Will Hatfield

William Henry Hatfield (born 10 October 1991) is an English semi-professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Darlington. He began his career with Leeds United, but never made an appearance for their first team. He went on to play in the Football League for Accrington Stanley as well as in non-League for York City, FC Halifax Town, Guiseley, Darlington and AFC Fylde. He returned to Darlington in August 2023.

Early life Hatfield was born in Liversedge, West Yorkshire, and attended Woodhouse Grove School in Apperley Bridge.

Career Hatfield came through the Leeds United youth system, having joined the club as an eight-year-old. His first matchday involvement in the first team came on 3 February 2010 as an unused substitute in a 3–1 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in an FA Cup fourth-round replay. playing four matches. He made his debut the following day as a half-time substitute in a 2–0 home defeat to Swindon Town in League Two. After his loan spell at Accrington ended, Hatfield and his Leeds teammate Sanchez Payne joined Conference Premier club Lincoln City on trial.

Hatfield left Leeds on 12 January 2012 after agreeing to mutually terminate his contract. He signed for FC Halifax Town later that month, making his debut on 24 January 2012 as a 66th-minute substitute in a 2–2 home draw with Gainsborough Trinity in the Conference North. He signed a new one-year contract with the club in June 2012. He scored four goals in an FA Cup tie against AFC Fylde on 3 November 2012.

Hatfield re-joined Conference Premier club FC Halifax Town on 27 November 2014 on a 28-day loan, and signed for the club permanently on 15 January 2015 after leaving Accrington by mutual consent. Hatfield signed for newly promoted National League club Guiseley on 19 June 2015, and went on to spend four seasons with the club. He left Guiseley in July 2019 and signed for National League North club Darlington.

Hatfield was named as Darlington's Away Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and Player of the Year for the 2019–20 season, as well as winning their Goal of the Season award for his strike against Kidderminster Harriers.

On 22 March 2022, Hatfield signed for fellow National League North club AFC Fylde for an undisclosed fee. He was a regular starter for the rest of the season, and although playing less often in 2022–23, Unable to guarantee him regular football at the higher level, AFC Fylde cancelled his contract, which had a year still to run, and Hatfield re-signed for Darlington on 14 August 2023 on a two-year deal. After the dismissal of manager Alun Armstrong and assistant Darren Holloway on 6 September, Hatfield was one of a group of three senior players tasked with covering managerial duties until an appointment was made.

Career statistics