Will Aimson Backgrounder

WILL Aimson is only just 25 but he has already experienced more than a few twists and turns, and plenty of miles, in his sporting life.

Indeed, fate played a part in the defender's career well before he was even born.

In 1973, Will’s late grandfather Paul was on his way to sign for a club from York City – where he was a crowd favourite after two productive spells for the Minster Men – when he was told that Bournemouth had come in for him.

Manchester-born former City central defender-turned-striker Paul and his family diverted for Hampshire, where they settled and where, many years later, a young Will became something of a star on the local sporting scene.

More than adept at tennis and golf – he had a category one handicap – Will opted for a career in football and was quickly noted by scouts representing, not only Bournemouth, but also Chelsea, Southampton and Hull City.

After joining the youth set-up at local Conference South club Eastleigh, he trialled for Hull and then, at 18, signed a one-year scholarship with the Tigers.

He made his EFL debut on loan at Tranmere Rovers in November 2014 but, a week later, broke the tibia and fibula in his right leg in a collision with team-mate Danny Holmes during a game against Portsmouth.

That injury put him out of the game for a year, his absence ending with another loan, to Blackpool, for who he played 69 times in two and a half seasons, including against Exeter City at Wembley in the Seasiders’ 2016-17 League Two play-off final victory.

After a season in League One, he was signed by current Argyle manager Ryan Lowe for Bury 12 months ago.

The Gigg Lane move saw him follow in the studmarks of his grandfather, who scored 11 goals in 31 league appearances for the Shakers in the mid-1960s: 51 seasons later, for the same club, Will played six more games, but scored seven fewer goals.