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Josh Ruffels
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Joshua Andrew Bernard Ruffels (born 23 October 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left-back for EFL League Two club Shrewsbury Town.
Key Information
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Early life
[edit]Career
[edit]Coventry City
[edit]Ruffels made his first-team debut for Coventry City as a substitute on 16 August 2011 in a 2–1 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Championship, coming on to replace injured Gary McSheffrey after 18 minutes.[6][7] He was released by Coventry at the end of the 2012–13 season.[8]
Oxford United
[edit]
Oxford United signed Ruffels on a free transfer on 30 July 2013.[9] He made his debut as a substitute in a 3–1 league win over Torquay United on 17 August 2013[10] and his first starting appearance in a 2–1 home defeat to Portsmouth in the Football League Trophy on 8 October 2013.[11] He scored his first senior goal in a 1–1 League Two draw versus Bury on 4 February 2014.[12] On 17 April 2014, Ruffels signed a new contract keeping him at the club for a further two years.[13] Nine days later, he was voted 'Young Player of the Year' after he established himself in the first team in his first full season for the club.[14] On 20 October 2017, Ruffles agreed a new contract keeping him at Oxford until the end of the 2019–20 season, with an additional one-year option available.[15] Ruffels won the Supporters' Player of the Year Award for the 2018–19 season.[16] Signed as a midfielder, he now plays at left back.[17]
Huddersfield Town
[edit]Ruffels agreed to join EFL Championship club Huddersfield Town on 1 July 2021.[18] After contracting COVID-19 just as the season was about to commence in August 2021, Ruffels had to miss a lot of the early part of the season, but he finally made his Terriers debut as a substitute in their 3–2 win over Blackburn Rovers on 28 September 2021, where he also became the 1,000th player to play for Huddersfield Town.[19]
He scored his first goals for Huddersfield when he scored twice in a 2–1 win at Queens Park Rangers on 8 November 2022.[20]
He was released by the club at the end of the 2024–25 season.[21]
Shrewsbury Town
[edit]Following his release from Huddersfield, Ruffles joined League Two side Shrewsbury Town in October 2025,[22] reuniting with manager Michael Appleton, after their spell together at Oxford United. He made his debut for the club on 18 October 2025, in a 1–0 win against Crawley Town.[23] He scored his first goal for the club on 8 November 2025, in a 3–1 defeat to Crewe Alexandra.[24]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of match played 20 December 2025
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Coventry City | 2010–11[25] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
| 2011–12[26] | Championship | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2012–13[27] | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Oxford United | 2013–14[28] | League Two | 29 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 35 | 1 |
| 2014–15[29] | League Two | 33 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 37 | 0 | |
| 2015–16[30] | League Two | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 22 | 0 | |
| 2016–17[31] | League One | 20 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6[b] | 0 | 30 | 3 | |
| 2017–18[32] | League One | 38 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5[b] | 0 | 45 | 5 | |
| 2018–19[33] | League One | 44 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3[b] | 0 | 52 | 4 | |
| 2019–20[34] | League One | 35 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5[c] | 0 | 48 | 3 | |
| 2020–21[35] | League One | 42 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4[d] | 0 | 48 | 7 | |
| Total | 257 | 21 | 19 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 317 | 23 | ||
| Huddersfield Town | 2021–22[36] | Championship | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| 2022–23[37] | Championship | 33 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 33 | 3 | ||
| 2023–24[38] | Championship | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 11 | 0 | ||
| 2024–25[39] | League One | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2[b] | 0 | 25 | 1 | |
| Total | 74 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 80 | 4 | ||
| Shrewsbury Town | 2025–26[40] | League Two | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| Career total | 340 | 25 | 25 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 31 | 0 | 410 | 28 | ||
- ^ a b c Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
- ^ a b c d e Appearances in EFL Trophy
- ^ Two appearances in EFL Trophy, three appearances in League One play-offs
- ^ Two appearances in EFL Trophy, two appearances in League One play-offs
Honours
[edit]Oxford United
- Football League/EFL Trophy runner-up: 2015–16,[41] 2016–17[42]
References
[edit]- ^ "Club list of registered players: As at 18th May 2019: Oxford United" (PDF). English Football League. p. 59. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- ^ "Joshua Ruffels: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
- ^ "Josh Ruffels". Huddersfield Town A.F.C. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ^ Roberts, James (29 November 2019). "Josh Ruffels proud of Oxford United appearance landmark". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ "Josh Ruffels". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- ^ "Crystal Palace 2–1 Coventry City". Coventry City F.C. 16 August 2011. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
- ^ "Crystal Palace 2–1 Coventry". BBC Sport. 16 August 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- ^ "Sky Blues release four players". Coventry City F.C. 15 May 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- ^ "Oxford United sign Coventry City youngster Josh Ruffels". BBC Sport. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- ^ "Torquay 1–3 Oxford Utd". BBC Sport. 17 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
- ^ Williams, Chris (8 October 2013). "United 1 Portsmouth 2". Oxford United F.C. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
- ^ "Bury 1–1 Oxford United". BBC Sport. 4 February 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
- ^ "Josh Ruffels signs new deal". BBC Sport. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
- ^ "Ryan Clarke, Oxford United, Player of the Year". Oxford United F.C. 26 April 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
- ^ "Ruffels Signs New Deal". Oxford United F.C. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- ^ "Josh Ruffels Wins Supporters Player of the Year". Oxford United F.C. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
- ^ Pritchard, David (7 April 2020). "Josh Ruffels: My Oxford United career is down to one phone call". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- ^ "SIGNING: JOSH RUFFELS AGREES TO JOIN TOWN!". Huddersfield Town A.F.C. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
- ^ "REPORT: TOWN 3-2 BLACKBURN ROVERS". Huddersfield Town A.F.C. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ^ "QPR 1-2 Huddersfield". BBC. 8 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
- ^ "2024/25 RETAINED LIST CONFIRMED". www.htafc.com. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ "Josh Ruffels: Shrewsbury Town sign ex-Oxford United and Huddersfield Town full-back on free transfer". BBC Sport. 17 October 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
- ^ "Shrewsbury Town 1–0 Crawley Town". BBC Sport. 18 October 2025. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
- ^ "Crewe Alexandra 3–1 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 8 November 2025. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
- ^ "Games played by Josh Ruffels in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Josh Ruffels in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Josh Ruffels in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Josh Ruffels in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Josh Ruffels in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Josh Ruffels in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Josh Ruffels in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Josh Ruffels in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Josh Ruffels in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Josh Ruffels in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Josh Ruffels in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Josh Ruffels in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Josh Ruffels in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Josh Ruffels in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Josh Ruffels in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
- ^ "Games played by Josh Ruffels in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
- ^ Cartwright, Phil (3 April 2016). "Barnsley 3–2 Oxford United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ Scott, Ged (2 April 2017). "Coventry City 2–1 Oxford United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Josh Ruffels.
- Profile Archived 16 July 2019 at the Wayback Machine at the Oxford United F.C. website
- Josh Ruffels at Soccerbase
Josh Ruffels
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early years
Early life
Joshua Andrew Bernard Ruffels was born on 23 October 1993 in Oxford, England.[1] Ruffels grew up in Oxford, Oxfordshire, fostering deep connections to the local community and its prominent football club, Oxford United.[11] He measures 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) in height.[2]Youth career
Josh Ruffels, born in Oxford, England, began his football development in the local pre-academy system of Oxford United as a young talent.[12] He joined Coventry City's academy at under-8 level around 2001, marking his transition to a professional youth setup.[5] At Coventry, Ruffels progressed through the age groups during the 2000s, primarily playing as a winger or midfielder.[2] By 2010, he was part of the club's under-16 team, gaining exposure in youth matches and demonstrating consistent effort despite not being the most standout prospect.[13][12] His development there highlighted a strong work ethic, which helped him advance through the ranks until his release in 2013.[6]Professional club career
Coventry City
Ruffels progressed through the Coventry City youth academy, having joined the club at under-8 level, before signing his first professional contract in January 2011.[14] His senior career at the club began with a limited role in the first team during the 2011–12 Championship season.[2] Ruffels made his senior debut on 16 August 2011, coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 home defeat to Crystal Palace in the Championship.[15] This appearance saw him replace Cody McDonald in the 73rd minute, but the match ended in loss for Coventry.[7] Over his two seasons at Coventry, Ruffels recorded one league appearance with no goals, alongside a total of two overall appearances including one in the League Cup, functioning primarily as a squad player without establishing a regular first-team place.[7][16] He was released by the club at the conclusion of the 2012–13 season.[17]Oxford United
Ruffels, who had initial ties to Oxford United's youth system before moving to Coventry City, rejoined the club on a free transfer from Coventry on 30 July 2013, signing initially for the development squad before breaking into the first team.[18] He made his senior debut for Oxford on 17 August 2013, coming on as a substitute in a 3–1 League Two victory against Torquay United at the Kassam Stadium.[19] Ruffels scored his first goal for the club on 4 February 2014, heading in a Danny Rose corner to equalize in a 1–1 League Two draw away to Bury, just two minutes after the hosts had taken the lead.[20] During his eight-year tenure at Oxford United from 2013 to 2021, Ruffels amassed 256 league appearances and 21 goals, for a total of 283 appearances and 23 goals across all competitions.[1][16] Initially signed and deployed as a midfielder or winger, he transitioned to a primary left-back role, particularly after an injury to Joe Skarz necessitated the positional shift during the 2015–16 season, where he contributed to the team's automatic promotion from League Two by finishing second.[21][22] This evolution saw him become a consistent starter in subsequent League One campaigns, including a playoff run in 2019–20, where they reached the final, with notable goal contributions peaking at six in the league during the 2020–21 season.[1] Ruffels secured his long-term future at Oxford with key contract extensions, signing a two-year deal on 17 April 2014 that included an optional further two years, followed by a new agreement on 20 October 2017 extending his stay until the end of the 2019–20 season with an additional one-year option.[23][24] His departure came at the end of his contract in June 2021, when he rejected an offer of a new deal and left as a free agent after over 300 appearances for the club.[25][26]Huddersfield Town
Ruffels joined Huddersfield Town on a free transfer from Oxford United on 1 July 2021, signing a two-year contract as the club's fifth summer addition.[27] The 27-year-old defender was brought in to provide competition and versatility at left-back, having primarily operated in midfield during his time at Oxford.[28] He made his debut for Huddersfield on 28 September 2021, substituting into a 3–2 Championship victory over Blackburn Rovers and becoming the club's 1,000th player in history.[29] Ruffels quickly established himself as a consistent left-back during the 2021–22 season, contributing to Huddersfield's third-place finish and playoff campaign, where the team reached the final but lost to Nottingham Forest. Over his first three seasons in the Championship, he made 52 league appearances and scored 3 goals, including a rare brace in a 2–1 win at Queens Park Rangers on 8 November 2022—his first goals for the club and a pivotal moment in a tight relegation scrap.[30][1] Huddersfield's form declined in subsequent years, finishing 21st in 2022–23 to narrowly avoid relegation before dropping to 24th in 2023–24 and descending to League One. Ruffels' role remained key in these battles, but he encountered significant challenges, including a groin and hernia injury in late 2023 that required surgery and sidelined him for the rest of the 2023–24 season amid intense squad competition.[31] In the 2024–25 League One campaign, ongoing recovery issues and competition limited his starts, though he featured in 22 league matches without scoring. Across all competitions during his four-year stint, Ruffels totaled 80 appearances and 4 goals.[32][33] Ruffels extended his contract in July 2023 but was among seven senior players released by Huddersfield at the end of the 2024–25 season.[34][35]Shrewsbury Town
On 17 October 2025, Josh Ruffels joined Shrewsbury Town on a free transfer following his release from Huddersfield Town, reuniting with manager Michael Appleton from their time together at Oxford United.[10] The move marked Ruffels' return to EFL League Two after limited opportunities in the Championship, allowing him to secure regular playing time at the age of 31.[36] Ruffels made his debut for Shrewsbury the following day, 18 October 2025, as a substitute in a 1–0 league victory over Crawley Town, appearing for 14 minutes.[37] He quickly integrated into the squad, featuring in subsequent matches including a 32-minute substitute role in a 2–2 draw against Oldham Athletic on 25 October and a full 90-minute start against Crewe Alexandra on 8 November, where he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 defeat.[37] Ruffels also appeared in the 1–0 victory over Newport County on 15 November 2025. As of 19 November 2025, Ruffels had made five appearances in league competitions, demonstrating his versatility as a left-back.[1] Primarily deployed as a left-back, Ruffels was signed to provide defensive experience and leadership to a Shrewsbury side struggling near the League Two relegation zone, with Appleton describing the addition as a "low risk signing" that would bring significant quality and flexibility.[4] Ruffels himself expressed optimism about the team's potential, stating after his early games that the squad represented a "great group" capable of turning their form around, emphasizing that "there is no-one to fear" in the division and highlighting recent results as a positive turning point.[36] Appleton noted the prior relationship as a key factor in the transfer, crediting it for Ruffels' familiarity with the club's setup after weeks of training.[10]Statistics and achievements
Career statistics
As of 19 November 2025, Josh Ruffels has accumulated 314 appearances and 25 goals in league competitions across his professional career, with overall totals of 381 appearances and 27 goals in all competitions. These figures include his performances for Shrewsbury Town, where he scored his first goal for the club on 8 November 2025 against Crewe Alexandra.[38][39][1][40]Club Appearances and Goals
| Club | League Appearances (Goals) | Total Appearances (Goals) |
|---|---|---|
| Coventry City | 1 (0) | 2 (0) |
| Oxford United | 257 (21) | 317 (23) |
| Huddersfield Town | 52 (3) | 74 (3) |
| Shrewsbury Town | 4 (1) | 7 (1) |
| Career Total | 314 (25) | 381 (27) |