Tim Sills

Timothy Sills (born 10 September 1979) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is manager of Wimborne Town.

Tim Sills
Personal information
Full name Timothy Sills
Date of birth (1979-09-10) 10 September 1979
Place of birth Romsey, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Wimborne Town (manager)
Youth career
1996–1997 Millwall
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–1999 Camberley Town 47 (29)
1999–2002 Basingstoke Town 104 (33)
2000 → Staines Town (loan) 5 (8)
2002 → Kingstonian (loan) 16 (5)
2002–2003 Kingstonian 41 (21)
2003–2006 Aldershot Town 96 (43)
2006 Oxford United 13 (1)
2006–2007 Hereford United 36 (2)
2007–2010 Torquay United 107 (34)
2010–2011 Stevenage 18 (0)
2010 → Rushden & Diamonds (loan) 11 (1)
2011 Aldershot Town 19 (2)
2011–2013 Basingstoke Town 77 (24)
2013 Bashley 10 (4)
2013–2014 Gosport Borough 19 (1)
2014–2016 Weymouth 51 (8)
2016–2017 Blackfield & Langley 16 (3)
Total 686 (219)
International career
2003 England C 1 (0)
Managerial career
2019–2022 Hamworthy United
2022– Wimborne Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Sills was a product of Millwall's youth system and was a regular in the club's youth team up until he left in 1997. He then joined part-time outfit Camberley Town, spending a year and a half at the club, before moving to Basingstoke Town towards the end of the 1998–99 season. Sills spent three seasons with Basingstoke, playing over 100 games for the club. During his time at the club, he was loaned out twice; to Staines Town and Kingstonian respectively – joining the latter permanently ahead of the club's 2002–03 campaign. After a successful first season at Kingstonian, he joined Aldershot Town in order to ply his trade in the highest tier of non-league football. He spent two and a half years with the Hampshire club, scoring regularly, before signing for Football League side Oxford United in January 2006 for £50,000. He struggled for first-team appearances, as well as goals, and was released at the end of the season.

Sills subsequently joined Hereford United in June 2006 and spent one season at the club before being released. At the start of the 2007–08 season he signed for Torquay United, and scored in the game that earned Torquay promotion to the Football League a year later. He struggled for games during the 2009–10 season as manager Paul Buckle went about reshaping his squad mid-season and Sills was deemed surplus to requirements at Plainmoor. He signed for Hertfordshire side Stevenage in January 2010 for an undisclosed fee, playing an important part in the club's end of season run, as Stevenage won promotion to the Football League for the first time in the club's history. Sills was also a PE teacher at both Marriotts School and Poole High School.

Club career

Sills began his career as a trainee at Millwall and, after he left, opted to combine university studies with non-League football. He began at Camberley Town and moved to Basingstoke Town towards the end of the 1998–99 season. He also had loan spells at Staines Town and Kingstonian before signing for the K's for the 2002–03 season. One season later he made the step up to Conference football with Aldershot Town.[2]

In two and a half seasons with the Shots, Sills scored 46 goals from 112 appearances. In his first season, he helped them to the Conference play-off final, although he was left out of the starting XI for the final itself. He continued to work as an event team coordinator until July 2004. It was then he began to play football full-time.[3] He signed for League Two club Oxford United in January 2006 for £50,000.[4] He scored only one goal from 13 league appearances for Oxford.

Sills was released at the end of the season and looked set to join Conference side Exeter City,[5] but signed a two-year deal with Hereford United in June 2006. He scored four times on his debut, a 10–0 friendly win against Ludlow Town,[6] and started the first 13 matches of the season but only managed to score once, against Hartlepool. His only other goal of the season came away at Notts County in December, and the season progressed into a frustrating one for Sills. A controversial sending off against Swindon Town,[7] only minutes after coming on as a substitute, did not do him any favours.

At the end of the season he was linked with several other clubs, including former club Aldershot, and on 28 June 2007 he signed for Torquay United.[8] He was the club's top scorer in the 2007–08 season scoring 20 goals in 48 league and Cup appearances. In May 2009, Sills scored the second goal against Cambridge United in the Conference National play-off final to send Torquay United back into the Football League. Sills scored a total of 47 goals in 2+1⁄2 years at Plainmoor, and was the first Gulls player for 44 years to score 20 goals in two successive seasons.[9]

In January 2010, Sills signed for Stevenage on an 18–month contract.[10][11] He made his debut for the Hertfordshire side in a 2–0 win against Kettering Town, coming on as a substitute and setting up the first goal.[12] A week later, in his first start for the club, Sills scored his first goal for Stevenage in a 4–1 victory over Dover Athletic in the FA Trophy.[13] It was to be Sills' only goal of the season, as the striker featured a total of 19 times.[14] Ahead of the 2010–11 season, Sills scored the only goal of the game in the club's 1–0 win against Yeovil Town in a "behind closed doors" match.[15] He made his first appearance of the 2010–11 league campaign in September 2010, starting the match in Stevenage's 1–0 loss at Cheltenham Town.[16]

In September 2010, Sills joined Rushden & Diamonds on a three-month loan deal.[17]

In January 2011, Sills signed with Aldershot Town until the end of the season following his release from Stevenage.[18][19] Tim rejoined Basingstoke in the summer of 2011 from Aldershot Town, having originally played for 'Stoke between March 1999 and March 2002, arriving from Camberley Town along with brother Julian. He scored 44 goals in his first spell in the blue and yellow. He went on to appear for Kingstonian, Aldershot Town (twice), Oxford United, Hereford United, Torquay United, Stevenage and Rushden & Diamonds.

On 27 July 2013 it was announced that Sills has agreed to sign for Southern League Premier Division side Bashley.[20][21]

On 17 October 2013, Sills left Bashley for Conference South side Gosport Borough.[22] Nine days later, he made his debut for Gosport in a 2–1 win over Chelmsford City, scoring one goal.[23]

International career

Sills was called up to play for the England C team, who represent England at non-league level, in a game against the Belgium U23 squad in Ostend in February 2003.[24]

Coaching career

In October 2019 Sills was appointed manager of Hamworthy United.[25] During the 2021–22 season, Sills led Hamworthy to the Wessex Premier League title, finishing with a total of 99 points having only suffered one defeat as well as guiding his side to the Semi-Finals stage of the FA Vase.[26]

On 10 October 2022, Sills departed Hamworthy United to become manager of Wimborne Town.[27]

Personal life

Before becoming a full-time footballer, Sills graduated at Portsmouth University, earning a degree in Sports science, whilst he was also playing part-time football with Basingstoke Town.[28][29] And, even after graduating, Sills continued to lead his 'double life', playing football for Kingstonian while he was working as a Sports Council development officer. At the age of 24, Sills became a full-time professional footballer, giving up his job as a marketing executive.[29][30] In February 2009, Sills appeared as a contestant on the game show Wogan's Perfect Recall, finishing as runner-up.[28]

Career statistics
As of 2 June 2015
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League[A] FA Cup League Cup Other[B] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Camberley Town 1997–98 197200000217
1998–99 28225200003324
Total 47297200005431
Basingstoke Town 1998–99[31] 6200000062
1999–2000[31] 37121000214013
2000–01[31] 38141000314215
2001–02[31] 235200022277
Total 1043340007411537
Staines Town (loan) 2000–01 5800000058
Kingstonian (loan) 2001–02[32] 165000000165
Kingstonian 2002–03[33] 41202100314622
Aldershot Town 2003–04[34] 38183100514620
2004–05[35] 37152100304216
2005–06[36] 21101000102310
Total 964362009111146
Oxford United 2005–06[37] 131000000131
Hereford United 2006–07[38] 362402010432
Torquay United 2007–08[39] 44192000525121
2008–09[40] 45135400415418
2009–10[41] 182301121244
Total 107341041111412943
Stevenage 2009–10[42] 170000021191
2010–11[43] 1000001020
Total 180000031211
Rushden & Diamonds (loan) 2010–11[44] 111000000111
Aldershot Town 2010–11 192000000192
Basingstoke Town 2011–12[45] 41125100304913
2012–13[46] 37112100103912
Total 78237200408826
Bashley 2013–14 103000000103
Gosport Borough 2013–14[47] 191000074265
Career total 6202054011314515707233

Footnotes
A. ^ The "League" column constitutes appearances and goals (including those as a substitute) in the Football League, Football Conference, and Isthmian League.
B. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals (including those as a substitute) in the FA Trophy, Football League Trophy, Hampshire Senior Cup and play-offs.

Honours

Stevenage

References
  1. "Tim Sills profile". ESPN Soccernet. 15 January 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  2. "Aldershot snap up Sills". BBC Sport. 2 July 2004. Retrieved 2 December 2008.
  3. "Sills to decide on future". BBC Sport. 29 May 2003. Retrieved 2 December 2008.
  4. "Oxford Utd snap up striker Sills". BBC Sport. 27 January 2006. Retrieved 2 December 2008.
  5. "Sills set for Grecians switch". BBC Sport. 6 June 2006. Retrieved 2 December 2008.
  6. "Sills stars as Bulls beat Ludlow". BBC Sport. 12 July 2006. Retrieved 2 December 2008.
  7. "Hereford 0-0 Swindon". BBC Sport. 7 April 2007. Retrieved 2 December 2008.
  8. "Torquay capture Hereford's Sills". BBC Sport. 28 June 2007. Retrieved 2 December 2008.
  9. "'Goal-den moments' we will all remember". This Is South Devon. 21 January 2010. Archived from the original on 2 February 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
  10. "Sills Deal Completed". Stevenage F.C. 15 January 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  11. "Stevenage sign striker Tim Sills from Torquay United". BBC Sport. 15 January 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  12. "Stevenage Borough 2-0 Kettering Town". Stevenage F.C. 23 January 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  13. "Stevenage Borough 4-1 Dover Athletic". Stevenage F.C. 30 January 2010. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  14. "Stevenage 2009/2010 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
  15. "Glovers slip to friendly loss". Yeovil Town F.C. 13 July 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  16. "Cheltenham 1-0 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 11 September 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  17. "Sills out on loan". Stevenage F.C. 24 September 2010. Archived from the original on 28 September 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  18. "Stevenage cancel Tim Sills' contract". BBC. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  19. "Former Stevenage striker Tim Sills signs for Aldershot". BBC. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
  20. Tim Sills completes his signing for Bashley FC Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  21. Bashley agree deal for striker Tim Sills
  22. Sills arrives at Privett Park
  23. Sills nets on debut as ten men beat City Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  24. "Conference snubs England". BBC Sport. 27 February 2003. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  25. Tim Sills hoping to show Hamworthy United's 'real potential' after taking first job in management Bournemouth Echo, 4 October 2019
  26. Rose, Dan (10 April 2022). "Hamworthy United seal Wessex League title". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  27. "Tim Sills confirmed". www.wimbornetownfc.co.uk. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  28. "Mike Walters Meets Torquay star Tim Sills". The Mirror. 12 May 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  29. "Success by degrees for the serious soccer star". This Is South Devon. 19 August 2008. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  30. "Sills to decide on future". BBC Sport. 2 July 2004. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  31. "Basingstoke Town player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  32. "Appearances for Tim Sills 2001/02". Soccerfactsuk. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  33. "Appearances for Tim Sills 2002/03". Soccerfactsuk. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  34. "Aldershot Town 2003/2004 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  35. "Aldershot Town 2004/2005 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  36. "Aldershot Town 2005/2006 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  37. "Oxford Utd 2005/2006 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  38. "Hereford 2006/2007 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  39. "Torquay United 2007/2008 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  40. "Torquay United 2008/2009 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  41. "Torquay United 2009/2010 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  42. "Stevenage Borough 2009/2010 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  43. "Stevenage 2010/2011 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  44. "Rushden 2010/2011 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  45. "Basingstoke Town – Player Stats – 2011–12". Basingstoke Town F.C. Archived from the original on 6 September 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
  46. "Basingstoke Town – Player Stats – 2012–13". Basingstoke Town F.C. Archived from the original on 6 September 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  47. "Gosport Borough – Player Stats – 2013-14". Gosport Borough F.C. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
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