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Joel Byrom

Joel Alan Byrom is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Byrom is a scout for EFL Championship club Portsmouth.

Early life
Byrom was born in Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire. ==Club career==
Club career
Early career Byrom began his career at the Blackburn Rovers centre of excellence at the age of 14 after being scouted while playing for local junior team Oswaldtwistle United. He captained the club's under-17 team and progressed to the reserve team after playing regularly in the 2004 FA Youth Cup. Released in 2006 without making a first-team appearance, he signed a six-month contract with League Two club Accrington Stanley ahead of the 2006–07 season following a self-arranged trial. His grandfather, Ray Byrom, played for the club under its previous incarnation during the 1950s. Limited to two appearances, he was released on 12 January 2007, later stating the lack of playing time led him to consider leaving professional football. Following his release from Accrington, Byrom joined Northern Premier League First Division club Clitheroe on a short-term contract in January 2007. He finished the 2006–07 season as the club's top goalscorer with 11 league goals, including a hat-trick against Kidsgrove Athletic on 12 March 2007. After his contract expired, he signed with Conference North club Southport on non-contract terms for the 2007–08 season, scoring twice in two appearances. Although offered a contract by Southport, Byrom returned to Clitheroe in August 2007 on a two-year deal. He credited the club with revitalising his career, while Clitheroe chairman Carl Garner stated: "It is one of the biggest signings the club has made. He's a special player and a special talent". He made his final appearance for Clitheroe in a 3–3 draw with local rivals Rossendale United, captaining the team for the first time. Northwich Victoria Byrom signed for Conference Premier club Northwich Victoria on a free transfer on 3 January 2008. He made his debut in a 2–1 defeat against Aldershot Town at Victoria Stadium, scoring Northwich's goal. He scored in a 2–1 away victory at Stevenage Borough on 22 April 2008, a result that secured the club's Conference Premier status for the following season. He finished the 2007–08 season with 21 appearances and five goals from midfield. Following a 4–1 defeat to Eastbourne Borough in December 2008, Byrom underwent a hernia operation that kept him out of the first team for ten weeks. He returned in February 2009 and played regularly for the remainder of the season, recording his second career hat-trick in a 4–2 victory against Rushden & Diamonds on 28 March 2009. Despite winning their final six matches, Northwich were relegated from the Conference Premier in April 2009. During his time at Northwich, he made 52 appearances and scored nine goals. He made his debut in a 1–1 draw at home to Tamworth in the opening game of the 2009–10 season, a match in which he was sent off in the 90th minute for a second bookable offence. He scored his first goal for the club on his return to the first team in a 3–0 victory against Ebbsfleet United on 18 August 2009, and also scored from just inside Crawley Town's half in a 3–0 win on 27 March 2010. Byrom scored the second goal in a 2–0 victory against Kidderminster Harriers on 17 April 2010, a match that secured Stevenage's promotion to the Football League for the first time in the club's history. He finished the season with 46 appearances and five goals in all competitions. After playing the entirety of a 1–0 defeat to Cheltenham Town on 11 September 2010, he suffered a series of injuries that kept him out of the first team for five months. He returned on 8 February 2011, coming on as an 89th-minute substitute in a 3–0 defeat at Bury. Byrom scored his first goal of the season in Stevenage's 2–0 home victory against former club Accrington in the League Two play-off semi-final first leg, reaching the ball ahead of goalkeeper Alex Cisak to double the lead. He started in the final, a 1–0 victory against Torquay United at Old Trafford, securing back-to-back promotions to League One. Byrom made 12 appearances during the season, scoring once. Byrom scored his first goal of the 2011–12 season in Stevenage's 6–1 away victory against Colchester United on 26 December 2011. He scored in the club's fifth round FA Cup tie away at Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur on 8 March 2012, converting a penalty to give Stevenage the lead in an eventual 3–1 defeat. He added two further goals late in the season: in a 2–2 draw at Sheffield United and in a 3–0 victory over Bury on the final day of the regular season, helping Stevenage secure sixth place and a place in the play-offs. He made 40 appearances during the season, scoring five goals. Despite playing regularly under new manager Gary Smith, Byrom declined the offer of a contract extension and left the club on 25 May 2012. During his three-year spell at Stevenage, he made 98 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 goals. He made his competitive debut in a 2–1 away victory over Bury on 8 September 2012, coming on as a second-half substitute. Byrom scored his first goal in his third appearance for the club, opening the scoring in a 5–0 win against Hartlepool United at Deepdale on 18 September 2012. He finished the season with 27 appearances, 11 of which as a substitute, and scored three goals. Byrom remained at Preston for the start of the 2013–14 season, making his first appearance as an 82nd-minute substitute and scoring five minutes later in a 4–4 draw away at Coventry City on 25 August 2013. Byrom was a mainstay in Northampton's midfield during the loan spell, making 23 appearances, and the move was made permanent on 8 January 2015 following the termination of his Preston contract by mutual consent. He debuted for Farsley in the club's 2–1 defeat to Spennymoor Town on 6 October 2020 He recovered from the injury, but the 2020–21 National League North season was curtailed in February 2021 owing to COVID-19 restrictions. He made 16 appearances before announcing his retirement from playing on 12 September 2022. Byrom briefly came out of retirement for Clitheroe's final regular season match of the 2022–23 season, scoring in a 3–1 defeat to Kidsgrove Athletic. Following his retirement, Byrom began working as a scout for EFL Championship club Portsmouth, managed by former teammate John Mousinho. ==International career==
International career
Byrom was called up to the England C team, who represent England at non-League level, in May 2009 for the International Challenge Trophy final against Belgium under-21s. He started the match, which England lost 1–0 at the Kassam Stadium. ==Style of play==
Style of play
Byrom played as a central midfielder. Left-footed, the left side was not his natural position, and he was rarely used as a winger. He was described as a skilful and technically gifted player, noted for his ability to pass effectively, create chances, and contribute goals. Managers and coaches praised his creativity, vision, and capacity to unlock defences, while also highlighting his ability to score from long range. ==Career statistics==
Honours
StevenageFootball League Two play-offs: 2011Conference Premier: 2009–10FA Trophy runner-up: 2009–10{{cite news Northampton TownFootball League Two: 2015–16 ==References==
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