Joe Davis (footballer, born 1993) explained

Joe Davis
Fullname:Joseph Steven Davis[1]
Birth Date:10 November 1993[2]
Birth Place:Burnley, England[3]
Height:1.83m (06feet)[4]
Position:Centre back
Youthyears1:2002–2010
Youthclubs1:Port Vale
Years1:2010–2014
Clubs1:Port Vale
Caps1:27
Goals1:0
Years2:2013–2014
Clubs2:Luton Town (loan)
Caps2:6
Goals2:0
Years3:2014–2016
Clubs3:Leicester City
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Years4:2015–2016
Clubs4:Fleetwood Town (loan)
Caps4:9
Goals4:0
Years5:2016–2017
Clubs5:Fleetwood Town
Caps5:14
Goals5:0
Years6:2017–2019
Clubs6:Port Vale
Caps6:18
Goals6:0
Years7:2018–2019
Clubs7:York City (loan)
Caps7:7
Goals7:0
Years8:2019–2020
Clubs8:Nantwich Town
Caps8:28
Goals8:1
Totalcaps:104
Totalgoals:1

Joseph Steven Davis (born 10 November 1993) is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre back.

Davis is son of professional manager Steve Davis and brother of Harry Davis. He came through the Port Vale Academy and played a minor role as the club secured promotion out of League Two in the 2012–13 season. He left Port Vale to join Leicester City in June 2014. He was loaned out to Fleetwood Town in October 2015 before joining the club permanently three months later. He re-signed with Port Vale in June 2017 and was loaned to York City in November 2018. He left Port Vale for Nantwich Town in March 2019 before retiring in June 2020 to pursue a career in the media.

Career

Port Vale

Davis started his career in the youth team ranks at Port Vale in 2002. Described as a "natural born leader",[5] he was handed a squad number for the 2010–11 season, making the first-team bench in October 2010. This came a month after a highly impressive reserve team performance against Sheffield Wednesday.[6] His debut came on 30 April 2011, as he came on as a substitute to replace Gareth Owen seventy minutes into a 7–2 home win over Morecambe.[7]

The 2011–12 season was the final year of his youth contract. He made his second appearance at senior level on 17 March, when he replaced Paul Marshall 49 minutes into a 3–2 defeat away to Crawley Town; manager Micky Adams put him on as centre-back Clayton McDonald had just been sent off.[8] McDonald's subsequent suspension gave Davis the opportunity to start against Hereford United three days later, Adams saying "he'll either sink or swim".[9] He was voted man of the match after he produced "a disciplined defensive display beyond his tender years".[10] However, he was sent off 69 minutes into the next match for a professional foul on Torquay United's Rene Howe; the penalty kick was converted to cost Vale a 2–1 away defeat.[11] With Clayton McDonald facing legal issues, Davis was given an extended run in the team towards the end of the 2011–12 season, thus securing the 18-year-old apprentice his first professional contract.[12] At the end of the season he was given both the club's Youth and Young Player of the Year awards.[13] He announced his intention to accept the club's offer of a new two-year contract in June 2012.[14] Despite being one of the last of the 16 players offered contracts to commit his future to the club, Micky Adams said that the deal was "never in doubt". They told the media of the "excellent potential" he saw in the young defender.[15]

Davis started the opening match of the 2012–13 season, a 3–1 home defeat to Burnley in the League Cup, but was substituted at half-time following a mistimed back-pass that allowed Charlie Austin to score for Burnley.[16] His replacement, Clayton McDonald, then formed an impressive partnership with John McCombe to leave Davis on the sidelines. Facing Northampton Town away on 27 October, Gareth Owen filled the gap left after McDonald picked up a one-match suspension but was replaced by Davis at half-time after picking up an injury; McCombe was also sent off in the match, leaving Davis to cope adequately at centre-back alongside fellow teenager Kingsley James.[17] Vale secured promotion at the end of the season with a third-place finish.[18] However, Davis featured on only ten occasions.

Having failed to make an appearance for Port Vale at the start of the 2013–14 season, he was loaned out to Conference Premier club Luton Town in November 2013.[19] He played nine times for Luton, with the club winning seven and drawing two matches with Davis in the team. Luton manager John Still requested an extension to the loan but Micky Adams recalled Davis to provide cover for the injured Richard Duffy.[20] On 11 January an injury crisis meant that he started in an inexperienced centre-back partnership with 19-year-old Jack Grimmer as Vale lost 2–0 away to league leaders Brentford.[21] He was publicly praised by Adams for his performance in the match,[22] and Davis told the Sentinel that "I'm hoping to cement my place and get myself going again."[23] He earned a place on the Football League Team of the Week for his performance as "a commanding figure" in a 0–0 draw at Shrewsbury Town on 15 February.[24]

Leicester City and Fleetwood Town

On 30 June 2014, Davis signed for Premier League club Leicester City, who placed him in their development squad.[25]

He joined League One club Fleetwood Town on 3 October 2015 on a one-month loan, alongside Stoke City centre-back Dionatan Teixeira, following an injury crisis at the club.[26] After impressing on his loan spell, Davis signed for Fleetwood permanently on 11 January 2016 on a contract of undisclosed length for an undisclosed fee.[27] He ended the 2015–16 season with 25 appearances to his name as Fleetwood posted a 19th-place finish,[28] but played just eight times throughout the 2016–17 season.

Return to Port Vale

Davis negotiated his release from Fleetwood to re-sign for Port Vale, now in League Two, on 21 June 2017 on a two-year contract.[29] Manager Michael Brown said that "Hopefully 'Morgs' will get into him early in pre-season and we will see if we can develop a footballer. He has good pedigree and we will see where that one can go."[30] He picked up a thigh injury in September. He was ruled out of action for three months, before he was recalled to the first-team by new manager Neil Aspin in December to replace the suspended James Gibbons at right back.[31] He was transfer-listed at the end of the 2017–18 season.[32]

He joined National League North club York City on 9 November 2018 on a short-term loan.[33] He made his debut the following day, starting in a 2–1 defeat away to Swindon Town in the FA Cup first round.[34] He returned to Vale on 11 January 2019 having made 10 appearances for York.[35] New manager John Askey agreed a deal to release him from his contract early on 1 March.[36]

Nantwich Town

Davis joined Northern Premier League Premier Division club Nantwich Town in March 2019.[37] He won the Cheshire Senior Cup with the club after playing in the 5–2 victory over Cammell Laird 1907 in the final.[38] He also helped Nantwich to reach the play-offs, where they were beaten by Warrington Town in the semi-final.[39] The 2019–20 season was formally abandoned on 26 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Nantwich sixth in the table.[40]

Style of play

Elder brother Harry described him as "a tough tackler... he'll put his head in anywhere".[41] Defensive partner at Port Vale John McCombe added that "he's aggressive and reads the game well."[42] Port Vale teammate Tom Pope added that Davis is calm in possession and technically sound.[43]

Personal life

Davis was born in Burnley, Lancashire.[44] His father is former Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis, and his elder brother Harry played for Crewe, but is now at AFC Fylde – all three family members are defenders.[45] On 22 February 2014, for 33 minutes of a match at Port Vale, Harry and Joe Davis played on opposite teams against each other, while their father watched as manager of Crewe.[46] [47] Joe later stated that the experience had a negative psychological effect on him and also recalled that manager Micky Adams had previously banned him from the training ground in games against Crewe so that he wouldn't divulge tactics to his father.[48] By June 2020, he was studying for a degree in Sports Writing and Broadcasting at Staffordshire University and writing a column in the Blackpool Gazette.[49]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Port Vale2010–11League Two1000000010
2011–12League Two8000000080
2012–13League Two70101010100
2013–14League One110100000120
Total270201010310
Luton Town (loan)2013–14Conference Premier603090
Leicester City2014–15Premier League00000000
2015–16Premier League000000
Total00000000
Fleetwood Town2015–16League One1901050250
2016–17League One4020002080
Total230300070330
Port Vale2017–18League Two180001020210
2018–19League Two00000000
Total180001020210
York City (loan)2018–19[50] [51] National League North701020100
Nantwich Town2018–19[52] Northern Premier League Premier Division402060
2019–20[53] Northern Premier League Premier Division241511130333
Total281511150393
Career total1041111311901373

Honours

Nantwich Town

2018–19[38]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Port Vale . English Football League . 88 . 11 November 2018.
  2. Web site: Joe Davis . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 11 November 2018.
  3. Web site: FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2017/2018 . www.footballsquads.co.uk . 1 February 2021.
  4. Web site: Joseph Davis . Port Vale F.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20181111215406/https://www.port-vale.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/joe-davis2/ . 11 November 2018.
  5. News: Port Vale: Youth team manager Mick Ede excited by Vale's future . Steve . Shaw . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 14 October 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120929123812/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Ede-excited-Vale-s-future/story-12544057-detail/story.html . 29 September 2012.
  6. News: Port Vale: Joe Davis rises above Owls as Vale second-string impress . Jon . Owen . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 8 September 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120929125535/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Davis-rises-Owls-Vale-second-string-impress/story-12571590-detail/story.html . 29 September 2012.
  7. News: Port Vale: Vale hit seven, but promotion heaven remains another glut of goals away . Steve . Shaw . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . https://web.archive.org/web/20110507151103/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/Port-Vale-Vale-hit-seven-promotion-heaven-remains-glut-goals-away/article-3509217-detail/article.html . 7 May 2011.
  8. News: Crawley 3–2 Port Vale . BBC Sport . 17 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120319205128/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17323809 . 19 March 2012.
  9. News: Port Vale: I'm ready for first start, says Davis . 19 March 2012 . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 19 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150714165940/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-m-ready-start-says-Davis/story-15558525-detail/story.html . 14 July 2015.
  10. News: Match report: Port Vale 1, Hereford United 0 . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 21 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120321093303/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Match-report-Port-Vale-1-Hereford-United-0/story-15577927-detail/story.html . 21 March 2012.
  11. News: Port Vale: Torquay match analysis . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 26 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120327062933/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Torquay-match-analysis/story-15625927-detail/story.html . 27 March 2012.
  12. News: Port Vale will offer Joe Davis professional contract . BBC Sport . 18 April 2012 . 11 November 2018.
  13. News: Port Vale: Loft grateful for award success . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 2 May 2012 . https://archive.today/20130114045950/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Loft-grateful-award-success/story-15979421-detail/story.html . 14 January 2013.
  14. News: Davis agrees to sign . Port Vale F.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20120619064622/http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2812415,00.html . 19 June 2012.
  15. News: Davis agrees new Vale deal . Sky Sports . 15 June 2012 . 11 November 2018.
  16. News: Port Vale 1–3 Burnley . BBC Sport . 14 August 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120917124046/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19159792 . 17 September 2012.
  17. News: Northampton 2–0 Port Vale . BBC Sport . 27 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121030040230/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20014442 . 30 October 2012.
  18. Web site: League Two: 2012/13: Latest table . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 11 November 2018.
  19. News: Luton Town sign Pelly Ruddock, Joe Davis and Alfie Mawson . BBC Sport . 28 November 2013 . 11 November 2018.
  20. News: Port Vale: Chris Lines could be fit for Brentford trip . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 9 January 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924131157/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Chris-Lines-fit-Brentford-trip/story-20415965-detail/story.html . 24 September 2015.
  21. News: Micky Adams targets loan signings after Gavin Tomlin joins Vale injury list . Mike . Baggaley . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 11 January 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125137/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Micky-Adams-targets-loan-signings-Gavin-Tomlin/story-20431379-detail/story.html . 24 September 2015.
  22. News: Brentford 2, Port Vale 0: Micky Adams praises Joe Davis and Jack Grimmer . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 13 January 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924111406/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Brentford-2-Port-Vale-0-Micky-Adams-praises-Joe/story-20434283-detail/story.html . 24 September 2015.
  23. News: Brentford 2, Port Vale 0: I'm ready to stake Valiants claim, says Joe Davis . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 13 January 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924111411/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Brentford-2-Port-Vale-0-m-ready-stake-Valiants/story-20434277-detail/story.html . 24 September 2015.
  24. Web site: Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week 10/02/14 – 16/02/14 . The Football League . 17 February 2014 . 9 October 2019.
  25. News: Port Vale: Joe Davis completes move to Leicester City . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 30 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924131742/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Joe-Davis-completes-Leicester-City/story-21309657-detail/story.html . 24 September 2015.
  26. News: Fleetwood Town sign Premier League duo . Rob . Stocks . Blackpool Gazette . 3 October 2015 . 11 November 2018.
  27. News: Joe Davis: Leicester defender joins Fleetwood on permanent deal . BBC Sport . 11 January 2016 . 11 November 2018.
  28. Web site: League One: 2015/16: Latest table . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 11 November 2018.
  29. News: Deal done: Port Vale clinch return of Joe Davis . Mike . Baggaley . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 21 June 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170621165736/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/deal-done-port-vale-clinch-return-of-joe-davis/story-30402519-detail/story.html . 21 June 2017.
  30. News: Port Vale tried to sign Joe Davis in January . Mike . Baggaley . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 23 June 2017 . 23 June 2017.
  31. News: Joe Davis thrilled to be back as Port Vale prepare for leaders Luton Town . Michael . Baggaley . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 29 December 2017 . 11 November 2018.
  32. News: Port Vale retained list recap as Valiants release 10 and transfer list four . Michael . Baggaley . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 8 May 2018 . 11 November 2018.
  33. Web site: Joe Davis joins York City on loan . Max . McLellan . Port Vale F.C. . 9 November 2018 . 11 November 2018.
  34. Web site: Honour in defeat as City exit Cup . Ian . Appleyard . York City F.C. . 10 November 2018 . 11 November 2018.
  35. Web site: Defender Davis returns to Vale . Ian . Appleyard . York City F.C. . 11 January 2019 . 11 January 2019.
  36. News: Port Vale part company with Joe Davis . Michael . Baggaley . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 1 March 2019 . 1 March 2019.
  37. Web site: SIGNING: Trio arrive at the Weaver . Nantwich Town FC . 28 March 2019 . 28 March 2019.
  38. News: Nantwich Town win back to back Cheshire Cup finals after 5–2 win over Cammell Laird . 14 May 2019 . The Nantwich News . 25 April 2019.
  39. News: Morse . Peter . Nantwich Town's super season ends with Play Off semi defeat . 14 May 2019 . Chester Chronicle . 1 May 2019.
  40. News: Club Statement: The Ending of the 2019-20 Season . 3 April 2020 . Nantwich Town Football Club . 26 March 2020.
  41. News: Crewe Alex: Harry looks for family bragging rights . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 10 February 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120211150054/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Crewe-Alex-Harry-looks-family-bragging-rights/story-15189820-detail/story.html . 11 February 2012.
  42. News: Port Vale: McCombe ready to pledge his future to Vale . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 21 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120614023830/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-McCombe-ready-pledge-future-Vale/story-15874908-detail/story.html . 14 June 2012.
  43. News: Tom Pope on Port Vale: Why I'm glad to be reunited with Rob Lainton and Joe Davis . Mike . Baggaley . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 23 June 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170624144633/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/tom-pope-on-port-vale-why-i-m-glad-to-be-reunited-with-rob-lainton-and-joe-davis/story-30404519-detail/story.html . 24 June 2017.
  44. News: Port Vale defender Joe Davis signs new two-year contract . BBC Sport . 27 June 2012 . 11 November 2018.
  45. News: Port Vale: Ede believes potential is there . The Sentinel . Stoke-on-Trent . 3 November 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120616052009/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Ede-believes-potential/story-12532190-detail/story.html . 16 June 2012.
  46. News: Port Vale v Crewe: Steve Davis plays down family pride . BBC Sport . 20 February 2014 . 11 November 2018.
  47. News: Port Vale 1–3 Crewe Alexandra . BBC Sport . 22 February 2014 . 11 November 2018.
  48. News: Are our young footballers psychologically prepared to cope with the rigours of the English game ?. medium.com. 10 May 2020. 10 May 2020.
  49. News: Davis . Joe . The Joe Davis column: My only regret about my time at Fleetwood Town is that I left . 16 September 2020 . www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk . 22 June 2020 . en.
  50. Web site: J. Davis: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 11 January 2019.
  51. For FA Trophy third qualifying round: News: Kidderminster 1 York City 3 report, match stats and ratings . Dave . Flett . The Press . York . 25 November 2018 . 25 November 2018.
  52. Web site: 2018/19 Player Stats . Nantwich Town F.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20190703173015/http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/2018-19-player-stats/ . 3 July 2019.
  53. Web site: Nantwich Town Appearances Joseph Davis Football Web Pages . www.footballwebpages.co.uk . 3 July 2020.