Joel Byrom
Born: Oswaldtwistle (14/09/1986)
Previous Clubs: Accrington, Clitheroe, Southport, Northwich
Joined: May 2009
Debut: Tamworth (H) drew 1-1 (sent off on debut)
Joel Byrom joined Stevenage in the summer of 2009, leaving relegated Northwich for Graham Westley’s side. Byrom is an England ‘C’ International and is tipped as one for the future by many. He began his career at Blackburn Rovers before being released. He then joined Accrington Stanley, but never made the grade there and was released by John Coleman. After leaving Accrington, Byrom moved into the non-league with a switch to fellow Lancashire side Clitheroe. It was here where Byrom made his name and a big impact. So much so that Southport signed him on non-contract terms until the end of the 2006/07 campaign.
After a short spell at Southport, Byrom went back to Clitheroe, but he was soon off again as he moved into the Conference and to Northwich where he continued to improve and become one of the most feared attackers in the league. He made 49 appearances in his time at the Victoria Stadium, scoring 9 goals.
He was one of the surprise signings in the summer of 2009. When the club announced on the official website that they had agreed a fee with a Conference club for the transfer of a 22 year old midfielder, many believed that Josh Simpson would be joining from Histon. However, Byrom was the man who Boro were referring to and he could be the most exciting of all GW’s summer acquisitions.
Byrom’s Boro career didn’t start well and the midfielder was sent off on his debut against Tamworth. He didn’t set the world alight with his start, but a lot of that was down to his new surroundings. Byrom had moved down to Stevenage from the North and had to also adjust on the pitch as well as off it. The former Northwich man was mainly used by Westley as a centre midfielder where as before he had been used to a wide position or a role just behind the strikers. Slowly he began to show his presence within the side and he finished off the campaign as arguably Boro’s best player in the last month of the season.
Goals against Crawley (from the half-way line), Forest Green and Kidderminster capped off his season. The goal at Aggborough was the one that more or less secured Stevenage’s title win and promotion to the football league.
Contract Details: 15/5/2009-30/6/2011
Squad Number: 13
Links
BoroGuide Profile
Soccerbase Profile
Wikipedia Profile
