Joe Sydney Leesley (born 29 March 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger.
He previously played in the Football League for Stevenage and has played for England C, the team that represents the country at non-league level.
Career Leesley was born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. He was on the books of Doncaster Rovers from the age of 10, but was not given a scholarship when he reached 16. He spent his early career with Winterton Rangers, Matlock Town, Alfreton Town, Harrogate Town and Stockport County, moving on loan to Stevenage on 6 January 2020. He made his debut two days later in the EFL Trophy. In November 2020 he moved on loan to Boston United. In June 2021, after Leesley agreed a season loan to Boston United, Harrogate manager Simon Weaver said he would be unlikely to play for his parent club again.
On 1 August 2022, Leesley signed for Boston United on a permanent deal having left Harrogate Town. In October, he joined league rivals Darlington on loan for a month. After an impressive seven-match spell during which he demonstrated versatility and leadership, both he and Darlington wanted to extend the loan, but Boston would only allow him to leave for a fee, which put him out of their reach. Leesley signed for another National North club, Kidderminster Harriers, on 18 November 2022, on a contract to run until the end of the 2023–24 season. After his time with the club was disrupted by injury, he left by mutual consent in February 2024.
On 1 April 2024, Leesley joined National League North club Scunthorpe United on a short-term deal until the end of the season, but made no first-team appearances. He rejoined Darlington on a one-year contract on 24 May 2024, but was unable to establish himself in the first team, and signed on a month's loan for Northern Premier League Premier Division club Worksop Town on 15 November. He remained on loan until 25 March 2025, when his Darlington contract was cancelled by mutual consent, and three days later he joined Worksop Town on a contract to run until the end of the 2025–26 season.
On 28 May 2026, Leesley returned to Northern Premier League Division One East club Matlock Town. He left Matlock on 17 August 2026.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionSeasonClubLeagueFA CupEFL CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAlfreton Town2014–15Conference Premier11000—001102015–16For FA Cup 2nd and 3rd qualifying rounds: match reports linked from For FA Trophy: National League North38220—10412Total49220—10522Harrogate Town2016–17For FA Cup 2nd and 3rd qualifying rounds: match reports linked from For FA Trophy 3rd qualifying round: match reports linked from National League North42542—425092017–18For FA Cup 2nd and 3rd qualifying rounds and FA Trophy 3rd qualifying round: match reports linked from National League North391441—8751222018–19National League35220—304022019–20National League6100—00612020–21League Two0000000000Total122221030015914734Stockport County (loan)2019–20National League10010—00110Stevenage (loan)2019–20League Two80000020100Boston United (loan)2020–21National League North9300—311242021–22For FA Cup 2nd and 3rd qualifying rounds: National League North34332—20395Boston United2022–23For FA Cup 2nd and 3rd qualifying rounds: National League North10030—00130Total53662—51649Darlington (loan)2022–23National League North7100—0071Kidderminster Harriers2022–23National League North131——501812023–24National League14100—00141Total27200—50322Scunthorpe United2023–24National League North00——0000Darlington2024–25For FA Cup 3rd qualifying round: National League North5010—0060Worksop Town (loan)2024–25Northern Premier League Premier Division183——20203Worksop Town2024–25Northern Premier League Premier Division40——20602025–26National League North22010—20250Total443100060513Career total3253621500341038051
Honours Harrogate Town National League play-offs: 2019–20
Kidderminster Harriers National League North play offs: 2019–20
Worksop Town Northern Premier League Premier Division play-offs: 2024–25
References