Joe Davis (footballer, born 1993)

Last updated

Joe Davis
Joe DavisPVFC (cropped).png
Davis warming up for Port Vale in 2013
Personal information
Full name Joseph Steven Davis [1]
Date of birth (1993-11-10) 10 November 1993 (age 30) [2]
Place of birth Burnley, England [3]
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) [4]
Position(s) Centre back [5]
Youth career
2002–2010 Port Vale
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2010–2014 Port Vale 27 (0)
2013–2014Luton Town (loan) 6 (0)
2014–2016 Leicester City 0 (0)
2015–2016Fleetwood Town (loan) 9 (0)
2016–2017 Fleetwood Town 14 (0)
2017–2019 Port Vale 18 (0)
2018–2019York City (loan) 7 (0)
2019–2020 Nantwich Town 28 (1)
Total104(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Joseph Steven Davis (born 10 November 1993) is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre back.

Contents

Davis is son of professional manager Steve Davis and brother of Harry Davis. He came through the Port Vale Academy and played a minor role as the club secured promotion out of League Two in the 2012–13 season. He left Port Vale to join Leicester City in June 2014. He was loaned out to Fleetwood Town in October 2015 before joining the club permanently three months later. He re-signed with Port Vale in June 2017 and was loaned to York City in November 2018. He left Port Vale for Nantwich Town in March 2019 before retiring in June 2020 to pursue a career in the media.

Career

Port Vale

Davis started his career in the youth team ranks at Port Vale in 2002. Described as a "natural born leader", [6] he was handed a squad number for the 2010–11 season, making the first-team bench in October 2010. This came a month after a highly impressive reserve team performance against Sheffield Wednesday. [7] His debut came on 30 April 2011, as he came on as a substitute to replace Gareth Owen seventy minutes into a 7–2 home win over Morecambe. [8]

The 2011–12 season was the final year of his youth contract. He made his second appearance at senior level on 17 March, when he replaced Paul Marshall 49 minutes into a 3–2 defeat away to Crawley Town; manager Micky Adams put him on as centre-back Clayton McDonald had just been sent off. [9] McDonald's subsequent suspension gave Davis the opportunity to start against Hereford United three days later, Adams saying "he'll either sink or swim". [10] He was voted man of the match after he produced "a disciplined defensive display beyond his tender years". [11] However, he was sent off 69 minutes into the next match for a professional foul on Torquay United's Rene Howe; the penalty kick was converted to cost Vale a 2–1 away defeat. [12] With Clayton McDonald facing legal issues, Davis was given an extended run in the team towards the end of the 2011–12 season, thus securing the 18-year-old apprentice his first professional contract. [13] At the end of the season he was given both the club's Youth and Young Player of the Year awards. [14] He announced his intention to accept the club's offer of a new two-year contract in June 2012. [15] Despite being one of the last of the 16 players offered contracts to commit his future to the club, Micky Adams said that the deal was "never in doubt". They told the media of the "excellent potential" he saw in the young defender. [16]

Davis started the opening match of the 2012–13 season, a 3–1 home defeat to Burnley in the League Cup, but was substituted at half-time following a mistimed back-pass that allowed Charlie Austin to score for Burnley. [17] His replacement, Clayton McDonald, then formed an impressive partnership with John McCombe to leave Davis on the sidelines. Facing Northampton Town away on 27 October, Gareth Owen filled the gap left after McDonald picked up a one-match suspension but was replaced by Davis at half-time after picking up an injury; McCombe was also sent off in the match, leaving Davis to cope adequately at centre-back alongside fellow teenager Kingsley James. [18] Vale secured promotion at the end of the season with a third-place finish. [19] However, Davis featured on only ten occasions. [20]

Having failed to make an appearance for Port Vale at the start of the 2013–14 season, he was loaned out to Conference Premier club Luton Town in November 2013. [21] He played nine times for Luton, with the club winning seven and drawing two matches with Davis in the team. [22] Luton manager John Still requested an extension to the loan but Micky Adams recalled Davis to provide cover for the injured Richard Duffy. [23] On 11 January an injury crisis meant that he started in an inexperienced centre-back partnership with 19-year-old Jack Grimmer as Vale lost 2–0 away to league leaders Brentford. [24] He was publicly praised by Adams for his performance in the match, [25] and Davis told the Sentinel that "I'm hoping to cement my place and get myself going again." [26] He earned a place on the Football League Team of the Week for his performance as "a commanding figure" in a 0–0 draw at Shrewsbury Town on 15 February. [27]

Leicester City and Fleetwood Town

On 30 June 2014, Davis signed for Premier League club Leicester City, who placed him in their development squad. [28]

He joined League One club Fleetwood Town on 3 October 2015 on a one-month loan, alongside Stoke City centre-back Dionatan Teixeira, following an injury crisis at the club. [29] After impressing on his loan spell, Davis signed for Fleetwood permanently on 11 January 2016 on a contract of undisclosed length for an undisclosed fee. [30] He ended the 2015–16 season with 25 appearances to his name [31] as Fleetwood posted a 19th-place finish, [32] but played just eight times throughout the 2016–17 season. [33]

Return to Port Vale

Davis negotiated his release from Fleetwood to re-sign for Port Vale, now in League Two, on 21 June 2017 on a two-year contract. [34] Manager Michael Brown said that "Hopefully 'Morgs' will get into him early in pre-season and we will see if we can develop a footballer. He has good pedigree and we will see where that one can go." [35] He picked up a thigh injury in September. He was ruled out of action for three months, before he was recalled to the first-team by new manager Neil Aspin in December to replace the suspended James Gibbons at right back. [36] He was transfer-listed at the end of the 2017–18 season. [37]

He joined National League North club York City on 9 November 2018 on a short-term loan. [38] He made his debut the following day, starting in a 2–1 defeat away to Swindon Town in the FA Cup first round. [39] He returned to Vale on 11 January 2019 having made 10 appearances for York. [40] New manager John Askey agreed a deal to release him from his contract early on 1 March. [41]

"Looking at where the club is today, it is staggering to think that I drove away from Vale Park with not only a concern for my own future, but a fear for the future of the football club's existence. I left it at its lowest point, spiralling towards administration under Norman Smurthwaite, along with a disgruntled fan-base and a group of players that had lost faith in its leadership."

The future at the club seemed very bleak at the time of Davis's departure, though things soon changed when Carol Shanahan became the club's new owner in May. [42]

Nantwich Town

Davis joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Nantwich Town in March 2019. [43] He won the Cheshire Senior Cup with the club after playing in the 5–2 victory over Cammell Laird 1907 in the final. [44] He also helped Nantwich to reach the play-offs, where they were beaten by Warrington Town in the semi-final. [45] The 2019–20 season was formally abandoned on 26 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Nantwich sixth in the table. [46]

Style of play

Elder brother Harry described him as "a tough tackler... he'll put his head in anywhere". [47] Defensive partner at Port Vale John McCombe added that "he's aggressive and reads the game well." [48] Port Vale teammate Tom Pope added that Davis is calm in possession and technically sound. [49]

Personal life

Davis was born in Burnley, Lancashire. [50] His father is former Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis, and his elder brother Harry played for Crewe, but is now at AFC Fylde – all three family members are defenders. [51] On 22 February 2014, for 33 minutes of a match at Port Vale, Harry and Joe Davis played on opposite teams against each other, while their father watched as manager of Crewe. [52] [53] Joe later stated that the experience had a negative psychological effect on him and also recalled that manager Micky Adams had previously banned him from the training ground in games against Crewe so that he wouldn't divulge tactics to his father. [54] By June 2020, he was studying for a degree in Sports Writing and Broadcasting at Staffordshire University and writing a column in the Blackpool Gazette. [55]

Career statistics

As of match played 25 January 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeague FA Cup League CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Port Vale 2010–11 [56] League Two 1000000010
2011–12 [57] League Two8000000080
2012–13 [20] League Two7010101 [lower-alpha 1] 0100
2013–14 [58] League One 110100000120
Total270201010310
Luton Town (loan) 2013–14 [22] Conference Premier 603 [lower-alpha 2] 090
Leicester City 2014–15 [59] Premier League 00000000
2015–16 [31] Premier League000000
Total00000000
Fleetwood Town 2015–16 [31] League One190105 [lower-alpha 1] 0250
2016–17 [33] League One4020002 [lower-alpha 3] 080
Total230300070330
Port Vale 2017–18 [60] League Two18000102 [lower-alpha 3] 0210
2018–19 [61] League Two00000000
Total180001020210
York City (loan) 2018–19 [22] [62] National League North 70102 [lower-alpha 2] 0100
Nantwich Town 2018–19 [63] Northern Premier League Premier Division402 [lower-alpha 4] 060
2019–20 [64] Northern Premier League Premier Division241511130333
Total281511150393
Career total1041111311901373
  1. 1 2 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. 1 2 Appearances in FA Trophy
  3. 1 2 Appearances in EFL Trophy
  4. 1 appearance in the play-offs and 1 appearance in the Cheshire Senior Cup

Honours

Nantwich Town

Related Research Articles

Carl Matthew Dickinson is an English former professional football player who is an assistant manager at National League club Hartlepool United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis Dodds</span> English footballer

Louis Bartholomew Dodds is an English former footballer who played either as a midfielder or as a striker. He is now a coach at Northern Premier League Division One West club Hanley Town.

Christopher Michael Neal is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for National League club AFC Fylde. He will become a free agent on 30 June 2024.

Douglas James Loft is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He made 430 league and cup appearances in an 18-year career, scoring 32 goals.

Anthony Paul Shaun Andrew Daure Grant is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for National League South club Welling United. Born and raised in England, he represented the Jamaica national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Pope</span> English footballer

Thomas John Pope is an English semi-professional footballer who plays as a centre forward for Northern Premier League Division One West club Hanley Town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Yates (footballer)</span> English footballer

Adam Paul Yates is an English former professional footballer who played as a right-back. He made 520 league and cup appearances in a 16-year career as a professional and also won three caps as a semi-pro international with England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Brown (footballer, born April 1985)</span> English footballer

Scott Peter Andrew Brown is an English former football player who is a goalkeeper coach at EFL League One club Rotherham United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Byron Moore</span> English footballer

Byron Curtis Moore is an English professional footballer who plays for Southern League Premier Division Central club AFC Telford United. He can play as a winger or as a forward, and has also been utilised as a wing-back.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A-Jay Leitch-Smith</span> English footballer

Jay Leitch-Smith, known as A-Jay Leitch-Smith, is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Northern Premier League Division One West club Stafford Rangers.

Ritchie Aidan Sutton is an English football player and manager who plays as a defender.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Garratt</span> English footballer

Benjamin Jack Garratt is an English professional football goalkeeper who currently plays for Nantwich Town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JJ Hooper</span> English footballer

Jonathan James Hooper is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Blyth Spartans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Hugill</span> English footballer

Jordan Thomas Hugill is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL League One club Rotherham United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Conlon</span> English footballer

Tom George Sawyer Conlon is an English footballer who plays for National League club Oldham Athletic. He has represented the England C team. He is a descendant of Football League players George Heppell and Albert Pearson.

Scott Andrew Burgess is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for National League club York City. He will become a free agent on 30 June 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathan Smith (footballer, born 1996)</span> English footballer

Nathan James Smith is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League Two club Port Vale. He has won praise for mental attributes such as bravery, consistency and commitment, as well as his pace and strength.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Gibbons (footballer)</span> English footballer

James Andrew Gibbons is an English professional footballer who plays as a full-back for EFL League One club Bristol Rovers. He will become a free agent on 30 June 2024.

Alexander Charles Hurst is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Leek Town.

Jake Jon Taylor is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League Two club Morecambe. He will become a free agent on 30 June 2024.

References

  1. "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Port Vale" (PDF). English Football League. p. 88. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  2. "Joe Davis". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  3. "FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2017/2018". www.footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  4. "Joseph Davis". Port Vale F.C. Archived from the original on 11 November 2018.
  5. "Joe Davis". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  6. Shaw, Steve (14 October 2010). "Port Vale: Youth team manager Mick Ede excited by Vale's future". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012.
  7. Owen, Jon (8 September 2010). "Port Vale: Joe Davis rises above Owls as Vale second-string impress". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012.
  8. Shaw, Steve. "Port Vale: Vale hit seven, but promotion heaven remains another glut of goals away". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Archived from the original on 7 May 2011.
  9. "Crawley 3–2 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 17 March 2012. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012.
  10. "Port Vale: I'm ready for first start, says Davis". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 19 March 2012. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  11. "Match report: Port Vale 1, Hereford United 0". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 21 March 2012. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012.
  12. "Port Vale: Torquay match analysis". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 26 March 2012. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012.
  13. "Port Vale will offer Joe Davis professional contract". BBC Sport. 18 April 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  14. "Port Vale: Loft grateful for award success". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 2 May 2012. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013.
  15. "Davis agrees to sign". Port Vale F.C. Archived from the original on 19 June 2012.
  16. "Davis agrees new Vale deal". Sky Sports. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  17. "Port Vale 1–3 Burnley". BBC Sport. 14 August 2012. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012.
  18. "Northampton 2–0 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 27 October 2012. Archived from the original on 30 October 2012.
  19. "League Two: 2012/13: Latest table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  20. 1 2 "Games played by Joe Davis in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  21. "Luton Town sign Pelly Ruddock, Joe Davis and Alfie Mawson". BBC Sport. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  22. 1 2 3 "J. Davis: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  23. "Port Vale: Chris Lines could be fit for Brentford trip". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 9 January 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  24. Baggaley, Mike (11 January 2014). "Micky Adams targets loan signings after Gavin Tomlin joins Vale injury list". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  25. "Brentford 2, Port Vale 0: Micky Adams praises Joe Davis and Jack Grimmer". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 13 January 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  26. "Brentford 2, Port Vale 0: I'm ready to stake Valiants claim, says Joe Davis". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 13 January 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  27. "Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week 10/02/14 – 16/02/14". The Football League. 17 February 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  28. "Port Vale: Joe Davis completes move to Leicester City". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 30 June 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  29. Stocks, Rob (3 October 2015). "Fleetwood Town sign Premier League duo". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  30. "Joe Davis: Leicester defender joins Fleetwood on permanent deal". BBC Sport. 11 January 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  31. 1 2 3 "Games played by Joe Davis in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  32. "League One: 2015/16: Latest table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  33. 1 2 "Games played by Joe Davis in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  34. Baggaley, Mike (21 June 2017). "Deal done: Port Vale clinch return of Joe Davis". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Archived from the original on 21 June 2017.
  35. Baggaley, Mike (23 June 2017). "Port Vale tried to sign Joe Davis in January". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Retrieved 23 June 2017.[ dead link ]
  36. Baggaley, Michael (29 December 2017). "Joe Davis thrilled to be back as Port Vale prepare for leaders Luton Town". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  37. Baggaley, Michael (8 May 2018). "Port Vale retained list recap as Valiants release 10 and transfer list four". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  38. McLellan, Max (9 November 2018). "Joe Davis joins York City on loan". Port Vale F.C. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  39. Appleyard, Ian (10 November 2018). "Honour in defeat as City exit Cup". York City F.C. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  40. Appleyard, Ian (11 January 2019). "Defender Davis returns to Vale". York City F.C. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  41. Baggaley, Michael (1 March 2019). "Port Vale part company with Joe Davis". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  42. Davis, Joe (27 April 2020). "'The pie looked as fed up as me' - Joe Davis on Port Vale's transformation". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  43. "SIGNING: Trio arrive at the Weaver". Nantwich Town FC. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  44. 1 2 "Nantwich Town win back to back Cheshire Cup finals after 5–2 win over Cammell Laird". The Nantwich News. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  45. Morse, Peter (1 May 2019). "Nantwich Town's super season ends with Play Off semi defeat". Chester Chronicle. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  46. "Club Statement: The Ending of the 2019-20 Season". Nantwich Town Football Club. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  47. "Crewe Alex: Harry looks for family bragging rights". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 10 February 2012. Archived from the original on 11 February 2012.
  48. "Port Vale: McCombe ready to pledge his future to Vale". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 21 April 2012. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012.
  49. Baggaley, Mike (23 June 2017). "Tom Pope on Port Vale: Why I'm glad to be reunited with Rob Lainton and Joe Davis". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. Archived from the original on 24 June 2017.
  50. "Port Vale defender Joe Davis signs new two-year contract". BBC Sport. 27 June 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  51. "Port Vale: Ede believes potential is there". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 3 November 2009. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012.
  52. "Port Vale v Crewe: Steve Davis plays down family pride". BBC Sport. 20 February 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  53. "Port Vale 1–3 Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  54. "Are our young footballers psychologically prepared to cope with the rigours of the English game ?". medium.com. 10 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  55. Davis, Joe (22 June 2020). "The Joe Davis column: My only regret about my time at Fleetwood Town is that I left". www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  56. "Games played by Joe Davis in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  57. "Games played by Joe Davis in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  58. "Games played by Joe Davis in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  59. "Games played by Joe Davis in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  60. "Games played by Joe Davis in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  61. "Games played by Joe Davis in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  62. For FA Trophy third qualifying round: Flett, Dave (25 November 2018). "Kidderminster 1 York City 3 report, match stats and ratings". The Press. York. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  63. "2018/19 Player Stats". Nantwich Town F.C. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019.
  64. "Nantwich Town | Appearances | Joseph Davis | Football Web Pages". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 3 July 2020.