Luke Young (footballer, born 1993)

For the English international footballer, see Luke Young (footballer, born 1979).

Luke Young

Personal information
Full name	Luke Young [1]
Date of birth	(1993-02-22) 22 February 1993 (age 31) [1]
Place of birth	Plymouth, England
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) [2]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Cheltenham Town
Number	8
Youth career
2002–2011	Plymouth Argyle
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2011–2014	Plymouth Argyle	99	(8)
2014–2018	Torquay United	133	(16)
2018–2024	Wrexham	226	(21)
2024–	Cheltenham Town	19	(3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:18, 14 December 2024 (UTC)

Luke Young (born 22 February 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League Two club Cheltenham Town. Having progressed through Plymouth Argyle's youth system, Young made his debut in the Football League in 2011. He subsequently played with Torquay United, Wrexham and Cheltenham Town.

Club career

Early life and career

Young was born in Plymouth, Devon. ^[1] He signed Centre of Excellence forms with Plymouth Argyle in May 2002, aged nine, and played schools football for Plymouth and Devon. ^[3] In the 2008–09 season, he made 23 appearances for the club's under-18 side, ^[3] including the full 90 minutes of the FA Youth Cup fifth round tie with Tottenham Hotspur. ^{[4] [5]} Despite still being a schoolboy, he also played once for the reserve team. ^[4] He was a student at Ivybridge Community College before signing a full-time scholarship with the club. ^{[4] [6]} Young made a further 22 appearances for the under-18's in the 2009–10 season, scoring one goal, along with seven appearances for the reserves. ^[3] Having played in 11 matches for the under-18 side the following season, where he scored two goals, ^{[7] [8]} and three matches for the reserves, Young was promoted to the first-team squad in January 2011. ^[3]

Plymouth Argyle

He was an unused substitute in the club's league match at Charlton Athletic on 22 January 2011. ^[9] Young made his debut one week later against Bournemouth, replacing Northern Ireland international Rory Patterson in the 86th minute. ^[10] In doing so, he became the 29th player to represent the club in a competitive match during the 2010–11 season. ^[11] "Rory took a knock, but the boy Young has got good feet. He's a bit slight, but he's a good little footballer," said manager Peter Reid. "I knew Rory was struggling, so I just wanted to have a look at him." ^[11] He made his first start in a 4–0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion on his 18th birthday. ^{[12] [13]} Young signed his first professional contract in July, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2012. ^[14] "Considering that I've been at the club since I was nine, then to get the two-year scholarship and then at the end of that to get the first professional contract that I've been working towards for all these years, is really special," he said on the club's official website. ^[14] He scored his first goal for Argyle against Torquay United on 2 January 2012. ^{[15] [16]}

Young signed a new undisclosed contract in April 2012, along with teammates Curtis Nelson and Jared Sims. ^{[17] [18]} He finished the season by winning the club's Young Player of the Year award, having scored twice in 28 appearances. ^{[19] [20]}

Torquay United

On 19 June 2014, Young signed for Devon neighbours Torquay United on a two-year deal. ^[21]

Wrexham

Following Torquay United's relegation to National League South in the 2017–18 season, Young signed for Wrexham on a two-year deal. ^[22] He made his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2018–19 season during a 1–0 victory over Dover Athletic. ^[23] Young was promoted to club captain for the 2021–22 season. ^[24] He was released at the end of the 2023-24 season. ^[25]

Cheltenham Town

On 18 June 2024, Young signed for recently relegated League Two side Cheltenham Town. ^[26] He scored on his EFL debut for the club in a 3-2 defeat to Grimsby Town.

Career statistics

As of match played 14 December 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
Plymouth Argyle	2010–11 [27]	League One	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
	2011–12 [28]	League Two	28	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	28	2
	2012–13 [29]	League Two	32	2	1	0	2	0	1 [a]	0	36	2
	2013–14 [30]	League Two	34	4	3	0	1	0	1 [a]	0	39	4
	Total		99	8	4	0	3	0	2	0	108	8
Torquay United	2014–15 [31]	Conference Premier	39	6	0	0	—		5 [b]	1	44	7
	2015–16 [32]	National League	8	1	0	0	—		0	0	8	1
	2016–17 [33]	National League	40	4	2	1	—		5 [b]	1	47	6
	2017–18 [34]	National League	46	5	1	0	—		1 [b]	0	48	5
	Total		133	16	3	1	—		11	2	147	19
Wrexham	2018–19 [35]	National League	41	3	5	1	—		2 [c]	0	48	4
	2019–20 [36]	National League	37	3	4	0	—		0	0	41	3
	2020–21 [37]	National League	43	12	0	0	—		0	0	43	12
	2021–22 [38]	National League	42	0	1	0	—		1 [d]	0	44	0
	2022–23 [39]	National League	38	2	5	0	—		0	0	43	2
	2023–24 [40]	League Two	25	1	2	0	2	0	4 [a]	1	33	2
	Total		226	21	17	1	2	0	7	1	252	23
Cheltenham Town	2024–25 [41]	League Two	19	3	2	0	1	0	0	0	22	3
Career total			477	48	26	2	6	0	20	3	529	53

1. Appearance in Football League Trophy
2. Appearances in FA Trophy
3. One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance in National League play-offs
4. One appearance in FA Trophy

Honours

Wrexham

• EFL League Two runner-up: 2023–24 ^[42]
• National League: 2022–23 ^[43]
• FA Trophy runner-up: 2021–22 ^[44]

Individual

• Plymouth Argyle Young Player of the Year: 2011–12 ^[19]
• Torquay United Player of the Year: 2014–15, ^[45] 2016–17, ^[46] 2017–18 ^[46]
• Wrexham Player of the Year: 2019–20, 2020–21 ^[47]

References

1. "Luke Young". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
2. "Luke Young". Plymouth Argyle F.C. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
3. "Young gun". Plymouth Argyle F.C. 22 January 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
4. "Who are Argyle's stars of the future?" ^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}. The Herald. 9 August 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
5. "Tottenham prove too hot for young Pilgrims at Home Park". The Herald. 12 February 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
6. "Nine given new apprenticeships by youth chiefs". The Herald. 26 February 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
7. "Young star performer in Pilgrims' opening win". The Herald. 16 August 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
8. "Young's on the mark to snatch win for Greens". The Herald. 9 January 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2011.
9. "Charlton 2–0 Plymouth". BBC Sport. 22 January 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
10. "Plymouth 1–2 Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 29 January 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
11. "Plymouth Argyle boss stays upbeat despite spurned chances". The Herald. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
12. "Young starts". Plymouth Argyle F.C. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
13. "Brighton 4–0 Plymouth". BBC Sport. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
14. "Plymouth Argyle sign Luke Young and Jamie Richards". BBC Sport. 11 July 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
15. "Luke Young sets sights on more goals for Plymouth Argyle". Western Morning News. 4 January 2012. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
16. "Plymouth Argyle boss Carl Fletcher pleased for scorer Young". BBC Sport. 3 January 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
17. "Signed On". Plymouth Argyle F.C. 3 April 2012. Archived from the original on 27 June 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
18. "Curtis Nelson, Luke Young and Jared Sims sign Plymouth Argyle deals". BBC Sport. 3 April 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
19. "Young Young Young Player". Plymouth Argyle F.C. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
20. "Luke Young". GoS–DB. Greens on Screen. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
21. "Torquay United sign former Plymouth midfielder Luke Young". BBC Sport. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
22. "Torquay United sign former Plymouth midfielder Luke Young". Leader Live. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
23. "Dover 0–1 Wrexham". BBC Sport. 4 August 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
24. "Luke Young - Midfielder - First Team - Wrexham AFC". www.wrexhamafc.co.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
25. "CLUB STATEMENT | 2024 released/retained list".
26. "Town sign midfielder Luke Young". Cheltenham Town Football Club. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
27. "Games played by Luke Young in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
28. "Games played by Luke Young in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
29. "Games played by Luke Young in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
30. "Games played by Luke Young in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
31. "Games played by Luke Young in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
32. "Games played by Luke Young in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
33. "Games played by Luke Young in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
34. "Games played by Luke Young in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
35. "Games played by Luke Young in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
36. "Games played by Luke Young in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
37. "Games played by Luke Young in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
38. "Games played by Luke Young in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
39. "Games played by Luke Young in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
40. "Games played by Luke Young in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
41. "Games played by Luke Young in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
42. "END-OF-SEASON GALLERY | Relive the Red Dragons' memorable season". www.wrexhamafc.co.uk.
43. "Mullin the hero as Wrexham win to earn promotion". BBC Sport. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
44. Aled Williams (22 May 2022). "Bromley beat Wrexham to lift FA Trophy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
45. "TORQUAY UNITED: Aaron Downes and Krystian Pearce are high profile casualties of clearout". Torquay Herald Express. Archived from the original on 29 April 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
46. "Luke Young owes Torquay United nothing after four years of commitment". Devon Live. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
47. Richard Williams (27 May 2021). "Wrexham midfielder Young recognised for his efforts". The Leader. Retrieved 10 January 2023.

External links

• Luke Young profile at the Torquay United F.C. website
• Luke Young at Soccerbase