Antwoine Hackford

Antwoine Hackford

Personal information
Full name	Antwoine Hackford [1]
Date of birth	(2004-03-20) 20 March 2004 (age 20) [2]
Place of birth	Arbourthorne, Sheffield, England [3]
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.77 m) [4]
Position(s)	Striker
Team information
Current team	Port Vale (on loan from Sheffield United)
Number	32
Youth career
2013–2020	Sheffield United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2020–	Sheffield United	3	(0)
2021	→ Alfreton Town (loan)	1	(1)
2024	→ Burton Albion (loan)	6	(0)
2024–	→ Port Vale (loan)	1	(0)
International career
2019	England U15	3	(0)
2019	England U16	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:26, 7 September 2024 (UTC)

Antwoine Hackford (born 20 March 2004) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for EFL League Two club Port Vale, on loan from EFL Championship club Sheffield United. Capped by England up to under-16 level, he has previously played on loan at Alfreton Town and Burton Albion.

Club career

Born in the Arbourthorne area of Sheffield, ^[3] Hackford began his career at Sheffield United, joining the club at the age of nine, ^[5] and taking part in the first-team's pre-season preparations ahead of the 2020–21 season. ^[6] He became a scholar that year, ^[7] and was included in The Guardian's 'Next Generation 2020' list of the best young players at Premier League clubs. ^[8] He made his senior debut for the club on 2 January 2021, appearing as an 80th-minute substitute for Ben Osborn in a 2–0 away league defeat by Crystal Palace. ^{[9] [10]} At the age of 16 years and 288 days, he became their youngest ever player in the Premier League. ^[3] Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder said he was "delighted" for Hackford. ^[11] He turned professional in June 2021. ^[12]

In December 2021, Hackford joined National League North side Alfreton Town on a one-month loan, going straight into the squad for the fixture at Curzon Ashton where he scored on his debut in a 2–1 win. ^[13] Billy Heath, manager of the Reds, said that Hackford was "fantastic" before he "just ran out of a steam a little bit". ^[14] However, he injured his ACL 11 days later while playing for Sheffield United in the FA Youth Cup, ruling him out for 11 months. ^{[15] [16] [17]}

Hackford featured in two Premier League games when manager Paul Heckingbottom was short of attacking options at the start of the 2023–24 campaign, making cameo appearances in narrow defeats to Crystal Palace at Bramall Lane and away at Nottingham Forest. ^{[18] [19]} He signed a new two-and-a-half year contract in January 2024 after having scored 13 goals in that season's Professional Development League and Premier League Cup. ^{[20] [21]} On 1 February, Hackford joined League One club Burton Albion on loan until the end of the 2023–24 season. ^[22] He featured from the bench six times for the Brewers under Martin Paterson. ^[23]

On 30 August 2024, Hackford signed for League One club Port Vale on a season-long loan. ^[24] Manager Darren Moore stated that "he is another player who plays without fear and adds even further competition at the top end of the pitch". ^[25]

International career

Hackford has represented England at under-15 and under-16 levels. ^[7]

Personal life

Born in England, Hackford is of Trinidadian descent. His brother is boxer Anthony Tomlinson. ^{[26] [27]}

Career statistics

As of match played 7 September 2024

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
Sheffield United	2020–21 [28]	Premier League	1	0	0	0	0	0	—		1	0
	2021–22 [29]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2022–23 [30]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2023–24 [23]	Premier League	2	0	0	0	0	0	—		2	0
	2024–25 [31]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	Total		3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
Alfreton Town (loan)	2021–22 [4]	National League North	1	1	0	0	—		0	0	1	1
Burton Albion (loan)	2023–24 [23]	League One	6	0	—		—		—		6	0
Port Vale (loan)	2024–25 [31]	League Two	1	0	0	0	—		1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	2	0
Career total			11	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	12	1

1. Appearances in EFL Trophy

References

1. "2020/21 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
2. "Antwoine Hackford". Premier League. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
3. Hall, Danny (2 January 2021). "A talented boy with great pace – Who is Sheffield United starlet Antwoine Hackford?". Sheffield Star. JPIMedia . Retrieved 2 January 2021.
4. Antwoine Hackford at Soccerway. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
5. Hemmingham, Nathan (12 January 2021). "The story of Antwoine Hackford and what makes him so special". Yorkshire Live. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
6. Sutcliffe, Richard (3 September 2020). "Sheffield United's breakthrough star – Antwoine Hackford". The Athletic. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
7. Victor, Tom (7 October 2020). "Sheffield United's teenage prodigy Antwoine Hackford has been tipped for a bright future". YorkshireLive. Reach plc. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
8. Christenson, Marcus; Powell, Jim; Blight, Garry (7 October 2020). "Next Generation 2020: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
9. Johnston, Neil (2 January 2021). "Sheffield United need incredible run – Wilder". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
10. Hawkey, Ian (2 September 2024). "Elegant Eberechi Eze shows Antwoine Hackford the way to shine on big stage". The Times . Retrieved 2 September 2024.
11. Hemmingham, Nathan (3 January 2021). "What Chris Wilder had to say about United wonderkid Hackford". YorkshireLive. Reach plc . Retrieved 3 January 2021.
12. Hall, Danny (2 July 2021). "Sheffield United history maker Antwoine Hackford signs first professional contract at Bramall Lane". Sheffield Star. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
13. Towerzey, Lisa (3 December 2021). "Reds sign highly rated Blades striker Antwoine Hackford on loan". Alfreton Town FC. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
14. Hall, Danny (6 December 2021). "Sheffield United youngster Antwoine Hackford praised by boss after debut goal in Alfreton Town victory". Sheffield Star. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
15. "Loan for young striker". Sheffield United FC. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
16. "Under 18s 1-1 (6-5 pens) Millwall - report". Sheffield United FC. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
17. Hall, Danny (15 November 2022). "History-making Sheffield United striker reflects on 11-month injury nightmare after return". Sheffield Star. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
18. Hall, Danny (22 August 2023). "Sheffield United boss "pushing" for transfer progress after vow over new signings". Sheffield Star. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
19. Raynor, Stuart (18 August 2023). "Paul Heckingbottom praises Sheffield United - once they got over their fear factor at Nottingham Forest". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
20. "Antwoine commits future to Blades". Sheffield United FC. 15 January 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
21. "Loan for young striker". Sheffield United FC. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
22. "Antwoine Hackford: Burton Albion sign Sheffield United striker on loan". BBC Sport. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
23. "Games played by Antwoine Hackford in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
24. "Port Vale sign Antwoine Hackford from Sheffield United and Aston Villa midfielder Rico Richards on loan". BBC Sport. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
25. "Antwoine Hackford is a Valiant | Port Vale FC". Port Vale FC. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
26. Jones, Steve (13 December 2021). "Sheffield United starlet Antwoine Hackford's friendly rivalry with boxing brother Anthony Tomlinson". Sheffield Star. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
27. Sutcliffe, Richard. "'Me and my brother show that kids from council estates can make a difference'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
28. "Games played by Antwoine Hackford in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
29. "Games played by Antwoine Hackford in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
30. "Games played by Antwoine Hackford in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
31. "Games played by Antwoine Hackford in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 January 2024.