Kurt Willoughby

Kurt Willoughby
Personal information
Full name Kurt Willoughby
Date of birth (1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 (age 27)[1]
Place of birth Blackpool, England[1]
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Chester (on loan from Oldham Athletic)
Number 9
Youth career
2012–2014 Fleetwood Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014 Padiham ? (0)
2014–2015 AFC Blackpool ? (17)
2015–2018 Clitheroe 93 (42)
2018–2019 FC United of Manchester 39 (18)
2019–2021 AFC Fylde 29 (3)
2020 → York City (loan) 4 (3)
2021–2022 York City 41 (7)
2022–2023 Chester 44 (20)
2023– Oldham Athletic 15 (0)
2024 → Ayr United (loan) 12 (3)
2024– → Chester (loan) 15 (2)
International career‡
2018–2019 England C 3 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 06:09, 17 November 2024 (UTC)⅔
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13:59, 23 November 2023 (UTC)

Kurt Willoughby (born 15 July 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for National League North club Chester, on loan from National League club Oldham Athletic.

Club career

Early career

Willoughby began his youth career in 2012 with Fleetwood Town.[3] During the 2013–14 season, he joined Northern Premier League Division One North club Radcliffe Borough on a work experience loan.[4]

After leaving Fleetwood, he had spells with Padiham, AFC Blackpool and Clitheroe, before stepping up two levels to sign for National League North club FC United of Manchester in May 2018.[5][6]

AFC Fylde

On 3 June 2019, despite FC United's relegation, Willoughby stepped up another level to join National League club AFC Fylde.[7] He joined National League North club York City on a one-month loan in January 2020.[8] He was released by manager Jim Bentley in May 2021, at the end of his contract.[9]

During his time with AFC Fylde, Willoughby attracted interest from multiple Football League clubs, including Bolton Wanderers, but a move never materialised.[10]

York City

In June 2021, Willoughby rejoined York City permanently after being released by AFC Fylde.[11] Despite earning promotion to the National League after winning the play-offs, he was released by York at the end of his contract in May.[12]

Chester

On 13 June 2022, Willoughby signed a one-year deal with National League North club Chester.[13][14]

Oldham Athletic

On 7 June 2023, Willoughby joined National League club Oldham Athletic, signing a two-year deal.[15] On 1 February 2024, he joined Scottish Championship club Ayr United on loan until the end of the season.[16] In July 2024, he rejoined former club Chester on a season-long loan.[17]

International career

In October 2018, while at FC United, Willoughby was called up to the England C squad, and featured as a substitute in a 1–0 win against Estonia under-23.[18]

In March 2019, he was called up once again and started against Wales C, scoring the second goal in a 2–2 draw.[19]

His final appearance for England C came three months later in June 2019, where he played the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 defeat against Estonia under-23.[20]

Career statistics

As of match played 17 November 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
AFC Blackpool 2014–15[21] NWCFL Premier Division ? 9 ? 0 ? 0 ? 0 ? 9
2015–16[22] NWCFL Premier Division ? 8 ? 1 ? 1 ? 1 ? 11
Total ? 17 ? 1 ? 1 ? 1 ? 20
Clitheroe 2015–16[23][24] NPL Division One North 17 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 18 3
2016–17[25][26] NPL Division One North 34 13 1 0 5 2 3[b] 5 43 20
2017–18[27][28][29] NPL Division One North 42 26 1 1 1 0 6[c] 4 50 31
Total 93 42 2 1 7 2 9 9 111 54
FC United of Manchester 2018–19[30] National League North 39 18 2 1 — 2[d] 1 43 20
AFC Fylde 2019–20[1] National League 19 2 1 0 — 2[e] 0 22 2
2020–21[1][31] National League North 10 1 3 1 — 2[e] 1 15 3
Total 29 3 4 1 — 4 1 37 5
York City (loan) 2019–20[1] National League North 4 3 — — 0 0 4 3
York City 2021–22[1][32] National League North 41 7 4 3 — 8[f] 1 53 11
Total 45 10 4 3 — 8 1 57 14
Chester 2022–23[33] National League North 44 20 5 5 — 3[g] 2 52 27
Oldham Athletic 2023–24[1] National League 15 0 0 0 — 2[e] 1 17 1
Ayr United (loan) 2023–24[1] Scottish Championship 12 3 1 0 — — 13 3
Chester (loan) 2024–25[1] National League North 15 2 4 0 — 1[e] 0 20 2
Career total 292 98 22 11 7 2 29 15 350 126
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup
  2. ^ Appearance(s) in Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy
  3. ^ Two appearances and one goal in FA Trophy, four appearances and three goals in Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy
  4. ^ One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance and one goal in Manchester Premier Cup
  5. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  6. ^ Six appearances and one goal in FA Trophy, two appearances in National League North play-offs
  7. ^ Two appearances and two goals in FA Trophy, one appearance in National League North play-offs

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Kurt Willoughby at Soccerway. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Kurt Willoughby - Forward - First Team". Oldham Athletic. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  3. ^ Heaney, Sam (4 July 2012). "Youth face early test". Fleetwood Town. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  4. ^ Watters, David (4 January 2014). "Saturday's Transfer List". The Pitching In Northern Premier League. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  5. ^ Whitney, Steve (18 May 2018). "Greaves Makes First Signings Of The Summer For FC United". The Vanarama National League. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  6. ^ James, Alex (21 May 2018). "Kurt Willoughby leaves Clitheroe for FC United". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  7. ^ Elliott, Sam (3 June 2019). "England C Starlet Kurt Is AFC Fylde's Latest New Arrival". The Vanarama National League. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  8. ^ Kilbride, Jacob (24 January 2020). "York City bring in Fylde striker Willoughby on loan". York Press. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  9. ^ Moore, Andy (20 May 2021). "AFC Fylde boss Jim Bentley says strikers Kurt Willoughby and Sheldon Green need to be "main men" at their next clubs". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  10. ^ Iles, Marc (23 May 2020). "Bolton Wanderers keeping tabs on non-league hot-shot". The Bolton News. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  11. ^ "England C forward Kurt Willoughby joins York City". The Non-League Paper. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  12. ^ O'Reilly, James (26 May 2022). "14 players released as City announce their retained list". York Press. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  13. ^ Kilbride, Jacob (13 July 2022). "Kurt Willoughby signs for Chester following York City exit". York Press. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  14. ^ Baggaley, Michael (14 July 2022). "Kurt Willoughby deal gives Chester FC options they beat competition to signature". Cheshire Live. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  15. ^ "National League news - June 2023". BBC Sport. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  16. ^ Geldard, Suzanne (1 February 2024). "Latics striker makes move to Scottish Championship club Ayr United". The Oldham Times. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  17. ^ Barnes, Dan (24 July 2024). "Kurt Willoughby returns to Chester on season-long loan deal". The Oldham Times. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  18. ^ "A second-half penalty from Alfie Pavey seals win for England C over Estonia U23s". The Football Association. 11 October 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  19. ^ "Non-League Lions held to 2-2 draw by Wales XI at Salford City's Peninsula Stadium". The Football Association. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  20. ^ "Two late goals in Tallinn sees the non-League Lions lose against Estonia's U23s". The Football Association. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  21. ^ https://www.nwcfl.com/archive-results.php?season=201415&team=1
  22. ^ https://www.nwcfl.com/archive-results.php?season=201516
  23. ^ https://www.clitheroefc.co.uk/teams/56254/match-reports?season=32144
  24. ^ https://www.thenpl.co.uk/archive4094-match-info/results/261223/2015-08
  25. ^ https://www.clitheroefc.co.uk/teams/56254/match-reports?season=39150
  26. ^ https://www.thenpl.co.uk/archive5368-match-info/results/357150/2016-08
  27. ^ https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/16239612.kurt-willoughby-leaves-clitheroe-fc-united/
  28. ^ https://www.thenpl.co.uk/archive6540-match-info/results/455481/2017-08
  29. ^ https://www.clitheroefc.co.uk/teams/56254/match-reports?season=44458
  30. ^ http://fcunitedfan.com/en/profiles/willoughby_kurt/
  31. ^ FA Cup second qualifying round v Hyde United (A), 3 October 2020: "Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round – Hyde United 2 - 4 AFC Fylde – 2020-2021". Football Web Pages. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
    FA Cup third qualifying round v Farsley Celtic (A), 13 October 2020: Moore, Andy (13 October 2020). "Farsley Celtic 1 AFC Fylde 3: Luke Burgess bags two in Coasters' convincing FA Cup win". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  32. ^ FA Cup second qualifying round v Hebburn Town (H), 18 September 2021: "Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round – York City 3 - 0 Hebburn Town – 2021-2022". Football Web Pages. 18 September 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  33. ^ http://www.chester-city.co.uk/stats_first2223.asp
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