Will Baynham Explained

Will Baynham
Fullname:William Baynham
Birth Date:13 June 1997
Birth Place:Brisbane, Australia
Currentclub:Preston Lions
Position:Forward
Youthyears1:1999–2015
Youthclubs1:Brisbane City
Youthyears2:2015–2017
Youthclubs2:AFC Bournemouth
Collegeyears1:2018
College1:Yavapai Roughriders
Collegecaps1:29
Collegegoals1:25
Collegeyears2:2019
College2:UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
Collegecaps2:24
Collegegoals2:10
Years1:2018
Clubs1:FC Golden State Force
Caps1:4
Goals1:0
Years2:2019
Caps2:4
Goals2:1
Years3:2019
Clubs3:Lions FC
Caps3:1
Goals3:0
Years4:2020–2022
Clubs4:Queen's Park
Caps4:17
Goals4:5
Years5:2023–2024
Clubs5:Lexington SC
Caps5:12
Goals5:1
Years6:2024–
Clubs6:Preston Lions
Caps6:12
Goals6:5
Club-Update:14:53, 10 May 2024 (UTC)

William Baynham (born 13 June 1997) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Preston Lions[1] in the Victoria Premier League 1.

Career

Early career

Baynham played youth football for Brisbane City from the under-12's side through to the under-18's before moving to England to join the AFC Bournemouth academy. He left England to pursue college soccer opportunities in the United States.

He spent a season at Yavapai College, where he scored 25 goals in 29 appearances for the Roughriders.[2] He transferred to the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2019, scoring ten goals in 24 game, tallying eight assists for the Gauchos.[3] [4]

While at college, Baynham also spent summers playing in the USL League Two, with a spell at FC Golden State Force in 2018,[5] and a spell at Reading United in 2019.[6] [7] [8]

After leaving college, Baynham signed with National Premier Leagues Queensland side Lions FC on 12 August 2019, where he made a single appearance.[9] In early 2020, Baynham had a trial with USL Championship side Phoenix Rising and with Canadian Premier League side Halifax Wanderers.[10] [11]

Baynham was eligible for selection in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft but went undrafted.[12] [13]

Professional career

On 22 September 2020, Baynham signed his first professional contract with Scottish League Two side Queen's Park,[14] [15] where he helped the Spiders to promotion to the Scottish League One with five goals in 17 league appearances and earned himself a new one-year contract.[16] He was released by Queen's Park in the summer of 2022.[17] [18]

On 12 January 2023, Baynham returned to the United States and signed with USL League One side Lexington SC ahead of their inaugural season.[19] [20]

Personal

Baynham holds Australian, Canadian, and British citizenship.[3]

Notes and References

  1. https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=210378139&client=0-10178-201998-633998-26642333 Players Stats
  2. Web site: Arizona Community College Athletic Conference. Arizona Community College Athletic Conference. 6 Jun 2023.
  3. Web site: Will Baynham. UC Santa Barbara. 6 Jun 2023.
  4. Web site: Gauchos Advance to NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals. 1 Dec 2019. Edhat. 6 Jun 2023.
  5. Web site: FC Golden State Force - 2018 Regular Season - Roster - # - william baynham -. www.uslleaguetwo.com. 6 Jun 2023.
  6. Web site: Reading United AC | uslleaguetwo.com. www.uslleaguetwo.com. 6 Jun 2023.
  7. Web site: United Add Five More DI Talents to 2019 Roster. John. Furdyna. 6 May 2019. 6 Jun 2023.
  8. Web site: Reading United Alumni. www.readingunitedac.com. 6 Jun 2023.
  9. Web site: Lions vs SC Wanderers, Queensland NPL, 22nd August 2020. F. F. A.. Media. 6 Jun 2023.
  10. Web site: Wanderers take NCAA standout striker Will Baynham on trial. 9 Mar 2020. 6 Jun 2023.
  11. Web site: Will Baynham Joins Halifax Wanderers On Trial. John. Jacques. 9 Mar 2020. 6 Jun 2023.
  12. Web site: THEY'RE ELIGIBLE: 140 players can be selected in MLS SuperDraft. Michael. Lewis. 8 Jan 2020. Front Row Soccer. 6 Jun 2023.
  13. Web site: Philadelphia Union Academy alums among players eligible for MLS SuperDraft. Matthew. Ralph. 8 Jan 2020. Brotherly Game. 6 Jun 2023.
  14. Web site: Spiders Sign Will Baynham. Ian. Cairns. 22 Sep 2020. 6 Jun 2023.
  15. Web site: Spiders add to squad | SPFL. spfl.co.uk. 6 Jun 2023.
  16. Web site: Contract Extension for Will Baynham at Queens Park – 14 Sports Management. 16 Jun 2021. 6 Jun 2023.
  17. Web site: Baynham Set For Free Agency. John. Jacques. 25 May 2022. 6 Jun 2023.
  18. News: Scottish Championship ins & outs - Summer 2022. BBC Sport . 6 Jun 2023.
  19. Web site: Lexington Sporting Club adds striker Will Baynham to 2023 squad. 6 Jun 2023.
  20. Web site: Meet the Lexington Sporting Club. 4 Feb 2023. 6 Jun 2023.