Bailey Akehurst

Bailey Akehurst

Personal information
Full name	Bailey Roy Akehurst [1]
Date of birth	(2003-09-08) 8 September 2003 (age 21) [2]
Place of birth	Kent
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) [3]
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Tonbridge Angels
Youth career
0000–2021	Gillingham
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021–2023	Gillingham	5	(0)
2021	→ Cray Wanderers (loan)	2	(0)
2022	→ Hastings United (loan)	1	(0)
2022	→ Cheshunt (loan)	0	(0)
2022	→ Cray Wanderers (loan)	5	(0)
2023	→ Tonbridge Angels (loan)	3	(0)
2023	Hastings United	10	(0)
2023	Erith & Belvedere	3	(0)
2023–2024	Dover Athletic	16	(0)
2024	Chatham Town	12	(0)
2024	Herne Bay	3	(0)
2025–	Tonbridge Angels	2	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:19, 15 January 2025 (UTC)

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

Career

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] He was offered a new contract by Dover following relegation at the end of the 2023–24 season. ^[12]

In June 2024, Akehurst joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Chatham Town. ^[13] In January 2025, following a short spell with Herne Bay, he returned to Tonbridge Angels on a permanent basis. ^[14]

Career statistics

As of match played 17 December 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
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 [15]	Isthmian League Premier Division	5	0	—		—		0	0	5	0
Hastings United	2023–24 [16]	Isthmian League Premier Division	10	0	3	1	—		1 [b]	0	14	1
Erith & Belvedere	2023–24 [17]	Isthmian League South East Division	3	0	0	0	—		0	0	3	0
Dover Athletic	2023–24 [18]	National League South	16	0	0	0	—		0	0	16	0
Chatham Town	2024–25 [19]	Isthmian League Premier Division	12	0	3	1	—		4 [c]	0	19	1
Herne Bay	2024–25 [20]	Isthmian League South East Division	3	0	0	0	—		0	0	3	0
Career total			54	0	8	2	2	0	8	0	72	2

1. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
2. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
3. One appearance in Kent Senior Cup, two appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance in Alan Turvey Trophy

References

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. "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. "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. "2023/24 Retained List". doverathletic.com. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
13. "CHATS SIGN BAILEY AKEHURST". www.chathamtownfc.com. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
14. "Bailey's return to Longmead". www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk. 10 January 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
15. "Cray Wanderers – Appearances – Bailey Akehurst". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
16. "Hastings United – Appearances – Bailey Akehurst – 2023-2024". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
17. "Erith & Belvedere – Appearances – Bailey Akehurst – 2022-2023". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
18. Bailey Akehurst at Soccerway. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
19. "Chatham Town – Appearances – Bailey Akehurst – 2024-2025". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
20. "Herne Bay – Appearances – Bailey Akehurst – 2024-2025". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 15 January 2025.