Tom Knowles
Thomas Andrew Knowles (born 27 September 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left winger for National League club Forest Green Rovers. Standing at 1.83 metres tall and right-footed, he is known for his versatility, capable of operating as a right winger, attacking midfielder, or forward. Born in Cambridge, England, Knowles came through the youth ranks at hometown club Cambridge United before breaking into senior football. Knowles signed his first professional contract with Cambridge United in December 2017, initially featuring for their under-18s and development sides before making his senior debut in the 2018–19 season. He spent time on loan at non-league Chelmsford City during the 2019–20 season, where he gained experience in the National League South, scoring several goals in 18 appearances. Returning to Cambridge, he made 14 appearances in League Two during the 2020–21 season but sought more playing time, leading to a move to Yeovil Town in the National League in November 2020. At Yeovil, Knowles enjoyed his most prolific spell to date, particularly in the 2021–22 season, where he scored 10 goals across all competitions, helping the club to a strong campaign. In August 2022, Knowles joined League Two side Walsall on a permanent transfer, where he became a regular fixture over two seasons, accumulating 92 appearances, 7 goals, and 10 assists in league and cup matches. His performances earned praise for his pace, crossing ability, and work rate on the flanks. Following Walsall's decision not to renew his contract in June 2024, he signed a two-year deal with Forest Green Rovers, newly relegated to the National League. As of the 2025–26 season, Knowles has contributed 4 goals and 2 assists in 18 appearances for Forest Green, aiding their promotion push. Throughout his career, he has amassed over 240 senior appearances, primarily in England's third and fifth tiers, with a total of 31 goals.Early life
Upbringing in Cambridge
Tom Knowles was born on 27 September 1998 in Cambridge, England.[1] He measures 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) in height.[2] Knowles grew up in Cambridge, a city with a strong tradition in lower-league football, home to clubs such as Cambridge United, which joined the Football League in 1970, and Cambridge City, established in 1908 and competing in non-league divisions.[3][4] Limited public information exists regarding his family background or early non-football interests during childhood.[5]Youth football development
Knowles began his organized youth football career with Newmarket Town, a non-league club in Suffolk, where he developed as an attacking player before progressing to higher levels.[6][7] In 2016, at the age of 17, he joined Cambridge United through their Shadow Scholarship programme, a pre-academy initiative in partnership with Cambridge Regional College that combines football training with education.[8][9] Later that year, Knowles secured a full-time academy scholarship with the club, marking his entry into the professional youth setup and focusing on technical and tactical growth under academy staff.[10][11] During the 2016–17 season, Knowles was a key contributor to Cambridge United's under-18 team in the FA Youth Cup, helping them advance to the third round. In the first round, he scored the fourth goal in a 4–1 victory over Beaconsfield SYCOB on 1 November 2016, alongside goals from Matt Foy, Ben Worman, and an own goal.[12][13] In the second round, Knowles netted the opener in a 2–0 win against Millwall on 16 November 2016, with Matt Foy adding the second in the 74th minute to secure progression.[14] The team was eliminated in the third round by Fleetwood Town, losing 0–2 on 10 January 2017, though Knowles remained active in pressing plays during the match.[15] His performances in the competition highlighted his emerging goal-scoring ability and work rate from the forward positions.[16] Throughout his academy years at Cambridge United from 2016 to 2017, Knowles honed fundamental skills such as dribbling, finishing, and positional awareness, transitioning from a shadow scholar to a second-year professional development player by 2017.[8] This period laid the groundwork for his later loans and senior integration, with academy progression recognized through contract extensions that affirmed his potential.[6]Club career
Cambridge United (2017–2020)
Tom Knowles signed his first professional contract with Cambridge United in 2017 after progressing through the club's youth ranks, having initially joined on a shadow scholarship programme in 2016.[17][18] To aid his development amid stiff competition for first-team places, Knowles was frequently loaned to non-league clubs for regular minutes. In February 2017, he moved to Southern League Premier Division side St Neots Town on a youth loan, gaining early senior exposure in local football.[19] Later that year, in August 2017, he joined nearby Cambridge City on a one-month loan in the same division, where he featured as a teenage forward and scored a hat-trick in one match against Arlesey Town.[20] Knowles made his senior debut for Cambridge United on 5 May 2018, substituting into a 5–0 EFL League Two win over Port Vale at the Abbey Stadium.[21] He extended his professional deal in February 2018 until the end of the 2018/19 season, but opportunities remained scarce, leading to further loans including to St Ives Town (January–May 2018), Dartford (September 2018), Hemel Hempstead Town (November 2018–January 2019), Royston Town (February 2019), and Kettering Town (January 2019).[8][22][23][24][25] In October 2019, Knowles joined National League South club Chelmsford City on an initial one-month loan, which was extended; he made 18 appearances and scored 4 goals before being recalled in March 2020.[26][27] These spells helped hone his versatility as a winger and forward, though transitioning to consistent first-team action at Cambridge proved difficult due to the squad's depth and his youth. In total, he recorded 12 senior appearances and 2 goals for the U's across all competitions during this period.[18] Knowles was retained by Cambridge United in April 2020 but sought greater opportunities elsewhere, departing permanently for Yeovil Town in November 2020.[28][18]Yeovil Town (2020–2022)
On 30 November 2020, Tom Knowles signed for Yeovil Town on a free transfer from Cambridge United, seeking more consistent first-team opportunities following loan spells at lower-tier clubs.[29] He quickly established himself, scoring a stunning debut goal in a 1-1 draw against Hartlepool United on 20 February 2021.[30] During the 2020–21 National League season, Knowles made 33 appearances and netted 7 goals, playing a pivotal role in Yeovil's survival battle as they finished 16th with 52 points, including a crucial brace in the final-day 2–0 victory over King's Lynn Town that helped secure their position above the relegation zone.[31][32][33] In the 2021–22 season, Knowles emerged as a standout performer, featuring in 42 league matches and scoring 9 goals, which made him Yeovil's top scorer and contributed to 2 assists overall during his time at the club.[34][35] His contributions included notable strikes against Woking, Eastleigh, and Bromley, helping Yeovil to a more stable mid-table finish of 12th place with 59 points, though they fell short of the promotion playoffs.[34][32] Across his 75 appearances and 16 goals in the National League for Yeovil, Knowles became a regular on the left wing, providing creativity and directness in attack during both campaigns.[36] Knowles' initial one-year contract was extended in May 2022 via an automatic trigger clause, securing his stay for the 2022–23 season.[37] However, just three months later, on 4 August 2022, he departed Huish Park for a move to League Two side Walsall on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee, ending his tenure after totaling 82 appearances and 18 goals across all competitions.[38][39]Walsall (2022–2024)
On 4 August 2022, Tom Knowles joined League Two club Walsall on a two-year contract with an option for an additional year, transferring from National League side Yeovil Town for an undisclosed fee.[35][38] The move marked Knowles' step up to the English Football League, building on his prolific form at Yeovil where he scored nine league goals in the 2021–22 season.[35] During his time at Walsall, Knowles made 92 appearances across all competitions, scoring 7 goals and providing 10 assists.[27] In the 2022–23 season, his debut campaign, he featured in 52 matches, contributing 5 goals and 5 assists as he adapted to the demands of League Two.[27] Walsall finished 16th in the league that year, securing a mid-table position with 55 points from 46 matches.[40] Knowles' versatility was evident, as he operated primarily as a left winger but also filled roles including right-back, defensive midfielder, left midfielder, and attacking midfielder.[27] At signing, Walsall's head coach Michael Flynn highlighted Knowles' ability to play out wide, as a number 10, or up front, adding dynamism to the attack.[35] In the 2023–24 season, Knowles appeared in 40 games, netting 2 goals and recording 5 assists, helping Walsall to an 11th-place finish with 65 points.[27][41] His contributions supported the team's solid mid-table campaign, though they fell short of the play-offs. Knowles' multi-positional flexibility, including stints at right wing-back, allowed him to impact both defensive transitions and forward play.[27] Knowles' contract with Walsall expired on 30 June 2024, after which he departed as a free agent.[42]Forest Green Rovers (2024–present)
On 5 June 2024, Knowles signed with Forest Green Rovers on a free transfer from Walsall, agreeing to a two-year deal as a creative left winger to bolster the squad following their relegation to the National League.[43][42] He completed a medical and officially joined preseason training on 1 July 2024, expressing enthusiasm for the move in an initial club interview where he highlighted the opportunity to contribute to a promotion-challenging side.[44] In the 2024–25 National League season, Knowles made 42 appearances across all competitions, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists while accumulating 2,444 minutes played, primarily operating on the left flank with occasional central midfield duties that drew on his positional versatility from prior clubs.[45] His contributions included a goal in a league match against Ebbsfleet United in October 2024, after which he discussed adapting to the team's high-pressing style in a post-match interview, noting the competitive environment aided his integration.[46] Forest Green reached the National League playoffs that season, with Knowles featuring in the playoff semifinal, though the team ultimately fell short of promotion.[47] As of November 13, 2025, in the ongoing 2025–26 season, Knowles has recorded 19 appearances, 5 goals, and 2 assists in 1,118 minutes across the National League and FA Cup, starting 11 league matches and establishing himself as a key creative outlet in Forest Green's promotion bid.[48] Notable performances include a stoppage-time free-kick winner against Eastleigh on 25 August 2025, which he described as a "moment of genius" in a post-match reflection, and a goal in the FA Cup first-round victory over Worthing on 13 October 2025.[49][50] He came on as a substitute in the 3–2 win at Aldershot Town on 8 November 2025 and came off the bench in the 4–2 home victory over Tamworth three days later, helping maintain Rovers' strong position in the league table without reported injuries.[51][52] Knowles has praised the managerial setup under Robbie Savage for fostering his development, emphasizing his role in providing width and creativity to support the team's attacking transitions.[53]Playing style
Positional versatility
Tom Knowles has demonstrated significant positional versatility throughout his professional career, primarily operating as a midfielder and forward while adapting to roles across the attacking and wide areas. His main positions include central midfielder, attacking midfielder, left winger, and striker, with occasional deployments as a right-back or wing-back, particularly during his time at Walsall.[27][54] This flexibility allows him to contribute in multiple phases of play, from defensive transitions to forward runs, making him a valuable asset in various tactical setups.[35][55] Knowles' positional evolution began in his youth days at Cambridge United, where he was initially positioned as a central striker during his scholarship and early loan spells.[20] As he progressed to senior football, he shifted toward more dynamic wide and midfield roles, incorporating defensive responsibilities to suit professional demands. This adaptation continued at Yeovil Town and Walsall, where he transitioned from forward duties to wing-back positions, enhancing his utility in both offensive and defensive structures.[2] By his move to Forest Green Rovers in 2024, Knowles had fully embraced a multifaceted role, often switching between flanks and central areas to maintain team balance.[56][54] In practice, Knowles' versatility is evident in his ability to deliver effective crosses and long balls from wide positions during his stints at Yeovil Town and Walsall, where he frequently operated on the left flank to supply forwards.[57][54] At Forest Green Rovers, his energy in transitions—marked by strong ball interceptions and tackling—has allowed him to cover additional ground as a left winger or midfielder, supporting quick counters and defensive recoveries.[54] These adaptations highlight his growth from a youth striker to a senior player capable of fulfilling diverse tactical needs without compromising his attacking output.[58]Key attributes and reception
Tom Knowles is recognized for his energetic and direct playing style, characterized by high work rate and proactive involvement in both offensive and defensive phases. He frequently plays the ball off the ground, favors long balls and crosses, and attempts shots from distance, often drawing fouls due to his aggressive runs.[59] His technical strengths include strong ball retention, effective key passes, proficiency in set-pieces, and solid defensive contributions such as interceptions.[59] Physically, Knowles demonstrates relentless running and versatility across forward positions, enabling him to create chances for himself and teammates.[58] Despite these attributes, Knowles has areas for improvement, particularly in consistency and finishing. His passing accuracy and goal conversion rates have been identified as weaknesses, leading to an inconsistent end product in more competitive environments.[59] Additionally, his broad positional flexibility, while an asset, can sometimes result in a lack of specialization in key skills like precise distribution under pressure.[59] Concentration lapses have also been noted in performance analyses.[59] Knowles has received positive reception for his work rate and energy, with Walsall manager Mat Sadler describing him as "all action, full of running from the word go" and praising his ability to deliver outstanding performances that pleased both the coaching staff and fans.[58] At Forest Green Rovers, his creativity has been highlighted, with manager Robbie Savage commending a "moment of genius" in a crucial free-kick and noting Knowles' embodiment of the team's call to "be brave, be creative and to be positive."[60] Analysts and club profiles often portray him as a dynamic, creative midfielder whose direct approach adds value to lower-tier attacks.[61]Career statistics and records
Club career statistics
Tom Knowles has amassed 242 professional appearances and 33 goals across all competitions during his club career as of November 13, 2025.[1][62] In league matches alone, he has recorded 212 appearances, 27 goals, and 13 assists.[62][36]Career by Club (All Competitions)
The following table summarizes Knowles' appearances, goals, and available assists by club, encompassing league, cup, and playoff matches.| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge United | 2017–2020 | 11 | 2 | 0 |
| Yeovil Town | 2020–2022 | 78 | 17 | 2 |
| Walsall | 2022–2024 | 92 | 7 | 9 |
| Forest Green Rovers | 2024–present | 61 | 7 | 2 |
| Total | 242 | 33 | 13 |
League Appearances by Season
Knowles' league statistics are detailed below, showing progression across clubs and divisions. Loan spells are included where significant.| Season | Club | Competition | Appearances | Starts | Substitutions | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | Cambridge United | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018–19 | Cambridge United | League Two | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019–20 | Chelmsford City (loan) | National League South | 18 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| 2020–21 | Cambridge United | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020–21 | Yeovil Town | National League | 32 | 23 | 9 | 7 | 1 |
| 2021–22 | Yeovil Town | National League | 42 | 38 | 4 | 9 | 1 |
| 2022–23 | Walsall | League Two | 44 | 38 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| 2023–24 | Walsall | League Two | 33 | 29 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 2024–25 | Forest Green Rovers | National League | 40 | 28 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025–26 | Forest Green Rovers | National League | 18 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Total | 230 | 180 | 50 | 31 | 13 |
Cup and Playoff Appearances
Knowles has featured in various domestic cup competitions and playoffs, contributing to 30 appearances and 5 goals overall.| Competition | Appearances (Starts + Sub) | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| FA Cup | 14 (11 + 3) | 2 |
| EFL Cup | 5 (3 + 2) | 0 |
| EFL Trophy/Other | 11 (7 + 4) | 3 |
| Total | 30 | 5 |
Breakdown by Competition (All Clubs, All Competitions)
For broader context, Knowles' contributions across key competitions are as follows (excluding minor loan spells in lower divisions for aggregate consistency):| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| National League | 132 | 22 | 4 |
| League Two | 80 | 6 | 9 |
| FA Cup | 14 | 2 | 0 |
| EFL Cup | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Playoffs/Other Cups | 11 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 242 | 33 | 13 |