Schools football: Triumphant week for schools sides". Croydon Guardian. Croydon. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  12. ^ Lomas, David (7 December 2006). "Schools football: In-form Schools' sides progress". Croydon Guardian. Croydon. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  13. ^ Lomas, David (23 May 2007). "Schools' football: Cup joy for U13s". Croydon Guardian. Croydon. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  14. ^ Moody, Graham (2 January 2010). "Andrew sends Eagles through in cup". Croydon Guardian. Croydon. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  15. ^ "Sheff Wed 1–2 Crystal Palace". BBC Sport. 2 January 2010. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  16. ^ Moody, Graham (8 April 2010). "Palace youngsters offered professional deals". Croydon Guardian. Croydon. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  17. ^ Nagle, Ben (4 March 2013). "Palace loanne is a Wynter warmer". Eastbourne Herald. Eastbourne. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  18. ^ a b c d "A. Wynter". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  19. ^ Ritson, Mark (27 August 2013). "Bristol City 2–1 Palace: Woeful Eagles out of the League Cup despite Garvan stunner". Croydon Advertiser. Croydon. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  20. ^ "Crystal Palace defender in Sutton switch". TalkSPORT. 3 January 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  21. ^ Dolbear, Tony (13 January 2014). "Sutton United are back with a bang". Croydon Guardian. Croydon. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  22. ^ "Crystal Palace defender joins Colchester United and set for debut against Notts County". Croydon Advertiser. Croydon. 27 March 2014. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  23. ^ "Colchester 1–2 Tranmere". BBC Sport. 5 April 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  24. ^ Plummer, Matt (12 April 2014). "Sears scores twice as U's secure a vital victory at Stevenage". Daily Gazette. Colchester. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  25. ^ Plummer, Matt (15 April 2014). "Dunne sings the praises of "exceptional" defender Wynter". Daily Gazette. Colchester. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
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  27. ^ Webster, Simon (27 April 2014). "Brentford horror show hands Colchester League One security". Croydon Guardian. Croydon. Archived from the original on 15 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
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  29. ^ Waldron, Jonathan (12 May 2014). "Wynter open to U's return". Daily Gazette. Colchester. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
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  31. ^ "Portsmouth 1–0 Peterborough". BBC Sport. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  32. ^ "Yeovil 1–3 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 2 September 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  33. ^ "Burton 2–0 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  34. ^ Wilson, Steve (17 October 2014). "Wynter revels in new role". The News. Portsmouth. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  35. ^ Allen, Neil (21 October 2014). "Awford scraps wing-back system". The News. Portsmouth. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  36. ^ Allen, Neil (26 November 2014). "Awford: Wynter still part of the squad". The News. Portsmouth. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  37. ^ Allen, Neil (28 December 2014). "Defensive duo depart Fratton Park". The News. Portsmouth. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  38. ^ Marston, Carl (10 January 2015). "Colchester United sign Alex Wynter from Crystal Palace". Sudbury Mercury. Sudbury. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  39. ^ "Peterborough 0–2 Colchester". BBC Sport. 10 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  40. ^ "Colchester United 0–3 Burton Albion". BBC Sport. 23 April 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  41. ^ Waldron, Jonathan (27 April 2016). "Alex Wynter has put pen to paper on a fresh deal with Colchester United". Daily Gazette. Colchester. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  42. ^ a b "Games played by Alex Wynter in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  43. ^ Waldron, Jonathan (5 May 2017). "Alex Wynter was part of the Colchester United side that beat Preston North End to stay up on the final day of the 2014–15 season". Daily Gazette. Colchester. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  44. ^ a b "Games played by Alex Wynter in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  45. ^ "Alex Wynter: Maidstone United sign Colchester United defender". BBC Sport. 4 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  46. ^ "Spitfires Secure Double Signing". Eastleigh Official Site. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  47. ^ "2021/22 RELEASED AND RETAINED LIST". www.eastleighfc.com. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  48. ^ "Games played by Alex Wynter in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  49. ^ "Games played by Alex Wynter in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  50. ^ "Games played by Alex Wynter in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  51. ^ "Games played by Alex Wynter in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  52. ^ a b c "Games played by Alex Wynter in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  53. ^ "Games played by Alex Wynter in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  54. ^ "Games played by Alex Wynter in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  55. ^ "Games played by Alex Wynter in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  56. ^ "Games played by Alex Wynter in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  57. ^ "A. Wynter - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. 8 August 2022.