Femi Ilesanmi

Oluwafemi Abayomi Alaba "Femi" Ilesanmi (born 18 April 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for National League club Boreham Wood.

Ilesanmi started his career with AFC Wimbledon's youth system, making his first-team debut in 2007 before transferring to Queens Park Rangers in 2008, where he played for the under-18 team.

He spent a year at QPR where he also played for the reserve team, before his release.

Despite his young age, he made a handful of appearances for the reserve team and also made his first-team debut aged 16 in an Isthmian League Cup match against Whyteleafe in October 2007.

He spent nearly a full season with Wimbledon before moving to Queens Park Rangers' under-18 team in 2008.

He spent a season at Loftus Road, featuring for both the youth team and the reserves before being released in 2009.

After his release he joined League Two club Dagenham & Redbridge on non-contract terms.

Whilst on trial he featured several times for the reserves.

He also had a brief spell spent on trial at Conference Premier club Salisbury City, where he played for the reserves.

During the last few months of the 2009–10 season, Dagenham & Redbridge monitored Ilesanmi's performances.

His last goal for the club came in the final match of the season, when he scored a bizarre goal from an attempted cross which put Ashford in the lead against Harrow Borough.

However, Ashford went on to lose the match 6–2 and were relegated for the first time in their history.

Ilesanmi made 12 appearances for Ashford, scoring two goals.

Dagenham & Redbridge were impressed with his performances at Ashford and again offered him a trial period with the club.

He signed for Isthmian League Premier Division club Ashford Town (Middlesex) in February 2010.

His form prompted newly promoted League One club Dagenham & Redbridge to sign him in May 2010.

He spent three months on loan at Conference Premier club Histon in 2010.

In February 2010, he signed for Isthmian League Premier Division club Ashford Town (Middlesex), where he spent a short spell.

Ilesanmi scored his first goal for Ashford in a 2–1 home defeat to Carshalton Athletic.

The trial was successful and Ilesanmi signed a two-year contract with the newly promoted League One club in July 2010.

In August 2010, he was sent out on loan to Conference Premier club Histon on an initial one-month loan with a view to extending further.

His debut came on the opening day of the season in a 3–1 win over Barrow at home.

He was sent off in his second match for Histon, a defeat to AFC Wimbledon, receiving his second booking for dissent.

After impressing Histon manager David Livermore during his first month at the club, his loan was extended for a further two months.

His final match for Histon came in a 1–1 draw with Wrexham on 30 October, where he provided the assist for a stoppage time equaliser.

Upon his return to Dagenham in November 2010, Ilesanmi impressed manager John Still in a behind closed doors friendly.

This persuaded him to hand Ilesanmi a surprise professional and league debut for Dagenham in a 1–0 defeat to Oldham Athletic, where he played in place of Damien McCrory.

He cemented his place as first choice left back for Dagenham for the remainder of 2010–11.

Ilesanmi had become a fans favourite at the club and plans were being made to bring him back on loan in January 2011.

He returned to Dagenham having played 17 matches in all competitions for Histon.

He received his first red card for Dagenham in March 2011, in a 1–1 draw with Leyton Orient when he brought down Paul-José M'Poku to concede a late penalty.

The club appealed the red card as manager John Still believed that no contact was made.

However, the appeal was rejected and Ilesanmi was suspended for two matches.

Ilesanmi could not save Dagenham from relegation on the final match of the season when they lost 5–0 away to Peterborough United.

Dagenham returned to League Two at the first time of asking after their only season in League One.

Ilesanmi spent four years with Dagenham & Redbridge before joining York City in May 2014, where he played for two seasons before being released.

Ilesanmi was born in Southwark, London to Nigerian parents.

He started his career with AFC Wimbledon in their youth system.

After his first six appearances, Ilesanmi signed a three-and-a-half-year contract extension until 2014.

The club also decided to retain Ilesanmi and not send him back to Histon for a second loan spell.