Josh O'Keefe

Joshua Adam O'Keefe (born 22 December 1988) is a former footballer who played as a midfielder, he retired in 2020 after spending four years at Chorley.

Josh O'Keefe
Personal information
Full name Joshua Adam O'Keefe
Date of birth (1988-12-22) 22 December 1988
Place of birth Whalley, England
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
2001–2007 Blackburn Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2009 Blackburn Rovers 0 (0)
2009–2010 Walsall 13 (0)
2010–2012 Lincoln City 47 (5)
2012 Southport 7 (0)
2012–2014 Hereford United 51 (15)
2014–2015 Kidderminster Harriers 20 (0)
2014 → Telford United (loan) 5 (0)
2014–2015 → Chester (loan) 3 (0)
2015–2016 Altrincham 27 (1)
2016–2020 Chorley 125 (18)
International career
2008 Republic of Ireland U21 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:34, 23 December 2017 (UTC)

Career

Blackburn Rovers

Born in Whalley, Lancashire, O'Keefe was educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn,[1] where along with Frank Fielding he played in their victorious Boodles ISFA Cup team of 2003–04, defeating Millfield School 5–4 on penalties following a 2–2 draw in the final at the Walkers Stadium,[2] whilst also playing representative football for ISFA.[3] He then joined the Blackburn Rovers academy, making his Premier Academy League debut for the club in the 0–0 draw at Newcastle United on 2 April 2005.[4]

Walsall

He then signed for Walsall on a free transfer and made his debut on 12 September 2009, coming on as a substitute for Richard Taundry, in the Football League One clash with Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park, which ended in a 3–2 win to Walsall. He was released by Walsall on 10 May 2010 along with six other players.[5]

Lincoln City

O'Keefe was then signed by Lincoln City on 17 May 2010 on a two-year contract.[6] On 3 January 2011, he scored his first ever goal as a professional, scoring an equaliser in the match against Northampton Town. On 26 December 2011 O'Keefe left Lincoln City by mutual consent.[7]

Non-league career

On 1 March 2012, O'Keefe joined Conference Premier team Southport.[8] On 24 September he joined Hereford United.[9] On 11 June 2013 he signed a new one-year contract to remain with the club for the 2013–14 season.[10] On 31 January 2014, he signed an 18-month deal with play off hopefuls Kidderminster Harriers. On 1 September 2014, he moved to Telford United on a month-long loan deal where he made five appearances.[11] On 11 November 2014, he was sent on a two-month loan to Chester having only made one appearance all season for the Harriers.[12] His loan spell, due to end on 1 January 2015, was cut short due to injury. On 12 May 2015, he signed for Altrincham,[13] after being released by Kidderminster having made 20 appearances. In June 2016, he agreed a deal to join Chorley.[14]

International career

On 8 August 2008, he was called up for the Republic of Ireland U21 squad, qualifying by virtue of his father's Irish parents.[15] He made his debut as a second-half substitute in the 1–1 draw with the Austria U21 side on 19 August 2008.

Career statistics
As of match played 16 December 2017
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Walsall 2009–10[16] League One 130000000130
Lincoln City 2010–11[17] League Two 37410101[lower-alpha 1]0404
2011–12[18] Conference Premier 10120—00121
Lincoln total 475301010525
Southport 2011–12[19] Conference Premier 70——0070
Hereford United 2012–13[18] Conference Premier 331231—2[lower-alpha 2]13814
2013–14[18] 18321—1[lower-alpha 2]0214
Hereford total 51155200315918
Kidderminster Harriers 2013–14[20] Conference Premier 170———170
2014–15[18] 3010—0040
Kidderminster total 200100000210
Telford United (loan) 2014–15[18] Conference Premier 5000—0050
Chester (loan) 2014–15[18] Conference Premier 3000—0030
Altrincham 2015–16[18] National League 27120—2[lower-alpha 2]0311
Chorley 2016–17[18] National League North 31200—00312
2017–18[18] 19230—1[lower-alpha 2]0232
Chorley total 504300010544
Career total 22325142107124528
  1. Appearance in the Football League Trophy
  2. Appearances in the FA Trophy

Personal life

In 2018 he graduated from the University of Salford with a first class degree in physiotherapy.[21]

He is married.

References
  1. "Josh receives first cap". Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn. 20 August 2008. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  2. "2003–04 QEGS Blackburn 2 Millfield 2". The Independent Schools Football Association website. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  3. "Current professional players". The Independent Schools Football Association website. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  4. "Academy draw a blank". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 5 April 2005. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  5. "Walsall release seven including Dwayne Mattis". BBC Sport. 10 May 2010.
  6. "Midfielder Agrees Terms". Lincoln City. 17 May 2010. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  7. "Josh O'Keefe and Adam Watts depart Lincoln City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  8. "Josh O'Keefe joins Southport FC". southportfc.net. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  9. "Hereford United sign ex-Walsall midfielder Josh O'Keefe". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  10. "O'Keefe and McDonald sign". Hereford United F.C. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  11. "Harriers loan O'Keefe to Telford". BBC Sport.
  12. "Chester bring in O'Keefe and Oates". BBC Sport.
  13. "Alty pick up new midfielder". NonLeague.pitchero.com. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  14. "Chorley FC boss Matt Jansen seals O'Keefe deal as squad takes shape". Lancashire Telegraph. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  15. "O'Keefe delight at country call". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 8 August 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  16. "Games played by Josh O'Keefe in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  17. "Games played by Josh O'Keefe in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  18. Josh O'Keefe at Soccerway. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  19. "Games played by Josh O'Keefe in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  20. "Games played by Josh O'Keefe in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  21. "PFA members graduate from the University of Salford". The Professional Footballer's Association. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
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