Josh Lillis Explained

Josh Lillis
Fullname:Joshua Mark Lillis[1]
Birth Date:24 June 1987[2]
Birth Place:Derby, England
Height:1.89m (06.2feet)[3]
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Barrow
Clubnumber:12
Youthyears1:2000–2004
Youthclubs1:Scunthorpe United
Years1:2004–2012
Clubs1:Scunthorpe United
Caps1:39
Goals1:0
Years2:2009
Clubs2:Notts County (loan)
Caps2:5
Goals2:0
Years3:2009
Clubs3:Grimsby Town (loan)
Caps3:4
Goals3:0
Years4:2009
Clubs4:Rochdale (loan)
Caps4:1
Goals4:0
Years5:2010–2011
Clubs5:Rochdale (loan)
Caps5:23
Goals5:0
Years6:2012–2020
Clubs6:Rochdale
Caps6:228
Goals6:0
Years7:2020
Clubs7:AFC Fylde (loan)
Caps7:3
Goals7:0
Years8:2020–
Clubs8:Barrow
Caps8:5
Goals8:0
Club-Update:14:27, 19 August 2023 (UTC)

Joshua Mark Lillis (born 24 June 1987) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Barrow.

He began his career at Scunthorpe United in the League One and Championship. He spent time on loan at Notts County, and Grimsby Town, before making a permanent move to former loan club Rochdale in 2012. In March 2020, he joined National League side AFC Fylde on loan, before moving permanently to League Two Barrow at the end of that season.

Club career

Scunthorpe United

Born in Derby, Derbyshire, Lillis worked his way through Scunthorpe United's youth system, and made his début as a professional at Millwall on 22 December 2006. He spent most of his time at the Iron as the understudy of Joe Murphy, but has improved under the coaching of former Sheffield Wednesday stalwart Kevin Pressman.

In January 2009, Lillis went to Notts County on a one-month loan in order to experience more first team action. He made his début in 2–2 draw with Aldershot Town on 20 January 2009. His first clean sheet for the Magpies came on 14 February where Notts County beat Barnet 2–0. He returned to Scunthorpe making 5 appearances and 1 clean sheet.

On 1 September 2009, he signed for Grimsby Town on loan as cover for injured Nick Colgan. He made his début on 5 September 2009 against Port Vale, in a 4–0 defeat. He made four appearances before returning to the Iron. On 30 October he joined Rochdale on an emergency seven-day loan. His début was in a 4–0 win over AFC Bournemouth on 31 October 2009.

In July 2010, he was loaned to Rochdale again for six months.[4]

Lillis returned to Scunthorpe at the end of his loan spell, but found his chances limited at Glanford Park and was released in May 2012.[5]

Rochdale

On 12 June 2012, Rochdale announced that he had signed a two-year deal to return to Spotland where he had previously had a successful loan spell. After impressive displays in Rochdale's 2013/14 promotion campaign, Lillis has since committed himself to Rochdale for a further two years.

On 26 May 2016, Lillis signed a new two-year deal with Rochdale.[6]

Lillis joined AFC Fylde on loan until the end of the season on 6 March 2020.[7]

Barrow

Following his release from Rochdale at the end of the 2019/20 season, Lillis joined newly-promoted Barrow as a player-coach in September 2020.[8]

He was one of three Barrow players to be offered a new contract at the end of the 2022–23 season.[9]

Personal life

He is the son of former Scunthorpe United player and assistant manager Mark Lillis.

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Scunthorpe United2006–07League One1000001020
2007–08Championship30101050
2008–09League One5000103090
2009–10Championship801010100
2010–11Championship1500000150
2011–12League One6000201090
Total380205050500
Notts County (loan)2008–09League Two5000000050
Grimsby Town (loan)2009–10League Two4000000040
Rochdale (loan)2009–10League Two1000000010
2010–11League One230102010270
Rochdale2012–13League Two460201000490
2013–14League Two450401020520
2014–15League One160201000190
2015–16League One400102010440
2016–17League One140101030190
2017–18League One400701040520
2018–19League One270101000290
2019–20League One0000000000
Total2280180801002640
AFC Fylde (loan)2019–20National League3000000030
Barrow2020–21[10] League Two0010002030
2021–22League Two0000002020
2022–23League Two3000002050
2023–24League Two2000003050
Career total32802201502403890

Honours

Scunthorpe United

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Notification of shirt numbers: Barrow . English Football League . 6 . 17 September 2020.
  2. Web site: Josh Lillis . 11v11.com . AFS Enterprises . 21 July 2018.
  3. Web site: Josh Lillis . Rochdale A.F.C. . 24 July 2018 . 24 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180724213818/https://www.rochdaleafc.co.uk/teams/first-team/goalkeeper/josh-lillis/ . dead .
  4. News: Rochdale sign Scunthorpe United goalkeeper Josh Lillis. 6 July 2010. BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 12 July 2010.
  5. Web site: Cliff Byrne heads Scunthorpe United departures. 10 May 2012. BBC. 10 May 2012.
  6. Web site: Josh Lillis Signs New Dale Contract. 26 May 2016. Rochdale AFC. 26 May 2016.
  7. Web site: Josh Lillis Joins The Coasters! . 6 March 2020 . AFC Fylde . 3 April 2020.
  8. News: Lillis joins Barrow as player-coach. en-GB. BBC Sport. 2020-12-23.
  9. Web site: Barrow Confirm Retained List. www.barrowafc.com. 9 May 2023. 9 May 2023.
  10. Web site: Josh Lillis Football Stats Barrow Season 2020/2021 Soccer Base. 2020-12-23. www.soccerbase.com.
  11. News: Luton 3–2 Scunthorpe (aet) . Fletcher . Paul . BBC Sport . 5 April 2009 . 16 March 2024.
  12. News: Josh Lillis: We've Found A Home Here . Rochdale AFC . 26 May 2016 . 26 February 2023.