George Lloyd (footballer, born 2000)

George Lloyd

Personal information
Full name	George Robert Lawrence Lloyd [1]
Date of birth	(2000-02-11) 11 February 2000 (age 24) [2]
Place of birth	Gloucester, England [3]
Height	1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) [2]
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Cheltenham Town
Number	19
Youth career
2009–2017	Cheltenham Town
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–	Cheltenham Town	111	(8)
2018–2019	→ Hereford (loan)	12	(2)
2019	→ Hereford (loan)	7	(1)
2021–2022	→ Port Vale (loan)	7	(0)
2023	→ Grimsby Town (loan)	21	(5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:00, 13 April 2024 (UTC)

George Robert Lawrence Lloyd (born 11 February 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League One club Cheltenham Town.

He made his first-team debut at Cheltenham Town during the 2017–18 season and spent much of the following campaign on loan at Hereford. He played 18 games for Cheltenham in the 2019–20 season, before scoring four goals in 40 games as they won promotion as champions of League Two in 2020–21. He joined Port Vale on loan for the 2021–22 season, but the loan was terminated halfway through after he sustained a stomach injury. He was loaned out to Grimsby Town for the second half of the 2022–23 campaign.

Career

Cheltenham Town

After progressing through the academy, Lloyd made his first-team debut during Cheltenham Town's EFL Trophy tie against Swansea City U23s at Whaddon Road on 15 August 2017, which resulted in a 2–1 defeat for Cheltenham, with Lloyd featuring for the entire 90 minutes. ^[4] He scored a club record-equalling eight goals in an FA Youth Cup win over A.F.C. Totton in November. ^[5] He turned professional at the club in December 2017, when he was also given a League Football Education award, which was given to "highlight the achievements and progression of talented young footballers who apply themselves to all aspects of their apprenticeship". ^[6] He made his League Two debut on New Year's Day, coming on for Kyle Storer 79 minutes into a 4–1 defeat at Stevenage. ^[7] Manager Gary Johnson handed him his first start in the English Football League on 7 April, in a 3–0 home win over Morecambe during which Lloyd picked up an assist. ^[8] He scored his first goal for the "Robins" on 21 April, in a 4–3 defeat at Cambridge United. ^[9] He scored another goal against Crewe Alexandra to end the 2017–18 season with two goals from eight appearances. ^[10]

On 9 October 2018, Lloyd joined National League North side Hereford on a three-month loan, who were managed by former Cheltenham Town player Marc Richards. ^{[11] [12]} He scored his first goal for the "Bulls" during their 3–1 defeat to Boston United on 27 October. ^[13] Lloyd was recalled by Cheltenham on 4 January, however, was loaned back out to Hereford for the remainder of the 2018–19 season on 17 January. ^[14] He scored four goals from 20 games during his time at Edgar Street before being recalled to Cheltenham for a second time on 19 February. ^{[2] [15]} On 13 April, he scored an equalising goal against Lincoln City, which was later voted as 'Goal of the Season' by the club's supporters. ^[16] Speaking the following month, he said that "working under [manager] Michael Duff has been great for me... as someone who has come through the youth system like me here at Cheltenham I look up to him a huge amount and am looking forward to having another season working and learning from him again". ^[16]

Lloyd made 18 appearances across the course of the 2019–20 campaign, scoring once in the EFL Trophy. ^[17] He scored four goals from 40 games in the 2020–21 campaign as Cheltenham secured promotion into League One as champions of League Two; he started 18 league games and made 14 substitute appearances in the league. ^{[18] [19]} One of his goals helped to secure a 2–1 victory over Crewe Alexandra in the second round of the FA Cup, with his header earning him plaudits from Duff for his bravery. ^[20]

On 30 August 2021, Lloyd joined League Two side Port Vale on a season-long loan deal, after already playing six times for Cheltenham earlier in the month. ^{[21] [22]} Manager Darrell Clarke said: "he's a striker that optimises what I want in my centre-forwards, he works hard, he's a grafter". ^[21] Limited to only one league start and five substitute appearances in his first two months with the "Valiants", assistant manager Andy Crosby nevertheless stated that "George impressed us from the day he walked into the football club with his enthusiasm, his endeavour and his willingness to run, chase, harry and upset defenders". ^[23] He scored his first goal for the club in a 5–1 victory over Accrington Stanley in an FA Cup first round match on 6 November. ^[24] However, he was sidelined with a stomach injury at the end of the month and was prescribed three months of complete rest in order to recover. ^{[25] [26]} On 13 January 2022, his loan was terminated and he returned to Cheltenham Town. ^[27] He started three games and made five substitute appearances for Cheltenham in the second half of the 2021–22 season, scoring a goal against AFC Wimbledon upon his return to fitness. ^{[2] [28]}

He made thirteen League One appearances in the first half of the 2022–23 season, including six starts under new head coach Wade Elliott, though struggled to find regular gametime due to the form of Alfie May and Dan Nlundulu. ^{[29] [30] [31]} On 31 January 2023, Lloyd joined League Two side Grimsby Town on loan for the remainder of the 2022–23 season as manager Paul Hurst looked to add options to his front line. ^[32] He scored on his debut four days later in a 3–0 win away at Crewe Alexandra. ^[33] He finished the loan spell with five goals and four assists in 21 games. ^[34] He proved to be a popular player with fans at Blundell Park, though Hurst admitted it was unlikely that Cheltenham would allow him to return to Grimsby the following season. ^[35]

Style of play

Lloyd is a brave and hard-working forward who can also play wide on the right or as an advanced midfielder. ^{[19] [30]} Writing in January 2023, Gloucestershire Live reporter Jon Palmer described him as a "genuine all-rounder" due to his athleticism, heading skills and pace. ^[30]

Career statistics

As of match played 13 April 2024

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
Cheltenham Town	2017–18 [36]	League Two	7	2	0	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	8	2
	2018–19 [37]	League Two	7	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	9	1
	2019–20 [17]	League Two	13	0	1	0	1	0	3 [lower-alpha 1]	1	18	1
	2020–21 [18]	League Two	32	2	3	1	1	0	4 [lower-alpha 1]	1	40	4
	2021–22 [38]	League One	12	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	14	1
	2022–23 [39]	League One	13	0	1	0	1	0	3 [lower-alpha 1]	0	18	0
	2023–24 [40]	League One	27	2	1	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	29	2
	Total		111	8	6	1	7	0	12	2	136	11
Hereford (loan)	2018–19 [2]	National League North	19	3	0	0	—		1 [lower-alpha 2]	1	20	4
Port Vale (loan)	2021–22 [38]	League Two	7	0	1	1	—		3 [lower-alpha 1]	1	11	2
Grimsby Town (loan)	2022–23 [39]	League Two	21	5	—		—		—		21	5
Career total			158	16	7	2	7	0	16	4	188	22

1. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
2. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy

Honours

Cheltenham Town

• EFL League Two: 2020–21 ^[2]

References

1. "EFL Released and Retained List 2017-18" (PDF). English Football League. p. 73. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
2. George Lloyd at Soccerway
3. Palmer, Jon (30 August 2021). "Cheltenham Town striker set for loan move". GloucestershireLive. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
4. "Cheltenham Town vs. Swansea City U21". Soccerway. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
5. Iles, Robert (13 November 2017). "Gary Johnson on how far teenage hotshot is from Cheltenham side". GloucestershireLive. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
6. "Young striker Lloyd recognised by LFE award". www.ctfc.com. 18 December 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
7. "REPORT: Stevenage 4-1 Robins". www.ctfc.com. 1 January 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
8. Palmer, Jon (9 April 2018). "Lloyd can be a trailblazer for Cheltenham Town academy hopefuls". GloucestershireLive. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
9. "Cambridge United 4-3 Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
10. Saunders, Luke (5 May 2018). "Crewe Alexandra vs Cheltenham Town on 05 May 18 - Match Centre - Cheltenham Town FC". www.ctfc.com. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
11. Palmer, Jon (9 October 2018). "Cheltenham Town striker joins Hereford in loan switch". GloucestershireLive. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
12. Palmer, Jon (22 November 2018). "Homegrown striker has big part to play at Robins, says chairman". GloucestershireLive. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
13. "Boston United vs. Hereford". Soccerway. 4 November 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
14. Griffiths, Jamie (18 January 2019). "NEWS | George Lloyd Returns On Loan | Hereford FC - The Official website of Hereford FC". www.herefordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
15. Goddard, Ben (19 February 2019). "Lloyd recalled by Cheltenham Town again". Hereford Times. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
16. Lloyd, George (29 May 2019). "Lloyd: Working under Michael Duff has been great for me". www.ctfc.com. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
17. "Games played by George Lloyd in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
18. "Games played by George Lloyd in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
19. Baggaley, Michael (30 August 2021). "Port Vale sign striker George Lloyd". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
20. "Michael Duff praises George Lloyd for extra-time winner". www.newschainonline.com. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
21. Mounteney, Luke (30 August 2021). "George Lloyd completes Vale loan". Port Vale F.C. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
22. "Port Vale sign Cheltenham forward Lloyd". BBC Sport. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
23. Baggaley, Michael (3 November 2021). "Port Vale verdict on loan striker George Lloyd". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
24. "Port Vale 5-1 Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 6 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
25. Baggaley, Michael (30 November 2021). "Darrell Clarke confirms Port Vale's injury worries have grown". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 2 December 2021.
26. Palmer, Jon (6 December 2021). "Robins striker faces several months on sidelines". GloucestershireLive. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
27. Baggaley, Michael (13 January 2022). "Darrell Clarke confirms George Lloyd exit from Port Vale". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
28. Joyce, Richard (20 March 2022). "Reaction: Lloyd on AFC Wimbledon". Cheltenham Town. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
29. "Lloyd joins Grimsby Town on loan". www.ctfc.com. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
30. Allen, Sam (31 January 2023). "'A genuine all-rounder' - Insider view on Town's new loan signing George Lloyd". GrimsbyLive. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
31. Palmer, Jon (31 January 2023). "League Two club set to sign Robins striker". GloucestershireLive. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
32. "George Lloyd Signs On Loan". Grimsby Town F.C. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
33. "Crewe Alexandra 0-3 Grimsby Town". BBC Sport. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
34. Palmer, Jon (19 April 2023). "Grimsby move unlikely for Robins forward". GloucestershireLive. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
35. Allen, Sam (17 April 2023). "Paul Hurst's George Lloyd view as external pressure grows to keep player at Town". GrimsbyLive. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
36. "Games played by George Lloyd in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
37. "Games played by George Lloyd in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
38. "Games played by George Lloyd in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
39. "Games played by George Lloyd in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
40. "Games played by George Lloyd in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 August 2021.