James Robert Perch (born 28 September 1985) is an English former professional footballer. Perch was versatile and covered many positions in both defence and across midfield. However, he was usually deployed at right back.
Career Nottingham Forest Perch was born in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire and began his career at Nottingham Forest. He made 22 league appearances in his début season as Forest were relegated from the rebranded Football League Championship. His first professional goal came in the same season, scoring in the 63rd minute against Doncaster Rovers in the Third Round of the Football League Cup. After his first season, he signed a new contract to extend his stay a further 2 1/2 years. He made over 200 appearances for Forest (including 30 league appearances in the 2007/08 campaign when Forest were promoted back to the Championship) before moving to newly promoted Newcastle United.
Newcastle United On 5 July 2010, Perch signed for Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £1 million, on a four-year deal. Forest had rejected a transfer bid from Newcastle in January of the same year. He made his debut for Newcastle against Manchester United on 16 August 2010 in a 3–0 defeat. On 18 September 2010, he set a new Premier League record by being the first player ever to receive five yellow cards in his first five games in the league. His only goal for Newcastle came in a 4–3 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League. During his stay, Perch was nicknamed "Perchinho" due to the fans respect for his steady performances and versatility.
Wigan Athletic On 3 July 2013, Perch completed a move to recently relegated FA Cup holders Wigan Athletic, signing a four-year contract with the club. The transfer fee was undisclosed, but was estimated to be around £750,000. Perch made his league debut for Wigan on 3 August 2013, in a 4–0 away victory over Barnsley."Barnsley 0–4 Wigan" BBC Sport. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2014. He scored his first goal for the club on 9 March 2014, in a 2–1 win against Premier League Manchester City, helping holders Wigan to the semi-finals of the FA Cup for a consecutive season."Manchester City 1–2 Wigan" BBC Sport. 9 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
Queens Park Rangers On 31 July 2015, Perch signed for Championship side Queens Park Rangers on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. Perch made his competitive QPR debut in the first game of the 2015-16 Championship Season which resulted in a 2–0 defeat against Charlton Athletic, he played the whole game.
On 6 April 2018, it was announced that Perch would leave the club at the end of the 2017–18 season.
Scunthorpe United He joined Scunthorpe United in August 2018, signing a two-year contract.James Perch: Scunthorpe United sign former QPR midfielder BBC Sport. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
Mansfield Town Perch signed for his hometown club Mansfield Town in August 2020. He suffered a fractured skull in August 2021 that initially ruled him out of action for the 2021–22 season. Perch made a return to training quicker than expected in January 2022, and made his return to the starting line-up against Port Vale on 15 March.
Ilkeston Town On 8 September 2023, Perch signed for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Ilkeston Town.
On 3 January 2025, Perch announced his retirement from playing football.
International career In October 2012, he was approached by the Jamaica Football Federation, who wanted Perch to play for Jamaica during their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Perch is also eligible for Barbados through his father, who was born on the island.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsNottingham Forest2004–05Championship2203031—2812005–06League One3832000004032006–07League One4654000515562007–08League One3002010103402008–09Championship3733020—4232009–10Championship171200020211Total19012160618122014Newcastle United2010–11Premier League1301010—1502011–12Premier League2501020—2802012–13Premier League271101090381Total651304090811Wigan Athletic2013–14Championship4006100715322014–15Championship4131000—423Total813710071955Queens Park Rangers2015–16Championship3501010—3702016–17Championship3201020—3502017–18Championship700000—70Total7402030—790Scunthorpe United2018–19League One4121110204532019–20League Two301101040361Total713212060814Mansfield Town2020–21League Two3231010103532021–22League Two2010000302312022–23League Two380200040440Total9043010801024Ilkeston Town2023–24 Northern Premier League Premier Division27100—102812024–25 Northern Premier League Premier Division7010—0080Total341100010361Career total6052434216139269429
Honours Nottingham Forest Football League One runner-up: 2007–08
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