Quick Facts
Biography
James Robert Baxendale (born 16 September 1992) is an English footballer who plays as an Attacking Midfielder for Mansfield Town.
Early life
Born in Thorne, South Yorkshire, Baxendale attended The McAuley Catholic High School in Doncaster.
Career
Early career
Baxendale came through the youth setup at Yorkshire rivals Leeds United and was a regular for the Under-18 side, however he failed to win a professional contract at Elland Road and was released at the end of the 2010–11 season. He signed a one-year contract for Football League Championship side Doncaster Rovers on 1 July 2011 on a free transfer. He made his professional debut on 9 August 2011, in the League Cup win over Tranmere Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium, coming on as a substitute for Ryan Mason. He made his league debut four days later against West Ham.
On 24 November 2011, he moved on loan to Northern Premier League side Buxton. Baxendale won Buxton's player of the month for December 2011 after a string of impressive displays. His loan spell at Buxton soon extended by 60 days, the maximum allowed under FA rules. In early March, Baxendale's loan spell at Buxton had soon ended.
On 22 March 2012, Hereford United then signed both Baxendale and James Chambers on loan from Doncaster Rovers. On 13 April 2012, Baxendale came onto replace Chambers against Barnet at Underhill to make his debut for the 'Bulls'. The game resulted in a 1–1 draw. In May 2012, Baxendale was released by the club after the expiry of his contract.
Walsall
On 2 August 2012, Baxendale signed a one-year contract with League One side Walsall and was given number 16. After appearing three match being un-used on the substitute bench, he finally made his debut, coming for Ashley Hemmings in a 2–2 draw against Brentford. Fourteen days later, Baxendale scored his first goal in a 2–1 win over Portsmouth; soon score his second and third goal in the first/second game against Preston, with both games was 3–1 victory home and away. Due to his impressive performance at Walsall, he signed an 18-month contract with Walsall in January 2013. After a full season at Walsall, Baxendale says he enjoyed every minutes and described this as his first real season.
On 1 August 2013, Baxendale's impressive form was rewarded when he signed a new three-year contract at Walsall. Shortly after, Baxendale scored the late winner, as he helped Walsall win the second time in the row, in a 2–1 win over Port Vale. He then scored his second goal of the season, in a 3–0 win over Crewe on 14 September 2013. However, despite making forty appearance in the 2013–14 season, Baxendale find himself in and out of the first team, citing "indifferent form and a niggling injury."
Mansfield Town
On 9 January 2016, Baxendale signed for Mansfield Town on a one-month loan. Baxendale scored on his debut against Stevenage, also gaining the man of the match award. He made his moved to Field Mill permanent on 1 February 2016.
Career statistics
- As of 9 January 2016
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Continental | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Doncaster Rovers | 2011–12 | Championship | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Hereford United (loan) | 2011–12 | League Two | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Walsall | 2012–13 | League One | 32 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 4 |
| 2013–14 | 40 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 3 | ||
| 2014–15 | 28 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 1 | ||
| 2015–16 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||
| Total | 103 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 122 | 8 | ||
| Mansfield Town (loan) | 2015–16 | League Two | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Career total | 107 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 127 | 9 | ||