Alex Wynter

Alex Wynter

Personal information
Full name	Alex James Wynter[1]
Date of birth	15 September 1993[2]
Place of birth	Croydon, England
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current team	Colchester United
Number	5
Youth career
2003–2010	Crystal Palace
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2010–2015	Crystal Palace	0	(0)
2013	→ Eastbourne Borough (loan)	6	(0)
2014	→ Sutton United (loan)	6	(0)
2014	→ Colchester United (loan)	6	(1)
2014	→ Portsmouth (loan)	10	(0)
2015–	Colchester United	29	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:58, 30 April 2016 (UTC). † Appearances (goals)

Alex James Wynter (born 15 September 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Colchester United. Wynter had progressed through the youth system at Crystal Palace since the age of nine, where he made two cup appearances. Wynter has had loan spells at Eastbourne Borough, Sutton United, Colchester United and Portsmouth, before joining Colchester on a permanent basis in January 2015.

Career

Early career

Born in Croydon,^[2] Wynter joined the Crystal Palace Academy at the age of nine whilst he was attending Davidson Primary School based in his hometown. He later attended the Crystal Palace affiliated Oasis Academy Shirley Park between 2005 and 2010, where he was head boy. He made his professional debut whilst studying at Oasis Academy, appearing in the FA Cup while still in year 11. He left the academy with twelve GCSEs, including six at grade A.^[3]

Alongside the academy, Wynter regularly featured in the Croydon Schools' team across multiple age groups. He scored hat-tricks against Woking Schools' in a 10–0 win at under-11 level in September 2004,^[4] Ashford Schools' in a 5–0 win^[5] and Sutton Schools' in a 6–2 win in December 2004,^[6] and a further hat-trick against Godalming Schools' in a 7–2 away win in January 2005^[7] as he helped his side to the London School's Shield final.^[8] He scored for London Schools' in their 5–1 win over Surrey Schools' to lift the trophy for his side in April 2005.^[9]

The following year, Wynter helped the Croydon Schools' under-12s side retain the English Schools' South-East Area Patrick Haugh Trophy after defeating Mid Sussex Schools' 3–1, with Wynter grabbing himself the opening two goals for Croydon Schools'.^[10] He also aided his sides to retain the Gibson Cup with two goals in their 3–0 win over Woking Schools' in April 2006.^[11] He was named as under-12s players' in May 2006 for his successful season.^[12]

He continued his goalscoring form in the under-13 age group, netting a hat-trick in the English Schools' Football Association Wimbledon Challenge Trophy against Canterbury Schools' in a 10–0 victory.^[13] He later helped his age group to a third consecutive season of success with victory in the Challenge Trophy with a goal in extra time to beat Gravesham Schools', and a hat-trick against Bedford Schools' in the semi-final stage of the Oxford United Invitation Cup in May 2007.^[14]

Crystal Palace

Neil Warnock handed Wynter his professional debut in January 2010

With Crystal Palace struggling financially, and facing an injury crisis with a number of players out on loan, manager Neil Warnock named only four players on the substitutes bench for an FA Cup third round tie away to Sheffield Wednesday on 2 January 2010. This included the 16-year-old Wynter, who was sent on for his debut as a substitute for Darren Ambrose three minutes into stoppage time in the second half.^[15][16] Wynter was then offered a three-year professional deal at Palace in April 2010, alongside Wilfried Zaha and Jonathan Williams.^[17]

Playing predominantly in a holding midfield role, Palace Academy manager Gary Issott believed that Wynter should be considered for the first-team, having scored six goals from August to November 2010.^[18] As captain of the youth team, Wynter scored for his side in the FA Youth Cup win over Cardiff City in the third round on 14 December 2010.^[19] He made the trip for Crystal Palace's away match against Hull City on 30 April 2011 but did not feature in the match.^[20] During the 2011–12 pre-season, Wynter worked with the first-team on a regular basis, impressing manager Dougie Freedman with how well he and teammate Jon Williams fitted in at the higher level.^[21] Later in the season, Wynter scored again in the FA Youth Cup as Palace fell to a 2–1 defeat to a strong Everton side in December.^[22] During the remainder of the season, Wynter was an unused substitute in two games, including a 1–0 FA Cup away defeat to Derby County on 7 January 2012,^[23] and a 2–1 home Championship defeat to Cardiff City on 28 April.^[24]

In the 2012–13 pre-season, Freedman announced that he was looking to blood more youngsters in the coming season and was keen to give the youngsters a chance, including Wynter.^[25] As such, Wynter then featured in the heart of defence for some pre-season friendlies, including a 3–1 defeat for a Crystal Palace XI against Margate on 27 July 2012, where Wynter gave away a penalty to the opposition after handling the ball in the box.^[26] He also played in a 2–0 friendly win against Aldershot Town, replacing Aaron Martin after 71 minutes.^[27] He started the season for the newly formed under-21 Development Squad in the Professional Development League, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–1 loss to Liverpool in August 2012.^[28] New Palace boss Ian Holloway handed Wynter a place on the bench for their FA Cup third round tie against Stoke City on 5 January 2013, and once again for the replay fixture on 15 January after the home tie ended in a draw, but did not make an appearance.^[29]

Eastbourne Borough loan

On 28 February 2013, Wynter joined Conference South outfit Eastbourne Borough on loan for an initial one-month deal. He made his debut two days later in Eastbourne's 1–0 defeat at Eastleigh.^[30] He made six appearances during his loan spell with the club, which came to an end on 30 March, playing the full 90 minutes in each game.^[31]

Ian Holloway gave Wynter his first and only start for Crystal Palace in August 2013

Return to Crystal Palace

On his return to Crystal Palace, Wynter was back amongst the first-team for pre-season, and was handed a start in their 4–1 victory at Dulwich Hamlet on 6 August 2013.^[32] He also featured as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Lazio on 10 August, coming on as a 70th-minute substitute for Mile Jedinak.^[33] Wynter was handed the number 36 shirt for the coming season,^[34] and was subsequently handed his first start for Crystal Palace in a League Cup fixture against Bristol City on 27 August. He was replaced after 68 minutes by Kyle De Silva as the Eagles were defeated 2–1.^[35] On 10 September, he featured as a substitute in a 2–0 friendly win against the Oman national football team.^[36]

Sutton United loan

On 3 January 2014, Wynter joined Sutton United in a short-term loan deal.^[37] He made his debut in Sutton's 2–0 win at Chelmsford City on 11 January^[38] He made six appearances for the Conference South side before returning to Crystal Palace following the expiry of his loan.^[31]

Colchester United loan

After returning from his Conference South loan with Sutton, Wynter was quickly signed up on loan by League One cub Colchester United until the end of the 2013–14 season on 27 March 2014.^[39] Wynter was an unused substitute for Colchester's 2–0 away defeat to Peterborough United on 2 April,^[40] but made his debut as a second-half substitute for Dominic Vose in the U's 2–1 home defeat to Tranmere Rovers on 5 April.^[41] However, for Colchester's trip to Stevenage on 12 April, Joe Dunne handed Wynter a start, as Colchester eased their relegation fears with a 3–2 win, as Stevenage's Filipe Morais was sent off after shoving Wynter.^[42] After the match, his performance was described as "exceptional" by Dunne.^[43] Wynter then started in all of Colchester's remaining games for the season,^[44] including scoring his first professional goal as Colchester sealed their League One status with a 4–1 thrashing of already-promoted Brentford on 26 April. Wynter's headed goal came after 32 minutes, nodding home Ryan Dickson's corner to double the U's advantage.^[45] He ended his stay in Essex with six appearances to his name.^[44]

Following the expiry of his loan at the end of the season, Colchester expressed an interest in signing Wynter on a permanent basis, but a move did not come to fruition,^[46] despite stating himself that he would be happy to return should the opportunity arise.^[47]

Portsmouth loan

Wynter joined League Two Portsmouth in a season-long loan deal in July 2014.^[48] He made his debut in Portsmouth's 1–0 win over League One opposition Peterborough United in the League Cup on 12 August,^[49] and played in Pompey's 3–1 Football League Trophy triumph over Yeovil Town on 2 September,^[50] but didn't make his first league appearance until 7 September, starting in their 2–0 away defeat to Burton Albion.^[51]

Wynter was played in a wing-back role by Portsmouth manager Andy Awford, despite never having played in the position before, and said that he was "ready to thrive" in his new position.^[52] Following a string of poor performances, Awford scrapped his 3-5-2 system that utilised wing-backs, but did not blame Wynter or his teammates for the lack of function within the system.^[53] After making 15 appearances for Portsmouth in all competitions, Awford brought in Gillingham loanee Matt Fish as a replacement for Wynter, but insisted he would remain a part of his squad but the situation would be reassessed in the January transfer window.^[54] However, on 28 December, both Fish and Wynter returned to their parent clubs after the loans were not renewed with both players having fallen out of favour at Fratton Park.^[55]

Colchester United

Wynter rejoined Colchester United on 10 January 2015, on this occasion on a permanent basis, signing an 18-month contract ahead of the U's League One game against Peterborough United the same day.^[56] He made his second debut for the club later that day, starting in defence and helping his teammates to a clean sheet in a 2–0 victory at London Road.^[57]

During Colchester's FA Cup fourth round match against Tottenham Hotspur on 30 January 2016, Wynter was involved in a sickening collision with fellow U's defender Tom Eastman after just two minutes of the game. Wynter suffered concussion and a seizure while on the field. He was taken to hospital, where he was reported to have been sitting up and talking by half-time in the 4–1 defeat for Colchester.^[58] He finally made a return to first-team action on 23 April when he came on for Gavin Massey in a tactical substitution following Joe Edwards' dismissal in the 17th-minute of the 3–0 defeat to Burton Albion, a result which saw Colchester relegated to League Two.^[59]

Despite Colchester suffering relegation to League Two, Wynter penned a two-year contract extension with the club on 27 April 2016.^[60]

Career statistics

As of match played 30 April 2016.

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Crystal Palace	2009–10[61]	Championship	0	0	1	0	0	0	–		1	0
	2010–11[62]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	–		0	0
	2011–12[63]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	–		0	0
	2012–13[64]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	–		0	0
	2013–14[44]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	1	0	–		1	0
	2014–15[65]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	–		0	0
	Total		0	0	1	0	1	0	–		2	0
Eastbourne Borough (loan)	2012–13[31]	Conference South	6	0	–		–		–		6	0
Sutton United (loan)	2013–14[31]	Conference South	6	0	–		–		–		6	0
Colchester United (loan)	2013–14[44]	League One	6	1	–		–		–		6	1
Portsmouth (loan)	2014–15[65]	League Two	10	0	2	0	1	0	2[lower-alpha 1]	0	15	0
Colchester United	2014–15[65]	League One	18	0	–		–		–		18	0
	2015–16[66]	League One	11	0	2	0	1	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	0	15	0
	Total		29	0	2	0	1	0	1	0	33	0
Career total			57	1	5	0	3	0	3	0	68	1

1. Appearances in Football League Trophy

References

1. "List of Temporary Transfers of Players under Written Contract Between 01/07/2014 and 31/07/2014" (PDF). The Football Association. 31 July 2014. p. 50. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
2. Alex Wynter career statistics at Soccerbase
3. "Crystal Palace Academy". Oasis Academy Shirley Park. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
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58. Al-Samarrai, Riath (30 January 2016). "Alex Wynter 'sitting up and talking in hospital' after Colchester defender was knocked unconscious in horror collision during FA Cup defeat by Tottenham". Daily Mail (London). Retrieved 31 January 2016.
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