Joe Starbuck

Joe Starbuck

Personal information
Full name	Joseph Richard Starbuck [1]
Date of birth	(2002-08-03) 3 August 2002 (age 21)
Place of birth	Essex, England
Position(s)	Full back, Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Tranmere Rovers
Number	31
Youth career
	Grimsby Town
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2019–2021	Grimsby Town	6	(0)
2021–2023	Sheffield United	0	(0)
2022	→ Kidderminster Harriers (loan)	6	(0)
2022–2023	→ Boston United (loan)	5	(0)
2023–	Tranmere Rovers	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:13, 30 April 2024 (UTC)

Joseph Richard Starbuck (born 3 August 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and full back for EFL League Two club Tranmere Rovers. He will become a free agent on 30 June 2024.

He came through the youth academy at Grimsby Town and was promoted to the first team during the 2019–20 season before going on to make six first team appearances. He joined Sheffield United in 2021 and has largely featured for the U23's. He has since spent time on loan with Kidderminster Harriers and Boston United.

Career

Grimsby Town

After progressing through Grimsby Town's academy, ^[2] on 3 September 2019, Starbuck made his debut for Grimsby in a 2–1 EFL Trophy defeat against Scunthorpe United. ^[3]

Following Grimsby's relegation from the Football League at the end of the 2020–21 season, Starbuck was transfer listed by manager Paul Hurst with the player being made available subject to a sell on clause being activated in any potential deal. ^[4]

Sheffield United

On 8 September 2021, Grimsby announced they had reached an agreement to let Starbuck sign for Sheffield United, where he will be featuring firstly for the Under-23 team under former Grimsby player Jack Lester. ^[5]

Ahead of United's FA Cup tie with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Starbuck was called into the first team squad and given shirt number 39. He was an unused substitute in a 3-0 defeat to the Premier League side. ^[6]

On 21 October 2022, Starbuck joined National League North club Kidderminster Harriers on a one-month loan deal. ^[7]

On 7 December 2022, Starbuck joined National League North side Boston United on a one-month loan deal. ^[8]

Starbuck was released at the end of the 2022–23 season and joined EFL League One club Cheltenham Town on trial. ^[9] After a week with the club manager Wade Elliott stated that the club were not in a position to offer him a deal and had allowed him to trial elsewhere. ^[10]

Tranmere Rovers

On 25th September 2023, Starbuck signed for Tranmere Rovers on a short-term contract following a successful trial. ^[11] Having made only two appearances in all competitions, he was released at the end of the 2023–24 season. ^[12]

Career statistics

As of end of 2023–24 season. ^[13]

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
Grimsby Town	2019–20 [14]	League Two	0	0	0	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	1	0
	2020–21 [15]	League Two	6	0	0	0	0	0	2 [lower-alpha 1]	0	8	0
	Grimsby Town total		6	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	9	0
Tranmere Rovers	2023–24 [16]	League Two	1	0	0	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	2	0
Career total			7	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	11	0

1. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy

References

1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Grimsby Town" (PDF). English Football League. p. 31. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 October 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
2. "Joseph Starbuck". Grimsby Town F.C. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
3. "Grismby Town vs. Scunthorpe United 2–1". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
4. "Grimsby Town make seven players available for free transfers". Grimsbylive. 29 June 2021.
5. "Joe Starbuck joins Sheffield United as midfielder leaves Grimsby Town". Grimsbylive. 8 September 2021.
6. "Podence-inspired Wolves see off Sheff Utd". BBC Sport.
7. "Blades starlet joins on loan". harriers.co.uk. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
8. "Starbuck makes United loan move". Boston United FC. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
9. https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sheffield-united-wing-back-trial-8555145
10. https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/luke-southwood-signing-trialist-liam-8592796
11. "Rovers sign Robson, Starbuck and Belehouan on short-term contracts". tranmererovers.co.uk. Tranmere Rovers. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
12. "2023/24 retained and released list". www.tranmererovers.co.uk. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
13. Joseph Starbuck at Soccerway
14. "Games played by Joe Starbuck in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
15. "Games played by Joe Starbuck in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
16. "Games played by Joe Starbuck in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 April 2024.