Reece Joseph Staunton (born 10 December 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender or defensive midfielder for Spennymoor Town.
Born in England, he represents Ireland at youth international level.
Staunton attended Bradford Academy.[2]
He made his senior debut for Bradford City on 7 November 2017, at the age of 15 years 332 days, becoming the club's youngest ever player.[3][4][5] He signed a two-year academy scholarship with the club in September 2017, having first joined at under-12 level.[6]
He made his first appearance of the 2018–19 season in a 4–1 home defeat in the EFL Trophy on 9 October 2018.[7] He was praised by manager David Hopkin for his performance in the match.[8]
In August 2019 he moved on loan to Ossett United.[9] He returned to Bradford City on 23 September 2019.[10] He made his first City appearance of the 2019–20 season a few days later, in the EFL Trophy.[11][12]
In November 2019 he moved on loan to Bradford (Park Avenue).[13] The loan was extended in December 2019 for a further month, with Park Avenue manager Mark Bower praising Staunton.[14] Later that month he turned professional with Bradford City, signing a contract until the end of the 2021–22 season.[15] On 8 January 2020 the loan deal was ended early.[16]
At the end of the 2019–20 season he was praised by new City manager Stuart McCall, who said Staunton was one of potentially four youngsters who would join the first-team for the 2020–21 season.[17] Staunton was praised by club captain Richard O'Donnell after an impressive performance on the opening day of the 2020–21 season.[18] In September 2020 he signed a new four-year contract with the club.[19] Later that month he suffered an ankle injury,[20] missing matches before being back in first-team contention towards the end of October.[21]
In November 2020 he was one of a number of young Bradford City players playing in the first team who were praised by manager Stuart McCall.[22] Later that month Staunton spoke about how his first-team run was improving his skills.[2] On 30 November he was ruled out for 3 months due following a hamstring injury sustained in a match the week before.[23] By March 2021 he was still continuing his recovery from the injury.[24]
In July 2021, ahead of the start of the 2021–22 season, Staunton's teammate Niall Canavan told him to remain positive as he continued his rehabilitation from injury.[25]
He was made available for loan to National League clubs in September 2021.[26] He moved on loan to Bradford (Park Avenue) in November 2021.[27] After returning from his loan in late 2021, he was made available for loan again in January 2022.[28] The next month, following the departure of club captain and fellow defender Canavan, Staunton was challenged by manager Derek Adams to "push forward" and challenge for a first-team spot.[29]
In August 2022 he moved to Bradford (Park Avenue) for an undisclosed transfer fee, his third spell with the club.[30]
On 8 June 2023, Staunton signed for National League North side Spennymoor Town.[31] At the end of the 2023–24 season, he won the Supporters' Player and Players' Player of the Year awards.[32]
In November 2018 he was called up by the Republic of Ireland under-18 team,[33] having first been involved with the national team set-up since the previous year.[34]
Speaking in May 2020, Bradford City manager Stuart McCall described Staunton by saying "he's adaptable because he can play left back, left centre half in a three and can sit in front of the back four. He's got a really good passing range".[17]
Individual
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