Reece Staunton

Reece Staunton
Staunton with Bradford City in 2021
Personal information
Full name Reece Joseph Staunton[1]
Date of birth (2001-12-10) 10 December 2001
Place of birth Bradford, England
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Positions
Team information
Current team
 Grimsby Town
Number 16
Youth career
–2017 Bradford City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2022 Bradford City 10 (1)
2019 → Ossett United (loan) 3 (0)
2019–2020 → Bradford (Park Avenue) (loan) 6 (0)
2021 → Bradford (Park Avenue) (loan) 4 (0)
2022–2023 Bradford (Park Avenue) 35 (0)
2023–2025 Spennymoor Town 84 (2)
2025– Grimsby Town 38 (0)
International career
Republic of Ireland U18
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20:54, 15 May 2026 (UTC)

Reece Joseph Staunton (born 10 December 2001) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender or defensive midfielder for EFL League Two side Grimsby Town.

Born in England, he represents Ireland at youth international level.

Early and personal life

Staunton attended Bradford Academy.[3]

Club career

Bradford City

He made his senior debut for Bradford City on 7 November 2017, at the age of 15 years 332 days, becoming the club's youngest ever player.[4][5][6] He signed a two-year academy scholarship with the club in September 2017, having first joined at under-12 level.[7]

He made his first appearance of the 2018–19 season in a 4–1 home defeat in the EFL Trophy on 9 October 2018.[8] He was praised by manager David Hopkin for his performance in the match.[9]

In August 2019 he moved on loan to Ossett United.[10] He returned to Bradford City on 23 September 2019.[11] He made his first City appearance of the 2019–20 season a few days later, in the EFL Trophy.[12][13]

In November 2019 he moved on loan to Bradford (Park Avenue).[14] The loan was extended in December 2019 for a further month, with Park Avenue manager Mark Bower praising Staunton.[15] Later that month he turned professional with Bradford City, signing a contract until the end of the 2021–22 season.[16] On 8 January 2020 the loan deal was ended early.[17]

At the end of the 2019–20 season he was praised by new City manager Stuart McCall, who said Staunton was one of potentially four youngsters who would join the first-team for the 2020–21 season.[18] Staunton was praised by club captain Richard O'Donnell after an impressive performance on the opening day of the 2020–21 season.[19] In September 2020 he signed a new four-year contract with the club.[20] Later that month he suffered an ankle injury,[21] missing matches before being back in first-team contention towards the end of October.[22]

In November 2020 he was one of a number of young Bradford City players playing in the first team who were praised by manager Stuart McCall.[23] Later that month Staunton spoke about how his first-team run was improving his skills.[3] On 30 November he was ruled out for 3 months due following a hamstring injury sustained in a match the week before.[24] By March 2021 he was still continuing his recovery from the injury.[25]

In July 2021, ahead of the start of the 2021–22 season, Staunton's teammate Niall Canavan told him to remain positive as he continued his rehabilitation from injury.[26]

He was made available for loan to National League clubs in September 2021.[27] He moved on loan to Bradford (Park Avenue) in November 2021.[28] After returning from his loan in late 2021, he was made available for loan again in January 2022.[29] The next month, following the departure of club captain and fellow defender Canavan, Staunton was challenged by manager Derek Adams to "push forward" and challenge for a first-team spot.[30]

Bradford (Park Avenue)

In August 2022 he moved to Bradford (Park Avenue) for an undisclosed transfer fee, his third spell with the club.[31]

Spennymoor Town

On 8 June 2023, Staunton signed for National League North side Spennymoor Town.[32] At the end of the 2023–24 season, he won the Supporters' Player and Players' Player of the Year awards.[33] The following season, he won the Players' Player of the Year award again; sharing the award with Glen Taylor.[34]

Grimsby Town

On 19 June 2025, it was announced that Staunton had signed for League Two side Grimsby Town on a two-year deal.[35][36] The transfer saw Staunton return to the English Football League following an "impressive" season with Spennymoor.[37]

Staunton signed a new three-year deal on 5 August 2026 extending his stay until the summer of 2029.[38]

International career

In November 2018 he was called up by the Republic of Ireland under-18 team,[39] having first been involved with the national team set-up since the previous year.[40]

Style of play

Speaking in May 2020, Bradford City manager Stuart McCall described Staunton by saying "he's adaptable because he can play left back, left centre half in a three and can sit in front of the back four. He's got a really good passing range".[18]

Career statistics

As of match played 15 May 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bradford City 2017–18[41] League One 1000001[a]020
2018–19[8] League One 0000001[a]010
2019–20[13] League Two 0000001[a]010
2020–21[42] League Two 8110203[a]0141
2021–22[43] League Two 1000002[a]030
Total 101102080211
Ossett United (loan) 2019–20[44] Northern Premier League Division One North West 3000000030
Bradford (Park Avenue) (loan) 2019–20[2] National League North 6000000060
Bradford (Park Avenue) (loan) 2021–22[2] National League North 4000001[b]050
Bradford (Park Avenue) 2022–23[2] National League North 35000001[b]0360
Spennymoor Town 2023–24[2] National League North 42200001[b]0432
2024–25[2] National League North 42010002[b]0450
Total 842100030882
Grimsby Town 2025–26[2] League Two 38030305[c]2492
Career total 180350501822085
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Appearance(s) in the FA Trophy.
  3. ↑ Three appearances and one goal in the EFL Trophy, two appearances and one goal in the play-offs

Honours

Spennymoor Town

Individual

  • Spennymoor Town Supporters' Player of the Year: 2023–24[33]
  • Spennymoor Town Players' Player of the Year: 2023–24;[33] 2024–25[34]

References

  1. ↑ "Notification of shirt numbers: Bradford City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 11. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Reece Staunton at Soccerway. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Bradford City's rising rookie Staunton coming of age under McCall". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  4. ↑ Simon Parker (8 November 2017). "No pressure on young Bradford City record-breaker Reece Staunton". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  5. ↑ Simon Parker (8 November 2017). "Teenager Reece Staunton adds name to Bradford City record books". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  6. ↑ "Bradford City 0 Rotherham United 3: Night to remember for Staunton, 15, but record low for City". Yorkshire Post. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  7. ↑ "YOUNG PROSPECT HANDED NEW CLUB DEAL". Bradford City A.F.C. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  8. 1 2 "Games played by Reece Staunton in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  9. ↑ Simon Parker (10 October 2018). "Hopkin impressed with teenage duo in Bantams loss". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  10. ↑ "STAUNTON TO CONTINUE OSSETT LOAN SPELL". www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
  11. ↑ City, Bradford [@officialbantams] (23 September 2019). "NEWS | @reece_staunton has returned to the club, following a successful work experience spell with @OssettUnited. / #BCAFC | #OurCitypic.twitter.com/oMTb6W8lxK" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ↑ "Local loans pay off for Bradford City youngsters". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  13. 1 2 "Games played by Reece Staunton in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  14. ↑ "Bradford (Park Avenue) loan in Bantams youngster". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  15. ↑ "Bantams boy Reece is showing pieces of quality for Avenue". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  16. ↑ "Bantams starlet signs professional contract". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  17. ↑ "City recall youngster early from Avenue loan". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  18. 1 2 "Staunton seen as one for Bradford City future". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  19. ↑ "Bantams young guns earn shot as Liverpool beckon in cup". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  20. ↑ "New contract for Bradford City rising star Staunton". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  21. ↑ "Staunton injury leaves Bantams facing defensive crisis". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  22. ↑ "Fit-again Staunton back in the mix for Bradford City". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  23. ↑ "McCall insists age is irrelevant as young guns look to help City turn a corner". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  24. ↑ "New blow for Bradford City as expected length of Staunton's absence revealed". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  25. ↑ "Bradford City refusing to rush back injured youngsters". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
  26. ↑ ""Think positive": Advice for Bradford City starlet Staunton after long-awaited comeback". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  27. ↑ "Why time away from Bradford City can help young trio develop". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  28. ↑ "Staunton swaps Bantams for Park Avenue as second young player to go out on loan". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  29. ↑ "Adams on Bradford City's plans for Staunton and Scales as Sikora departs". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  30. ↑ "Adams earmarks Staunton for long-term role in City defence". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  31. ↑ "Staunton quits Valley Parade to make permanent move to Bradford (Park Avenue)". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  32. ↑ "Reece Staunton Signs For Spennymoor". Spennymoor Town. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  33. 1 2 3 "Staunton Proud After Triple Award Joy". Spennymoor Town. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  34. 1 2 "Winners Revealed In Moors' 2024/25 Awards". Spennymoor Town. 27 April 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  35. ↑ "STAUNTON SIGNS - Grimsby Town Football Club". 19 June 2025. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  36. ↑ "Reece Staunton: Grimsby Town sign defender from Spennymoor". BBC Sport. 19 June 2025.
  37. ↑ "Former City starlet Staunton earns second crack at EFL". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 20 June 2025.
  38. ↑ "Reece Staunton Signs New Three-Year Deal - Grimsby Town Football Club". 5 August 2026. Retrieved 5 August 2026.
  39. ↑ Simon Parker (13 November 2018). "Bradford City: Devine's chance to impress Hopkin". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  40. ↑ "YOUNG BANTAMS ENJOY INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT". Bradford City A.F.C. 9 December 2018. Archived from the original on 1 September 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  41. ↑ "Games played by Reece Staunton in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
  42. ↑ "Games played by Reece Staunton in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  43. ↑ "Games played by Reece Staunton in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  44. ↑ "Ossett United | Appearances | Reece Staunton | 2019-2020 | Football Web Pages". www.footballwebpages.co.uk.
  45. ↑ "Aldershot Town 3–0 Spennymoor Town". BBC Sport. 11 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
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