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James Tomkins (footballer)
Encyclopedia
James Oliver Charles Tomkins (born 29 March 1989) is an English footballer who plays for West Ham United
. He has represented England at all levels up to the under-21 team
. He primarily plays as a centre back
, but can also play at right back
and is a product of the West Ham youth academy.
's youth academy
. Initially a striker, he eventually switched to his current position in central defence. He signed scholarship forms in 2005. Prior to making his first team debut, his career had been marred by several injuries.
Tomkins made his Premier League debut on 22 March 2008 in a 1–1 draw away
to Everton
. Although his costly slip allowed Yakubu Aiyegbeni
to score the opening goal, Tomkins made five more starts and a substitute appearance. As first choice centre backs James Collins
, Danny Gabbidon and Matthew Upson
were all out injured during various times in the season, he enjoyed an extended run in the first team for the remainder of the season, winning the Young Hammer of the Year for 2007–08.
On 27 November, he signed for Derby County
on a five week loan spell. He made his debut for Derby in their 3–0 away defeat to Burnley
on 29 November 2008. Tomkins played 8 times in all competitions for Derby County during his loan spell, before being recalled to West Ham on 31 December 2008 by manager Gianfranco Zola
. After his stint with Derby, he started to feature regularly with the Hammers first-team. On 21 March 2009, he started and played the full 90 minutes alongside Jonathan Spector
in a 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park
. Initially desputising for the injured Collins, he managed to stake his claim ahead of the Welsh international, and on 4 April 2009, scored his first senior goal, a header from Mark Noble's corner, in a 2–0 win over Sunderland
. The same month, he and several fellow youth products were awarded long-term contract extensions.
After the departure of James Collins
and with Danny Gabbidon still out injured, Tomkins retained his place in the starting eleven at the beginning of the 2009–10 season, although he did lose it to new signing Manuel da Costa
for several games. He has since regained his place, starting alongside captain Matthew Upson
. He was named Man of the Match by Sky Sports
as he and Upson helped keep the Hammers' first clean sheet of the year in the away draw against Aston Villa
on 17 January 2010.
Tomkins made 28 appearances in all competitions in the 2010-11 season scoring once against Manchester City
at Upton Park
. On 1 January 2011, he made his 50th first team appearance for West Ham in a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers
.
, U17
, U19
and currently U21
levels and played in every match of the 2008 UEFA U-19 Championships
along with club mate Freddie Sears
. His U21 debut came on 8 June 2009 in the 7–0 home win against the Azerbiajan U21
team. He was called up for the 2009 UEFA U-21 Championships
as back up after the withdrawals of first-choice centre backs Steven Taylor
and David Wheater
through injury. After the tournament, he was recalled to the squad and now regularly partners Michael Mancienne
in defence. He was called up for several European Championship qualifiers
but withdrew after being ruled out with an injury sustained during training.
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
. He has represented England at all levels up to the under-21 team
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
. He primarily plays as a centre back
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, but can also play at right back
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
and is a product of the West Ham youth academy.
Club career
At the age of seven, Tomkins was spotted while playing for his local Sunday League side and signed into West Ham UnitedWest Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
's youth academy
Youth system
Youth system is a sporting terminology used to refer to a youth investment program within a particular team or league, which develops and nurtures young talent in farm teams, with the vision of using them in the first team if they show enough promise, and to fill up squads numbers in some teams...
. Initially a striker, he eventually switched to his current position in central defence. He signed scholarship forms in 2005. Prior to making his first team debut, his career had been marred by several injuries.
Goodison Park
Goodison Park is a football stadium located in Walton, Liverpool, England. The stadium has been home to Everton F.C. since its completion in 1892 and is one of the world's first purpose-built football grounds...
to Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
. Although his costly slip allowed Yakubu Aiyegbeni
Yakubu Aiyegbeni
Yakubu Aiyegbeni , generally known simply as Yakubu, is a Nigerian footballer who plays as a striker for Blackburn Rovers and the Nigerian national football team. His nickname is "The Yak".-Early career:...
to score the opening goal, Tomkins made five more starts and a substitute appearance. As first choice centre backs James Collins
James Collins
-Sports:*James Collins , Welsh footballer, currently playing for Aston Villa*James Collins , Irish footballer, currently playing for Shrewsbury Town*James Collins , NBA basketball player...
, Danny Gabbidon and Matthew Upson
Matthew Upson
Matthew James Upson is an English footballer who plays for Stoke City in the Premier League. He is a central defender and he has played for England at full international level including at the 2010 World Cup....
were all out injured during various times in the season, he enjoyed an extended run in the first team for the remainder of the season, winning the Young Hammer of the Year for 2007–08.
On 27 November, he signed for Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
on a five week loan spell. He made his debut for Derby in their 3–0 away defeat to Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
on 29 November 2008. Tomkins played 8 times in all competitions for Derby County during his loan spell, before being recalled to West Ham on 31 December 2008 by manager Gianfranco Zola
Gianfranco Zola
Gianfranco Zola, OBE, Ufficiale OMRI is a retired Italian footballer and manager, who most recently managed West Ham United from 2008 to 2010, after having been assistant manager of the Italy U-21 under Pierluigi Casiraghi...
. After his stint with Derby, he started to feature regularly with the Hammers first-team. On 21 March 2009, he started and played the full 90 minutes alongside Jonathan Spector
Jonathan Spector
Jonathan Michael Paul Spector is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for Birmingham City. He started his professional career in England when he was signed by Manchester United as a teenager, but rarely appeared for the club...
in a 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park
Ewood Park
Ewood Park is a football stadium in the English town of Blackburn, Lancashire, and is the home of Blackburn Rovers Football Club — one of the founder members of the Football League and Premier League. Rovers have played there since they moved from Leamington Street in the summer of 1890. The...
. Initially desputising for the injured Collins, he managed to stake his claim ahead of the Welsh international, and on 4 April 2009, scored his first senior goal, a header from Mark Noble's corner, in a 2–0 win over Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
. The same month, he and several fellow youth products were awarded long-term contract extensions.
After the departure of James Collins
James Collins
-Sports:*James Collins , Welsh footballer, currently playing for Aston Villa*James Collins , Irish footballer, currently playing for Shrewsbury Town*James Collins , NBA basketball player...
and with Danny Gabbidon still out injured, Tomkins retained his place in the starting eleven at the beginning of the 2009–10 season, although he did lose it to new signing Manuel da Costa
Manuel da Costa (footballer)
Manuel Marouane da Costa Trindade Senoussi , known as Manuel da Costa, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a centre-back for FC Lokomotiv Moscow. Da Costa was born in France, but qualifies to play for Portugal, through his parents .-AS Nancy:Da Costa began his career at Ligue 1 club AS Nancy...
for several games. He has since regained his place, starting alongside captain Matthew Upson
Matthew Upson
Matthew James Upson is an English footballer who plays for Stoke City in the Premier League. He is a central defender and he has played for England at full international level including at the 2010 World Cup....
. He was named Man of the Match by Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
as he and Upson helped keep the Hammers' first clean sheet of the year in the away draw against Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
on 17 January 2010.
Tomkins made 28 appearances in all competitions in the 2010-11 season scoring once against Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
at Upton Park
Boleyn Ground
The Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
. On 1 January 2011, he made his 50th first team appearance for West Ham in a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
.
International career
Tomkins has represented England at U15, U16England national under-16 football team
-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the Victory Shield match against Scotland.-Recent call-ups:The following players have also been called up to the England U-16 squad and remain eligible.-External links:*...
, U17
England national under-17 football team
-Elite Qualifying Group 3:-Group stage:-Fifth place play-off:-FA International U17 Tournament:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship qualifying round....
, U19
England national under-19 football team
-Other matches:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Denmark.- Recent call-ups :The following players have also been called up to the England under-19 squad and remain eligible.-Past squads:...
and currently U21
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
levels and played in every match of the 2008 UEFA U-19 Championships
2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
The final tournament of the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Championship was the 24th UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship, UEFA's premier competition for players under the age of 19. The tournament was held in the Czech Republic with matches played from 14 July to 26 July 2008. Players born...
along with club mate Freddie Sears
Freddie Sears
Frederick David "Freddie" Sears is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for West Ham United.-Background:...
. His U21 debut came on 8 June 2009 in the 7–0 home win against the Azerbiajan U21
Azerbaijan national under-21 football team
The Azerbaijan national under-21 football team are a feeder team to the Azerbaijan Senior team.- UEFA U-21 Championship Record:* 2002: Did not qualify. Finished 5th of 6 in qualification group....
team. He was called up for the 2009 UEFA U-21 Championships
2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
The 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship began on 15 June 2009, and was the 17th UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. This was the first tournament after the competition reverted to a two-year format, following the single-year 2006-07 competition, which allowed the change to...
as back up after the withdrawals of first-choice centre backs Steven Taylor
Steven Taylor (footballer)
Steven Vincent Taylor is an English footballer, currently playing for Premier League club Newcastle United. He is a versatile central defender who can play at right back or, on rare occasions, at left back...
and David Wheater
David Wheater
David James Wheater is an English footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderers. He is a centre back, although he is capable of playing at right back as well.-Middlesbrough:...
through injury. After the tournament, he was recalled to the squad and now regularly partners Michael Mancienne
Michael Mancienne
Michael Ian Mancienne is an English footballer who plays for German Bundesliga club Hamburger SV as a defender.Schooled primarily as a centre back, Mancienne can also play as a defensive midfielder as well as both fullback positions as he showed during appearances for Chelsea, and multiple loan...
in defence. He was called up for several European Championship qualifiers
2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification
The 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship started with a qualifying competition which began on 27 March 2009 and finished on 13 October 2010. The final tournament is being held in Denmark between 11–25 June 2011....
but withdrew after being ruled out with an injury sustained during training.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Europe | Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
| West Ham United West Ham United F.C. West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current... |
2007–08 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Derby County Derby County F.C. Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English... (loan) |
2008–09 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| West Ham United West Ham United F.C. West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current... |
2008–09 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009–10 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2011–12 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 1 | |
| West Ham Total | 77 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 92 | 3 | 2 | |
| Career Total | 84 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 3 | 2 | |
External links
- West Ham United Profile at whufc.com
- Premier League profile