James Trafford

English footballer (born 2002)

James TraffordPersonal information

Full name|  James Harrington Trafford[1]
Date of birth|  (2002-10-10) 10 October 2002 (age 22)[2]
Place of birth|  Cockermouth, England[2]
Height|  6 ft 6 in (1.97 m)[2]
Position(s)|  Goalkeeper
Team information

Current team

|  Burnley
Number|  1
Youth career
|  Cockermouth
|  Carlisle United
2015–2021|  Manchester City
Senior career*
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Gls)
2021–2023|  Manchester City|  0|  (0)
2021–2022|  → Accrington Stanley (loan)|  11|  (0)
2022|  → Bolton Wanderers (loan)|  22|  (0)
2022–2023|  → Bolton Wanderers (loan)|  45|  (0)
2023–|  Burnley|  42|  (0)
International career‡
2018–2019|  England U17|  7|  (0)
2019|  England U18|  2|  (0)
2019|  England U19|  1|  (0)
2021–2022|  England U20|  5|  (0)
2022–|  England U21|  19|  (0)

Medal record

Representing  England
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Winner | 2023 |

*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:01, 10 November 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13:00, 12 October 2024 (UTC)

James Harrington Trafford (born 10 October 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for EFL Championship club Burnley.[3]

## Early life

[edit]

Trafford grew up in Greysouthen in a farming family.[4] He was a Chelsea fan.[4] He attended Cockermouth School and St Bede's College.[4] He learned to drive on a tractor[5] and in his early career he would return to help out on the family farm in the off-season.[6]

## Club career

[edit]

### Manchester City

[edit]

Trafford began his career with Cockermouth and Carlisle United, signing with Manchester City in August 2015 at the age of 12.[4] At Carlisle he began as a midfielder but volunteered to become a goalkeeper at age nine.[6]

He moved on loan to Accrington Stanley in July 2021.[7] This loan was later described as "challenging" due to injuries and losing his first-team place.[6]

Trafford signed on loan for Bolton Wanderers on 13 January 2022, until the end of the 2021–22 season.[8] He kept four clean sheets in his first four games, the first time a goalkeeper had done so in Bolton's entire history.[9][10][5]

On 15 June 2022, Trafford rejoined Bolton on loan for a further season.[11][12] In July 2022, he signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City.[13] By October he was noted for his clean sheets,[14] and Trafford broke Bolton's record for consecutive home clean sheets on 4 February, with the 1–0 win over Cheltenham Town being his eighth in a row.[15][16][17] He was able to extend the record to nine,[18][5] though was unable to have it reach double figures as on 25 February he conceded against Port Vale in a 2–1 win, the first time since 2 December.[19] On 2 April, he started in the 2023 EFL Trophy final and kept a clean sheet in 4–0 win against Plymouth Argyle.[20] Trafford's clean sheet in a 1–0 win against Shrewbury Town on 22 April was his 25th of the season, which broke the record for the most clean sheets by a Bolton goalkeeper in one season.[21][22] He finished the season with a total of 26 clean sheets.[5] He helped Bolton qualify for the play-offs, though they were defeated by Barnsley in the semi-finals.[23] He was voted as Bolton's Young Player of the Year for the 2022–23 season, together with Conor Bradley.[24][25] His performances during the season saw him named in the PFA Team of the Year for League One.[26] He said his time at Bolton turned him from a "long, skinny boy" into a "long, skinny man".[27]

### Burnley

[edit]

On 3 July 2023, it was announced that a £15 million transfer fee had been agreed between Manchester City and Burnley for Trafford.[28] With add-ons, the deal could reach a total of £19 million — which if met would break Burnley's transfer record.[5] On 20 July 2023, Trafford's move to Burnley was officially completed.[29][30] Due to their sell-on clause, Carlisle United got 15% of the fee for around £2.25m.[31] He became the third most expensive British goalkeeper in history.[32]

He made his Burnley and Premier League debut on 11 August 2023, in a 3–0 home defeat to his former club Manchester City.[33] He earned high praise after Man of the Match performance in a 1–1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on 9 December in which he made 10 saves.[34][35]

## International career

[edit]

Trafford played his first international match of his career for England U17 on 24 March 2018 against Croatia U17 in which he saved a penalty and kept a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw despite England being down to ten men.[36] He made a further six appearances for the U17 including one appearance at the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, then played twice for England U18, and once for England U19.[37]

On 6 September 2021, Trafford made his debut for the England U20s during a 6–1 victory over Romania U20s at St. George's Park.[38]

On 25 May 2022, Trafford received his first call up to the England U21 squad ahead of the final round of 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches.[39] Trafford made his debut in the 5–0 win away to Kosovo.[40]

On 14 June 2023, Trafford was included in the England squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[41] He did not concede a goal during the tournament in six matches,[5] the first time a goalkeeper had done this in the tournament's history,[42] and saved a stoppage-time penalty and its rebound in the final against Spain as England won the game 1–0.[43] His mentality was praised by England under-21 manager Lee Carsley.[44] It was later reported that Trafford had told friends that he would save a penalty that game.[32]

Following an injury to Sam Johnstone in March 2024, Trafford received his first call up to the senior squad for a friendly against Belgium.[45][46] He was selected to England's provisional 33-member squad for Euro 2024.[47] On 6 June 2024, he was dropped from the final 26-man squad.[48]

## Style of play

[edit]

He spent his early career as an outfield player.[4] At Carlisle he began as a midfielder but volunteered to become a goalkeeper at age 9.[6] He has been praised for his reflexes and distribution.[49] He is noted for his ability to get clean sheets, breaking multiple records with Bolton Wanderers[14][5][15][21] and winning the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship without conceding a goal.[5][43][42]

## Career statistics

[edit]

As of match played 10 November 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition  Club  | Season  | League  | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Other  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|

Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals
Manchester City U23 | 2020–21[50] | — | — | — | 2[a] | 0 | 2 | 0
Manchester City | 2021–22[51] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
2022–23[52] | Premier League  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Total  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Accrington Stanley (loan)  | 2021–22[51] | League One | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0
Bolton Wanderers (loan)  | 2021–22[51] | League One  | 22 | 0 | — | — | — | 22 | 0
Bolton Wanderers (loan)  | 2022–23[52] | League One  | 45 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6[b] | 0 | 52 | 0
Burnley | 2023–24[53] | Premier League  | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 28 | 0
2024–25[54] | Championship | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 14 | 0
Total  | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 0
Career total  | 120 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 129 | 0

1. ^ Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
2. ^ Four appearances in EFL Trophy, two appearances in League One play-offs

## Honours

[edit]

Bolton Wanderers

* EFL Trophy: 2022–23[20]

England U21

* UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2023[55]

Individual

* Bolton Wanderers Young Player of the Year: 2022–23 (shared)[24]
* UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2023[56]
* PFA Team of the Year: 2022–23 League One[26]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "EFL – Squad List 2021/22" (PDF). English English Football League. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
2. ^ a b c "James Trafford". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
3. ^ James Trafford at Soccerway
4. ^ a b c d e "James, 12, signs for mega-rich Man City". Times and Star. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
5. ^ a b c d e f g h "From farm to final - England's future number one?" - via www.bbc.co.uk.
6. ^ a b c d Fisher, Ben (4 July 2023). "James Trafford is the rising star with designs on being England's No 1" - via The Guardian.
7. ^ "Accrington sign Mumbongo and Trafford". BBC Sport.
8. ^ "James Trafford: Bolton Wanderers sign Manchester City goalkeeper". BBC Sport.
9. ^ "'I'm just a farm boy at heart' – Wanderers keeper Trafford on his rural roots". The Bolton News.
10. ^ "'REPORT: Wanderers 2 Cambridge Utd 0". Bolton Wanderers Official Website.
11. ^ "Trafford Back For More". Bolton Wanderers Official Website.
12. ^ "Trafford rejoins Bolton on loan from Man City". BBC Sport.
13. ^ McDougall, John (16 July 2022). "Man City goalkeeper on League One return over Championship loan". Manchester Evening News.
14. ^ a b McDougall, John (12 October 2022). "Bolton goalkeeper Trafford's impressive clean sheet haul & League One standings". Manchester Evening News.
15. ^ a b "Trafford: Record Is A Group Effort". www.bwfc.co.uk.
16. ^ "Cumbrian goalkeeper helps club break record". News and Star.
17. ^ Brown, Dan (4 February 2023). "Man City goalkeeping pecking order might be set to change". Manchester Evening News.
18. ^ "Bolton Wanderers 5-0 Milton Keynes Dons". BBC Sport.
19. ^ "Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Port Vale". BBC Sport.
20. ^ a b Pilnick, Brent (2 April 2023). "Bolton Wanderers 4–0 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
21. ^ a b Marc, Iles (23 April 2023). "Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Shrewsbury Town - Marc Iles's big match verdict". The Bolton News.
22. ^ Marc, Iles (30 April 2023). "Liverpool teen Conor Bradley wins hat-trick of Bolton Wanderers awards". The Bolton News.
23. ^ "Barnsley edge past Bolton to reach play-off final" - via www.bbc.co.uk.
24. ^ a b "Bradley Is Season Star". Bolton Wanderers. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
25. ^ Iles, Marc (30 April 2023). "'We're not finished yet!' Prize guy Conor wants more glory in the play-offs". The Bolton News. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
26. ^ a b "Erling Haaland: Manchester City forward wins PFA men's Player of the Year award". BBC Sport. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
27. ^ "James Trafford's thank-you message to Wanderers after play-off heroics". The Bolton News. 15 May 2023.
28. ^ "Burnley agree £15m deal for Man City's Trafford" - via www.bbc.co.uk.
29. ^ "CLARETS CAPTURE TRAFFORD". Burnley Football Club. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
30. ^ "Burnley sign Man City's Trafford in £19m deal" - via www.bbc.co.uk.
31. ^ "Report makes claim about Carlisle United cash from keeper transfer". News and Star. 17 July 2023.
32. ^ a b "James Trafford: Man City youth product and U21 penalty hero is a future England No 1 who can shine at Burnley". Sky Sports.
33. ^ "Cumbrian keeper makes Premier League debut against Haaland and City". News and Star. 12 August 2023.
34. ^ "Brighton 1-1 Burnley: James Trafford's late heroics earn relegation-threatened visitors crucial point". Sky Sports.
35. ^ "Vincent Kompany's immediate reaction to Burnley's draw at Brighton & James Trafford's solo display".
36. ^ Association, The Football. "Drama in Denmark as ten-men England held to a draw by Croatia in Euro qualifying". www.thefa.com.
37. ^ "James Trafford » Internationals". worldfootball.net.
38. ^ "Six at SGP for MU20s". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
39. ^ "Lee Carsley has made his pick for Young Lions' four games in June as they target MU21 EURO qualification". EnglandFootball.com. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
40. ^ "Match report: Kosovo 0–5 England MU21s". EnglandFootball.com. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
41. ^ "England MU21s squad named for EURO Finals". EnglandFootball.com. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
42. ^ a b Howell, Alex (8 July 2023). "England U21 1–0 Spain U21: England win Under-21 Euros for first time in 39 years". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
43. ^ a b Athletic, The (8 July 2023). "England vs Spain live updates". The Athletic. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
44. ^ "Trafford has 'top mentality' to succeed - Carsley" - via www.bbc.co.uk.
45. ^ Walker, Andy (24 March 2024). "England squad update: Rico Lewis and James Trafford join seniors". England Football. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
46. ^ "England's Walker & Maguire ruled out of Belgium game" - via www.bbc.co.uk.
47. ^ "England Euro 2024 squad: Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson left out of Gareth Southgate's provisional squad". BBC Sport. 21 May 2024.
48. ^ "Eze & Wharton named in England squad for Euro 2024". BBC Sport. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
49. ^ Froston, Nancy. "Rapid reflexes and pin-point distribution can take Bolton's City loanee Trafford to the top". The Athletic.
50. ^ "Games played by James Trafford in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
51. ^ a b c "Games played by James Trafford in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
52. ^ a b "Games played by James Trafford in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
53. ^ "Games played by James Trafford in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
54. ^ "Games played by James Trafford in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
55. ^ Howell, Alex (8 July 2023). "England beat Spain to win Euro U21 Championship". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
56. ^ "2023 Under-21 EURO Team of the Tournament". UEFA.com. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Profile at the Burnley F.C. website
* James Trafford – UEFA competition record (archive)

* v
* t
* e

Burnley F.C. - current squad

* 1 Trafford
* 3 Sambo
* 4 Worrall
* 5 Estève
* 6 Egan-Riley
* 7 Sarmiento
* 8 Brownhill
* 9 Rodriguez
* 10 Benson
* 11 Anthony
* 12 Humphreys
* 14 Roberts
* 15 Redmond
* 16 Egan
* 17 Foster
* 18 Ekdal
* 19 Flemming
* 20 Green
* 21 Ramsey
* 23 Lucas Pires
* 24 Cullen
* 28 Hannibal
* 29 Laurent
* 30 Koleosho
* 31 M. Trésor
* 32 Hladký
* 36 Jordan
* 37 Hountondji
* 39 Dodgson
* 42 Massengo
* 44 Delcroix
* 48 Boateng
* Manager: Parker

* v
* t
* e

2022–23 EFL League One PFA Team of the Year

* GK: Trafford
* DF: Andersen
* DF: Santos
* DF: Mumba
* DF: Davis
* MF: Connell
* MF: Morsy
* MF: Bannan
* FW: McGoldrick
* FW: Clarke-Harris
* FW: Chaplin

*[Apps]: League appearances
*[Gls]: League goals
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template