Reece Staunton

Reece Staunton

Staunton with Bradford City in 2021
Personal information
Full name	Reece Joseph Staunton [1]
Date of birth	(2001-12-10) 10 December 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth	Bradford, England
Position(s)	Defender, defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team	Spennymoor Town
Number	3
Youth career
	Bradford City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2022	Bradford City	10	(1)
2019	→ Ossett United (loan)	3	(0)
2019–2020	→ Bradford (Park Avenue) (loan)	6	(0)
2021	→ Bradford (Park Avenue) (loan)	4	(0)
2022–2023	Bradford (Park Avenue)	35	(0)
2023–	Spennymoor Town	62	(2)
International career
	Republic of Ireland U18
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:35, 27 December 2024 (UTC)

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.

Early and personal life

Staunton attended Bradford Academy. ^[2]

Club career

Bradford City

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]

Bradford (Park Avenue)

In August 2022 he moved to Bradford (Park Avenue) for an undisclosed transfer fee, his third spell with the club. ^[30]

Spennymoor Town

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]

International career

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]

Style of play

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]

Career statistics

As of 27 December 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Bradford City	2017–18 [35]	League One	1	0	0	0	0	0	1 [a]	0	2	0
	2018–19 [7]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	1 [a]	0	1	0
	2019–20 [12]	League Two	0	0	0	0	0	0	1 [a]	0	1	0
	2020–21 [36]	League Two	8	1	1	0	2	0	3 [a]	0	14	1
	2021–22 [37]	League Two	1	0	0	0	0	0	2 [a]	0	3	0
	Total		10	1	1	0	2	0	8	0	21	1
Ossett United (loan)	2019–20 [38]	Northern Premier League Division One North West	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
Bradford (Park Avenue) (loan)	2019–20 [39]	National League North	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
Bradford (Park Avenue) (loan)	2021–22 [39]	National League North	4	0	0	0	0	0	1 [b]	0	5	0
Bradford (Park Avenue)	2022–23 [39]	National League North	35	0	0	0	0	0	1 [b]	0	36	0
Spennymoor Town	2023–24 [39]	National League North	42	2	0	0	0	0	1 [b]	0	43	2
	2024–25 [39]	National League North	20	0	1	0	0	0	2 [b]	0	23	0
	Total		62	2	1	0	0	0	3	0	66	2
Career total			120	3	2	0	2	0	13	0	137	3

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

Honours

Individual

• Spennymoor Town Supporters' Player of the Year: 2023–24 ^[32]
• Spennymoor Town Players' Player of the Year: 2023–24 ^[32]

References

1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Bradford City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 11. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
2. "Bradford City's rising rookie Staunton coming of age under McCall". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
3. Simon Parker (8 November 2017). "No pressure on young Bradford City record-breaker Reece Staunton". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
4. Simon Parker (8 November 2017). "Teenager Reece Staunton adds name to Bradford City record books". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
5. "Bradford City 0 Rotherham United 3: Night to remember for Staunton, 15, but record low for City". Yorkshire Post. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
6. "YOUNG PROSPECT HANDED NEW CLUB DEAL". Bradford City A.F.C. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
7. "Games played by Reece Staunton in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
8. Simon Parker (10 October 2018). "Hopkin impressed with teenage duo in Bantams loss". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
9. "STAUNTON TO CONTINUE OSSETT LOAN SPELL". www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
10. City, Bradford [@officialbantams] (23 September 2019). "NEWS | @reece_staunton has returned to the club, following a successful work experience spell with @OssettUnited. / #BCAFC | #OurCitypic.twitter.com/oMTb6W8lxK" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
11. "Local loans pay off for Bradford City youngsters". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
12. "Games played by Reece Staunton in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
13. "Bradford (Park Avenue) loan in Bantams youngster". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
14. "Bantams boy Reece is showing pieces of quality for Avenue". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
15. "Bantams starlet signs professional contract". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
16. "City recall youngster early from Avenue loan". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
17. "Staunton seen as one for Bradford City future". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
18. "Bantams young guns earn shot as Liverpool beckon in cup". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
19. "New contract for Bradford City rising star Staunton". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
20. "Staunton injury leaves Bantams facing defensive crisis". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
21. "Fit-again Staunton back in the mix for Bradford City". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
22. "McCall insists age is irrelevant as young guns look to help City turn a corner". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
23. "New blow for Bradford City as expected length of Staunton's absence revealed". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
24. "Bradford City refusing to rush back injured youngsters". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
25. ""Think positive": Advice for Bradford City starlet Staunton after long-awaited comeback". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
26. "Why time away from Bradford City can help young trio develop". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
27. "Staunton swaps Bantams for Park Avenue as second young player to go out on loan". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
28. "Adams on Bradford City's plans for Staunton and Scales as Sikora departs". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
29. "Adams earmarks Staunton for long-term role in City defence". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
30. "Staunton quits Valley Parade to make permanent move to Bradford (Park Avenue)". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
31. "Reece Staunton Signs For Spennymoor". Spennymoor Town. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
32. "Staunton Proud After Triple Award Joy". Spennymoor Town. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
33. Simon Parker (13 November 2018). "Bradford City: Devine's chance to impress Hopkin". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
34. "YOUNG BANTAMS ENJOY INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT". Bradford City A.F.C. 9 December 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
35. "Games played by Reece Staunton in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
36. "Games played by Reece Staunton in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
37. "Games played by Reece Staunton in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
38. "Ossett United | Appearances | Reece Staunton | 2019-2020 | Football Web Pages". www.footballwebpages.co.uk.
39. Reece Staunton at Soccerway. Retrieved 27 December 2024.