After loans to five different EFL clubs, Joe Pigott was released by Charlton in 2016 after just 16 first team appearances.
The then 22-year-old was swiftly signed by Cambridge United on a one-year deal.
At the Abbey, Pigott struggled to replicate the potential he’d displayed on loan at Southend and Luton the previous season. The striker managed a solitary goal in 17 appearances whilst at the U’s, the only goal in 1-0 victory at Shrewsbury in the Checkatrade Trophy.
“He’s been an interesting player to watch for a Cambridge perspective. He arrived with quite a lot of expectation after doing well out loan, but it really never worked out for him.
We didn’t give him much of a chance, and he didn’t take the few opportunities he had with us.” – Journalist Alex Jones described Pigott’s time at the club as frustrating when asked on his time at Cambridge
A sixth loan of the young attacker’s career followed in the January of 2017, just six months into his year contract at Cambridge. This time it was a return to his hometown club of Maidstone United.
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Dropping down to the National League, Pigott began scoring again at a club where he felt appreciated once again. After describing Cambridge as the ‘toughest spell in my career’, his eagerness to play consistently and prove his ability started to come to fruition.
His six-month loan, where the striker’s six goals helped Maidstone escaped relegation, prompted the Stones to sign Pigott for the following season upon expiration of his Cambridge contract. Pigott reportedly turned down Football League moves at the time to move permanently to the Kent side.
“I just needed to play regularly. I’d been on loan at various clubs, in and out a lot. I needed to be somewhere I was wanted, at a club where I knew I’d be starting every week.
Everyone has doubts, no matter who you are, but I knew I could do it. I was playing every week and I got the goals to get noticed at that level. Now it’s about proving myself again and seeing if I can get to the next level.” –
Pigott on his decision to play at Maidstone.
14 goals followed up to the following January to again prompt EFL interest in the Charlton youngster. Having already stated he wouldn’t leave the club he loved for a League Two side, Pigott eventually drew interest from League One.
After discussions with former Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley, the forward decided on a move to the London club.
The 27-year-old finished as the Dons’ top scorer in all competitions last season with 18 goals. Ahead of their fixture against Crewe at Plough Lane, Pigott had already netted 10 times in 17 starts in League One.
He’s a history maker too, Pigott netted the first goals upon AFC Wimbledon’s return to Plough Lane.
Deployed as the lone striker in Glyn Hodges’ 3-4-3 system, the forward is tasked with retaining possession to feed Jack Rudoni and Ryan Longman. His first involvement of note came after five minutes when attempting a defence splitting pass to Longman which was applauded by the few spectators inside the ground.
Despite being the second-high goalscorer in League One heading into the Crewe fixture, it was clear that Pigott was happy to do his defensive duties. He’d often be seen dropping deep to attempt to receive the ball as displayed by his pass out to Shane McLoughlin, the Irishman cross then heading over by Pigott in the box.
The mark of any striker hungry for goals arrived five minutes before half time, the classic moan at a teammate. With Longman advancing into the area, the Wimbledon attacker chose to shoot rather than lay the ball off to Pigott, which queued an array of gestures from the striker.
Mikael Mandron gives Crewe the lead on 61 minutes after play wide on the left from Charlie Kirk, Harry Pickering’s low cross was turned in by the striker, who was replaced just seconds later by Chris Porter.
Pigott departed soon after, as he failed to add to the six goals he’d netted in his last six appearances for Wimbledon.
Although the net wasn’t found by the Englishman, the glimpse of quality, which is said to be attracting Championship club this January, were still on show.
His hold-up play, ability to thread balls through for teammates and goal record this season make him an credible candidate to lead the line in the second tier.
The day proved to be Crewe’s. Wimbledon had a late chance for Steve Seddon to tap home only for a combination of Pickering and Will Jaaskelainen to somehow keep their clean sheet in tact.
Wimbledon would find their equaliser in the 90th minute through Longman. After the ball was pumped forward in treacherous conditions, Longman took the ball down to finish low across goal.
Their point would last less than a minute. A ball into the Wimbledon box was uncontested toward Porter, who knocked down for Oliver Finney to finish and spark wild Crewe celebrations.
That would be the final action of the contest. Pigott and AFC Wimbledon were beaten by a better Crewe team on the day.