Joe Sbarra Explained

Joe Sbarra
Fullname:Joseph Christopher Sbarra[1]
Birth Date:21 December 1998
Birth Place:Lichfield, England
Height:1.68m (05.51feet)
Currentclub:Doncaster Rovers
Clubnumber:10
Position:Midfielder
Youthclubs1:West Bromwich Albion
Youthyears2:–2017
Youthclubs2:Burton Albion
Years1:2017–2020
Clubs1:Burton Albion
Caps1:49
Goals1:1
Years2:2019
Clubs2:Solihull Moors (loan)
Caps2:6
Goals2:0
Years3:2020–2024
Clubs3:Solihull Moors
Caps3:132
Goals3:34
Years4:2024–
Clubs4:Doncaster Rovers
Caps4:0
Goals4:0
Nationalyears1:2022–2023
Nationalteam1:England C
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:25 April 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:21:53, 21 March 2023 (UTC)

Joseph Christopher Sbarra (born 21 December 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Doncaster Rovers. He began his footballing career through the youth academy of EFL Championship club West Bromwich Albion.[2]

Career

Burton Albion

Sbarra came up through the youth academy at Burton Albion and made his debut on the last day of the 2016–17 season, coming on in the 68 minute against Reading aged 18.[3] On 10 November 2017, Sbarra was rewarded for his breakthrough with a new contract that would see him stay with the club until 2020.[4] Sbarra had to wait until the 2019–20 season to score his first senior goal, opening the scoring three minutes into a 2-2 draw with Portsmouth.[5]

Solihull Moors (loan)

On 25 March 2019, Sbarra joined Solihull Moors on loan until the end of the season.[6] The following day Sbarra came off of the bench in the 70 minute of a 2-2 draw with Boreham Wood[7] and had to wait until the last day of the season to make his first start in a 1-1 draw with Dagenham & Redbridge.[8] Sbarra made a total of six appearances as Solihull narrowly missed out on automatic promotion before losing in the playoffs.

Solihull Moors

On 5 August 2020, Sbarra returned to Solihull Moors on a free transfer following his release from Burton Albion, signing a two-year deal.[9] He made his debut on 3 October against Woking on the opening day of the season[10] and opened his account for the club the following week in a 5-0 thrashing of King's Lynn Town.[11]

Following the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, the club confirmed that Sbarra would be leaving the club upon the expiration of his contract.[12] His time at the club ultimately ended in disappointment as the club were defeated in the play-off final and the FA Trophy final within a week of each other.[13]

Doncaster Rovers

On 20 May 2024, Sbarra agreed to join League Two club Doncaster Rovers on a two-year deal with the option for a further year.[14]

International career

Sbarra was called up to the England C team for a friendly against Wales C in March 2022.[15]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Burton Albion2016–17Championship10000010
2017–18Championship1701020200
2018–19League One90004030160
2019–20League One221404030331
Total4915010060701
Solihull Moors (loan)2018–19National League600060
Solihull Moors2020–21National League3463220398
2021–22National League441830505218
2022–23National League33931113711
2023–24National League2110053264
Total138349313416041
Career Total1873514310019423042

Honours

Solihull Moors

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Burton Albion . English Football League . 11 . 17 June 2018.
  2. Web site: J. Sbarra: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 24 November 2018.
  3. Web site: Burton Albion 2-4 Reading. BBC Sport. 7 May 2017. 10 October 2020.
  4. Web site: Joe Sbarra signs contract extension with Burton Albion keeping him at the Pirelli Stadium until 2020 . staffordshire-live.co.uk. 10 November 2017. 10 October 2020.
  5. Web site: Portsmouth 2-2 Burton Albion. BBC Sport. 17 September 2019. 10 October 2020.
  6. Web site: J. Burton midfielder arrives on loan: Summary . SolihullMoorsFC.co.uk . Solihull Moors . 25 March 2019.
  7. Web site: Boreham Wood 2-2 Solihull Moors. BBC Sport. 26 March 2019. 10 October 2020.
  8. Web site: Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 Solihull Moors. BBC Sport. 27 April 2019. 10 October 2020.
  9. Web site: Joe Sbarra returns. solihullmoorsfc.co.uk. 5 August 2020. 10 October 2020.
  10. Web site: Woking 2-1 Solihull Moors. BBC Sport. 3 October 2020. 10 October 2020.
  11. Web site: Solihull Moors 5-0 King's Lynn Town. BBC Sport. 10 October 2020. 10 October 2020.
  12. Web site: Released & Retained List Confirmed. www.solihullmoorsfc.co.uk. 16 May 2024. 16 May 2024.
  13. Web site: Bromley beat Solihull on penalties to secure EFL promotion. BBC Sport. 5 May 2024. 16 May 2024.
  14. Web site: Rovers snap up sought-after midfielder Sbarra. www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk. 20 May 2024. 20 May 2024.
  15. News: England C squad announced full of 'best non league players' right now . 12 March 2022 . Fan Banter . 6 March 2022.
  16. News: FA Trophy final: Gateshead 2–2 Solihull Moors (5–4 on pens) - Lineups . BBC Sport . 11 May 2024 . 12 May 2024.
  17. Web site: Scott . Tom . 5 June 2022 . Vanarama National League Team Of The Season Announced . 19 May 2023 . The Vanarama National League.
  18. Web site: Sbarra scoops four End of Season Awards | Solihull Moors FC . Solihull Moors. 3 May 2022. 3 May 2022.