Jak McCourt
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Jak McCourt
| image = Jak McCourt 21 April 2018.jpg
| caption = McCourt playing for Chesterfield in 2018
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|7|6|df=y}}{{cite web |title=FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2015/2016 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2015-2016/fltwo/portv.htm |website=www.footballsquads.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2021 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
| birth_place = Liverpool, England{{soccerway|jak-mccourt/318658}}
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Ashton United
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Leicester City
| years1 = 2013–2016| clubs1 = Leicester City | caps1 = 0| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2013–2014| clubs2 = → Torquay United (loan) | caps2 = 11| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2015 | clubs3 = → Port Vale (loan) | caps3 = 2| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2016 | clubs4 = Barnsley | caps4 = 1| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2016–2017| clubs5 = Northampton Town | caps5 = 26| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2017–2018| clubs6 = Chesterfield | caps6 = 34| goals6 = 5
| years7 = 2018–2019| clubs7 = Swindon Town | caps7 = 27| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2019–2020| clubs8 = Macclesfield Town | caps8 = 21| goals8 = 2
| years9 = 2020–2022| clubs9 = Chesterfield | caps9 = 41| goals9 = 2
| years10 = 2022–2023| clubs10 = Warrington Rylands 1906 | caps10= 20| goals10= 1
| years11 = 2023–2024| clubs11 = Buxton | caps11= 47| goals11= 7
| years12 = 2024– | clubs12 = Ashton United | caps12= 12| goals12= 0
| years13 = 2024 | clubs13 = → Warrington Town (loan) | caps13= 7| goals13= 0
| years14 = 2025 | clubs14 = → Bradford (Park Avenue) (loan) | caps14= 8| goals14= 1
| club-update = 18:36, 15 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Jak McCourt (born 6 July 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for {{English football updater|AshtonUn}} club Ashton United.
McCourt began his career with Leicester City. McCourt spent part of the 2013–14 season on loan at Torquay United and then September 2015 on loan at Port Vale, before being sold to Barnsley in January 2016. An unused substitute in the club's victorious 2016 League One play-off final, he was released by Barnsley in June 2016 and subsequently joined Northampton Town. Northampton released him in July 2017 by mutual agreement and subsequently joined Chesterfield. He signed with Swindon Town in July 2018 and then moved on to Macclesfield Town in June 2019. Macclesfield Town were liquidated at the end of the 2019–20 season. He rejoined Chesterfield in December 2020 and signed with Warrington Rylands 1906 in June 2022. He joined Buxton in January 2023 and moved to Ashton United the following year. He had spells on loan at Warrington Town and Bradford (Park Avenue).
Career
=Leicester City=
McCourt began his career with Leicester City and signed a professional contract with the "Foxes" in May 2013.{{cite web |title=Leicester youngsters agree professional contracts at the club |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/8699139/Leicester-youngsters-agree-professional-contracts-at-the-club |work=Sky Sports |date=8 May 2013 |access-date=16 October 2013}} On 11 October 2013, he joined League Two side Torquay United on loan for a month.{{cite web |title=Jak McCourt: Torquay United sign Leicester City midfielder |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24492956 |date=11 October 2013 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=16 October 2013}} He made his professional debut the next day in a 3–2 to Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park.{{cite web |title=Wycombe 3–2 Torquay |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24408368 |work=BBC Sport |date=12 October 2013 |access-date=16 October 2013}} On 9 December, McCourt's loan was extended by Torquay United until 4 January 2014.{{cite web |title=McCourt Extended |url=http://www.torquayunited.com/news/article/new-loan-for-jak-1225019.aspx |work=Torquay United Official Website |date=9 December 2013 |access-date=10 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215072622/http://www.torquayunited.com/news/article/new-loan-for-jak-1225019.aspx |archive-date=15 December 2013 |url-status=dead }} He returned to the King Power Stadium after making 12 appearances in all competitions for Alan Knill's "Gulls". The player signed a new one-year contract with Leicester City in June 2014.{{cite web |title=Youngster McCourt Extends Leicester City Contract |url=http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/190614-youngster-mccourt-extends-contract-1650477.aspx |website=lcfc.com |access-date=29 August 2015}}
McCourt joined League One side Port Vale on a one-month loan deal on 28 August 2015.{{cite news |title=Jak McCourt: Port Vale sign Leicester City midfielder |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34088893 |access-date=29 August 2015 |work=BBC Sport |date=28 August 2015}} Manager Rob Page said he made the signing as cover for the injured Michael Brown, who was the "Valiants" central midfield option on the bench.{{cite news |title=Port Vale: Manager Rob Page wants his players to be more clinical in front of goal |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Manager-Rob-Page-wants-players-clinical/story-27704917-detail/story.html |access-date=31 August 2015 |work=The Sentinel |date=31 August 2015 |archive-date=13 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913091404/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Manager-Rob-Page-wants-players-clinical/story-27704917-detail/story.html |url-status=dead }} He started one Football League Trophy game and made two substitute appearances in the league.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Jak McCourt returns to Leicester City |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Jak-McCourt-returns-Leicester-City/story-27882238-detail/story.html |access-date=28 September 2015 |work=The Sentinel |date=28 September 2015 |archive-date=29 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929092757/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Jak-McCourt-returns-Leicester-City/story-27882238-detail/story.html |url-status=dead }}
=Barnsley=
McCourt was sold to League One club Barnsley for an undisclosed fee in January 2016; he signed a contract running until the end of the 2015–16 season.{{cite web |title=Jak McCourt: Barnsley sign Leicester City midfielder |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35438990 |website=BBC Sport |date=29 January 2016 |access-date=29 January 2016}} He played two games for Barnsley, both as substitute appearances from the bench, and was an unused substitute for the play-off final victory over Millwall at Wembley Stadium on 29 May.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36352352 |title=Barnsley 3–1 Millwall |first=Rob |last=Stevens |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2016 |access-date=23 December 2018}} The club then released him upon the expiry of his contract in June.{{Cite web |url=http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/barnsley-fc-retained-list-3132227.aspx |title=Barnsley FC Retained List |publisher=Barnsley F.C. |access-date=11 June 2016}}
=Northampton Town=
In June 2016, McCourt signed a two-year contract with League One club Northampton Town, in a move that reunited him with his former Port Vale boss Rob Page.{{cite news |title=Northampton Town: Gabriel Zakuani and Jak McCourt arrive at Sixfields |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36620966 |access-date=24 June 2016 |work=BBC Sport |date=24 June 2016}} However, he picked up a shoulder injury in pre-season training, which required surgery and an enforced two-month absence.{{cite news |title=Jak McCourt: Northampton Town midfielder needs shoulder surgery |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36793781 |access-date=15 July 2016 |work=BBC Sport |date=14 July 2016}} He scored his first senior goal in a 1–1 draw with Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park on 8 October.{{cite news |title=Scunthorpe United 1–1 Northampton Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37526802 |access-date=13 May 2017 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 October 2016}} He received his first sending off seven days later after picking up two yellow cards in a 3–1 defeat to Millwall at Sixfields Stadium.{{cite news |title=Northampton Town 1–3 Millwall |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37593926 |access-date=13 May 2017 |work=BBC Sport |date=15 October 2016}} He was transfer-listed by new manager Justin Edinburgh in May 2017 after falling out of the first-team in the second half of the 2016–17 season.{{cite news |last1=Casey |first1=Jeremy |title=Edinburgh explains decision to transfer-list Cobblers quartet |url=http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/edinburgh-explains-decision-to-transfer-list-cobblers-quartet-1-7945713 |access-date=13 May 2017 |work=Northampton Chronicle & Echo |date=4 May 2017 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Heneghan |first1=James |title=Midfielder McCourt determined to keep his Cobblers place after Bolton outing |url=http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/midfielder-mccourt-determined-to-keep-his-cobblers-place-after-bolton-outing-1-7873926 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224121926/https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/midfielder-mccourt-determined-to-keep-his-cobblers-place-after-bolton-outing-1-7873926 |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 December 2018 |access-date=13 May 2017 |work=Northampton Chronicle & Echo |date=21 March 2017 |language=en }}
=Chesterfield=
McCourt negotiated his release from Northampton and joined newly-relegated League Two side Chesterfield on a two-year deal in July 2017.{{cite news |title=Chesterfield sign midfielder Jak McCourt on two-year deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40543101 |access-date=8 July 2017 |work=BBC Sport |date=8 July 2017}} He scored six goals in 39 appearances across the 2017–18 season as the "Spireites" were relegated out of the English Football League into the National League. He was made available for a free transfer by new manager Martin Allen in May 2018.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Former Port Vale forward Louis Dodds made available by Chesterfield |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/former-port-vale-forward-louis-1582266 |access-date=18 May 2018 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=18 May 2018}}
=Swindon Town=
On 17 July 2018, McCourt joined League Two side Swindon Town on a one-year contract.{{cite news |title=Swindon Town: Jak McCourt joins League Two club on free transfer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44858812 |access-date=17 July 2018 |work=BBC Sport |date=17 July 2018}} He was utilised as a holding midfielder by manager Phil Brown, before being moved further forward after Brown was replaced by Richie Wellens in November.{{cite news |last1=Reynolds |first1=Shaun |title=McCourt buoyed by Wellens' January recruitment |url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/17445249.swindon-town-midfielder-jak-mccourt-believes-new-arrivals-have-boosted-morale-and-given-richie-wellens-side-a-genuine-shot-at-league-two-play-offs/ |access-date=6 May 2019 |work=Swindon Advertiser |date=20 February 2019 |language=en}} He was released by Swindon at the end of the 2018–19 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48206871|title=Swindon Town release 10 players including Vigouroux & Dunne|date=8 May 2019|access-date=9 May 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}
=Macclesfield Town=
On 5 June 2019, McCourt joined League Two side Macclesfield Town on a one-year contract, becoming Sol Campbell's first summer signing as manager.{{cite news |title=Macclesfield Town: Jak McCourt joins League Two club on free transfer |url=https://www.mtfc.co.uk/news/2019/june/05.06.19-jak-mccourt-becomes-first-summer-signing/|publisher=MTFC}} He featured 21 times for the "Silkmen" during the 2019–20 season and was offered a new contract by new manager Mark Kennedy in the summer.{{cite news |title=Silkmen Announce Retained And Released Lists |url=https://www.mtfc.co.uk/news/2020/june/09.06.20-silkmen-announce-retained-and-released-lists/ |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=www.mtfc.co.uk |date=9 June 2020 |language=en-gb |archive-date=26 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626082104/https://www.mtfc.co.uk/news/2020/june/09.06.20-silkmen-announce-retained-and-released-lists/ |url-status=dead }} Macclesfield were relegated at the end of the season after having a total of 17 points deducted and were liquidated in September 2020.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Peter |title=Stevenage stay up, Macclesfield Town relegated after EFL points appeal |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/macclesfield-town-port-vale-stevenage-4416621 |access-date=12 August 2020 |work=StokeonTrentLive |date=11 August 2020}}{{cite news |title=Macclesfield Town FC wound up in court |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54177582 |access-date=16 September 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=16 September 2020}}
=Return to Chesterfield=
On 1 December 2020, McCourt rejoined Chesterfield, now in the National League, on a short-term contract.{{Cite news |title=Midfielder returns |url=https://chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/midfielder-returns |access-date=1 December 2020 |work=www.Chesterfield-fc.co.uk |date=1 December 2020 |language=en-gb |archive-date=1 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201174152/https://chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/midfielder-returns |url-status=dead }} He said that he had unfinished business at the club after being at the Proact Stadium when the club lost its Football League status.{{cite news |last1=Norcliffe |first1=Liam |title=Breaking: Chesterfield re-sign midfielder Jak McCourt on short-term deal |url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/i-want-put-things-right-jak-mccourt-has-unfinished-business-chesterfield-after-re-signing-spireites-3054226 |access-date=1 June 2021 |work=Derbyshire Times |date=2 December 2020 |language=en}} He quickly impressed manager James Rowe and signed a new 18-month contract later in the month.{{cite news |last1=Norcliffe |first1=Liam |title=Breaking: 'The team is good enough for promotion' - McCourt signs new Town contract |url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/team-good-enough-promotion-jak-mccourt-signs-new-contract-chesterfield-3073303 |access-date=1 June 2021 |work=Derbyshire Times |date=18 December 2020 |language=en}} Chesterfield qualified for the play-offs at the end of the 2020–21 season, though were beaten by Notts County at the quarter-final stage.{{cite news |last1=Norcliffe |first1=Liam |title=Recap: Chesterfied suffer late heartbreak against Notts County in play-offs |url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/recap-chesterfied-suffer-late-heartbreak-against-notts-county-in-play-offs-3261880 |access-date=7 June 2021 |work=Derbyshire Times |date=5 June 2021 |language=en}} Rowe was sacked in February 2022 and McCourt was returned to the first-team by caretaker manager Daniel Webb following a period of three months without an appearance.{{cite news |last1=Norcliffe |first1=Liam |title=Jak McCourt praises 'outstanding' Danny Webb and reveals he was close to leaving on loan |url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/mccourt-praises-outstanding-webb-reveals-he-almost-left-on-loan-3560685 |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=Derbyshire Times |date=9 February 2022 |language=en}} However, he picked up an ankle injury after being on the wrong end of a "horrific" tackle later that month.{{cite news |last1=Norcliffe |first1=Liam |title=Injury update on Jak McCourt after 'horrific' tackle against Solihull Moors |url=https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/injury-update-on-mccourt-after-horrific-tackle-3589642 |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=Derbyshire Times |date=28 February 2022 |language=en}} He recovered and was named on the substitute's bench by manager Paul Cook for the play-off semi-final defeat at Solihull Moors.{{cite news |last1=O'Neill |first1=George |title=Solihull Moors end Chesterfield promotion hopes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61563135 |access-date=29 May 2022 |work=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2022}}
=Warrington Rylands 1906=
On 27 June 2022, McCourt signed for newly-promoted Northern Premier League Premier Division side Warrington Rylands 1906.{{Cite tweet |user=RylandsFC |number=1541481693286207490 |title=McCourt Monday!!}}{{cite news |last1=Turner |first1=Matt |title=Warrington Rylands pull off major coup with new signing |url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sport/20239298.jak-mccourt-chesterfield-fc-man-joins-warrington-rylands/ |access-date=1 July 2022 |work=Warrington Guardian |date=27 June 2022 |language=en}}
=Buxton=
In January 2023, McCourt joined National League North club Buxton.{{cite tweet|title=✍🏼⚽️ We are delighted to confirm the signing of midfielder Jak McCourt from Warrington Rylands. Jak joined the NPL side in June, having spent two years at Chesterfield and, prior to that, several years in the EFL. Welcome to Buxton, Jak. #UpTheBucks #WelcomeJak|number=1619033389360726029|user=Buxton_FC|author-link=Buxton F.C.|date=27 January 2023|accessdate=30 January 2023}} He made 19 appearances in the second half of the 2022–23 season, scoring two goals. He scored five goals in 29 games throughout the 2023–24 campaign.
=Ashton United=
Having departed Buxton at the end of the 2023–24 season, McCourt joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Ashton United.
In November 2024, he joined National League North side Warrington Town on a three-month loan deal.{{cite web|url=https://warringtontownfc.co.uk/posts/yellows-add-mccourt-on-loan/1608|title=Yellows add McCourt on loan|website=warringtontownfc.co.uk|date=22 November 2024|accessdate=20 January 2025}} In January 2025, he joined Bradford (Park Avenue) on loan for the remainder of the 2024–25 season in the role of player-coach.{{cite web|url=https://bpafc.com/bradford-park-avenue-announce-the-loan-signing-of-jak-mccourt-as-player-coach/|title=Bradford (Park Avenue) Announce the Loan Signing of Jak McCourt as Player-Coach|website=bpafc.com|date=17 January 2025|accessdate=20 January 2025}} He scored one goal in eight games for Bradford.
Style of play
McCourt is an athletic central midfielder with good passing skills.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=New signing Jak McCourt keen for first-team football at Vale |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-New-signing-Jak-McCourt-keen-team/story-27695550-detail/story.html |access-date=29 August 2015 |work=The Sentinel |date=28 August 2015 |archive-date=12 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912063005/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-New-signing-Jak-McCourt-keen-team/story-27695550-detail/story.html |url-status=dead }} He has been described as a "larger than life character in the dressing room".{{cite news |last1=Reynolds |first1=Shaun |title=RELEASE OR RETAIN? Adver Sport delivers its verdict on Town's out-of-contract players |url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/17623358.adver-sport-delivers-its-verdict-on-swindon-towns-out-of-contract-players-should-they-stay-or-should-they-go/ |access-date=9 May 2019 |work=Swindon Advertiser |date=7 May 2019 |language=en}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 1 March 2025}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
Barnsley
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McCourt, Jak}}
Category:Footballers from Liverpool
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Leicester City F.C. players
Category:Torquay United F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Barnsley F.C. players
Category:Northampton Town F.C. players
Category:Chesterfield F.C. players
Category:Swindon Town F.C. players
Category:Macclesfield Town F.C. players
Category:Warrington Rylands 1906 F.C. players
Category:Ashton United F.C. players
Category:Warrington Town F.C. players
Category:Bradford (Park Avenue) A.F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Northern Premier League players