 Knight-Percival playing forBradford City in 2016 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nathaniel Lawrence Knight-Percival[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1987-03-31)31 March 1987 (age 38)[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Enfield, England | ||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[2] | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Histon | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2010 | Histon | 186 | (29) |
| 2010–2012 | Wrexham | 77 | (8) |
| 2012–2014 | Peterborough United | 46 | (1) |
| 2014–2016 | Shrewsbury Town | 63 | (6) |
| 2016–2019 | Bradford City | 118 | (6) |
| 2019–2020 | Carlisle United | 15 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | Morecambe | 31 | (0) |
| 2021–2022 | Tranmere Rovers | 16 | (0) |
| 2022–2024 | Kidderminster Harriers | 39 | (1) |
| 2024 | →Tamworth (loan) | 5 | (2) |
| 2024–2025 | Southport | 37 | (1) |
| International career | |||
| 2009 | England C | 1 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 17:10, 16 May 2025 (UTC) | |||
Nathaniel Lawrence Knight-Percival (born 31 March 1987) is an English professionalfootballer who currently plays as adefender for Bamber Bridge Football Club.
He started his career atHiston, progressing through the youth ranks and eventually becoming a regular in the first team. He won two promotions during his six years with Histon, helping them to theSouthern League Premier Division title in 2004–05 and theConference South title in 2006–07. He was sold toConference Premier rivalsWrexham in April 2010; in doing so he resigned his position in a car factory to become a full-time professional footballer. He played in two unsuccessful play-off campaigns and was named in the 2011–12 Conference Premier Team of the Year. He moved into theFootball League by signing forPeterborough United in May 2012.
He overcame the three division gap to establish himself in the first-team at Peterborough, though the club were relegated out of theChampionship at the end of the 2012–13 season. He won theFootball League Trophy with Peterborough in2014. He joinedShrewsbury Town on a free transfer in May 2014 and was promoted out ofLeague Two at the end of the 2014–15 season. He was appointed as club captain in January 2016, though took a free transfer toBradford City in July 2016. He made 135 competitive appearances for Bradford over the course of three seasons, though was released following relegation out ofLeague One in May 2019. He spent the 2019–20 season withCarlisle United.
Knight-Percival was born inEnfield, London.[3] Having already spent his youth career atHiston, he debuted for the first team during the2004–05 season, in which he made 12 appearances in all competitions, five of which came in the league. Histon enjoyed a successful 2004–05 campaign and were crowned champions of theSouthern League Premier Division, resulting in promotion to theConference South.[4] He featured 42 times in the2005–06 campaign, helping the "Stutes" to reach the play-offs, though was an unused substitute in the play-off final defeat toSt Albans City.[5] Histon then went on to dominate the division in the2006–07 season, racking up 94 points to secure the Conference South title, with Knight-Percival contributing five goals from 28 games.[6]
He scored nine goals in 49 appearances in the2007–08 season, as Histon finished two places outside the play-off zone. Histon qualified for theFA Cup in2008–09, knocking outLeague One sidesSwindon Town andLeeds United in the opening two rounds with two 1–0 wins, before finally losing 2–1 toSwansea City.[7][8][9] ManagerSteve Fallon said that the win over Leeds "was a huge day for the whole village" and ten years on Knight-Percival recalled it as being "the best day of my career".[10] He went on to score ten goals from 50 matches as Histon posted athird-place finish in the Conference Premier, though they were beaten 2–1 on aggregate byTorquay United in the play-off semi-finals.[11] The2009–10 season ended with a disappointing 18th-place finish, though Knight-Percival added another seven goals from 45 games to leave his total tally atBridge Road at 226 appearances and 37 goals.
On 21 April 2010, Knight-Percival signed a pre-contract agreement at Wrexham for an undisclosed fee – believed to be around £5,000. He had worked in a car factory before joining the "Dragons", and had been keen to become a full-time professional footballer.[12][13] ManagerDean Saunders said his versatility was a key attraction with Wrexham looking to reduce their playing budget.[14] Knight-Percival scored four goals in 34 games in2010–11, helping Wrexham to the play-off semi-finals, where they lost out 5–1 on aggregate toLuton Town after losing the first leg at theRacecourse Ground 3–0.[15][16]
He was converted to play at centre-back byAndy Morrell during the2011–12 season. On 3 December, Wrexham knocked League One sideBrentford out of the second round of the FA Cup; Wrexham won 1–0 and Knight-Percival came close to scoring with an overhead kick.[17] They tookChampionship clubBrighton & Hove Albion to a replay in the next round, before losing on penalties.[18][19] Wrexham totalled 98 points in the league but had to settle for a place in the play-offs, and were once again beaten by Luton Town, losing 3–2 on aggregate.[20] He was named on that season's Conference Premier Team of the Year, alongside teammateMark Creighton.[21]
Knight-Percival moved into theFootball League when he signed a two-year deal withPeterborough United in May 2012, having already signed a pre-contract in January. In regards to the transfer, Knight-Percival said: "It's a massive step-up for me, but it's one I feel ready to take. Peterborough have a habit of finding players in the lower divisions who can perform much higher and hopefully I will be one of those."[22] He made his full debut for the "Posh" againstReading in the second round of the2012–13 League Cup; Reading won the match 3–2, and Knight-Percival scored anown goal in the 38th-minute after misjudging a cross fromDanny Guthrie.[23] He made his league debut on 18 September, starting in a 2–1 defeat toBristol City at theLondon Road Stadium.[24] He made 33 appearances throughout the2012–13 season, which ended in relegation out of the Championship with defeat toCrystal Palace on the final day.[25]
His first game of the2013–14 season was another second roundLeague Cup tie against Reading, which Peterborough won 6–0.[26] On 23 September, he received a red card againstMilton Keynes Dons in the 7th-minute, following an elbow onPatrick Bamford; Peterborough were reduced to nine men whenMark Little was also sent off in the 76th-minute, but they managed to hold on to win 2–1.[27] On 11 January, Knight-Percival scored his first goal for Peterborough in a 2–1 loss atSwindon Town.[28] He made 23 appearances in all competitions during the season, including in Peterborough's3–1 win overChesterfield in the final of theFootball League Trophy atWembley.[29] Just two days afterLeyton Orient defeated Peterborough in the second leg of theLeague One play-off semi-final,[30] Knight-Percival was among five players released by managerDarren Ferguson in May 2014.[31]
Knight-Percival joinedShrewsbury Town on a free transfer on 22 May 2014; the "Shrews" had just been relegated into League Two and new managerMicky Mellon signed a further 14 new players to reinvigorate the club.[32][33][34] He made his debut on the opening day of the2014–15 season, playing left-back in a 2–2 draw away atAFC Wimbledon,[35] and scored his first goal at theNew Meadow in a 3–1 victory overCheltenham Town on 11 October.[36] He was part of a strong back three defence, along withJermaine Grandison andConnor Goldson, who were both athletic ball-playing centre-backs.[34] However he was sent off for two bookings in a goalless draw away toLuton Town on 8 January,[37] and the following month suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury which ruled him out for the rest of the season.[38] Shrewsbury continued to pick up results in his absence though, and secured automatic promotion back into League One with a second-place finish.[34]
He returned to the squad ahead of schedule after the sale of Goldson toBrighton & Hove Albion, although he only featured sparingly as he concluded his rehabilitation.[39] After making his comeback in a Football League Trophy first-round match againstOldham Athletic,[40] he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 victory overSouthend United in September and picked up the nickname 'Rolls-Royce' for his assured performances.[41][42] After the departures ofLiam Lawrence andJames Collins in the January 2016 transfer window, he became Shrewsbury captain.[43] Town finished one place above the relegation zone and reached the fifth round of theFA Cup, overcoming Championship opposition inCardiff City andSheffield Wednesday, before bowing out of the competition with a 3–0 home defeat toPremier League giantsManchester United.[44][45][46]
Knight-Percival joinedBradford City on a free transfer on 1 July 2016,[47] after rejecting the offer of a new contract at Shrewsbury.[48] Initially seen as a squad player, his excellent form at the start of the2016–17 season made him a "prominent" and "influential" player in the "Bantams" promotion push, partnering withRomain Vincelot at centre-back.[49][50] Bradford qualified for the play-offs with a fifth-place finish, and Knight-Percival played in theplay-off final defeat toMillwall on 20 May.[51]
He said that managerStuart McCall's positivity in pre-season removed the disappointment of losing the play-off final.[52] He scored his first goal for Bradford on 5 August in a 2–1 win overBlackpool.[53] However he started the new season in poor form after being played on the right side of a centre-back two withMatthew Kilgallon.[54] He soon got used to the position however and put in some good performances, despite occasionally struggling with physical players such asRochdale'sCalvin Andrew.[55] He made a total of 46 appearances as Bradford ended the2017–18 season with an 11th-place finish under the stewardship ofSimon Grayson.
New managerDavid Hopkin implemented a 5–3–2 system for his first match in charge on 8 September 2018, and Knight-Percival was reported to have "had his best game for months".[56] He went on to feature 41 times in the2018–19 season, scoring three goals and picking up two red cards.[57] In May 2019, following Bradford City's relegation to League Two, new managerGary Bowyer named as Knight-Percival as of 11 players to be released upon the expiry of their contracts atValley Parade.[58]
On 4 July 2019, it was announced that Knight-Percival had signed forLeague Two sideCarlisle United on a one-year deal.[59] ManagerSteven Pressley said that "he's a player we've been pursuing for some time so it's been a slow burner".[60] However Knight-Percival failed to build a good understanding withByron Webster and featured just twice afterChris Beech replaced Pressley as "Blues" boss in November.[61] He was one of ten players released atBrunton Park in May 2020.[62]
On 3 August he signed forLeague Two clubMorecambe on a one-year deal.[63]
In June 2021, Knight-Percival signed forTranmere Rovers on a one-year contract.[64] He was released at the end of the2021–22 season.[65]
On 8 July 2022, Knight-Percival dropped down to theNational League North to joinKidderminster Harriers.[66]
On 27 March 2024, Knight-Percival joined National League North leadersTamworth on loan for the remainder of the season.[67]
On 30 May 2024, Knight-Percival signed forSouthport, joining officially on 1 July as the first summer signing forJim Bentley. He departed the club upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the2024–25 season.[68]
Knight-Percival was called up byPaul Fairclough for theEngland C for theirInternational Challenge Trophy fixture againstFinland U23 inHelsinki on 14 November 2007.[69] He won his one and only C team cap againstHungary U23 on 15 September 2009; the match finished as a 1–1 draw.
Knight-Percival spent the early part of his career as awinger, before converted into a left-sided centraldefender at Wrexham.[52]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other[a] | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Histon | 2004–05[4] | SFL Premier Division | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 3 |
| 2005–06[70] | Conference South | 32 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 42 | 3 | |
| 2006–07[71] | Conference South | 21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 28 | 5 | |
| 2007–08[72][73] | Conference Premier | 44 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 49 | 9 | |
| 2008–09[74][75] | Conference Premier | 41 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 50 | 10 | |
| 2009–10[76][77] | Conference Premier | 43 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 7 | |
| Total | 186 | 29 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 6 | 226 | 37 | ||
| Wrexham | 2010–11[78] | Conference Premier | 32 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 4 |
| 2011–12[79] | Conference Premier | 45 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 52 | 4 | |
| Total | 77 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 86 | 8 | ||
| Peterborough United | 2012–13[80] | Championship | 31 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 0 |
| 2013–14[81] | League One | 15 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 23 | 1 | |
| Total | 46 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 56 | 1 | ||
| Shrewsbury Town | 2014–15[82] | League Two | 28 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 1 |
| 2015–16[83] | League One | 35 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 5 | |
| Total | 63 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 77 | 6 | ||
| Bradford City | 2016–17[84] | League One | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 48 | 0 |
| 2017–18[85] | League One | 41 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 46 | 5 | |
| 2018–19[86] | League One | 35 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 41 | 3 | |
| Total | 118 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 135 | 8 | ||
| Carlisle United | 2019–20[87] | League Two | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| Morecambe | 2020–21[88] | League Two | 31 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6[b] | 1 | 40 | 1 |
| Tranmere Rovers | 2021–22[89] | League Two | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[c] | 0 | 21 | 0 |
| Kidderminster Harriers | 2022–23[90] | National League North | 26 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 | |
| 2023–24[90] | National League | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | ||
| Total | 39 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 1 | ||
| Southport | 2024-25 | National League North | 37 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 41 | 1 |
| Career total | 628 | 52 | 42 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 60 | 7 | 741 | 63 | ||
Histon
Peterborough United
Shrewsbury Town
Morecambe
Kidderminster Harriers
Individual
