Luke Waterfall

Luke Mathew Waterfall (born 30 July 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for EFL League Two club Grimsby Town.

Luke Waterfall
Waterfall warming up for York City in 2009
Personal information
Full name Luke Mathew Waterfall[1]
Date of birth (1990-07-30) 30 July 1990[2]
Place of birth Sheffield, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[3]
Position(s) Centre-back[4]
Team information
Current team
 Grimsby Town
Number 6
Youth career
0000–2008 Barnsley
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2009 Tranmere Rovers 0 (0)
2008 → Altrincham (loan) 1 (0)
2009–2010 Ilkeston Town 35 (2)
2010–2013 Gainsborough Trinity 104 (8)
2013–2015 Scunthorpe United 9 (1)
2014 → Macclesfield Town (loan) 17 (2)
2014–2015 → Mansfield Town (loan) 5 (0)
2015 Wrexham 9 (1)
2015–2018 Lincoln City 111 (15)
2018–2019 Shrewsbury Town 44 (5)
2019– Grimsby Town 148 (12)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 07:12, 11 May 2023 (UTC)

He has previously played in the English Football League for Scunthorpe United, Mansfield Town, Lincoln City and Shrewsbury Town and at non-league level for Altrincham, Ilkeston Town, Gainsborough Trinity, Macclesfield Town and Wrexham. He was part of the Lincoln team that won the National League and FA Trophy and the Grimsby Town team that was promoted to the EFL via the play-offs in 2022.

Career

Early career

Born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire,[5] Waterfall started his career with Barnsley and was a regular for their youth and reserve teams in the 2007–08 season.[6] After being released, he signed for League One club Tranmere Rovers on 18 July 2008 after a successful trial.[7] He made his debut on 12 August after coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute in a 2–0 defeat away to Grimsby Town in the League Cup.[8] He made his first start on 2 September in a 1–0 victory over Accrington Stanley in the Football League Trophy.[8]

He joined Conference Premier club Altrincham on 14 October 2008 on loan,[9] and made one appearance in the league as a substitute and three cup starts.[10][11] He was released by Tranmere at the end of 2008–09.[12]

He had unsuccessful trials with Conference Premier clubs Oxford United and York City[13][14] before signing for Conference North club Ilkeston Town in August 2009 after a successful trial.[15][16] He finished 2009–10 with 43 appearances and two goals.[17] He signed for Ilkeston's divisional rivals Gainsborough Trinity in May 2010.[18]

Scunthorpe United

Waterfall signed for newly relegated League Two club Scunthorpe United on 4 June 2013 on a one-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[19] On 5 August 2014, he moved to League Two Macclesfield Town on a one-month loan,[20] with manager John Askey requiring him to cover during the search for a new defender, with several trialists failing to be up to his standard.[21] On 7 November, he moved to Mansfield Town on loan until January 2015.[22] He made seven appearances for The Stags before his loan expired.[23]

Wrexham

Waterfall signed for Conference Premier club Wrexham on 15 January 2015 on a one-and-a-half-year contract.[24] Wrexham approached him late into negotiations with two unnamed clubs, causing Waterfall to "make an easy decision" by signing for The Dragons.[25]

Lincoln City

He spent only half a season with Wrexham before signing for their National League rivals Lincoln City on 2 June on a two-year contract.[26] He was appointed club captain.[27] Waterfall made 55 appearances and scored seven goals in 2016–17[28] as Lincoln were promoted to EFL League Two as National League champions,[29] as well as leading Lincoln to the Quarter finals of the FA Cup by defeating Guiseley, Altrincham, Oldham Athletic, Ipswich Town and Brighton & Hove Albion before defeating Premier League side Burnley. The Imps were eventually beaten 5-0 by Arsenal.[30]

On 5 April 2018, Waterfall as captain lifted the Football League Trophy as The Imps defeated Shrewsbury Town at Wembley Stadium.[31] Several months later Shrewsbury would meet Waterfall's release clause and convince him to sign for the Shropshire side. Waterfall thanked Lincoln fans and called the decision to leave the "toughest decision" of his career, saying a three-year contract and League One football was too good to turn down.[32]

Shrewsbury Town

Waterfall signed for League One club Shrewsbury Town by on 7 August 2018 on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[33] After only one season with The Shrews His contract with the club was terminated by mutual consent on 15 August 2019.[34]

Grimsby Town

The same day, Waterfall signed for League Two club Grimsby Town on a two-year contract.[35]

Ian Holloway was replaced as manager by Paul Hurst who had signed him for Shrewsbury, but neither could prevent Grimsby from being relegated back to the National League at the end of the 2020–21 season.[36]

On 28 May 2022, Waterfall scored twice including a 119th minute winner in extra-time of the semi-final play-off against Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground, helping Grimsby win 5–4 to reach the final.[37] Waterfall captained the Mariners in the 2022 National League play-off final as Grimsby beat Solihull Moors 2–1 at the London Stadium to return to the Football League.[38]

Waterfall was voted into the National League Team of the Season for the 2021–22 season, alongside team mate John McAtee.[39] On 17 June 2022, Waterfall signed a new two-year contract to keep him at Blundell Park until the summer of 2024.[40]

Waterfall was part of the Grimsby team that reached the FA Cup quarter final for the first time since 1939, mirroring the progress he made with Lincoln in 2016. He played the full 90 minutes of the 2–1 win away at Premier League side Southampton that secured that achievement.[41][42]

Career statistics
As of match played 5 October 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Tranmere Rovers 2008–09[8] League One 0000101[lower-alpha 1]020
Altrincham (loan) 2008–09[11] Conference Premier 10——2[lower-alpha 2]030
Ilkeston Town 2009–10[17] Conference North 35250—3[lower-alpha 3]0432
Gainsborough Trinity 2010–11[43] Conference North 36110—1[lower-alpha 3]0381
2011–12[44] Conference North 27300—4[lower-alpha 4]0313
2012–13[28][45] Conference North 41420—8[lower-alpha 3]1515
Total 104830—1311209
Scunthorpe United 2013–14[46] League Two 91100000101
2014–15[47] League One 00———00
Total 91100000101
Macclesfield Town (loan) 2014–15[28] Conference Premier 172———172
Mansfield Town (loan) 2014–15[47] League Two 5020——70
Wrexham 2014–15[28] Conference Premier 91——5[lower-alpha 3]0141
Lincoln City 2015–16[28] National League 36630—1[lower-alpha 3]0406
2016–17[28] National League 44790—2[lower-alpha 3]0557
2017–18[48] League Two 302100010[lower-alpha 5]1413
2018–19[49] League Two 10———10
Total 111151300013113716
Shrewsbury Town 2018–19[49] League One 44571101[lower-alpha 6]0536
2019–20[50] League One 00—10—10
Total 445712010546
Grimsby Town 2019–20[50] League Two 30221001[lower-alpha 6]0333
2020–21[51] League Two 33110101[lower-alpha 6]0361
2021–22[28] National League 10300—00103
Total 736311020797
Career total 408403424040248644
  1. Appearance in Football League Trophy
  2. Appearances in Conference League Cup
  3. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  4. One appearance in FA Trophy, three in Conference North play-offs
  5. Eight appearances and one goal in EFL Trophy, two appearances in League Two play-offs
  6. Appearance in EFL Trophy

Honours

Wrexham

Lincoln City

Grimsby Town

Individual

References
  1. "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Lincoln City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 82. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  2. "Luke Waterfall: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  3. "Luke Waterfall". Grimsby Town F.C. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  4. "Luke Waterfall". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  5. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 430. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  6. "Waterfall drops into Rovers". Sky Sports. 18 July 2008. Archived from the original on 16 October 2012.
  7. "Tranmere sign defender Waterfall". BBC Sport. 18 July 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  8. "Games played by Luke Waterfall in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  9. "Altrincham sign Waterfall on loan". BBC Sport. 14 October 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
  10. "Altrincham FC".
  11. Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2009). Non-League Club Directory 2010. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 34–35. ISBN 978-1-869833-66-4.
  12. "Four players released by Tranmere". BBC Sport. 18 May 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
  13. Farrant, Nick (14 July 2009). "Oxford United new boys out to impress". Witney Gazette. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  14. Carroll, Steve (24 July 2009). "York City manager Martin Foyle jettisons trialists Luke Waterfall and Andy Taylor". The Press. York. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  15. "Luke Waterfall". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  16. "Wilson wheels and deals as squad keeps growing". Ilkeston Advertiser. 30 July 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  17. Williams, Tony; Wright, James, eds. (2010). Non-League Club Directory 2011. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 224–225. ISBN 978-1-869833-68-8.
  18. "Gainsborough Trinity trio sign new contracts". BBC Sport. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  19. "Scunthorpe United: Michael Collins signs one-year extension". BBC Sport. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  20. "Luke Waterfall: Macclesfield Town sign Scunthorpe United defender". BBC Sport. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  21. Glendinning, Mike (6 August 2014). "Macc manager Askey takes the plunge on Waterfall". Macclesfield Express. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  22. "Macc manager Askey takes the plunge on Waterfall". BBC Sport. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  23. "Stags defensive loanee pair return to parent clubs". Mansfield Chad. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  24. "Wrexham sign Scunthorpe centre-back Luke Waterfall". BBC Sport. 15 January 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  25. Griffiths, Rob (16 January 2015). "Luke Waterfall: Once Wrexham FC came in for me, my mind was made up". North Wales Daily Post. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  26. "Luke Waterfall: Lincoln City sign Wrexham defender". BBC Sport. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  27. Edwards, Joe (13 August 2018). "Wounded Shrewsbury Town will hit back, says Luke Waterfall". Shropshire Star. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  28. "L. Waterfall: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  29. "National League: 2016/17: Latest table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  30. "The journey we'll never forget - recalling City's history-making FA Cup run". 2 November 2017.
  31. "Lincoln City's Luke Waterfall on the club's rise and their Wembley dream".
  32. "Waterfall thanks fans after the toughest decision of his career". 8 August 2018.
  33. "Luke Waterfall: Shrewsbury Town sign Lincoln City skipper for undisclosed fee". BBC Sport. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  34. Cox, Lewis (15 August 2019). "Luke Waterfall leaves Shrewsbury Town by mutual consent". Shropshire Star. Telford. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  35. "Luke Waterfall: Grimsby Town sign centre-back following Shrewsbury Town release". BBC Sport. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  36. "Grimsby Town have been relegated from the EFL". Grimsbylive. 27 April 2021.
  37. Williams, Aled (28 May 2022). "Wrexham 4-5 Grimsby Town: Luke Waterfall's winner late in extra time seals thrilling win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  38. "Grimsby Town player ratings as McAtee and four others star in Solihull comeback". Grimsbylive. 5 June 2022.
  39. "Two Grimsby players are named as National League Team of the Season is announced". Grimsbylive. 10 June 2022.
  40. "Waterfall Pens New Deal! - Grimsby Town Football Club". 17 June 2022.
  41. "Grimsby stun Southampton to reach FA Cup last eight". BBC Sport.
  42. "Brighton end Grimsby's run to reach FA Cup semis". BBC Sport.
  43. Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2011). Non-League Club Directory 2012. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 204–205. ISBN 978-1-869833-70-1.
  44. Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2012). Non-League Club Directory 2013. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 206–207. ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0.
  45. For FA Cup second qualifying round: Wheelock, Paul (22 September 2012). "Gainsborough Trinity 1 Chester FC 1: Replay needed as Nathan Jarman earns Blues draw on FA Cup debut". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
    For FA Cup second qualifying round replay: Wheelock, Paul (2 October 2012). "Chester FC 2 Gainsborough Trinity 1: Super-sub Levi Mackin sends Blues through in FA Cup". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
    For FA Trophy third qualifying round: Marshall, David (10 November 2012). "Full time: Gainsborough Trinity 1 Hinkley United 1". Lincolnshire Echo. Lincoln. Archived from the original on 3 January 2017.
    For FA Trophy third qualifying round replay: "Home comfort for Blues after 4–1 Trophy win". Gainsborough Standard. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  46. "Games played by Luke Waterfall in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  47. "Games played by Luke Waterfall in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  48. "Games played by Luke Waterfall in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  49. "Games played by Luke Waterfall in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  50. "Games played by Luke Waterfall in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  51. "Games played by Luke Waterfall in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  52. Aled Williams (29 March 2015). "North Ferriby United 3–3 Wrexham (5–4 on pens)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  53. Anderson, John, ed. (2017). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2017–2018. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 640–641. ISBN 978-1-4722-3397-4.
  54. Scott, Ged (8 April 2018). "Lincoln City 1–0 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
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