Player Profile – Josh Grant

This week we have a player who scored one of the greatest goals ever in the Yorkshire region – so good that footage of goal should have broke the Internet.

You’ve probably seen it so you’ll know we’re talking about Brighouse Town midfielder Josh Grant.

Name 

Josh Grant 

Age 

30 

Current Club 

Brighouse Town 

Previous clubs 

Farsley Celtic, Wakefield FC, Frickley Athletic, Tadcaster, Ossett Albion, Eccleshill, Liversedge.

Position 

Midfielder 

Day Job

Print Manager 

Best mate in football

I have met loads of top lads all similar to me, love a night out. 

The changing rooms are massive part of Non League and nearly every team I have played for the lads have been class. I think it’s one of the most important things knowing you got a good dressing room and can all celebrate together.

Team you support 

Leeds United 

Football Idol

Was Alan smith when I was a youngster when he was at Leeds, probably the more recent ones I enjoyed watching Gerrard and Rooney. 

Biggest influence on football career

I would have to say my dad. He’s taken me all over the country when I was younger to watch me and still comes to most of my games now. I think we have both enjoyed it as much as each other me playing and him watching.

Career Highlight 

Side volley from half way line on the full (ed. for Brighouse against Runcorn in the 93rd minute to rescue a point. I think if the camera was better quality it would of gone more viral (ed. currently 63k views on Twitter). 

Lowest moment in football 

I think the season at Farsley we had an unreal squad and for whatever reason we struggled I don’t think we won for the first 10 matches then one game something clicked and we went on a ridiculous run winning games but left ourselves short of the play offs.

That squad definitely under achieved the standard of players was unreal. Most still playing now.  

Biggest regret in football 

Probably not winning much. I have nearly always played in good sides which at the start of the season was tipped for promotions etc and always came up short. 

How the squad we had at Farsley didn’t win promotions at the time I will never know. 

Having players like Demps (Matt Dempsey), Dales (Ross Daly), (Ryan Serrant) Snoop, Aiden Savory, Aron Hardy, Lewis Nightingale, Robbie O’Brien, Matty James, Spencer Harris, (Tom Morgan) Morgs, Tommy (Taylor), Paddy Miller, Matty Young, (Adam Priestley) Priest, (Simeon Bambrook) Sim, (Mark Jackson) Jacko, (James Riley) Rilo, (Adam Clayton) Clayts, (Paul Walker) Wakka, that team should of achieved something.

I think 7/8 years ago the standard of football was a lot higher and the leagues were tougher. I  personally think that team now would still be able to compete in the northern prem league.  

Funniest moment in football

I’ve had loads of class moments with football off the pitch such as the end of season Benidorm trips with Farsley which were unreal.

The Bredbury Hall trip with Osset was class . A funny moment that stands out though is I can’t remember where we played but we had all had a few for some reason coach driver got off so (Matt Dempsey) Demps got in driving seat and started driving coach back, leaving driver and all fans on coach not having a clue what was going on 

First semi-professional manager

Neil Parsley. Pars took me to Farsley Celtic I was 18 /19 and I think going there helped my football and the social side of non league a lot as they was some big characters and some big non league names in that side.

To be fair to Pars and Jacko and Sim they used to look after and help the young lads. I think I have been always been up for a night out and they helped with me settling in there. 

I think the dressing room at Farsley was up there with one of the best I’ve been involved in and a lot of credit goes to Pars Jacko and Sim and (Gaz Liversidge) Gasha there and (Gary Stokes) Minty later on in my career there  

Non League Debut 

I think it was a cup game against Garforth Town for Farsley. It was freezing pitch iced over and no chance it should have been on and I came off the bench and I think I was at fault for their winner, not the best start.  

First Red Card in Non League 

I’ve had the odd two bookings. in a game I remember at Ossett, I got booked first half for kicking the ball away and then 2nd yellow in the second half for presuming one of there players was going to foul me so I hit the deck and he was nowhere near me so got second yellow for diving. Also I got a straight red at Osset for kicking out at someone looking back now I would never do that. 

First and Best Non League Goal 

First goal I can’t remember i do remember my first non league hat-trick though with Farsley. Pars played me left mid and everything just went  for me that game. I think it was three decent goals too.

Best goal is definitely the half way line side volley for Brighouse last season, it nearly broke the Internet. Should have retired after that.

What do you want to achieve in football in the future? 

I’m 30 now I feel I can play for quite a few more years in terms of my body holding up and the level I am playing at. I am enjoying my football at the moment, I think I’ll know when it’s time to hang them up. 

Favourite Non League Ground

Darlo and Scarborough was always good for the crowds but we used to play Curzon a few years ago and that was always a carpet of a pitch to play on and good games against them. Stockport’s ground decent too. I think I was suspended for that game though, I used to get a lot of yellows for moaning! 

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