Billy Knott

Sunderland

Knott joined the Academy at West Ham United at the age of ten before moving with his family to Spain after his mother was diagnosed with lupus. In Spain, West Ham arranged for a trial with Real Madrid, but after the family returned to London, he elected to join the Chelsea Academy rather than rejoin West Ham. He was signed by Premier League club Sunderland after Chelsea released him in the 2010–11 season. He had been dismissed from the Chelsea Academy and forced to sign a confidentiality agreement after a "smoke grenade incident". Knott joined Terry Brown's League Two side AFC Wimbledon on loan on 11 January 2012, and made his debut in a 2–1 win against Port Vale three days later. He scored his first goal in professional football at Kingsmeadow in a 2–1 win over Macclesfield Town on 24 January. The 19-year-old received the "Dons" Young Player of the Year award, despite only playing half the 2011–12 season, having scored three goals in twenty appearances. On 8 October 2012, Knott joined Conference Premier side Woking on a one-month loan. He made his debut at Kingfield Stadium in a 2–1 win over Cambridge United the following day. His first goals came for Garry Hill's "Cardinals" came against Luton Town on 1 January 2013, when he scored twice in a 3–1 win. He scored another two goals on 2 February, in a 2–1 win over Hyde. He was awarded the club's Goal of the Season award for his curled effort against Hyde, which was also nominated for the Conference's Goal…

Knott has represented England at under-16, under-17 and under-20 level. He scored for the under-17s in a 7–0 win over Estonia in a qualifier for the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Championship on 24 October 2008. Brian Eastick selected Knott and Sunderland teammate Blair Adams in the 21 man squad for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia.

Knott is a left-footed midfielder with a 'high-intensity, high-energy' playing style. He prefers to play as an attacking midfielder, but can also play on the left side of midfield.

As of match played 10 January 2026