Joseph James (footballer)

Joseph James
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-06-27) 27 June 2006 (age 18)[1]
Place of birth Weston-super-Mare, England
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Bath City
(on loan from Bristol City)
Number 17
Youth career
–2023 Bristol City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023– Bristol City 2 (0)
2024 → Bath City (loan) 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:38, 27 December 2024 (UTC)

Joseph James (born 27 June 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Bath City on loan from EFL Championship club Bristol City.[1]

Early life

From Weston Super Mare, James joined Bristol City at the age of eight years-old, having also declined an offer to join Southampton. He progressed through the age-group teams at Bristol City, predominantly playing at right-back.[2]

Career

James began to be included in Bristol City first-team match day squads in October 2023. Prior to his debut he received praise from manager Nigel Pearson who predicted he had "a bright future" and noted his "composure".[3] He made his professional debut aged 17 years-old, on 25 October 2023, in the EFL Championship at home against Ipswich Town.[4][5] He made his first league start in the following fixture, away in the league against Cardiff City on 28 October 2023.[6][7]

During the 2023-24 season he helped the Bristol City team make a deep run to the semifinals of the FA Youth Cup. He signed a two-year professional contract with the club in May 2024.[8] In October 2024, he joined Bath City on a short-term loan making his league debut on 5 October 2024 against Chesham United.[9]

Style of play

James is considered capable of playing as a right-back or right-sided centre half.[10]

Career statistics

As of match played 22 October 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
Bristol City 2023–24[11] Championship 2 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 0
2024–25[12] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 2 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 0
Bath City (loan) 2024–25[1] National League South 3 0 1 0 — 0 0 4 0
Career total 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 0

References

  1. ^ a b c "Joseph James". Soccerway. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  2. ^ Piercy, James (6 October 2023). "Bristol City notebook: A budding bromance, new face on the bus and Andi Weimann's milestone". Bristol Post. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Nigel Pearson reveals fresh Bristol City injury problem and praises unknown young talent pre-Coventry City". Bristol World. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Bristol 0–1 Ipswich Town". BBC Sport. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  5. ^ Piercy, James (25 October 2023). "Bristol City player ratings vs Ipswich Town: Cornick makes impact and Knight shines in defeat". Bristol Post. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  6. ^ "CARDIFF VS. BRISTOL CITY". Soccerway. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  7. ^ Cork, Tristan (28 October 2023). "Cardiff City v Bristol City – player ratings as teenagers James and Knight-Lebel shine". Bristol Post. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  8. ^ Piercey, James (10 May 2024). "Bristol City reward FA Youth Cup side with 10 pro deals ahead of publication of retained list". Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Loan watch: Bak scores hat-trick as James joins Bath". bcfc. 7 October 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  10. ^ Forrester, Rochard (3 May 2023). "Three players who stood out as Bristol City proved the future's bright with cup triumph". Bristol Post. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Games played by Joseph James in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  12. ^ "Games played by Joseph James in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 December 2024.