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James Belshaw
James Belshaw
from Wikipedia

James Michael Belshaw (born 12 October 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Notts County.

Key Information

Career

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Youth and college

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Belshaw attended The Becket School in West Bridgford, where he captained the team to the Notts Schools Cup title in 2009.[3] He also had spells with Notts County,[4][5] Heanor Town[6] and Walsall.[7]

In 2009, Belshaw rejected a one-year professional contract with Walsall,[8] and instead moved to the United States to play college soccer at Duke University. He made 78 appearances for the Blue Devils between 2009 and 2012. During his time at Duke, Belshaw won accolades such as 2012 NSCAA All-America third team, was a two-time All-ACC first team selection, a three-time All-ACC choice, earning second team honors in 2010 and earned NSCAA All-South Region honors all four seasons.[2]

Return to England

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On 22 January 2013, Belshaw was selected 49th overall in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft by Chicago Fire.[9] Belshaw was offered a contract by Chicago, but as a backup goalkeeper, so instead opted to search for first-team football back in his native England.[10]

In April 2013, Belshaw had trials with his former team Walsall,[11] as well as Everton, Notts County and Coventry City.[12]

On 31 July 2013, Belshaw signed with National League club Nuneaton Borough.[13] Following one season with Nuneaton, Belshaw moved to National League North side Tamworth where he played for three seasons.[14]

Harrogate Town

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In 2017, Belshaw moved to Harrogate Town on a two-year contract,[15] where he remained first choice goalkeeper for the club. He was part of the Harrogate team that won promotion to the National League for the first time in the club's history after defeating Brackley Town in the 2018 National League North play-off final.[16] After signing a deal to keep him at the club until 2023 in January 2020,[17] Belshaw helped guide them to the Football League for the first time via the play-offs in 2020.[18]

Bristol Rovers

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On 23 July 2021, Belshaw joined recently relegated fellow League Two side Bristol Rovers for an undisclosed fee on a two-year deal.[19][20] Belshaw's debut came for the club came on 10 August, in a 2–0 EFL Cup defeat to Cheltenham Town.[21] Having been a key part of Rovers' rise up the table from eighteenth on New Years Day to a promotion battle, keeping ten clean sheets in his previous fifteen appearances and becoming a firm fan favourite, Belshaw signed a new deal with the club in March 2022, keeping him at the club until June 2024.[22] In May 2022, Belshaw was awarded the PFA Community Champion award by the Bristol Rovers Community Trust for his work with the Community Trust across the course of the season including becoming the health ambassador and supporting mental health schemes.[23] With the club having achieved promotion on the final day of the season in dramatic fashion, a 7–0 victory taking the club into the final automatic promotion spot at Northampton Town's expense on goals scored,[24] Belshaw was awarded the Bristol Rovers Player of the Year Award at the end of season awards evening having kept seventeen clean sheets across the season.[25]

Following a 4–3 home defeat to Exeter City in December 2022, manager Joey Barton attributed the blame for all four goals at the door of Belshaw.[26] During the January transfer window, Rovers signed Ellery Balcombe on loan from Brentford, a clause in the loan deal stating that he had to start the first three matches of his spell in order to avoid a fee.[27] Following this three game spell, Balcombe was again selected for a home match against Ipswich Town, in which he kept a first clean sheet for the club, with Belshaw omitted from the first-team squad. Barton revealed prior to the match that with the team having been released, Belshaw's attitude in training had dropped significantly with a warning that he may never play for the club again unless things were to change.[28] His response to the situation however was sufficient for the manager and he returned to consideration.[29] He returned to the starting line-up the following week, keeping a clean sheet in a 3–0 victory away at Oxford United.[30]

The signings of goalkeepers Matthew Cox and Matthew Hall in July 2023 cast doubt upon the long-term future of Belshaw at the football club, the previous season's dispute with Barton being brought once again to the limelight.[31] Having failed to make the previous two matchday squads, it was revealed that both he and his agent had asked for transfers away from the club and he would therefore no longer be considered for selection and available for transfer.[32] With a move having failed to materialise before the transfer deadline, he made his first-team return in a 4–1 EFL Trophy victory over Cheltenham Town.[33]

On 30 September 2023, he joined League Two club Forest Green Rovers on a seven-day emergency loan.[34] He was awarded the Player of the Month award for October 2023.[35] He announced on 14 December 2023 that he was leaving the club upon the expiration of what was referred to by the club as "the longest emergency loan ever".[36] On 15 December 2023, he returned to former club Harrogate Town on a seven-day emergency loan deal.[37]

Return to Harrogate Town

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On 11 January 2024, Belshaw's permanent return to Harrogate Town was confirmed, joining for an undisclosed fee.[38] He was nominated for the EFL League Two Player of the Month award for March 2024 having kept three clean sheets in six matches.[39]

In March 2025, the club triggered an extension clause in Belshaw's contract to keep him at the club for the upcoming season.[40]

Notts County

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On 13 January 2026, Belshaw signed for boyhood club Notts County for an undisclosed fee, signing an 18-month deal.[41]

Career statistics

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As of 13 January 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Harrogate Town 2017–18 National League North 41 0 4 0 6[a] 0 51 0
2018–19[42] National League 45 0 2 0 4[b] 0 51 0
2019–20[43] National League 37 0 2 0 2[c] 0 41 0
2020–21[44] League Two 38 0 1 0 0 0 1[d] 0 40 0
Bristol Rovers 2021–22[45] League Two 42 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 47 0
2022–23[46] League One 38 0 2 0 1 0 1[d] 0 42 0
2023–24[47] League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 2[d] 0 2 0
Total 80 0 6 0 2 0 3 0 91 0
Forest Green Rovers (loan) 2023–24[47] League Two 10 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
Harrogate Town (loan) 2023–24[47] League Two 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Harrogate Town 2023–24[47] League Two 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0
2024–25[48] League Two 45 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 50 0
2025–26[49] League Two 22 0 0 0 0 0 2[d] 0 24 0
Harrogate Town total 254 0 12 0 2 0 15 0 283 0
Career total 344 0 20 0 4 0 18 0 386 0
  1. ^ 4 appearances in FA Trophy, two appearances in National League North play-offs
  2. ^ 3 appearances in FA Trophy, one appearance in National League play-offs
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in National League play-offs
  4. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Personal life

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Belshaw has supported Notts County since childhood.[4]

Belshaw is "good friends" with professional basketball player Mason Plumlee, who plays for NBA side Charlotte Hornets.[10]

Belshaw holds two degrees from Duke University in both History and Business Markets and Management.[50]

Honours

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
James Belshaw is an English professional footballer who plays as a for EFL League Two club Town. Born on 12 October 1990 in , , he stands at 6 feet 3 inches tall and has built a career marked by perseverance, academic achievement, and success in lower-tier English football. Belshaw's early football involvement included time in the youth academies of Notts County and Walsall, where he helped Walsall reach the fourth round of the FA Cup before their defeat to Chelsea. In 2009, he rejected a professional contract offer from Walsall to pursue higher education in the United States, attending Duke University from 2008 to 2012, where he started as goalkeeper for four years and was recognized as one of the top college goalkeepers in the country. There, he earned two degrees—one in history, with a thesis on SS guards in Nazi concentration camps during World War II, and another in business markets and management—while achieving top academic marks, including 10 A*s and 2 As at GCSE and 3 As at A-level back in England. Despite being drafted by Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire in 2013, Belshaw declined the opportunity due to financial concerns and returned to England to play non-league football. Belshaw's professional breakthrough came later in his career; he joined Harrogate Town in 2017 and made his Football League debut at age 29 in 2020, playing a key role in their promotion to League Two via a National League playoff final victory over Notts County at . After helping Harrogate consolidate in the league, he transferred to Rovers in July 2021, where he was instrumental in their 2022 promotion to League One, earning the club's Player of the Season award and featuring in 38 matches during their subsequent League One campaign. In 2023, he was loaned to Forest Green Rovers before returning to Town on a permanent basis in January 2024, signing a contract until June 2026 with an extension in April 2025. Outside of playing, Belshaw holds a B coaching license and directs the Elite Soccer academy in partnership with Forest.

Early life and education

Early life

James Belshaw was born on 12 October 1990 in , . He grew up in the Clifton area of the city. Belshaw attended The Becket School in nearby , , where he demonstrated early leadership in sports by captaining the school football team to victory in the South Notts Schools Cup in 2009. He also guided the team to the Nottingham Schools County Cup final that year, showcasing his developing skills as a . Beyond football, Belshaw's early years were marked by strong academic influences, achieving 10 A*s and two As at GCSE level and three As at A-level, reflecting a keen interest in subjects like history and biomedical sciences. These pursuits shaped his non-sporting development in Nottingham, where he considered paths such as medical school before fully committing to football.

Youth career

Belshaw's involvement in organized youth football began at a young age with the Notts County centre of excellence, where he trained as a promising until the program was disbanded. Following the closure of Notts County's youth setup, Belshaw joined Heanor Town on youth terms in the summer of 2006, playing in local and Sunday league matches. His performances earned him the Heanor Town FC Young Player of the Year award in 2008, recognizing his development and consistency between the posts. In 2009, Belshaw moved to Walsall's academy, spending much of the season training with the club and even sitting on the bench for League One matches without making a first-team appearance. At the end of the campaign, Walsall offered him a one-year professional contract, but Belshaw rejected it to pursue higher education and soccer at in the United States, prioritizing a balanced path that combined athletic and academic growth.

College career

Belshaw attended in , from 2009 to 2012, where he pursued dual degrees in and business markets and management studies. For his degree, he wrote a thesis on SS guards in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. As a major, he maintained a 3.5 GPA and earned recognition on the All-ACC Academic Team for his academic performance. During his four-year tenure with the team, Belshaw appeared in 77 matches as a , starting all of them and recording 21 career shutouts, which ranks third in program history. He served as a two-year team captain and was instrumental in the team's defensive efforts, including eight shutouts in his senior season of , tying for eighth in Duke's single-season records. That year, Belshaw earned All-ACC first-team honors, NSCAA All-South Region first-team selection, and a spot on the NSCAA All-America third team for his standout play. Following his college career, Belshaw was selected 49th overall in the third round of the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft by the Chicago Fire. Despite the opportunity, he chose to decline a contract offer and return to to pursue professional soccer closer to home.

Professional career

Early professional career

Upon returning from his college career at in the United States, James Belshaw signed a professional contract with National League club Nuneaton Town in July 2013. The 22-year-old goalkeeper, who had previously trained with and trialed at Chicago Fire in , joined the club after impressing in pre-season friendlies and bringing experience from representing at the World University Games. During the 2013–2014 season, Belshaw established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper for Nuneaton Town in the Conference Premier, making 31 appearances across league and cup competitions. His performances provided stability in goal for a side that finished 17th in the table, avoiding relegation while adapting to the demands of full-time professional football in England's fifth tier. In July 2014, Belshaw transferred to National League North club Tamworth on a free transfer, where he became a regular starter over the next three seasons. Accumulating 117 appearances between 2014 and 2017, he played a pivotal role in the team's defensive efforts, earning recognition as a fan favourite for his consistent shot-stopping and command of the penalty area during competitive matches in the sixth tier. Belshaw's reliability helped Tamworth maintain mid-table stability, including notable displays in fixtures against promotion-chasing sides where his saves proved crucial to earning points.

Harrogate Town (first spell)

Belshaw joined Harrogate Town in July 2017 from National League North side Tamworth on an initial two-year contract, becoming the club's first-choice goalkeeper as they transitioned to full-time professional status. His reliability between the posts provided a solid foundation for the team during a period of rapid progression in the non-league pyramid. In the 2017–18 season, Belshaw played a pivotal role in Harrogate's promotion to the National League, the highest level of non-league football, via the play-offs; he made crucial interventions, including a full-length save and a block on Aaron Williams, during the 3–0 victory over Brackley Town in the final at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground. The following campaigns saw him extend his contract and continue as the mainstay, contributing to the club's competitive standing in the National League with consistent performances that underscored his shot-stopping and distribution skills. Belshaw's tenure reached its zenith in the curtailed 2019–20 season, where he started in the National League play-off final against Notts County at , helping secure a 3–1 win that propelled into for the first time in their history. He was also part of the squad that claimed the 2020 , defeating Concord Rangers 1–0 in the final played in May 2021, though he remained an unused substitute in that match. Over his four seasons with the club, Belshaw made 184 appearances across all competitions.

Bristol Rovers

James Belshaw joined Rovers on 23 July 2021, signing a two-year contract after departing Town. He quickly established himself as the first-choice , making 89 appearances across three seasons in League Two and League One. During the 2021–22 season, Belshaw played a pivotal role in Rovers' promotion to League One, featuring in 42 league matches as the team finished as runners-up in League Two. His consistent performances, including 16 clean sheets, were instrumental in the club's successful campaign under manager . In September 2023, Belshaw was loaned to Forest Green Rovers on an initial seven-day emergency deal following an injury to their goalkeeper, which was later extended; he made 10 appearances in League Two during the spell. Later that year, in December 2023, he returned to former club Harrogate Town on a brief emergency loan, appearing in six matches amid their goalkeeping issues. Belshaw was released by Bristol Rovers at the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, bringing an end to his tenure at the Memorial Stadium.

Return to Harrogate Town

On 11 January 2024, James Belshaw rejoined Harrogate Town on a permanent basis from Rovers for an undisclosed fee, signing an 18-month contract. This move marked his return to the club where he had previously thrived, building on his prior familiarity from an earlier spell and a short loan in late 2023. By August 2024, Belshaw had made 55 appearances across all competitions during this second stint, establishing himself as the first-choice goalkeeper in . Belshaw's performances have been pivotal, with notable key saves underscoring his importance to the team's defensive efforts. For instance, in December 2024, he saved a last-minute penalty to secure a 1-1 draw against Fleetwood Town, a moment he attributed to backing a "hunch" on the penalty direction. Earlier that year, in October 2024, he produced an incredible stop during a match that highlighted his shot-stopping ability. These interventions have helped Harrogate Town maintain competitiveness in the league. In 2025, an appearance-related clause in Belshaw's contract was triggered, extending his stay with the club until the end of the 2025–26 season. This development, announced on 10 April, reflected his consistent contributions and commitment to Harrogate Town amid interest from other Football League clubs. As of 2025, Belshaw continues to serve as the primary , anchoring the side in League Two.

Personal life and community work

Personal life

Belshaw has been a lifelong supporter of his boyhood club Notts County, having grown up attending matches with his family and spending nine years in their academy system before its closure. Despite this allegiance, he has professionally faced the club on multiple occasions, including in the . During his time at , Belshaw formed a close friendship with fellow student-athlete , who later became an NBA player for teams including the and Charlotte Hornets. The two bonded over their shared dedication to sports in Duke's competitive environment, with Belshaw introducing Plumlee to following Notts County. Following the start of his professional career in , Belshaw established his family life in the UK, currently residing in near Town's base. He is married and has a young named Isla, with whom he spends holidays reading books on topics like African footballers.

Community involvement

During his time at Bristol Rovers, James Belshaw served as a health ambassador for the Bristol Rovers Trust, volunteering to support provisions and engaging directly with young supporters through various outreach initiatives. His efforts included participating in events, where he shared personal insights to promote awareness and provide encouragement to participants. Belshaw also contributed to the 'Rebound The Rovers' project, joining panel discussions with professionals and former players, and helping raise funds for local charities in the area. These activities underscored his commitment to community welfare, earning him the PFA Community Champion Award for the 2021–22 season, presented on April 30, 2022, in recognition of his professionalism and impact on health-related programs. He received the award again for the 2022–23 season, highlighting sustained involvement in fan engagement and charitable causes. Upon returning to Harrogate Town in 2024, Belshaw continued his community efforts by providing coaching expertise to young players in the club's Player Development Centre, which supports nearly 300 boys and girls aged U9 to U16 across local venues, focusing on talent nurturing and fostering enthusiasm for football. This role aligns with broader club initiatives in youth development and community engagement, where he has helped deliver high-quality sessions to promote skill-building and inclusivity in the . Throughout his EFL career, Belshaw has prioritized such programs to connect with supporters and address social issues like mental well-being, demonstrating a consistent dedication to off-field impact.

Career statistics and honours

Career statistics

James Belshaw's career statistics highlight his progression from to professional football in the English non-league and Football League systems. During his four seasons at from 2009 to 2012, he made 80 appearances as the starting goalkeeper, conceding 124 goals while recording 21 clean sheets, contributing to a career of 1.32. In his professional career, Belshaw has amassed over 520 appearances across all competitions, with notable contributions in clean sheets and league play. The table below summarizes his aggregate statistics by club, including league, cup, and play-off appearances.
ClubYearsAppearancesGoals ConcededClean Sheets
Nuneaton Town2013–1434Not availableNot available
Tamworth2014–1712015928
2017–21158Not availableNot available
Bristol Rovers2021–239111926
2023–2410172
2023–present87Not availableNot available
Sources for club totals: Nuneaton appearances from Aylesbury United Archive; Tamworth, Rovers, and totals from ; from FBref. A season-by-season breakdown of his league appearances (focusing on domestic league matches, excluding cups and play-offs unless specified) is provided below, with goals conceded and clean sheets where available. Early non-league seasons emphasize total appearances due to limited granular data.
SeasonClubLeague AppearancesGoals ConcededClean Sheets
2013–14Nuneaton Town31Not availableNot available
2014–15Tamworth45Not availableNot available
2015–16Tamworth42Not availableNot available
2016–17Tamworth33Not availableNot available
2017–18Harrogate Town43Not availableNot available
2018–19Harrogate Town456012
2019–20Harrogate Town37Not available14
2020–21Harrogate Town384611
2021–22Bristol Rovers424217
2022–23Bristol Rovers38598
2023–24 Rovers (loan)10172
2023–24Harrogate Town26407
2024–25Harrogate Town455811
2025–26*Harrogate Town14214
*As of November 17, 2025. Sources: Early seasons from Playmakerstats and ; 2018–19 onward from FBref and FootyStats. League appearances include /South where applicable. Belshaw's career totals across all competitions stand at approximately 620 appearances (including ), with over 300 goals conceded and 150 clean sheets in play alone. Notable milestones include recording 17 clean sheets in the 2021–22 League Two season with Rovers, aiding their promotion via the play-offs, and achieving 14 clean sheets in the abbreviated season with Town.

Club Honours

James Belshaw contributed to Town's promotion from the via the play-offs in 2018, where he played in the 3–0 final victory over Brackley Town. He was also the starting in the , helping secure a 3–1 win against Notts County to earn promotion to the EFL. Additionally, Belshaw was an unused substitute in Town's 1–0 victory over Concord Rangers in the 2020–21 final, claiming the club's first major trophy. During his time at Rovers, he played a key role in their third-place finish in League Two during the 2021–22 season, securing automatic promotion to League One.

Individual Awards

Belshaw was named Bristol Rovers' Player of the Year for the 2021–22 season, recognizing his 17 clean sheets in 42 appearances during the promotion campaign. In May 2022, Belshaw was awarded the PFA Community Champion award by the Bristol Rovers Community Trust for his work with the Community Trust across the course of the season. On loan at Rovers, he won the club's Player of the Month award for October 2023 after a series of strong performances, including five saves in a key match. He received a nomination for the Player of the Month in March 2024, following three clean sheets in six games for Town. In September 2025, Belshaw earned another nomination for the Player of the Month while with Town.

References

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