Joe Tomlinson Explained

Joseph William George Tomlinson (born 9 June 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as a full-back for club Milton Keynes Dons.

Club career

Early years

Tomlinson played for the academies of Southampton and Yeovil Town, before joining the under-23 side of Brighton & Hove Albion at the age of 17.^[3] He spent time on loan with non-league club Bognor Regis Town,^[4] but was released by Brighton at the end of the 2018–19 season.^[5]

Non-league

Ahead of the 2019–20 season, Tomlinson joined National League South club Hungerford Town, where he was later appointed captain at the age of 19.^[6] He then signed for National League club Eastleigh ahead of the 2020–21 season.^[7] In his first season, Tomlinson finished as the club's top scorer with 12 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions, despite playing from left-back.^[8] He was later named the club's Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year for the 2020–21 season.^[9]

Peterborough United

After catching the eye of several football league clubs, Tomlinson joined Championship club Peterborough United in July 2021, signing a three-year deal.^{[10] [11]} With first team opportunities limited, he signed for League Two club Swindon Town on loan in January 2022.^{[12] [13]} After impressing on loan at Swindon, Tomlinson was awarded the EFL Young Player of the Month award for February 2022, contributing with three assists and a goal across the month.^[14] In January 2023, Tomlinson re-signed for Swindon on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent transfer, which later failed to materialise.^{[15] [16]}

Milton Keynes Dons

On 1 September 2023, Tomlinson joined League Two club Milton Keynes Dons for an undisclosed fee.^{[17] [18]} He made his debut the following day, coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute in a 3–1 away league defeat to Crewe Alexandra.^[19] Tomlinson scored his first goal for the club on 24 October 2023, in a 4–1 home league win over Bradford City.^[20]

Having become a regular part of the first-team, on 9 September 2024 Tomlinson signed an extended contract with improved terms.^[21]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		EFL Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Brighton & Hove Albion	2018–19	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
Bognor Regis Town (loan)	2018–19[22]	Isthmian Premier Division	32	3	3	0	—		5	0	40	2
Hungerford Town	2019–20[23]	National League South	33	4	1	0	—		4	1	38	5
Eastleigh	2020–21	National League	41	12	2	0	—		0	0	43	12
Peterborough United	2021–22	Championship	5	0	1	0	1	0	—		7	0
	2022–23	League One	2	0	0	0	2	0	2	0	6	0
	2023–24	League One	2	0	—		2	0	0	0	4	0
	Total		9	0	1	0	5	0	2	0	17	0
Swindon Town (loan)	2021–22	League Two	10	1	—		—		—		10	1
Swindon Town (loan)	2022–23	League Two	7	1	—		—		—		7	1
Milton Keynes Dons	2023–24	League Two	36	7	0	0	—		3	0	39	7
	2024–25	League Two	16	4	1	0	1	0	1	0	19	4
	Total		52	11	1	0	1	0	4	1	58	11
Career total			183	31	8	0	6	0	15	1	212	32

Honours

Individual

• Eastleigh Young Player of the Year: 2020–21
• Eastleigh Player of the Year: 2020–21
• EFL Young Player of the Month

February 2022^[14]

Notes and References

1. Web site: EFL squad list 2021/22 & U21 registered contracted players . 12 February 2022 . English Football League.
2. Web site: Joseph Tomlinson Defender. Milton Keynes Dons Football Club.
3. Web site: Tomlinson Reflects On Dream Move . . 26 May 2018 . 1 September 2023 .
4. Web site: Bognor Regis Town | Appearances | Joe Tomlinson | 2018-2019 | Football Web Pages. www.footballwebpages.co.uk.
5. Web site: Five under-23 players retained and seven released by Brighton. www.brightonandhoveindependent.co.uk.
6. Web site: Tomlinson's pride at captain's role. 23 January 2020 . Newbury Today.
7. Web site: NEW SIGNING | JOE TOMLINSON SIGNS FOR EASTLEIGH | Eastleigh FC. www.eastleighfc.com.
8. Web site: Joe Tomlinson departs club . . 1 September 2023 .
9. Web site: Posh Swoop For Eastleigh Startlet . . 29 July 2021 . 5 September 2023 .
10. News: Posh sign Eastleigh full-back Tomlinson. BBC Sport .
11. Web site: Peterborough United sign Joe Tomlinson, a two-footed full-back or wing-back who was attracting the attention of multiple Football League clubs. www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk.
12. Web site: Peterborough United complete their transfer deadline day business by allowing Joe Tomlinson to leave on loan. www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk.
13. News: Swindon sign Posh defender Tomlinson. BBC Sport .
14. Web site: Joe Tomlinson becomes the latest EFL Young Player of the Month. www.efl.com. 21 March 2022. 21 March 2022.
15. Web site: Swindon Town re-sign Joe Tomlinson from Peterborough United. www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk.
16. News: Swindon sign Blake-Tracy, Tomlinson and Kadji. BBC Sport .
17. Web site: Don Deal: Joe Tomlinson joins on Deadline Day . . 1 September 2023 . 1 September 2023 .
18. Web site: MK Dons sign Tomlinson, Harrison and Stewart. www.bbc.co.uk.
19. Web site: Crewe Alexandra 3-1 Milton Keynes Dons . . 2 September 2023 . 5 September 2023 .
20. Web site: Milton Keynes Dons 4-1 Bradford City . . 24 October 2023 . 25 October 2023 .
21. Web site: Joe Tomlinson puts pen to paper on new MK Dons deal . . 9 September 2024 . 9 September 2024 .
22. News: Bognor Regis Town – Appearances – Joe Tomlinson . Football Web Pages . 14 September 2023.
23. Web site: J. Tomlinson: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 14 September 2023.