Joel Grant

Joel Grant
Grant in 2010
Personal information
Full name Joel Valentino Grant[1]
Date of birth (1987-08-26) 26 August 1987 (age 37)[1]
Place of birth Acton, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Position(s) Winger, forward
Youth career
?–2005 Watford
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2007 Watford 7 (0)
2006–2007 → Aldershot Town (loan) 14 (2)
2007–2008 Aldershot Town 30 (4)
2008–2011 Crewe Alexandra 96 (16)
2011–2013 Wycombe Wanderers 71 (14)
2013–2015 Yeovil Town 55 (6)
2015–2017 Exeter City 46 (8)
2017–2020 Plymouth Argyle 74 (14)
2020–2021 Swindon Town 20 (2)
2021–2022 Grimsby Town 1 (0)
2022–2023 Nantwich Town 15 (4)
Total 429 (70)
International career
2006–2007 Jamaica U20 11 (7)
2014–2016 Jamaica 14 (2)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Jamaica
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Runner-up 2015 United States–Canada Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Joel Valentino Grant (born 26 August 1987) is a former professional footballer who played as a winger.

Beginning his career with Watford he made seven league appearances as well as spending time on loan with Aldershot Town, he later played for Crewe Alexandra, Wycombe Wanderers, Yeovil Town, Exeter City, Plymouth Argyle, Swindon Town and Grimsby Town. He is a former Jamaican international. He can either play as a winger, midfielder or striker. He has performed as a traditional winger for most of his career, despite the rise of inside forwards in the past decade.[2]

Club career

Watford

Born in Acton, London, Grant started his career at Watford. He made his first team debut whilst still a member of Watford's Academy, coming on as a substitute in a League Cup match against Notts County on 23 August 2005. Whilst still an Academy scholar, he made nine more appearances for the club, including three starts.

Grant was rewarded with a professional contract by Watford prior to the 2006–07 season. On 31 August 2006, he joined Aldershot Town on a four-month loan, to gain experience.[3] During his time with the Shots, he made 19 league and cup appearances, scoring 4 goals.

Grant was unable to break into the Watford side during their 2006–07 Premiership campaign and he was released at the end of the season.[4]

Aldershot Town

In September 2007 he rejoined Aldershot Town on non-contract terms.[5] In December 2007 he signed a contract until the end of the season.[6] He made 30 league appearances, scoring four times, as Aldershot Town were promoted from the Conference.

Crewe Alexandra

On 25 June 2008, Grant joined Crewe Alexandra for £130,000, signing a three-year contract.[7] The fee represented a club record sale for Aldershot Town. Grant scored his first goal for Crewe with a marvellous run and step over in the 2–1 win over Walsall at Gresty Road. The goal was shown as the Big Skill on Big League Weekend 2 on Sky Sports due to the step over. In 2009–10, Grant had a productive second season at Crewe, contributing nine goals and several assists marshalling the left wing.

He was released from the club in May 2011, having been limited to 28 appearances in the 2010–11 campaign.[8]

Wycombe Wanderers

Grant signed for Wycombe Wanderers on 27 May 2011 on a free transfer.

Yeovil Town

Grant signed a two-year deal with Championship side Yeovil Town on 26 June 2013.[9] Grant made his debut for Yeovil in their Football League Cup first round victory over Southend United, on 6 August 2013.[10]

Grant was released at the end of the 2014–15 season following Yeovil's relegation to League Two.[11]

Exeter City

On 21 August 2015, Grant joined Exeter City as the 1931 fan-funded player.[12]

Plymouth Argyle

At the end of the 2016–17 season, Grant turned down the offer of a new contract with Exeter, to sign for their Devon rivals Plymouth Argyle.[13] Grant operated as a traditional winger for most of his first season in the team. With manager Derek Adams opting for 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 formations for the first half of the 2017–18 season, Grant featured heavily but, once Adams switched to 4-3-2-1 and deployed Graham Carey and Ruben Lameiras as inside forwards, Grant lost favour and was only involved as a defensive substitute or a backup striker. To counteract this, he evolved tactically in the following 2018–19 season and began to exhibit traits more associated with inside forwards than traditional wingers. Consequently, the rates at which he completed dribbles, created chances and scored goals increased.[14]

He was offered a new contract by Plymouth Argyle at the end of the 2018–19 season.[15] He signed a new contract in June 2019.[16] In October 2019 he scored in his third game in a row, and was praised by manager Ryan Lowe.[17]

Swindon Town

On 19 September 2020, Grant joined Swindon Town on a one-year deal following a successful trial [18] On 14 May 2021, it was announced that he would leave Swindon at the end of the season, following the expiry of his contract.[19]

Grimsby Town

In July 2021, Grant joined National League side Grimsby Town following his release from Swindon.[20]

Following an injury setback, Grant eventually made his debut on 6 November 2021 in an FA Cup tie away at Kidderminster Harriers.[21]

On 16 February 2022, manager Paul Hurst commented that Grant was available for loan following a difficult period blighted by injury. "There hasn't been any interest, I am surprised when there is an experienced player with his record, prior to this season. At the minute, the phone has been quiet on that one. I think the injuries have been a major part of it (his struggles). He has been training for a couple of months but when he came in he wasn't up to speed. He had a setback and from then it's been a struggle really. Sometimes things that look good don't work out. You have to say, if we're being honest, that's how it looks as we speak. That's one that hasn't gone to plan."[22]

On 8 April 2022, Grant was released by mutual consent, he had only made two substitute appearances for The Mariners during the season.[23]

Nantwich Town

Ahead of the 2022–23 season, Grant signed for non-league team Nantwich Town, scoring on his debut in a friendly against Wrexham.[24] In November 2022, whilst on the books at Nantwich Town, Grant was involved in a serious car crash which effectively stopped him playing football.[25]

International career

In June 2006 Grant earned a call-up to the Jamaica under-23 squad to play in the Central American and Caribbean Games taking place in Colombia between 15 and 29 July.[26] He spent much of February 2007 with the squad for the CONCACAF under-20 World Cup qualifiers.[27]

In May 2014 Grant was called up to the Jamaica senior squad, and made his full international début playing for 78 minutes against Serbia on 26 May.[28] He scored his first goal at the senior level in a 2–2 draw with Egypt on 4 June 2014 at Leyton, England.

On 2 June 2016, Grant was called up to the Jamaica squad for the Copa América Centenario as a replacement for the injured Simon Dawkins.[29]

Outside football

Following his retirement from football, Grant retrained as a barber and obtained a Level 3 Diploma from Stoke-on-Trent College.[25]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 1 May 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Watford 2005–06[30] Championship 7 0 0 0 3 0 — 10 0
2006–07[31] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 7 0 0 0 3 0 — 10 0
Aldershot Town (loan) 2006–07[31] Conference Premier 14 2 4 2 — 1[a] 0 19 4
Aldershot Town 2007–08[32] Conference Premier 30 4 2 0 — 10[b] 2 42 6
Total 44 6 6 2 — 11 2 61 10
Crewe Alexandra 2008–09[33] League One 28 2 1 0 3 0 0 0 32 2
2009–10[34] League Two 43 9 1 1 1 0 1[c] 0 46 10
2010–11[35] League Two 25 5 1 0 1 0 1[c] 1 28 6
Total 96 16 3 1 5 0 2 1 106 18
Wycombe Wanderers 2011–12[36] League One 30 4 1 0 2 1 0 0 33 5
2012–13[37] League Two 41 10 1 0 1 0 1[c] 1 44 11
Total 71 14 2 0 3 1 1 1 77 16
Yeovil Town 2013–14[38] Championship 34 3 2 1 2 0 — 38 4
2014–15[39] League One 20 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 3
Total 54 6 2 1 2 0 0 0 58 7
Exeter City 2015–16[40] League Two 26 4 3 0 1 0 1[c] 0 31 4
2016–17[41] League Two 20 4 1 0 1 0 6[d] 1 28 5
Total 46 8 4 0 2 0 7 1 59 9
Plymouth Argyle 2017–18[42] League One 33 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 35 6
2018–19[43] League One 17 4 2 0 1 0 2[e] 0 22 4
2019–20[44] League Two 24 4 3 0 0 0 2[e] 1 29 5
Total 74 14 7 0 1 0 4 1 86 15
Swindon Town 2020–21[45] League One 20 2 1 0 0 0 1[e] 0 22 2
Grimsby Town 2021–22[46] National League 1 0 1 0 — 0 0 2 0
Career total 412 66 25 4 16 1 26 6 479 77
  1. ^ Appearance in FA Trophy
  2. ^ Five appearances in FA Trophy, five appearances and two goals in Conference League Cup
  3. ^ a b c d Appearance in Football League Trophy
  4. ^ Three appearances in EFL Trophy, three appearances and one goal in League Two play-offs
  5. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

International

As of match played 27 May 2016.[47]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Jamaica 2014 8 1
2015 5 0
2016 1 1
Total 14 2

International goals

As of match played 27 May 2016. Jamaica score listed first, score column indicates score after each Grant goal.[47]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition Ref
1 4 June 2014 Brisbane Road, London, England 3  Egypt 2–1 2–2 Friendly
2 27 May 2016 Estadio Sausalito, Viña del Mar, Chile 14  Chile 2–1 2–1 Friendly

Honours

Aldershot Town

Jamaica

References

  1. ^ a b c Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. ^ "Turning the Ship Around - Part 7: The Creative Void". Argyle Life. 9 November 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  3. ^ "Shots bring in two loan signings". BBC Sport. 1 September 2006.
  4. ^ "Boothroyd releases four". Archived from the original on 19 September 2007. Retrieved 14 September 2007.
  5. ^ "Aldershot re-sign striker Grant". BBC Sport. 14 September 2007.
  6. ^ "Joel Signs In".[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Record Deal Sealed".[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ "Crewe Alexandra Announce Retain List". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 12 May 2011. Archived from the original on 15 May 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  9. ^ "Yeovil: Kevin Dawson & Sam Foley re-sign as Sam Hoskins arrives". BBC Sport. 26 June 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  10. ^ "Southend 0–1 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  11. ^ "Yeovil Town: Paul Sturrock releases 11 players". BBC Sport. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  12. ^ "Grecians Confirm Grant Signing". Exeter City. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  13. ^ "Joel Grant: Plymouth Argyle sign striker from rivals Exeter City". BBC Sport. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  14. ^ "Joel Grant's Tactical Evolution". Argyle Life. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  15. ^ "Jamie Ness: Plymouth Argyle release midfielder and offer deals to 12". BBC Sport. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  16. ^ "Joel Grant: Jamaica winger signs new Plymouth Argyle contract". BBC Sport. 20 June 2019.
  17. ^ "Joel Grant: Plymouth Argyle boss Ryan Lowe hails forward's goalscoring form". BBC Sport. 21 October 2019.
  18. ^ "Swindon Town sign former Plymouth Argyle winger Joel Grant on one-year-deal". Swindon Advertiser. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  19. ^ "2021 Retained and Released List".
  20. ^ "Grant Joins The Mariners". Grimsby Town. 12 July 2021.[dead link‍]
  21. ^ "Kidderminster Harriers 1-0 Grimsby Town". BBC Sport.
  22. ^ "Paul Hurst opens up on Lenell John-Lewis and Joel Grant's Grimsby Town futures". Grimsbylive. 16 February 2022.
  23. ^ "Grimsby Town announce Joel Grant departure by mutual consent". Grimsbylive. 8 April 2022.
  24. ^ "Match Report: Nantwich Town 2-5 Wrexham AFC". 17 July 2022.
  25. ^ a b Weigold, Matt (31 July 2024). "International footballer retrains as barber". BBC News. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  26. ^ "Jamaican call-up for Joel".[permanent dead link‍]
  27. ^ "International call for Hornets' trio".[permanent dead link‍]
  28. ^ "JOEL GRANT MAKES SENIOR DEBUT FOR JAMAICA - News - Yeovil Town". www.ytfc.net. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  29. ^ "Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica and Jamaica Announce Injury Replacements for Copa America Centenario". Copa America 2016. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  30. ^ "Games played by Joel Grant in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  31. ^ a b "Games played by Joel Grant in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  32. ^ "Games played by Joel Grant in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  33. ^ "Games played by Joel Grant in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  34. ^ "Games played by Joel Grant in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  35. ^ "Games played by Joel Grant in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  36. ^ "Games played by Joel Grant in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  37. ^ "Games played by Joel Grant in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  38. ^ "Games played by Joel Grant in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  39. ^ "Games played by Joel Grant in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  40. ^ "Games played by Joel Grant in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  41. ^ "Games played by Joel Grant in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  42. ^ "Games played by Joel Grant in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  43. ^ "Games played by Joel Grant in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  44. ^ "Games played by Joel Grant in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  45. ^ "Games played by Joel Grant in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  46. ^ "Games played by Joel Grant in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  47. ^ a b "Joel Grant". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 15 June 2016.