Seb Palmer-Houlden

Seb Palmer-Houlden
Palmer-Houlden in 2024
Personal information
Full name Sebastian Palmer-Houlden
Date of birth (2003-11-14) 14 November 2003
Place of birth Bristol, England
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Gillingham
Youth career
–2022 Bristol City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2025 Bristol City 0 (0)
2022Chippenham Town (loan) 5 (0)
2023Yeovil Town (loan) 3 (0)
2023–2024Newport County (loan) 34 (7)
2024–2025Dundee (loan) 33 (5)
2025– Gillingham 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:27, 21 May 2025 (UTC)

Sebastian Palmer-Houlden (born 14 November 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League Two club Gillingham He was previously on the books of Bristol City and played on loan for Chippenham Town, Yeovil Town, Newport County, and Dundee.

Early life

His time as a child was split between his mother, Gayle, in Knowle, Bristol and his father Simon in Bath. He started playing with Bath City youth teams when he was seven and was briefly playing with Bristol Rovers before he was scouted by Bristol City.[1] He attended Wellsway School.[2]

Career

Bristol City

Palmer-Houlden started playing for Bristol City age group teams at eight years-old. He signed a professional contract with the club in May 2022.[3]

He spent some time on loan with Chippenham Town at the start of the 2022–23 season. In September 2022, his contract with Bristol City was extended into 2024.[4] He spent time during 2023 on loan at Yeovil Town.[5]

In July 2023, Palmer-Holden was included in the Bristol City first-team squad on a pre-season training camp in Austria.[6] His contract with the club was extended by twelve months.[7]

In July 2023 Palmer-Houlden joined Newport County of EFL League Two on a season-long loan.[8] He made his league debut on 5 August 2023 in the starting line-up for Newport against Accrington Stanley.[9] Palmer-Houlden scored his first goal for Newport on 8 August 2023 in the 3–1 EFL Cup First Round win against Charlton Athletic.[10] In early September 2023 he was ruled out for three months with a hamstring injury.[11] In February 2024, having scored seven goals in 28 appearances in all competitions for Newport, he signed a new contract with Bristol City keeping him at the club until 2027.[12] In April 2024 Palmer-Houlden was selected as Newport County Young Player of the Year.[13]

Dundee (loan)

On 21 June 2024, Palmer-Houlden joined Scottish Premiership club Dundee on a season-long loan deal.[14] Palmer-Houlden made his competitive debut for the "Dark Blues" on 16 July, coming on as a substitute in an away win over Arbroath in the Scottish League Cup.[15] He opened his scoring account the following week with a goal over Annan Athletic.[16] Four days later, Palmer-Houlden followed that first goal up with a brace in a 6–0 defeat of Inverness Caledonian Thistle.[17] Palmer-Houlden scored his first league goal for the Dee in their league opener in the Dundee derby against local rivals Dundee United.[18] After suffering a knee injury away to Ross County in February 2025 which was initially feared to be significant, Palmer-Houlden returned to the pitch on 5 April as a substitute in a home win over St Mirren.[19][20] After helping the "Dee" avoid relegation, Palmer-Houlden returned to Bristol at the end of the season.[21]

Gillingham

On 23 May 2025, Palmer-Houlden agreed to join League Two side Gillingham on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, joining on 1 June when the transfer window opened.[22]

Career statistics

As of match played 18 May 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Bristol City 2022–23[23] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023–24[24] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024–25[25] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Chippenham Town (loan) 2022–23[26] National League South 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Yeovil Town (loan) 2022–23[26] National League 3 0 3 0
Newport County (loan) 2023–24[24] League Two 32 7 5 1 2 1 1[c] 0 40 9
Dundee (loan) 2024–25[25] Scottish Premiership 33 5 1 0 5 4 39 9
Career total 73 12 6 1 7 5 1 0 87 18
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup
  3. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy

References

  1. ^ Piercy, James (28 January 2024). "Seb Palmer-Houlden: Bristol City talent on Man United, conquering fears and his 'weird journey". Bristol Post. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Ammonite 1031 - 13th May 2022" (PDF). Wellswayschool.com. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  3. ^ "NEW PRO DEALS FOR ACADEMY STARS". bcfc.co.uk. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  4. ^ Forrester, Richard (1 September 2022). "Bristol City confirm two top talents sign new deals with the club until 2024 on deadline day". Bristol Post. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  5. ^ Barrett, Ben (14 March 2023). "OWERS AND PALMER-HOULDEN RETURN TO BRISTOL CITY". Gloverscast. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  6. ^ Piercy, James (3 July 2023). "Bristol City leave defensive duo at home as Nigel Pearson takes 11 U21 talents to Austria". Bristol Post. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  7. ^ Piercy, James. "Bristol City headlines: Gary Johnson to the rescue while striker signs Robins contract extension". Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  8. ^ Piercy, James (21 July 2023). "Bristol City loan talented strike duo to Newport County and Yeovil Town". Bristol Post. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  9. ^ "ACCRINGTON STANLEY VS. NEWPORT COUNTY". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  10. ^ Palmer-Houlden first Newport goal
  11. ^ Palmer-Houlden injured
  12. ^ "Palmer-Houlden signs new Bristol City deal". BBC Sport. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  13. ^ Townsend player of the year
  14. ^ "Palmer-Houlden is a Dee". Dundee Football Club - Official Website. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  15. ^ "Arbroath vs Dundee: League Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Dundee vs Annan Athletic: League Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Premier Sports Cup Results | SPFL". spfl.co.uk. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Dundee United vs Dundee: Scottish Premiership". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  19. ^ Cran, George (28 February 2025). "'Great news' for Dundee on Seb Palmer-Houlden knee injury as worst fears lifted". The Courier. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  20. ^ "Dundee vs St Mirren: Scottish Premiership report, reaction & stats". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  21. ^ "Loan departures". Dundee Football Club - Official Website. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  22. ^ "Gills capture the signing of Seb Palmer-Houlden". www.gillinghamfootballclub.com. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  23. ^ "Games played by Seb Palmer-Houlden in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  24. ^ a b "Games played by Seb Palmer-Houlden in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  25. ^ a b "Games played by Seb Palmer-Houlden in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  26. ^ a b "S. Palmer-Houlden: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 7 August 2023.