Josh O'Keefe
English footballer
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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.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Joshua Adam O'Keefe | ||
| Date of birth | 22 December 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | Whalley, England | ||
| Position | 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 | → Chester (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 2015–2016 | Altrincham | 27 | (1) |
| 2016–2020 | Chorley | 134 | (17) |
| International career | |||
| 2008 | Republic of Ireland U21 | 1 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 13:26, 13 December 2023 (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
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Walsall | 2009–10[16] | League One | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Lincoln City | 2010–11[17] | League Two | 37 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 40 | 4 |
| 2011–12[18] | Conference Premier | 10 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | ||
| Lincoln total | 47 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 5 | ||
| Southport | 2011–12[19] | Conference Premier | 7 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||
| Hereford United | 2012–13[18] | Conference Premier | 33 | 12 | 3 | 1 | — | 2[b] | 1 | 38 | 14 | |
| 2013–14[18] | 18 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | 1[b] | 0 | 21 | 4 | |||
| Hereford total | 51 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 59 | 18 | ||
| Kidderminster Harriers | 2013–14[20] | Conference Premier | 17 | 0 | — | — | — | 17 | 0 | |||
| 2014–15[18] | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||
| Kidderminster total | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | ||
| Telford United (loan) | 2014–15[18] | Conference Premier | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Chester (loan) | 2014–15[18] | Conference Premier | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Altrincham | 2015–16[18] | National League | 27 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 2[b] | 0 | 31 | 1 | |
| Chorley | 2016–17[18] | National League North | 31 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 31 | 2 | |
| 2017–18[18] | 19 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — | 1[b] | 0 | 23 | 2 | |||
| Chorley total | 50 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 54 | 4 | ||
| Career total | 223 | 25 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 245 | 28 | ||
- Appearance in the Football League Trophy
Personal life
In 2018 he graduated from the University of Salford with a first class degree in physiotherapy.[21]
He is married.
