{{short description|English footballer (born 1988)}} {{use British English|date=July 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = James Dayton | image = | fullname = James Francis Dayton<ref name="Hugman2009-10">{{Cite book | editor-first = Barry J. | editor-last = Hugman | title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10 | year = 2009 | publisher = Mainstream Publishing | isbn = 978-1-84596-474-0}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|12|12|df=y}}<ref name="Hugman2009-10"/> | birth_place = Enfield, England | height = {{height|ft=5|in=8}}<ref name="Hugman2009-10"/> | position = Winger | currentclub = | youthyears1 = 1999–2007 | youthclubs1 = Crystal Palace | years1 = 2007–2009 | clubs1 = Crystal Palace | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2008 | clubs2 = → Yeovil Town (loan) | caps2 = 2 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2008 | clubs3 = → Crawley Town (loan) | caps3 = 3 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2010–2013 | clubs4 = Kilmarnock | caps4 = 65 | goals4 = 6 | years5 = 2013–2015 | clubs5 = Oldham Athletic | caps5 = 51 | goals5 = 4 | years6 = 2015 | clubs6 = → St Mirren (loan) | caps6 = 13 | goals6 = 1 | years7 = 2015 | clubs7 = Swindon Town | caps7 = 0 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2015–2017 | clubs8 = Cheltenham Town | caps8 = 50 | goals8 = 5 | years9 = 2017–2021 | clubs9 = Leyton Orient | caps9 = 80 | goals9 = 5 | years10= 2021–2022 | clubs10= Dulwich Hamlet | caps10= 25 | goals10= 0 | years11= 2022–2023 | clubs11= Enfield Town | caps11= 19 | goals11= 0 | totalcaps = 308 | totalgoals = 21 }} '''James Francis Dayton''' (born 12 December 1988) is an English former professional footballer who played as a winger.
==Career== Dayton was released by Crystal Palace on 6 May 2009, after being at the club since the age of 10.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11706_5288834,00.html|title=Palace offer Kuqi new deal|access-date=31 October 2017}}</ref> During his time at Palace he went on two loan spells, both in 2008, to Yeovil Town and Crawley Town.
In November 2009, he accepted an invitation to join the Glenn Hoddle Academy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glennhoddleacademy.com/james_dayton_joins_gha.html|title=Glennhoddleacademy.com}}</ref>
He signed for Kilmarnock on a three-year deal in August 2010 after a successful trial period. He suffered a cruciate ligament injury which ruled him out for most of the season after a promising start. He also scored a contender for goal of the season during the same match in which he received the knee injury.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/8905799.stm |title=Winger James Dayton wins Kilmarnock contract |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2010 |access-date=12 August 2010 }}</ref> However, he returned to first team action in the 1–1 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the SPL on 9 April 2011 and went on to appear in the remaining games of the 2010–11 season. Concluding the season with a consolation goal from a free-kick in the 5–1 defeat to Rangers on 15 May 2011.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/9484609.stm | publisher=BBC News | first=Colin | last=Moffat | title=Kilmarnock 1-5 Rangers | date=15 May 2011}}</ref>
In another good start to the 2011–12 season, Dayton picked up the man of the match award in a game against Hibernian, scoring from a free-kick.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/14435057.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=Kilmarnock 4-1 Hibernian | date=14 August 2011}}</ref>
In December 2011, Dayton picked up the Clydesdale Bank Sky Sports goal of the month award for his 35-yard strike against Dundee United on 17 December 2011 which was subsequently named SPL goal of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/scotland/18011582|title=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC Sport}}{{dead link|date=September 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
After rejecting a new three-year contract at Kilmarnock, rendering him a free-agent, Dayton joined Oldham Athletic on 20 May 2013 signing a two-year contract, therefore reuniting with former teammate turned Oldham Athletic manager Lee Johnson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/article/20130520-daytonsigns-827644.aspx|title=Latics sign Dayton |publisher=Oldham Athletic AFC |access-date=20 May 2013}}</ref>
On 29 January 2015, Dayton joined St Mirren on a loan deal until the end of season 2014–15.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saintmirren.net/pages/?p=40440 |title=James Dayton – Loan Signing |publisher=Official St Mirren website |access-date=29 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129233055/http://www.saintmirren.net/pages/?p=40440 |archive-date=29 January 2015 }}</ref> Dayton scored after six minutes on his debut for Saints, in a 1–0 victory at Partick Thistle on 30 January 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30939998|title=Partick Thistle 0–1 St Mirren|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=30 January 2015}}</ref>
After completing his loan spell at St Mirren,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saintmirren.net/pages/?p=43710 |title=Manager's Report- 29/05/2015 |publisher=St Mirren Official website |access-date=29 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530005855/http://www.saintmirren.net/pages/?p=43710 |archive-date=30 May 2015 }}</ref> Dayton became a free agent after Oldham Athletic announced that he had been released by the club.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32697719|title=Oldham Athletic: Latics announce release of two players|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref>
Dayton made his Cheltenham debut on 24 October 2015, coming off the bench against Havant and Waterlooville.
Dayton signed for Leyton Orient on 1 August 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40789578 |title=Leyton Orient sign defender Jamie Sendles-White and midfielder James Dayton |date=1 August 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> He signed a new contract with the club in July 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48964726|title=Leyton Orient: James Dayton signs new deal, James Alabi taken off transfer list|date=12 July 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>
After being released by Orient after the 2020–21 season, Dayton signed for National League South side Dulwich Hamlet.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://the72.co.uk/245234/dulwich-hamlet-sign-james-dayton-after-leyton-orient-release/|title=Dulwich Hamlet sign James Dayton after Leyton Orient release|date=15 August 2021|publisher=The 72}}</ref> He made his debut against Chippenham Town on 14 August 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dulwichhamlet/news/match-report-chippenham-town-h-140821-2639723.html |title=Match Report Chippenham Town (H)|date=14 August 2021|publisher=Pitchers/Dulwich Hamlet}}</ref>
In July 2022 Dayton signed for Enfield Town of the Isthmian League Premier Division.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.isthmian.co.uk/a-towners-duo-71297 |title=Isthmian League news|date=2 July 2011|publisher=Isthmian League}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan=2|Club !rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National cup{{efn|Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup}} !colspan=2|League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup}} !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=3|Crystal Palace |2007–08<ref name=sb0708>{{soccerbase season|46668|2007|access-date=23 February 2025 }}</ref> |Championship |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2008–09<ref name=sb0809>{{soccerbase season|46668|2008|access-date=23 February 2025 }}</ref> |Championship |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |Yeovil Town (loan) |2008–09<ref name=sb0809/> |League One |2||0||0||0||1||0||1{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy}}||0||4||0 |- |Crawley Town (loan) |2008–09<ref name=Soccerway>{{cite web |title=J. Dayton: Summary |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/james-dayton/57684/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=23 February 2025 }}</ref> |Conference Premier |3||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||3||0 |- |rowspan=4|Kilmarnock |2010–11<ref name=sb1011>{{soccerbase season|46668|2010|access-date=23 February 2025 }}</ref> |Scottish Premier League |10||2||0||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||11||2 |- |2011–12<ref name=sb1112>{{soccerbase season|46668|2011|access-date=23 February 2025 }}</ref> |Scottish Premier League |28||3||2||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||32||3 |- |2012–13<ref name=sb1213>{{soccerbase season|46668|2012|access-date=23 February 2025 }}</ref> |Scottish Premier League |27||1||3||1||1||0||colspan=2|—||31||2 |- !colspan=2|Total !65||6||5||1||4||0||colspan=2|—||74||7 |- |rowspan=3|Oldham Athletic |2013–14<ref name=sb1314>{{soccerbase season|46668|2013|access-date=23 February 2025 }}</ref> |League One |34||3||4||0||1||0||2{{efn|name=FLT}}||1||41||4 |- |2014–15<ref name=sb1415>{{soccerbase season|46668|2014|access-date=23 February 2025 }}</ref> |League One |17||1||1||0||1||0||3{{efn|name=FLT}}||0||26||1 |- !colspan=2|Total !51||4||5||0||2||0||5||1||63||5 |- |St Mirren (loan) |2014–15<ref name=sb1415/> |Scottish Premiership |13||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||13||1 |- |Swindon Town |2015–16<ref name=sb1516>{{soccerbase season|46668|2015|access-date=23 February 2025 }}</ref> |League One |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |rowspan=3|Cheltenham Town |2015–16<ref name=Soccerway/> |National League |22||2||2||0||colspan=2|—||2{{efn|name=FAT|Appearances in FA Trophy}}||0||26||2 |- |2016–17<ref name=sb1617>{{soccerbase season|46668|2016|access-date=23 February 2025 }}</ref> |League Two |28||3||3||0||1||0||4{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearances in EFL Trophy}}||0||36||3 |- !colspan=2|Total !50||5||5||0||1||0||6||0||62||5 |- |rowspan=5|Leyton Orient |2017–18<ref name=Soccerway/> |National League |28||2||3||1||colspan=2|—||1{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||32||3 |- |2018–19<ref name=Soccerway/> |National League |29||2||0||0||colspan=2|—||1{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||29||2 |- |2019–20<ref name=sb1920>{{soccerbase season|46668|2019|access-date=23 February 2025 }}</ref> |League Two |11||1||1||1||0||0||3{{efn|name=EFLT}}||0||15||2 |- |2020–21<ref name=sb2021>{{soccerbase season|46668|2020|access-date=23 February 2025 }}</ref> |League Two |12||0||1||0||2||0||4{{efn|name=EFLT}}||0||19||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !80||5||5||2||2||0||9||0||96||7 |- |Dulwich Hamlet |2021–22<ref name=Soccerway/> |National League South |25||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||1{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||27||0 |- |Enfield Town |2022–23<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/enfield-town/appearances/2022-2023/james-dayton/42616 |title=Enfield Town — Appearances — James Dayton — 2022–2023 |work=Football Web Pages |access-date=23 February 2025 }}</ref> |Isthmian League<br />Premier Division |19||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||5{{efn|One appearance in FA Trophy, one appearance in Alan Turvey Trophy, three appearances in Middlesex Senior Cup}}||0||25||0 |- !colspan=3|Career total !308||21||22||3||10||0||27||1||367||25 |}
{{notelist}}
==Honours== ===Club=== ;Cheltenham Town *National League: 2015–16<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/36065126|title = Cheltenham players mobbed by fans|publisher = BBC Sport}}</ref>
;Leyton Orient *National League: 2018–19<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=1647 |title=National League: 2018/19: Current table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=6 May 2019}}<br />{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/leyton-orient-fc/744/squad/ |title=Leyton Orient FC: Squad |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dayton, James}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Enfield Category:People from Enfield, London Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football wingers Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players Category:Yeovil Town F.C. players Category:Crawley Town F.C. players Category:Kilmarnock F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:National League (English football) players Category:Scottish Premier League players Category:Bishop's Stortford F.C. players Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players Category:St Mirren F.C. players Category:Cheltenham Town F.C. players Category:Leyton Orient F.C. players Category:Dulwich Hamlet F.C. players Category:Enfield Town F.C. players Category:Scottish Professional Football League players Category:Isthmian League players Category:21st-century English sportsmen