Bobby Wales

Bobby Wales (born 23 June 2005) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Alloa Athletic, on loan from Kilmarnock.

Bobby Wales
Personal information
Date of birth (2005-06-23) 23 June 2005
Place of birth Hurlford, Scotland
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Alloa Athletic
(on loan from Kilmarnock)
Number 28
Youth career
Hurlford Boys Club
–2022 Kilmarnock
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Kilmarnock 10 (0)
2023– → Alloa Athletic (loan)
International career‡
2021–2022 Scotland U17 4 (0)
2022– Scotland U19 6 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:01, 6 September 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:01, 6 September 2023 (UTC)

Career

Kilmarnock

Wales was born in Kilmarnock and grew up watching the side at Rugby Park.[1] He played for local club Hurlford United's youth side Hurlford Boys' Club, where he was scouted by Kilmarnock's under-18s coach Craig Clark.[2] Wales signed his first professional contract with Kilmarnock on 17 July 2021.[3] He immediately started playing for the U18s, making his debut in a 2–1 win over Hearts U18s.[4] He scored his first goal at that level in a 2–1 win over Hamilton Academical U18s.[5]

Wales made his Scottish Challenge Cup debut for Kilmarnock B against Cowdenbeath, and was among the scorers as his side won 3–0.[6] He made his Scottish Premiership debut on 29 October 2022, coming on as a 90th minute substitute for Ash Taylor in a 1–0 loss to St. Johnstone.[7] He had to wait for two months before he got his first start for Killie, replacing Innes Cameron, who injured himself before kick-off;[8] Kilmarnock lost 3–1 to Heart of Midlothian.[9] Wales made 10 appearances in the 2022–23 campaign, including two starts, but scored no goals. He did score 25 times, however, in the development squads, including two in the SPFL Reserve Cup final against Dunfermline Athletic.[10] He was awarded the Rising Academy Star award at the end of the season.[11]

Wales was loaned to Scottish League One club Alloa Athletic in September 2023.[12]

International career

Wales was called up to the Scotland under-17 side in their bid to qualify for the UEFA Under-17 Championship in Israel.[13] He made his debut on 30 October 2021, in a 3–2 victory against Albania U17.[14] Scotland U17 qualified and Wales was called up once again for the tournament itself;[15] He featured twice – a 3–1 loss to Denmark U17 and a 1–0 loss to Sweden U17.[16][17] Scotland U17 were eliminated without winning a game.[17]

Wales was then called up to the Scotland under-19 side as they attempted to reach the UEFA Under-19 Championship in Malta.[18] He made his debut on 16 November 2022 in a 1–0 loss against Iceland U19. Scotland U19 qualified and Wales was called up once again for the tournament itself (he was also selected for two friendlies beforehand, and scored in a 2–2 draw with Wales U19).[19][20] Wales played in Scotland U19's opening game of the tournament on 6 September 2023, a 3–0 loss to Belgium U19.[21]

Career statistics
As of match played 20 August 2023
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Kilmarnock 2022–23 Scottish Premiership[22] 10 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
2023–24 Scottish Premiership[22] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 10 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Career total 10 0 0 0 0 0 10 0

References
  1. Highet, Lochlin (16 June 2023). "Kilmarnock starlet Bobby Wales on living every fan's dream starring for beloved Ayrshire side". Daily Record. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  2. "WHO'S INSIDE THIS MONTH'S KILLIE MAGAZINE?". Kilmarnock FC. 17 April 2023. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  3. "KILLIE KIDS SIGN PROFESSIONAL DEALS". Kilmarnock FC. 17 July 2021. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  4. "U18S START AT HOME WITH 2-1 WIN OVER HEARTS". Kilmarnock FC. 6 August 2021. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  5. "U18S | KILMARNOCK 2-1 HAMILTON". Kilmarnock FC. 14 September 2021. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  6. "KIL 3 0 COW". ESPN. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  7. Herrall, Jack (29 October 2022). "St Johnstone 1 0 Kilmarnock". BBC. Archived from the original on 11 November 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  8. Anderson, Barry (17 December 2022). "Hearts 3-1 Kilmarnock: Jambos home in on third place after ending Killie's unbeaten Tynecastle run". Edinburgh News. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  9. "Hearts 3-1 Kilmarnock". Soccerway. 17 December 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  10. "CLUB CROWNED SPFL RESERVE CUP WINNERS". Kilmarnock FC. 2 May 2023. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  11. "HALL OF FAMERS CELEBRATED AT END OF SEASON DINNER". Kilmarnock FC. 2 June 2023. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  12. "Wales Joins The Wasps On Loan". kilmarnockfc.co.uk. Kilmarnock F.C. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  13. "McLaughlin names squad for Qualifying Round". Scottish FA. 13 October 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  14. "SCOTLAND U17 3-2 ALBANIA U17". Soccerway. 30 October 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  15. "Under-17 Match Preview: Sweden v Scotland". Scottish FA. 22 May 2022. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  16. "Denmark U17 3-1 Scotland U17". Soccerway. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  17. "Scotland bow out of the Under-17 Euros with Sweden defeat". Scottish FA. 23 May 2023. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  18. "Billy Stark names Under-19 squad for home Qualifying Round". Scottish FA. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  19. "Scotland Under-19 squad confirmed for friendlies in Belgium". Scottish FA. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  20. "Wales v Scotland". Scottish FA. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  21. "Belgium v Scotland". Scottish FA. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  22. Bobby Wales at Soccerway. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
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