Josh Morris (footballer, born 1991)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Josh Morris
Personal information
Full name Joshua Francis Morris[1]
Date of birth (1991-09-30) 30 September 1991 (age 30)[2]
Place of birth Preston, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Salford City
Number 11
Youth career
0000–2010 Blackburn Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2015 Blackburn Rovers 20 (0)
2012 → Yeovil Town (loan) 5 (0)
2012 → Rotherham United (loan) 5 (0)
2013 → Carlisle United (loan) 6 (0)
2014 → Fleetwood Town (loan) 14 (2)
2014–2015 → Fleetwood Town (loan) 45 (8)
2015–2016 Bradford City 13 (1)
2016–2019 Scunthorpe United 107 (35)
2019–2021 Fleetwood Town 57 (7)
2021– Salford City 17 (1)
National team
2011 England U20 3 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 28 December 2021 (UTC)

Joshua Francis Morris (born 30 September 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays for EFL League Two club Salford City as a left sided midfielder.

Beginning his career in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, Morris experienced loan spells with Football League teams Yeovil Town, Rotherham United, Carlisle United, and multiple stints with Fleetwood Town, before departing for Bradford City in 2015. After a year, he moved to Scunthorpe United where he would play over 100 games and was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year for 2016–17, having scored 19 goals. In 2019 he rejoined Fleetwood, and left after a two-year spell.

Internationally, Morris represented England U20 in 2011, and featured in that years' FIFA U20 World Cup.

Club career[]

Blackburn Rovers[]

Born in Preston, England, Morris joined Blackburn Rovers when he was thirteen.[3] On 15 September 2010, Morris signed a two-year deal until the summer 2012 with an option of a further year at Ewood Park.[3] A product of Rovers youth system, he made his first league appearance in the 7–1 defeat by Manchester United on 27 November, supplying the assist for Rovers' goal.[4] Morris went on to make four appearances for the club in the 2010–11 season.

His first appearance in the 2011–12 season was as a substitute in Blackburn's 3–2 victory against Manchester United.[5] With his contract due to expire at the end of the season, on 22 February 2012, Morris signed a new 2+1⁄2-year deal at the club.[6] With Blackburn already relegated, Morris made another appearance in the last game of the season, coming on as a substitute for Mauro Formica, in a 2–1 loss against Chelsea.[7]

In the 2012–13 season, Morris spent the first half of the season being at the reserve and was loaned out to Rotherham United. Morris made his first appearance for Blackburn Rovers, where he came on as a substitute for Rubén Rochina in the 80th minute, in a 1–1 draw against Wolves on 11 January 2013.[8] Towards the end of the 2012–13 season, Morris became a regular starter as a left-back following defensive crisis and went on to make seven starts.[9]

In the 2013–14 season, Morris made his first Blackburn Rovers appearance, coming on as a substitute for Jason Lowe in the 74th minute, in a 5–2 win over Barnsley on 24 August 2013.[10] By the first half of the season, Morris went on to make four appearances for the club. Following his return from Carlisle United, Morris was an un-used substitute for five matches, as well as, playing in the reserve once.[11]

Loan spells[]

On 22 March 2012, Morris signed for League One club Yeovil Town on loan until the end of the 2011–12 season.[12] Morris made his Yeovil two days later, playing as a left-midfielder in a 1–0 loss against Hartlepool United.[13] Morris made five appearances for the club despite suffering an illness that saw him miss three matches before returning to his parent club.[14][15]

Morris signed for Rotherham United on loan on 25 October 2012, until January with the potential for an extension of until the end of the season.[16] Morris made his debut the next day, playing as a left-back in a 1–0 win over Plymouth Argyle.[17] However, Morris suffered a knock, which put an end to his loan spell at Rotherham having made five appearances for the club.[18]

On 28 November 2013, Morris joined League One club Carlisle United on loan until 1 January 2014.[19] Morris made his Carlisle debut two days later, coming on as a substitute for Matty Robson in the 55th minute, in a 3–1 loss against Swindon Town.[20] Morris made his final appearance for the club, in a 2–1 loss against Crewe Alexandra before returning to his parent club.[21]

Fleetwood Town loans[]

On 25 February 2014, Morris joined League Two club Fleetwood Town on a one-month loan.[22] On the same day he made his Fleetwood debut, coming on as a substitute for Mark Roberts in the 64th minute in a 4–0 loss against Plymouth.[23] After making seven appearances, it was announced on 27 March 2014, Morris agreed to stay with Fleetwood until the end of the 2013–14 season.[24] Morris then scored two goals in two matches against Cheltenham Town[25] and Wycombe Wanderers.[26] His performances in April saw Morris being awarded for Sky Bet League 2 Player of the Month for April.[27] Morris was also involved in three matches in the play-offs, including the final, where he started, as Fleetwood won 1–0 against Burton Albion on 26 May, which won promotion to League One.[28] Following this, Morris made his return to his parent club, with manager Gary Bowyer considered using Morris next season.[29][30]

On 10 July 2014, it was announced that Morris would be joining Fleetwood on loan again until January 2015.[31] Upon joining the club for the second time, Morris expressed his delight to make a return to the club.[32] Morris was given number 12 shirt ahead of the new season.[33] Morris' first appearance in his second spell at Fleetwood came in the opening game of the season, in 2–1 win over Crewe.[34] It took until 20 September for him to score his first goal of the season and providing an assist for Jamie Proctor, in a 3–3 draw against Bristol City.[35] Morris scored three goals in two consecutive matches between 28 December 2014 and 3 January 2015 against Rochdale[36] and scoring a double against Swindon.[37]

Five days after scoring a brace, it was announced on 8 January that Morris would again return to Fleetwood on loan until the end of the 2014–15 season.[38] Morris then scored three goals in three consecutive appearances in March, against Scunthorpe United,[39] Sheffield United[40] and Rochdale.[41] In the last game of the season, Morris scored his eighth goal of the season, in a 2–1 win over Port Vale.[42] Morris made forty-five appearances and scored eight times. Following this, Morris returned to his parent club.[43]

Bradford City[]

With his contract at Blackburn Rovers at the end of the 2014–15 season,[44] On 1 July 2015, Morris signed for Bradford City on a three-year deal.[45] Upon joining the club, Morris was given number fourteen shirt.[46]

Morris scored four minutes into his debut for the club against Swindon Town on the opening day of the season, but a second-half hat-trick from Nathan Byrne eventually condemned Bradford to a 4–1 defeat.[47]

Scunthorpe United[]

He signed for Scunthorpe United on a free transfer on 15 June 2016, signing a three-year contract.[48] He scored on his debut in a 3–1 win over Bristol ROvers on 6 August.[49] He scored the first hat-trick of his career in a 4–1 victory over Walsall on 27 September.[50]

He was released by Scunthorpe at the end of the 2018–19 season.[51]

Return to Fleetwood Town[]

Morris re-joined Fleetwood Town on a two-year deal following his release from Scunthorpe.[52]

Salford City[]

On 22 June 2021, it was announced that Morris has signed a two-year contract with League Two side Salford City,[53] where he reunited with former Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer.[54] On 10 August, Morris scored his first two goals in a 3–3 draw against Championship team Derby County in the first round of the EFL Cup, before converting his penalty in the resulting shootout which Salford lost 5–3.[55] His first league goal came on 4 September, scoring the equaliser shortly before half-time before Salford lost 2–1 to his former team Carlisle.[56]

International career[]

In February 2011, Morris was called up by England U20 and made his England U20 debut against France U20 on 9 February 2011.[57] Morris was called up by FIFA U-20 World Cup in July 2011 and went on to make two appearances.[58]

Controversies[]

On 4 May 2019, Morris was involved in a controversial incident described as "The most unsporting goal in Home Park history".[59]

During an EFL League One fixture between Plymouth Argyle and Scunthorpe United, Plymouth goalkeeper Matt Macey attempted to throw the ball out of play so he could receive treatment for a suspected broken ankle. However, Morris ran to retrieve the ball to keep it in play and subsequently chipped the injured keeper to equalise.

In what has been described as an "appalling lack of sportsmanship" [60] and condemned by Scunthorpe United chairman Peter Swann,[61] Scunthorpe refused to allow Plymouth to score a conciliatory goal. Plymouth won the match, but the result saw both teams relegated to the fourth tier.

Following the match, Swann stated he was "very disappointed" with both Morris and the senior players involved and apologised "wholeheartedly" to everyone who had witnessed the event.[61][59]

Statistics[]

As of match played 4 September 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club! Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Blackburn Rovers 2010–11[62] Premier League 4 0 1 0 0 0 — 5 0
2011–12[63] Premier League 2 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 0
2012–13[64] Championship 10 0 — 0 0 — 10 0
2013–14[65] Championship 4 0 0 0 1 0 — 5 0
2014–15[66] Championship 0 0 — — — 0 0
Total 20 0 1 0 1 0 — 22 0
Yeovil Town (loan) 2011–12[63] League One 5 0 — — — 5 0
Rotherham United (loan) 2012–13[64] League Two 5 0 1 0 — — 6 0
Carlisle United (loan) 2013–14[65] League One 6 0 — — — 6 0
Fleetwood Town (loan) 2013–14[65] League Two 14 2 — — 3[a] 0 17 2
2014–15[66] League One 45 8 0 0 1 0 1[b] 0 47 8
Total 59 10 0 0 1 0 4 0 64 10
Bradford City 2015–16[67] League One 13 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 16 1
Scunthorpe United 2016–17[68] League One 44 19 1 0 2 1 5[c] 0 52 20
2017–18[69] League One 44 11 2 0 2 0 3[d] 1 51 12
2018–19[70] League One 19 5 1 0 1 0 1[e] 0 22 5
Total 107 35 4 0 5 1 9 1 125 37
Fleetwood Town 2019–20[71] League One 33 7 3 1 1 0 4[f] 2 43 10
2020–21[72] League One 24 0 1 0 3 3 2[e] 0 31 2
Total 57 7 4 1 4 2 9 2 74 12
Salford City 2021–22[73] League Two 6 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 7 3
Career total 278 54 12 1 13 5 22 3 299 60
  1. ^ Appearances in League Two play-offs
  2. ^ Appearance in Football League Trophy
  3. ^ Three appearances in EFL Trophy, two appearances in League One play-offs
  4. ^ One appearance and one goal in EFL Trophy, two appearances in League One play-offs
  5. ^ a b Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  6. ^ Four appearances and two goals in EFL Trophy, two appearances in League One play-offs

Honours[]

Individual

References[]

  1. ^ "Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 18 May 2013. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Josh Morris". 11v11. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Morris signs Rovers deal". Sky Sports. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  4. ^ "Dimitar Berbatov scores five as Manchester United thrash Blackburn". The Guardian. 27 November 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  5. ^ Match winner Grant Hanley hails Blackburn Rovers youth BBC Sport, 31 December 2011
  6. ^ "Rovers starlet agrees new deal". Sky Sports. 22 February 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  7. ^ "Chelsea 2 – 1 Blackburn Rovers". BBC Sport. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  8. ^ "Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 – 1 Blackburn Rovers". BBC Sport. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  9. ^ "Kean wants Blackburn Rovers to repeat Emirates Stadium giantkilling efforts". Lancashire Telegraph. 1 April 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  10. ^ "Blackburn Rovers 5 – 2 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 24 August 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  11. ^ "Rovers u21s 0 Norwich u21s 5". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 20 January 2014. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  12. ^ "Glovers loan Morris from Rovers". Sky Sports. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  13. ^ "Yeovil Town 0, Hartlepool United 1: Wasted chances prove costly for Glovers". Western Gazette. 24 March 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  14. ^ "We can kick on next year, says Yeovil Town's Luke Ayling". Western Gazette. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  15. ^ "Squad for Swansea clash". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 8 May 2012. Archived from the original on 13 June 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  16. ^ "Millers snap up Morris". Rotherham United. 25 October 2012. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  17. ^ "Rotherham United 1–0 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. 26 October 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  18. ^ "MEmergency Loan Deadline – Clockwatch". Rotherham United F.C. 22 November 2012. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  19. ^ "LOAN: Left sided player signs up". Carlisle United F.C. 28 November 2013. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  20. ^ "Swindon Town 3 – 1 Carlisle United". BBC Sport. 30 November 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  21. ^ "MATCH REPORT: Crewe 2 – 1 United". Carlisle United F.C. 1 January 2014. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  22. ^ "Fleetwood capture Morris". Fleetwood Town FC. 25 February 2014. Archived from the original on 27 March 2014.
  23. ^ "Fleetwood Town 0–4 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. 25 February 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  24. ^ "Morris loan extended". Fleetwood Town FC. 27 March 2014.
  25. ^ "Cheltenham Town 1–2 Fleetwood Town". BBC Sport. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  26. ^ "Fleetwood Town 1–0 Wycombe Wanderers". BBC Sport. 21 April 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  27. ^ "Morris scoops League Two Player of the Month award". Fleetwood Town F.C. 2 May 2014. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  28. ^ "Sky Bet League Two play-off final: Fleetwood beat Burton 1–0 to earn promotion". Sky Sports News. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  29. ^ "Transfer news: Josh Morris may have future at Blackburn". Sky Sports. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  30. ^ "Jon Parkin and Alan Goodall depart Fleetwood Town". Fleetwood Town F.C. 2 June 2014. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  31. ^ "Josh Morris: Fleetwood Town re-sign Blackburn Rovers winger". BBC Sport. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  32. ^ "Morris: The Club's success was a big pull". Fleetwood Town F.C. 11 July 2014. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  33. ^ "Squad numbers confirmed". Fleetwood Town F.C. 28 July 2014. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  34. ^ "Fleetwood Town 2 – 1 Crewe". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  35. ^ "Fleetwood Town 3 – 3 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  36. ^ "Rochdale 0 – 2 Fleetwood Town". BBC Sport. 28 December 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  37. ^ "Fleetwood Town 2 – 2 Swindon Town". BBC Sport. 3 January 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  38. ^ "Josh Morris: Blackburn winger returns to Fleetwood on loan". BBC Sport. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  39. ^ "Fleetwood Town 3 – 3 Scunthorpe United". Sky Sports. 3 March 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  40. ^ "Sheffield United 1 – 2 Fleetwood Town". Sky Sports. 7 March 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  41. ^ "Fleetwood Town 1 – 0 Rochdale". Sky Sports. 14 March 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  42. ^ "Port Vale 1 – 2 Fleetwood Town". Sky Sports. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  43. ^ "Fleetwood Town squad update". Fleetwood Town F.C. 6 May 2015. Archived from the original on 15 July 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  44. ^ "Josh Morris set for Bradford City as Blackburn Rovers aim to move on unwanted trio". Lancashire Telegraph. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  45. ^ "Josh Morris: Bradford City sign former Blackburn midfielder". BBC Sport. 1 July 2015.
  46. ^ "SQUAD NUMBERS CONFIRMED". Bradford City A.F.C. 4 August 2015. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  47. ^ "Swindon Town 4–1 Bradford City" BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  48. ^ "Josh Morris: Scunthorpe sign Bradford winger on free transfer". BBC Sport. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  49. ^ "Scunthorpe 3–1 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  50. ^ "Walsall 1-4 Scunthorpe United: Josh Morris scores hat-trick". Sky Sports. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  51. ^ "Josh Morris: Scunthorpe midfielder one of three released as Iron unveil retained list". BBC Sport. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  52. ^ "Josh Morris: Fleetwood Town sign ex-Scunthorpe midfielder on two-year deal". BBC Sport. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  53. ^ "Josh Morris: Salford City sign ex-Fleetwood Town midfielder on two-year deal". BBC Sport. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  54. ^ Atherton, Charlotte (24 June 2021). ""There's massive ambition here" – Josh Morris becomes first summer signing for Salford City". Salford Now. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  55. ^ "Derby County 3-3 Salford City". BBC Sport. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  56. ^ "Carlisle 2-1 Salford: Struggling City beaten again". Sky Sports. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  57. ^ "Blackburn Rovers keeper Kean happy with debut". Lancashire Telegraph. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  58. ^ "Morris joins Lowe in England under 20 squad". Lancashire Telegraph. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  59. ^ a b "Scunthorpe sorry for 'unsporting' goal" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  60. ^ "WATCH: Contender for most unsporting goal in history in EFL relegation battle". JOE.co.uk.
  61. ^ a b "