Bailey Roy Akehurst (born 9 October 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left back for National League South club Dover Athletic.

Bailey Akehurst
Personal information
Full name Bailey Roy Akehurst[1]
Date of birth (2003-09-08) 8 September 2003 (age 20)[2]
Place of birth Kent
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
Dover Athletic
Number 12
Youth career
0000–2021 Gillingham
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2023 Gillingham 5 (0)
2021Cray Wanderers (loan) 2 (0)
2022Hastings United (loan) 1 (0)
2022Cheshunt (loan) 0 (0)
2022Cray Wanderers (loan) 5 (0)
2023Tonbridge Angels (loan) 3 (0)
2023 Hastings United 10 (0)
2023 Erith & Belvedere 3 (0)
2023– Dover Athletic 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:04, 21 November 2023 (UTC)

Career edit

Despite being a second-year scholar, Akehurst made his league debut for Gillingham in a 1–1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on 13 September 2021,[4] having made his first senior appearance in an EFL Trophy match against Crawley Town earlier in the season.[2][5]

On 7 June 2022 he signed his first professional contract with the Kent side.[6] Shortly into the 2022–23 season, he signed for Hastings United on loan.[7] He was released at the end of the 2022–23 season.[8]

Following his release from Gillingham, Akehurst returned to Hastings United on a permanent basis.[9] In November 2023, he joined National League South club Dover Athletic[10] following a short spell with Erith & Belvedere.[11]

Career statistics edit

As of match played 11 November 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Gillingham 2021–22[5] League One 5 0 2 0 2 0 2[a] 0 11 0
Cheshunt 2022-23 National League South 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[b] 0 1 0
Cray Wanderers (loan) 2022–23[12] Isthmian League Premier Division 5 0 0 0 5 0
Hastings United 2023–24[13] Isthmian League Premier Division 10 0 3 1 1[b] 0 14 1
Erith & Belvedere 2023–24[14] Isthmian League South East Division 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Career total 23 0 5 1 2 0 4 0 34 1
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  2. ^ a b Appearance(s) in FA Trophy

References edit

  1. ^ "Club list of registered players: As at 15th May 2021: Gillingham" (PDF). English Football League. 15 May 2021. p. 51. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Bailey Akehurst - Midfielder - First Team - Gillingham". gillinghamfootballclub.com. Gillingham F.C. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Bailey Akehurst FM 2021 Profile". FmDataba. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  4. ^ Cawdell, Luke (13 November 2021). "Gillingham teenager Bailey Akehurst makes Football League debut at Sheffield Wednesday". Kent Online. KM Media Group. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Games played by Bailey Akehurst in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  6. ^ Panting, Matthew (7 June 2022). "Gillingham defender Bailey Akehurst signs first professional contract with the club". Kent Online. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  7. ^ Townsend, Ian (15 August 2022). "Bailey Akehurst signs on loan from Gillingham". Isthmian. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Gillingham FC Retained List 2022/23". www.gillinghamfootballclub.com. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  9. ^ @hastingsufc (10 June 2023). "NEW SIGNING Bailey Akehurst Baileys Back and this time it's for good! Last time injury in his first game cut his stay short As well as representing @TheGillsFC, Bailey has had loan spells at @OfficialWands and @tonbridgeangels Welcome back Bailey #COYU #NewSigning #NewEra" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 June 2023 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ @DoverAthletic (21 November 2023). "✍️ | New Signing… We're delighted to announce the signing of former Gillingham and Hastings defender @BaileyAkehurst 🤝 Welcome to Crabble Bailey! #OneTownOneTeamOneDover ⚪⚫️" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 November 2023 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ @EBTheDeres (18 November 2023). "Departing the Deres today are Denzelle Olopade and Bailey Akehurst "Disappointed to lose two top young players and two fantastic people no doubt our paths will cross again but for now I wish them all the best " ML on the latest departures #upthederes" (Tweet). Retrieved 21 November 2023 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ "Cray Wanderers – Appearances – Bailey Akehurst". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  13. ^ "Hastings United – Appearances – Bailey Akehurst – 2023-2024". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  14. ^ "Erith & Belvedere – Appearances – Bailey Akehurst – 2022-2023". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 21 November 2023.