Dominic David Telford (born 5 December 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for club Gateshead.
Early life Telford was born in Burnley and grew up in Clitheroe where he attended Ribblesdale High School. He played youth football for Clitheroe Wolves and also played for Lancashire Schools at Under-16 level, making 12 appearances for them in 2012–13.
Career Blackpool Telford joined Blackpool as a first-year scholar with the youth team in June 2013 playing regularly for them in his first year with the club. In December, just after his 17th birthday, he was nominated for the League Football Education's goal of the month for November for a goal against Bury which was followed by a second nomination in January 2014 for a goal in December 2013 against Liverpool. The 35-yard chip against Liverpool was also nominated for the goal of the season award in June 2014.
Telford made his first-team debut for the club on 9 August as an 88th-minute substitute in the opening-day fixture against Nottingham Forest. In only his second substitute appearance for Blackpool, on 28 December, he scored his first senior goal, the equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Rotherham United.
Stoke City Telford joined Stoke City in July 2015 along with Blackpool teammate Mark Waddington. In August 2017 Telford joined League One side Bristol Rovers on loan for the 2017–18 season. He scored his first goals for Bristol Rovers when he scored twice in an EFL Trophy tie against Wycombe Wanderers on 29 August 2017. Telford played 24 times for Rovers scoring five goals as they finished in 13th position.
Bury Telford joined Bury on a two-year contract in July 2018. While being used mainly from the substitutes bench during league games he became a regular starter in this seasons Checkatrade cup. This led him to the top of the goalscoring charts and earning the nickname "Mr Checkatrade".
Plymouth Argyle On 11 July 2019, Telford joined up with Ryan Lowe, who had been his manager at Bury, by signing for Plymouth Argyle.
Newport County On 28 January 2021, Telford joined League Two side Newport County on a permanent 18-month contract. He made his Newport debut in the 2–1 defeat against Harrogate Town in League Two on 30 January 2021 as a second-half substitute. He scored his first goal for Newport in the 1–1 League Two draw against Exeter City on 16 February 2021.
After an impressive month which saw him score eight goals in just six matches, Telford was awarded the EFL League Two Player of the Month Award for October 2021. A further four goals in four matches saw Telford receive the award for a second successive month. On 29 January 2022, Telford scored both goals as Newport defeated Barrow 2–1. This took his league goals tally to 20 for the season, becoming the first Newport player to hit this target in the top four divisions since John Aldridge in the 1983–84 season. In April 2022 Telford and Newport County teammate Finn Azaz were named in the EFL League Two team of the season. Telford finished the 2021–22 season as the top scorer in League Two with 25 league goals. In June 2022 Telford was named in the PFA Team of the Year. Newport offered Telford a contract extension but on 17 June 2022 Telford announced his decision to leave the club.
Crawley Town On 24 June 2022, League Two club Crawley Town announced that Telford would join the club on a three-year contract upon the expiration of his contract at Newport County. He made his Crawley debut in their 1–0 away loss to Carlisle United on 30 July 2022. He scored his first Crawley goal in their 3–2 win over Stockport County. In a vital game for Crawley’s League Two survival hopes away to Hartlepool on 22 April 2023, Telford scored both goals in a 2-0 win with the second strike winning Crawley’s goal of the season for the 2022/23 campaign.
Barrow On 25 August 2023, Telford signed a two-year deal with EFL League Two side Barrow.
On 31 January 2025, he joined National League side Barnet on loan for the remainder of the season, where he was part of the squad that won the league title.
He was released by Barrow at the end of the 2024–25 season.
Gateshead On 25 July 2025, Telford joined National League side Gateshead on a two-year deal.
Career statistics
+Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBlackpool2014–15Championship1411000—151Stoke City2015–16Premier League000000—00Stoke City U232016–17————1010Bristol Rovers (loan)2017–18League One193101032245Bury2018–19League Two3862110774814Plymouth Argyle2019–20League Two1923011002332020–21League One161302031242Total353603131475Newport County2020–21League Two151———1512021–22League Two37251010114026Total52261010115527Crawley Town2022–23League Two431210112247152023–24League Two4000000040Total47121011225115Barrow2023–24League Two3842000104142024–25League Two161103031232Total545303041646Barnet (loan)2024–25National League153000000153Career total27459151102211432076
Honours Bury EFL League Two second-place promotion: 2018–19
Plymouth Argyle EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2019–20
Barnet National League: 2024–25
Individual EFL League Two Player of the Month: October 2021, November 2021 EFL League Two Team of the Season: 2021–22 EFL League Two Top Scorer: 2021–22 PFA Team of the Year: 2021–22 EFL League Two
References
Dom signs for Barrow
External links