Nick Haughton

For the Army General, see Nick Houghton.

Nicholas George Haughton (born 20 September 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National League club Forest Green Rovers.

Nick Haughton

Personal information
Full name	Nicholas George Haughton[1]
Date of birth	(1994-09-20) 20 September 1994 (age 31)
Place of birth	Urmston, England
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Forest Green Rovers
Youth career
0000–2013	Bolton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2013	Curzon Ashton	2	(0)
2013	Trafford
2013–2014	Runcorn Town	16	(3)
2014–2018	Fleetwood Town	40	(1)
2014	→ Nantwich Town (loan)
2016	→ Salford City (loan)	3	(1)
2017	→ Salford City (loan)	13	(2)
2017	→ Chorley (loan)	17	(7)
2018	Salford City	23	(3)
2018–2025	AFC Fylde	240	(99)
2025–	Forest Green Rovers	0	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20:16, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

Career

After being released from Bolton Wanderers, Haughton joined Curzon Ashton FC. Haughton then went on to shine for Trafford FC's scholars which earned him a call up for England Schools. He subsequently began his playing career in the North West Counties League with Runcorn Town.^[3] After a trial at Middlesbrough FC, He joined Fleetwood Town in February 2014 following a trial, and was immediately loaned out to Nantwich Town of the Northern Premier League.^[3] He signed a new contract with Fleetwood in September 2014 to keep him tied to the club until 2017.^[4] He made his debut for the "Cod Army" in the Football League on 4 October 2014, coming on for Antoni Sarcevic 68 minutes into a 1–0 win over Port Vale at Highbury Stadium.

In November 2016 he went out on loan to Salford City.^[5]

In January 2018 he joined Salford City on a permanent contract on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

In late October 2018 he moved to AFC Fylde.^[6] The 2022–23 season saw Fylde promoted as National League North Champions^[7] with Haughton finishing the season as the division's top goalscorer, winning the Player of the Season award.^[8] On 22 May 2023, Haughton signed a two-year deal with Fylde, with the option of a further year.^[9]

On 6 August 2025, Haughton returned to the National League following AFC Fylde's relegation, joining Forest Green Rovers for an undisclosed fee.^[10][11]

Personal life

Haughton is currently dating former New Zealand international Laura Merrin.^{[citation needed]}

Career statistics

As of end of 2024–25 season

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Fleetwood Town	2014–15[12]	League One	22	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	22	1
	2015–16[13]	League One	18	0	1	0	0	0	5[a]	0	24	0
	2016–17[14]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2017–18[15]	League One	0	0	—		0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		40	1	1	0	0	0	5	0	46	1
Salford City (loan)	2016–17[2][16]	National League North	16	3	—		—		3[b]	0	19	3
Chorley (loan)	2017–18[2][17]	National League North	17	7	4	4	—		2[c]	0	23	11
Salford City	2017–18[2]	National League North	15	3	—		—		—		15	3
	2018–19[2]	National League	8	0	0	0	—		—		8	0
	Total		23	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	23	3
AFC Fylde	2018–19[2]	National League	30	2	—		—		11[d]	2	41	4
	2019–20[2]	National League	28	2	3	1	—		3[c]	4	34	7
	2020–21[2][18]	National League North	11	6	4	2	—		0	0	15	8
	2021–22[2][19]	National League North	41	26	2	1	—		3[b]	0	46	27
	2022–23[2][20]	National League North	42	26	7	7	—		2[c]	1	51	34
	2023–24[2]	National League	43	18	2	0	—		2[c]	0	47	18
	2024–25[2]	National League	45	19	1	0	—		1[c]	1	47	20
	Total		240	99	19	11	0	0	22	8	281	118
Career total			336	113	24	15	0	0	32	8	392	136

1. Appearance(s) in the Football League Trophy
2. Two appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance in National League North play-offs
3. Appearances in FA Trophy
4. Eight appearances and two goals in FA Trophy, three appearances in National League play-offs

Honours

AFC Fylde

• National League North: 2022–23^[7]
• FA Trophy: 2018–19^[21]

Individual

• National League North Player of the Month: August/September 2021,^[22] September 2022^[23]
• National League North Player of the Year: 2022–23^[8]
• National League North Team of the Season: 2021–22, 2022–23^[8]
• National League Team of the Season: 2024–25^[24]