Jonathan Franks

Jonathan Ian Franks (born 8 April 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for Whitby Town.

Jonathan Franks
Franks warming up before a charity game in 2022
Personal information
Full name Jonathan Ian Franks[1]
Date of birth (1990-04-08) 8 April 1990
Place of birth Stockton-on-Tees, England
Position(s) Striker, winger
Team information
Current team
 Whitby Town
Youth career
Middlesbrough
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2012 Middlesbrough 28 (3)
2011 → Oxford United (loan) 1 (0)
2012 → Yeovil Town (loan) 14 (3)
2012–2015 Hartlepool United 129 (11)
2015–2017 Ross County 47 (2)
2017–2018 Hartlepool United 20 (6)
2018 Wrexham 7 (0)
2018–2020 ÍBV 37 (1)
2020–2022 Stockton Town 83 (5)
2022– Whitby Town 3 (0)
International career
2005–2006 England U16 7 (0)
2006–2007 England U17 15 (2)
2007–2008 England U18 2 (0)
2008 England U19 2 (0)
2008 England U20 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:16, 1 December 2022 (UTC)

He has previously played for Middlesbrough, Oxford United, Yeovil Town, Hartlepool United, Ross County, ÍBV and Stockton Town.

Club career

Middlesbrough

Franks began his football career when he joined the Middlesbrough academy on a two-year scholarship.[2] Franks and Middlesbrough teammate Nathan Porritt were often selected for either wing for England's youth team. After impressing in the reserve side, Franks was rewarded with a professional contract in 2007.[3] Two years later, Franks signed another professional contract with the club.[4]

Franks played his first competitive match for Middlesbrough in their last match of the 2008–09 season on 24 May 2009, against West Ham United.[5] At the beginning of the 2009–10 season, after featuring in the club's pre-season friendlies, Franks began to play in the first team and was given the number 28 shirt.[6] He scored his first goal for Middlesbrough, in a 4–1 win against Doncaster Rovers on 26 January 2010.[7] He added his second on 23 March 2010, against Preston North End[8] and scored again on 5 April 2010, against Plymouth Argyle.[9] Franks made 24 appearances and scored three times in all competitions.

Franks missed the start of the 2010–11 season due to surgery on a recurring back injury that had troubled him in the previous season.[10] In February 2011, he missed out on the chance to join Bournemouth on loan following a training ground injury.[11] Franks made his first appearance of the season on 1 March 2011, coming on as a substitute for Tarmo Kink in the 66th minute, in a 1–1 draw against Norwich City.[12]

On 31 August 2011, Franks signed on loan for League Two side Oxford United until January 2012.[13] However, his debut was delayed when he dislocated his shoulder, resulting in him being sidelined for six weeks and returning to his parent club for treatment.[14] Luckily, his loan spell at Oxford resumed following his recovery.[15] Franks made his debut for the club, coming on as a substitute in the second half in a 4–1 loss against Crawley Town on 19 November 2011. On 16 December 2011, it was announced that Franks had left Oxford United, allowing him to return to his parent club.[16]

On 22 February 2012, Franks and teammate Jonathan Grounds joined League One side Yeovil Town on a month's loan with an option to extend the agreement until the end of the season.[17] On 13 March 2012, Franks scored his first goal against Scunthorpe United in a 2–2 draw,[18] and also netted twice in three days, against Rochdale[19] and Notts County[20] respectively. At the end of the season, Yeovil Town confirmed their interest in signing Franks and Grounds permanently.[21] Franks, himself, refused to rule himself out of re-joining the club on a permanent basis.[22]

Hartlepool United

On 17 May 2012, Franks was signed by Neale Cooper for Hartlepool United.[23] Upon joining Hartlepool, Franks was given the number seven shirt.[24]

On 11 August 2012, Franks made his debut for the club in a 5–0 loss against Crewe in the League Cup[25] and made his league debut in a 0–0 draw against Swindon Town 7 days later.[26] He scored his first goal for the club on 1 September, in a 2–0 win at home against Scunthorpe United.[27] Franks' second goal soon came on 20 September 2012, in a 2–2 draw against Shrewsbury Town.[28] Franks' third goal came on 23 February 2013, in a 2–1 win against Scunthorpe United,[29] followed up by his fourth goal against Crewe Alexandra three days later.[30] In his first season at Hartlepool, which ended with the club being relegated to League Two, Franks made 45 league appearances, scoring four times.

In the 2013–14 season, Franks began well, starting the first two matches before scoring his first goal of the season in a 5–0 win over Bradford City in the first round of the Football League Trophy.[31] On 14 September 2013, Franks scored his first league goal of the season, in a 2–1 win over Accrington Stanley.[32] On 14 December 2013, Franks scored twice, in a 2–2 draw against Cheltenham Town, which ended his goal drought of fifteen games.[33] After the match, Manager Colin Cooper praised Franks' impact as a centre forward.[34] Franks scored his fourth league goal of the season, in a 2–1 win over Morecambe on 29 December 2013.[35] His fifth league goal then later came on 15 March 2014, in a 4–0 win over Bristol Rovers.[36] In his second season at Hartlepool United, Franks made 39 appearances and scored five times.

Ahead of the 2014–15 season, Franks scored three goals in two pre-season friendly matches, against Billingham Town[37] and Bradford Park Avenue.[38] After the match, Manager Cooper praised Franks' performance and said he hoped he would continue with this form.[39] Franks then scored his first league goal of the season, in the first round of the League Cup, which saw Hartlepool United 6–2 to Port Vale.[40] Franks then added three more goals in the FA Cup, scoring twice against East Thurrock United[41] and scoring once against Blyth Spartans.[42] After going twenty seven matches without scoring, Franks scored in a 3–2 win over Plymouth Argyle on 31 January 2015.[43]

At the end of the 2014–15 season, Franks was released by the club after being told his contract would not be renewed.[44]

Ross County

On 18 June 2015, Franks agreed a two-year deal with Scottish Premiership side Ross County.[45] On 13 March 2016, he came on as a late substitute as Ross County beat Hibernian 2–1 to win the Scottish League Cup.[46] He was released in May 2017 after County decided not to renew his contract.[47]

Hartlepool United

On 17 August 2017, Franks signed for Hartlepool United for a second time who were now competing in the National League.[48] Franks scored in three consecutive games early in his second spell in wins against Guiseley, Maidstone United and Dagenham & Redbridge.[49] Amidst the risk of administration for the club, Hartlepool were placed under a transfer embargo.[50] Franks' contract ended in mid-January, with Hartlepool unable to re-sign him.[50]

Wrexham

After being released by Hartlepool, Franks joined Wrexham on 6 February 2018.[51] Franks was released by Wrexham in May 2018.[52]

ÍBV

On 15 May 2018, Franks joined Icelandic Úrvalsdeild side ÍBV.[53]

Stockton Town

On 24 January 2020, Franks returned to his hometown to play for Stockton Town, who play in the Northern League Division One, in the ninth-tier of the English football league. Franks said of the transfer: "I'd always spoken to the Chairman about playing for the Club before I finished playing and now this opportunity has arisen I'm genuinely excited to be part of the Club again and help the Club achieve its ambitions."[54] Franks came on as a substitute in his first game, a top-of-the-table match away to Shildon, where he scored with, "what was probably his first touch", in a match Stockton won 2–0.[55]

Whitby Town

On 26 May 2022, Franks signed for Whitby Town on a one-year contract.[56]

International career

Franks has represented England at all levels from under-16[57][58] through to under-19,[59] the highlight of which was playing for England under-17s against Wales in Telford (14 October 2005) when he found the back of the net twice.[60]

Career statistics
As of match played 2 April 2018
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Middlesbrough 2008–09[61] Premier League 100000—10
2009–10[62] Championship 2331000—243
2010–11[63] Championship 401000—50
2011–12[64] Championship 000000—00
Total 2832000—303
Oxford United (loan) 2011–12[64] League Two 1010001[lower-alpha 1]030
Yeovil Town (loan) 2011–12[64] League One 143———143
Hartlepool United 2012–13[65] League One 45410101[lower-alpha 1]0484
2013–14[66] League One 39530103[lower-alpha 1]1466
2014–15[67] League One 452231100486
Total 1291163314114216
Ross County 2015–16[68] Scottish Premiership 2914031—362
2016–17[69] Scottish Premiership 1810020—201
Total 4724051—563
Hartlepool United 2017–18[49] National League 20620—1[lower-alpha 2]0236
Wrexham 2017–18[49] National League 7000—0070
Career total 24625153826127531
  1. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy

Honours
Ross County

References
  1. "Jonathan Franks". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  2. "Seven New Signings for the Academy". Middlesbrough F.C. 18 May 2006. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  3. "Two More Teenagers Awarded Contracts". Middlesbrough F.C. 10 July 2007. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  4. "JONATHAN FRANKS". Middlesbrough F.C. 18 December 2008. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  5. West Ham 2–1 Middlesbrough
  6. "New boy Mark Yeates takes number 7 shirt". Gazette Live. 28 July 2009. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  7. "Doncaster Rovers 1–4 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. 26 January 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  8. "Middlesbrough 2 – 0 Preston North End". BBC Sport. 23 March 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  9. "Plymouth Argyle 0–2 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. 5 April 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  10. "Franksy Out For Three Months". Middlesbrough F.C. 10 August 2010. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  11. "Injury scuppers Franks loan". Sky Sports. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  12. "Middlesbrough 1–1 Norwich City". BBC Sport. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  13. "Oxford United net Middlesbrough forward Jonathan Franks". BBC Sport. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  14. "New loanee Franks out injured". Sky Sports. 7 September 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  15. "Boro's Franks returns to Oxford". Sky Sports. 31 October 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  16. "Tough test lies in store for Oxford United". Oxford Mail. 16 December 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  17. "Yeovil sign Jonathan Grounds and Jonathan Franks on loan". BBC Sport. 22 February 2012.
  18. "Yeovil Town 2–2 Scunthorpe United". BBC Sport. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  19. "Yeovil Town 3–1 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 5 April 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  20. "Notts County 3–1 Yeovil Town". BBC Sport. 8 April 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  21. "Ed Upson agrees new deal to stay at Yeovil Town for two more years". Western Gazette. 7 May 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  22. "Jonathan Franks refusing to rule out Yeovil return". Gazette Live. 7 May 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  23. "Hartlepool sign ex-Middlesbrough forward Jonathan Franks". BBC Sport. 17 May 2012.
  24. "Pools Confirm Squad Numbers". Hartlepool United F.C. 20 July 2012. Archived from the original on 27 October 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
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  26. "Hartlepool 0–0 Swindon" BBC Sport. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  27. "Hartlepool 2–0 Scunthorpe" BBC Sport. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  28. "Hartlepool United 2–2 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 20 September 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  29. "Scunthorpe United 1–2 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  30. "Hartlepool United 3–0 Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. 26 February 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  31. "Hartlepool United 5–0 Bradford City". BBC Sport. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  32. "Hartlepool United 2–1 Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  33. "Cheltenham Town 2–2 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 14 December 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  34. "Hartlepool: Jonathan Franks impact pleases Colin Cooper". BBC Sport. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  35. "Morecambe 1–2 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 29 December 2013. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  36. "Hartlepool United 4–0 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 15 March 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  37. "Pre-Season Gets Off To Flying Start". Hartlepool United F.C. 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  38. "Franks on Target Again in Friendly Win". Hartlepool United F.C. 21 July 2014. Archived from the original on 28 July 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
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  40. "Port Vale 6-2 Hartlepool". BBC Sport. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  41. "Hartlepool United 2–0 East Thurrock United". BBC Sport. 8 November 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  42. "Hartlepool United 1–2 Blyth Spartan". BBC Sport. 5 December 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  43. "Hartlepool United 3 – 2 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  44. "Pools Announce Retained List". Hartlepool United F.C. 11 May 2015. Archived from the original on 20 May 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  45. "Ross County sign two new players". Sky Sports. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  46. Wilson, Richard (13 March 2016). "Scottish League Cup Final: Hibernian 1 Ross County 2". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  47. Dowden, Martin (22 May 2017). "Club captain Paul Quinn one of several Ross County departures". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  48. "Jonathan Franks: Hartlepool United re-sign winger after Ross County exit". BBC Sport. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
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  50. "Wrexham new boy Jonathan Franks "sad" to leave Hartlepool United". Hartlepool Mail. 8 February 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  51. Carl Hogan (6 February 2018). "Jonathan Franks Signs for Wrexham AFC". Wrexham A.F.C. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
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  53. "ÍBV fær kantmann sem á leik í ensku úrvalsdeildinni (Staðfest)". fotbolti.net. 15 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  54. "Anchors Bring Back Ex Junior Jonathan Franks". Stockton Town F.C. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
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  56. "Whitby Town sign Jonathan Franks". Whitby Town F.C. 26 May 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
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  60. TheFA.com – U16s
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  62. "Games played by Jonathan Franks in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  63. "Games played by Jonathan Franks in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  64. "Games played by Jonathan Franks in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  65. "Games played by Jonathan Franks in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  66. "Games played by Jonathan Franks in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  67. "Games played by Jonathan Franks in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  68. "Games played by Jonathan Franks in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  69. "Games played by Jonathan Franks in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
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