James Hilton (soccer)
Australian football goalkeeper
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Hilton (born 16 September 2002) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for A-League Men club Auckland FC.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 16 September 2002 | ||
| Place of birth | Manchester, England | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Auckland FC | ||
| Number | 12 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2014–2017 | Mounties Wanderers | ||
| 2017–2020 | Macarthur Rams | ||
| 2020–2023 | Marconi Stallions | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2023–2026 | Marconi Stallions | 81 | (0) |
| 2026– | Auckland FC | 2 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 11 April 2026 | |||
Early life
Hilton was born in Manchester, England,[2] and moved to Sydney in 2008 at the age of six. He spent time with Mounties Wanderers and Macarthur Rams before joining Marconi Stallions in 2020.[3]
Club career
Marconi Stallions
Hilton made his senior debut for Marconi Stallions during the 2023 National Premier Leagues NSW season.[4][5]
He established himself as a regular starter during the 2024 season.[6][7] Marconi finished second in the regular season,[8] before going on to win the 2024 National Premier Leagues NSW Championship.[9][10]
In 2025, Hilton was named the NPL NSW Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, having recorded 12 clean sheets in 32 appearances during the season.[11][12] Hilton featured for Marconi in the inaugural Australian Championship. In a quarter-final clash against APIA Leichhardt FC, Hilton delivered a standout performance in a penalty shootout, saving 3 spot kicks before converting the decisive penalty himself to secure progression to the semi-final.[13] Hilton continued in goal during the semi-final, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 victory over Moreton City Excelsior FC,[14] before losing 2–0 to South Melbourne in the final.[15]
Auckland FC
On 6 February, Hilton joined Auckland FC on a contract until the end of the season as an injury replacement for backup goalkeeper Oliver Sail.[16][17][18] Hilton made his professional debut in a 1–1 draw with Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium, coming on as a late injury replacement for Michael Woud, who picked up a groin injury during the warm-up.[19][20][21]
Personal life
Hilton holds a qualification in Molecular Genetics and Disease after graduating from the University of New South Wales with a double major degree.[22]
He is a Manchester City supporter and began supporting Marconi Stallions after moving from England, stating: "When I came over from the UK in 2008, I was looking for a team to support and Marconi had the same sky blue kit as Man City."[22]
Career statistics
Club
As of 6 April 2026
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Marconi Stallions | 2023 | NPL NSW | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| 2024 | NPL NSW | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 0 | |
| 2025 | NPL NSW | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 0 | |
| Total | 81 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 81 | 0 | ||
| Auckland FC | 2025–26[23] | A-League Men | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0[b] | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 82 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 0 | ||
Honours
Individual
- NSW 2025 Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year[11]