Josh Hawkes

Josh Hawkes

Personal information
Full name	Joshua Stuart Hawkes [1]
Date of birth	(1999-01-28) 28 January 1999 (age 26)
Place of birth	Stockton-on-Tees, England
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) [2]
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team	Oldham Athletic
Number	21
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2020	Hartlepool United	61	(12)
2017	→ Marske United (loan)	2	(0)
2017–2018	→ Dunston UTS (loan)	4	(2)
2020–2022	Sunderland	1	(0)
2021–2022	→ Tranmere Rovers (loan)	15	(1)
2022–2025	Tranmere Rovers	121	(23)
2025–	Oldham Athletic	2	(1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:14, 13 August 2025 (UTC)

Joshua Stuart Hawkes (born 28 January 1999) is an English footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for EFL League Two club Oldham Athletic.

Playing career

Hartlepool United

Hawkes was drafted into the First Team picture in February 2017 after impressing then-boss Dave Jones whilst still a scholar. He made his first senior appearance coming on as a late substitute for Michael Woods in a 4–0 win for Hartlepool against Crewe Alexandra. ^[3] In March 2017, Hawkes signed his first professional contract with Hartlepool, along with Ryan Catterick, Kenton Richardson and Aaron Cunningham. ^[4]

Hawkes joined Northern League Division One side Dunston UTS on loan in November 2017. ^[5] He scored twice in four appearances during this short-term loan deal. ^[6] Hawkes enjoyed his first extended spell in the first team under Matthew Bates and scored his first goal in professional football in a 2–1 win over Bromley in March 2018. ^[7] He finished the 2017–18 season with two goals in twelve appearances.

Hawkes continued his positive form into the 2018–19 season. After an extended spell out of the team, Hawkes regained his place after scoring the consolation goal in a 2–1 defeat at Dover Athletic. ^[8] He finished the season with nine goals in thirty-one appearances, including winning goals against Maidenhead United, Braintree Town and Wrexham.

Sunderland

On 15 September 2020, Hawkes signed for Sunderland on a two-year deal. ^[9] He scored his first goal for the club in an EFL Cup tie against Port Vale on 10 August 2021. ^[10] On 11 January 2022, Hawkes made his League debut against Lincoln City in a 3–1 Defeat. ^[11]

Tranmere Rovers

On 2 September 2021, Hawkes joined League Two side Tranmere Rovers on a season-long loan deal. ^[12] On 7 January 2022, Hawkes returned to Sunderland along with teammates Jack Diamond and Anthony Patterson following a COVID-19 outbreak in the Sunderland first team. ^[13] On 25 January 2022, he returned to Tranmere Rovers on a permanent deal, signing a contract until the summer of 2024. ^{[14] [15] [16]} In the 2024–25 season, Hawkes' game time at Tranmere was limited and he made 23 league appearances; as a result, it was announced in June 2025 that he was to leave the club to pursue opportunities elsewhere. ^[17] Including his loan spell, Hawkes made 149 appearances for Tranmere in all competitions, scoring 27 times.

Oldham Athletic

On 1 July 2025, Hawkes joined newly promoted League Two side Oldham Athletic on a two-year deal. ^[18]

Career statistics

As of 9 August 2025

Club	Season	Division	League		FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Hartlepool United	2016–17	League Two	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
	2017–18	National League	12	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	12	2
	2018–19	National League	29	9	1	0	0	0	2	0	32	9
	2019–20	National League	18	1	3	1	0	0	1	0	22	2
	Total		61	12	4	1	0	0	3	0	68	13
Sunderland	2020–21	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0
	2021–22	League One	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	2	1
	Total		1	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	3	1
Tranmere Rovers	2021–22	League Two	35	6	1	0	0	0	1	0	37	6
	2022–23	League Two	42	10	1	0	2	1	2	0	47	11
	2023–24	League Two	36	6	0	0	2	0	1	0	39	6
	2024–25	League Two	23	2	1	0	0	0	2	2	26	4
	Total		136	24	3	0	4	1	6	2	149	27
Oldham Athletic	2025–26	League Two	2	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	1
Career total			200	37	7	1	6	2	10	2	223	42

References

1. Josh Hawkes at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
2. "Josh Hawkes". Hartlepool United Football Club. Hartlepool United F.C. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
3. "Hartlepool United 4–0 Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. 28 February 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
4. "Four Youngsters Pen Pro Deals At Pools". hartlepoolunited.co.uk. Hartlepool United F.C. 17 March 2017. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
5. "Hawkes Joins Dunston UTS On Loan". hartlepoolunited.co.uk. Hartlepool United F.C. 17 November 2017. Archived from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
6. "Dunston UTS FC Player Stats 2017-2018". dunstonutsfc.co.uk. Dunston UTS F.C. Archived from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
7. "Hartlepool United 2–1 Bromley". BBC Sport. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
8. "Dover Athletic 2–1 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
9. Chris Knight (15 September 2020). "Sunderland sign former Hartlepool attacking midfielder for U23 side". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
10. "Port Vale 1–2 Sunderland". BBC. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
11. "Josh Hawkes".
12. "Josh Hawkes joins on loan from Sunderland". Tranmere Rovers FC. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
13. "Sunderland recall Anthony Patterson, Jack Diamond and Josh Hawkes". The Northern Echo. 7 January 2022.
14. "Josh Hawkes joins Tranmere from Sunderland on permanent deal". Wirral Globe. 25 January 2022.
15. "Lee O'Connor & Josh Hawkes: Tranmere Rovers sign Celtic and Sunderland midfielders on permanent deals". BBC Sport. 25 January 2022.
16. "Josh Hawkes signs until Summer of 2024!". Tranmere Rovers FC. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
17. "Josh Hawkes to depart Tranmere Rovers". Tranmere Rovers FC. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
18. "Latics Complete Hawkes Capture". Oldham Athletic. 1 July 2025.