Joe Widdowson

Grimsby Town On 2 January 2009 Widdowson joined Grimsby Town on an initial one-month loan. Widdowson made his debut for Grimsby on 17 January 2009 in a 1–0 away victory against Wycombe Wanderers. He scored his first league goal, against Rotherham United, in a 3–0 home win for the Mariners on 24 January 2009. The goal was good enough to win 2nd place in the club's goal of the season awards. Grimsby manager Mike Newell managed to extend Widdowson's loan until the end of the season, and he remained as the club's first choice left back, despite regular starter Tom Newey returning from injury. Newey was then loaned out to Rochdale, and Widdowson became an integral part of the Grimsby side that managed too stave off relegation from the Football League. He was given his first red card for the club on 25 April 2009 after being controversially dismissed in the 87th minute of play for a second bookable offence in the club's relegation crunch tie with AFC Bournemouth. On 18 May 2009, the Mariners announced Widdowson had signed a three-year contract with the club.

Rochdale On 22 June 2010 Widdowson signed for Rochdale ahead of the club's first campaign in League One. In May 2012, Widdowson was released from Rochdale after being told his contract would not be renewed.

Northampton Town On 5 July 2012 Widdowson joined Northampton Town on a two-year contract.

Bury On 6 August 2014, Widdowson signed for Bury just days prior to the start of the new season, having impressed on a short-term trial.

Morecambe On 29 August 2014, Widdowson signed for Morecambe on a two-month loan.

Dagenham & Redbridge On 27 November 2014, Widdowson joined Dagenham & Redbridge on loan until 4 January 2015. In January 2015, his loan with Dagenham ended and he returned to Bury having made three appearances for the side. Later in the month he signed for Dagenham & Redbridge on a six-month contract until the end of the season after his short-term deal with Bury came to an end. In May 2019, after winning promotion to League Two with the O's, his contract was renewed until 2021. Widdowson was released at the end of the 2020-21 season after 137 appearances for the O's.

Barnet Widdowson signed a two-year contract with Barnet in July 2021. He scored three times in ten games for the Bees. After opening the scoring away at Stockport County in October 2021, he was stretchered off after a foul by Macauley Southam-Hales that saw the latter sent off. Widdowson spent the rest of the season out injured and departed the Bees following the conclusion of the season.

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

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2007–08 League Two

Grimbsy Town (loan) 2008–09 League Two

2009–10 League Two

58!!1!!1!!0!!1!!0!!1!!0!!61!!1

2010–11 League One

League One

66!!0!!1!!0!!5!!0!!1!!0!!73!!0

2012–13 League Two

2013–14 League Two

64!!0!!4!!0!!3!!0!!4!!0!!75!!0 Bury 2014–15 League Two

Morecambe (loan) 2014–15 League Two

National League

97!!0!!5!!0!!1!!0!!4!!0!!107!!0

2018–19 League Two

League Two

FA Trophy runner-up: 2018–19

Personal life He graduated in 2023 from Staffordshire University with a first-class degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting.