Will Hatfield

English footballer (born 1991)

For other people named William Hatfield, see William Hatfield (disambiguation).

Will Hatfield

Hatfield playing for York City in 2011

Personal information
Full name|  William Henry Hatfield[1]
Date of birth|  (1991-10-10) 10 October 1991 (age 32)[2]
Place of birth|  Liversedge, England
Height|  5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[3]
Position(s)|  Midfielder
Team information

Current team

|  Darlington
Number|  14
Youth career
199?–2010|  Leeds United
Senior career*
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Gls)
2010–2012|  Leeds United|  0|  (0)
2011|  → York City (loan)|  4|  (0)
2011|  → Accrington Stanley (loan)|  4|  (0)
2012|  FC Halifax Town|  1|  (0)
2012–2015|  Accrington Stanley|  83|  (5)
2014|  → FC Halifax Town (loan)|  6|  (0)
2015|  FC Halifax Town|  11|  (2)
2015–2019|  Guiseley|  144|  (14)
2019–2022|  Darlington|  69|  (9)
2022–2023|  AFC Fylde|  34|  (2)
2023–|  Darlington|  53|  (7)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:57, 22 September 2024 (UTC)

William Henry Hatfield (born 10 October 1991) is an English semi-professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National League North club Darlington. He began his career with Leeds United, but never made an appearance for their first team. He went on to play in the Football League for Accrington Stanley as well as in non-League for York City, FC Halifax Town, Guiseley, Darlington and AFC Fylde. He returned to Darlington in August 2023.

## Early life

[edit]

Hatfield was born in Liversedge, West Yorkshire,[2] and attended Woodhouse Grove School in Apperley Bridge.[4]

## Career

[edit]

Hatfield came through the Leeds United youth system, having joined the club as an eight-year-old.[5] His first matchday involvement in the first team came on 3 February 2010 as an unused substitute in a 3–1 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in an FA Cup fourth-round replay.[6][7] Hatfield joined Conference Premier club York City on 28 January 2011 on a one-month loan,[8] playing four matches.[9]

He joined League Two club Accrington Stanley on 14 October 2011 on a one-month loan.[10] He made his debut the following day as a half-time substitute in a 2–0 home defeat to Swindon Town in League Two.[11] Having made four appearances, his loan was extended until the end of December 2011.[12] After his loan spell at Accrington ended, Hatfield and his Leeds teammate Sanchez Payne joined Conference Premier club Lincoln City on trial.[13]

Hatfield left Leeds on 12 January 2012 after agreeing to mutually terminate his contract.[14] He signed for FC Halifax Town later that month,[15] making his debut on 24 January 2012 as a 66th-minute substitute in a 2–2 home draw with Gainsborough Trinity in the Conference North.[16]

On 10 February 2012, Hatfield re-signed for League Two club Accrington Stanley on a contract until the end of 2011–12 season.[17] He signed a new one-year contract with the club in June 2012.[18] He scored four goals in an FA Cup tie against AFC Fylde on 3 November 2012.[19]

Hatfield re-joined Conference Premier club FC Halifax Town on 27 November 2014 on a 28-day loan,[20] and signed for the club permanently on 15 January 2015 after leaving Accrington by mutual consent.[21] Hatfield signed for newly promoted National League club Guiseley on 19 June 2015,[22] and went on to spend four seasons with the club. He left Guiseley in July 2019 and signed for National League North club Darlington.[23]

Hatfield was named as Darlington's Away Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and Player of the Year for the 2019–20 season, as well as winning their Goal of the Season award for his strike against Kidderminster Harriers.[24]

On 22 March 2022, Hatfield signed for fellow National League North club AFC Fylde for an undisclosed fee.[25] He was a regular starter for the rest of the season, and although playing less often in 2022–23,[16] he made a major contribution to AFC Fylde's league title and promotion.[26] Unable to guarantee him regular football at the higher level, AFC Fylde cancelled his contract, which had a year still to run, and Hatfield re-signed for Darlington on 14 August 2023 on a two-year deal.[26][27] After the dismissal of manager Alun Armstrong and assistant Darren Holloway on 6 September, Hatfield was one of a group of three senior players tasked with covering managerial duties until an appointment was made.[28]

## Career statistics

[edit]

As of match played 21 September 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
Leeds United | 2009–10[7] | League One  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0
2010–11[29] | Championship  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0
2011–12[11] | Championship  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0
Total  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0
York City (loan)  | 2010–11[9] | Conference Premier | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 4 | 0
Accrington Stanley (loan)  | 2011–12[11] | League Two | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0
FC Halifax Town | 2011–12[30] | Conference North | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0
Accrington Stanley  | 2011–12[11] | League Two  | 13 | 3 | — | — | — | 13 | 3
2012–13[31] | League Two  | 32 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 6
2013–14[32] | League Two  | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 34 | 0
2014–15[33] | League Two  | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 9 | 0
Total  | 83 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 90 | 9
FC Halifax Town  | 2014–15[16] | Conference Premier  | 17 | 2 | — | — | 3[b] | 0 | 20 | 2
Guiseley | 2015–16[16] | National League | 38 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — | 5[b] | 1 | 45 | 4
2016–17[16] | National League  | 44 | 6 | 2 | 0 | — | 1[b] | 0 | 47 | 6
2017–18[16] | National League  | 30 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 0 | 0 | 31 | 3
2018–19[16][34] | National League North | 32 | 4 | 6 | 3 | — | 2[b] | 0 | 40 | 57
Total  | 144 | 14 | 11 | 5 | — | 8 | 1 | 163 | 20
Darlington | 2019–20[16][35] | National League North  | 31 | 3 | 5 | 0 | — | 4[b] | 1 | 40 | 4
2020–21[16][36] | National League North  | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 5[b] | 2 | 16 | 2
2021–22[16][37] | National League North  | 29 | 6 | 2 | 0 | — | 1[b] | 0 | 32 | 6
Total  | 69 | 9 | 9 | 0 | — | 10 | 3 | 88 | 12
AFC Fylde | 2021–22[16] | National League North  | 8 | 1 | — | — | — | 8 | 1
2022–23[16][38] | National League North  | 26 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — | 2[b] | 0 | 32 | 1
2023–24[16] | National League  | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0
Total  | 34 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 40 | 2
Darlington  | 2023–24[16][39] | National League North  | 44 | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | 1[b] | 0 | 47 | 6
2024–25[16][40] | National League North  | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2
Total  | 53 | 7 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 0 | 57 | 8
Career total  | 409 | 39 | 28 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 26 | 4 | 467 | 53

1. ^ a b Appearance in Football League Trophy
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Appearance(s) in FA Trophy

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Professional retain list & free transfers: 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 18 May 2013. p. 51\. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014.
2. ^ a b "Will Hatfield". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
3. ^ "Will Hatfield". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
4. ^ Geldard, Suzanne (8 June 2013). "Football the right choice for Accrington Stanley ace Hatfield". Lancashire Telegraph. Blackburn. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
5. ^ "Leeds United v Accrington Stanley: Hatfield relishing return to former club". Yorkshire Evening Post. Leeds. Archived from the original on 8 February 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
6. ^ Dalton, Andrew; Mewis, Joe (16 May 2020). "The Leeds United nearly men – those who never made it off the Whites' substitute bench". Leeds Live. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
7. ^ a b "Games played by Will Hatfield in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
8. ^ "Leeds United's Will Hatfield goes to York City on loan". BBC Sport. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
9. ^ a b Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2011). Non-League Club Directory 2012. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 156–157. ISBN 978-1-869833-70-1.
10. ^ "Accrington Stanley sign Dobie and Hatfield". Lancashire Telegraph. Blackburn. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
11. ^ a b c d "Games played by Will Hatfield in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
12. ^ "Accrington Stanley extend Will Hatfield loan from Leeds". BBC Sport. 17 November 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
13. ^ Flett, Dave (6 January 2012). "Match preview: Lincoln City v York City". The Press. York. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
14. ^ "Midfielder allowed to move on". Leeds United F.C. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
15. ^ "Altrincham FC archived news: January, 2012". Altrincham F.C. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "W. Hatfield: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
17. ^ Flanagan, Chris (20 February 2012). "Accrington Stanley cool Cook interest". Lancashire Telegraph. Blackburn. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
18. ^ Cryer, Andy (6 June 2012). "Hatfield commits future to Stanley". Lancashire Telegraph. Blackburn. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
19. ^ "AFC Fylde 1–4 Accrington". BBC Sport. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
20. ^ "Will Hatfield: FC Halifax sign Accrington Stanley midfielder". BBC Sport. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
21. ^ "Hatfield back at the Shay". FC Halifax Town. 15 January 2015. Archived from the original on 21 March 2016.
22. ^ "Will Hatfield: Guiseley sign former Accrington midfielder". BBC Sport. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
23. ^ Stoddart, Craig (7 July 2018). "Will Hatfield becomes Darlington's latest arrival". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
24. ^ "Will wins four awards and Alex wins young player of the year". Darlington F.C. 23 August 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
25. ^ "Will Hatfield joins the Coasters". AFC Fylde. 22 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
26. ^ a b "Will Hatfield departs for Darlington". AFC Fylde. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
27. ^ Simpson, Ray (14 August 2023). "Will signs for Quakers for the second time". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
28. ^ "Club statement: Senior players take caretaker charge". Darlington F.C. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
29. ^ "Games played by Will Hatfield in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
30. ^ Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2012). Non-League Club Directory 2013. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 202–203. ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0.
31. ^ "Games played by Will Hatfield in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
32. ^ "Games played by Will Hatfield in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
33. ^ "Games played by Will Hatfield in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
34. ^ For FA Cup 2nd and 3rd qualifying rounds: "Lions ease into next round with Kingsley James hat-trick". Guiseley A.F.C. 22 September 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
"Lions pegged back by two late goals as Town force replay". Guiseley A.F.C. 7 October 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
"Lions through after tough encounter with Cleethorpes". Guiseley A.F.C. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
For FA Trophy 3rd qualifying round: "Last gasp Will Thornton equaliser sees Lions live to fight another day". Guiseley A.F.C. 24 November 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
"Lions in disappointing Trophy exit". Guiseley A.F.C. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
35. ^ For FA Cup 2nd and 3rd qualifying rounds: Simpson, Ray (21 September 2019). "Quakers win first FA Cup tie in five years". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
Simpson, Ray (5 October 2019). "Tyrone and Justin put Quakers through". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
For FA Trophy 3rd qualifying round: Simpson, Ray (23 November 2019). "Sub Justin scores the winner". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
36. ^ For FA Cup 2nd qualifying round: Simpson, Ray (3 October 2020). "Quakers win penalty shootout to go through in Cup". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
37. ^ For FA Cup 2nd qualifying round: Simpson, Ray (18 September 2021). "Quakers held to a goalless draw in FA Cup". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
Simpson, Ray (21 September 2021). "Quakers knocked out of Cup by lucky goal". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
38. ^ For FA Cup 2nd and 3rd qualifying rounds: "Match Report: AFC Fylde 1–1 Farsley Celtic". AFC Fylde. 17 September 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
"Match Report: Farsley Celtic 0–3 AFC Fylde". AFC Fylde. 20 September 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
"Match Report: Congleton Town 1–1 AFC Fylde". AFC Fylde. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
"Match Report: AFC Fylde 5–1 Congleton Town". AFC Fylde. 4 October 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
39. ^ For FA Cup 2nd and 3rd qualifying rounds: "Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round – Darlington 3–1 Workington AFC". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
Simpson, Ray (30 September 2023). "Scarborough go through with late penalty". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
40. ^ For FA Cup second qualifying round: Simpson, Ray (14 September 2024). "Nella puts Quakers through". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 17 September 2024.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Will Hatfield.

* Will Hatfield profile at the Guiseley A.F.C. website
* Will Hatfield at Soccerbase

* v
* t
* e

Darlington F.C. - current squad

* 1 Jameson
* 2 Hedley
* 3 Barrow
* 4 Platt
* 5 Lees
* 6 Forbes
* 7 Cornish
* 8 Hatfield
* 9 Maskell
* 10 Main
* 11 Nelson
* 13 McGrath
* 14 Flint
* 15 Andoh
* 16 McGowan
* 17 Payne
* 18 Small
* 21 Rivers
* 22 Thompson
* 24 Salkeld
* 25 Evans
* 26 Griffiths
* 30 Leesley
* Kirokiro
* Maddison
* Mortimer
* Rudd
* Taylor
* Manager: Watson

*[Apps]: League appearances
*[Gls]: League goals
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Lees]: Toby Lees
*[Forbes]: Elliot Forbes
*[Cornish]: Matty Cornish
*[Maskell]: Jack Maskell
*[McGrath]: Liam McGrath
*[Flint]: Will Flint
*[McGowan]: Will McGowan
*[Payne]: Alex Payne
*[Small]: Archie Small
*[Thompson]: Oli Thompson
*[Evans]: Andy Evans
*[Griffiths]: Kallum Griffiths
*[Kirokiro]: Matthiew Kirokiro
*[Maddison]: Will Maddison
*[Mortimer]: Jack Mortimer
*[Rudd]: Harvey Rudd
*[Taylor]: Oscar Taylor