# Josh Heaton

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**Joshua Heaton** (born 16 September 1996), formerly known as **Josh Sampson**,[3] is an English [footballer](/source/Association_footballer) who plays as a [defender](/source/Defender_(association_football)) for Australian club Mornington SC. He began his career with [Preston North End](/source/Preston_North_End), but never appeared for their first team, and played [non-league football](/source/Non-league_football) for [Tamworth](/source/Tamworth_F.C.), [Colne](/source/Colne_F.C.), [Droylsden](/source/Droylsden_F.C.), [Stalybridge Celtic](/source/Stalybridge_Celtic_F.C.), [Bamber Bridge](/source/Bamber_Bridge_F.C.), [Congleton Town](/source/Congleton_Town_F.C.), [Ramsbottom United](/source/Ramsbottom_United_F.C.) and [Darlington](/source/Darlington_F.C.), before signing for [Scottish Premiership](/source/Scottish_Premiership) club [St Mirren](/source/St_Mirren_F.C.) in 2018. After spending time [on loan](/source/Loan_(sports)) at [Kidderminster Harriers](/source/Kidderminster_Harriers_F.C.), he was released by St Mirren, and signed for Bradford (Park Avenue) in September 2019 after a short second spell with Darlington. He also played for [Longridge Town](/source/Longridge_Town_F.C.) before moving to Australia.

## Life and career

### Preston North End

Heaton was born in [Preston, Lancashire](/source/Preston,_Lancashire),[4] and attended [All Hallows Catholic High School](/source/All_Hallows_Catholic_High_School) in nearby [Penwortham](/source/Penwortham). He first played for his local [Football League](/source/English_Football_League) club, [Preston North End](/source/Preston_North_End_F.C.), as an under-seven, signed for them as an under-eight, and progressed through the ranks,[5] taking up a two-year scholarship in 2013.[6]

In November 2014, he joined [Tamworth](/source/Tamworth_F.C.) of the [Conference North](/source/Conference_North) on a work experience loan.[7] Because of injuries and suspensions, he went straight into the starting eleven for the visit to [Lowestoft Town](/source/Lowestoft_Town_F.C.) the following day, and played the whole of a 3–2 defeat.[8] He established himself as a regular in the side, and finished the season with 22 league starts.[9]

After his scholarship ended in June 2015, Heaton was the only one of his year group to be taken on as a professional: he signed a one-year contract with the option of a second.[3] He was given [squad number](/source/Squad_number) 29, and was included among the [substitutes](/source/Substitute_(association_football)) for the visit to [Sheffield Wednesday](/source/Sheffield_Wednesday) in October; Preston lost 3–1, and Heaton remained unused.[9][10] In November, he rejoined Tamworth on loan,[10] but this time he made only four appearances over a two-month spell.[9][11] He finished the season on loan at [Colne](/source/Colne_F.C.) of the [North-West Counties League](/source/North-West_Counties_League). He was [sent off](/source/Sent_off) on his debut, conceding a [penalty](/source/Penalty_kick_(association_football)) that tied the scores in the [local derby](/source/Local_derby) against [Barnoldswick Town](/source/Barnoldswick_Town_F.C.), but his team went on to win.[12] He contributed three more league appearances as the team gained promotion to the [Northern Premier League](/source/Northern_Premier_League).[13][14] Heaton was released by Preston in the summer of 2016 when his contract expired.[15]

### Non-league football

After interest from Championship clubs [Reading](/source/Reading_F.C.) and [Wigan Athletic](/source/Wigan_Athletic) and trials with [non-league](/source/Non-league) teams including [AFC Fylde](/source/AFC_Fylde) and [Bamber Bridge](/source/Bamber_Bridge_F.C.),[16] Heaton signed for [Droylsden](/source/Droylsden_F.C.) of the Northern Premier League Division One North.[17] He soon moved up two tiers to [Stalybridge Celtic](/source/Stalybridge_Celtic) of the [National League North](/source/National_League_North),[14] but made just two appearances at that level[18] before returning to the NPL Division One with Bamber Bridge.[19] By the end of the season he had been on the winning side in the [Challenge Cup](/source/2016%E2%80%9317_Northern_Premier_League#Challenge_Cup) final and earned himself a new one-year contract.[20][21]

In the summer of 2017, he agreed to join National League North club [Darlington](/source/Darlington_F.C.), but the move collapsed over personal terms, complicated by a collarbone broken while playing in a pre-season fixture for his potential employers. He remained a Bamber Bridge player,[2] and spent a month on loan at [Congleton Town](/source/Congleton_Town_F.C.) to regain match fitness.[22][23] Released by Bamber Bridge in mid-October,[24] he then played three matches for Northern Premier League Division One team [Ramsbottom United](/source/Ramsbottom_United) on a non-contract basis,[25][26] before finally joining Darlington in mid-November.[27]

Although happy in his work as a delivery driver,[26] Heaton was open about his ambition to return to full-time football as soon as possible, and hoped that Darlington was "the right move for me to hopefully help me progress".[28] Initially, he was seen as a work in progress: Darlington's management team, [Tommy Wright](/source/Tommy_Wright_(footballer,_born_1984)) and former centre-back [Alan White](/source/Alan_White_(English_footballer)), told him "You'll not play regularly but you'll get your chance, you'll be involved". By February, he had established himself as a regular in Darlington's starting eleven,[29] and in March, he signed a new two-year contract "to give him the wage improvement that he deserves".[30] He finished the season with 22 league appearances.[9]

### St Mirren

Together with Darlington teammates Luke Trotman and Joe Wheatley, Heaton was selected to attend a course at [Jamie Vardy](/source/Jamie_Vardy)'s [V9 Academy](/source/V9_Academy) designed to help non-league players get into professional football.[29][26] He attracted attention from a variety of clubs including [Everton](/source/Everton_F.C.) and [Middlesbrough](/source/Middlesbrough_F.C.) before manager [Alan Stubbs](/source/Alan_Stubbs) signed Heaton and another player from the V9 Academy course, Cody Cooke, for [Scottish Premiership](/source/Scottish_Premiership) club [St Mirren](/source/St_Mirren_F.C.). Heaton signed a three-year contract; the fee, officially undisclosed but reported in the media as £75,000,[31] was described on the club's website as the largest paid by St Mirren "in around 25 years".[32]

Heaton was an unused [substitute](/source/Substitute_(association_football)) for St Mirren's opening fixture, in the [League Cup](/source/Scottish_League_Cup) against [Kilmarnock](/source/Kilmarnock_F.C.), and made his debut in their second group match, at home to [Spartans](/source/Spartans_F.C.) of the [Lowland League](/source/Lowland_League) on 17 July. He played the whole match as St Mirren won [on penalties](/source/Penalty_shoot-out_(association_football)).[9][33] He made one more appearance in the League Cup and turned out for St Mirren's under-21 side in the [Scottish Challenge Cup](/source/Scottish_Challenge_Cup), but four selections as an unused substitute were as close as he came to a Premiership debut.[9]

He returned to English football in January 2019 when he signed for [Kidderminster Harriers](/source/Kidderminster_Harriers) on loan until the end of the season,[34] but made only eight National League North appearances.[9] He was released by St Mirren in July 2019.[35]

### Return to non-league football

Heaton rejoined [Darlington](/source/Darlington_F.C.) on a non-contract basis in August 2019.[36][37] He played seven times in the National League North, mostly as a substitute with [Louis Laing](/source/Louis_Laing) and Terry Galbraith preferred at centre back.[9][38] Standing in for the unfit Galbraith away to [King's Lynn Town](/source/King's_Lynn_Town_F.C.) at the end of August, he made defensive errors that contributed to both goals in a 2–0 defeat,[39] and was allowed to leave after just five weeks with the club. He signed for [Bradford (Park Avenue)](/source/Bradford_(Park_Avenue)_A.F.C.) on 13 September,[40] and made his debut the following day in a 1–1 draw at home to [Spennymoor United](/source/Spennymoor_United) in the National League North.[41] After two months and six league appearances,[9] he joined [Longridge Town](/source/Longridge_Town_F.C.) of the [North West Counties League](/source/North_West_Counties_Football_League), where he played until February 2020.[42]

Heaton then moved to Australia, where he played for Mornington SC of the [Victorian State League Division 1](/source/Victorian_State_League_Division_1) in an [FFA Cup](/source/2020_FFA_Cup_preliminary_rounds) match before the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_Australia) put a stop to competitive football.[43][44]

## Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Preston North End 2014–15[45] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 2015–16[46] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 Tamworth (loan) 2014–15[9][47] Conference North 23 1 — — 1[a] 0 24 1 2015–16[9] Conference North 3 0 0 0 — 1[a] 0 4 0 Total 26 1 0 0 — 2 0 28 1 Colne (loan) 2015–16[13] North West Counties Premier 4 0 — — — 4 0 Stalybridge Celtic 2016–17[18] Northern Premier League Div. One North 2 0 — — 1[b] 1 3 1 Bamber Bridge 2016–17 Northern Premier League Div. One North Congleton Town (loan) 2017–18[23] North West Counties Premier 6 2 — — 0 0 6 2 Ramsbottom United 2017–18[25] Northern Premier League Div. One North 1 1 — — 2[a] 1 3 2 Darlington 2017–18[9] National League North 22 1 — — — 22 1 St Mirren 2018–19[48] Scottish Premiership 0 0 0 0 2 0 — 2 0 St Mirren U21 2018–19[48] — — — 1[c] 0 1 0 Kidderminster Harriers (loan) 2018–19[9] National League North 8 0 — — — 8 0 Darlington 2019–20[9] National League North 7 0 — — — 7 0 Bradford (Park Avenue) 2019–20[9][49] National League North 6 0 1 0 — — 7 0 Longridge Town 2019–20[42] North West Counties Premier 12 0 — — 4[d] 0 16 0 Career total 94 5 1 0 2 0 10 2 107 7

1. Appearance(s) in [FA Trophy](/source/FA_Trophy)

1. Appearance in [Cheshire Senior Cup](/source/Cheshire_Senior_Cup)

1. Appearance in [Scottish Challenge Cup](/source/Scottish_Challenge_Cup)

1. Appearances in [FA Vase](/source/FA_Vase)

## References

1. ["Academy U18s Profiles"](http://www.pnefc.net/team/youthteam/). Preston North End F.C. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130823034841/http://www.pnefc.net/team/youthteam/) 23 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Future of Brig defender Heaton still up in the air"](https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/bamber-bridge-fc/future-of-brig-defender-heaton-still-up-in-the-air-1-8678832). *Lancashire Evening Post*. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2018. We are happy to have Josh back because central defenders, who are 6ft. 5in. tall with pace, who are good on the ball and who are good in the air – they are hard to find.

1. ["Josh Heaton signs first professional contract as Steven James signs new deal"](https://pnefc.net/news/2015/july/josh-heaton-signs-first-professional-contract-as-steven-james-signs-new-deal). Preston North End F.C. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. ["Josh Heaton"](https://www.11v11.com/players/josh-heaton-250064/). *11v11.com*. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 18 July 2018.

1. ["Heaton ready to step up at PNE"](https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/heaton-ready-to-step-up-at-pne-1-7347024). *Lancashire Evening Post*. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. ["List of players registered as scholars in accordance with Rule C.3 between 01/07/2013 and 31/07/2013"](http://www.thefa.com/~/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/registrations/july-2013.ashx). The Football Association. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140408233947/http://www.thefa.com/~/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/registrations/july-2013.ashx) 8 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 July 2018.

1. ["Sampson strengthens Lambs back line"](http://www.thelambs.co.uk/news/sampson-strengthens-lambs-back-line-2137.htm). Tamworth F.C. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. Bullen, Terry (15 November 2014). ["Lowestoft Town 3 Tamworth 2"](http://www.lowestofttownfc.co.uk/teams/50851/news/title-1330635.html). Lowestoft Town F.C. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. ["J. Heaton"](https://uk.soccerway.com/players/joshua-sampson/390297/). *Soccerway*. Perform Group. Retrieved 23 April 2020.

1. Seddon, Dave (26 November 2015). ["PNE defender is loaned out"](https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/pne-defender-is-loaned-out-1-7592814). *Lancashire Evening Post*. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. ["Heaton loan ends"](http://www.thelambs.co.uk/news/heaton-loan-ends-2489.htm). Tamworth F.C. 8 February 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. Priestley, Dave (1 April 2016). ["Wharton nets late winner for Colne in derby"](https://www.pendletoday.co.uk/sport/football/wharton-nets-late-winner-for-colne-in-derby-1-7825824). *Pendle Today*. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. ["Colne F.C. – The team: Josh Heaton"](http://www.colnefootballclub.com/teams/44230/player/josh-heaton-1665396/33866). Colne F.C. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. Phillip, Mark (31 October 2016). ["Celtic continue to reshape squad"](https://tamesidereporter.com/2016/10/celtic-continue-to-reshape-squad/). *Tameside Reporter*. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. Seddon, Dave (10 May 2016). ["Seven released by PNE"](https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/preston-north-end/seven-released-by-pne-1-7902667). *Lancashire Evening Post*. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. ["Heat is on to sign ex-PNE man Josh"](https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/non-league/heat-is-on-to-sign-ex-pne-man-josh-1-8015710). *Lancashire Evening Post*. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2018. Simpson, Steve (4 November 2016). ["Coasters' boss demands a fresh start"](https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/afc-fylde/coasters-boss-demands-a-fresh-start-1-8218310). *Blackpool Gazette*. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. Phillip, Mark (10 August 2016). ["Droylsden sign flurry of players before season opener at Lancaster on Saturday"](https://tamesidereporter.com/2016/08/droylsden-sign-flurry-of-players-ahead-of-season-opener/). *Tameside Reporter*. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. ["Player Profile – Josh Heaton (31st Oct 2016 – 3rd Dec 2016)"](http://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/play.php?code=HEATJ). Stalybridge Celtic F.C. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. ["Strike duo look the business for Brig"](https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/non-league/strike-duo-look-the-business-for-brig-1-8301329). *Lancashire Evening Post*. 23 December 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. ["Grantham Town 1 vs. 2 Bamber Bridge"](http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/granthamtown/teams/59867/match-centre/2-41683). Grantham Town F.C. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2018.

1. Hornby, Ruth (22 April 2017). ["Bamber Bridge's rising stars sign new deals"](http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/bamberbridge/news/team-news-bamber-bridges-rising-stars-sign-new-dea-1790463.html). Bamber Bridge F.C. Retrieved 15 July 2018.

1. Salmon, Craig (22 September 2017). ["Reynolds prepares for battles of the Brigs"](https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/bamber-bridge-fc/reynolds-prepares-for-battles-of-the-brigs-1-8764964). *Lancashire Evening Post*. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. ["First Team North West Counties – The team: Joshua Heaton"](http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/congletontownfc/teams/23571/player/joshua-heaton-1923010/47539). Congleton Town F.C. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. ["Brig boss Reynolds has eyes on top spot"](https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/bamber-bridge-fc/brig-boss-reynolds-has-eyes-on-top-spot-1-8796305). *Lancashire Evening Post*. 10 October 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. ["Player stats – Josh Heaton"](http://www.rammyunited.co.uk/stats/player.php?id=481). Ramsbottom United F.C. Retrieved 19 September 2019.

1. ["V9 Academy: Can you spot the next Jamie Vardy? The numbers are clocking up to be a Premier League hero"](https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/features/22705/v9-academy-can-you-spot-the-next-jamie-vardy-the-numbers-are-clocking-up-to-be-a-premier-league-hero/). *The Non-League Football Paper*. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. Simpson, Ray (17 November 2017). ["Quakers sign centre half Josh Heaton"](http://darlingtonfootballclub.co.uk/quakers-sign-centre-half-josh-heaton). Darlington F.C. Retrieved 18 July 2018.

1. Stoddart, Craig (15 November 2017). ["Darlington: Ambitious Heaton eyeing return to EFL eventually"](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15660531.DARLINGTON__Ambitious_Heaton_eyeing_return_to_EFL_eventually/). *The Northern Echo*. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. Stoddart, Craig (27 February 2018). ["Darlington: Heaton has the attributes required to be a success, says White"](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/darlington/16051637.DARLINGTON__Heaton_has_the_attributes_required_to_be_a_success__says_White/). *The Northern Echo*. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. Stoddart, Craig (9 March 2018). ["Darlington: Wright challenges his players to continue their improved form"](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/16077842.DARLINGTON__Wright_challenges_his_players_to_continue_their_improved_form/). *The Northern Echo*. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. ["Jamie Vardy V9 Academy graduates Josh Heaton, Cody Cooke join St Mirren"](http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11797/11412936/jamie-vardy-v9-academy-graduates-josh-heaton-cody-cooke-join-st-mirren). Sky Sports. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018. ["St Mirren sign defender Josh Heaton & striker Cody Cooke"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44570834). BBC Sport. 21 June 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. ["Josh Heaton signs for Saints"](https://www.stmirren.com/news/club/all-news/1935-josh-heaton-signs-for-saints). St Mirren F.C. 21 June 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.

1. ["Match Report: St Mirren 2–2 Spartans (5–3 on penalties)"](https://www.stmirren.com/news/matchday/match-reports/2001-match-report-st-mirren-2-2-spartans-5-3-on-penalties). St Mirren F.C. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.

1. ["Harriers bring in defender Josh Heaton"](https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/17336632.harriers-bring-in-defender-josh-heaton/). *Kidderminster Shuttle*. 4 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.

1. Macpherson, Graeme (16 July 2019). ["St Mirren to let £75k record signing Josh Heaton leave for free"](https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/17774555.st-mirren-let-75k-record-signing-josh-heaton-leave-free/). *The Herald*. Retrieved 15 September 2019. ["Josh Heaton: St Mirren release £75,000 defender after two games in a year"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49046913). BBC Sport. 19 July 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2019.

1. ["Darlington complete Josh Heaton signing"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190807185510/http://nonleaguedaily.com/darlington-complete-josh-heaton-signing/). *Non League Daily*. 7 August 2019. Archived from [the original](http://nonleaguedaily.com/darlington-complete-josh-heaton-signing/) on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2019.

1. Simpson, Ray (12 September 2019). ["Josh Heaton leaves for Bradford Park Avenue"](https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/josh-heaton-leaves-for-bradford-park-avenue). Darlington F.C. Retrieved 15 September 2019.

1. Stoddart, Craig (11 September 2019). ["Defender set to leave Darlington"](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/17896354.defender-set-leave-darlington/). *The Northern Echo*. Retrieved 15 September 2019.

1. Stoddart, Craig (31 August 2019). ["Armstrong annoyed after 'basic errors' lead to Darlington defeat"](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/17873058.armstrong-annoyed-basic-errors-lead-darlington-defeat/). *The Northern Echo*. Retrieved 15 September 2019.

1. Stanford, Mark (13 September 2019). ["Two in and one out for Bradford (Park Avenue)"](https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/17902164.two-one-bradford-park-avenue/). *Telegraph and Argus*. Retrieved 15 September 2019.

1. Cockburn, Joe (14 September 2019). ["Match Report: Avenue 1-1 Spennymoor"](https://bpafc.com/match-report-avenue-1-1-spennymoor/). Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC. Retrieved 15 September 2019.

1. ["Player Statistics for Joshua Heaton"](https://www.nwcfl.com/player-details.php?id=982). North West Counties Football League. Retrieved 24 April 2020.

1. MacKenzie, Craig (23 March 2020). ["Saints paid £75,000 for Heaton"](http://www.mpnews.com.au/2020/03/23/saints-paid-75000-for-heaton/). *Mornington Peninsula News*. Retrieved 23 April 2020.

1. ["Football's return delayed until 31 May"](https://footballwest.com.au/football-on-hold-until-may-31/). Football West. 1 April 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.

1. ["Tigers kill off Lambs"](http://www.thelambs.co.uk/info/reports.asp?repID=847). Tamworth F.C. 29 November 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2018.

1. ["Match Report: Avenue 2–4 Morpeth"](https://bpafc.com/match-report-avenue-2-4-morpeth/). Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC. 21 September 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Josh Heaton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Heaton) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Heaton?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.