Joseph Widdowson (born 28 March 1989) is an English former professional footballer who plays as a defender.
He began his career with Premier League side West Ham United, spending time on loan with Rotherham United. He later signed a permanent contract with Grimsby Town which was the start of an extensive Football League career with Rochdale, Northampton Town, Dagenham & Redbridge and Leyton Orient. His final season was in the National League with Barnet.
Career West Ham United Widdowson began his career as a trainee at West Ham United in July 2007. He joined Football League Two side Rotherham United in February 2008 on a one-month loan, where he made three league appearances. He made his non-competitive debut for West Ham on 17 July 2008 against Hampton & Richmond Borough completing 90 minutes in a 2–4 victory. This match was then followed with a full 90 minutes on 24 July 2008 in the 2008 MLS All-Star Game in Toronto in which Widdowson was handed the difficult task of marking England legend David Beckham. Widdowson impressed many spectators during the game with the way he handled the task set in such a controlled manner, and ended the game swapping shirts with the Los Angeles Galaxy star.
Grimsby Town On 2 January 2009 Widdowson joined Grimsby Town on an initial one-month loan. Widdowson made his debut for Grimsby on 17 January 2009 in a 1–0 away victory against Wycombe Wanderers. He scored his first league goal, against Rotherham United, in a 3–0 home win for the Mariners on 24 January 2009. The goal was good enough to win 2nd place in the club's goal of the season awards. Grimsby manager Mike Newell managed to extend Widdowson's loan until the end of the season, and he remained as the club's first choice left back, despite regular starter Tom Newey returning from injury. Newey was then loaned out to Rochdale, and Widdowson became an integral part of the Grimsby side that managed too stave off relegation from the Football League. He was given his first red card for the club on 25 April 2009 after being controversially dismissed in the 87th minute of play for a second bookable offence in the club's relegation crunch tie with AFC Bournemouth. On 18 May 2009, the Mariners announced Widdowson had signed a three-year contract with the club.
Rochdale On 22 June 2010 Widdowson signed for Rochdale ahead of the club's first campaign in League One. In May 2012, Widdowson was released from Rochdale after being told his contract would not be renewed.Coleman to make big changes Skysports, 10 May 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
Northampton Town On 5 July 2012 Widdowson joined Northampton Town on a two-year contract.
Bury On 6 August 2014, Widdowson signed for Bury just days prior to the start of the new season, having impressed on a short-term trial.
Morecambe On 29 August 2014, Widdowson signed for Morecambe on a two-month loan.
Dagenham & Redbridge On 27 November 2014, Widdowson joined Dagenham & Redbridge on loan until 4 January 2015. In January 2015, his loan with Dagenham ended and he returned to Bury having made three appearances for the side. Later in the month he signed for Dagenham & Redbridge on a six-month contract until the end of the season after his short-term deal with Bury came to an end.
Leyton Orient On 1 July 2017, Widdowson signed for Leyton Orient on a two-year contract. In May 2019, after winning promotion to League Two with the O's, his contract was renewed until 2021. Widdowson was released at the end of the 2020-21 season after 137 appearances for the O's.
Barnet Widdowson signed a two-year contract with Barnet in July 2021. He scored three times in ten games for the Bees. After opening the scoring away at Stockport County in October 2021, he was stretchered off after a foul by Macauley Southam-Hales that saw the latter sent off. Widdowson spent the rest of the season out injured and departed the Bees following the conclusion of the season.2021/22 Released & Retained List
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsWest Ham United2007–08Premier League000000—002008–09Premier League000000—00Total000000—00Rotherham United (loan)2007–08League Two30———30Grimbsy Town (loan)2008–09League Two201———201Grimbsy Town2009–10League Two38010101Appearance in Football League Trophy0410Total581101010611Rochdale2010–11League One3401020103802011–12League One320003000350Total660105010730Northampton Town2012–13League Two39020204Three appearances in Football League Trophy, one in Football League Two play-offs04702013–14League Two250201000280Total640403040750Bury2014–15League Two100000—10Morecambe (loan)2014–15League Two80——1090Dagenham & Redbridge2014–15League Two210———2102015–16League Two3102010103502016–17National League45030—3Two appearances in National League play-offs, one in FA Trophy0510Total9705010401070Leyton Orient2017–18National League36030—5Appearances in FA Trophy04402018–19National League44000—204602019–20League Two1611010101912020–21League Two210102040280Total117150301201371Barnet2021–22National League9310—00103 Career total42351701302304765
Honours Leyton Orient National League: 2018–19 FA Trophy runner-up: 2018–19
Personal life He graduated in 2023 from Staffordshire University with a first-class degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting.
References
External links