Joe Martin (footballer)

Joseph John Martin (born 29 November 1988) is an English professional footballer who plays for League Two club Stevenage. He is a left-sided defender, who can also play as a midfielder. He represented England at under-16 and under-17 levels.

Joe Martin

Personal information
Full name	Joseph John Martin[1]
Date of birth	29 November 1988[2]
Place of birth	Dagenham, England
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s)	Defender
Club information
Current team	Stevenage
Number	28
Youth career
0000–2005	West Ham United
2005–2006	Tottenham Hotspur
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2008	Tottenham Hotspur	0	(0)
2008	→ Blackpool (loan)	1	(0)
2008–2010	Blackpool	23	(0)
2010–2015	Gillingham	161	(8)
2015–2017	Millwall	52	(3)
2017–2019	Stevenage	44	(3)
2018–2019	→ Bristol Rovers (loan)	10	(1)
2019–2021	Northampton Town	23	(0)
2021–	Stevenage	0	(0)
National team
2003–2004	England U16	6	(0)
2004	England U17	1	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:33, 29 January 2021 (UTC)

Club career

West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur Academies

Born in Dagenham, east London, Martin was at West Ham United's Academy until 2005 when he moved to Tottenham Hotspur's Academy. He signed his first professional contract with Spurs on 1 July 2007.

Loan move to Blackpool

On transfer deadline day, 27 March 2008, he signed for Blackpool on loan until the end of the 2007–08 season;[3][4] however, a calf injury meant he did not make an immediate debut and he was an unused substitute in the Seasiders away match at Plymouth Argyle on 26 April.[5]

Blackpool manager Simon Grayson gave Martin his debut in the final match of the 2007–08 season, at home to Watford on 4 May 2008, a match which the Seasiders had to avoid defeat to avoid relegation to League One.[6] Blackpool drew the match 1–1, with Martin playing on the left wing.[7] Martin returned to Spurs at the end of the season; however, on 13 May 2008, he confirmed that he wanted to return to Blackpool for the 2008–09 season, saying, "That last game against Watford was brilliant and something I'll remember for the rest of my life." And adding "To make your debut in a match like that, when there was a sell-out crowd and so much riding on the outcome, was terrific. The manager seemed pretty pleased with how I did and hopefully I can come back here next year and help the club stay up, if not better. It's up to Tottenham whether I come back. They hold all the cards. But if there is a possibility of it happening then I would love to return to Blackpool. I am really glad that Blackpool stayed up because they are a brilliant club."[8] Later that month Martin was linked, along with his brother, David, with a season-long loan move to Blackpool.[9]

Blackpool

On 1 July 2008, it was confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur had accepted a bid for Martin from Blackpool and that the player was discussing personal terms.[10] On 2 July, he signed a two-year contract with an option for a further year with Blackpool for an undisclosed fee.[11] "[Spurs] offered me a new deal, but I wasn't really too keen on staying there. The first-team opportunities at White Hart Lane are limited and I want to get some experience and play regularly in the first team, so it was a bit of a no-brainer for me."[12] Blackpool manager Simon Grayson added: "I think Joe looked at the situation and probably realised he wasn't going to be a first-team player there and the next best thing after that is Championship football. We are delighted to have got him and he's delighted to be here."[12]

His first appearance for Blackpool since he signed permanently came on 12 August 2008 when he played in the Seasiders' 2–0 defeat to Macclesfield Town in the League Cup first round at Moss Rose.[13] He then suffered a hip injury[14] and his first league appearance came over one month later when he was a 70th-minute substitute in a 2–0 league defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor on 16 September.[15] However, a leg injury again curtailed his season and his next appearance was not to come for another month when he was a second-half substitute in a 3–2 league win over Derby County at Bloomfield Road.[16]

After playing in two League Cup games, Martin made his first league appearance of the 2009–10 season as a 46th-minute substitute in the 1–2 defeat to Reading at the Madjeski Stadium on 21 November 2009. His first start in the league came on 9 January 2010, in a 1–1 draw with Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Gillingham

On 30 June 2010 Martin was released by Blackpool manager Ian Holloway, he then spent several months on trial at Gillingham of League Two before being signed up.[17] He made his Gillingham debut on 11 December 2010 in a 4–2 away win over Macclesfield Town. He played for the club for over five years, being an integral part of the side that won the 2012–13 Football League Two championship, with Joe earning a place in the PFA League Two Team of the Year, but was ultimately released at the end of the 2014–15 season after being deemed surplus to requirements.

Millwall

On 23 June 2015 Martin joined League One club Millwall on a one-year contract.[18]

Stevenage

In June 2017, Martin joined Stevenage.[19]

He was released by Stevenage at the end of the 2018–19 season.[20]

Northampton Town

Martin joined Northampton Town in July 2019.[21] He made his debut on the opening day of the season as Northampton suffered a 1–0 home defeat to Walsall.[22] Martin came off of the bench in the 86' minute of a 3–0 victory at Cheltenham Town in the Play-Off semi-final second leg as Northampton overturned a 2–0 First Leg defeat to secure a place in the final at Wembley Stadium.[23] Although Martin did not feature, Northampton thrashed Exeter City 4–0 to gain promotion.[24]

Stevenage

On 29 January 2021, Martin returned to Stevenage.[25]

International career

Martin played for England at under-16 and under-17 levels.[3]

Career statistics

As of 29 January 2021

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Blackpool (loan)	2007–08[26]	Championship	1	0	0	0	0	0	~	~	1	0
Blackpool	2008–09[27]	Championship	15	0	0	0	1	0	~	~	16	0
	2009–10[28]		6	0	1	0	2	0	~	~	9	0
	Blackpool		21	0	1	0	3	0	~	~	25	0
Gillingham	2010–11[29]	League Two	17	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	17	1
	2011–12[30]		35	1	3	0	1	0	0	0	39	1
	2012–13[31]		38	2	1	0	1	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	0	41	2
	2013–14[32]	League One	46	2	2	0	1	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	0	50	2
	2014–15[33]		25	2	1	0	1	0	5[lower-alpha 1]	0	32	2
	Gillingham		161	8	7	0	4	0	7	0	179	8
Millwall	2015–16[34]	League One	29	2	2	0	0	0	8[lower-alpha 2]	1	39	3
	2016–17[35]		23	1	1	0	1	0	3[lower-alpha 1]	0	28	1
	Millwall		52	3	3	0	1	0	11	1	67	4
Stevenage	2017–18[36]	League Two	39	2	4	0	1	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	0	45	2
	2018–19[37]		5	1	0	0	0	0	0[lower-alpha 1]	0	5	1
	Stevenage		44	3	4	0	1	0	1	0	50	3
Bristol Rovers (loan)	2018–19	League One	10	1	0	0	0	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	0	11	1
Northampton Town	2019–20[38]	League Two	17	0	1	0	0	0	3[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 3]	0	21	0
	2020–21[39]	League One	6	0	1	0	1	0	3[lower-alpha 1]	0	11	0
	Northampton Town		23	0	2	0	1	0	6	0	32	3
Career total			312	15	17	0	10	0	26	1	365	16

1. Appearances in the Football League Trophy
2. Five appearances in the Football League Trophy and three appearances and a goal in the League One play-offs
3. One appearance in League Two play-offs

Honours

Gillingham

• EFL League Two: 2012–13[40]

Northampton Town

• EFL League Two play-offs: 2020[41]

Individual

• PFA Team of the Year: 2012–13 League Two[42]

References

1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Northampton Town" (PDF). English Football League. p. 48. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
2. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
3. "Pool Agree Loan Move For Spurs Youngster". Blackpool. 27 March 2008. Retrieved 4 May 2008.
4. Canavan, Steve (27 March 2008). "Premier loan for Pool". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 4 May 2008.
5. Canavan, Steve (25 April 2008). "New boy Martin set for Pilgrims". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 4 May 2008.
6. "Team News". Blackpool. 4 May 2008. Retrieved 4 May 2008.
7. "Blackpool vs Watford Match Report". Blackpool F.C. 4 May 2008. Retrieved 4 May 2008.
8. "Joe wants return ticket". Blackpool Gazette. 13 May 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2008.
9. "Seasiders in bid for Liverpool goalkeeper". Blackpool Gazette. 30 May 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
10. "Bid Accepted!". Blackpool F.C. 1 July 2008. Retrieved 2 July 2008.
11. "Martin Agrees Pool Move". Blackpool. 3 July 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
12. Gillatt, Peter (30 November 2009). Blackpool FC On This Day: History, Facts and Figures from Every Day of the Year. Pitch Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-905411-50-4.
13. "English League Cup – Round 1, Macclesfield 2 Blackpool 0". Soccerbase. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2008.
14. "Nardiello on target as Pool beat PNE". Blackpool Gazette. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
15. "Football League Championship, Burnley 2 Blackpool 0". Soccerbase. 16 September 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2008.
16. "Blackpool win five-goal thriller". Blackpool Gazette. 21 October 2008. Retrieved 21 October 2008.
17. "Gills complete left-back signing". Gillingham F.C. 9 December 2010. Archived from the original on 11 December 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
18. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33238538
20. "Stevenage retained / released list". Stevenage F.C. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
21. "Joe Martin: Northampton Town to sign released Stevenage left-back". BBC Sport. 13 May 2019.
22. "Northampton Town 0–1 Walsall". BBC Sport. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
23. "Cheltenham Town 0–3 Northampton Town". BBC Sport. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
24. "League Two play-off final:Exeter City 0–4 Northampton Town". BBC Sport. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
25. "Joe Martin re-joins Stevenage". www.stevenagefc.com. 29 January 2021.
26. "Games played by Joe Martin in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
27. "Games played by Joe Martin in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
28. "Games played by Joe Martin in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
29. "Games played by Joe Martin in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
30. "Games played by Joe Martin in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
31. "Games played by Joe Martin in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
32. "Games played by Joe Martin in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
33. "Games played by Joe Martin in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
34. "Games played by Joe Martin in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
35. "Games played by Joe Martin in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
36. "Games played by Joe Martin in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
37. "Games played by Joe Martin in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
38. "Games played by Joe Martin in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
39. "Games played by Joe Martin in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
40. "England - J. Martin - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
41. Pilnick, Brent (29 June 2020). "Exeter City 0–4 Northampton Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
42. "Gareth Bale wins PFA Player of Year and Young Player awards". BBC Sport. 28 April 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2018.

External links

• England profile at theFA
• Joe Martin at Soccerbase