1. Early life and youth career
Alfie McCalmont was born on 25 March 2000 in Thirsk, England. He attended Thirsk School and Sixth Form College and began his footballing journey in the youth academy of Leeds United. His early development at the club prepared him for a professional career, showcasing his potential as a central midfielder.
2. Club career
Alfie McCalmont's club career began at Leeds United, where he progressed through their highly regarded youth system. He later gained valuable first-team experience through several loan spells before making permanent moves to Carlisle United and then Central Coast Mariners.
2.1. Leeds United
McCalmont signed his first professional contract extension with Leeds United on 22 January 2019, securing his place at the club until the summer of 2021. During the 2018-19 season, he was a regular fixture for Carlos Corberán's Leeds United under 23s squad. This team achieved significant success, winning the PDL Northern League title and subsequently becoming the national Professional Development League Champions by defeating Birmingham City in the final.
For the 2019-20 season, McCalmont featured in the first pre-season friendly against York City, which Leeds won 5-0 on 10 July. He was also included in the first-team travelling squad for Leeds' opening EFL Championship match against Bristol City on 4 August, though he was not part of the final 18-man lineup, he was allocated the number 38 shirt for the season. His first-team debut came on 13 August 2019 under head coach Marcelo Bielsa in an EFL Cup match against Salford City, where he came on as a substitute for Jack Clarke in the 70th minute. McCalmont made his first start for Leeds on 27 August 2019, also in the EFL Cup, against Stoke City. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Leeds losing 4-5 on penalties.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic pause, the English professional football season resumed in June 2020. McCalmont was part of the Leeds squad that secured promotion to the Premier League and claimed the EFL Championship title for the 2019-20 season in July. Despite not featuring in a league game, his inclusion in enough matchday squads qualified him for a league winners' medal. In August 2020, McCalmont signed a new four-year contract with Leeds United. He was named as an unused substitute by Marcelo Bielsa on 16 September 2020 in a Premier League EFL Cup match against Hull City, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
2.2. Loan spells
To further his development and gain regular playing time, Alfie McCalmont embarked on several loan spells. On 25 September 2020, he joined Oldham Athletic on a season-long loan. While at Oldham, he scored his first professional goals on 10 November 2020, netting twice in an EFL Trophy group game against Bradford City. His impressive performances for Oldham Athletic, which included 8 goals and 5 assists in League Two, led to a recall to the Northern Irish national team.
In July 2021, McCalmont moved to Morecambe on loan for the entire 2021-22 season. Later, on 9 January 2023, he joined Carlisle United on a loan deal that lasted until the end of the season.
2.3. Carlisle United
Following a successful loan period, Alfie McCalmont made his move to Carlisle United permanent on 27 June 2023 for an undisclosed fee. His time at Carlisle was marked by a significant achievement: contributing to the club's victory in the 2023 EFL League Two play-offs, securing promotion to EFL League One.
2.4. Central Coast Mariners
On 12 July 2024, McCalmont transitioned to Australian football, joining A-League Men club Central Coast Mariners. This move saw him reunite with former Leeds Academy coaches Mark Jackson and Danny Schofield, who were managing the Mariners, and also with former Carlisle teammate Ryan Edmondson. McCalmont made his debut for the club on 7 August 2024, featuring in a 2024 Australia Cup round of 32 tie against Heidelberg United. He scored his first goal for the Central Coast Mariners on 28 December 2024 in a home match against Auckland FC.
3. International career
Alfie McCalmont has represented Northern Ireland at various international youth levels, progressing up to the U21 squad. His performances caught the attention of the senior national team, leading to his first call-up in 2019 for a summer training camp.
He made his senior debut for the Northern Ireland national team on 5 September 2019, coming on as a 60th-minute substitute for George Saville in a 1-0 victory against Luxembourg. After impressing during his loan spell at Oldham Athletic with 8 goals and 5 assists in League Two, he was recalled to the Northern Irish national team in June 2021 for matches against Malta and Ukraine. McCalmont made his competitive senior international debut on 2 September 2021, entering as an 82nd-minute substitute for Jordan Thompson in a 1-4 win against Lithuania during FIFA World Cup European Qualifying.
4. Style of play
Alfie McCalmont primarily plays as a defensive midfielder, often operating as a deep-lying central midfielder. He is recognized for his attributes as a playmaking midfielder, known for his proficient passing and excellent ability on the ball, which allows him to dictate the tempo and direction of play. According to assessments of his style, McCalmont possesses "excellent technique," is "tenacious in the tackle," and demonstrates "an eye for a pass."
5. Career statistics
5.1. Club
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Leeds United | 2019-20 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2020-21 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2021-22 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2022-23 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Leeds United U21 | 2022-23 | - | - | - | 2 (Appearances in EFL Trophy) | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Oldham Athletic (loan) | 2020-21 | League Two | 32 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 (Appearances in EFL Trophy) | 2 | 36 | 10 |
| Morecambe (loan) | 2021-22 | League One | 26 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 (Appearances in EFL Trophy) | 0 | 31 | 1 |
| Carlisle United (loan) | 2022-23 | League Two | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 (Appearances in the play-offs) | 0 | 19 | 2 |
| Carlisle United | 2023-24 | League One | 30 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 34 | 2 |
| Central Coast Mariners | 2023-24 | A-League Men | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 104 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 124 | 15 | ||
5.2. International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 2019 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 4 | 0 | |
6. Honours
Leeds United
- EFL Championship: 2019-20
Carlisle United
- EFL League Two play-offs: 2023