Joel William Tabiner (born 30 November 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Crewe Alexandra.
Career Tabiner signed a scholarship deal with Crewe Alexandra's Academy in 2020.
He made his Crewe debut on 9 November 2021 in an EFL Trophy group game against Wolves Under-21s at Gresty Road.
On 4 February 2022, Tabiner joined Leek Town on a one-month youth loan deal, making his debut the following day in their 2–0 home win against City of Liverpool F.C. He signed his first professional deal with Crewe at the end of the 2021–22 season, and early the following season made his first Crewe start on 9 August 2022, playing in an EFL League Cup first round defeat at Grimsby Town. Tabiner started three consecutive league games in October 2022, but Crewe manager Alex Morris was being careful not to over-burden him: "He's not going to last games yet. He's an 18-year-old boy..., and we've got to make sure that we do not break him along the way."
Tabiner scored his first Crewe goal in a 4–3 win over Salford City at Gresty Road on 10 March 2023. On 15 September 2023, he signed a new contract keeping him at Crewe until 2026, with the option of a further year. In October 2023, he incurred an ankle injury which required prolonged treatment; he eventually returned to full training in mid-February 2024, helping Crewe to a play-off final appearance at the end of the season. Tabiner played 46 games, scoring twice, during the following season, but missed all of Crewe's 2025–26 season due to a knee ligament injury incurred in April 2025.
Ahead of the 2026–27 season, Crewe manager Lee Bell said Tabiner would be a "big player" for his side; "The boy oozes quality, ... He's played in multiple positions which a lot of the players are going to have to do. ... He can play 10, he can play six, he can play off the sides. ... It's really pleasing to have him back, he's a top young man."
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCrewe Alexandra2021–22League One10000030402022–23League Two3022010203522023–24League Two2210020302712024–25League Two4121010304622025–26League Two00000000002026–27League Two6000100070Total100530501101195
References