Robbie Willmott

English footballer

Robbie Willmott
Personal information
Full name Robbie James Willmott[1]
Date of birth (1990-05-16) 16 May 1990 (age 33)
Place of birth Harlow, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Position(s) Winger, Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Woking
Number 8
Youth career
Buntingford Town
2006–2007 Cambridge United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2007 Cambridge Regional College
2007–2011 Cambridge United 108 (19)
2011–2012 Luton Town 54 (14)
2012–2013 Cambridge United 20 (2)
2013–2015 Newport County 83 (10)
2015–2016 Ebbsfleet United 12 (0)
2015 → Eastleigh (loan) 1 (0)
2016 → Bishop's Stortford (loan) 18 (2)
2016–2017 Chelmsford City 43 (3)
2017–2023 Newport County 158 (7)
2021 → Exeter City (loan) 17 (1)
2023 → Walsall (loan) 8 (0)
2023–2024 Woking 8 (0)
2023–2024 → Weston-super-Mare (loan) 32 (3)
International career‡
2011 England C 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:56, 21 April 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19:56, 21 April 2024 (UTC)

Robbie James Willmott (born 16 May 1990) is an English footballer who plays as a winger or midfielder for National League club Woking.

Youth career

In the summer of 2006, head of Cambridge United's youth development Jez George spotted Willmott playing for Buntingford Town under 16's against Cambridge City and offered him a weeks trial at Cambridge United. Willmott joined United as a scholar and went on to play for Cambridge Regional College in the Eastern Counties Football League to gain further experience in a competitive environment.[3]

Club career

Cambridge United

Willmott was a product of Cambridge's youth system. He made his senior debut for the club at the age of 17 on 15 September 2007. Willmott was brought on for the last ten minutes at the Abbey Stadium as Cambridge ran out 2–1 winners against Crawley Town.[4] The winger signed his first professional contract with Cambridge United in December 2007[5] and went on to score his first senior goal for United in the FA Cup against Boston United at their York Street ground on 25 October 2008, his overall performance deserving of the man of the match award,[6] an award that Cambridge United manager at the time Gary Brabin concurred with.[7]

Willmott featured in Cambridge United's Conference Premier play-off final defeat to Torquay United at Wembley Stadium in May 2009.[8][9] He started in the final and the second leg of the semi-final, a game in which he scored for United.[10]

In January 2010, Willmott became an outlandish transfer target for fellow Conference club Histon but Cambridge United turned their offer down.[11][12]

Later that year, Willmott criticised former Cambridge United players Danny Crow and Dan Gleeson for joining Conference rivals Luton Town during the summer, he said "But if they (Crow & Gleeson) don't want to play for the club and they don't want to do the graft to get the club into the Football League, then fine. We don't want players who aren't going to put 100% into the team."[13]

Cambridge United sold Willmott to Luton Town in January 2011 for a transfer fee of £50,000. On his departure former Cambridge United manager Martin Ling said of Willmott "I feel it's a good move for Robbie, on a football front I'm disappointed to lose a player of his quality, He will be hard to replace from within but that's where it's got to be. Sometimes you have to manage difficult situations."[14][15]

Luton Town

On signing Willmott, former Luton Town manager Richard Money said "There were a lot of clubs interested in him...I think it's fair to say that most of the bigger clubs in our division were interested in him and one or two clubs as far up as the Championship. We tried to sign him two or three times and it's always nice, with Monday still to come, to get the deal done with some comfort."[16][17]

He made his debut for the Hatters on 1 February 2011, coming on as a sub in Luton Town's 4–0 victory over Darlington at Kenilworth Road.[18] and scored his first goal on his full debut at Newport County on 18 February 2011.[19]

In May 2011, Willmott played in his second Conference Premier play-off final, this time at the City of Manchester Stadium, and once again found himself on the losing side.[20]

At the end of the 2010–11 season, Willmott was acclaimed as one of the season's star performers with his inclusion in the Conference team of the season, the only Luton Town player to be represented.[21][22] As such, he was the subject of transfer speculation in August 2011 when Forest Green Rovers made two bids for him which Luton Town rejected out of hand.[23][24][25]

After a disappointing 1–1 draw against AFC Telford in December 2011 Willmott, Luton Town's goal scorer, jumped to the defence of under-fire Luton Town manager Gary Brabin when he said "We're all 100 per cent behind the gaffer. We're all working hard in training, we're all committed to the gaffer and we believe he is the man to take us up the league."[26]

Return to Cambridge United

Willmott was released by Luton Town at the end of the 2011–12 season and became a free agent. On 17 July 2012, he re-signed with Cambridge United on a two-year contract, less than two years after departing the U's.[27]

Newport County

Willmott joined Newport County on 10 January 2013[28] and scored two goals on his début in a 4–2 away win at Lincoln City on 12 January.[29] In the 2012–13 season he was part of the Newport team that finished 3rd in the league, reaching the Conference Premier play-offs. Newport County won the play-off final versus Wrexham at Wembley stadium 2–0 to return to the Football League after a 25-year absence with promotion to Football League Two.[30]

He was released by Newport manager Terry Butcher in May 2015 at the end of his contract along with ten other senior players in a cost cutting drive.[31]

Ebbsfleet United

On 4 June 2015 Willmott joined Conference South club Ebbsfleet United.[32]

Eastleigh (loan)

On 26 November 2015 Willmott joined National League side Eastleigh on a loan until 2 January 2016. [33]

Chelmsford City

In July 2016, Willmott signed for Chelmsford City alongside Corby Moore, following former manager Rod Stringer to the club.[34] On 16 August 2016, Willmott made his debut against Truro City, going on to pick up an assist.[35] At the end of the 2016–17 season Willmott collected the Player of the Year award for Chelmsford after contributing over 30 assists in his single season at the club.[36] During his time at Chelmsford, Willmott worked in a local supermarket alongside playing for the club.[37]

Return to Newport County

On 18 May 2017, Willmott re-joined Newport County on a two-year contract.[38] He made his second debut for Newport on the opening day of the 2017–18 season, in a 3–3 draw at Stevenage.[39] Whilst at Newport, Willmott lived with teammates including Joss Labadie across the road from Newport's ground, Rodney Parade.[37]

On 7 January 2018, Willmott assisted the second goal for Shawn McCoulsky in the 2–1 FA Cup 3rd Round win against Championship club Leeds United.[40] On 27 January 2018 Willmott assisted the goal for Pádraig Amond in the 1–1 FA Cup 4th Round draw against Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.[41] Tottenham won the replay 2–0.[42]

On 6 January 2019, Willmott assisted the first goal for Jamille Matt in the 2–1 FA Cup 3rd Round win against Premier League club Leicester City.[43] On 5 February 2019 Willmott scored the first goal and assisted the second goal for Pádraig Amond in the 2–0 FA Cup 4th Round replay win against Championship club Middlesbrough.[44] On 8 February 2019 he signed a two-year contract extension to the end of the 2020–21 season.[45] In the FA Cup 5th round on 16 February 2019 Willmott provided the assist for Amond's goal in Newport's 4–1 defeat against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.[46] Willmott was part of the team that reached the League Two playoff final at Wembley Stadium on 25 May 2019. Newport lost to Tranmere Rovers, 1-0 after a goal in the 119th minute.[47] In June 2021 Willmott signed a one year contract extension with Newport County to the end of the 2021-22 season.[48] In March 2022 he extended his contract until the end of the 2022-23 season.[49] He was released by Newport at the end of the 2022-23 season.[50]

Exeter City (loan)

On 1 February 2021, Willmott joined League Two side Exeter City on loan for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.[51] He made his debut for Exeter as a second-half substitute in the 1-0 League Two win against Stevenage on 2 February 2021.[52] He made his home debut for Exeter in the starting line-up for the 3-2 League Two win against Bradford City on 6 February 2021, providing the assist for Exeter's second goal.[53] He scored his first Exeter goal in the 2-1 League Two win against Colchester United on 23 February 2021.[54]

Walsall (loan)

On 5 January 2023, Willmott joined fellow League Two club Walsall on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season.[55]

Woking

On 16 June 2023 Willmott joined National League club Woking on a permanent contract.[56]

On 20 October 2023, Willmott joined National League South side, Weston-super-Mare on loan for the remainder of the season.[57]

On 26 April 2024, it was announced that Willmott would leave Woking at the end of his contract in June.[58]

International career

Willmott was first called up for England C duty in February 2011[59] but had to withdraw from the squad to face Belgium in the semi-finals of the International Challenge trophy due to injury.[60]

He was once again called up for England C in August 2011 in a squad for a friendly with India U23.[61] However, the game was cancelled shortly afterwards.[62]

He finally made his England C debut in a friendly against Gibraltar on 15 November 2011, starting the match before being replaced at half time in a 3–1 defeat.[63][64]

Style of play

Willmott is comfortable playing on either wing or as a wing back and sometimes centrally as an attacking midfielder. His pace and ability to dribble and cross make him a formidable opponent when he is on top of his game.[65]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 20 April 2024
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
Cambridge United 2007–08[66] Conference Premier 15 0 0 0 ~ ~ 1[a] 0 16 0
2008–09[67] 39 7 1 0 ~ ~ 1[b] 0 41 7
2009–10[68] 27 2 2 0 ~ ~ 0 0 29 2
2010–11[69] 27 10 2 0 ~ ~ 3[b] 0 32 10
Cambridge United 108 19 5 0 ~ ~ 5 0 118 19
Luton Town 2010–11[69] Conference Premier 15 6 0 0 ~ ~ 3[c] 0 18 6
2011–12[70] 39 8 2 0 ~ ~ 8[d] 1 49 9
Luton Town 54 14 2 0 ~ ~ 11 1 67 15
Cambridge United 2012–13[71] Conference Premier 20 2 0 0 ~ ~ 1[b] 0 21 2
Newport County 2012–13[71] Conference Premier 19 6 0 0 ~ ~ 2[c] 0 21 6
2013–14[72] League Two 46 3 2 3 2 0 3[e] 0 53 6
2014–15[73] 16 1 0 0 1 0 1[e] 0 18 1
Newport County 81 10 2 3 3 0 6 0 92 13
Ebbsfleet United 2015–16[74] Conference South 12 0 0 0 ~ ~ 0 0 12 0
Eastleigh (loan) 2015–16[74] Conference Premier 1 0 0 0 ~ ~ 0 0 1 0
Bishop's Stortford (loan) 2015–16[74] Conference South 18 2 0 0 ~ ~ 0 0 18 2
Chelmsford City 2016–17[74] National League South 43 3 0 0 ~ ~ 4[b] 1 47 4
Newport County 2017–18[75] League Two 39 2 5 0 2 0 1[e] 0 47 2
2018–19[76] League Two 31 2 6 1 0 0 6[f] 0 43 3
2019–20[77] League Two 27 0 2 0 1 0 2[e] 0 32 0
2020–21[78] League Two 19 0 3 0 4 0 2[e] 0 28 0
2021–22[79] League Two 30 3 1 0 1 0 1[e] 0 33 3
2022–23[80] League Two 12 0 0 0 2 0 3[e] 0 17 0
Newport County 158 7 19 1 8 0 12 0 197 8
Exeter City (loan) 2020–21[78] League Two 17 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 1
Walsall (loan) 2022–23[80] League Two 8 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Woking 2023–24[74] National League 8 0 1 0 — 0 0 9 0
Weston-super-Mare (loan) 2023–24[74] National League South 32 3 0 0 — 2[b] 0 35 3
Career total 560 61 28 4 12 0 43 2 643 67
  1. ^ Appearance in the Conference League Cup
  2. ^ a b c d e Appearances in the FA Trophy
  3. ^ a b Appearances in the Conference Premier play-offs
  4. ^ Five appearances in the FA Trophy and three in the Conference Premier play-offs
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  6. ^ Appearances in the Football League Trophy & League Two Play-Off's

References

  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Newport County" (PDF). English Football League. p. 47. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Robbie Willmott - Midfielder - First Team - Newport County". Newport County A.F.C. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Willmott Enjoying Wing Role". Cambridge United F.C. 6 November 2008. Archived from the original on 12 March 2009.
  4. ^ "Cambridge 2–1 Crawley Town". Cambridge United F.C. 15 September 2007. Archived from the original on 27 December 2007.
  5. ^ "Needham Market 3 CRC 2". Cambridge United F.C. 2 January 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2012. [dead link]
  6. ^ "Boston United 2–3 Cambridge". Cambridge United F.C. 25 October 2008. Archived from the original on 19 December 2010.
  7. ^ "Willmott: "It's All Falling Into Place"". Cambridge United F.C. 28 October 2008. Archived from the original on 30 October 2008.
  8. ^ "Torquay return to Football League after beating Cambridge United". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Ltd. 17 May 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  9. ^ "Torquay United regain their Football League status after two years". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Ltd. 17 May 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  10. ^ "Cambridge 3–0 Stevenage". Cambridge United F.C. 4 May 2009. Archived from the original on 7 May 2009.
  11. ^ "'Wanted trio' have little to gain – Jez". Cambridge News. Cambridge Newspapers Ltd. 9 January 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  12. ^ "Histon's bold bid to Lewer U's trio". Cambridge News. Cambridge Newspapers Ltd. 4 January 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  13. ^ "Cambridge United's Robbie Willmott admits to failings". BBC Sport. 4 June 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  14. ^ "Luton Town sign Cambridge United's Robbie Willmott". BBC Sport. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  15. ^ "Hatter-boy Robbie". Cambridge News. Cambridge Newspapers Ltd. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  16. ^ "Money hopes to avoid manic Monday in transfer window". Bedfordshire on Sunday. LSN Media Ltd. 30 January 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  17. ^ "Robbie Willmott makes £50,000 move to Luton Town". Cambs24. Archant Community Media Ltd. 28 January 2011. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
  18. ^ "Luton 4–0 Darlington". BBC Sport. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  19. ^ "Cruel Exiles ending as Hatters are left heartbroken by late leveller". Luton Today. Johnston Publishing Ltd. 19 February 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  20. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 0–0 Luton Town (4–3 on pens)". BBC Sport. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  21. ^ "Willmott is one of league's best". Bedfordshire on Sunday. LSN Media Ltd. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  22. ^ "Blue Square Bet Premier 'Team of the Year'". Football Conference. 13 June 2011. Archived from the original on 22 August 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  23. ^ "Hatters in no player exits vow". Bedfordshire on Sunday. LSN Media Ltd. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  24. ^ "Forest Green Rovers striker Reece Styche signs new deal". BBC Sport. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  25. ^ "Luton reject second Willmott bid from Forest Green Rovers". BBC Sport. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  26. ^ "Willmott backs under-fire Hatters boss". Luton Today. Johnston Publishing Ltd. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  27. ^ "Robbie Returns!". Cambridge United FC. 17 July 2012. Archived from the original on 20 July 2012.
  28. ^ "Newport County sign winger Willmott from Cambridge United". BBC Sport. 10 January 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  29. ^ "Lincoln City v Newport County". Newport County AFC. 12 January 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  30. ^ Hughes, Dewi (5 May 2013). "Wrexham 0–2 Newport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  31. ^ "Newport County: Aaron O'Connor one of 11 senior players to leave". BBC Sport. 12 May 2015.
  32. ^ "Former Exiles ace Robbie Willmott set for Conference South". South Wales Argus.
  33. ^ "Robbie Willmott: Eastleigh agree loan for Ebbsfleet midfielder". BBC Sport. 26 November 2015.
  34. ^ "Moore and Willmott Added to Clarets Squad". Chelmsford City F.C. 5 June 2016.
  35. ^ "Clarets come from behind to snatch opening day draw". Chelmsford City F.C.[permanent dead link]
  36. ^ Owers, Luke (4 August 2017). "Chelmsford City Supporters Club". Chelmsford City F.C. match day programme. Chelmsford: Chelmsford City F.C.
  37. ^ a b "FA Cup: Goalkeeper's wife has twin girls and rise of the supermarket shelf-stacker". BBC Sport. 6 February 2019.
  38. ^ "Newport County re-sign David Pipe and Robbie Willmott". BBC Sport. 18 May 2017.
  39. ^ "Stevenage 3–3 Newport County". BBC Sport. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  40. ^ Newport beat Leeds
  41. ^ Newport draw with Tottenham
  42. ^ Tottenham beat Newport
  43. ^ Newport beat Leicester
  44. ^ Willmott scores v Middlesbrough
  45. ^ Willmott contract extension
  46. ^ Pearlman, Michael (16 February 2019). "Newport County 1–4 Manchester City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  47. ^ Pearlman, Michael (25 May 2019). "League Two play-off final: Newport County 0-1 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  48. ^ Willmott extends at Newport
  49. ^ Willmott contract extension
  50. ^ Newport County retained list
  51. ^ "Robbie Willmott: Newport County midfielder joins Exeter City on loan". BBC Sport. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  52. ^ Willmott Exeter debut
  53. ^ Willmott Exeter home debut
  54. ^ Willmott first Exeter goal
  55. ^ "Robbie Willmott joins the Saddlers". www.saddlers.co.uk. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  56. ^ Willmott joins Woking
  57. ^ O'Sullivan, Daniel (20 October 2023). "Willmott Leaves On Loan". Woking F.C. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  58. ^ "2023/24 Retained and Released List". Woking FC. 26 April 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  59. ^ "England C squad named". The Football Association. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  60. ^ "Robbie Ruled Out". Luton Town F.C. 9 February 2011. Archived from the original on 14 February 2011.
  61. ^ "Watkins reaping rewards of Hatters' faith with England call-up". Bedfordshire on Sunday. LSN Media Ltd. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  62. ^ "England v India cancelled". The Football Association. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  63. ^ "England rocked by Gibraltar". The Football Association. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  64. ^ "Debuts for Luton trio as Gibraltar rock England C". Bedford Today. Johnston Publishing Ltd. 17 November 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  65. ^ "Robbie Willmott". Luton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 24 May 2012.
  66. ^ "Games played by Robbie Willmott in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  67. ^ "Games played by Robbie Willmott in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  68. ^ "Games played by Robbie Willmott in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  69. ^ a b "Games played by Robbie Willmott in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  70. ^ "Games played by Robbie Willmott in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  71. ^ a b "Games played by Robbie Willmott in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  72. ^ "Games played by Robbie Willmott in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  73. ^ "Games played by Robbie Willmott in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  74. ^ a b c d e f Robbie Willmott at Soccerway. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  75. ^ "Games played by Robbie Willmott in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  76. ^ "Games played by Robbie Willmott in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  77. ^ "Games played by Robbie Willmott in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  78. ^ a b "Games played by Robbie Willmott in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  79. ^ "Games played by Robbie Willmott in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  80. ^ a b "Games played by Robbie Willmott in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 June 2023.

External links

  • Robbie Willmott at Soccerbase Edit this at Wikidata
  • Robbie Willmott at Soccerway Edit this at Wikidata
Awards
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Woking F.C. – current squad