Andy Wilkinson

Source:

Stoke City

Wilkinson was born in Stone, Staffordshire, and is a graduate from Stoke City's youth academy. In 2001, he signed his first professional contract with the club. He 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. His influence on the first-team may have been greater had it not have been for some unfortunate injuries which ruled him out for the entire 2002–03 season. He had to wait until the 2003–04 season to start playing again, starting the League Cup first-round tie against Rochdale. In November 2003 Wilkinson joined Conference National side Telford United on an initial one-month loan to gain first team experience. He was sent-off in a 0–0 draw with Shrewsbury in December 2003. Despite this Telford extended his loan to February however he was recalled by Stoke in January. Wilkinson returned to Stoke where he made three appearances in the Football League. These included his league debut against Walsall on 31 January as an 80th-minute substitute for Lewis Neal and his first league start in a 4–1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on 4 May. For the beginning of the 2004–05 season Wilkinson was loaned to Scottish Division One side Partick Thistle, for whom he scored his only professional goal against Clyde. Returning to Stoke in January 2005, he played one game against Millwall before being sent out on loan again, this time to Football League Two side…

Wilkinson was appointed assistant manager of Stoke City U18s for the 2018–19 season.

Born in Stone, Wilkinson grew up supporting his local side Stoke City. He attended Alleyne's High School from 1997 to 2000. His mother Carolyn worked as a nurse for Douglas Macmillan and his brother Gareth is a solicitor. He has a daughter, Eva and a son, William. Wilkinson married his fiancé Emma on 25 May 2011 at local church of Whitmore parish. Wilkinson and fellow footballer Chris Birchall used to own Zenn nightclub in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, which was closed in July 2008 due to debts. He was best man at Birchall's wedding in June 2012 and is also godfather to his son Ashley. In 2015 Wilkinson set up his own property company which he called, no.28 properties.