David Philip Perkins (born 21 June 1982) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He is currently first-team coach at Wigan Athletic.
Career Morecambe Perkins started his career with Morecambe, for whom he played 170 league games.
Rochdale
In 2007, he moved to League Two side Rochdale. On 17 May 2008 he scored a deflected goal from 30 yards which put Rochdale level on aggregate with Darlington in a semi-final play-off, during which he was later shown a red card. Rochdale went through on penalties. Rochdale appealed to his red card which was rejected by the FA, meaning he missed the League Two play-off final against Stockport County at Wembley Stadium and also the first four games of the 2008–09 season.
Colchester United Perkins signed for Colchester United on 8 July 2008 for an undisclosed six-figure fee, citing the potential of another promotion push as the leading reason for his move to the U's.
Chesterfield On 2 October 2009 Perkins signed on loan for Chesterfield.
Stockport County On 18 January 2010 he signed on loan for Stockport on a deal until the end of the season.
Return to Colchester After becoming an outcast in the U's squad under Aidy Boothroyd his career at the club looked bleak until John Ward was appointed as new boss in May 2010. After regaining his first team place and making over 40 appearances Perkins was being scouted by a number of Championship clubs. At the end of the season with Colchester he won four awards: Player of the Year; Player's Player of the Year; CUSA (Colchester United Supporters' Association) Home Player of the Year and CUSA Away Player of the Year. Teammate Anthony Wordsworth said of Perkins, "He was simply amazing this season".Colchester United News
Barnsley On 7 June 2011, he rejected the opportunity to extend his deal at Colchester United and subsequently signed for Championship side Barnsley; signing a 2-year contract with the Tykes."Barnsley to sign David Perkins and Craig Davies" BBC Sport. 7 June 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2012. He had previously worked with ex Barnsley manager Keith Hill at Rochdale. He made his debut on 6 August 2011, in a 0–0 draw against Nottingham Forest."Nott'm Forest 0–0 Barnsley" BBC Sport. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2012. On 9 April 2012 he scored his first goal for Barnsley, coming in a 1–1 draw away to Blackpool."Blackpool 1–1 Barnsley" BBC Sport. 9 April 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2012. The goal was described as a "face volley" by football correspondent Conor Breen.
His bright blonde hair, similar to that of London Mayor Boris Johnson's, led to Charlton Athletic supporters nicknaming him 'Barnsley Boris' after Barnsley's visit to The Valley in October 2012.
Due to his consistently solid performances throughout the season in midfield, he received the Supporters' Player of the Year Award for the 2012–13 Season.
The energetic midfielder penned an extension to his contract in August, 2012, keeping him at the club until at least the summer of 2014.
Blackpool On 17 January 2014, Perkins signed an 18-month deal with Blackpool on a free transfer. He was released in May 2015."Retained List Announced" – Blackpool F.C.'s official website, 19 May 2015
Wigan Athletic On 20 May 2015, Perkins signed a one-year deal with newly relegated side Wigan Athletic after his release from Blackpool."David Perkins: Midfielder agrees one-year Wigan Athletic deal " – BBC Sport website, 20 May 2015
David Perkins scored his only goal and most memorable in his career whilst playing for Wigan against his former team Blackpool, scoring the 3rd goal in a 3–1 victory.
Wigan entered into contract talks with him at the end of the 2017–18 season.
Return to Rochdale On 24 May 2018, it was announced that Perkins had signed a new two-year deal with Rochdale, which would be effective from July 1, moving from Wigan Athletic where he spent 3 years. It is Perkins' second spell at the club, after a season long stay in the 2007–08 season.
Speaking about the move, Perkins said "I've had a good three years at Wigan. We got promoted during my first year, relegated during my second and then promoted this season. I've had some great times there and I've enjoyed every minute of it. The fans have been unbelievable with me, all the staff and the Chairman, so I can't thank them enough."
Tranmere Rovers On 5 January 2019, Perkins joined Tranmere Rovers on an 18-month contract from Rochdale.
AFC Fylde On 16 August 2020, Perkins signed for AFC Fylde. He was released on 21 May 2022.
Bamber Bridge On 2 August 2022, Perkins signed for Bamber Bridge.
Exeter City On 1 January 2024, Perkins was an unused substitute for Exeter's League One fixture away at Reading due to a shortage of available first-team players. He was given the number 18 shirt. Perkins would feature in an Exeter City match during the 2024–25 season, coming on as a 67th minute substitute in a EFL Trophy home fixture against Tottenham Hotspur; consequently, he became their oldest player at the age of 42. Exeter City won the match 2–0.
Coaching career On 10 November 2022, Perkins was appointed first team coach and Under 23s manager at Exeter City.
In February 2026, Perkins returned to former club Wigan Athletic as first-team coach, following head coach Gary Caldwell from Exeter City.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsMorecambe2000–01Conference National4010001Appearances in Football League Trophy0602001–02Conference National21010002Appearances in FA Trophy02402002–03Conference National2301000102502003–04Conference National3901000104102004–05Conference National35010003One appearance in Football League Trophy and two in FA Trophy03902005–06Conference National36110004Two appearances in Football League Trophy and two in Conference play-offs04112006–07Conference National200200010230Total178180001301991Rochdale2006–07League Two1800000001802007–08League Two425101110456Total605101110636Colchester United2008–09League One3851010314362009–10League One51001010612010–11League One361302000411Total797404041918Chesterfield (loan)2009–10League Two131100000141Stockport County (loan)2009–10League One220000000220Barnsley2011–12Championship3311010—3512012–13Championship3514010—4012013–14Championship2301010—250Total9126030001002Blackpool2013–14Championship2000000—2002014–15Championship4501010—470Total650101000670Wigan Athletic2015–16League One4501010104802016–17Championship2701010—2902017–18League One13150102Appearance in EFL Trophy0211Total811704040981Rochdale2018–19League One170101020210Tranmere Rovers2018–19League Two1720000302022019–20League One270501000330Total442501030532Exeter City2024–25League One0000001010Career total6621934015128173021
Honours Wigan Athletic League One: 2015–16, 2017–18
Tranmere Rovers EFL League Two play-offs: 2019
Individual Barnsley Player of the Year: 2012–13
References
External links