James Belshaw
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = James Belshaw
| fullname = James Michael Belshaw{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/202021/efl-squad-numbering-11.09.2020.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Harrogate Town |publisher=English Football League |page=33 |accessdate=26 September 2020}}
| image = Belshaw, James.jpg
| caption = Belshaw in 2014
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|10|12|df=y}}
| birth_place = Nottingham, England
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=3}}
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub = Harrogate Town
| clubnumber = 31
| youthyears1 = 1996–2005
| youthclubs1 = Notts County
| youthyears2 = 2006–2009
| youthclubs2 = Heanor Town
| youthyears3 = 2009
| youthclubs3 = Walsall
| collegeyears1 = 2009–2012
| college1 = Duke Blue Devils
| collegecaps1 = 78
| collegegoals1 = 0
| years1 = 2013–2014
| clubs1 = Nuneaton Borough
| caps1 = 31
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2014–2017
| clubs2 = Tamworth
| caps2 = 113
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2017–2021
| clubs3 = Harrogate Town
| caps3 = 161
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2021–2024
| clubs4 = Bristol Rovers
| caps4 = 89
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2023
| clubs5 = → Forest Green Rovers (loan)
| caps5 = 10
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2023–2024
| clubs6 = → Harrogate Town (loan)
| caps6 = 6
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2024–
| clubs7 = Harrogate Town
| caps7 = 2
| goals7 = 0
| nationalteam1 =
| nationalyears1 =
| nationalcaps1 =
| nationalgoals1 =
| club-update = 22:59, 17 August 2024 (UTC)
| ntupdate =
}}
James Michael Belshaw (born 12 October 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for {{English football updater|HarrogaT}} club Harrogate Town.
Career
=Youth and college=
Belshaw attended The Becket School in West Bridgford, where he captained the team to the Notts Schools Cup title in 2009.{{Cite web |title=James Belshaw |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/james-belshaw |access-date=26 September 2020 |website=mlssoccer.com}} He also had spells with Notts County,{{Cite news |last=Curtis |first=Leigh |date=30 July 2020 |title='All of my life' - Meet the Notts County fan trying to stop their EFL return |work=Nottingham Post |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/all-life-meet-notts-county-4380687 |access-date=26 September 2020}}{{Cite web |title=The making of James Belshaw |url=https://www.harrogatetownafc.com/news-media/the-making-of-james-belshaw/ |access-date=26 September 2020 |website=harrogatetownafc.com |publisher=Harrogate Town A.F.C.}} Heanor Town{{Cite web |date=5 August 2013 |title=Another former Lion turns pro |url=https://www.heanortownfc.co.uk/news/another-former-lion-turns-pro-1006152.html |access-date=26 September 2020 |website=www.heanortownfc.co.uk |publisher=Heanor Town F.C.}} and Walsall.{{Cite news |last=Panter |first=Matt |date=17 May 2017 |title=Tamworth FC's Belshaw: 'Lining up against Lambs will be very weird' |work=Birmingham Mail |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/tamworth-fcs-belshaw-lining-up-13601913 |access-date=26 September 2020}}
In 2009, Belshaw rejected a one-year professional contract with Walsall,{{Cite web |date=14 October 2016 |title=New Venture For Belshaw |url=http://www.thelambs.co.uk/news/new-venture-for-belshaw-2746.htm |access-date=26 September 2020 |website=www.thelambs.co.uk |publisher=Tamworth F.C. |archive-date=19 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919030956/http://www.thelambs.co.uk/news/new-venture-for-belshaw-2746.htm |url-status=dead }} and instead moved to the United States to play college soccer at Duke University. He made 78 appearances for the Blue Devils between 2009 and 2012. During his time at Duke, Belshaw won accolades such as 2012 NSCAA All-America third team, was a two-time All-ACC first team selection, a three-time All-ACC choice, earning second team honors in 2010 and earned NSCAA All-South Region honors all four seasons.{{Cite web |title=James Belshaw - 2012 - Men's Soccer |url=https://goduke.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/james-belshaw/1108 |access-date=26 September 2020 |website=goduke.com |publisher=Duke University}}
=Return to England=
On 22 January 2013, Belshaw was selected 49th overall in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft by Chicago Fire.{{Cite web |date=22 January 2013 |title=Fire Select Three Players in 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft |url=https://www.chicagofirefc.com/post/2013/01/22/fire-select-three-players-2013-mls-supplemental-draft |access-date=26 September 2020 |website=chicagofirefc.com |publisher=Chicago Fire FC}} Belshaw was offered a contract by Chicago, but as a backup goalkeeper, so instead opted to search for first-team football back in his native England.{{Cite news |last=Badcock |first=Matt |date=26 March 2015 |title=James Belshaw's in a bracket with President Obama! |work=The Non-League Paper |url=https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/conference-premier/12236/james-belshaws-in-a-bracket-with-president-obama/ |access-date=26 September 2020}}
In April 2013, Belshaw had trials with his former team Walsall,{{Cite web |last=Poole |first=Andrew |date=9 April 2013 |title=Walsall v Hartlepool Res - Live blog |url=https://www.saddlers.co.uk/news/2013/april/walsall-v-hartlepool-res---live-blog/ |access-date=26 September 2020 |website=www.saddlers.co.uk |publisher=Walsall F.C.}} as well as Everton, Notts County and Coventry City.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Travis |date=8 January 2013 |title=Dream of pro career takes seniors abroad |url=https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/dream-of-pro-career-takes-seniors-abroad_aid28311 |access-date=26 September 2020 |website=TopDrawerSoccer.com}}
On 31 July 2013, Belshaw signed with National League club Nuneaton Borough.{{Cite web |date=31 July 2013 |title=Nuneaton sign goalkeeper Belshaw |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23518697 |access-date=26 September 2020 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} Following one season with Nuneaton, Belshaw moved to National League North side Tamworth where he played for three seasons.{{Cite news |last=Panter |first=Matt |date=16 March 2018 |title=Tamworth FC return for fan favourite Belshaw |work=Birmingham Mail |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/tamworth-fc-return-fan-favourite-14419499 |access-date=26 September 2020}}
=Harrogate Town=
In 2017, Belshaw moved to Harrogate Town on a two-year contract,{{Cite web |date=16 May 2017 |title=Belshaw Swaps Lambs For Town |url=https://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/the-national-league-north/belshaw-swaps-lambs-town/ |access-date=26 September 2020 |website=Pitchero Non-League |language=en-GB}} where he remained first choice goalkeeper for the club. He was part of the Harrogate team that won promotion to the National League for the first time in the club's history after defeating Brackley Town in the 2018 National League North play-off final.{{Cite news |date=13 May 2018 |title=Harrogate Town 3 Brackley 0: Knowles double helps Town seal historic promotion |language=en |work=Yorkshire Post |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/harrogate-town-3-brackley-0-knowles-double-helps-town-seal-historic-promotion-585665 |access-date=26 September 2020}} After signing a deal to keep him at the club until 2023 in January 2020,{{Cite news |last=Howell |first=Rhys |date=24 January 2020 |title=It was an easy decision - James Belshaw pens new deal at Harrogate Town despite interest from Football League clubs |work=Harrogate Advertiser |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/it-was-easy-decision-james-belshaw-pens-new-deal-harrogate-town-despite-interest-football-league-clubs-1375414 |access-date=26 September 2020}} Belshaw helped guide them to the Football League for the first time via the play-offs in 2020.{{Cite web |last=Freeman |first=Jay |date=2 August 2020 |title=Harrogate win promotion to League Two |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53541549 |access-date=26 September 2020 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
=Bristol Rovers=
On 23 July 2021, Belshaw joined recently relegated fellow League Two side Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.harrogatetownafc.com/news-media/belshaw-completes-permanent-transfer-to-bristol-ro/|title=BELSHAW COMPLETES PERMANENT TRANSFER TO BRISTOL ROVERS|website=www.harrogatetownafc.com|date=23 July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2021/july/bristol-rovers-sign-goalkeeper-james-belshaw/|title=James Belshaw signs for the Gas!|website=www.bristolrovers.co.uk|date=23 July 2021|accessdate=23 July 2021|archive-date=23 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723150146/https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2021/july/bristol-rovers-sign-goalkeeper-james-belshaw/|url-status=dead}} Belshaw's debut came for the club came on 10 August, in a 2–0 EFL Cup defeat to Cheltenham Town.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58065891|title=Bristol Rovers 0–2 Cheltenham Town|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 August 2021|accessdate=11 August 2021}} Having been a key part of Rovers' rise up the table from eighteenth on New Years Day to a promotion battle, keeping ten clean sheets in his previous fifteen appearances and becoming a firm fan favourite, Belshaw signed a new deal with the club in March 2022, keeping him at the club until June 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2022/march/belshaw-signs-new-deal/|title=Belshaw Signs New Deal!|website=www.bristolrovers.co.uk|date=24 March 2022|accessdate=25 March 2022}} In May 2022, Belshaw was awarded the PFA Community Champion award by the Bristol Rovers Community Trust for his work with the Community Trust across the course of the season including becoming the health ambassador and supporting mental health schemes.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolroverscommunity.org.uk/post/james-belshaw-layah-douglas-awarded-pfa-community-champions-for-2021-22|title=James Belshaw & Layah Douglas awarded PFA Community Champions for 2021/22|website=www.bristolroverscommunity.org.uk|date=5 May 2022|accessdate=6 May 2022}} With the club having achieved promotion on the final day of the season in dramatic fashion, a 7–0 victory taking the club into the final automatic promotion spot at Northampton Town's expense on goals scored, {{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61281127|title=Bristol Rovers go up after extraordinary 7–0 win|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 May 2022|accessdate=9 May 2022}} Belshaw was awarded the Bristol Rovers Player of the Year Award at the end of season awards evening having kept seventeen clean sheets across the season. {{cite tweet|number=1523563419420348416|user=Official_BRFC|author-link=Bristol Rovers F.C.|title=⏱ 3️⃣7️⃣8️⃣0️⃣ minutes 🧤 1️⃣7️⃣ clean sheets 👍 3️⃣8️⃣8️⃣7️⃣0️⃣1️⃣ thumbs up 🏆 Your 2021/22 Bristol Rovers Player of the Year is @jbelly31! #BristolRovers|date=8 May 2022|accessdate=9 May 2022}}
Following a 4–3 home defeat to Exeter City in December 2022, manager Joey Barton attributed the blame for all four goals at the door of Belshaw.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/barton-belshaw-bristol-rovers-exeter-7979549|title=Joey Barton says the buck stops with James Belshaw as Bristol Rovers concede four against Exeter|publisher=Bristol Post|last1=Frost|first1=Sam|date=29 December 2022|accessdate=15 February 2023}} During the January transfer window, Rovers signed Ellery Balcombe on loan from Brentford, a clause in the loan deal stating that he had to start the first three matches of his spell in order to avoid a fee.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/joey-barton-bristol-rovers-brentford-8106553|title=Joey Barton reveals Brentford's selection clause in Ellery Balcombe's Bristol Rovers deal|publisher=Bristol Post|last1=Frost|first1=Sam|date=3 February 2023|accessdate=15 February 2023}} Following this three game spell, Balcombe was again selected for a home match against Ipswich Town, in which he kept a first clean sheet for the club, with Belshaw omitted from the first-team squad. Barton revealed prior to the match that with the team having been released, Belshaw's attitude in training had dropped significantly with a warning that he may never play for the club again unless things were to change.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/joey-barton-belshaw-bristol-rovers-8149274|title=Joey Barton warns James Belshaw that he may never play for Bristol Rovers again|publisher=Bristol Post|last1=Piercy|first1=James|date=14 February 2023|accessdate=15 February 2023}} His response to the situation however was sufficient for the manager and he returned to consideration.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/joey-barton-draws-line-under-8157379|title=Joey Barton draws a line under Belshaw situation with goalkeeper up for Bristol Rovers selection|publisher=Bristol Post|last1=Frost|first1=Sam|date=16 February 2023|accessdate=18 February 2023}} He returned to the starting line-up the following week, keeping a clean sheet in a 3–0 victory away at Oxford United.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/joey-barton-explains-decision-james-8188938|title=Joey Barton explains decision as James Belshaw returns to Bristol Rovers' starting XI vs Oxford|publisher=Bristol Post|last1=Frost|first1=Sam|date=25 February 2023|accessdate=25 February 2023}}
The signings of goalkeepers Matthew Cox and Matthew Hall in July 2023 cast doubt upon the long-term future of Belshaw at the football club, the previous season's dispute with Barton being brought once again to the limelight.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/james-belshaws-bristol-rovers-future-8634013|title=James Belshaw's Bristol Rovers future hangs in the balance but it's been that way for some time|publisher=Bristol Post|last1=Piercy|first1=James|date=27 July 2023|accessdate=27 July 2023}} Having failed to make the previous two matchday squads, it was revealed that both he and his agent had asked for transfers away from the club and he would therefore no longer be considered for selection and available for transfer.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolworld.com/sport/football/bristol-rovers/joey-barton-explains-james-belshaw-absence-amid-bristol-rovers-transfer-exit-talk-4256691|title=Joey Barton explains James Belshaw absence amid Bristol Rovers transfer exit talk|publisher=Bristol World|last1=Jones|first1=Jordan|date=16 August 2023|accessdate=16 August 2023}} With a move having failed to materialise before the transfer deadline, he made his first-team return in a 4–1 EFL Trophy victory over Cheltenham Town.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2023/september/Cheltenham-match-report/|title=Match Report {{!}} Rovers 4–1 Cheltenham|website=www.bristolrovers.co.uk|date=5 September 2023|accessdate=9 September 2023}}
On 30 September 2023, he joined League Two club Forest Green Rovers on a seven-day emergency loan.{{cite web|url=https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/2023/september/Belshaw-Loan-Deal/|title=James Belshaw Loan Deal|website=www.bristolrovers.co.uk|date=30 September 2023|accessdate=2 October 2023}} He was awarded the Player of the Month award for October 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/belshaw-wins-quorn-star-of-the-month|title=Belshaw wins Quorn Star of the Month|website=www.fgr.co.uk|date=1 November 2023|accessdate=7 November 2023}} He announced on 14 December 2023 that he was leaving the club upon the expiration of what was referred to by the club as "the longest emergency loan ever".{{cite tweet|number=1735368089489862977|title=Massive thank you to everyone at @FGRFC_Official for the past few weeks! Great people and a fantastic club. I wish you all the best for the future! 💚🖤|user=jbelly31|author-link=James Belshaw|date=14 December 2023|accessdate=14 December 2023}} On 15 December 2023, he returned to former club Harrogate Town on a seven-day emergency loan deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.harrogatetownafc.com/news/2023/december/belshaw-joins-on-loan/|title=Belshaw joins on emergency loan!|website=www.harrogatetownafc.com|date=15 December 2023|accessdate=16 December 2023}}
=Return to Harrogate Town=
On 11 January 2024, Belshaw's permanent return to Harrogate Town was confirmed, joining for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web|url=https://www.harrogatetownafc.com/news/2024/january/belshaw-completes-permanent-return/|title=Belshaw completes permanent return!|website=www.harrogatetownafc.com|date=11 January 2024|accessdate=11 January 2024}} He was nominated for the EFL League Two Player of the Month award for March 2024 having kept three clean sheets in six matches.{{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2024/april/09/sky-bet-league-two--manager---player-of-the-month-nominees/|title=Sky Bet League Two: Manager & Player of the Month nominees|website=www.efl.com|date=9 April 2024|accessdate=13 April 2024}}
In March 2025, the club triggered an extension clause in Belshaw's contract to keep him at the club for the upcoming season. {{cite web|url=https://www.harrogatetownafc.com/news/2025/april/10/belshaw-signs-up-for-2025-26-season/|title=Belshaw signs up for 2025/26 season|website=www.harrogatetownafc.com|date=10 April 2025|accessdate=10 April 2025}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 12 December 2023}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="5"|Harrogate Town
|41 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6{{efn|4 appearances in FA Trophy, two appearances in National League North play-offs}} | 0 | 51 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|51095|2018|accessdate=23 July 2021}}
|45 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|3 appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance in National League play-offs}} | 0 | 51 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20{{soccerbase season|51095|2019|accessdate=23 July 2021}}
|National League |37 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|name=NLPO|Appearance(s) in National League play-offs}} | 0 | 41 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|51095|2020|accessdate=23 July 2021}}
|38 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=EFT|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 40 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!161 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 183 | 0 | |
| rowspan="4"|Bristol Rovers
|2021–22{{soccerbase season|51095|2021|accessdate=11 August 2021}} |League Two |42 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 0 | |
| 2022–23{{soccerbase season|51095|2022|accessdate=19 January 2023}}
|38 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=EFT}} | 0 | 42 | 0 | |
| 2023–24{{soccerbase season|51095|2023|accessdate=2 October 2023}}
|League One |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=EFT}} | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!80 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 91 | 0 | |
| Forest Green Rovers (loan)
|League Two |10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!251 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 286 | 0 |
{{notelist}}
Personal life
Belshaw has supported Notts County since childhood.
Belshaw is "good friends" with professional basketball player Mason Plumlee, who plays for NBA side Los Angeles Clippers.
Belshaw holds two degrees from Duke University in both History and Business Markets and Management.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/sep/06/james-belshaw-goalkeeper-with-two-degrees-and-a-second-world-war-thesis|title=James Belshaw: the goalkeeper with two degrees and a second world war thesis|publisher=The Guardian|last=Unwin|first=Will|date=6 September 2024|accessdate=11 September 2024}}
Honours
Harrogate Town
- National League play-offs: 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53541549|title=National League promotion final: Harrogate Town 3–1 Notts County|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 August 2020|accessdate=23 July 2021}}
- National League North play-offs: 2018{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44101323|title=Harrogate and Braintree reach National League after winning play-off finals|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 May 2018|accessdate=23 July 2021}}
- FA Trophy: 2019–20{{cite web|first=James|last=Law|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56972515|title=FA Trophy final 2019-20: Concord Rangers 0-1 Harrogate Town|website=BBC Sport|date=3 May 2021|access-date=2 April 2022}}
Bristol Rovers
- League Two third-place promotion: 2021–22
Individual
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://goduke.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/james-belshaw/1108 Duke Bio]
- [https://www.harrogatetownafc.com/teams/first-team/james-belshaw Harrogate Town Bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031212654/https://www.harrogatetownafc.com/teams/first-team/james-belshaw/ |date=31 October 2020 }}
- {{soccerway|james-belshaw/91477}}
{{Harrogate Town A.F.C. squad}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 =
{{2017–18 National League North Team of the Year}}
{{2019–20 National League Team of the Year}}
{{Bristol Rovers F.C. Player of the Year}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Belshaw, James}}
Category:English men's footballers
Category:English expatriate men's footballers
Category:Notts County F.C. players
Category:Heanor Town F.C. players
Category:Duke Blue Devils men's soccer players
Category:Chicago Fire FC draft picks
Category:Nuneaton Town F.C. players
Category:Tamworth F.C. players
Category:Harrogate Town A.F.C. players
Category:Bristol Rovers F.C. players
Category:Forest Green Rovers F.C. players
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:English expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players