Billy Waters (footballer, born 1994)

Bill Henry Penna Waters (born 15 October 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League Two club Wrexham.

Billy Waters
Personal information
Full name Bill Henry Penna Waters[1]
Date of birth (1994-10-15) 15 October 1994
Place of birth Epsom, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.74 m)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Wrexham
Number 16
Youth career
0000–2013 Crewe Alexandra
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2015 Crewe Alexandra 25 (2)
2015–2017 Cheltenham Town 83 (23)
2017–2020 Northampton Town 39 (2)
2018 → Cambridge United (loan) 18 (2)
2019 → Cheltenham Town (loan) 18 (4)
2020 → Newport County (loan) 6 (0)
2020–2021 Torquay United 28 (6)
2021–2022 FC Halifax Town 44 (17)
2022–2023 Barrow 32 (9)
2023– Wrexham 1 (0)
International career
2022 England C 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:59, 10 March 2023 (UTC)

A graduate of the Academy at Crewe Alexandra, he made his debut in the English Football League in November 2013. He was released by the club in May 2015, and moved on to Cheltenham Town, helping the team to win promotion as champions of the National League at the end of the 2015–16 season. He was named as Cheltenham Town Player of the Year in 2017, before he was sold on to Northampton Town in June 2017. He spent the second half of the 2017–18 season on loan at Cambridge United.

Club career

Crewe Alexandra

Waters was born in Epsom and began his career with Crewe Alexandra. After progressing through the club's academy, he was called up to the first-team by manager Steve Davis in October 2012.[3] Davis explained his decision to promote Waters to the first team, citing his impressive displays in the club's academy.[4] He was an unused substitute five times throughout the 2012–13 season, before signing his first professional contract on a one-year deal in May 2013.[5][6] Waters suffered a knee injury during a pre-season friendly match and despite recovering, spent the first half of the 2013–14 season playing in the club's reserves.[7][8] He made his professional debut on 26 November, in a 2–1 defeat at Carlisle United, entering the game as a 59th-minute substitute for Mark Ellis.[9] He made his first start on 8 March, and provided an assist for Chuks Aneke, in a 4–2 defeat at Peterborough United.[10] He signed a new two-year contract in June 2014.[11]

Turning 20 early in the 2014–15 season, he stated that his aim was to establish himself in the first-team and he switched shirt number from 29 to 17.[12][13] Waters made a perfect start to the campaign when he scored his first goal for the "Railwaymen" and set up another goal in a 2–0 win over Barnsley in the first round of the League Cup on 12 August.[14] He scored against the same team four days later in a League One fixture at Gresty Road, though Crewe lost 2–1.[15] His third goal came on 13 September, in a 1–1 draw at Yeovil Town.[16] However he then suffered a dip in form and lost his place in the first-team, ending the campaign with three goals in 21 league and cup appearances, as loan signings Nicky Ajose, Uche Ikpeazu and Lauri Dalla Valle were all preferred.[17][18][19] Despite having a year left on his contract, he was released by the club on 8 May 2015.[20]

Cheltenham Town

On 29 June 2015, Waters joined Cheltenham Town on a one-year contract.[21] He impressed in pre-season and scored a brace in a win against Bristol Rovers.[22][23] He made his debut for the "Robins" on 8 August, in a 1–1 draw at Lincoln City.[24] He scored his first goals on 12 September, in a 3–2 win over Dover Athletic at Whaddon Road.[25] He then scored three goals in four games between 3 October and 13 October against Halifax Town, Braintree Town and Bromley.[26][27][28] Later in the season, he scored braces against Guiseley, Southport and Chester.[29][30][31] Cheltenham secured promotion as champions of the National League at the end of the season, marking an immediate return to the English Football League after relegation at the end of the 2014–15 season.[32] The Gloucestershire Echo rated Waters 7 out of 10 for the 2015–16 season.[33] He signed a contract extension with the club in May.[34]

He scored 16 goals in 55 appearances as Cheltenham secured their League Two status with a 21st-place finish at the end of the 2016–17 campaign. Waters was voted as the club's Player of the Year and was also named as Players' Player and Young Player of the Year.[35] He was offered a new contract by manager Gary Johnson but Waters rejected the offer in search of a new club.[36]

Northampton Town

On 8 June 2017, Waters signed a three-year contract at Northampton Town after manager Justin Edinburgh authorised an undisclosed transfer fee to Cheltenham.[37] However Edinburgh left Sixfields after the "Cobblers" lost the opening four games of the League One season, and his successor, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink played Waters out of position.[38] On 12 January 2018, Waters joined League Two club Cambridge United on loan until the end of the 2017–18 season.[39] Manager Shaun Derry had promised to play him in his natural position as a striker.[38] Waters scored his first goal of the season on 17 February, in a 3–1 win over Grimsby Town at the Abbey Stadium, in what was caretaker-manager Joe Dunne's first win in charge.[40] He scored his second goal for the "U's" on the final day of the season, a 5–0 home win over Port Vale, which coincidentally was Dunne's first game in charge following his appointment as the club's new permanent manager.[41]

He was one of 3 transfer-listed by Northampton at the end of the 2018–19 season; a further 8 were released.[42]

On 7 January 2020, Waters joined Newport County on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season.[43] He made his debut for Newport County on 18 January 2020 in the 2–0 League Two win against Swindon Town as a second-half substitute.[44]

He was released at the end of the season following the expiration of his contract.[45]

Torquay United

He signed for National League side Torquay United in October 2020.[46][47] He was released by the club on the 23rd of June.

FC Halifax Town

On 8 July 2021, Waters joined FC Halifax Town.[48] He scored his first goal for the club on his debut, a 1–2 defeat to Maidenhead United on 21 August 2021.[49]

Barrow

On 9 June 2022, Waters joined League Two side Barrow on a two-year deal.[50] Waters was awarded the EFL League Two Player of the Month award for November 2022 having scored four goals in three matches, including a hat-trick in a 3–1 victory over Colchester United.[51][52]

Wrexham

On 22 March 2023, Waters signed for Wrexham on a deal until the end of the 2024–25 season.[53]

International career

Waters was placed on the stand-by list for Wales under-21s on two occasions, but did not receive a cap.[54][55] In March 2016, Waters was called up to the England C squad.[56]

Personal life

In addition to football, Waters is also a talented singer.[57]

Career statistics
As of 4 March 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Crewe Alexandra 2013–14[58] League One 9000000090
2014–15[59] League One 16220211[lower-alpha 1]0213
Total 252202110303
Cheltenham Town 2015–16[60] National League 371130—1[lower-alpha 2]04111
2016–17[61] League Two 461232204[lower-alpha 3]25516
Total 83236220529627
Northampton Town 2017–18[62] League One 17020103[lower-alpha 3]0230
2018–19[63] League Two 15200104[lower-alpha 3]0202
2019–20[64] League Two 7010104[lower-alpha 3]0130
Total 3923030110562
Cambridge United (loan) 2017–18[62] League Two 182000000182
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2018–19[63] League Two 184000000184
Newport County (loan) 2019–20[64] League Two 6000000060
Torquay United 2020–21[65] National League 28610—6[lower-alpha 4]2358
FC Halifax Town 2021–22[66] National League 441722—104719
Barrow 2022–23[67] League Two 32910203[lower-alpha 3]0389
Career total 273581549126429968
  1. Appearance in Football League Trophy
  2. Appearance in FA Trophy
  3. Appearances in EFL Trophy
  4. 4 appearances and 2 goals in FA Trophy, 2 appearances in National League play-offs

Honours
Cheltenham Town
Individual

References
  1. "Professional retain lists & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. May 2013. p. 34. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  2. "Billy Waters — Forward — First Team — Newport County". Newport County A.F.C. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  3. "Crewe Alex: Billy Waters is now in running". Crewe Chronicle. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  4. "Waters Reward For U-21s Display". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 5 October 2012. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  5. Billy Waters at Soccerway
  6. "Waters Signs Professional". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 9 May 2013. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  7. "Duo Training". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 1 August 2013. Archived from the original on 12 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  8. "Manager Davis is wary of Gills threat". Crewe Chronicle. 27 September 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  9. "Carlisle 2–1 Crewe". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  10. "Peterborough United 4 – 2 Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. 8 March 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  11. "Waters Signs New Deal". CrewE Alexandra F.C. 3 April 2016. Archived from the original on 21 June 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  12. "Waters Aiming To Establish Himself". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 12 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  13. "Crewe Alexandra Squad Numbers". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 12 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  14. "Barnsley 0 – 2 Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  15. "Crewe Alexandra 1 – 2 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  16. "Yeovil Town 1 – 1 Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. 13 September 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  17. "Waters Expected To Be Fit". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 14 October 2014. Archived from the original on 12 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  18. "Inman and Guthrie Doubts". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 17 December 2014. Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  19. "Waters Only Doubt For Crewe". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 10 April 2014. Archived from the original on 12 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  20. "Year Options Extended For Turton & Guthrie". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 8 May 2015. Archived from the original on 8 May 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  21. "Billy Waters: Former Crewe midfielder joins Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  22. "New boy Billy Waters out to prove a point with Cheltenham Town". Cheltenham Town F.C. 24 July 2015. Archived from the original on 1 August 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  23. "Billy Waters' brace earns Cheltenham Town friendly win over Bristol Rovers". Cheltenham Town F.C. 25 July 2015. Archived from the original on 1 August 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  24. "Lincoln City 1–1 Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  25. "Cheltenham Town 3 – 2 Dover Athletic". BBC Sport. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  26. "Match Report: Halifax 1–7 Cheltenham Town". Cheltenham Town F.C. 3 October 2015. Archived from the original on 3 October 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  27. "Cheltenham Town 1–1 Braintree Town". BBC Sport. 6 October 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  28. "Bromley 1–2 Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  29. "Cheltenham Town 5–0 Guiseley". BBC Sport. 10 November 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  30. "Southport 0–4 Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  31. "Cheltenham Town 3–1 Chester". BBC Sport. 5 December 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  32. Palmer, Jon (2 August 2017). "Cheltenham Town's National League winning heroes: Where are they now?". gloucestershirelive. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  33. "Cheltenham Town 2015/16 season player ratings: Every player assessed". Gloucestrshire Echo. 24 May 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  34. "Five players agree new deal!". Cheltenham Town F.C. 6 May 2016. Archived from the original on 12 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  35. Palmer, Jon (28 April 2017). "This is who has been named Robins player of the year". gloucestershirelive. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  36. Palmer, Jon (27 May 2017). "Cheltenham Town boss Gary Johnson resigned to losing player of the year". gloucestershirelive. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  37. "Billy Waters: Northampton Town sign Cheltenham Town striker for undisclosed fee". BBC Sport. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  38. Georgeson, Andrew (16 January 2018). "Billy Waters keen on play-off push with Cambridge United". Cambridge News. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  39. Casey, Jeremy (12 January 2018). "Cobblers attacker Billy Waters makes Cambridge United loan switch". Daventry Express. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  40. Georgeson, Andrew (19 February 2018). "'It's a weight off my shoulders' – Waters after scoring his first U's goal". Cambridge News. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  41. Georgeson, Andrew (5 May 2018). "'The boys turned it on' – Joe Dunne after United's 5–0 win over Port Vale". Cambridge News. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  42. "Northampton Town release eight players and transfer-list three more". BBC Sport. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  43. "Waters joins Newport from Northampton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  44. "Newport County 2–0 Swindon Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  45. "BREAKING: Turnbull and McCormack among 13 players released by Cobblers". www.northamptonchron.co.uk. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  46. "Waters joins Gulls after Cobblers release". www.northamptonchron.co.uk. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  47. "Billy Waters Joins United – Torquay United". 27 October 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  48. "Billy Waters Joins The Shaymen". fchalifaxtown.com. 8 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  49. "FC Halifax Town 1–2 Maidenhead United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  50. "Billy Waters: Striker joins Pete Wild at Barrow after leaving FC Halifax". BBC. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  51. "Barrow 3–1 Colchester United". BBC Sport. 1 November 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  52. "Billy Waters Named Sky Bet League Two November Player Of The Month". www.barrowafc.com. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  53. "SIGNED Wrexham AFC sign striker Billy Waters from Barrow". www.wrexhamafc.co.uk. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  54. "Ray and Waters on Wales under-21s stand-by". The Sentinel. 7 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  55. "George Ray called up to Wales under 21 squad, Billy Waters on standby". The Sentinel. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  56. "Cheltenham Town duo named in England C squad for trip to Ukraine". Gloucestrshire Echo. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  57. "Singing striker impresses team-mates". BBC News. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  58. "Games played by Billy Waters in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  59. "Games played by Billy Waters in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  60. "Games played by Billy Waters in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  61. "Games played by Billy Waters in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  62. "Games played by Billy Waters in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  63. "Games played by Billy Waters in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  64. "Games played by Billy Waters in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  65. "Games played by Billy Waters in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  66. "Games played by Billy Waters in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  67. "Games played by Billy Waters in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
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