Josh Smith (footballer, born 2005)

Josh Smith

Personal information
Full name	Joshua Jack Smith
Date of birth	(2005-09-17) 17 September 2005 (age 20)
Place of birth	Blackburn, England
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Position	Defender
Team information
Current team	Buxton (on loan from Accrington Stanley)
Youth career
2022–2024	Accrington Stanley
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2024–	Accrington Stanley	10	(0)
2024	→ Newcastle Town (loan)	7	(0)
2024	→ Hyde United (loan)	4	(1)
2025	→ Matlock Town (loan)	13	(2)
2025–	→ Buxton (loan)	1	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 14:35, 5 December 2025 (UTC)

Joshua Jack Smith (born 17 September 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Buxton on loan from EFL League Two club Accrington Stanley. ^[1]

Career

Smith joined the Accrington Stanley academy in March 2022. ^[2] On 8 October 2024, he made his senior debut in a 2–1 EFL Trophy defeat to Tranmere Rovers. ^[3]

On 22 January 2025, Smith joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Matlock Town on an initial one-month loan deal. ^[4] On 12 April, he returned from injury to feature in a 4–0 victory over Hyde United, however his youth loan had ended by this point. ^[5] As a result, the club were deducted three points which subsequently confirmed their relegation. ^[6]

On 2 August 2025, Smith made his league debut in a 1–1 opening day draw with Gillingham. ^[7] On 30 September 2025, he signed an improved two-year contract. ^{[2] [8]}

On 4 December 2025, Smith joined National League North club Buxton on loan until 30 December. ^[9]

Career statistics

As of match played 11 November 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
Accrington Stanley	2023–24	League Two	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2024–25 [10]	League Two	0	0	0	0	0	0	1 [a]	0	1	0
	2025–26 [11]	League Two	6	0	0	0	0	0	3 [a]	0	9	0
	Total		6	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	10	0
Newcastle Town (loan)	2023–24 [12]	Northern Premier League West Division	7	0	0	0	—		0	0	7	0
Hyde United (loan)	2024–25 [13]	Northern Premier League Premier Division	4	1	0	0	—		1 [b]	0	5	1
Matlock Town (loan)	2024–25 [14]	Northern Premier League Premier Division	13	2	0	0	—		0	0	13	2
Career total			30	3	0	0	0	0	5	0	35	3

1. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
2. Appearance(s) in Manchester Premier Cup

References

1. "Josh Smith". Soccerway. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
2. "RENEWAL: Josh signs an improved two-year contract". www.accringtonstanley.co.uk. 30 September 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
3. "REPORT: Tranmere Rovers 2 Stanley 1". wwww.accringtonstanley.co.uk. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
4. "Joshua Smith joins on loan from Accrington Stanley". www.matlocktownfc.co.uk. 22 January 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
5. "Club Statement: Ineligible player". www.matlocktownfc.co.uk. 20 April 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
6. Duffy, Mark (22 April 2025). "Matlock Town suffer relegation after results and points deduction seal their fate". Derbyshire Times. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
7. "Accrington Stanley 1–1 Gillingham". BBC Sport. 2 August 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
8. Barnes, Dan (30 September 2025). "Accrington Stanley defender Josh Smith signs new contract". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
9. "Bucks Bring In Smith". www.buxtonfc.co.uk. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
10. "Games played by Josh Smith in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
11. "Games played by Josh Smith in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
12. "Newcastle Town – Appearances – Joshua Smith – 2023-2024". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
13. "Hyde United – Appearances – Josh Smith – 2024-2025". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
14. "Matlock Town – Appearances – Joshua Smith – 2024-2025". www.footballwebpages.co.uk. Retrieved 5 December 2025.