Joe McKee

Joseph John Paul McKee (born 31 October 1992) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Cumnock Juniors.

McKee has previously played for Livingston, Burnley, Bolton Wanderers, Greenock Morton, Carlisle United, Falkirk, Queen of the South and Dumbarton.

Club career Early career McKee started his career in the youth team of Dundee United in 2000 at the age of seven. He spent five years at Tannadice Park and progressed well at the club but left in 2005 due to unhappiness and joined Livingston. He made his debut for Livingston on 1 August 2009 in the Scottish League Cup in a 3–0 defeat to Albion Rovers, replacing Michael Torrance in the second half. He then played in the first league game of the season, a 2–0 win over Montrose, coming on as a second-half substitute for Anthony McParland. Burnley had to play Livingston in a pre-season friendly at Almondvale as part of the deal, and also pay a five-figure sum when he signed a professional contract. He played primarily in the youth team in his first season at the club, but did feature in six games in the Premier Reserve League scoring one goal against Bolton Wanderers. In the 2010–11 season he was top scorer for the youth team and also featured regularly in the reserve side. In June 2011, he signed his first professional contract with the club on a one-year deal after the end of his scholarship. He was involved with the first team in the 2011–12 pre-season games and played in his first game for the Clarets in a 0–0 draw with Oldham Athletic, coming on in the last minute for Ross Wallace. He was given the squad number 34 during pre-season.

In April 2012, it announced that McKee was released at the end of his Contract by Burnley.

St Mirren (Loan spell) On 23 August 2011, he joined Scottish Premier League club St Mirren on a four-month loan until January 2012. He made his debut for the club on 28 August 2011 in a 2–0 home defeat to Celtic, where he came on as a late substitute for Nigel Hasselbaink. Having made two appearances for St Mirren, McKee loan spell with the club ended, but manager Danny Lennon hopes that he will become a better player.

Bolton Wanderers On 3 July, McKee tweeted that he had signed for Bolton Wanderers, reuniting with former Burnley manager, Owen Coyle. This was confirmed a day later by Bolton's official Twitter page and McKee was given number 35.

Greenock Morton In May 2013, McKee joined Scottish club Greenock Morton, playing in the Scottish Championship. McKee signed a contract extension until summer 2015 in September 2013.

Carlisle United McKee left Morton on a Bosman free transfer to join English side Carlisle United. He scored his first goal for Carlisle in an EFL Trophy tie against Fleetwood Town on 9 November 2016.

Falkirk On transfer deadline day, 31 January 2017, McKee signed a 6-month deal to move back north to Falkirk, teaming up with long time friend Charlie Harris who was in the U23 squad as a physio. McKee commented "It was an easy decision. To come back up north and see Charlie clinched the deal". In November 2017 he received a four-match SFA ban for 'excessive misconduct' for his part in an incident involving Dunfermline's Dean Shiels during a match between the rival clubs two months previously.

Dumbarton After leaving Falkirk and spending time with Dundalk McKee signed for Scottish League One club Dumbarton in July 2019. He enjoyed a successful season at the Rock, registering 15 assists and two goals before leaving the club at the end of his contract in July 2020.

Queen of the South On 24 August 2020, McKee signed for Queen of the South until 31 May 2021.

Dumbarton After only one season at the Dumfries club, McKee returned to Dumbarton on a two-year deal in June 2021. He made 57 appearances, scoring twice, in his second spell with the club before leaving in the summer of 2023.

Peterhead On leaving Dumbarton, McKee signed for Scottish League Two side Peterhead on a two-year deal.

Cumnock Juniors Following his departure from the Balmoral Stadium, McKee signed for Cumnock Juniors in July 2024.

International McKee has represented Scotland at under-16, under-17 and under-19 level. He was first called up to Scotland U19 squad in May 2011 for the two friendlies away to Denmark. He started in the first friendly on 10 May in Copenhagen, playing 70 minutes as Scotland lost 3–2. He was a substitute for the game two days later in Ballerup in another defeat, coming on in the second half for Rory McKenzie.

Career statistics

Honours Greenock Morton Scottish League One: Winners 2014–15