The 29-year-old first came to prominence at Kidderminster Harriers where he progressed from the youth set-up to the fringes of their first team before joining Redditch United for the 2010-11 campaign. The following summer he moved on to Hinckley United before linking up with Stourport Swifts in September 2011 and then later that season returning to Redditch. He joined Halesowen in the autumn of 2012 where he soon made a favourable impression and he went on to make 135 appearances for the Yeltz in his three-and-a-quarter years there.

He moved to Stourbridge in February 2016 and made 21 appearances (17 + 4 sub) during his eight months with the Glassboys, but sometimes found his opportunities limited as we also had Dan Scarr, Jack Duggan and a certain Stuart Pierpoint on the books at or around the same time!

His last appearance in our colours came as a substitute in our away match at Stafford Rangers at the end of September 2016.

After a brief 'loan' stint with Tividale, he left the Glassboys to sign for league rivals Rushall Olympic in October 2016 where he went on to form a strong central defensive partnership with another ex-Glassboy Sam Whittall.

In June 2019 he left the Pics to move to Bromsgrove Sporting before signing for their Worcestershire neighbours Alvechurch FC in December 2019.

Joe's arrival is timely as Lathaniel Rowe-Turner has begun a 5-match ban for his two dismissals and recent signing Kyle Rowley is also about to serve a suspension as he was sent off for Hednesford at the start of this month.

Central midfielder or defensive stand-in TOM SOLANKE has also linked up with National League outfit WEYMOUTH FC on trial and is bidding to land a deal with the Dorset outfit. Tom featured for their U23 side in a 4 - 1 win over their local rivals Dorchester Town last night.

See https://uptheterras.co.uk/2021/12/09/key-moments-weymouth-u23-4-1-dorchester-town-u23/

We wish Tom all the best in his efforts to play at the highest level he can after being released by WBA in the summer. We do though still currently retain his Southern League registration.

photo courtesy of https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/alvechurch/