Joe Ironside

Joe Samuel Ironside (born 16 October 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for club Tranmere Rovers.

Ironside started his career at Sheffield United after progressing through their academy. He spent time on loan at FC Halifax Town, Harrogate Town, Alfreton Town and Hartlepool United before signing for Alfreton in 2015.

Career Sheffield United Ironside came through the academy at Sheffield United. He was in the team that lost the 2011 FA Youth Final against Manchester United, although he scored United's only goal at Old Trafford a 4–1 defeat in the second leg, following a 2–2 draw at Bramall Lane. Ironside made his first-team debut for United on 17 October 2012, appearing as an 89th-minute substitute in a 4–1 away win against Notts County in the Football League Trophy.

After making six appearances for United at the start of the 2013–14 season, Ironside joined Conference Premier club FC Halifax Town on 12 November 2013 on loan until 5 January 2014. Ironside made his debut for his new club against Hyde the same day, being named in the starting eleven and scoring a goal which was disallowed as offside, before being substituted after 61 minutes. Ironside returned to United after making 11 appearances for FC Halifax, Ironside's loan was extended until the end of the season after a successful initial spell, but struggled with injuries during the remainder of his loan, and returned to United in May having played eight matches. before joining Conference Premier club Alfreton Town on 16 August 2014 on a one-month loan, making his debut the same day, starting in a 2–0 loss away to Forest Green Rovers. Ironside joined League Two club Hartlepool United on 22 November 2014 on a one-month loan. Hartlepool decided not to extend Ironside's loan on 31 December 2014 and he returned to United having scored once in four appearances for Hartlepool.

Non-League Ironside signed for Conference Premier club Alfreton Town permanently on 15 January 2015 on a one-and-a-half-year contract after being released by Sheffield United. He left Alfreton by mutual consent on 5 February 2016 before signing for their National League North rivals Nuneaton Town three days later.

Ironside signed for National League North club Kidderminster Harriers on 21 March 2017 on a contract until June 2019 for a five-figure fee. He joined Kidderminster's National League North rivals York City on 12 November 2018 on loan until 11 January 2019. He was recalled by Kidderminster on 7 January 2019 having made 10 appearances for York without scoring.

Macclesfield Town Ironside turned down the offer of a new long-term contract with Kidderminster to sign for League Two club Macclesfield Town on 5 June 2019 on a one-year contract.

Cambridge United On 1 August 2020, Ironside joined League Two club Cambridge United signing a two-year deal. He made his debut for the U's in 1–0 win over Birmingham City in the first round of the EFL Cup. A week later he opened his account in the League Two opener against Carlisle United picking up the ball on the edge of the area before sweeping in a shot into the bottom right hand corner.

During the 2020-21 season, Ironside made 44 league appearances, scoring 14 goals, as United gained promotion to League One.

In the 2021–22 FA Cup, Ironside scored the decisive goal in his team's third-round upset of Premier League side Newcastle United.

At the end of the 2022–23 season, Ironside departed Cambridge following the expiration of his contract, after helping the U's dramatically stay up in League One on the final day, following a 2-0 win over Forest Green.

Doncaster Rovers On 9 June 2023, Ironside signed for Doncaster Rovers on a three-year contract, having scored 35 goals in 145 games for Cambridge between 2020 and 2023.

Tranmere Rovers On 1 September 2025, Ironside joined EFL League Two club Tranmere Rovers on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Personal life Ironside was born in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire. He is the son of Ian Ironside, a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

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

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2012–13 League One

2013–14 League One

2014–15 League One

FC Halifax Town (loan) 2013–14 National League North

2015–16 National League North

2016–17 National League North

2018–19 National League North

York City (loan) 2018–19

Macclesfield Town 2019–20 League Two

2020–21 League Two

2021–22 League One

2022–23 League One

2023-24 League Two

2024–25 League Two

2025–26 League One

Tranmere Rovers 2025–26