Joe Tomlinson’s path to professional football has been anything but straightforward. After being released by three professional clubs over four years, he found himself packing pills in a factory near the M4 motorway. Alongside factory work, he also spent time as a teaching assistant during his stint with non-league Hungerford Town. However, his persistence paid off when Eastleigh offered him a route back into full-time football, where he has remained since.
Born in Chiseldon, just south of Swindon, Tomlinson’s talent was spotted early, and he was scouted by Southampton while playing for Wroughton Juniors. At just seven years old, he was offered a contract with the club. Reflecting on his early days, he recalls: “It was amazing. My parents drove me down three or four times a week, and the coaching at such a fantastic club shaped me both as a player and a person.”
At Southampton, he was coached by Rob Edwards, now assistant manager at Cheltenham Town, and played alongside future first-team players like Will Smallbone and Jake Vokins. Tomlinson also had the privilege of witnessing some of the club’s greats in training, including Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mané, and Luke Shaw. “Seeing them up close was incredible, and I’m forever grateful for those experiences,” he said.
READ MORE: Gloucester’s Whitefriars Development to Expand with Additional Residential Units
READ MORE: Concerns over Israeli firm link to Cheltenham’s Golden Valley cyber project addressed
Despite these promising beginnings, Tomlinson was not offered a scholarship at Southampton but was quickly picked up by Yeovil Town. The transition was challenging: “Yeovil was a different world compared to Southampton. They didn’t have an Under-21s team, and the club regularly released all scholars because they couldn’t afford to keep players not ready for first-team football.”
Although informed he would not be offered professional terms at Yeovil, Tomlinson impressed by scoring consecutive hat-tricks from left-back for the Under-18s. This led to trials back at Southampton and interest from Brighton & Hove Albion. Choosing Brighton, a newly promoted Premier League side at the time, he signed his first professional contract under manager Chris Hughton.
Tomlinson gained valuable experience on loan at Bognor Regis Town in the Isthmian Premier Division, where he featured in around 40 games and enjoyed playing in front of larger crowds compared to reserve matches. Despite this, Brighton released him in 2019.
Facing uncertainty, his family helped him secure a trial at Hungerford Town, where he was offered a contract and swiftly became club captain at just 19 years old. “Being captain at all age groups, it’s a role I hold with great respect,” he remarked. His time there, though rewarding, also brought challenges, including financial difficulties that required difficult conversations with teammates about wages amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
To support himself alongside his football commitments, Tomlinson worked early mornings packing pills in a factory and later assisted as a PE teacher at a local school. His performances at Hungerford earned him a move to Eastleigh in the National League in 2020. There, he enjoyed a breakthrough season, scoring 12 goals in 42 appearances while playing as a left-back, wing-back, and occasionally as a left centre-back. Manager Ben Strevens afforded him the freedom to express himself on the pitch, boosting his confidence and development.
Tomlinson’s rising profile caught the attention of Peterborough United, newly promoted to the Championship, who signed him before the following season. Under manager Darren Ferguson, he quickly adapted to the demands of Championship football, making his debut on the left wing against Luton Town shortly after joining.
Versatility has been a hallmark of Tomlinson’s career, having started as a winger and forward before settling into left-back during his youth. He is comfortable playing on either flank, utilising both feet effectively. “I take corners and free-kicks with my left foot and penalties with my right,” he shared, crediting hours of practice with his father and brother for this skill.
After a loan spell at Swindon Town, his hometown club, where he earned EFL Player of the Month honours, Tomlinson returned to Peterborough but eventually moved on to MK Dons. There, under managers Graham Alexander and Mike Williamson, he enjoyed some of the best years of his career, including winning promotion from League Two.
In 2023, Cheltenham Town expressed interest, and after discussions with manager Steve Cotterill about playing style and future role, Tomlinson signed with the League Two club. He is currently relocating from Buckinghamshire to Gloucestershire with his wife, young child, and dogs. “It’s the perfect fit,” he said, noting the support of his brother who lives in Cheltenham.
Beyond football, Tomlinson is pursuing a degree in football business management through the PFA, inspired partly by his father’s career in sports administration. He has developed a keen interest in American sports during family visits to Atlanta, dreaming of one day blending his sporting career with opportunities overseas.
Despite earlier setbacks, Tomlinson’s determination has seen him rise steadily through the football ranks. “I always believed I would make it because football has been part of me since I was seven. Playing games and learning from every experience has been key,” he said. As he looks ahead, Tomlinson is eager to contribute to Cheltenham Town’s ambitions and connect with the fans for what promises to be an exciting season.
Cheltenham Town face Barnet away in their upcoming League Two fixture on Saturday, kicking off at 12.30 pm.