Luke Armstrong

Return to Middlesbrough and loans On 16 July 2018, Armstrong joined National League club Gateshead on loan until the end of the season. On 29 July 2018, he notably scored a hat-trick against his former club Blyth Spartans during a 3–1 victory in a friendly at Croft Park. After scoring on his Heed début, Armstrong would score two goals against Salford City in a 2–1 victory. He went on to make 18 appearances for the club, during which he scored a further seven goals, by the time his loan was cut short by parent club Middlesbrough on 31 December 2018.

Upon his return to Middlesbrough, Armstrong would sign a new two-and-a-half-year contract with the Championship club, before being shipped out on loan to Accrington Stanley of League One on 11 January 2019. He made his debut for the club the next day, in a goalless League One tie versus Bristol Rovers at the Wham Stadium.

Salford City On 26 July 2019, Armstrong joined newly promoted League Two outfit Salford City on a permanent transfer, signing a three-year contract. He scored his first goal against Walsall, opening the scoring in a 3–0 triumph as Salford won away for the first time in the English Football League.

On 7 December 2020, Armstrong joined Hartlepool United until the end of the 2020–21 season on loan. Armstrong scored a brace the following day on his debut for Hartlepool in a 2–0 win against King's Lynn Town. Armstrong went on to score 15 goals in all competitions for Pools, including one in their 2021 National League play-off final win against Torquay United. Armstrong signed a new contract at the end of the 2021–22 season that would keep him at the club until the summer of 2025.

Ahead of the start of the 2023–24 season, after the club had rejected transfer bids for him, Armstrong made himself unavailable for selection. On the final day of the summer transfer window, Wrexham agreed terms with Harrogate to sign Armstrong. However, the deal was not completed before the 23:00 deadline, therefore Armstrong remained a Harrogate Town player. The move was confirmed on 4 January 2024, Armstrong joining for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half-year contract. He scored his first Carlisle goal in a 2–1 away defeat to Barnsley.

On 24 January 2025, Armstrong joined Scottish Premiership club Motherwell on loan for the remainder of the season.

Personal life Luke is the son of former Stockport County, Middlesbrough, Ipswich Town and Darlington striker Alun Armstrong.

In December 2021, Armstrong opened a cafe in Wolsingham called No 10.

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

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals Cowdenbeath 2015–16 Scottish League One

Blyth Spartans 2016–17 Northern Premier League Premier Division

2017–18 Championship

2018–19 Championship

0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!3!!3!!3!!3 Gateshead (loan) 2018–19 National League

Accrington Stanley (loan) 2018–19 League Two

2020–21 League Two

25!!1!!3!!0!!1!!0!!4!!3!!33!!4 Hartlepool United (loan) 2020–21 League Two

2022–23 League Two

2023–24 League Two

103!!29!!4!!1!!2!!0!!7!!1!!116!!31

2023–24 League Two

2025–26 National League

79!!17!!3!!1!!1!!0!!4!!0!!87!!18 Motherwell (loan) 2024–25

Hartlepool United National League play-offs: 2021