Joe Hardy

Joseph Keith Hardy (born 26 September 1998) is an English former professional footballer who played as a forward.

Hardy is a graduate of the Manchester City academy and began his professional career with the U23 teams at Brentford and Liverpool. He transferred to Accrington Stanley in 2021, but failed to make an appearance for the club. Following his release in 2023, Hardy briefly played in non-League football, before turning to youth coaching.

Playing career Manchester City A forward or right winger, Hardy began his career with Tranmere Rovers at age eight and moved to the academy at Premier League club Manchester City at the age of 13. He progressed through the ranks and made his U18 team debut while still an U16 and signed a two-year scholarship deal at the end of the 2014–15 season. Hardy scored 11 goals in 20 U18 appearances during the 2015–16 season and had a spell on loan at the Stoke City academy. He showed prolific form during the 2016–17 season, scoring 12 goals in 11 starts, before departing the Etihad Campus in March 2017.

Brentford On 14 March 2017, Hardy joined the B team at Championship club Brentford on a three-year contract.

Liverpool After an attempt to sign him during the 2019 summer transfer window had failed, On 4 February, Hardy made his professional debut as a substitute for Liam Millar after 82 minutes of a 1–0 FA Cup fourth round replay win over Shrewsbury Town. but missed the 2020–21 pre-season through injury. After returning to fitness, he was included in Liverpool's 25-man 2020–21 Premier League squad as a home grown player, though he did not win a call into a matchday squad during the season. He finished the 2020–21 U23 season with 6 goals in 12 appearances and was released when his contract expired.

Accrington Stanley On 8 July 2021, Hardy signed a two-year contract with League One club Accrington Stanley on a free transfer. He suffered a calf injury in pre-season, which required surgery and he returned to full training in late November. On 27 January 2022, Hardy joined Scottish Championship club Inverness Caledonian Thistle on loan until the end of the 2021–22 season. In a season which concluded with defeat in the Scottish Premiership playoff Final, Hardy made 18 appearances and scored his first senior goal, in a 4–0 win over Hamilton Academical on 29 April 2022.

Hardy was again absent from the matchday squad throughout the 2022–23 season and on 17 March 2023, He scored four goals in eight appearances and was a part of the Liverpool Senior Cup-winning squad. Hardy was released when his contract expired. He failed to win a call into a matchday squad during his two seasons at the Crown Ground. He made five appearances without scoring during the opening month of the season and then retired as a player.

Coaching career After retiring as a player in 2023, Hardy began coaching at youth level within the City Football Group. He has a UEFA B Licence.

Personal life Hardy attended St Winefride's Catholic Primary School in Neston and St. Anselm's College in Birkenhead.

Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals Apps Goals!!Apps!!Goals Liverpool 2019–20 Premier League

0

Liverpool U21 2020–21

1 0 1 0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle (loan) 2021–22 0 18 1 Marine (loan) 2022–23 Northern Premier League Premier Division 8 4

1 0 9 4 Bootle 2023–24 Marine

Liverpool Senior Cup: 2022–23