Will Vaulks

William Robert Vaulks (born 13 September 1993) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL Championship club Sheffield Wednesday and the Wales national team.

Will Vaulks
Personal information
Full name William Robert Vaulks[1]
Date of birth (1993-09-13) 13 September 1993[2]
Place of birth Wirral, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder / Right back
Team information
Current team
 Sheffield Wednesday
Number 4
Youth career
0000–2012 Tranmere Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2013 Tranmere Rovers 0 (0)
2012–2013 → Workington (loan) 19 (1)
2013–2016 Falkirk 108 (10)
2016–2019 Rotherham United 125 (13)
2019–2022 Cardiff City 105 (11)
2022– Sheffield Wednesday 49 (2)
International career‡
2019– Wales 7 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:43, 25 October 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:55, 29 March 2022 (UTC)

He began his professional career at Tranmere Rovers in 2012 but did not make a senior appearance, going on loan to Workington of the Conference North before joining Scottish club Falkirk in February 2013. He played 142 games for the club, including the 2015 Scottish Cup Final and two Scottish Championship play-off finals. In 2016 he joined Rotherham United for an undisclosed fee, where he was Player of the Season as they won the League One playoffs in 2018. In 2019, he signed for Cardiff City, and three years later Sheffield Wednesday.

In March 2019 he made his debut for the Welsh national team whom he qualifies for through his mother.

Club career

Tranmere Rovers

Vaulks was born in Wirral, Merseyside and grew up supporting Newcastle United.[3] He began his career with local League One club Tranmere Rovers, signing amateur forms in March 2003, at the age of 9 years old.[4] Vaulks remained with Tranmere and was rewarded with his first professional contract in June 2010.[5] He was called up for one senior match, a 2–1 extra-time win at Chesterfield in the League Cup first round on 13 August 2012, in which he was an unused substitute.[6]

Workington

In August 2012, Vaulks joined Workington of the Conference North.[7] initially on a one-month loan. He made his senior debut on 22 August in a 1–0 loss at Chester, as a 65th-minute substitute for Mark Boyd.[8] His loan was subsequently extended twice, before he signed a permanent deal with Workington at the start of December 2012.[9][10] He made 24 appearances in all competitions for the Cumbrian club, scoring the equaliser in a 2–1 win over Droylsden at Borough Park.[11]

Falkirk

In February 2013, due to a clause in his Workington contract that allowed him to leave for a professional club, he signed for Scottish Football League First Division side Falkirk.[12] He made his debut on 9 March in a 2–0 loss at Greenock Morton,[13] and ended the season with six appearances.[14]

On 9 November 2013, Vaulks scored his first goal for the Bairns, to open a 4–1 win over Livingston at Falkirk Stadium.[15] In January 2014, Vaulks was called to a trial by English Championship club Blackburn Rovers.[16] He played 42 games over the season, including all four of the play-off games as the club lost 2–1 to Hamilton Academical in the final.[14] He was named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year for the Scottish Championship in 2013–14.[17] On 10 May 2014, he extended his contract with Falkirk until the end of May 2017.[18]

Vaulks played the full 90 minutes of the 2015 Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park on 30 May 2015, a 2–1 loss to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.[19] A year later, he played again the play-offs as Falkirk were beaten to a place in the Scottish Premiership by Kilmarnock.[20]

Rotherham United

On 22 July 2016 Vaulks signed for Rotherham United on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[21] He scored on his Rotherham debut in a 2–2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers on 6 August.[22] He played 42 times in all competitions during the 2016–17 season as The Millers were relegated to League One.[14]

Vaulks' goal against Blackpool on the last day of the regular season was his 7th goal in 49 games in all competitions as Rotherham finished the 2017–18 season in fourth place hence qualifying for play-offs.[23] After drawing 2–2 away at Scunthorpe United in the first leg, he scored Rotherham's second in the return fixture as they progressed to the final 4–2 on aggregate.[24] In the final he played the full 120 minutes as The Millers beat Shrewsbury Town to win the 2018 EFL League One play-off final and promotion back to the Championship.[25] At the end of the season Vaulks was given the Rotherham United's Player of the Year award.[26]

On 6 March 2019, Vaulks signed a one-year contract extension.[27] Three days later as captain, he was sent off in the 28th minute of a 2–0 loss at South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United, for a foul on George Baldock.[28]

Cardiff City

On 27 June 2019, Vaulks signed for Cardiff City for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal,[29] in a record sale for Rotherham.[30] He made his debut on 10 August in a 2–1 victory over Luton Town as a second-half substitute in place of Gavin Whyte,[31] and scored his first goal on New Year's Day at the end of a 6–1 loss at Queens Park Rangers.[32]

Vaulks scored twice at home to Brentford on 26 December 2020, but in a 3–2 loss.[33] The following 24 April, after coming on as a last-minute substitute, he was sent off in a 2–1 win over Wycombe Wanderers at the Cardiff City Stadium for a high challenge on Curtis Thompson.[34] On 10 June 2022 Cardiff announced Vaulks would leave the club when his contract expires on 30 June.[35]

Sheffield Wednesday

On 21 June 2022, Vaulks joined Sheffield Wednesday following the expiration of his Cardiff City contract.[36] He made his Wednesday debut against Portsmouth on 30 July as a substitute for Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.[37] On 1 October he scored his first goal for the club as the only goal of the game away to Port Vale.[38]

International career

Vaulks qualifies to play for Wales through his mother,[39] and in March 2019 manager Ryan Giggs called him up to the national team for games against Slovakia and Trinidad and Tobago.[40] He made his debut in the friendly against the Trinidadians at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham on 20 March, playing the full match and assisting the only goal by Ben Woodburn in added time.[41]

Vaulks made his competitive debut that summer in a 2–1 defeat to Croatia.[42]

Personal life

Vaulks lost both of his grandfathers to suicide, when he was a teenager. He has raised awareness for the suicide bereavement charity Baton of Hope.[43][44]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 25 October 2023.[14]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Tranmere Rovers 2012–13[45] League One 00—000000
Workington (loan) 2012–13[45][46] Conference North19151—00241
Falkirk 2012–13[45] Scottish First Division6000——60
2013–14[45] Scottish Championship33110307[lower-alpha 1]0441
2014–15[45] Scottish Championship 34350303[lower-alpha 2]1454
2015–16[45] Scottish Championship 35621306[lower-alpha 3]1468
2016–17[45] Scottish Championship 00—11—11
Total 108108110116214214
Rotherham United 2016–17[45] Championship 4011010—421
2017–18[45] League One 44511205[lower-alpha 4]2528
2018–19[45] Championship 4171011—428
Total 1251331415213717
Cardiff City 2019–20[45] Championship 27440102[lower-alpha 5]0344
2020–21[45] Championship 4251000–435
2021–22[45] Championship 3622020–402
Total 1051170302011711
Sheffield Wednesday 2022–23[45] League One 43240205[lower-alpha 6]0542
2023–24[45] Championship 600020–80
Total 492404050622
Career Total 4063627321228448245
  1. Three appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup, four in play-offs
  2. Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup
  3. Two appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup, four appearances and one goal in play-offs
  4. Two appearances and one goal in the EFL Trophy, three appearances and one goal in League One play-offs
  5. Appearances in Championship play-offs
  6. Two appearances in EFL Trophy, three appearance in League One play-offs

International
As of match played 29 March 2022[47]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Wales 201950
202010
202210
Total70

Honours

Falkirk

Rotherham United

Sheffield Wednesday

Individual

References
  1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Cardiff City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 17. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  2. "Will Vaulks". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  3. "Player set to fulfil dream of playing at St James Park on Saturday". The Mag. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  4. Byers, Les (2020). "WAFC Chairman's Notes; Player Records 2000-2015". Workington AFC.
  5. Byers, Les (2020). "WAFC Chairman's Notes; Player Records 2000-2015". Workington AFC.
  6. "Tranmere Rovers star Bell-Baggie clinches Capital One Cup tie with late stunner". Liverpool Echo. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  7. Hilton, Nick (25 August 2012). "Rover Flow: Tranmere youngster Will Vaulks off to AFC Workington on loan". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  8. Wheelock, Paul (22 August 2012). "Chester FC 1 Workington 0: Ben Mills the hero as Blues continue 100% winning start". Cheshire Live. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  9. Byers, Les (2020). "WAFC Chairman's Notes; Player Records 2000-2015". Workington AFC.
  10. "Rover Flow: Former Tranmere centre-back Will Vaulks joins Falkirk for the rest of the season". Liverpool Echo. 2 February 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  11. "WORKINGTON VS. DROYLSDEN 2 – 1". Soccerway. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  12. "Rover Flow: Former Tranmere centre-back Will Vaulks joins Falkirk for the rest of the season". Liverpool Echo. 2 February 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  13. Macdonald, Kenny (10 March 2013). "Morton 2 Falkirk 0: Morton stay two points clear at the top as Archie Campbell seals top-team return with a goal". Daily Record. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  14. "Soccerway profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  15. "Falkirk 4–1 Livingston". BBC Sport. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  16. "Blackburn Rovers take ex-Tranmere defender Will Vaulks on trial from Falkirk". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  17. "PFA Scotland name their SPFL Teams of the Year". Scotzine. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  18. "Falkirk: Will Vaulks extends contract with the Bairns". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  19. Lamont, Alasdair (30 May 2015). "Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2–1 Falkirk". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  20. English, Tom (22 May 2017). "Kilmarnock 4–0 Falkirk". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  21. "Will Vaulks: Rotherham United sign Falkirk midfielder". BBC Sport. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  22. "Rotherham 2–2 Wolves". BBC Sport. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  23. "Rotherham United 1-0 Blackpool". BBC Sport.
  24. "Rotherham United 2-0 Scunthorpe United (Agg 4-2)". BBC Sport.
  25. "Rotherham United 2-1 Shrewsbury Town (AET)". BBC Sport.
  26. "READ – Vaulks scoops Player of the Year prize". Rotherham United F.C.
  27. "Will Vaulks: Rotherham extend midfielder's contract until 2020". BBC Sport. 6 March 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  28. "Sheffield United 2–0 Rotherham United". BBC Sport. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  29. "Done Deal: Vaulks is a Bluebird!". www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk.
  30. "READ - Will joins Cardiff". www.themillers.co.uk.
  31. "Cardiff City 2–1 Luton Town". BBC Sport. 10 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  32. Williams, Glen (1 January 2020). "QPR 6-1 Cardiff City: Woeful Bluebirds hit for six in New Year's Day horror show". Wales Online. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  33. "Cardiff City 2-3 Brentford: Sergi Canos hat-trick steers Bees to victory". Sky Sports. 26 December 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  34. Pritchard, Dafydd (24 April 2021). "Cardiff City 2–1 Wycombe Wanderers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  35. "2021/22 Retained List | Cardiff". www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  36. "Vaulks to join the Owls!". Sheffield Wednesday Official Site. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  37. "Sheffield Wednesday team news confirmed v Portsmouth as Darren Moore hands three debuts". YorkshireLive. 30 July 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  38. "Report: Port Vale 0-1 Wednesday". YorkshireLive. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  39. "Will Vaulks: Rotherham United midfielder in frame for first Wales call-up". BBC Sport. 4 March 2019.
  40. "Will Vaulks: Rotherham United midfielder named in Wales squad". BBC Sport. 12 March 2019.
  41. Griffiths, Rob (20 March 2019). "LIVE: Wales V Trinidad and Tobago – updates and reaction from the match". Daily Post. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  42. "Wales lose Euro qualifier in Croatia". BBC Sport.
  43. Crann, Joe (27 June 2023). "'There is help' - Sheffield Wednesday's Will Vaulks opens up on emotional cause before Hillsborough event". The Star. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  44. "Suicide prevention: Will Vaulks to carry baton to help raise awareness". BBC News. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  45. Will Vaulks at Soccerway. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  46. For FA Cup: "Blyth Spartans 1–1 Workington". Blyth Spartans A.F.C. 22 September 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2019."Workington 1–0 Blyth Spartans". Blyth Spartans A.F.C. 1 October 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2019."Barwell 1–1 Workington". Barwell F.C. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2019."Workington 2–0 Barwell". YouTube. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  47. "Vaulks, Will". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  48. Speck, Ivan (27 October 2017). "EFL Q&A: Rotherham United's Will Vaulks on Jonjo Shelvey, Dumbarton and Steven Gerrard". Daily Express.
  49. Scott, Ged (27 May 2018). "Rotherham United 2–1 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  50. Ian Woodcock (29 May 2023). "Barnsley 0–1 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  51. "READ – Ward scoops double award at 2016/17 Season Dinner". Rotherham United F.C.
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