Joshua Jordan Dolling (born 29 December 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Spokane Velocity in USL League One.

Josh Dolling
Personal information
Full name Joshua Jordan Dolling[1]
Date of birth (1997-12-29) 29 December 1997 (age 26)
Place of birth Hillingdon, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Spokane Velocity
Number 9
Youth career
0000–2012 Blackburn Rovers
2012–2013 Manchester United
2013–2016 Burnley
2015Trafford (loan)
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2021 Missouri State Bears 82 (40)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2017 Prescot Cables 10 (6)
2022 St. Louis City 2 21 (8)
2023 New Mexico United 14 (0)
2023Las Vegas Lights (loan) 13 (0)
2024– Spokane Velocity 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of January 5, 2024

Career edit

Youth edit

Dolling began playing with the Blackburn Rovers academy, before getting scouted by Manchester United's under-14 team, where he played before getting released in 2013.[2] Dolling subsequently joined Burnley, where he played with the academy team, scoring 24 goals for the Clarets at youth level.[3][4] In 2015, he joined Trafford on a short-term loan deal.[5][6]

In 2016, Dolling signed with Northern Premier League Division One North side Prescot Cables, scoring six goals in ten appearances.[7] Dolling had previously spent time on loan with Prescot Cables whilst with Burnley.[8]

College edit

In 2017, Dolling moved to the United States to play college soccer at Missouri State University. In four full seasons with the Bears and a truncated 2020–21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dolling scored 40 goals and tallied 14 assists in 82 appearances. He earned All-MVC honours in all four seasons with Missouri State, MVC All-Tournament Team in 2019 and 2021, United Soccer Coaches All-American on three occasions, United Soccer Coaches All-Region on four occasions and was on the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List in his senior year.[7]

Following college, Dolling was available in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft, but went unselected.[9]

Professional edit

In early 2022, Dolling signed with MLS Next Pro side St. Louis City SC 2 ahead of their inaugural season.[2][10][11] His contract option was declined by St. Louis following the 2022 season.[12]

On 23 December 2022, it was announced that Dolling would join USL Championship side New Mexico United for their 2023 season.[13] On 20 July 2023, Dolling was loaned to USL Championship side Las Vegas Lights for the remainder of the 2023 season.[14]

Dolling joined Spokane Velocity on 5 January 2024, ahead of the club's inaugural USL League One season.[15]

References edit

  1. ^ "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". www.efl.com.
  2. ^ a b Timmermann, Tom. "City2's Dolling hopes MLS is at the end of his long journey from England". STLtoday.com.
  3. ^ LTDX, Digital Sports Group. "The new lads at Turf Moor". Clarets Mad.
  4. ^ "Youth coach left stunned as Burnley lose shootout to Met Police". Lancashire Telegraph.
  5. ^ "Saturday's Transfer List - The Pitching In Northern Premier League". www.thenpl.co.uk.
  6. ^ LTDX, Digital Sports Group. "Dolling scores first Trafford goal". Clarets Mad.
  7. ^ a b "Josh Dolling - Men's Soccer". Missouri State.
  8. ^ Scholes, Tony (September 25, 2016). "Three former youth players join non-league clubs".
  9. ^ "2021 MLS SuperDraft: List of players eligible for selection | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer.
  10. ^ "Bears Soccer Standouts to Play for St. Louis City Soccer Club". Missouri State.
  11. ^ "Josh Dolling | MLSsoccer.com". mlsnextpro.
  12. ^ SC, St Louis CITY. "St Louis CITY2 Announces End of Year Roster Decisions | St. Louis SC". St. Louis CITY SC.
  13. ^ "NEW MEXICO UNITED ANNOUNCES THE SIGNING OF ENGLISH FORWARD JOSH DOLLING".
  14. ^ USLChampionship com Staff (July 20, 2023). "Lights FC acquires Joshua Dolling on loan from New Mexico". USL Championship.
  15. ^ "Spokane Velocity FC Signs Five Players". SpokaneVelocity.com. Spokane Velocity. Retrieved 5 January 2024.

External links edit