James Wilson joined Bristol Rovers in June 2023 on a two-year deal after leaving Plymouth Argyle.
Born in Newport, Wilson started his career at Bristol City and scored on his debut in a League Cup match against Crewe Alexandra in August 2008. The defender was then loaned out to Brentford for three months and made fourteen appearances in League Two. Even though he was only there briefly, he earned a medal as they went on to win the league.
The centre-back rejoined the Bees for the following campaign and played thirteen times in League One until the deal expired in January.
Wilson could not find a way into the Robins’ team on his return that term. He only made two appearances the season after, waiting until the 2011/12 campaign for regular involvement. The Welshman started fourteen times in the Championship and made 23 appearances across all competitions. However, he could not retain his place in the team and only played seven times the following campaign.
Wilson then went on a one-month loan to Cheltenham Town in September 2013 and made four appearances before leaving Bristol City permanently in January, moving to Oldham Athletic.
He was a consistent figure for the League One team, playing sixteen times that season before playing 84 league games across the next two campaigns.
His impressive performances earned him a move to Sheffield United in 2016, signing a two-year deal. He played the first six league games for the Blades in League One but was restricted to just one extra appearance for the rest of the campaign as his side won the title.
Wilson went out on loan to Walsall for the first half of the 2017/18 season before moving permanently to Lincoln City upon his departure from the Blades. The defender made ten league appearances for the Imps but missed their 2018 EFL Trophy final triumph over Shrewsbury Town as he was cup-tied.
The Newport-born defender saw his opportunities limited in the 2018/19 campaign after breaking his ankle against Cambridge United, with Lincoln winning the League Two trophy.
He left the club at the end of the campaign and spent two seasons at League One team Ipswich Town, winning the Player of the Season award in 2021 for his performances, but was released at the end of the campaign.
Wilson moved to Plymouth Argyle and was imperious in the defence, playing 41 league matches in his second season at the Pilgrims as they gained promotion from League One as champions.
The Welshman left at the end of the season and joined Bristol Rovers ahead of the 2023/24 season, starting 25 league fixtures in an injury-hit campaign.