Ethon Archer

Early career

After playing for the Kinetic Academy,^[6] Archer was signed by Whyteleafe in 2020, playing one game against Herne Bay in the Isthmian League South East Division, as well as two cup appearances.^[5] His career was then interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in England.^[3] He made four cup appearances for Bedfont Sports in the 2021–22 season,^[7] later saying "I didn’t really get a look-in" at the club.^[5] He signed for Sutton Common Rovers later that season,^[8] where he made one league appearance,^[9] a 7–1 defeat to Bracknell Town in the Isthmian League South Central Division.^[5] He then had a loal spell at Horley Town,^[5] making 16 league appearances.^[10] He then joined Raynes Park Vale, signing in July 2022,^[11] scoring 15 goals in 34 league appearances as he helped the club to the Combined Counties League Premier Division South title at the end of the 2022–23 season.^[12][13] He had a trial with Scottish Championship club Ayr United in the summer.^[5] He joined National League South club Welling United, and was loaned out to Three Bridges back in the Isthmian League South East Division at the start of the 2023–24 season,^[14] picking up six goal contributions and two man of the match awards in ten games.^[15] He then signed with National League South club Torquay United.^[16] During his time in non-League football he worked numerous retail jobs, with the primary one being an Amazon delivery driver in London.^[5] He also worked as a matchday steward at AFC Wimbledon.^[17] He became a popular player at Plainmoor,^[5] making six goal contribitions in 26 appearances.^[15] Torquay entered administration during the 2023–24 season.^[5]

Cheltenham Town

Archer signed for Cheltenham Town on 5 July 2024 following a successful trial.^{[18][19][20][5]} He was recruited by the club's director of football, Gary Johnson,^[21] who had managed him at Torquay.^[22] He made his debut as a 63rd-minute substitute Newport County in a 3–2 win over Whaddon Road on 10 August, when he set up Joel Colwill for the stoppage-time winner.^[23] He scored his first goal in the English Football League on 14 September, in a 2–1 defeat at Salford City.^[24] Manager Michael Flynn played him out of position at central midfield for a spell and praised his "game intelligence, workrate, passing, close control with the ball".^[25] He signed a contract extension in March 2025 to keep him at the club until the summer of 2027 after the club rejected a bid of £250,000 from Milton Keynes Dons in the January transfer window.^[26] He scored eight goals and claimed six assists in the 2024–25 campaign, playing in every League Two fixture.^[27][15] The club rejected a bid from Peterborough United in August 2025, having previously turned down £100,000 from Stevenage.^[28]

Luton Town

In September 2025, Archer signed for League One side Luton Town for a fee of £500,000 and immediately rejoined Cheltenham on loan.^[29][30][31] Robins manager Steve Cotterill said that he was "a great kid" and "I'll miss him being around that's for sure".^[32] He also said that Archer's "sweet half-volley" against Swindon Town in December was of such quality that it was a goal that "could win a World Cup final".^[33] Archer joined up with Jack Wilshere's Hatters squad for the first time from 3 January 2026 when his loan with Cheltenham ended.^[34][35] On 21 January, he joined Port Vale at the bottom of League One on loan until the end of the 2025–26 season, becoming new boss Jon Brady's first signing since taking over.^[36] On 16 April, he scored two goals from direct free kicks in a 3–1 victory at Peterborough United.^[37] He was deployed as an attacking midfielder and a central striker as the team struggled to play with wingers and were relegated at the end of the season.^[38]

In July 2026, he moved on a season-long loan to newly promoted League One club Bromley.^[39][40]