Kurt Willoughby
English footballer (born 1997)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kurt Henry Willoughby (born 15 July 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for National League North club Buxton.
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kurt Henry Willoughby[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 15 July 1997[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Blackpool, England[2] | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3] | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Buxton | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2012–2014 | Fleetwood Town | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2014 | Padiham | ? | (0) |
| 2014–2015 | AFC Blackpool | ? | (17) |
| 2015–2018 | Clitheroe | 93 | (42) |
| 2018–2019 | FC United of Manchester | 39 | (18) |
| 2019–2021 | AFC Fylde | 29 | (3) |
| 2020 | → York City (loan) | 4 | (3) |
| 2021–2022 | York City | 41 | (7) |
| 2022–2023 | Chester | 44 | (20) |
| 2023–2025 | Oldham Athletic | 15 | (0) |
| 2024 | → Ayr United (loan) | 12 | (3) |
| 2024–2025 | → Chester (loan) | 39 | (6) |
| 2025–2026 | Kidderminster Harriers | 17 | (3) |
| 2026– | Buxton | 0 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2018–2019 | England C | 3 | (1) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 12:31, 1 February 2026 (UTC) | |||
Club career
Early career
Willoughby began his youth career in 2012 with Fleetwood Town.[4] During the 2013–14 season, he joined Northern Premier League Division One North club Radcliffe Borough on a work experience loan.[5]
After leaving Fleetwood, he had spells with Padiham, AFC Blackpool and Clitheroe, before stepping up two levels to sign for National League North club FC United of Manchester in May 2018.[6][7]
AFC Fylde
On 3 June 2019, despite FC United's relegation, Willoughby stepped up another level to join National League club AFC Fylde.[8] He joined National League North club York City on a one-month loan in January 2020.[9] He was released by manager Jim Bentley in May 2021, at the end of his contract.[10]
During his time with AFC Fylde, Willoughby attracted interest from multiple Football League clubs, including Bolton Wanderers, but a move never materialised.[11]
York City
In June 2021, Willoughby rejoined York City permanently after being released by AFC Fylde.[12] Despite earning promotion to the National League after winning the play-offs, he was released by York at the end of his contract in May.[13]
Chester
On 13 June 2022, Willoughby signed a one-year deal with National League North club Chester.[14][15]
Oldham Athletic
On 7 June 2023, Willoughby joined National League club Oldham Athletic, signing a two-year deal.[16] On 1 February 2024, he joined Scottish Championship club Ayr United on loan until the end of the season.[17] In July 2024, he rejoined former club Chester on a season-long loan.[18]
Kidderminster Harriers
On 10 July 2025, Willoughby joined National League North side Kidderminster Harriers.[19]
International career
In October 2018, while at FC United, Willoughby was called up to the England C squad, and featured as a substitute in a 1–0 win against Estonia under-23.[20]
In March 2019, he was called up once again and started against Wales C, scoring the second goal in a 2–2 draw.[21]
His final appearance for England C came three months later in June 2019, where he played the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 defeat against Estonia under-23.[22]
Career statistics
- As of end of 2024–25 season
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| AFC Blackpool | 2014–15[23] | NWCFL Premier Division | ? | 9 | ? | 0 | ? | 0 | ? | 0 | ? | 9 |
| 2015–16[24] | NWCFL Premier Division | ? | 8 | ? | 1 | ? | 1 | ? | 1 | ? | 11 | |
| Total | ? | 17 | ? | 1 | ? | 1 | ? | 1 | ? | 20 | ||
| Clitheroe | 2015–16[25][26] | NPL Division One North | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 |
| 2016–17[27][28] | NPL Division One North | 34 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3[b] | 5 | 43 | 20 | |
| 2017–18[29][30][31] | NPL Division One North | 42 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6[c] | 4 | 50 | 31 | |
| Total | 93 | 42 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 111 | 54 | ||
| FC United of Manchester | 2018–19[32] | National League North | 39 | 18 | 2 | 1 | — | 2[d] | 1 | 43 | 20 | |
| AFC Fylde | 2019–20[2] | National League | 19 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 2[e] | 0 | 22 | 2 | |
| 2020–21[2][33] | National League North | 10 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 2[e] | 1 | 15 | 3 | ||
| Total | 29 | 3 | 4 | 1 | — | 4 | 1 | 37 | 5 | |||
| York City (loan) | 2019–20[2] | National League North | 4 | 3 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | ||
| York City | 2021–22[2][34] | National League North | 41 | 7 | 4 | 3 | — | 8[f] | 1 | 53 | 11 | |
| Total | 45 | 10 | 4 | 3 | — | 8 | 1 | 57 | 14 | |||
| Chester | 2022–23[35] | National League North | 44 | 20 | 5 | 5 | — | 3[g] | 2 | 52 | 27 | |
| Oldham Athletic | 2023–24[2] | National League | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2[e] | 1 | 17 | 1 | |
| Ayr United (loan) | 2023–24[2] | Scottish Championship | 12 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 3 | ||
| Chester (loan) | 2024–25[2] | National League North | 39 | 6 | 4 | 0 | — | 4[h] | 0 | 47 | 6 | |
| Career total | 316 | 102 | 22 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 32 | 15 | 377 | 130 | ||
- Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup
- Appearance(s) in Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy
- Two appearances and one goal in FA Trophy, four appearances and three goals in Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy
- One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance and one goal in Manchester Premier Cup
- Six appearances and one goal in FA Trophy, two appearances in National League North play-offs
- Two appearances and two goals in FA Trophy, one appearance in National League North play-offs
