30 Facts About Andy Wilkinson

Andrew Gordon Wilkinson was born on 6 August 1984 and is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender.

Andy Wilkinson joined Stoke City's academy from his local club Stone Dominoes and made his professional debut in October 2001.

Since then Andy Wilkinson has gradually worked his way into the first team and after four loan moves and a number of injury problems had restricted his career.

Andy Wilkinson retired from football in February 2016 after struggling to recover from a serious head injury.

Andy Wilkinson was born in Stone, Staffordshire, and is a graduate from Stoke City's youth academy.

Andy Wilkinson made his Stoke City debut on 16 October 2001 in a Football League Trophy match against Blackpool, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute for Clive Clarke.

In November 2003 Andy Wilkinson joined Conference National side Telford United on an initial one-month loan to gain first team experience.

Andy Wilkinson returned to Stoke where he made three appearances in the Football League.

In February 2009 Andy Wilkinson revealed that he would like to stay at Stoke City for the rest of his career.

On 8 July 2009 Andy Wilkinson signed a new three-year contract which kept him at Stoke until 2012 which he described as another dream.

Andy Wilkinson himself described it as his best Stoke display yet.

Andy Wilkinson made his 100th senior appearance for Stoke on 26 September 2010 against Newcastle United.

Andy Wilkinson made his 100th league appearance for Stoke on 9 April 2011 against Tottenham Hotspur.

Andy Wilkinson scored his first goal in a Stoke shirt during a pre-season friendly against Austrian side SV Thal in July 2011.

Andy Wilkinson almost scored his first senior goal in a match against Manchester United but his powerful shot was deflected onto the post by David de Gea.

Andy Wilkinson played a major part in Stoke's Europa League run to the knock-out stages playing in eight of the club's 12 European fixtures.

Whilst Andy Wilkinson served his suspension new signing Geoff Cameron took his position at right back but due to Marc Wilson breaking his leg Andy Wilkinson filled in at left back.

Andy Wilkinson made his 150th league appearance for Stoke against Newcastle United on 9 March 2013.

In May 2013 Tony Pulis was replaced by Mark Hughes and Andy Wilkinson found himself unable to get regular playing time with Hughes playing Geoff Cameron at right-back.

Andy Wilkinson signed a one-year extension to his contract on 16 May 2014.

On 20 October 2014 Andy Wilkinson joined Millwall on a three-month loan.

Andy Wilkinson played nine times for the Lions before returning to Stoke in January 2015.

On 29 July 2015 Stoke announced that Andy Wilkinson had signed a short-term contract with the club in order to help him recover from a serious head injury he sustained playing against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup.

Andy Wilkinson later revealed his injury had caused some damage to his brain.

Andy Wilkinson was granted a testimonial match by the club, which was played on 16 May 2016 attracting over 16,000 Stoke supporters.

Andy Wilkinson attended Alleyne's High School from 1997 to 2000.

Andy Wilkinson's mother Carolyn worked as a nurse for Douglas Macmillan and his brother Gareth is a solicitor.

Andy Wilkinson has a daughter, Eva and a son, William.

Andy Wilkinson married his fiance Emma on 25 May 2011 at local church of Whitmore parish.

Andy Wilkinson was best man at Birchall's wedding in June 2012 and is godfather to his son Ashley.