Jack Shepherd (footballer) explained

Jack Shepherd
Birth Date:6 March 2001
Height:1.89 m[1]
Position:Full-back
Currentclub:Bradford
(on loan from Barnsley)
Years1:20??–20??
Years2:20??–20??
Years3:20??–2021
Years4:2021–2023
Clubs4:Pontefract Collieries
Caps4:49
Goals4:2
Years5:2023–
Clubs5:Barnsley
Caps5:9
Goals5:0
Years6:2024
Clubs6:Cheltenham Town (loan)
Caps6:12
Goals6:1
Years7:2024–
Clubs7:Bradford City (loan)
Caps7:0
Goals7:0
Club-Update:21:46, 15 July 2024

Jack Shepherd (born 6 March 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a full-back for EFL League Two club Bradford, on loan from club Barnsley.

A ball-playing centre-half, Shepherd played non-League football with Penistone Church, Athersley Recreation and Pontefract Collieries, before turning professional with Barnsley in July 2023.

Career

Early career

Shepherd played Northern Counties East League football for Penistone Church (over two spells) and Athersley Recreation.[2] He was voted Wentworth Pewter Player of the Month at Penistone in October 2020.[3] He joined Pontefract Collieries in the Northern Premier League Division One East in September 2021.[4] [5] He made his debut for Pontefract playing at left-back against Yorkshire Amateurs in the FA Trophy.[5] He reverted to centre-half and earned comparisons to Paolo Maldini by Colls supporters as he scored three goals during some impressive performances during the 2022–23 season.[5] He signed contract extensions in March 2022 and March 2023.[6] [7] He won the club's young player of the season for two consecutive years.[8]

Barnsley

On 4 July 2023, Shepherd signed with EFL League One club Barnsley after impressing Academy Manager Bobby Hassell on trial.[9] Barnsley agreed to play Pontefract in a pre-season friendly as part of the deal, whilst agreeing to a "significant sell on clause".[5] Shepherd quit his job as a kitchen-fitter to turn professional.[10] He made his first-team debut on 5 August 2023, coming on as a substitute in a 7–0 win over Port Vale at Oakwell, in what was the biggest opening day defeat for any team in the English Football League since the 1962–63 season over 60 years ago.[11] [12] Shepherd then made his first league start for Barnsley in an impressive 2-0 win away at Wigan on 26 August 2023.

On 1 August 2024, Shepherd joined League Two club Bradford City on a season-long loan deal.[13]

Style of play

Shepherd is a left-sided centre-half who is adept at playing the ball out from the back.[14]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Pontefract Collieries2021–22[15] Northern Premier League
Division One East
210000020230
2022–23[16] Northern Premier League
Division One East
282200000302
Total492200020532
Barnsley2023–24League One90101020130
Cheltenham Town (loan)2023-24League One121000000121
Career total703301040783

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jack Shepherd . Barnsley F.C. . 20 January 2024.
  2. News: Reds sign hometown lad Jack . 6 August 2023 . Barnsley Chronicle . en.
  3. Web site: Penistone Church FC . www.facebook.com . 6 August 2023 . en.
  4. News: Grayson . James . Pontefract capture Penistone defender . 6 August 2023 . Non League Yorkshire . 20 September 2021.
  5. News: Colls agree Shepherd deal with Barnsley . 6 August 2023 . pontefractcollieries.com . 8 August 2023.
  6. News: Jack Shepherd On staying at The Colls for next season . 6 August 2023 . pontefractcollieries.com . 8 August 2023.
  7. News: Gordon . James . Duo sign new Pontefract Collieries deals - The Pitching In Northern Premier League . 6 August 2023 . www.thenpl.co.uk . 16 March 2023 . en.
  8. News: Harber . Tony . Barnsley sign Pontefract Collieries defender Jack Shepherd . 6 August 2023 . Wakefield Express . 4 July 2023.
  9. News: Reds Sign Jack Shepherd . 6 August 2023 . www.barnsleyfc.co.uk . 4 July 2023 . en-gb.
  10. News: Jack swaps kitchen-fitting for Reds deal . 6 August 2023 . Barnsley Chronicle . en.
  11. News: Swindells . Adam . Match Report Barnsley 7-0 Port Vale . 5 August 2023 . www.port-vale.co.uk . 5 August 2023 . en-gb.
  12. News: Youlton . Clive . Disastrous opening day for Port Vale as Barnsley hit seven . StokeonTrentLive . 5 August 2023 . en.
  13. Web site: SHEPHERD SIGNS ON LOAN. www.bradfordcityafc.com. 1 August 2024. 1 August 2024.
  14. News: Rayner . Stuart . Barnsley FC's eye caught by ball-playing qualities of defender as he swaps Pontefract Collieries for Oakwell under-21 set-up . 6 August 2023 . The Yorkshire Post . 4 July 2023.
  15. Web site: Pontefract Collieries Appearances Jack Shepherd 2021-2022 Football Web Pages . www.footballwebpages.co.uk . 6 August 2023.
  16. Web site: Pontefract Collieries Appearances Jack Shepherd 2022-2023 Football Web Pages . www.footballwebpages.co.uk . 6 August 2023.