John Wilkinson (footballer, born 1979)

John Colbridge Wilkinson (born 24 August 1979) is a former footballer and pundit who last played for Tanjong Pagar United FC and the Singapore national team.

John Wilkinson
Wilkinson lining up for Singapore in 2008
Personal information
Full name John Colbridge Wilkinson[1]
Date of birth (1979-08-24) 24 August 1979
Place of birth Exeter, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–2001 Exeter City 20 (2)
2001–2002 Tiverton Town ? (?)
2002–2004 Woodlands Wellington 73 (26)
2005 Geylang United 26 (15)
2006–2010 Singapore Armed Forces 133 (31)
2011 Insee Police United 8 (0)
2012 Home United 12 (0)
2013 Salgaocar 8 (0)
2013 Tanjong Pagar United 7 (0)
National team
2007–2010 Singapore 29 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12:54, 6 January 2018 (UTC)

Club career

Born in Exeter, Wilkinson played for Exeter City, Woodlands Wellington and Geylang United before joining Singapore Armed Forces in 2006. He won 4 league titles with the club.[2]

After reportedly turning down a three-year deal at SAFFC, Wilkinson joined INSEE Police UTD on a two-year contract in January 2012 and became the first foreign captain in the history of the Thai Premier League. Wilkinson failed to see out his contract at Police United however, and signed for reigning Singapore Cup champions Home United FC at the beginning of the 2012 S-League season. Wilkinson signed for Salgaocar in January 2013 until the end of the 2012-13 I-League season. On 6 June 2013, he was unveiled as the first signing of the mid-season window for Tanjong Pagar United, and wore the number 16 jersey.

International career
John Wilkinson at the Circle Line Stage 1 & 2 Open House

Wilkinson became a Singapore citizen, after marrying a Singaporean, thus allowing him to play international football for Singapore.[2]

He was called up to the national team (consisted of 32) for a series for friendly matches against North Korea, Saudi Arabia and Australia. He made his debut for Singapore on 24 June 2007 in the second half against North Korea and even got an assist. He scored his first international goal when he broke the deadlock in the 1–1 draw against Gulf Cup champions, UAE on 12 September 2007.

He also scored in the 4–0 win over Palestine in a World Cup 2010 qualifying match on 8 October 2007. On 2 June 2008, he scored in a 3–7 home defeat against Uzbekistan in Third round of qualifying.

In total he scored 4 goals in 29 international games for Singapore.[2]

International goals
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.12 September 2007Singapore, Singapore United Arab Emirates1–1DrawFriendly
2.8 October 2007Doha, Qatar Palestine4–0Won2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
3.2 June 2008Singapore, Singapore Uzbekistan3–7Lost2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
4.22 June 2008Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon2–1Won2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification

Later life

After retiring, Wilkinson works as a pundit in Singapore for Fox Sports Asia.[2]

Honours

Singapore Armed Forces

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2001). The 2001–2002 Official PFA Footballers Factfile. AFS. p. 327. ISBN 9780946531349.
  2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46998968
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