William John Robert Nightingale (born 2 August 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or right-back for club Sutton United.
Career AFC Wimbledon
Nightingale was born in Wandsworth, Greater London. He joined the AFC Wimbledon Academy at the age of nine, progressing through the ranks before making the step up to the first team at the age of 18. His first association with the first team came as an unused substitute in a 2–0 home loss to Torquay United on 11 January 2014. Nightingale was offered his first professional contract with AFC Wimbledon in May 2014.
Nightingale made his first-team debut on 17 January 2015 at the age of 19, coming on as an 89th-minute substitute in a 3–1 home defeat to Carlisle United. He was rewarded by being named in the starting line-up for the following match, a 2–1 home win against Accrington Stanley on 24 January 2015. He was named as the man of the match and was commended by manager Neal Ardley for his performance. He scored his first career goal on 7 April 2018 with a fourth-minute header in a 1–1 draw against Scunthorpe United.
He was named the club's Player of the Season for the 2018–19 campaign, which saw Wimbledon achieve survival despite being ten points adrift of safety in February. On 22 May 2019, he signed a new contract with AFC Wimbledon of an undisclosed length.
On 14 August 2021 during a 3–3 draw against Bolton Wanderers, Nightingale scored the first Wimbledon goal in front of fans at the newly built Plough Lane stadium.
Nightingale moved on loan to Scottish Premiership club Ross County in July 2023. In June 2024, Ross County announced a season-long loan extension for Nightingale, ensuring he stayed at the club for a second consecutive season.
At the end of the 2024-25 season, Nightingale was released by AFC Wimbledon, ending his playing association with a testimonial match on 1 June 2025 at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Aldershot Town On 5 August 2025, Nightingale joined National League club Aldershot Town.
Sutton United On 6 June 2026, Nightingale agreed to join fellow National League club Sutton United.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAFC Wimbledon2014–15League Two40000000402015–16League Two40001010602016–17League One1200000401602017–18League One1810010202112018–19League One3904010204602019–20League One900000101002020–21League One3221000503822021–22League One3531010113842022–23League Two221001020251Total175760501812048Ross County (loan)2023–24Scottish Premiership2101040202802024-25Scottish Premiership90001000100Total300105020380Aldershot Town2025–26National League36300—10373Career total241107010021127911
Honours AFC Wimbledon Football League Two play-offs: 2016
Individual AFC Wimbledon Player of the Year: 2018–19
References
External links Profile at the AFC Wimbledon website