JOEL GRANT

Full Name: Joel Valentino Grant

Born: 26 August 1987

Came from: Exeter City   Went to: Released

First game: 05 August 2017   Last game: 15 February 2020

Appearances: 85 (62/23)   Goals: 15

The Acton-born winger became Derek Adams' fifth summer signing in June 2017, as Argyle prepared for life back in League One. Grant, a Jamaican international, travelled the short-distance from Exeter to sign for the Pilgrims, making up for his own promotion disappointment after City's defeat by Blackpool in the League Two Play-off Final at Wembley a month earlier.

Grant came through the youth set-up at Watford and made his debut for the Championship side in August 2005, three days short of his 18th birthday. After a further nine matches for the Hornets, he was sent on a half-season loan to National League Aldershot Town in August 2006 (17 appearances, three goals), but was unable to break into Watford's Premiership team on his return. At the end of the 2006-07 season he was released at Vicarage Road and a few months later returned to Aldershot, initially on non-contract forms before signing a deal in December 2007. That season he notched up four goals in a further 35 appearances for the Shots.

His form in Hampshire saw him signed by League One Crewe Alexandra for a six-figure sum in June 2008, and over the following three seasons he scored 18 times in 106 games. He then moved to League One rivals Wycombe Wanderers in June 2011, where he played 77 times and scored 16 goals in the following two seasons.

In June 2013 Grant joined Yeovil Town for their first season in England's second tier. In two years at Huish Park, in which the Glovers dropped two tiers, Grant played 58 times and scored seven goals. At the end of his second season, with Yeovil doomed to League Two, he was released by former Argyle manager Paul Sturrock and signed for Exeter City, after a fund-raising effort by a group of supporters helped pay his salary.

Grant began and ended his first season at St James Park by adding three more international caps to his collection for Jamaica, including a goal (his second at senior international level) in a 2-1 victory in Chile in May 2016. As well as his 14 full caps, he also earned 11 for Jamaica's under-20 side, for whom he scored seven times.

After his 59 appearances and nine goals in two seasons for the Grecians (his last being that unsuccessful Wembley final), Grant turned down the offer of a new contract in favour of a chance to play in green. As well as speed and skill, the 29-year-old left-winger brought considerable experience: a total of 362 club games and 57 goals.

Grant spent three seasons at Home Park, initially playing as a traditional winger under Derek Adams. He evolved into a broader utility player, and accepted the offer of a new contract in June 2019. That October he scored in four games in a row, and was praised by new manager Ryan Lowe. However, he lost his starting place at the start of the new year, and made just seven late substitute appearances in the rest of the COVID-curtailed season, when Argyle were promoted. His overall loss of form, combined with Argyle's elevation to League One, resulted in Grant's release - a surprise to some - in June 2020.

In September 2020, following a successful trial, Grant joined Swindon Town on a one-year deal. He made 22 appearances and scored twice before being released at the end of the season.

In 2021-22 he signed for then National League Grimsby Town. In a spell that was blighted by injuries, he made just two appearances from the bench before being released in April 2022.

Ahead of the 2022-23 season, Grant signed for Nantwich Town in the Northern Premier League, Premier Division. That November, after 15 games and four goals for his new club, he was involved in a serious car crash, which, combined with his run of injuries, ended his career in football at the age of 35. He went on to retrain as a barber.