# Tom Knowles (footballer)

Thomas Andrew Knowles (born 27 September 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and forward for National League club Forest Green Rovers.
Having started his career at his hometown club Cambridge United, he has previously played on loan at St Neots Town, Cambridge City, St Ives Town, Hemel Hempstead Town and Kettering Town. Most recently, he spent two years with Yeovil Town before his move to Walsall.

## Career
### Cambridge United

Knowles graduated through the Cambridge United Shadow Scholars Academy to win a place in the club's youth-team in 2016. He was a part of the under-18 team that reached the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup in the 2016–17 season. On 4 February 2017, he joined Southern League Premier Division side St Neots Town on a one-month loan deal, along with "U's" teammate Fernando Bell-Toxtle. He made 12 appearances for the "Saints". He signed a six-month development contract with United at the end of the 2016–17 season, with Academy manager Mark Bonner commenting that Knowles had "taken ownership for his development and shown a willingness to learn and improve". On 3 August 2017, he joined Southern League Division One Central club Cambridge City on an initial one-month loan deal. He scored a hat-trick for the club in a 7–3 win over Arlesey Town on 23 October. Having scored ten goals in 28 appearances for the "Lilywhites", he was recalled by United manager Shaun Derry in order to sit on the bench in a league fixture against Notts County.
On 8 January 2018, he joined St Ives Town of the Southern League Premier Central on an initial 28-day youth loan. He signed a one-year contract extension with United the following month. He was recalled to Cambridge United by new manager Joe Dunne on 20 April after picking up several Man of the Match awards and scoring four goals during his 16 appearances for the "Saints". He made his first-team debut on the final day of the 2017–18 season, coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute for David Amoo in a 5–0 victory over Port Vale at the Abbey Stadium on 5 May.
On 31 August 2018, Knowles joined Dartford on an initial month's loan. After returning to Cambridge United later that season he scored his first goal for them in a 2-1 defeat to Morecambe on 27 April 2019.
He was offered a new contract by Cambridge United at the end of the 2018–19 season.
On 17 October 2019, Knowles signed for Chelmsford City on an initial one-month loan. On 3 March 2020, after previously having his loan deal extended until the end of the season, Knowles was recalled by Cambridge.

### Yeovil Town

On 30 November 2020, Knowles joined National League side Yeovil Town for an undisclosed fee signing a contract until the end of the 2021–22 season.

### Walsall

On 4 August 2022, Knowles signed for League Two side Walsall for an undisclosed fee.
Following the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, the club confirmed that they were in talks with Knowles regarding a new contract.

### Forest Green Rovers

On 5 June 2024, Knowles agreed to join Forest Green Rovers following their relegation to the National League.

## Career statistics

    As of match played 15 February 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Cambridge United | 2016–17 | League Two | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Cambridge United | 2017–18 | League Two | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Cambridge United | 2018–19 | League Two | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| Cambridge United | 2019–20 | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Cambridge United | 2020–21 | League Two | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Cambridge United | Total | Total | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 2 |
| St Neots Town (loan) | 2016–17 | SL Premier Division | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Cambridge City (loan) | 2017–18 | SL East Division | 21 | 9 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 3 | 0 | 28 | 10 |
| St Ives Town (loan) | 2017–18 | SL Premier Division | 15 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 16 | 4 |
| Dartford (loan) | 2018–19 | National League South | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Hemel Hempstead Town (loan) | 2018–19 | National League South | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 8 | 2 |
| Kettering Town (loan) | 2018–19 | SL Premier Division Central | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Royston Town (loan) | 2018–19 | SL Premier Division Central | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
| Chelmsford City (loan) | 2019–20 | National League South | 18 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 1 | 24 | 5 |
| Yeovil Town | 2020–21 | National League | 33 | 7 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 33 | 7 |
| Yeovil Town | 2021–22 | National League | 42 | 9 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 2 | 50 | 11 |
| Yeovil Town | Total | Total | 75 | 16 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 2 | 83 | 18 |
| Walsall | 2022–23 | League Two | 44 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 52 | 5 |
| Walsall | 2023–24 | League Two | 33 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 2 |
| Walsall | Total | Total | 77 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 92 | 7 |
| Forest Green Rovers | 2024–25 | National League | 30 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 | 36 | 2 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 269 | 46 | 20 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 30 | 6 | 324 | 54 |
* 1 2 3 4 Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
* 1 2 Appearance in Huntingdonshire Senior Cup
* ↑ Two appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance in Southern Football League Cup
* ↑ Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
* ↑ Four appearances and one goal in FA Trophy, two appearances in Essex Senior Cup
* ↑ Two appearances and one goal in FA Trophy, one appearance and one goal in Somerset Premier Cup
* ↑ Three appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance in National League Cup