Joseph Elliott Bunney (born 26 September 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left-back or forward.
He has previously played professionally in the Football League for Rochdale, Northampton Town, Bolton Wanderers, Hartlepool United and Grimsby Town as well as at Non-league level for Lancaster City, Kendal Town, Stockport County, Northwich Victoria, Matlock Town, Altrincham, Warrington Rylands, Macclesfield, Ashton United and Marine.
Club career
Early career Born in Gorton, Manchester, Bunney worked his way through Lancaster City's youth system and broke into their first team during the 2011–12 season as the club competed in the Northern Premier League Division One North, whilst studying sports science at Myerscough College in Preston, Lancashire.
Rochdale Bunney made his debut as a professional at Rochdale on 27 April 2013 as a substitute in a 1–0 victory against Plymouth, on the final day of the 2012–13 season with Bunney scoring the winning goal with a header after a cross from another débutante, Scott Tanser. On 1 July 2014, Bunney signed a new two-year contract at Rochdale.
Northampton Town On 16 January 2018, Bunney signed for Northampton Town for an undisclosed fee.
On 25 June 2018, Bunney signed for Blackpool on loan.
On 31 January 2019, Bunney's loan at Blackpool was cut short and then loaned out to his former club Rochdale until the end of the season.
He was one of 3 transfer-listed by Northampton at the end of the 2018–19 season; a further 8 were released.
Bolton Wanderers On 2 September 2019, Bunney signed for Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer from Northampton Town on a contract until the end of the season. The following weekend he was involved in a road traffic collision on the M55 motorway that left him with broken ribs and a broken collarbone. On 26 June it was announced Bunney would be one of 14 senior players released at the end of his contract on 30 June.theboltonnews "Bolton announce retained list with 14 players out of contract"
Matlock and Hartlepool On 19 October 2020, Bunney signed for Matlock Town.Manchester Evening News: "Former Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool and Rochdale defender joins non-league Matlock Town" He played two matches for the club, registering an assist in both games. A month later he signed for Hartlepool United on 30 November. He left on 26 January 2021 as he wanted to return to playing in the English Football League.hartlepoolmail: "Former Bolton Wanderers and Rochdale defender Joe Bunney leaves Hartlepool United as he eyes Football League move"
Grimsby Town On 1 February 2021, Bunney joined League Two side Grimsby Town on a contract until the end of the 2020–21 season. Bunney had already played for Matlock and Hartlepool in the 2020–2021 season, usually meaning he wouldn't be able to sign for a third team as players can only play for two teams in one season – however FIFA changed the rules for that season to allow players to play for three teams, to alleviate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on football.ESPN: "Coronavirus: FIFA allows players on three clubs in a season"
On 18 March 2021, it was announced by manager Paul Hurst that Bunney had played his final game for the club after he was taken to hospital hours after a game against Carlisle United, and would effectively be leaving the club because of an unreported medical condition.
Return to Non-League On 25 August 2021, Bunney signed a contract for National League side Altrincham.
On 8 October 2021, it was announced Bunney had signed for Warrington Rylands.
On 2 June 2022, Bunney joined Scunthorpe United on trial and played in a 3–2 pre-season defeat against Middlesbrough.
Bunney signed with Macclesfield ahead of the 2022–23 season. In December 2022, Bunney joined Ashton United on a three month loan. In February 2023, he signed for Marine on loan until 1 April. His loan spell was later extended until the end of the season, and he scored the winning penalty in the Liverpool Senior Cup final against Runcorn Linnets.
On 2 July 2023, Bunney signed for Stalybridge Celtic. In November 2023, he joined Workington on a one-month loan deal.
Bunney played for Nantwich Town in 2025.https://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/joe-bunney-departs-the-dabbers/
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsStockport County2012–13Conference Premier1000—0010Rochdale2012–13League Two11000000112013–14League Two2132000102432014–15League One1922010002222015–16League One3291010003492016–17League One2913010303612017–18League One200200051271Total12216100309014417Northampton Town2017–18League One1200000001202018–19League One00000000002019–20League Two4000101060Total160001010180Blackpool (loan)2018–19League One5000001060Rochdale (loan)2018–19League One160000000160Bolton Wanderers2019–20League One2000000020Matlock Town2020–21NPL Premier Division2000—0020Hartlepool United2020–21Soccerway: Joe BunneyNational League4000—1050Grimsby Town2020–21League Two5000000050Altrincham2021–22National League4000—0040Warrington Rylands2021–22Football Web Pages: "Warrington Rylands – Appearances – Joe Bunney"NPL West Division7500—1085Macclesfield2022–23Football Web Pages: "Macclesfield – Appearances – Joe Bunney"NPL West Division17220—61253Ashton United (loan)2022–23Football Web Pages: "Ashton United – Appearances – Joe Bunney"NPL Premier Division30———30Marine (loan)2022–23Football Web Pages: "Marine – Appearances – Joe Bunney"NPL Premier Division130——30160Workington (loan)2023–24Football Web Pages: "Workington– Appearances – Joe Bunney"NPL Premier Division92——0092Hyde United (loan)2023–24Football Web Pages: "Hyde United– Appearances – Joe Bunney"NPL Premier Division90——20110Career total237251204024227527 Notes
Personal life Bunney is married to England and Manchester United footballer Ella Toone.
Legal issues In 2024, Bunney claimed that actor Ryan Prescott and partner, actress Amy Lythgoe, were squatting in a property belonging to him, after their tenancy agreement had come to an end. This left Bunney's grandfather, who was planning to move into the property, homeless. Prescott 'strongly denied' these claims, and along with Lythgoe, filed a £60,000 libel and defamation case against Bunney at the High Court.
Honours Marine Liverpool Senior Cup: 2022–23
Macclesfield Northern Premier League Division One West: 2022–23
References
External links