Andrew Gordon Wilkinson (born 6 August 1984) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. Wilkinson joined Stoke City's academy from his local club Stone Dominoes and made his professional debut in October 2001. Since then Wilkinson has gradually worked his way into the first team and after four loan moves and a number of injury problems had restricted his career. He broke into the side during the 2007–08 season in which Stoke were promoted to the Premier League. He helped Stoke establish themselves in the top-flight in 2008–09 and 2009–10 and he played in the 2011 FA Cup Final which Stoke lost 1–0 to Manchester City. He played in the UEFA Europa League in 2011–12 as Stoke again finished in mid-table. He remained in the side in 2012–13 under Tony Pulis before Mark Hughes was appointed manager in May 2013 and Wilkinson became a fringe member of the squad. After failing to regain his place in the first team in 2014–15, Wilkinson joined Millwall on loan. He retired from football in February 2016 after struggling to recover from a serious head injury. Career Stoke City Wilkinson was born in Stone, Staffordshire, and is a graduate from Stoke City's youth academy. In 2001, he signed his first professional contract with the club. He made his Stoke City debut on 16 October 2001 in a Football League Trophy match against Blackpool, coming on as a 75th-minute substitute for Clive Clarke. His influence on the first-team may have been greater had it not have been for some unfortunate injuries which ruled him out for the entire 2002–03 season. He had to wait until the 2003–04 season to start playing again, starting the League Cup first-round tie against Rochdale. In November 2003 Wilkinson joined Conference National side Telford United on an initial one-month loan to gain first team experience. He was sent-off in a 0–0 draw with Shrewsbury in December 2003. Despite this Telford extended his loan to February however he was recalled by Stoke in January. Wilkinson returned to Stoke where he made three appearances in the Football League. These included his league debut against Walsall on 31 January as an 80th-minute substitute for Lewis Neal and his first league start in a 4–1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on 4 May. For the beginning of the 2004–05 season Wilkinson was loaned to Scottish Division One side Partick Thistle,