Jack Stobbs
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2019}}
{{ Infobox football biography
| name = Jack Stobbs
| image = JackStobbs.png
| caption = Stobbs pictured in July 2017.
| fullname = Jack Thomas Stobbs{{cite web|title=Retained List 2016-17|url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-released-and-retained-list---2016-17.pdf|publisher=English Football League|access-date=13 June 2017}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|2|27|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/jack-stobbs-241823/ |title=Jack Stobbs|website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=16 July 2018}}
| birth_place = Leeds, England{{cite web |title=FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2017/2018 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2017-2018/fltwo/portv.htm |website=www.footballsquads.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2021}}
| height = {{convert|1.80|m|ftin}}
| position = Winger
| currentclub = Curzon Ashton
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2005–2014
| youthclubs1 = Sheffield Wednesday
| years1 = 2014–2020
| clubs1 = Sheffield Wednesday
| caps1 = 5
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2017–2018
| clubs2 = → Port Vale (loan)
| caps2 = 5
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2019–2020
| clubs3 = → Livingston (loan)
| caps3 = 4
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2020–2021
| clubs4 = Grantham Town
| caps4 = 4
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2021–2023
| clubs5 = Oldham Athletic
| caps5 = 40
| goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2023
| clubs6 = → Torquay United (loan)
| caps6 = 10
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2023–2024
| clubs7 = Torquay United
| caps7 = 33
| goals7 = 2
| years8 = 2024
| clubs8 = Buxton
| caps8 = 23
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2025
| clubs9 = → Matlock Town (loan)
| caps9 = 11
| goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2025–
| clubs10 = Curzon Ashton
| caps10 = 0
| goals10 = 0
| club-update = 20:04, 16 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Jack Thomas Stobbs (born 27 February 1997) is an English footballer who plays as a winger for {{English football updater|CurzonAs}} club Curzon Ashton.
Stobbs turned professional at Sheffield Wednesday in March 2014 and made his first-team debut the following month. He joined Port Vale on loan for the first half of the 2017–18 season and started the 2019–20 season on loan at Scottish club Livingston. After being released by Wednesday, he signed with Grantham Town in October 2020 before returning to the English Football League with Oldham Athletic in August 2021, though Oldham were relegated into non-League at the end of the 2021–22 season. He joined Torquay United on loan in March 2023, in a move made permanent in the summer. He signed with Buxton in June 2024 and was loaned to Matlock Town in February 2025. He joined Curzon Ashton in June 2025.
Career
=Sheffield Wednesday=
Stobbs joined the Academy at Sheffield Wednesday at the age of eight and signed his first professional contract with the club in March 2014.{{cite news|title=Rising star|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2014/march/rising-star/|access-date=17 August 2017|work=swfc.co.uk|date=19 March 2014|language=en-gb}} He made his senior team debut on 26 April, coming on for Joe Mattock 60 minutes into a 3–1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers at Hillsborough, in what was the final home game of the 2013–14 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.swfc.co.uk/news/article/report-sheffield-wednesday-1-3-bolton-wanderers-1511679.aspx |title=Report: Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 Bolton Wanderers |work=www.swfc.co.uk |date=26 April 2014}} However, he suffered ankle ligament damage in a friendly at Matlock Town in the 2014–15 pre-season, which left him having to regain his fitness to try and force his way into manager Stuart Gray's first-team plans.{{cite news|last1=Howson|first1=Dom|title=Sheffield Wednesday: Jack sets sights on first-team place|url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/sheffield-wednesday-jack-sets-sights-on-first-team-place-1-6765183|access-date=17 August 2017|work=Sheffield Star|date=4 August 2014|language=en}} He had to wait until the last day of the 2015–16 season to make his second appearance for the "Owls", when he came on as a 79th-minute substitute for Atdhe Nuhiu in a 2–1 loss at Wolverhampton Wanderers on 7 May 2016.{{cite news|title=Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36176343|access-date=17 August 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=7 May 2016}} He signed a new one-year contract in June 2017 after captaining the U23 team to the Professional Development League 2 North title and National Championship in 2016–17.{{cite news|last1=Howson|first1=Dom|title=Sheffield Wednesday: Jack Stobbs extends his Owls stay|url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/sheffield-wednesday-jack-stobbs-extends-his-owls-stay-1-8620482|access-date=17 August 2017|work=Sheffield Star|date=28 June 2017|language=en}}
On 17 August 2017, Stobbs joined newly-relegated EFL League Two club Port Vale on loan for the 2017–18 season; manager Michael Brown said that "[chief scout] Darren Wrack has worked very hard on it and he is a good, exciting, young player".{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale sign Sheffield Wednesday winger Jack Stobbs|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-sign-sheffield-wednesday-winger-jack-stobbs/story-30486619-detail/story.html|access-date=17 August 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=17 August 2017|language=en}} However, he struggled to even appear on the first-team bench, and speaking in October, new manager Neil Aspin blamed league rules that prevented him from naming more than five loanees in a matchday squad.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Neil Aspin sympathises with Port Vale's loan players|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/neil-aspin-sympathises-port-vales-617873|access-date=12 October 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=12 October 2017}} He was recalled by Wednesday on 2 January 2018.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Port Vale loan pair Stobbs and Pyke recalled by Sheffield Weds and Huddersfield|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/port-vale-huddersfield-sheffield-wednesday-1001686|access-date=2 January 2018|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=2 January 2018}} New Wednesday manager Jos Luhukay put him into the first-team and gave him a new {{frac|2|1|2}}-year contract.{{cite news|last1=Holt|first1=Chris|title=Two more young stars sign new Sheffield Wednesday contracts|url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/two-more-young-stars-sign-new-sheffield-wednesday-contracts-1-9021255|access-date=16 February 2018|work=Sheffield Star|date=16 February 2018|language=en}} He featured in one EFL Cup game in the 2018–19 season.
On 20 August 2019, he joined Scottish Premiership side Livingston on loan until 1 January.{{cite news |title=Jack Stobbs: Livingston land winger on loan from Sheffield Wednesday |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49406417 |access-date=20 August 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=20 August 2019}} He scored on his "Lions" debut, his first in professional football, in a 4–1 victory at Ross County on 24 August.{{cite news |last1=Southwick |first1=Andrew |title=Ross County 1-4 Livingston: Jack Stobbs scores debut goal in thumping win |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49378868 |access-date=14 January 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=24 August 2019}} The strike was later named as the best goal in Scottish football of the 2019–20 season by the Glasgow Times.{{cite news |title=Player of the Year awards: Herald and Times Sports writers pick winners for top gongs |url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/18388381.player-year-awards-herald-times-sports-writers-pick-winners-top-gongs/ |access-date=14 May 2020 |work=Glasgow Times |date=18 April 2020 |language=en}} However, injury restricted him to just further three appearances in the remainder of his spell at the Almondvale Stadium and he was released by Wednesday at the end of the 2019–20 campaign; he was informed of his release via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England.{{cite news |title=Sheffield Wednesday exit confirmed, 'waiting game' begins for young attacker |url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/sheffield-wednesday-exit-confirmed-waiting-game-begins-2851683 |access-date=14 May 2020 |work=www.thestar.co.uk |language=en}} Stobbs said that he was upset at being released after 17 years in such circumstances but understood it was necessary due to the government's pandemic regulations; he went on to comment that "He (Garry Monk) had not seen me play and I had not trained with them due to being up there (Livingston), so he didn't really know anything about me. I had hoped to come back and be involved more than I was but it didn't work out like that.{{cite news |last1=Howson |first1=Dom |title=Sheffield Wednesday winger lifts the lid on his Hillsborough exit |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/sheffield-wednesday-winger-hillsborough-exit-18243054 |access-date=14 May 2020 |work=YorkshireLive |date=13 May 2020}}
=Grantham Town=
On 15 October 2020, Stobbs joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Grantham Town.{{cite news |title=Jack in the Box! |url=https://www.granthamtownfc.com/news/jack-in-the-box-2577623.html |access-date=16 October 2020 |work=www.granthamtownfc.com |date=15 October 2020}} He played six games before the 2020–21 season was curtailed early due to the ongoing pandemic.{{cite web |title=FA Update On Steps 3-6 |url=https://www.thenpl.co.uk/fa-update-on-steps-3-6-65182 |access-date=4 March 2021 |date=24 February 2021}}
=Oldham Athletic=
On 4 August 2021, Stobbs joined League Two side Oldham Athletic on a one-year contract following a lengthy trial period; "Latics" boss Keith Curle said that "he is one of the most committed players I have ever come across".{{cite news|title=Stobbs Signs For Latics|url=https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2021/august2/03082021-stobbs-signing/| access-date=4 August 2021|website=Oldham Athletic F.C. |date=4 August 2021}} He played 33 times during the 2021–22 campaign that saw the club relegated out of the English Football League after 115 years and was one of only two players to be offered a new contract by manager John Sheridan.{{cite news |last1=Colman |first1=Jon |title=Ex-Blues: Relegated club in talks with former Carlisle United star |url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/20158452.relegated-oldham-athletic-contract-talks-former-carlisle-united-star-nicky-adams/ |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=News and Star |date=23 May 2022 |language=en}} This new deal was accepted by Stobbs and signed in June 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2022/june/21062022-jack-stobbs-new-contract/|title=Stobbs Agrees New Deal|website=www.oldhamathletic.co.uk|date=21 June 2022|accessdate=21 June 2022}}
=Torquay United=
On 14 March 2023, Stobbs joined fellow National League side Torquay United on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season; he had impressed manager Gary Johnson in a game against Torquay earlier in the season.{{cite web|url=https://torquayunited.com/winger-stubbs-joins-united-on-loan/|title=Winger Stobbs Joins United On Loan|website=torquayunited.com|date=14 March 2023|accessdate=14 March 2023}} At the end of the season Torquay were relegated into the National League South, and he returned to Oldham where he was released.{{cite news |title=Torquay United relegated in Wrexham draw |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65357319 |access-date=3 May 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=29 April 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/2023/may/01052023-retained--released-list/|title=2023 Retained & Released List|website=www.oldhamathletic.co.uk|date=1 May 2023|accessdate=2 May 2023}} On 11 May 2023, it was announced that he would be returning to Torquay United on a one-year deal upon the expiration of his contract with Oldham Athletic.{{cite web|url=https://torquayunited.com/breaking-news-stobbs-agrees-deal/|title=BREAKING NEWS: Stobbs Agrees Deal|website=torquayunited.com|date=11 May 2023|accessdate=12 May 2023}} Supporters voted him as the club's Player of the Month for September 2023 after he scored two goals in FA Cup qualification matches.{{cite news |title=Stobbs Named BVEC Player Of The Month For September! - Torquay United |url=https://torquayunited.com/stobbs-named-bvec-player-of-the-month-for-september/ |access-date=25 April 2024 |work=Torquay United F.C. |date=17 October 2023}} He ended the 2023–24 season with three goals in 36 games before being released.{{cite news |last1=Coates |first1=Tom |title=Former Sheffield Wednesday, Port Vale and Oldham Athletic winger looking for new club after release |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/former-sheffield-wednesday-port-vale-and-oldham-athletic-winger-looking-for-new-club-after-release-4653296 |access-date=7 June 2024 |work=The Yorkshire Post |date=4 June 2024}}
=Buxton=
On 19 June 2024, Stobbs joined National League North side Buxton.{{cite news |last1=Duffy |first1=Mark |title=Buxton sign ex-Luton Town and Crystal Palace defender plus former Sheffield Wednesday and Oldham Athletic winger |url=https://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/buxton-sign-ex-luton-town-and-crystal-palace-defender-plus-former-sheffield-wednesday-and-oldham-athletic-winger-4671435?r=4741 |access-date=11 July 2024 |work=Buxton Advertiser |date=19 June 2024}} He featured 24 times in the first half of the 2024–25 campaign. On 17 February 2025, Stobbs joined Northern Premier League Premier Division side Matlock Town on loan for the remainder of the 2024–25 season. {{cite web|url=https://www.matlocktownfc.co.uk/winger-stobbs-signs-on-loan-as-boss-cresswell-explains-recent-squad-changes.asp|title=Winger Stobbs signs on loan as boss Cresswell explains recent squad changes|website=www.matlocktownfc.co.uk|date=17 February 2025|accessdate=18 February 2025}} He played eleven games for the club, scoring one goal and being sent off once.
=Curzon Ashton=
On 21 June 2025, Stobbs joined Curzon Ashton of the National League North.{{cite news |title=Player News {{!}} Jack Stobbs joins The Nash |url=https://curzon-ashton.co.uk/player-news-jack-stobbs-joins-the-nash/ |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=Curzon Ashton FC |date=21 June 2025}}
Style of play
Speaking in August 2014, Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray said that Stobbs is "one of those who runs at defenders in one-versus-one situations, and he's got a great habit of putting the ball between the posts for someone to score". Stobbs himself stated that "I've got a bit of pace and I like to take people on, I like to get to the byline, get crosses into the box and, where I can, I try to get a few goals".
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 26 April 2025}}
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stobbs, Jack}}
Category:Footballers from Leeds
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football wingers
Category:Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Livingston F.C. players
Category:Grantham Town F.C. players
Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players
Category:Torquay United F.C. players
Category:Matlock Town F.C. players
Category:Curzon Ashton F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:Northern Premier League players