Josh Ayres

Josh Ayres
Ayres in 2026
Personal information
Full name Joshua George Ayres
Date of birth (2005-11-24) 24 November 2005 (age 20)
Place of birth England
Position Forward
Team information
Current team
 Walton & Hersham
(on loan from Woking)
Number 26
Youth career
Rotherham United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024–2026 Rotherham United 5 (0)
2024 → Buxton (loan) 1 (0)
2024–2025 → Sheffield (loan) 12 (7)
2025 → Matlock Town (loan) 4 (0)
2025 → Emley (loan) 5 (2)
2025 → Cleethorpes Town (loan) 3 (0)
2025 → Gainsborough Trinity (loan) 1 (0)
2026 → Alfreton Town (loan) 11 (5)
2026– Woking 4 (0)
2026– → Walton & Hersham (loan) 3 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20:37, 25 October 2026 (UTC)

Joshua George Ayres (born 24 November 2005) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for National League South club Walton & Hersham on loan from National League side Woking.

Career

Rotherham United

On 18 September 2023, Ayres signed his first professional contract with Rotherham United. On 10 August 2024, he joined National League North side Buxton on a month-long loan. On 29 October 2024, he then joined Sheffield on a month-long loan. His loan was then extended until January 2025. On 7 February 2025, he joined Northern Premier League side Matlock Town on loan until the end of the season, on 20 March 2025, he had then moved to Emley on loan.

He made his professional debut for Rotherham United on 4 February 2025, in a 1–0 defeat to Bradford City in the EFL Trophy. On 20 August 2025, he joined Cleethorpes Town on a month-long loan. On 30 September 2025, he joined Gainsborough Trinity on a month-long loan.

He scored his first goal for Rotherham United on 28 October 2025, in a 4–2 win against Manchester City U21 in the EFL Trophy. On 22 January 2026, he joined National League North side Alfreton Town on loan until the end of the season. On 18 March 2026, he was recalled from his loan.

Woking

On 28 May 2026, Ayres agreed to join National League side, Woking on a one-year deal with an additional option year.

On 1 October 2026, Ayres went on loan to National League South side Walton & Hersham on an initial one month loan.

Career statistics

As of match played 24 October 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Rotherham United 2024–25 League One 0000001010
2025–26 League One 50000052102
Total 50000062112
Buxton (loan) 2024–25 National League North 1000—0010
Sheffield (loan) 2024–25 Northern Premier League Division One East 12700—21148
Matlock Town (loan) 2024–25 Northern Premier League Premier Division 40———40
Emley (loan) 2024–25 Northern Premier League Division One East 52——1062
Cleethorpes Town (loan) 2025–26 Northern Premier League Premier Division 3010—0040
Gainsborough Trinity (loan) 2025–26 Northern Premier League Premier Division 10——1020
Alfreton Town (loan) 2025–26 National League North 115———115
Woking 2026–27 National League 4000—2060
Walton & Hersham (loan) 2026–27 National League South 30——0030
Career total 481410001236117
  1. 1 2 Appearances in EFL Trophy
  2. ↑ Appearances in Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup
  3. ↑ Appearances in Northern Premier League play-offs
  4. ↑ Appearances in FA Trophy
  5. ↑ Appearance(s) in National League Cup

References

  1. ↑ English Football League (2025). "Squad List 2024/25 & U21 Registered Contract Players" (PDF). EFL – Squad List 2024/25.
  2. ↑ "AYRES PENS PROFESSIONAL DEAL". Rotherham United F.C. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  3. ↑ "AYRES JOINS BUXTON ON LOAN". Rotherham United F.C. 10 August 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  4. ↑ "CLUB MAKE DOUBLE SIGNING". Sheffield F.C. 29 October 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  5. ↑ "JOSH AYRES EXTENDS LOAN DEAL FROM ROTHERHAM UNITED". Sheffield F.C. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  6. ↑ "AYRES MAKES MATLOCK LOAN MOVE". Rotherham United F.C. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  7. ↑ "AYRES MAKES EMLEY LOAN SWITCH". Rotherham United F.C. 20 March 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  8. ↑ "Rotherham United 0–1 Bradford City". ESPN. 4 February 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  9. ↑ "Ayres makes Cleethorpes loan switch". Rotherham United F.C. 20 August 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  10. ↑ "Josh Ayres in to Boost Attacking Options". Gainsborough Trinity F.C. 30 September 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  11. ↑ "Rotherham United 4–2 Manchester City U21". BBC Sport. 28 October 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  12. ↑ "Ayres makes Alfreton loan switch". Rotherham United F.C. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  13. ↑ "Millers recall Ayres from Alfreton loan". Rotherham United F.C. 18 March 2026. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  14. ↑ Hurst, Jonathan (28 May 2026). "Josh Ayres Joins". wokingfc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  15. ↑ "Josh joins Walton & Hersham on loan". Woking F.C. 1 October 2026. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  16. 1 2 "Games played by Josh Ayres in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  17. 1 2 3 "Games played by Josh Ayres in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  18. ↑ "Sheffield F.C. – Appearances – Josh Ayres". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  19. ↑ "Matlock Town F.C. – Appearances – Josh Ayres". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  20. ↑ "Emley A.F.C. – Appearances – Josh Ayres". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  21. ↑ "Josh Ayres - Cleethorpes Town FC First Team". pitchero.com. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  22. ↑ For FA Trophy third qualifying round "Gainsborough Trinity 3 Shifnal Town 2". gainsboroughtrinity.com. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
    For Northern Premier League Premier Division "Workington 1 Gainsborough Trinity 2". gainsboroughtrinity.com. 22 October 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  23. ↑ "Games played by Josh Ayres in 2026/2027". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 March 2026.