Joe Grey

Joe Grey

Grey warming up for Hartlepool United in 2024
Personal information
Full name	Joseph Grey [1]
Date of birth	(2003-05-04) 4 May 2003 (age 22)
Place of birth	Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.76 m) [2]
Position(s)	Winger, Striker
Team information
Current team	York City
Number	12
Youth career
2011-2012	Corbridge United FC
2013–2019	Wallsend Boys Club
2019–2020	Cramlington Juniors
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2020–2025	Hartlepool United	140	(21)
2025–	York City	7	(1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:19, 13 September 2025 (UTC)

Joseph Grey (born 4 May 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for National League club York City.

He started his youth career at Cramlington Juniors, before moving to Wallsend Boys Club and then on to Hartlepool United in 2019 where he signed his first professional deal the following year. He was part of the Hartlepool squad that gained promotion to League Two in the 2020–21 season. After making 162 appearances and scoring 25 times, Grey left Hartlepool to sign for National League club York City.

Club career

Hartlepool United

Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, ^[3] Grey signed for Hartlepool's youth team in 2019 and turned professional a year early due to interest from other clubs. ^[4] On signing for the club Grey stated, "I'm over the moon to finally get this done, Hartlepool have been great to me and I was excited to be around the first team at different times last season and now during pre season. I want to continue working and get more opportunities when the season starts". ^[5] He made his league debut in a 4–0 win over Maidenhead United. ^[6] Grey got his first senior goal in a 6–0 thrashing of Northern Premier League team Ilkeston Town in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round. ^[7] Grey's first league goal came in a 2–1 defeat to Eastleigh. ^[8] He was part of the Hartlepool United squad that gained promotion to League Two in the 2020–21 season. ^{[9] [10]}

On 8 January 2022, Grey scored the winner in a 2–1 win over Championship team Blackpool as a substitute in the third round of the FA Cup. ^[11] It was his first goal of the season. On 25 January 2022, Grey scored again as Hartlepool reached the semi-finals of the EFL Trophy after defeating Charlton Athletic on penalties. ^[12] He also scored the opening goal against Rotherham United in the following round, however Hartlepool lost on penalties. ^[13]

On 23 June 2022, Grey signed a new three-year deal with Hartlepool. ^[14] He scored on his 100th Hartlepool appearance in a home defeat to Oldham Athletic in December 2023. ^[15] He finished the 2023–24 season with 13 goals in total. ^[16] In the 2024–25 season, he made 41 appearances in all competitions scoring 6 times. ^[10] At the end of the campaign Grey was offered a new deal. ^[17] However, he departed having made 162 appearances in total for Hartlepool, scoring 25 times. ^[10]

York City

On 15 July 2025, it was announced that Grey had signed for National League club York City on a permanent deal with the fee to be set by a tribunal. ^[17]

Style of play

Grey can play as either a winger or as a striker. ^[18] In his first season playing in the Football League, Grey predominately played as a winger. ^[19] He is a quick, skilful player who has been praised for his high work ethic. ^[20]

Career statistics

As of match played 13 September 2025

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
Hartlepool United	2020–21 [10]	National League	13	1	1	1	0	0	1 [a]	0	15	2
	2021–22 [21]	League Two	28	1	4	1	0	0	5 [b]	2	37	4
	2022–23 [22]	League Two	17	0	4	0	0	0	2 [b]	0	23	0
	2023–24 [10]	National League	43	13	1	0	0	0	2 [a]	0	46	13
	2024–25 [10]	National League	39	6	2	0	0	0	0	0	41	6
	Total		140	21	12	2	0	0	10	2	162	25
York City	2025–26 [10]	Nationa League	7	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	1
Career total			147	22	12	2	0	0	10	2	169	26

1. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
2. Appearances in EFL Trophy

References

1. "EFL squad list 2021/22 & U21 registered contracted players" (PDF). English Football League. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
2. "Joe Grey".
3. "Joe Grey | Player profile".
4. "Teenage forward Joe Grey signs first professional contract at Hartlepool United despite rumoured interest from Newcastle United, Sunderland and Middlesbrough". Hartlepool Mail. 24 August 2020.
5. "Joe Grey signs professional contract". 24 August 2020.
6. "Live: Maidenhead United v Hartlepool United | National League | BT Sport". BT.com.
7. "Catch-up: FA Cup fourth qualifying round - Ilkeston v Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 22 October 2020.
8. "Eastleigh 2–1 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
9. "Hartlepool promoted to League Two after National League play-off final win over Torquay". Sky Sports.
10. Joe Grey at Soccerway . Retrieved 8 January 2022.
11. "Hartlepool fight back to stun Blackpool". BBC Sport.
12. "Match report: Pools are in the semis". Hartlepool United FC. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
13. "Hartlepool United 2–2 Rotherham United (4–5 on pens): Millers reach Papa John's Trophy final". BBC Sport. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
14. "Joe Grey signs new contract". Hartlepool United FC. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
15. Gavin Ledwith (26 December 2023). "Hartlepool United squander early lead to lose 3–1 at home to Oldham Athletic in National League". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
16. Stelling, Robbie (20 April 2024). "Hartlepool United 4–3 Dorking Wanderers: Mani Dieseruvwe bags a brace as Poolie Blues Brothers celebrate after their side edge seven-goal thriller". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
17. "Joe Grey Departs Pools". Hartlepool United FC. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
18. "Dave Challinor says Hartlepool fans are watching a different Joe Grey". Northern Echo. 11 October 2021.
19. "Joe Grey to stay at Hartlepool after club exercised option for further year". Northern Echo. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
20. "'It's been really tough for him' - Dave Challinor discusses Hartlepool United youngster Joe Grey after the former Newcastle United, Middlesbrough and Sunderland target returned from injury this season". Hartlepool Mail. 28 October 2021.
21. "Games played by Joe Grey in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
22. "Games played by Joe Grey in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 August 2022.