Gavin Andrew Hoyte (born 6 June 1990) is a professional Association football, footballer who plays as a Defender (association football), defender for club Sittingbourne F.C., Sittingbourne. Born in England, he has represented the Trinidad and Tobago national football team, Trinidad and Tobago national team.

Career

Arsenal

Early career

Born in Leytonstone, London, Hoyte signed with Arsenal when he was nine. He featured regularly for Arsenal's U18 and Reserve teams, and was captain of Arsenal's U18 team during 2006-07 in English football, 2006–07. He signed as a professional with the club on 10 September 2007. From 2007 onwards, Hoyte featured for Arsenal on the bench as an unused substitute several times; the first in an FA Cup fifth round replay against Blackburn Rovers F.C., Blackburn Rovers on 28 February 2007. He then featured in four of Arsenal's five games in the 2007-08 in English football, 2007–08 Football League Cup, League Cup campaign, against Newcastle United F.C., Newcastle United, but was always an unused substitute.

2008–09 season

Hoyte played two first-team matches in Arsenal's 2008 pre-season friendly campaign, and was named captain of the Arsenal F.C. Reserves, Arsenal Reserves side for the 2008-09 in English football, 2008–09 season. He made his first-team competitive debut for Arsenal in a League Cup tie against Sheffield United on 23 September 2008, playing at right back for the full 90 minutes, in a match that Arsenal won 6–0. He started in subsequent rounds in the competition against Wigan Athletic F.C., Wigan Athletic and Burnley F.C., Burnley and also made his Premier League debut against Manchester City F.C., Manchester City on 22 November 2008, in which he was substituted for Aaron Ramsey after 60 minutes. In December 2008 Hoyte signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal. On 31 December 2008 Hoyte joined Football League Championship, Championship side Watford F.C., Watford on loan for the rest of the 2008-09 in English football, 2008–09 season.

2009–10 season

In October 2009, Hoyte signed on a one-month loan for Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., Brighton & Hove Albion as cover for the injured Andy Whing. Hoyte's loan spell at Brighton was extended until January 2010, and again on 12 January until the end of the 2009–10 in English football, 2009–10 season.

2011–12 season

In late January 2012, Hoyte signed for Football League Two, League Two club AFC Wimbledon on a one-month loan deal. In April 2012, Hoyte appeared as a trialist for Football League One, League One club Stevenage F.C., Stevenage, playing for their reserve team in a 6–1 loss to Southend United F.C., Southend United. On 22 May 2012 it was announced he would become a free agent on 1 July, and he would be released by Arsenal.

Dagenham & Redbridge

Following his release from Arsenal, Hoyte signed a two-year contract with Dagenham & Redbridge F.C., Dagenham & Redbridge on 10 July 2012, becoming their first signing of the new season. He made his debut on 14 August 2012 against Coventry City F.C., Coventry City in a 1–0 defeat, playing the full 90 minutes. In June 2014, he was released by Dagenham after failing to agree a new contract with the club despite being offered improved terms.

Gillingham

Following his release from Dagenham & Redbridge, Hoyte signed for Gillingham F.C., Gillingham on a short-term contract. He remained with the Kent-based club until the end of the 2014-15 in English football, 2014–15 season.

Barnet

Hoyte signed for Barnet F.C., Barnet on a two-year deal in June 2015. He scored his first league goal in a 1–0 win over Bristol Rovers on 9 January 2016. Hoyte missed most of the 2016 calendar year after rupturing his cruciate knee ligament.

Eastleigh

Hoyte joined Eastleigh F.C., Eastleigh on an 18-month contract on 15 December 2016. He was released in May 2018.

Return to Dagenham

On 28 June 2018 he re-signed for National League side Dagenham & Redbridge on a one-year contract having previously spent two years at the club. He also linked up again with manager Peter Taylor (footballer, born 1953), Peter Taylor whom he had played under for Gillingham. In May 2019, it was announced that he would be released following the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2018–19 campaign.

Maidstone United

Hoyte signed a one-year deal with Maidstone United F.C., Maidstone United in June 2019. In 2020 he was named vice-captain by manager Hakan Heyrettin. Hoyte went on to make over 150 appearances for the club before leaving at the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Folkestone Invicta

On 17 June 2024, Hoyte joined Isthmian League Premier Division club Folkestone Invicta F.C., Folkestone Invicta. He departed the club upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2024–25 Isthmian League#Premier Division, 2024–25 season.

Sittingbourne

In June 2025, Hoyte joined Isthmian League South East Division side Sittingbourne F.C., Sittingbourne.

International career

Hoyte has played for the England national under-17 football team and was a member of the England squad at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He played in all five of England's matches in the tournament, coming on as a sub three times and starting the games against Brazil national under-17 football team, Brazil and Germany national under-17 football team, Germany. In May 2014, he was called up by Trinidad and Tobago national football team, Trinidad & Tobago to play on their South American tour which involved fixtures against Argentina national football team, Argentina in Buenos Aires and Iran national football team, Iran in São Paulo, Brazil.

Personal life

He is the son of British sprinters Wendy Hoyte and Les Hoyte (who was born in Trinidad and Tobago), and is the younger brother of Justin Hoyte, who also played for Arsenal. His uncle, Trevor Hoyte (athlete), Trevor Hoyte, reached the 200m final at the Athletics at the 1978 Commonwealth Games – Men's 200 metres, 1978 Commonwealth Games and his cousin, Chris Clarke (sprinter), Chris Clarke, is also an elite sprinter.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

England U17 *UEFA European Under-17 Championship runner-up: 2007 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, 2007 England U19 *UEFA European Under-19 Championship runner-up: 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, 2009

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Hoyte, Gavin 1990 births Living people Footballers from the London Borough of Waltham Forest People from Leytonstone English men's footballers England men's youth international footballers Trinidad and Tobago men's footballers 21st-century Trinidad and Tobago sportsmen Trinidad and Tobago men's international footballers Men's association football central defenders Arsenal F.C. players Watford F.C. players Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players Lincoln City F.C. players AFC Wimbledon players Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. players Gillingham F.C. players Barnet F.C. players Eastleigh F.C. players Maidstone United F.C. players Folkestone Invicta F.C. players Sittingbourne F.C. players Premier League players English Football League players National League (English football) players Isthmian League players Black British sportsmen English people of Trinidad and Tobago descent Sportspeople of Trinidad and Tobago descent Hoyte family 21st-century English sportsmen