Josh Meekings
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Josh Meekings
| image =
| caption =
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|9|2|df=y}}
| birth_place = Bury St Edmunds, England
| height = {{convert|1.85|m|order=flip}}{{Soccerway|josh-meekings/195235|accessdate=16 January 2021}}
| position = Defender
| currentclub = Clachnacuddin
| clubnumber = 5
| youthyears1 = 2007–2011
| youthclubs1 = Ipswich Town
| years1 = 2011–2017
| clubs1 = Inverness Caledonian Thistle
| caps1 = 163
| goals1 = 6
| years2 = 2017–2020
| clubs2 = Dundee
| caps2 = 41
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2021
| clubs3 = Wealdstone
| caps3 = 3
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2021–2024
| clubs4 = Brora Rangers
| caps4 = 36
| goals4 = 3
| clubs5 = Clachnacuddin
| caps5 = 23
| goals5 = 3
| club-update = 22:36, 5 April 2025 (UTC)
| years5 = 2024–
}}
Josh Meekings (born 2 September 1992) is an English professional footballer and coach who plays as a central defender for Highland League club Clachnacuddin. Meekings has previously played for Ipswich Town, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Dundee, Wealdstone and Brora Rangers, the latter of whom Meekings was also player-assistant manager for.
Career
=Ipswich Town=
Meekings was born in Bury St Edmunds, England and raised in Suffolk.{{cite news|title=Leaving Town was a 'blessing in disguise'|url=http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/leaving_town_was_a_blessing_in_disguise_1_1128740|work=Ipswich Star|date=16 November 2011|accessdate=8 August 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042601/http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/leaving_town_was_a_blessing_in_disguise_1_1128740|url-status=dead}} As a youth, he captained the under-18s at Ipswich Town. However, in the summer of 2011 he was released by the club without having played for the first-team.{{cite news|title=Town announce three players are to leave Portman Road|url=http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/town_announce_three_players_are_to_leave_portman_road_1_855828|work=Ipswich Star|date=5 April 2011|accessdate=8 August 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042409/http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/town_announce_three_players_are_to_leave_portman_road_1_855828|url-status=dead}}
=Inverness Caledonian Thistle=
Meekings was due to sign a deal with Stevenage but the deal fell through and instead, on 4 July 2011 he agreed to join Inverness Caledonian Thistle on a two-year deal.{{cite news|title=Double Capture|url=http://ictfc.com/news/news-archive/75-double-capture|publisher=Inverness Caledonian Thistle Official Website|date=4 July 2011|accessdate=4 July 2011}} Shortly after moving to Inverness, Meekings revealed that the prospect of developing under manager Terry Butcher was influential in his decision to sign.{{cite news|title=New Inverness signing Josh Meekings: Sure Terry Butcher was a big hero.. for my grandad|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/new-inverness-signing-josh-meekings-1108468|work=Daily Record|date=21 July 2011|accessdate=24 December 2012}}
After months of being an unused substitute for Inverness following his recovery from ankle ligament damage, Meekings made his debut after coming on for Thomas Piermayr in the 66th minute during a 1–1 draw against Dunfermline Athletic on 22 October 2011.{{cite news|title=Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1 – 1 Dunfermline Athletic|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/15319752.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 October 2011|accessdate=8 August 2015}} Two weeks later on 5 November 2011, he provided the 'assist' for Grégory Tadé to score – to make 3–1 – against Kilmarnock, the match ending with Inverness winning 6–3.{{cite news|title=Kilmarnock 3 – 6 Inverness Caledonian Thistle|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/15504498.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 November 2011|accessdate=8 August 2015}} On 24 March 2012, Meekings received a red card for the first time in his career after a second bookable offence in a 1–0 win over Aberdeen.{{cite news|title=Aberdeen 0 – 1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17412042|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 March 2012|accessdate=8 August 2015}}
At the start of the 2012–13 season, Meekings become a regular starter for the club, playing in either central defence or right-back. Ultimately, he settled into a regular, central pairing with Gary Warren. On 31 October 2012, Meekings was in the team that beat Rangers 3–0 away, in the quarter-final of the 2012–13 Scottish League Cup.{{cite news|title=Rangers 0 -3 Inverness Caledonian Thistle|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20053656|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 October 2012|accessdate=8 August 2015}} He also played in the team that beat Celtic 1–0 away, the following month.{{cite news|title=Celtic 0 – 1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20374545|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 October 2012|accessdate=8 August 2015}} On 15 December 2012, he scored an own goal in a 4–4 draw against Dundee United.{{cite news|title=Dundee United 4 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4: United and Thistle share eight goals and a point in a cracker at Tannadice.|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/dundee-united-4-inverness-caledonian-1491878|work=Daily Record|date=15 December 2012|accessdate=24 December 2012}} Nevertheless, a few days later, Meekings along with Graeme Shinnie, signed two-year contract extensions, keeping them at the club until 2015,{{cite news|title=Graeme Shinnie & Josh Meekings sign new Inverness deals|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20837926|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 December 2012|accessdate=24 December 2012}} as Terry Butcher demonstrated his desire to keep the squad intact.{{cite news|title=Inverness offer stars new deals as Terry Butcher reveals he's keen to keep high-flying side intact|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/inverness-offer-stars-new-deals-1424453|work=Daily Record|date=8 November 2012|accessdate=24 December 2012}} Meekings' excellent season and consistent form was recognised with the award of SPL Young Player of the Month for March 2013.{{cite news |title=Inverness CT player Josh Meekings wins young player award |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22189526 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 April 2013 |accessdate=19 April 2013 }} Weeks later on 4 May 2013, Meekings provided a double assist for Billy Mckay, who later scored a hat-trick, in a 4–3 win over Motherwell, to keep alive hopes of earning a spot in the UEFA Europa League next season.{{cite news|title=Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4 – 3 Motherwell|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22320471|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 May 2013|accessdate=8 August 2015}}
In the 2013–14 season, Meekings continued as a regular starter for the club, playing in central defense most of the season and occasionally playing as a right-back. Despite being sent off in the semi-final of the Scottish League Cup, Meekings was cleared to play in the final after a successful appeal.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26072469|title=Josh Meekings's red card overturned for final|date=6 February 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=18 October 2014}} However, Inverness lost the match against Aberdeen, on penalties.{{cite web|title=Aberdeen 0–0 Inverness CT (4 – 2 on shoot-out)|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26502621|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Campbell|first=Andy|date=16 March 2014|accessdate=8 August 2015}} Two weeks later on 29 March 2014, Meekings was sent-off in the 68th minute for a foul on Josh Magennis, in a 2–2 draw against St Mirren.{{cite news|title=Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2 – 2 St Mirren|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26694264|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 March 2014|accessdate=8 August 2015}} After serving a one-game suspension, he featured in three more matches before being sidelined for the rest of the season.{{cite news|title=Christie header helps earn ICT point against United|url=http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Christie-header-helps-earn-ICT-point-against-United-03052014.htm|publisher=Inverness Courier|date=3 May 2014|accessdate=8 August 2015|archive-date=8 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808191758/http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Christie-header-helps-earn-ICT-point-against-United-03052014.htm|url-status=dead}}
In the 2014–15 season, Meekings started the season well when he scored the first goal of his career in September 2014, heading the opening goal for Inverness, in a 3–2 defeat by Aberdeen.{{cite news |title=Aberdeen 3–2 Inverness CT|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29289888 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 September 2014 |accessdate=29 September 2014}} On 8 November 2014, he made his 100th league appearance for the club in a 4–2 win over Hamilton Accies.{{cite news|title=Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4 – 2 Hamilton Academical|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29860224|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 November 2014|accessdate=8 August 2015}} Meekings scored two weeks later on 22 November 2014, in a 3–1 win over Motherwell{{cite news|title=Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3 – 1 Motherwell|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30065632|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 November 2014|accessdate=8 August 2015}} and scored seven days later, in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup, in a 1–1 draw against St Mirren, leading to a replay.{{cite news|title=St Mirren 1 – 1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30156891|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 November 2014|accessdate=8 August 2015}} Despite interest from Peterborough United,{{cite news|title=EXCLUSIVE: Peterborough back in for Inverness striker Billy McKay|url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/545221/EXCLUSIVE-Peterborough-back-in-for-Inverness-striker-Billy-McKay|work=Daily Express|date=8 December 2014|accessdate=8 August 2015}} it was announced on 12 February 2015, that he had signed an extension to his contract, agreeing to remain with Inverness until the summer of 2017.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31443267|title=Josh Meekings signs new Inverness deal until 2017|publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 February 2015 |accessdate=12 February 2015}} Meekings became the subject of much national and international interest in the aftermath of ICT's Scottish Cup semi-final win against Celtic. During the game, television pictures and replays clearly showed that he 'handled' the ball in the penalty area, preventing a certain goal – however, the incident was 'missed' by the match officials. In an unprecedented move, Meekings was retrospectively cited by the SFA's Compliance Officer to face a charge of 'preventing a goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball'. He was offered a one-match-ban, but Inverness contested this and a date was set for the case to be heard. On the day of the hearing, it transpired that he should not actually have been cited, as the referee had subsequently confirmed that he had indeed seen the 'incident' but not the alleged 'offence'. As a result, the case did not proceed and the charge against Meekings was dropped, with the SFA confirming that he would be eligible to play in the cup final.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32450460|title=Josh Meekings: Judicial panel were "not entitled" to enforce ban|publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 April 2015 |accessdate=27 April 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32402364|title=Inverness defender Josh Meekings cleared for Scottish Cup final|publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 April 2015 |accessdate=27 April 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32442417|title=Josh Meekings: Vincent Lunny shocked by panel decision|publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 April 2015 |accessdate=27 April 2015}} Following this, Celtic Manager Ronny Deila believed Meekings deserved to play in the final, while Meekings, himself, said he was lucky to avoid suspension{{cite news|title=Celtic boss Deila hopes Josh Meekings can play in Scottish Cup final|url=http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/318148-celtic-boss-ronny-deila-hopes-josh-meekings-can-play-in-scottish-cup-final/|publisher=STV Sport|date=22 April 2015|accessdate=8 August 2015}}{{cite news|title=Josh Meekings: I was lucky to stay on after handball|url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/571602/Josh-Meekings-I-was-lucky-to-stay-on-after-handball|work=Daily Express|date=20 April 2015|accessdate=8 August 2015}} and credited Manager John Hughes for helping avoid global headlines.{{cite news|title=John Hughes kept me sane after semi-final handball went global says Inverness defender Josh Meekings|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/john-hughes-kept-sane-after-5731259|work=Daily Record|date=21 May 2015|accessdate=8 August 2015}} In the build up to the Scottish Cup final, Meeking scored his third goal of the season and set up another, in a 3–0 win over Dundee United on 16 May 2015.{{cite news|title=Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3 – 0 Dundee United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32662695|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 May 2015|accessdate=8 August 2015}} Meekings started and played in Scottish Cup Final, which Inverness won 2–1 against Falkirk.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32728510 |title=Inverness CT 2–1 Falkirk |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 May 2015 |accessdate=4 June 2015 |first=Alasdair |last=Lamont}}
In the 2015–16 season, Meekings played in both legs of the second qualifying round in the Europa League, as Inverness CT lose 1–0 on aggregate against Astra Giurgiu.{{cite news|title=Astra Giurgiu 0 – 0 (1 – 0 agg) Inverness CT|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33612126|publisher=BBC Sport|date=23 July 2015|accessdate=8 August 2015}} However, he was soon sidelined after suffering a knee injury in the opening game of the season against Motherwell and was substituted at half time.{{cite news|title=Two players the target for Hughes – if he can raid rainy day fund|url=http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Two-players-the-target-for-Hughes-if-he-can-raid-rainy-day-fund-06082015.htm|publisher=Inverness Courier|date=7 August 2015|accessdate=8 August 2015|archive-date=2 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102023515/http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Two-players-the-target-for-Hughes-if-he-can-raid-rainy-day-fund-06082015.htm|url-status=dead}} He continued to struggle with injury and left Inverness after the 2016–17 season.
=Dundee=
Having rehabilitated from injury with Dundee, Meekings signed a one-year contract with the club in August 2017.{{cite web |url=http://dundeefc.co.uk/news/josh-signs/ |title=Josh signs |publisher=Dundee FC |date=18 August 2017 |accessdate=18 August 2017}} After featuring throughout the first half of the season, Meekings suffered various injuries throughout the latter half. Despite this, Meekings signed a two-year contract extension in March 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43571384|title=Defender Josh Meekings signs new deal|date=28 March 2018|publisher=BBC|access-date=20 April 2020}} Unfortunately, injuries would continue to plague him, with a hip injury he received in September effectively ending his season when it was declared it needed to be operated on in November.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/dundee-skipper-dealt-major-injury-blow-but-good-news-on-attackers/|title=Dundee skipper dealt major injury blow – but good news for attackers|last=Duthie|first=Tom|date=30 November 2018|website=Evening Telegraph|access-date=20 April 2020}}
Now in the Championship with Dundee, the now injury-free Meekings struggled to find playing time for the first half of the season. The team captain eventually gained a starting spot in December, and would eventually form an effective partnership with Christophe Berra and Jordon Forster that would keep 5 consecutive clean sheets. This positive momentum was however abruptly cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which would curtail the remainder of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/spfl-resolution-approved-by-clubs-in-all-four-di|title=SPFL Resolution Approved By Clubs in All Four Divisions|date=15 April 2020|website=SPFL.co.uk|access-date=20 April 2020}} In May, Dundee announced they would extend the contracts of players whose contracts were to expire, including Meekings, the following month to July.{{Cite web|title=Christie's contract extended|url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/christies-contract-extended/|date=18 May 2020|website=Dundee FC|access-date=18 May 2020}}
Meekings left Dundee in June 2020 after rejecting a contract extension.{{Cite web|date=29 June 2020|title=Josh leaves the club|url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/josh-leaves-the-club/|access-date=29 June 2020|website=Dundee FC}}
=Wealdstone=
In January 2021, Meekings signed for National League side Wealdstone.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wealdstone-fc.com/post/meekings-signs-for-stones|title = Meekings signs for Stones|date = 15 January 2021}} He made his debut on 18 January, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–1 victory over Gloucester City in the FA Trophy.{{Cite web|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2021/01/18/england/fa-trophy/wealdstone-fc/gloucester-city-fc/3434404/|title = Wealdstone vs. Gloucester City – 18 January 2021 – Soccerway}} Meekings' time at Wealdstone was heavily disrupted by injury, and he departed the club at the end of the season after only 4 appearances.{{Cite web|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/josh-meekings/195235/|title=England – J. Meekings – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway}}
= Brora Rangers =
In June 2021, Meekings made his return to the Highlands after signing a three-year deal with Highland League side Brora Rangers.{{Cite web|date=13 June 2021|title=Josh Meekings Signs|url=https://brorarangers.football/2021/06/13/josh-meekings-signs/|access-date=13 June 2021|website=brorarangers.football}} In September, Meekings was added to the Cattachs
In February 2023, Meekings was named as player-assistant manager for Brora Rangers under new manager Ally MacDonald.{{Cite web |date=23 February 2023 |title=NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM – Brora Rangers FC on Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/brorarangersfc/posts/pfbid0RYLDJD5T47sJCWknxT6GSvP5sp3pJ9yb8GPiPipMNBhUVa3LwuP2pcbw9SrYhzoxl |access-date=2023-02-24 |via=Facebook |language=en}} Meekings won his first trophy as a coach in March 2024, as well as being an unused substitute for Brora as they defeated Fraserburgh on penalties to win the Highland League Cup.{{Cite web |last=Law |first=Callum |date=2024-03-30 |title=Highland League results: Brora Rangers beat Fraserburgh on penalties to lift Highland League Cup |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/highland-league/6416425/highland-league-results-brora-win-league-cup-on-penalties/ |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=Press and Journal |language=en-GB}} On 11 June, Brora announced that Meekings would leave the club upon the expiry of his contract.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-11 |title=JOSH MEEKINGS DEPARTS - Brora Rangers F.C. |url=https://brorarangers.football/josh-meekings-departs/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=brorarangers.football |language=en-GB}}
= Clachnacuddin =
On 14 June 2024, Meekings joined Highland League club Clachnacuddin.{{Cite web |title=JOSH MEEKINGS {{!}} Clachnacuddin |url=https://clachfc.co.uk/news_article.php?id=117 |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=clachfc.co.uk}}{{Cite web |date=2024-06-14 |title=Signing of Scottish Cup winner a 'statement of intent' for Clach |url=https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/sport/signing-of-scottish-cup-winner-a-statement-of-intent-for-c-353236/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Inverness Courier |language=en}} Meekings scored his first goal for the Lilywhites on 31 August in a league victory away to Deveronvale.{{Cite web |title=Deveronvale vs. Clachnacuddin - 31 August 2024 - Soccerway |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2024/08/31/scotland/scottish-football-league/deveronvale-football-club/clachnacuddin-football-club/4372489/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=uk.soccerway.com}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 29 March 2025}}{{soccerway|josh-meekings/195235|accessdate=18 October 2017}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Brora Rangers
Individual
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Meekings, Josh}}
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. players
Category:Scottish Premier League players
Category:Footballers from Bury St Edmunds
Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:Highland Football League players
Category:Wealdstone F.C. players
Category:Brora Rangers F.C. players