Joel Grant

Joel Valentino Grant (born 26 August 1987) is a professional footballer for Swindon Town and the Jamaica national football team. He can either play as a winger, midfielder or striker. He has performed as a traditional winger for most of his career, despite the rise of inside forwards in the past decade.[2]

Joel Grant
Grant in 2017
Personal information
Full name Joel Valentino Grant[1]
Date of birth (1987-08-27) 27 August 1987[1]
Place of birth Acton, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Position(s) Winger / Forward
Club information
Current team
 Swindon Town
Number 20
Youth career
000?–2005 Watford
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2007 Watford 7 (0)
2006–2007 → Aldershot Town (loan) 14 (2)
2007–2008 Aldershot Town 30 (4)
2008–2011 Crewe Alexandra 96 (16)
2011–2013 Wycombe Wanderers 71 (14)
2013–2015 Yeovil Town 55 (6)
2015–2017 Exeter City 46 (8)
2017–2020 Plymouth Argyle 74 (14)
2020– Swindon Town 10 (2)
National team‡
2006–2007 Jamaica U20 11 (7)
2014–2016 Jamaica 14 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:54, 3 January 2021 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:59, 27 May 2016 (UTC)

Club career

Watford

Born in Acton, London, Grant started his career at Watford. He made his first team debut whilst still a member of Watford's Academy, coming on as a substitute in a League Cup match against Notts County on 23 August 2005. Whilst still an Academy scholar, he made 9 more appearances for the club, including 3 starts.

Grant was rewarded with a professional contract by Watford prior to the 2006–07 season. On 31 August 2006 he joined Aldershot Town on a four-month loan, to gain experience.[3] During his time with the Shots, he made 19 league and cup appearances, scoring 4 goals.

Grant was unable to break into the Watford side during their 2006–07 Premiership campaign and he was released at the end of the season.[4]

Aldershot Town

In September 2007 he rejoined Aldershot Town on non-contract terms.[5] In December 2007 he signed a contract until the end of the season.[6] He made 30 league appearances, scoring four times, as Aldershot Town were promoted from the Conference.

Crewe Alexandra

On 25 June 2008 Grant joined Crewe Alexandra for £130,000, signing a three-year contract.[7] The fee represented a club record sale for Aldershot Town. Grant scored his first goal for Crewe with a marvellous run and step over in the 2–1 win over Walsall at Gresty Road. The goal was shown as the Big Skill on Big League Weekend 2 on Sky Sports due to the step over. In 2009–10, Grant had a productive second season at Crewe, contributing nine goals and several assists marshalling the left wing.

He was released from the club in May 2011, having been limited to 28 appearances in the 2010–11 campaign.[8]

Wycombe Wanderers

Grant signed for Wycombe Wanderers on 27 May 2011 on a free transfer.

Yeovil Town

Grant signed a two-year deal with Championship side Yeovil Town on 26 June 2013.[9] Grant made his debut for Yeovil in their Football League Cup first round victory over Southend United, on 6 August 2013.[10]

Grant was released at the end of the 2014–15 season following Yeovil's relegation to League Two.[11]

Exeter City

On 21 August 2015, Grant joined Exeter City as the 1931 fan-funded player.[12]

Plymouth Argyle

At the end of the 2016–17 season, Grant turned down the offer of a new contract with Exeter, to sign for their Devon rivals Plymouth Argyle.[13] Grant operated as a traditional winger for most of his first season in the team. With manager Derek Adams opting for 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 formations for the first half of the 2017/18 season, Grant featured heavily but, once Adams switched to 4-3-2-1 and deployed Graham Carey and Ruben Lameiras as inside forwards, Grant lost favour and was only involved as a defensive substitute or a backup striker. To counteract this, he evolved tactically in the following 2018/19 season and began to exhibit traits more associated with inside forwards than traditional wingers. Consequently, the rates at which he completed dribbles, created chances and scored goals increased.[14]

He was offered a new contract by Plymouth Argyle at the end of the 2018–19 season.[15] He signed a new contract in June 2019.[16] In October 2019 he scored in his third game in a row, and was praised by manager Ryan Lowe.[17]

Swindon Town

On 19 September 2020, Grant joined Swindon Town on a one year deal following a successful trial [18]

International career

In June 2006 Grant earned a call-up to the Jamaica under-23 squad to play in the Central American and Caribbean Games taking place in Colombia between 15 and 29 July.[19] He spent much of February 2007 with the squad for the CONCACAF under-20 World Cup qualifiers.[20]

In May 2014 Grant was called up to the Jamaica senior squad, and made his full international début playing for 78 minutes against Serbia on 26 May.[21] He scored his first goal at the senior level in a 2–2 draw with Egypt on 4 June 2014 at Leyton, England.

On 2 June 2016, Grant was called up to the Jamaica squad for the Copa América Centenario as a replacement for the injured Simon Dawkins.[22]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 28 November 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Watford 2005–06[23] Championship 700030—100
2006–07[24] Premier League 000000—00
Total 700030—100
Aldershot Town (loan) 2006–07[24] Conference Premier 14242—1[lower-alpha 1]0194
Aldershot Town 2007–08[25] Conference Premier 30420—10[lower-alpha 2]2426
Total 44662—1126110
Crewe Alexandra 2008–09[26] League One 282103000322
2009–10[27] League Two 43911101[lower-alpha 3]04610
2010–11[28] League Two 25510101[lower-alpha 3]1286
Total 961631502110618
Wycombe Wanderers 2011–12[29] League One 304102100335
2012–13[30] League Two 411010101[lower-alpha 3]14411
Total 71142031117716
Yeovil Town 2013–14[31] Championship 3432120—384
2014–15[32] League One 203000000203
Total 546212000587
Exeter City 2015–16[33] League Two 26430101[lower-alpha 3]0314
2016–17[34] League Two 20410106[lower-alpha 4]1285
Total 468402071599
Plymouth Argyle 2017–18[35] League One 336200000356
2018–19[36] League One 17420102[lower-alpha 5]0224
2019–20[37] League Two 24430002[lower-alpha 5]1295
Total 74147010418615
Swindon Town 2020–21[38] League One 10210001[lower-alpha 5]0122
Career total 4026625416126646977
  1. Appearance in FA Trophy
  2. Five appearances in FA Trophy, five appearances and two goals in Conference League Cup
  3. Appearance in Football League Trophy
  4. Three appearances in EFL Trophy, three appearances and one goal in League Two play-offs
  5. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

International
As of match played 27 May 2016.[39]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Jamaica 201481
201550
201611
Total142

International goals
As of match played 27 May 2016. Jamaica score listed first, score column indicates score after each Grant goal.[39]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition Ref
1 4 June 2014Brisbane Road, London, England3 Egypt2–12–2Friendly
2 27 May 2016Estadio Sausalito, Viña del Mar, Chile14 Chile2–12–1Friendly

Honours
Aldershot Town
Jamaica

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. "Turning the Ship Around - Part 7: The Creative Void". Argyle Life. 9 November 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  3. "Shots bring in two loan signings". BBC Sport. 1 September 2006.
  4. "Boothroyd releases four". Archived from the original on 19 September 2007. Retrieved 14 September 2007.
  5. "Aldershot re-sign striker Grant". BBC Sport. 14 September 2007.
  6. "Joel Signs In".
  7. "Record Deal Sealed".
  8. "Crewe Alexandra Announce Retain List". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 12 May 2011. Archived from the original on 15 May 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  9. "Yeovil: Kevin Dawson & Sam Foley re-sign as Sam Hoskins arrives". BBC Sport. 26 June 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  10. "Southend 0–1 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  11. "Yeovil Town: Paul Sturrock releases 11 players". BBC Sport. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  12. "Grecians Confirm Grant Signing". Exeter City. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  13. "Joel Grant: Plymouth Argyle sign striker from rivals Exeter City". BBC Sport. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  14. "Joel Grant's Tactical Evolution". Argyle Life. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  15. "Jamie Ness: Plymouth Argyle release midfielder and offer deals to 12". BBC Sport. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  16. "Joel Grant: Jamaica winger signs new Plymouth Argyle contract". BBC Sport. 20 June 2019.
  17. "Joel Grant: Plymouth Argyle boss Ryan Lowe hails forward's goalscoring form". 21 October 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  18. "Swindon Town sign former Plymouth Argyle winger Joel Grant on one-year-deal". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  19. "Jamaican call-up for Joel".
  20. "International call for Hornets' trio".
  21. "JOEL GRANT MAKES SENIOR DEBUT FOR JAMAICA - News - Yeovil Town". www.ytfc.net.
  22. "Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica and Jamaica Announce Injury Replacements for Copa America Centenario". Copa America 2016. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  23. "Games played by Joel Grant in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  24. "Games played by Joel Grant in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  25. "Games played by Joel Grant in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  26. "Games played by Joel Grant in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  27. "Games played by Joel Grant in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  28. "Games played by Joel Grant in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  29. "Games played by Joel Grant in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  30. "Games played by Joel Grant in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  31. "Games played by Joel Grant in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  32. "Games played by Joel Grant in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  33. "Games played by Joel Grant in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  34. "Games played by Joel Grant in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  35. "Games played by Joel Grant in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  36. "Games played by Joel Grant in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  37. "Games played by Joel Grant in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  38. "Games played by Joel Grant in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  39. "Joel Grant". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
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