James Alabi

James Bamidele Oluwafemi Alabi (born 8 November 1994) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for AFC Rushden & Diamonds on dual-registration from club Banbury United.

He has previously played for Stoke City, Scunthorpe United, Mansfield Town, Forest Green Rovers, Accrington Stanley, Ipswich Town, Grimsby Town, Chester, Tranmere Rovers, Dover Athletic, Leyton Orient, Eastleigh, Bromley, Maidstone United, Bath City, Eastbourne Borough and Welling United.

Career Alabi was born in London Borough of Southwark and began his career at Tottenham Hotspur, before departing the club after not being offered a professional contract. Alabi later joined Stoke City, playing for the club's academy in 2010–11 before moving to Scottish club Celtic. After a season at Lennoxtown he moved back to Stoke City for the 2012–13 season. On 21 February 2013 he joined League One side Scunthorpe United on loan for a month. After seeing him in training Irons manager Brian Laws compared him as a 'technically better' version of John Gayle, who Laws believes was one of his best signings in his first spell at Scunthorpe. He made his professional debut on 23 February against Hartlepool United at Glanford Park, scoring 10 minutes after coming on as a 67th-minute substitute. On 26 March 2013 his loan spell at Scunthorpe was extended until the end of the 2012–13 season. He remained at Glanford Park for the remainder of the season, playing in nine matches as they failed to avoid relegation.

On 31 October 2013, Alabi joined Mansfield Town on a one-month loan. He made his debut for Mansfield the next day against Southend United but was sent-off after for a late tackle. Alabi then joined Forest Green Rovers on a one-month loan on 28 November 2013. He made his debut on 30 November 2013 in an FA Trophy first round tie against Dartford. He played in six games for Forest Green without scoring before returning to Stoke at the end of December 2013. On 11 March 2014, Alabi joined League Two side Scunthorpe United for a second loan spell with the Iron. He made one appearance for Scunthorpe before returning to Stoke. On 9 August 2014, Alabi joined Accrington Stanley on a one-month loan. He played three times for Stanley before returning to Stoke. In January 2015 Alabi had a trial with Dutch side De Graafschap.

He was released by Stoke at the end of the 2014–15 season and joined Ipswich Town, after impressing Mick McCarthy by scoring 2 goals in 2 appearances for the under 21s side on trial, on a one-year deal on 24 August 2015. On 25 August 2015, Alabi made his Ipswich debut, scoring in a 4–1 win against Doncaster Rovers in a League Cup second round match. On 25 November 2015, Alabi joined National League side Grimsby Town, on loan until 3 January 2016.

Following his release by Ipswich, Alabi signed for National League side Chester, on a deal until the end of the 2015–16 season. Alabi joined Tranmere Rovers from Chester on 10 July 2017. He was placed on the transfer list in May 2019, but removed by the club in July 2019.

On 16 January 2020, Alabi signed for Eastleigh, on loan from Leyton Orient until the end of the 2019–20 Season. On 4 September 2020, Alabi signed for Bromley, following his departure from Leyton Orient. On 1 July 2022, Alabi left Bromley following the expiry of his contract. On 9 July 2022, Alabi joined newly promoted National League club Maidstone United. Following the club's relegation, Alabi was released after one season. On 12 January 2024, Bath City confirmed the signing of Alabi until the end of the season.

On 13 December 2024, Alabi joined Eastbourne Borough. In January 2025, he joined Welling United.

In August 2025, he joined Banbury United. In February 2026, he joined AFC Rushden & Diamonds on dual-registration.

Personal life Born in England, Alabi is of Nigerian descent.

Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2012–13 Premier League

2013–14 Premier League

2014–15 Premier League

0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0 Scunthorpe United (loan) 2012–13 League One

Mansfield Town (loan) 2013–14 League Two

Forest Green Rovers (loan) 2013–14 Conference Premier

Scunthorpe United (loan) 2013–14 League Two

Accrington Stanley (loan) 2014–15 League Two

Ipswich Town 2015–16 Championship

Grimsby Town (loan) 2015–16 National League

Eastleigh (loan) 2019–20 National League

2020–21 National League

2021–22 National League

Bromley FA Trophy: 2021–22