{{short description|English footballer (born 1989)}} {{Use British English|date=July 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Joe Widdowson | image = Joe Widdowson 03-08-2013 1.jpg | caption = Widdowson playing for Northampton Town in 2013 | fullname = Joseph Widdowson<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/202021/efl-squad-numbering-11.09.2020.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Leyton Orient |publisher=English Football League |page=37 |access-date=21 September 2020}}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1989|03|28}}<ref name="Hugman 2008-09">{{cite book | editor-last = Hugman | editor-first = Barry J. | title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09 | publisher = Mainstream | year = 2008 | isbn = 978-1-84596-324-8}}</ref> | birth_place = Forest Gate, England | height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}<ref name="Hugman 2008-09"/> | position = Defender | currentclub = | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2007 | youthclubs1 = West Ham United | years1 = 2007–2009 | years2 = 2008 | years3 = 2009 | years4 = 2009–2010 | years5 = 2010–2012 | years6 = 2012–2014 | years7 = 2014–2015 | years8 = 2014 | years9 = 2014–2015 | years10 = 2015–2017 | years11 = 2017–2021 | years12 = 2021–2022 | clubs1 = West Ham United | clubs2 = → Rotherham United (loan) | clubs3 = → Grimsby Town (loan) | clubs4 = Grimsby Town | clubs5 = Rochdale | clubs6 = Northampton Town | clubs7 = Bury | clubs8 = → Morecambe (loan) | clubs9 = → Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) | clubs10 = Dagenham & Redbridge | clubs11 = Leyton Orient | clubs12 = Barnet | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | caps2 = 3 | goals2 = 0 | caps3 = 20 | goals3 = 1 | caps4 = 38 | goals4 = 0 | caps5 = 66 | goals5 = 0 | caps6 = 64 | goals6 = 0 | caps7 = 1 | goals7 = 0 | caps8 = 8 | goals8 = 0 | caps9 = 3 | goals9 = 0 | caps10 = 94 | goals10 = 0 | caps11 = 117 | goals11 = 1 | caps12 = 9 | goals12 = 3 | totalcaps = 423 | totalgoals = 5 }} '''Joseph Widdowson''' (born 28 March 1989) is an English former professional footballer who plays as a defender.
He began his career with Premier League side West Ham United, spending time on loan with Rotherham United. He later signed a permanent contract with Grimsby Town which was the start of an extensive Football League career with Rochdale, Northampton Town, Dagenham & Redbridge and Leyton Orient. His final season was in the National League with Barnet.
==Career== ===West Ham United=== Widdowson began his career as a trainee at West Ham United in July 2007.<ref name=sbase>{{cite web | title =Joe Widdowson | work =Soccerbase | publisher = Racing Post| url =https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=48754 | access-date =15 March 2008 }}</ref> He joined Football League Two side Rotherham United in February 2008 on a one-month loan,<ref>{{cite news | title =Millers sign young Hammer on loan | publisher = BBC Sport| date =14 February 2008 | url =https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rotherham_utd/7245488.stm | access-date =15 March 2008 }}</ref> where he made three league appearances.<ref name=sbase /> He made his non-competitive debut for West Ham on 17 July 2008 against Hampton & Richmond Borough completing 90 minutes in a 2–4 victory. This match was then followed with a full 90 minutes on 24 July 2008 in the 2008 MLS All-Star Game in Toronto in which Widdowson was handed the difficult task of marking England legend David Beckham. Widdowson impressed many spectators during the game with the way he handled the task set in such a controlled manner, and ended the game swapping shirts with the Los Angeles Galaxy star.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whufc.com/page/News/0,,12562~1350735,00.html |title=MLS All-Stars 3–2 West Ham United FT |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |access-date=25 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106180321/http://www.whufc.com/page/News/0%2C%2C12562~1350735%2C00.html |archive-date= 6 January 2009 }}</ref>
===Grimsby Town=== On 2 January 2009 Widdowson joined Grimsby Town on an initial one-month loan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whufc.com/page/News/0,,12562~1506091,00.html |title=Widdowson goes out on loan |publisher=West Ham United F.C. |access-date=25 June 2010}}</ref> Widdowson made his debut for Grimsby on 17 January 2009 in a 1–0 away victory against Wycombe Wanderers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/7816253.stm |title=Wycombe 0–1 Grimsby |publisher=BBC News |date=17 January 2009 |access-date=25 June 2010}}</ref> He scored his first league goal, against Rotherham United, in a 3–0 home win for the Mariners on 24 January 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/7844344.stm |title=Grimsby 3–0 Rotherham |publisher=BBC News |date=24 January 2009 |access-date=25 June 2010}}</ref> 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,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rochdale/7963654.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=Rochdale swoop for defender Newey | date=25 March 2009 | access-date=6 May 2010}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/8002125.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=Bournemouth 2–1 Grimsby | date=25 April 2009 | access-date=6 May 2010}}</ref> On 18 May 2009, the Mariners announced Widdowson had signed a three-year contract with the club.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://world.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10417~1661196,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405092029/http://world.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10417~1661196,00.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=5 April 2018 |title=Widdowson makes permanent switch |publisher=Grimsby-townfc.premiumtv.co.uk |access-date=25 June 2010}}</ref>
===Rochdale=== On 22 June 2010 Widdowson signed for Rochdale ahead of the club's first campaign in League One.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rochdale/8756526.stm |title=Football – Joe Widdowson completes Rochdale move |publisher=BBC News |date= 23 June 2010|access-date=25 June 2010}}</ref> In May 2012, Widdowson was released from Rochdale after being told his contract would not be renewed.<ref>[http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/7751449/Coleman-to-make-big-changes Coleman to make big changes] Skysports, 10 May 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2012.</ref>
===Northampton Town=== On 5 July 2012 Widdowson joined Northampton Town on a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18725225 | title=Northampton Town agree deal with defender Joe Widdowson | publisher=BBC Sport | date=5 July 2012 | access-date=30 October 2014}}</ref>
===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.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9408479/bury-make-double-swoop | title=Bury make double swoop | publisher=Skysports.com | date=6 August 2014 | access-date=30 October 2014}}</ref>
===Morecambe=== On 29 August 2014, Widdowson signed for Morecambe on a two-month loan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28981077|title=Morecambe sign Bury's Joe Widdowson on two-month loan|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 August 2014|access-date=30 October 2014}}</ref>
===Dagenham & Redbridge=== On 27 November 2014, Widdowson joined Dagenham & Redbridge on loan until 4 January 2015.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30235867 | title=Dagenham: Patrick Agyemang and Joe Widdowson join on loan | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=27 November 2014}}</ref> In January 2015, his loan with Dagenham ended and he returned to Bury having made three appearances for the side.<ref name="Joe Widdowson: Dagenham re-sign defender after Bury exit">{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30235867 | title=Dagenham: Patrick Agyemang and Joe Widdowson join on loan | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=9 January 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Joe Widdowson: Dagenham re-sign defender after Bury exit"/>
===Leyton Orient=== On 1 July 2017, Widdowson signed for Leyton Orient on a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/sport/football/dagenham-and-redbridge/dagenham-redbridge-left-back-joe-widdowson-joins-leyton-orient-1-5086904 |title=Dagenham & Redbridge left back Joe Widdowson joins Leyton Orient |date=1 July 2017 |publisher=Romford Recorder}}</ref> In May 2019, after winning promotion to League Two with the O's, his contract was renewed until 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48353311|title=Leyton Orient: Jobi McAnuff, Matt Harrold & Joe Widdowson sign new contracts|date=21 May 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> Widdowson was released at the end of the 2020-21 season after 137 appearances for the O's.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leytonorient.com/2021/05/11/2021-retained-list/|title=2021 RETAINED LIST|date=June 2021|publisher=Leyton Orient F.C.}}</ref>
===Barnet=== Widdowson signed a two-year contract with Barnet in July 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.barnetfc.com/news/2021/july/experienced-defender-joe-widdowson-joins-the-bees/|title=Experienced Defender Joe Widdowson joins the Bees|date=30 July 2021|publisher=Barnet F.C.}}</ref> 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.<ref>[https://www.barnetfc.com/2021-22-released-and-retained-list 2021/22 Released & Retained List]</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|match played 26 October 2021}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3"|West Ham United |2007–08<ref name="Games played by Joe Widdowson in 2007/2008"/> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- |2008–09<ref name="Games played by Joe Widdowson in 2008/2009"/> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!0!!0 |- |Rotherham United (loan) |2007–08<ref name="Games played by Joe Widdowson in 2007/2008">{{Soccerbase season|48754|2007|name=Joe Widdowson|access-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> |League Two |3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3||0 |- |Grimbsy Town (loan) |2008–09<ref name="Games played by Joe Widdowson in 2008/2009">{{Soccerbase season|48754|2008|name=Joe Widdowson|access-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> |League Two |20||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||20||1 |- |rowspan="2"|Grimbsy Town |2009–10<ref name="Games played by Joe Widdowson in 2009/2010">{{Soccerbase season|48754|2009|name=Joe Widdowson|access-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> |League Two |38||0||1||0||1||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLT>Appearance in Football League Trophy</ref>||0||41||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !58!!1!!1!!0!!1!!0!!1!!0!!61!!1 |- |rowspan="3"|Rochdale |2010–11<ref name="Games played by Joe Widdowson in 2010/2011">{{Soccerbase season|48754|2010|name=Joe Widdowson|access-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> |League One |34||0||1||0||2||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLT/>||0||38||0 |- |2011–12<ref name="Games played by Joe Widdowson in 2011/2012">{{Soccerbase season|48754|2011|name=Joe Widdowson|access-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> |League One |32||0||0||0||3||0||0||0||35||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !66!!0!!1!!0!!5!!0!!1!!0!!73!!0 |- |rowspan="3"|Northampton Town |2012–13<ref name="Games played by Joe Widdowson in 2012/2013">{{Soccerbase season|48754|2012|name=Joe Widdowson|access-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> |League Two |39||0||2||0||2||0||4<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLP>Three appearances in Football League Trophy, one in Football League Two play-offs</ref>||0||47||0 |- |2013–14<ref name="Games played by Joe Widdowson in 2013/2014">{{Soccerbase season|48754|2013|name=Joe Widdowson|access-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> |League Two |25||0||2||0||1||0||0||0||28||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !64!!0!!4!!0!!3!!0!!4!!0!!75!!0 |- |Bury |2014–15<ref name="Games played by Joe Widdowson in 2014/2015">{{Soccerbase season|48754|2014|name=Joe Widdowson|access-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> |League Two |1||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1||0 |- |Morecambe (loan) |2014–15<ref name="Games played by Joe Widdowson in 2014/2015"/> |League Two |8||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLT/>||0||9||0 |- |rowspan="4"|Dagenham & Redbridge |2014–15<ref name="Games played by Joe Widdowson in 2014/2015"/> |League Two |21||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||21||0 |- |2015–16<ref name="Games played by Joe Widdowson in 2015/2016">{{Soccerbase season|48754|2015|name=Joe Widdowson|access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref> |League Two |31||0||2||0||1||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLT/>||0||35||0 |- |2016–17<ref name="JW">{{soccerway|joe-widdowson/69838|Joe Widdowson|accessdate=6 March 2021}}</ref> |National League |45||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||3<ref group=lower-alpha name=FAT>Two appearances in National League play-offs, one in FA Trophy</ref>||0||51||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !97!!0!!5!!0!!1!!0!!4!!0!!107!!0 |- |rowspan="5"|Leyton Orient |2017–18<ref name="JW"/> |National League |36||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||5<ref group=lower-alpha name=FAT2>Appearances in FA Trophy</ref>||0||44||0 |- |2018–19<ref name="JW"/> |National League |44||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2<ref group=lower-alpha name=FAT2/>||0||46||0 |- |2019–20<ref name="Games played by Joe Widdowson in 2019/2020">{{Soccerbase season|48754|2019|name=Joe Widdowson|access-date=6 March 2021}}</ref> |League Two |16||1||1||0||1||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLT/>||0||19||1 |- |2020–21<ref name="Games played by Joe Widdowson in 2020/2021">{{Soccerbase season|48754|2020|name=Joe Widdowson|access-date=6 March 2021}}</ref> |League Two |21||0||1||0||2||0||4<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLT/>||0||28||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !117!!1!!5!!0!!3!!0!!12!!0!!137!!1 |- |rowspan="1"|Barnet |2021–22<ref name="JW"/> |National League |9||3||1||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||10||3 |- !colspan="3" | Career total !423||5||17||0||13||0||23||0||476||5 |}
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
==Honours== '''Leyton Orient''' *National League: 2018–19<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=1647 |title=National League: 2018/19: Current table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=6 May 2019}}<br />{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/leyton-orient-fc/744/squad/ |title=Leyton Orient FC: Squad |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=6 May 2019}}</ref> *FA Trophy runner-up: 2018–19<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48314552 |title=AFC Fylde 1–0 Leyton Orient |first=Rob |last=Stevens |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2019 |access-date=26 May 2019}}</ref>
== Personal life == He graduated in 2023 from Staffordshire University<ref>{{cite news |title=Widdowson enjoys home comforts |url=https://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/sport/20926835.widdowson-enjoys-home-comforts/ |access-date=27 October 2025 |work=Barking & Dagenham Post |date=4 June 2015}}</ref> with a first-class degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting.<ref>{{cite web |title=Autumn 2023 ceremonies |url=https://www.staffs.ac.uk/graduation/ceremonies/2023-autumn |publisher=Staffordshire University |access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} *{{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Widdowson, Joe}} Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Newham Category:People from Forest Gate Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football defenders Category:West Ham United F.C. players Category:Rotherham United F.C. players Category:Grimsby Town F.C. players Category:Rochdale A.F.C. players Category:Northampton Town F.C. players Category:Bury F.C. players Category:Morecambe F.C. players Category:Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. players Category:Leyton Orient F.C. players Category:Barnet F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:Black British sportsmen Category:National League (English football) players Category:21st-century English sportsmen Category:21st-century Black British people Category:Alumni of Staffordshire University