Josh Yorwerth

Yorwerth was born in Bridgend, Wales, and grew up in the nearby village of Brynmenyn. As a youngster he played youth football for local sides in Aberkenfig, where he was coached by his father Robert, and Pencoed and was a fan of Manchester United.{{Cite news |url=https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/yorwerth-excited-to-gain-football-league-experience-with-crawley-1-4253704 |title=Yorwerth excited to gain Football League experience with Crawley |newspaper=Ipswich Star |date=30 September 2015 |access-date=13 March 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He attended Ynysawdre Comprehensive School.{{Cite web |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/other-sport/football-teen-josh-yorwerth-road-1880612 |title=Teen Josh Yorwerth is on the road to stardom |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |date=16 December 2010 |access-date=13 August 2015}} He also represented Wales at youth level in rugby union.{{Cite news |url=https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/talented-rugby-player-josh-yorwerth-ready-for-ipswich-town-battle-at-doncaster-tonight-1-4207711 |title=Talented rugby player Josh Yorwerth ready for Ipswich Town battle at Doncaster tonight |newspaper=Ipswich Star |last=Brammer |first=Chris |date=25 August 2015 |access-date=12 March 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Yorwerth was a member of the Cardiff City F.C. Academy, signing scholarship forms in 2008 at the age of 13. He progressed up to the under-21 development side in 2014 but, unable to break into the first team, he sought a loan move to gain experience. Yorwerth later admitted that he struggled to find a club willing to take him on loan, commenting "My agent couldn't find me anything and it's quite hard to get loan moves for youngsters who haven't got any experience or not played any games."{{Cite news |url=https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/defender-josh-yorwerth-is-no-stranger-to-finding-himself-a-temporary-home-1-4220529 |title=Defender Josh Yorwerth is no stranger to finding himself a temporary home |newspaper=Ipswich Star |last=Brammer |first=Chris |date=4 September 2015 |access-date=12 March 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He eventually joined Southern Football League side Hereford United on loan in November 2014,{{Cite web |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/meet-young-cardiff-city-stars-8224627 |title=Meet the young Cardiff City stars who could break into Russel Slade's squad after the Bluebirds' January clear out |work= WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |date=4 December 2014 |access-date=13 August 2015}} scoring on his debut in a 3–1 win over Frome Town.{{Cite web |url=http://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/thebulls/reports/11629160.Sullivan_targeting_run_to_play_offs_as_wins_go_on/ |title=Sullivan targeting run to play-offs as wins go on |publisher=Hereford Times |date=27 November 2014 |access-date=13 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924041604/http://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/thebulls/reports/11629160.Sullivan_targeting_run_to_play_offs_as_wins_go_on/ |archive-date=24 September 2015 }} However the following month Hereford were forced into liquidation due to financial difficulties and they were removed from the league with their records for the season expunged.{{Cite web |url=http://www.northdevonjournal.co.uk/Hereford-United-s-Southern-League-record-expunged/story-25807718-detail/story.html |title=Hereford United's Southern League record is expunged |publisher=North Devon Times |date=5 January 2015 |access-date=13 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814082859/http://www.northdevonjournal.co.uk/Hereford-United-s-Southern-League-record-expunged/story-25807718-detail/story.html |archive-date=14 August 2015 |url-status=dead }} With four experienced centre-backs in the squad and competition from other youngsters Ben Nugent and Adedeji Oshilaja, Yorwerth found first team chances non-existent on his return to Cardiff and was not offered an extension to his contract in order to seek regular football elsewhere. He later revealed that he had suffered from a gambling addiction during his time with Cardiff.

After appearing in two under-21 fixtures for the club during a trial period,{{Cite news |url=https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/ipswich-sign-wales-under-21-defender-yorwerth-1-4123528 |title=Ipswich sign Wales Under-21 defender Yorwerth |newspaper=Ipswich Star |date=23 June 2015 |access-date=12 March 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Yorwerth joined fellow Championship side Ipswich Town on a two-year contract, with the option of a third, in 2015.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33241240 | title = Josh Yorwerth: Ipswich Town sign ex-Cardiff City defender | publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 11 August 2015 | date = 23 June 2015}} He made his professional debut for Ipswich in an EFL Cup match against Stevenage on 11 August 2015, and scored in the 55th minute. The goal equalised for Ipswich, who went on to win 2–1.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33769154 | title = Ipswich v Stevenage | publisher = BBC Sport|date = 11 August 2015 | access-date = 11 August 2015}} He played in the following two rounds of the competition, featuring in a 4–1 victory over Doncaster Rovers and a 3–0 defeat to Manchester United.{{Soccerbase season|79109|2015|access-date=12 March 2019}}

Yorwerth joined League Two club Crawley Town on a one-month loan on 29 September 2015 and made his Football League debut against Newport County in a 3–0 win the same day.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34393314|title=Josh Yorwerth: Crawley sign Ipswich defender on loan|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 September 2015|access-date=30 September 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34321576|title=League Two: Newport County 0-3 Crawley Town|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 September 2015|access-date=30 September 2015}} He made five appearances during the month and his loan spell was extended until 29 December 2015.{{cite news |url=https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/josh-yorwerth-extends-loan-spell-at-crawley-town-1-4286750 |title=Josh Yorwerth extends loan spell at Crawley Town |newspaper=Ipswich Star |last=Warren |first=Andrew |date=27 October 2015 |access-date=13 March 2019}} In April 2016, Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy announced that Yorwerth would leave the club at the end of the season,{{cite news |url=https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/piotr-malarczyk-and-josh-yorwerth-allowed-to-leave-ipswich-town-1-4516030 |title=Piotr Malarczyk and Josh Yorwerth allowed to leave Ipswich Town |newspaper=Ipswich Star |date=29 April 2016 |access-date=13 March 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} with the club and player agreeing to a mutual termination of his contract a month later.{{cite news |url=https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/josh-yorwerth-leaves-ipswich-town-by-mutual-consent-1-4543907 |title=Josh Yorwerth leaves Ipswich Town by mutual consent |newspaper=Ipswich Star |last=Warren |first=Andrew |date=20 May 2016 |access-date=13 March 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

On 1 June 2016, Yorwerth rejoined Crawley on a permanent basis on a one-year deal.{{Cite news |title=Josh Yorwerth: Crawley Town sign defender on one-year deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36424867 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 June 2016}} He made his first appearance of the season as a substitute in place of Jason Banton during a 1–1 draw with Doncaster Rovers on 13 August.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36994197 |title=Doncaster Rovers 1–1 Crawley Town |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 August 2016 |access-date=13 March 2019}} Three days later, he again appeared as a late substitute and scored the only goal of the game in a victory over Exeter City.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37018095 |title=Exeter City 0–1 Crawley Town |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 August 2016 |access-date=13 March 2019}} However, Yorwerth was given leave by the club to return home for "personal reasons" in October 2016.{{Cite news |url=https://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/sport/football/crawley-town/former-ipswich-and-cardiff-defender-returns-to-wales-for-personal-reasons-1-7609947 |title=Former Ipswich and Cardiff defender returns to Wales for 'personal reasons' |newspaper=Crawley Observer |last=Berry |first=Ollie |date=3 October 2016 |access-date=13 March 2019}}

Having returned to Wales, Yorwerth joined local side Merthyr Town on a 28-day loan.{{Cite news |title=Yorwerth signs for Martyrs |url=http://www.merthyrtownfc.co.uk/news/yorwerth-signs-for-martyrs/ |publisher=Merthyr Town Official Site |date=8 October 2016 |access-date=13 October 2016}}{{Cite news |title=Yorwerth goes on loan |url=http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/2016-17/merthyr-town-crawley-town-3359726.aspx |publisher=Crawley Town F.C. |date=13 October 2016 |access-date=13 October 2016}} Three days later, Yorwerth made his debut in a 2–0 home victory over Dorchester Town.{{Cite news |title=McLaggon nets brace as Dorchester are defeated by Martyrs |url=http://dorchestertownfc.co.uk/2016/10/12/mclaggon-nets-brace-as-dorchester-are-defeated-by-martyrs/ |publisher=Dorchester Town F.C.|date=12 October 2016 |access-date=13 October 2016}} In the following fixture, Yorwerth scored the equaliser in a 1–1 draw against Slough Town.{{Cite news |title=Merthyr Town v Slough Town |url=http://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/match/23399 |publisher=Football Web Pages |date=15 October 2016 |access-date=15 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018204431/http://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/match/23399 |archive-date=18 October 2016 |url-status=dead }} On 4 November 2016, after impressing with the Welsh side, Yorwerth's loan at Merthyr Town was extended until 4 January 2017.{{Cite news |title=Yorwerth extends his loan with the Martyrs |url=http://www.merthyrtownfc.co.uk/news/yorwerth-extends-his-loan-with-the-martyrs/ |publisher=Merthyr Town F.C.|date=4 November 2016 |access-date=5 November 2016}} However, days after his loan extension, Crawley decided to recall Yorwerth, after injuries to Mark Connolly and Joe McNerney.{{Cite news |title=Yorwerth recalled from loan spell |url=http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/2016-17/crawley-town-3415362.aspx |publisher=Crawley Town F.C.|date=14 November 2016 |access-date=14 November 2016}} Following his return, Crawley manager Dermot Drummy credited the loan spell with an improvement in Yorwerth's form.{{cite news |url=https://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/sport/football/crawley-town/thanks-to-merthyr-town-for-whatever-they-were-feeding-yorwerth-1-7701347 |title=Thanks to Merthyr Town for whatever they were feeding Yorwerth |newspaper=Crawley Observer |last=Berry |first=Ollie |date=28 November 2016 |access-date=13 March 2019}}

On 30 May 2017, Yorwerth signed a new one-year deal at Crawley with an option of an extra year.{{Cite news |title=Josh Yorwerth signs new contract |url=https://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/2017/may/30.05-yorwerth-new-contract/ |publisher=Crawley Town Official Site |date=30 May 2017 |access-date=30 May 2017}} Under Drummy's replacement Harry Kewell, Yorwerth continued as a first team regular. However, he later admitted to clashing with the manager on several occasions over his drinking, and was even dropped on occasion after arriving at training sessions smelling of alcohol.{{cite news |url=https://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/sport/football/crawley-town/former-peterborough-united-ipswich-town-and-crawley-town-defender-josh-yorwerth-reveals-he-fell-out-with-ex-boss-harry-kewell-over-drinking-alcohol-1-8844486 |title=Former Peterborough United, Ipswich Town and Crawley Town defender Josh Yorwerth reveals he fell out with ex-boss Harry Kewell over drinking alcohol |newspaper=Crawley Observer |last=Carter |first=Graham |date=12 March 2019 |access-date=13 March 2019}} Despite this, Yorwerth excelled for Crawley, stating his belief that he "had a brilliant season." He made 43 appearances for Crawley during the 2017–18 season, scoring once.{{Soccerbase season|79109|2017|access-date=13 March 2019}}

On 6 July 2018, Yorwerth joined League One side Peterborough United on a three-year deal.{{Cite news |title=Josh Yorwerth Joins Peterborough United |url=https://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/2018/july/22.07-josh-yorwerth-leaves/ |publisher=Crawley Town F.C.|date=6 July 2018 |access-date=6 July 2018}} Although the sum was undisclosed, it was reported to be a "six-figure fee."{{Cite news |url=https://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/sport/football/yorwerth-leaves-crawley-town-to-join-peterborough-for-six-figure-fee-1-8559515 |title=Yorwerth leaves Crawley Town to join Peterborough for six-figure fee |newspaper=Crawley Observer |last=Dunford |first=Mark |date=6 July 2018 |access-date=12 March 2019}} He made his debut for the club as a substitute in place of Matt Godden during a 4–1 victory over Rochdale in Peterborough's second game of the season.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45066989 |title=Rochdale 1–4 Peterborough United |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2018 |access-date=12 March 2019}} One month later, he made his first start in a 3–3 draw with Milton Keynes Dons in the EFL Trophy.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/mk-dons-vs-peterboro/teams/400913 |title=MK Dons 3–3 Peterborough |publisher=Sky Sports |date=4 September 2018 |access-date=12 March 2019}} He made one further appearance for the club in a 4–2 victory over Gillingham on 22 September.{{Soccerbase season|79109|2018|access-date=12 March 2019}}

In September 2018, officials visited Yorwerth's home in order to carry out routine random drug tests. In the days prior to the visit he had taken cocaine and, fearing a positive test, he refused to answer the door to testers.{{cite news |url=https://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/sport/football/former-crawley-town-player-faces-a-four-year-ban-1-8824789 |title=Former Crawley Town player faces a four-year ban |newspaper=Crawley Observer |last=Swann |first=Alan |date=26 February 2019 |access-date=12 March 2019}} Yorwerth feared failing the test would result in an automatic two-year ban, however the offence actually carried a maximum three-month sentence.{{cite news |url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/posh/peterborough-united-have-sacked-josh-yorwerth-1-8825820 |title=Peterborough United have sacked Josh Yorwerth |newspaper=Peterborough Today |last=Swann |first=Alan |date=26 February 2019 |access-date=12 March 2019}} His understanding of the rules related to the offence were later described as "flimsy" by members of The Football Association (FA) panel during his hearing.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47643520 |title=Josh Yorwerth: Ex-Peterborough United defender 'did not understand doping rules' |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 March 2019 |access-date=17 April 2019}}

In December 2018, he was charged by the FA with an anti-doping violation. The FA claimed Yorwerth "evaded sample collection or, without compelling justification, refused or failed to submit to sample collection following notification by an anti-doping official."{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46653932 |title=Josh Yorwerth: Peterborough United defender faces anti-doping charge |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 December 2018 |access-date=12 March 2019}} On 26 February 2019, Yorwerth's contract was terminated after he was issued a four-year ban for both evading an anti-doping test and taking cocaine.{{Cite news |title=Club Issues Statement |url=https://www.theposh.com/news/2019/february/club-issues-statement/ |publisher=Peterborough United |date=26 February 2019 |access-date=26 February 2019}} Yorwerth later admitted to attending the hearing having "slept for one hour, was stinking of booze and [...] used cocaine the night before."{{cite news |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-cardiff-city-player-whose-15960190 |title=The former Cardiff City player whose cocaine, alcohol and gambling addiction got him sacked and banned for four years |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |last=Booth |first=Dominic |date=12 March 2019 |access-date=13 March 2019}} The ban is believed to be the longest in the history of English professional football for an anti-doping offence.{{cite news |url=https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/former-ipswich-defender-josh-yorwerth-facing-ban-1-5906709 |title=Former Ipswich defender sacked and facing four-year ban for avoiding drugs test |newspaper=Ipswich Star |last=Warren |first=Andy |date=26 February 2019 |access-date=13 March 2019 |archive-date=5 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905121453/https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/former-ipswich-defender-josh-yorwerth-facing-ban-1-5906709 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/02/27/josh-yorwerths-extraordinary-ban-refusing-drugs-test-achieves/ |title=Josh Yorwerth's extraordinary ban for refusing a drugs test achieves precious little in sport's battle against doping |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |last=Wallace |first=Sam |date=27 February 2019 |access-date=5 September 2019}} He subsequently entered rehab, began counselling sessions and planned to appeal the ban on mental health grounds.

Upon the expiration of his ban, Yorwerth joined his hometown club, Cymru Premier side Penybont.{{cite news |url=https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/sport/football/former-crawley-town-ipswich-town-and-peterborough-united-defender-back-in-action-after-four-year-ban-3885945 |title=Former Crawley Town, Ipswich Town and Peterborough United defender back in action after four-year ban |publisher=Sussex Express|last=Dunford |first=Mark |date=19 October 2022 |accessdate=4 January 2023}} In his first season with the club, he made the Cymru Premier Team of the Year.{{cite tweet|number=1659988229511102466|user=CymruLeagues|title=✨ TÎM Y TYMOR ✨ The 2022/23 #JDCymruPremier Team of the Season... #FAWNationalLeagueAwards|date=20 May 2023}} On 31 January 2024 Josh re-signed for Merthyr Town of the Southern League Premier South.{{Cite web|url=https://www.merthyrtownfc.co.uk/news-4/josh-yorwerth-returns-to-penydarren-park|title=NEWS Merthyr Town FC|website=Merthyr Town Footbal}}

In August 2024 he joined Barry Town United.{{cite web |title=Ipswich Town: Josh Yorwerth signs for Barry Town United |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/24442242.ipswich-town-josh-yorwerth-signs-barry-town-united/ |publisher=East Anglian Daily Times |access-date=17 October 2024 |date=10 July 2024}}

Yorwerth has captained Wales at under-16 level and has also played for the under-17, under-19 and under-21 sides. He scored on his debut for Wales under-21s in a 3–1 victory over Bulgaria.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31952436 | title=Wales U21 3 Bulgaria U21 1 | publisher=BBC | work=bbc.co.uk/sport | date=31 March 2015 | access-date=11 August 2015}}

Yorwerth has been described as "an attacking defender", frequently looking to move forward with the ball out of defence, and possesses above average pace for a defender.{{cite news |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/pompey/pompey-target-is-too-good-for-league-two-1-8391475 |title=Pompey target is 'too good for League Two' |newspaper=The Portsmouth News |date=23 February 2018 |access-date=13 March 2019}} Yorwerth himself has stated "I prefer the physical side of things, no-one is going to beat me on the physical side and I think my rugby background helps." Geraint Williams, who coached Yorwerth for the Wales under-21 side has described him as "comfortable on the ball" but added "his primary concern should be concentrating on his defending."{{cite news |url=https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/former-ipswich-midfielder-geraint-williams-backs-josh-yorwerth-to-make-the-grade-1-4260683 |title=Former Ipswich midfielder Geraint Williams backs Josh Yorwerth to make the grade |newspaper=Ipswich Star |last=Watson |first=Stuart |date=6 October 2015 |access-date=13 March 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

{{updated|match played 22 September 2018}}{{Soccerway|155020|access-date=13 March 2019}}

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Category:1995 births

Category:Living people

Category:Welsh men's footballers

Category:Footballers from Bridgend

Category:Cardiff City F.C. players

Category:Hereford United F.C. players

Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players

Category:Crawley Town F.C. players

Category:Merthyr Town F.C. players

Category:Peterborough United F.C. players

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:Wales men's under-21 international footballers

Category:English Football League players

Category:Welsh sportspeople in doping cases

Category:Wales men's youth international footballers

Category:Penybont F.C. players

Category:Barry Town United F.C. players

Category:21st-century Welsh sportsmen