# Tom Champion

Thomas Matthew Champion (born 15 May 1986) is an English former professional and semi-professional footballer who last played for Lewes.

## Career
### Early years

Born in London, Champion began his professional career with Barnet, after playing for Watford's youth setup. In February 2005, he joined Wealdstone on loan for a month. Champion subsequently returned to the Bees, and joined Bishop's Stortford in July.

### Dartford

In the 2010 summer, after appearing regularly with Bishop's Stortford (and with a short stint at Braintree Town), Champion joined Dartford. He featured regularly for the side, also being an ever-present figure during the promotion campaign to the Conference Premier, featuring in 39 matches.

### Cambridge United

On 8 May 2013 Champion joined Cambridge United, alongside Dartford teammate Tom Bonner. He appeared in all league matches during the season, helping the club return to League Two. On 8 August 2014 Champion played in Cambridge's first match back in League Two, starting in a 1–0 home win against Plymouth Argyle.

### Barnet

Champion rejoined Barnet on a two-year deal in May 2015. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win during an FA Cup first round tie against Blackpool. Champion was made available for a free transfer at the end of the 2015–16 season, and joined Lincoln City on a 93-day loan on 12 September 2016. A month later his loan was cancelled early by mutual consent. Champion was released by the Bees at the end of the 2016–17 season. In total, he played 57 times, scoring two goals.

### Boreham Wood

Champion joined Boreham Wood on a one-year deal in June 2017.

### Woking

On 8 June 2021, Champion joined fellow National League side, Woking on a one-year deal. On 21 August 2021, Champion made his Woking debut during their 2–1 away victory over Wealdstone, replacing Max Kretzschmar in the 74th minute. He went onto feature thirty-eight times in all competitions before leaving at the end of his contract in July 2022.

### Lewes

On 8 August 2022, it was announced that Champion had joined Lewes ahead of the 2022–23 campaign. He announced his retirement from football after the 22/23 season on April 6, 2023, and played his final game on April 22, in a 3-1 win against Canvey Island.

## Career statistics

    As of match played 7 May 2022
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Dartford | 2010–11 | Conference South | 36 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 42 | 3 |
| Dartford | 2011–12 | Conference South | 36 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | 44 | 2 |
| Dartford | 2012–13 | Conference Premier | 42 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | 51 | 1 |
| Dartford | Total | Total | 114 | 5 | 7 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 1 | 137 | 6 |
| Cambridge United | 2013–14 | Conference Premier | 43 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 9 | 0 | 56 | 1 |
| Cambridge United | 2014–15 | League Two | 38 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 0 |
| Cambridge United | Total | Total | 81 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 102 | 1 |
| Barnet | 2015–16 | League Two | 26 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 1 |
| Barnet | 2016–17 | League Two | 26 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 |
| Barnet | Total | Total | 52 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 57 | 2 |
| Lincoln City (loan) | 2016–17 | National League | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Boreham Wood | 2017–18 | National League | 42 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | 52 | 1 |
| Boreham Wood | 2018–19 | National League | 44 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 48 | 1 |
| Boreham Wood | 2019–20 | National League | 34 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | 38 | 1 |
| Boreham Wood | 2020–21 | National League | 26 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 29 | 1 |
| Boreham Wood | Total | Total | 146 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 167 | 4 |
| Woking | 2021–22 | National League | 36 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 38 | 0 |
| Lewes | 2022–23 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 434 | 11 | 29 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 40 | 1 | 506 | 13 |
* 1 2 3 4 Appearances in FA Trophy
* ↑ Four appearances in FA Trophy, three in Conference South play-offs
* ↑ Six appearances in FA Trophy, three in Conference Premier play-offs
* 1 2 Appearances in Football League Trophy
* ↑ Four appearances in FA Trophy, three in National League play-offs
* ↑ One appearance in FA Trophy, two in National League play-offs

## Honours

Cambridge United
* FA Trophy: 2013–14