James Nolan (born 2 October 2005) is an English footballer who plays as a defender, for Lancaster.
He is the younger brother of Chorley midfielder Joe Nolan.
Career Nolan started his career progressing through the youth ranks of Manchester United, winning the U-18 Premier League along the way, before signing his first professional contract in 2023, playing with the reserves in the Premier League 2, before making his professional debut on 22 August 2023, playing the full match in a 1–1 away draw to Stockport County in the EFL Cup, in which he scored in the subsequent penalty shootout as United won 5–3.
On deadline day 2024, Nolan joined Scottish League One side, Inverness Caledonian Thistle on loan, before making his first team debut as a substitute in a 1–0 home win over Queen of the South on the same day. On 21 September, Nolan scored his first professional goal in a 1–1 home draw with Cove Rangers.
In August 2025, Nolan joined Marine. He departed the club in September 2025.. He signed for Charnock Richard at the end of December 2025, making 19 appearances and scoring 3 goals. In June 2026, Lancaster City F.C. announced the signing of the young defender, joining their campaign for the upcoming 2026-2027 Northern Premier League Premier Division.
Career statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsManchester United U212023–24———30302024–25———1010Total———4040Inverness Caledonian Thistle (loan)2024–25Scottish League One301100020331Marine2025–26National League North3000—0030Career total331100060401
Honours Manchester United Under-18 Premier League: 2023–24
References