Joe Ironside

{{Short description|English footballer (born 1993)}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2019}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Joe Ironside

| image =

| caption =

| full_name = Joe Samuel Ironside{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/202021/efl-squad-numbering-11.09.2020.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Cambridge United |publisher=English Football League |page=16 |access-date=20 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915175049/https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/202021/efl-squad-numbering-11.09.2020.pdf |archive-date=15 September 2020}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|10|16|df=y}}{{Hugman|23524|accessdate=14 November 2018}}

| birth_place = Middlesbrough, England

| height = {{convert|1.80|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=https://www.mtfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/forward/joe-ironside2/ |title=Joe Ironside |publisher=Macclesfield Town F.C. |access-date=10 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409235345/https://www.mtfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/forward/joe-ironside2/ |archive-date=9 April 2020 |url-status=dead}}

| position = Striker

| currentclub = Doncaster Rovers

| clubnumber = 20

| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2012

| youthclubs1 = Sheffield United

| years1 = 2012–2015

| clubs1 = Sheffield United

| caps1 = 16

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2013–2014

| clubs2 = → FC Halifax Town (loan)

| caps2 = 10

| goals2 = 2

| years3 = 2014

| clubs3 = → Harrogate Town (loan)

| caps3 = 8

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2014

| clubs4 = → Alfreton Town (loan)

| caps4 = 16

| goals4 = 4

| years5 = 2014

| clubs5 = → Hartlepool United (loan)

| caps5 = 4

| goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2015–2016

| clubs6 = Alfreton Town

| caps6 = 30

| goals6 = 2

| years7 = 2016–2017

| clubs7 = Nuneaton Town

| caps7 = 44

| goals7 = 16

| years8 = 2017–2019

| clubs8 = Kidderminster Harriers

| caps8 = 82

| goals8 = 42

| years9 = 2018–2019

| clubs9 = → York City (loan)

| caps9 = 9

| goals9 = 0

| years10 = 2019–2020

| clubs10 = Macclesfield Town

| caps10 = 33

| goals10 = 6

| years11 = 2020–2023

| clubs11 = Cambridge United

| caps11 = 125

| goals11 = 34

| years12 = 2023–

| clubs12 = Doncaster Rovers

| caps12 = 84

| goals12 = 24

| nationalyears1 = 2017

| nationalteam1 = England C

| nationalcaps1 = 2

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| club-update = 14:57, 4 May 2025 (UTC)

}}

Joe Samuel Ironside (born 16 October 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for {{English football updater|DoncastR}} club Doncaster Rovers.

Ironside started his career at Sheffield United after progressing through their academy. He spent time on loan at FC Halifax Town, Harrogate Town, Alfreton Town and Hartlepool United before signing for Alfreton in 2015.

Career

=Sheffield United=

Ironside came through the academy at Sheffield United.{{cite news |url=https://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blades/sheffield-united-blades-academy-ranked-among-england-s-best-1-5826766 |title=Sheffield United: Blades academy ranked among England's best |first=James |last=Shield |newspaper=The Star |location=Sheffield |date=6 July 2013 |access-date=14 November 2018}} He was in the team that lost the 2011 FA Youth Final against Manchester United, although he scored United's only goal at Old Trafford a 4–1 defeat in the second leg, following a 2–2 draw at Bramall Lane.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/fa-cup/8518892/Sheffield-United-2-Manchester-United-2-match-report.html |title=Sheffield United 2 Manchester United 2: Match report |first=Chris |last=Brereton |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=17 May 2011 |access-date=17 November 2018}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/fa-cup/8531314/Sheffield-United-4-Manchester-United-1-agg-6-3-match-report.html |title=Manchester United Youth 4 Sheffield United Youth 1; agg 6–3: Match report |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=23 May 2011 |access-date=17 November 2018}}
Ironside made his first-team debut for United on 17 October 2012, appearing as an 89th-minute substitute in a 4–1 away win against Notts County in the Football League Trophy. His first league appearance came on 8 December as an 81st-minute substitute in a 3–1 away win over Carlisle United. After a string of appearances for United, Ironside signed a professional contract of {{frac|2|1|2}} years with the club in March 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2013/march/new-deal-for-joe/ |title=New deal for Joe |publisher=Sheffield United F.C. |date=18 March 2013 |access-date=14 November 2018}}

After making six appearances for United at the start of the 2013–14 season, Ironside joined Conference Premier club FC Halifax Town on 12 November 2013 on loan until 5 January 2014.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24913700 |title=FC Halifax sign Sheffield United striker Joe Ironside |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 November 2013 |access-date=14 November 2018}} Ironside made his debut for his new club against Hyde the same day, being named in the starting eleven and scoring a goal which was disallowed as offside, before being substituted after 61 minutes.{{cite news |url=https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/football/fc-halifax-town/fc-halifax-town-4-0-hyde-1-6239772 |title=FC Halifax Town 4–0 Hyde |newspaper=Halifax Courier |date=12 November 2013 |access-date=14 November 2018 |archive-date=14 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114182846/https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/football/fc-halifax-town/fc-halifax-town-4-0-hyde-1-6239772 |url-status=dead }} Ironside returned to United after making 11 appearances for FC Halifax, only to be loaned out once more in February 2014, this time to Conference North club Harrogate Town on a one-month loan.{{cite news |url=http://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united-youngster-joe-ironside-joins-harrogate-town-1-6432508 |title=Sheffield United youngster Joe Ironside joins Harrogate Town |first=Ed |last=White |newspaper=Harrogate Advertiser |date=11 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821180329/http://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united-youngster-joe-ironside-joins-harrogate-town-1-6432508 |archive-date=21 August 2016}} Ironside's loan was extended until the end of the season after a successful initial spell,{{cite web |url=http://www.harrogatetownafc.com/news/news-room/news-item/joe-ironsides-loan-extended/ |title=Joe Ironside's loan extended |publisher=Harrogate Town A.F.C. |date=19 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924025030/http://www.harrogatetownafc.com/news/news-room/news-item/joe-ironsides-loan-extended/ |archive-date=24 September 2015}} but struggled with injuries during the remainder of his loan,{{cite web |url=http://www.harrogatetownafc.com/news/news-room/news-item/towns-injury-update/ |title=Town's injury update |publisher=Harrogate Town A.F.C. |date=14 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924025047/http://www.harrogatetownafc.com/news/news-room/news-item/towns-injury-update/ |archive-date=24 September 2015}} and returned to United in May having played eight matches.

Ironside went on trial with Grimsby Town{{cite news |url=http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/TIME-Scarborough-0-Grimsby-Town-3/story-21455483-detail/story.html |title=Full-time: Scarborough 0 Grimsby Town 3 |newspaper=Grimsby Telegraph |date=12 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924041503/http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/TIME-Scarborough-0-Grimsby-Town-3/story-21455483-detail/story.html |archive-date=24 September 2015}} before joining Conference Premier club Alfreton Town on 16 August 2014 on a one-month loan,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28826456 |title=Joe Ironside: Alfreton sign Sheffield United striker on loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 August 2014 |access-date=14 November 2018}} making his debut the same day, starting in a 2–0 loss away to Forest Green Rovers.{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2014/08/16/england/conference-national/forest-green-rovers-fc/alfreton-town-fc/1751233/ |title=Forest Green Rovers vs. Alfreton Town 2–0: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=14 November 2018}} Ironside joined League Two club Hartlepool United on 22 November 2014 on a one-month loan.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30160275 |title=Joe Ironside: Hartlepool sign Sheffield United striker |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 November 2014 |access-date=14 November 2018}} Hartlepool decided not to extend Ironside's loan on 31 December 2014 and he returned to United having scored once in four appearances for Hartlepool.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30642105 |title=Hartlepool boss Ronnie Moore lets Schmeltz, Ironside & Lanzoni go |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 December 2014 |access-date=14 November 2018}}

=Non-League=

Ironside signed for Conference Premier club Alfreton Town permanently on 15 January 2015 on a one-and-a-half-year contract after being released by Sheffield United.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30831141 |title=Joe Ironside: Alfreton Town sign striker after Sheffield United exit |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 January 2015 |access-date=14 November 2018}} He left Alfreton by mutual consent on 5 February 2016{{cite web |url=http://www.alfretontownfc.com/news/alfreton-town-release-joe-ironside-3039.htm |title=Alfreton Town release Joe Ironside |publisher=Alfreton Town F.C. |date=5 February 2016 |access-date=14 November 2018}} before signing for their National League North rivals Nuneaton Town three days later.{{cite web |url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/uncategorized/ironside-signs-for-nuneaton-45149/ |title=Ironside signs for Nuneaton |website=Pitchero Non-League |date=8 February 2016 |access-date=14 November 2018}}

Ironside signed for National League North club Kidderminster Harriers on 21 March 2017 on a contract until June 2019 for a five-figure fee.{{cite news |url=https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/15170644.harriers-snap-up-striker-joe-ironside/ |title=Harriers snap up striker Joe Ironside |newspaper=The Shuttle |location=Kidderminster |date=21 March 2017 |access-date=14 November 2018}} He joined Kidderminster's National League North rivals York City on 12 November 2018 on loan until 11 January 2019.{{cite web |url=http://www.harriers.co.uk/news/2018/11/12/pair-to-make-york-switch/ |title=Pair to make York switch |first=Matty |last=Paddock |publisher=Kidderminster Harriers F.C. |date=12 November 2018 |access-date=14 November 2018}} He was recalled by Kidderminster on 7 January 2019 having made 10 appearances for York without scoring.{{cite web |url=https://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/striker-ironside-recalled-harriers |title=Striker Ironside recalled by Harriers |first=Ian |last=Appleyard |publisher=York City F.C. |date=7 January 2019 |access-date=7 January 2019}}

=Macclesfield Town=

Ironside turned down the offer of a new long-term contract with Kidderminster to sign for League Two club Macclesfield Town on 5 June 2019 on a one-year contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48530242 |title=Sol Campbell signs Jak McCourt and Joe Ironside for Macclesfield on free transfers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 June 2019 |access-date=6 June 2019}}

=Cambridge United=

On 1 August 2020, Ironside joined League Two club Cambridge United signing a two-year deal. He made his debut for the U's in 1–0 win over Birmingham City in the first round of the EFL Cup. A week later he opened his account in the League Two opener against Carlisle United picking up the ball on the edge of the area before sweeping in a shot into the bottom right hand corner.

During the 2020-21 season, Ironside made 44 league appearances, scoring 14 goals, as United gained promotion to League One.{{Cite web |title=Cambridge United Promoted to League One {{!}} Cambridge United F.C. |url=https://www.cambridgeunited.com/news/2021/may/cambridge-united-promotion-to-league-one-sky-bet-efl-english-football-league-saturday-8th-may-2021 |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=www.cambridgeunited.com |language=en}}

In the 2021–22 FA Cup, Ironside scored the decisive goal in his team's third-round upset of Premier League side Newcastle United.{{cite web |last=De Cosemo |first=Harry |title=Newcastle 0-1 Cambridge: Joe Ironside scores winner as League One side cause upset |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59911355 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 January 2022 |access-date=12 November 2023}}

At the end of the 2022–23 season, Ironside departed Cambridge following the expiration of his contract, after helping the U’s dramatically stay up in League One on the final day, following a 2-0 win over Forest Green.{{Cite web |title=2023 Retained List published {{!}} Cambridge United F.C. |url=https://www.cambridgeunited.com/news/2023/may/retained-list-cambridge-united-2023-sky-bet-league-one-efl-english-football-league-friday-12th-may-2023 |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=www.cambridgeunited.com |language=en}}

=Doncaster Rovers=

On 9 June 2023, Ironside signed for Doncaster Rovers on a three-year contract, having scored 35 goals in 145 games for Cambridge between 2020 and 2023.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65853932 |title=Doncaster Rovers sign striker Joe Ironside and defender Jack Senior |publisher=BBC |access-date=9 June 2023}}

Personal life

Ironside was born in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire.{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/joe-ironside-239785/ |title=Joe Ironside |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=10 April 2020}} He is the son of Ian Ironside, a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper.{{cite web |url=http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/20120627-joe-ironside-230839.aspx |title=Joe Ironside |publisher=Sheffield United F.C. |date=27 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528132854/http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/20120627-joe-ironside-230839.aspx |archive-date=28 May 2013}}

Career statistics

{{updated|match played 12 April 2025}}

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

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan=4|Sheffield United

|2012–13{{soccerbase season|66015|2012|accessdate=14 November 2018}}

|League One

|12

010004{{efn|Two appearances in Football League Trophy, two in League One play-offs}}0170
2013–14{{soccerbase season|66015|2013|accessdate=14 November 2018}}

|League One

|4

000002{{efn|Appearances in Football League Trophy}}060
2014–15{{soccerbase season|66015|2014|accessdate=14 November 2018}}

|League One

|0

00000colspan=2|—00
colspan=2|Total

!16||0||1||0||0||0||6||0||23||0

FC Halifax Town (loan)

|2013–14

|Conference Premier

|10

2colspan=2|—colspan=2|—1{{efn|name=FAT|Appearance(s) in FA Trophy}}0112
Harrogate Town (loan)

|2013–14

|Conference North

|8

0colspan=2|—colspan=2|—colspan=2|—80
Alfreton Town (loan)

|2014–15

|Conference Premier

|16

400colspan=2|—colspan=2|—164
Hartlepool United (loan)

|2014–15

|League Two

|4

100colspan=2|—colspan=2|—41
rowspan=3|Alfreton Town

|2014–15

|Conference Premier

|13

0colspan=2|—colspan=2|—colspan=2|—130
2015–16For FA Cup second qualifying round: {{cite web |url=http://www.alfretontownfc.com/matches/reds-through-after-late,-late-show-805.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220152055/http://www.alfretontownfc.com/matches/reds-through-after-late,-late-show-805.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 February 2018 |title=Reds through after late, late show |publisher=Alfreton Town F.C. |date=26 September 2015 |access-date=14 November 2018 }}
For FA Cup third qualifying round: {{cite web |url=http://www.alfretontownfc.com/matches/robertson-hat-trick-sinks-pitmen-806.htm |title=Robertson hat-trick sinks Pitmen |publisher=Alfreton Town F.C. |date=10 October 2015 |access-date=14 November 2018 }}
For FA Trophy third qualifying round: {{cite web |url=http://www.alfretontownfc.com/matches/trophy-hopes-ended-at-first-hurdle-809.htm |title=Trophy hopes ended at first hurdle |publisher=Alfreton Town F.C. |date=28 November 2015 |access-date=14 November 2018 }}

|National League North

|17

220colspan=2|—1{{efn|name=FAT}}0202
colspan=2|Total

!30||2||2||0||colspan=2|—||1||0||33||2

rowspan=3|Nuneaton Town

|2015–16

|National League North

|13

2colspan=2|—colspan=2|—colspan=2|—132
2016–17For FA Cup second qualifying round: {{cite web |url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/nuneatontownfc/teams/98603/match-centre/0-3482419 |title=Nuneaton Town FC 1–2 Lincoln United |publisher=Nuneaton Borough F.C. |access-date=14 November 2018 |via=Pitchero}}
For FA Trophy third qualifying round: {{cite web |url=http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/report.php?match_id=1613 |title=FC United of Manchester 1–5 Nuneaton Town |publisher=F.C. United of Manchester |access-date=14 November 2018}}

|National League North

|31

1411colspan=2|—4{{efn|name=FAT}}33618
colspan=2|Total

!44||16||1||1||colspan=2|—||4||3||49||20

rowspan=4|Kidderminster Harriers

|2016–17

|National League North

|9

6colspan=2|—colspan=2|—2{{efn|Appearances in National League North play-offs}}0116
2017–18For FA Cup second qualifying round: {{cite news |url=https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/15539913.deeping-rangers-2-harriers-4-report/ |title=Deeping Rangers 2 Harriers 4 report |newspaper=The Shuttle |location=Kidderminster |date=16 September 2017 |access-date=14 November 2018}}
For FA Cup third qualifying round: {{cite news |url=https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/15568539.newcastle-benfield-0-harriers-1-report/ |title=Newcastle Benfield 0 Harriers 1 report |newspaper=The Shuttle |location=Kidderminster |date=30 September 2017 |access-date=14 November 2018}}
For FA Trophy third qualifying round: {{cite news |url=https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/15684182.boston-2-harriers-2-report/ |title=Boston 2 Harriers 2 report |newspaper=The Shuttle |location=Kidderminster |date=25 November 2017 |access-date=14 November 2018}}
For FA Trophy third qualifying round replay: {{cite news |url=https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/15689458.report-harriers-make-fa-trophy-progress-with-victory-over-boston/ |title=Report: Harriers make FA Trophy progress with victory over Boston |newspaper=The Shuttle |location=Kidderminster |date=28 November 2017 |access-date=14 November 2018}}

|National League North

|38

1942colspan=2|—6{{efn|Five appearances and two goals in FA Trophy, one appearance in National League North play-offs}}24823
2018–19{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/joe-ironside/260237/ |title=J. Ironside: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=6 June 2019}}For FA Cup second qualifying round: {{cite news |url=https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/16896798.report-dan-bradley-hat-trick-sees-harriers-ease-past-atherstone-town-in-fa-cup/ |title=Report: Dan Bradley hat-trick sees Harriers ease past Atherstone Town in FA Cup |newspaper=The Shuttle |location=Kidderminster |date=22 September 2018 |access-date=14 November 2018}}
For FA Cup third qualifying round: {{cite news |url=https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/16965752.report-stourbridge-stage-comeback-to-knock-harriers-out-of-fa-cup/ |title=Report: Stourbridge stage comeback to knock Harriers out of FA Cup |newspaper=The Shuttle |location=Kidderminster |date=6 October 2018 |access-date=14 November 2018}}

|National League North

|35

1722colspan=2|—colspan=2|—3719
colspan=2|Total

!82||42||6||4||colspan=2|—||8||2||96||48

York City (loan)

|2018–19For FA Trophy third qualifying round: {{cite news |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/17254620.kidderminster-1-york-city-3-report-match-stats-and-ratings/ |title=Kidderminster 1 York City 3 report, match stats and ratings |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=25 November 2018 |access-date=25 November 2018}}

|National League North

90colspan=2|—colspan=2|—1{{efn|name=FAT}}0100
Macclesfield Town

|2019–20{{soccerbase season|66015|2019|accessdate=10 April 2020}}

|League Two

|33

600102{{efn|name=EFL|Appearances in EFL Trophy}}1367
rowspan=4|Cambridge United

|2020–21{{soccerbase season|66015|2020|accessdate=19 January 2021}}

|League Two

|44

1400203{{efn|name=EFL}}04914
2021–22{{soccerbase season|66015|2021|accessdate=9 August 2021}}

|rowspan="2"|League One

|38

1441202{{efn|name=EFL}}04615
2022–23{{soccerbase season|66015|2022|accessdate=31 July 2022}}

|43

630202{{efn|name=EFL}}0506
colspan=2|Total

!81||20||7||1||4||0||4||0||96||21

rowspan="3" |Doncaster Rovers

|2023-24{{Cite web |title=Joe Ironside Career Stats - |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/stats/_/id/176951/joe-ironside |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=ESPN |language=en}}

|League Two

|45

202121625524
2024-25{{Cite web |title=England - J. Ironside - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/joe-ironside/260237/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=uk.soccerway.com}}

|League Two

|39

440204{{efn|name=EFL}}2496
colspan=2|Total

!84||24||6||1||4||1||10||4||104||30

colspan="3" |Career total

!461||128||23||7||11||1||40||10||535||146

{{notelist}}

Honours

Sheffield United

Cambridge United

Doncaster Rovers

  • EFL League Two: 2024–25{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=2110 |title=League Two: 2024/25: Current table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=3 May 2025}}
    {{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=800&teamTabs=stats&season_id=157 |title=Doncaster: Squad details: 2024/25 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=3 May 2025}}

References

England C statistics

  • {{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/may/29/england-c-v-panjab-report-290517 |title=Darren McQueen double earns non-League Three Lions victory |publisher=The Football Association |date=29 May 2017 |access-date=14 November 2018}}
  • {{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/jun/02/fa-xi-jersey-fa-report-300517 |title=An FA XI shared a 1–1 draw with Jersey FA before losing a penalty shoot-out by 4–3 |first=Matthew |last=Badcock |publisher=The Football Association |date=2 June 2017 |access-date=14 November 2018}}

Specific

{{reflist}}