Louis James Almond (born 5 January 1992) is an English semi-professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ashton United. He has played in the Football League for Cheltenham Town and Blackpool.

Louis Almond
Almond playing for York City in 2017
Personal information
Full name Louis James Almond[1]
Date of birth (1992-01-05) 5 January 1992 (age 32)[2]
Place of birth Blackburn, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[3]
Position(s) Forward[4]
Team information
Current team
Ashton United
Youth career
0000–2009 Blackpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2014 Blackpool 1 (0)
2010Cheltenham Town (loan) 4 (0)
2011Barrow (loan) 20 (6)
2011–2012Barrow (loan) 23 (1)
2012Lincoln City (loan) 5 (1)
2012–2013Barrow (loan) 11 (2)
2013Hyde (loan) 13 (4)
2013–2014Hyde (loan) 28 (4)
2014–2015 Hyde 23 (4)
2015–2016 Southport 59 (16)
2016–2017 Tranmere Rovers 5 (0)
2017Southport (loan) 9 (2)
2017–2018 York City 19 (2)
2018–2020 Chorley 38 (6)
2020– Ashton United 9 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:42, 21 August 2020 (UTC)

Career

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Blackpool and loans

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Almond was born in Blackburn, Lancashire.[5] He attended Darwen Vale High School and played for the successful team that over the years represented Lancashire in the county cup, and also represented them in Sweden in the year 2000 (aged 8).[citation needed] Almond was at hometown club Blackburn Rovers Academy before joining Blackpool.[6]

Whilst still a member of the Blackpool youth team, Almond became a regular in the club's reserve team in the 2008–09 season. In July 2009, he played for the first team in the pre-season South West Challenge Cup held in North Devon, including playing in the 5–0 win over Barnstaple Town.[7]

Then, still a second-year scholar, Almond made his first-team debut for Blackpool as a 70th-minute substitute in a 2–1 win over Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road in the first round of the 2009–10 League Cup on 11 August 2009.[8] On 19 March 2010, he joined League Two club Cheltenham Town on loan, making his debut the following day in a 1–1 draw with Port Vale at Whaddon Road.[9]

He went back out on loan on 1 January 2011, to Conference Premier club Barrow, for one month.[10] He scored on his debut, giving him four goals in as many matches. On 31 January 2011, he extended his loan spell at the club until 3 April.[11] Almond returned to Barrow on loan in time for 2011–12, in a deal which allowed him to continue playing in Blackpool reserve matches where possible.[12] The loan deal lasted until January 2012, when he returned to Blackpool, having scored one goal in 26 appearances for Barrow.[13]

On 31 January 2012, Almond joined Conference Premier club Lincoln City on loan until the end of 2011–12.[14] He made five appearances, scoring one goal.[15] On 6 June 2012, he signed a new one-year contract with Blackpool, with an option for a further year.[16]

On 9 August 2013, Almond rejoined Hyde on a season-long loan.[17] The loan lasted until 31 January 2014 when new caretaker manager Barry Ferguson recalled Almond to Bloomfield Road[18] after scoring 4 goals in 29 appearances for bottom placed Hyde.[19] Almond made Blackpool's first-team squad in mid April 2014 and made his Blackpool League debut coming on as substitute for David Goodwillie in a Lancashire derby against Burnley.[20]

Hyde

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After his release from Blackpool, he joined Conference North club Hyde in August 2014.[21]

Southport

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On 2 February 2015, Almond signed for Southport following his release from Hyde. He made his debut in a 5–3 defeat against Forest Green Rovers. He scored his first goal and only goal of 2014–15 Southport five matches after his debut in a 2–2 draw against Grimsby Town. Southport finished 19th that season. In the following season, Almond was a regular for Southport, making 46 appearances scoring 13 goals.[19]

Tranmere Rovers

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On 20 September 2016, Almond signed for Southport's National League rivals Tranmere Rovers for an undisclosed fee. On 23 February 2017, Almond rejoined Southport on loan, with his chances in the Tranmere team limited.[22]

York City

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Almond signed for newly relegated National League North club York City on 30 June 2017 on a one-year contract.[23]

Chorley

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Almond signed for National League North club Chorley on 5 June 2018.[24] He left the club by mutual consent after he was restricted to four appearances in the 2019–20 season through injury.[25]

Ashton United

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On 10 January 2020, Almond moved to Ashton United.[26]

Career statistics

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As of 4 January 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Blackpool 2009–10[9] Championship 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
2010–11[27] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0
2011–12[28] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012–13[29] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013–14[20] Championship 1 0 0 0 1 0
Total 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2009–10[9] League Two 4 0 4 0
Barrow (loan) 2010–11[30] Conference Premier 20 6 20 6
2011–12[13] Conference Premier 23 1 2 0 1[a] 0 26 1
Total 43 7 2 0 1 0 46 7
Lincoln City (loan) 2011–12[15] Conference Premier 5 1 5 1
Barrow (loan) 2012–13[19] Conference Premier 11 2 4 1 3[a] 0 18 3
Hyde (loan) 2012–13[19] Conference Premier 13 4 13 4
2013–14[19] Conference Premier 28 4 1 0 29 4
Hyde 2014–15[31] Conference North 23 4 1 0 4[b] 0 28 4
Total 64 12 2 0 4 0 70 12
Southport 2014–15[19] Conference Premier 7 1 7 1
2015–16[19] National League 42 12 1 0 3[a] 1 46 13
2016–17[19] National League 10 3 10 3
Total 59 16 1 0 3 1 63 17
Tranmere Rovers 2016–17[19] National League 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Southport (loan) 2016–17[19] National League 9 2 9 2
York City 2017–18[19][32] National League North 19 2 2 0 0 0 21 2
Chorley 2018–19[19][33] National League North 35 6 3 1 3[c] 0 41 7
2019–20[19] National League 3 0 1 0 0 0 4 0
Total 38 6 4 1 3 0 45 7
Career total 258 48 15 2 1 0 14 1 288 51
  1. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  2. ^ Two appearances in Manchester Premier Cup, two in FA Trophy
  3. ^ One appearance FA Trophy, two in National League North play-offs

Honours

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Chorley

References

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  1. ^ "Professional retain list & free transfers: 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014.
  2. ^ "Louis Almond: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Louis Almond: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Louis Almond". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  5. ^ "Louis Almond". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Louis Almond: Blackpool Football Club Youth Department Player Profile". Blackpool F.C. Retrieved 18 October 2009.[dead link]
  7. ^ "Barnstaple 0 Blackpool 5". Blackpool Gazette. 13 July 2009. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  8. ^ "Crewe vs Blackpool". Blackpool F.C. 11 August 2009. Archived from the original on 13 August 2009.
  9. ^ a b c "Games played by Louis Almond in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  10. ^ "Barrow snap up Blackpool's Louis Almond". BBC Sport. 2 January 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  11. ^ "Almond extends loan stay". Blackpool F.C. 31 January 2011. Archived from the original on 8 March 2011.
  12. ^ "Bosses nuts about Almond capture". Barrow A.F.C. 4 August 2011. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012.
  13. ^ a b Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2012). Non-League Club Directory 2013. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 34–35. ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0.
  14. ^ "Almond loaned to Lincoln". Blackpool F.C. 31 January 2012. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  15. ^ a b Williams; Williams (eds.). Non-League Club Directory 2013. pp. 98–99.
  16. ^ "Almond agrees new deal". Blackpool F.C. 6 June 2012. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012.
  17. ^ "Blackpool striker Louis Almond rejoins Hyde FC on loan". BBC Sport. 9 August 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  18. ^ "Louis Almond returns". Blackpool F.C. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "L. Almond: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  20. ^ a b "Games played by Louis Almond in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  21. ^ McAnulty, Andy. "Hyde sign four". Hyde United F.C. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018 – via Pitchero.
  22. ^ Lopez, Jamie (23 February 2017). "Southport re-sign Louis Almond on loan". Southport Visiter. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  23. ^ Flett, Dave (30 June 2017). "York City's new striker Louis Almond challenged to fulfil "worldie" potential". The Press. York. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  24. ^ Chorley F.C. [@chorleyfc] (5 June 2018). "BREAKING NEWS 🗞️ | We are delighted to announce the capture of not one, not two, but THREE new signings this evening. Welcome aboard Louis Almond, Courtney Meppen-Walter & Wes Fletcher; more info to follow tomorrow... #MagpieFamily" (Tweet). Retrieved 5 June 2018 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ Birch, Alex (4 January 2020). "Massanka & Almond released". Chorley F.C. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  26. ^ Dabbers Sign Forward From Stoke City, thenpl.co.uk, 10 January 2020
  27. ^ "Games played by Louis Almond in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  28. ^ "Games played by Louis Almond in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  29. ^ "Games played by Louis Almond in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  30. ^ Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2011). Non-League Club Directory 2012. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 34–35. ISBN 978-1-869833-70-1.
  31. ^ "The team: Louis Almond: 2014/2015". Hyde United F.C. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018 – via Pitchero.
  32. ^ For FA Cup second qualifying round: Flett, Dave (17 September 2017). "York City dig deep to progress in FA Cup amid the Salford rubble". The Press. York. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
    For FA Cup third qualifying round: Flett, Dave (1 October 2017). "Poor Shaftesbury Avenue show sees curtain come down on Gary Mills' second spell as York City manager". The Press. York. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
    For FA Trophy third qualifying round: Flett, Dave (26 November 2017). "York City have last laugh following Coalville taunts in 3–1 Trophy triumph". The Press. York. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  33. ^ For FA Cup second qualifying round: Nield, Mike (23 September 2018). "Chorley 3, Leek Town 0". Lancashire Evening Post. Fulwood. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
    For FA Cup third qualifying round: Nield, Mike (7 October 2018). "Peterborough Sports 0, Chorley 3". Lancashire Evening Post. Fulwood. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
    For FA Trophy third qualifying round: Nield, Mike (25 November 2018). "Chorley crash out of FA Trophy after being made to pay for early penalty miss". Lancashire Evening Post. Fulwood. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  34. ^ Swarbrick, Rosie (12 May 2019). "Chorley 1 Spennymoor 1: Chorley clinch promotion to the National League thanks to 4–3 penalty shoot out win". Lancashire Evening Post. Fulwood. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
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