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James Belshaw

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James Belshaw
Belshaw in 2014
Personal information
Full name James Michael Belshaw[1]
Date of birth (1990-10-12) 12 October 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth Nottingham, England
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Harrogate Town
Number 31
Youth career
1996–2005 Notts County
2006–2009 Heanor Town
2009 Walsall
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2012 Duke Blue Devils 78 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2014 Nuneaton Borough 31 (0)
2014–2017 Tamworth 113 (0)
2017–2021 Harrogate Town 161 (0)
2021–2024 Bristol Rovers 89 (0)
2023 → Forest Green Rovers (loan) 10 (0)
2023–2024 → Harrogate Town (loan) 6 (0)
2024– Harrogate Town 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:59, 17 August 2024 (UTC)

James Michael Belshaw (born 12 October 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for EFL League Two club Harrogate Town.

Career

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Youth and college

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Belshaw attended The Becket School in West Bridgford, where he captained the team to the Notts Schools Cup title in 2009.[3] He also had spells with Notts County,[4][5] Heanor Town[6] and Walsall.[7]

In 2009, Belshaw rejected a one-year professional contract with Walsall,[8] and instead moved to the United States to play college soccer at Duke University. He made 78 appearances for the Blue Devils between 2009 and 2012. During his time at Duke, Belshaw won accolades such as 2012 NSCAA All-America third team, was a two-time All-ACC first team selection, a three-time All-ACC choice, earning second team honors in 2010 and earned NSCAA All-South Region honors all four seasons.[2]

Return to England

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On 22 January 2013, Belshaw was selected 49th overall in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft by Chicago Fire.[9] Belshaw was offered a contract by Chicago, but as a backup goalkeeper, so instead opted to search for first-team football back in his native England.[10]

In April 2013, Belshaw had trials with his former team Walsall,[11] as well as Everton, Notts County and Coventry City.[12]

On 31 July 2013, Belshaw signed with National League club Nuneaton Borough.[13] Following one season with Nuneaton, Belshaw moved to National League North side Tamworth where he played for three seasons.[14]

Harrogate Town

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In 2017, Belshaw moved to Harrogate Town on a two-year contract,[15] where he remained first choice goalkeeper for the club. He was part of the Harrogate team that won promotion to the National League for the first time in the club's history after defeating Brackley Town in the 2018 National League North play-off final.[16] After signing a deal to keep him at the club until 2023 in January 2020,[17] Belshaw helped guide them to the Football League for the first time via the play-offs in 2020.[18]

Bristol Rovers

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On 23 July 2021, Belshaw joined recently relegated fellow League Two side Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee on a two-year deal.[19][20] Belshaw's debut came for the club came on 10 August, in a 2–0 EFL Cup defeat to Cheltenham Town.[21] Having been a key part of Rovers' rise up the table from eighteenth on New Years Day to a promotion battle, keeping ten clean sheets in his previous fifteen appearances and becoming a firm fan favourite, Belshaw signed a new deal with the club in March 2022, keeping him at the club until June 2024.[22] In May 2022, Belshaw was awarded the PFA Community Champion award by the Bristol Rovers Community Trust for his work with the Community Trust across the course of the season including becoming the health ambassador and supporting mental health schemes.[23] With the club having achieved promotion on the final day of the season in dramatic fashion, a 7–0 victory taking the club into the final automatic promotion spot at Northampton Town's expense on goals scored,[24] Belshaw was awarded the Bristol Rovers Player of the Year Award at the end of season awards evening having kept seventeen clean sheets across the season.[25]

Following a 4–3 home defeat to Exeter City in December 2022, manager Joey Barton attributed the blame for all four goals at the door of Belshaw.[26] During the January transfer window, Rovers signed Ellery Balcombe on loan from Brentford, a clause in the loan deal stating that he had to start the first three matches of his spell in order to avoid a fee.[27] Following this three game spell, Balcombe was again selected for a home match against Ipswich Town, in which he kept a first clean sheet for the club, with Belshaw omitted from the first-team squad. Barton revealed prior to the match that with the team having been released, Belshaw's attitude in training had dropped significantly with a warning that he may never play for the club again unless things were to change.[28] His response to the situation however was sufficient for the manager and he returned to consideration.[29] He returned to the starting line-up the following week, keeping a clean sheet in a 3–0 victory away at Oxford United.[30]

The signings of goalkeepers Matthew Cox and Matthew Hall in July 2023 cast doubt upon the long-term future of Belshaw at the football club, the previous season's dispute with Barton being brought once again to the limelight.[31] Having failed to make the previous two matchday squads, it was revealed that both he and his agent had asked for transfers away from the club and he would therefore no longer be considered for selection and available for transfer.[32] With a move having failed to materialise before the transfer deadline, he made his first-team return in a 4–1 EFL Trophy victory over Cheltenham Town.[33]

On 30 September 2023, he joined League Two club Forest Green Rovers on a seven-day emergency loan.[34] He was awarded the Player of the Month award for October 2023.[35] He announced on 14 December 2023 that he was leaving the club upon the expiration of what was referred to by the club as "the longest emergency loan ever".[36] On 15 December 2023, he returned to former club Harrogate Town on a seven-day emergency loan deal.[37]

Return to Harrogate Town

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On 11 January 2024, Belshaw's permanent return to Harrogate Town was confirmed, joining for an undisclosed fee.[38] He was nominated for the EFL League Two Player of the Month award for March 2024 having kept three clean sheets in six matches.[39]

Career statistics

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As of match played 12 December 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Harrogate Town 2017–18 National League North 41 0 4 0 — 6[a] 0 51 0
2018–19[40] National League 45 0 2 0 — 4[b] 0 51 0
2019–20[41] National League 37 0 2 0 — 2[c] 0 41 0
2020–21[42] League Two 38 0 1 0 0 0 1[d] 0 40 0
Total 161 0 9 0 0 0 13 0 183 0
Bristol Rovers 2021–22[43] League Two 42 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 47 0
2022–23[44] League One 38 0 2 0 1 0 1[d] 0 42 0
2023–24[45] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 2[d] 0 2 0
Total 80 0 6 0 2 0 3 0 91 0
Forest Green Rovers (loan) 2023–24[45] League Two 10 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
Career total 251 0 17 0 2 0 16 0 286 0
  1. ^ 4 appearances in FA Trophy, two appearances in National League North play-offs
  2. ^ 3 appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance in National League play-offs
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in National League play-offs
  4. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Personal life

[edit]

Belshaw has supported Notts County since childhood.[4]

Belshaw is "good friends" with professional basketball player Mason Plumlee, who plays for NBA side Los Angeles Clippers.[10]

Belshaw holds two degrees from Duke University in both History and Business Markets and Management.[46]

Honours

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Harrogate Town

Bristol Rovers

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Harrogate Town" (PDF). English Football League. p. 33. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b "James Belshaw - 2012 - Men's Soccer". goduke.com. Duke University. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  3. ^ "James Belshaw". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  4. ^ a b Curtis, Leigh (30 July 2020). "'All of my life' - Meet the Notts County fan trying to stop their EFL return". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  5. ^ "The making of James Belshaw". harrogatetownafc.com. Harrogate Town A.F.C. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Another former Lion turns pro". www.heanortownfc.co.uk. Heanor Town F.C. 5 August 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  7. ^ Panter, Matt (17 May 2017). "Tamworth FC's Belshaw: 'Lining up against Lambs will be very weird'". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  8. ^ "New Venture For Belshaw". www.thelambs.co.uk. Tamworth F.C. 14 October 2016. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Fire Select Three Players in 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft". chicagofirefc.com. Chicago Fire FC. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  10. ^ a b Badcock, Matt (26 March 2015). "James Belshaw's in a bracket with President Obama!". The Non-League Paper. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  11. ^ Poole, Andrew (9 April 2013). "Walsall v Hartlepool Res - Live blog". www.saddlers.co.uk. Walsall F.C. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  12. ^ Clark, Travis (8 January 2013). "Dream of pro career takes seniors abroad". TopDrawerSoccer.com. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Nuneaton sign goalkeeper Belshaw". BBC Sport. 31 July 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  14. ^ Panter, Matt (16 March 2018). "Tamworth FC return for fan favourite Belshaw". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Belshaw Swaps Lambs For Town". Pitchero Non-League. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  16. ^ "Harrogate Town 3 Brackley 0: Knowles double helps Town seal historic promotion". Yorkshire Post. 13 May 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  17. ^ Howell, Rhys (24 January 2020). "It was an easy decision - James Belshaw pens new deal at Harrogate Town despite interest from Football League clubs". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  18. ^ Freeman, Jay (2 August 2020). "Harrogate win promotion to League Two". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  19. ^ "BELSHAW COMPLETES PERMANENT TRANSFER TO BRISTOL ROVERS". www.harrogatetownafc.com. 23 July 2021.
  20. ^ "James Belshaw signs for the Gas!". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 23 July 2021. Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  21. ^ "Bristol Rovers 0–2 Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  22. ^ "Belshaw Signs New Deal!". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  23. ^ "James Belshaw & Layah Douglas awarded PFA Community Champions for 2021/22". www.bristolroverscommunity.org.uk. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  24. ^ a b "Bristol Rovers go up after extraordinary 7–0 win". BBC Sport. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  25. ^ a b @Official_BRFC (8 May 2022). "⏱ 3️⃣7️⃣8️⃣0️⃣ minutes 🧤 1️⃣7️⃣ clean sheets 👍 3️⃣8️⃣8️⃣7️⃣0️⃣1️⃣ thumbs up 🏆 Your 2021/22 Bristol Rovers Player of the Year is @jbelly31! #BristolRovers" (Tweet). Retrieved 9 May 2022 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ Frost, Sam (29 December 2022). "Joey Barton says the buck stops with James Belshaw as Bristol Rovers concede four against Exeter". Bristol Post. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  27. ^ Frost, Sam (3 February 2023). "Joey Barton reveals Brentford's selection clause in Ellery Balcombe's Bristol Rovers deal". Bristol Post. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  28. ^ Piercy, James (14 February 2023). "Joey Barton warns James Belshaw that he may never play for Bristol Rovers again". Bristol Post. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  29. ^ Frost, Sam (16 February 2023). "Joey Barton draws a line under Belshaw situation with goalkeeper up for Bristol Rovers selection". Bristol Post. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  30. ^ Frost, Sam (25 February 2023). "Joey Barton explains decision as James Belshaw returns to Bristol Rovers' starting XI vs Oxford". Bristol Post. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  31. ^ Piercy, James (27 July 2023). "James Belshaw's Bristol Rovers future hangs in the balance but it's been that way for some time". Bristol Post. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  32. ^ Jones, Jordan (16 August 2023). "Joey Barton explains James Belshaw absence amid Bristol Rovers transfer exit talk". Bristol World. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  33. ^ "Match Report | Rovers 4–1 Cheltenham". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  34. ^ "James Belshaw Loan Deal". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  35. ^ "Belshaw wins Quorn Star of the Month". www.fgr.co.uk. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  36. ^ @jbelly31 (14 December 2023). "Massive thank you to everyone at @FGRFC_Official for the past few weeks! Great people and a fantastic club. I wish you all the best for the future! 💚🖤" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 December 2023 – via Twitter.
  37. ^ "Belshaw joins on emergency loan!". www.harrogatetownafc.com. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  38. ^ "Belshaw completes permanent return!". www.harrogatetownafc.com. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  39. ^ "Sky Bet League Two: Manager & Player of the Month nominees". www.efl.com. 9 April 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  40. ^ "Games played by James Belshaw in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  41. ^ "Games played by James Belshaw in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  42. ^ "Games played by James Belshaw in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  43. ^ "Games played by James Belshaw in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  44. ^ "Games played by James Belshaw in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  45. ^ a b "Games played by James Belshaw in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  46. ^ Unwin, Will (6 September 2024). "James Belshaw: the goalkeeper with two degrees and a second world war thesis". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  47. ^ "National League promotion final: Harrogate Town 3–1 Notts County". BBC Sport. 2 August 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  48. ^ "Harrogate and Braintree reach National League after winning play-off finals". BBC Sport. 13 May 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  49. ^ Law, James (3 May 2021). "FA Trophy final 2019-20: Concord Rangers 0-1 Harrogate Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
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