Jay Gregory Maison Bird (born 6 May 2001)[1] is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for EFL League One club Exeter City.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jay Gregory Maison Bird | ||
| Date of birth | 6 May 2001[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Milton Keynes, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.86 m)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Exeter City | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2008–2019 | Milton Keynes Dons | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019–2022 | Milton Keynes Dons | 2 | (0) |
| 2019 | → Hitchin Town (loan) | 11 | (1) |
| 2019 | → Hitchin Town (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2021–2022 | → Wealdstone (loan) | 8 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | Dagenham and Redbridge | 13 | (2) |
| 2023–2024 | Arbroath | 33 | (6) |
| 2024– | Exeter City | 0 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:00, 31 May 2024 (UTC) | |||
Club career
Milton Keynes Dons
Born in Milton Keynes, Bird joined the academy of Milton Keynes Dons at the age of eight,[3] and progressed through several age groups before signing professional terms with the club on 25 June 2019.[3] In August 2019 he joined Southern Premier Central club Hitchin Town on loan for the 2019–20 campaign,[4] but after only two matches a serious injury resulted in Bird being ruled out for the rest of the season.[5]
On 6 October 2020, Bird made his first team professional debut for the club, scoring twice in a 3–2 EFL Trophy group stage away victory over Stevenage.[6] The following 2021–22 season saw limited first team opportunities for Bird, with the player spending the first half of the season out on loan to National League club Wealdstone.[7] At the end of the season Bird was one of six players released by MK Dons.[8]
Dagenham & Redbridge
On 19 November 2022, Bird signed for National League club Dagenham & Redbridge on a non-contract basis.[9] Bird made his debut that same day off the bench, scoring a late winner as his new side defeated Scunthorpe United.[10]
Arbroath
Bird signed a one-year contract with Arbroath in July 2023.[11] He departed the club at the end of his contract.
Exeter City
On 2 July 2024, Bird signed a one-year contract with EFL League One club Exeter City, with the option of a further year.[12]
Career statistics
- As of match played end of 2023-24 season
| Club | Season | League | National Cup[a] | League Cup[b] | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Milton Keynes Dons | 2017–18[2] | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018–19[2] | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2019–20[13] | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2020–21[14] | League One | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[c] | 2 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2021–22[15] | League One | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 2[c] | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||
| Total | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | ||
| Hitchin Town (loan) | 2018–19[16] | SL Premier Division Central | 11 | 1 | — | — | 1[d] | 0 | 12 | 1 | ||
| 2019–20[17] | SL Premier Division Central | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 13 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 14 | 1 | ||||
| Wealdstone (loan) | 2021–22[18] | National League | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 1[e] | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
| Dagenham & Redbridge | 2022–23[18] | National League | 13 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 1[e] | 0 | 15 | 2 | |
| Arbroath | 2023–24[18] | Scottish Championship | 33 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2[f] | 2 | 40 | 10 |
| Career total | 69 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 5 | 85 | 17 | ||