Chris Joyce (footballer)

Christopher Joyce (born 31 January 1982) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Norwegian club Tollnes. He has previously played for Odd Grenland in Tippeligaen.

Chris Joyce
Personal information
Full name Christopher Joyce
Date of birth (1982-01-31) 31 January 1982
Place of birth Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom
Height 189 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Striker
Club information
Current team
 Tollnes
Youth career
Newcastle United
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2006 Franklin Pierce Ravens 50 (51)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Blyth Spartans
2006–2008 Odd Grenland 22 (2)
2007 → Nybergsund (loan) 14 (13)
2008 → Pors Grenland (loan)
2009 Pors Grenland 28 (22)
2010–2011 Asker 33 (6)
2011–2012 Notodden 0 (0)
2012 Pors Grenland 24 (8)
2013– Tollnes 78 (21)
2014– Tollnes 2 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:39, 25 January 2019 (UTC)

Career

Joyce was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, where he grew up supporting Newcastle United, and watched every home-match for 10 years when he had a season pass. He joined Newcastle United's academy at the age of 11, where he played together with Shola Ameobi, but when Joyce turned 16 he was not offered a contract with the Magpies. He attended Loughborough University for the next three years, and played as a striker for the university team where he scored approximately 20 goals per season, in addition to playing non-league football for Blyth Spartans.[1]

Joyce studied economy at Franklin Pierce University in the United States, and became a goal-getter for the college soccer team with 51 goals in 50 games.[2] He was offered a contract with FC Dallas in February 2006 after training with the club, but chose to move to Norway and signed a three-year contract with Odd Grenland in March 2006.[1] Joyce played 22 matches and scored two goals for Odd Grenland in Tippeligaen,[3] until he was loaned out to Nybergsund-Trysil in the second half of the 2007 season where he scored seven goals in nine matches in the Second Division. Joyce spent the 2008 season on loan to Pors Grenland,[4] but after his contract with Odd Grenland was terminated in July 2008 he decided to take a break from professional football.[5]

Joyce returned to Pors Grenland ahead of the 2009 season, and scored 20 goals for the club in the Second Division, before he joined Asker in 2010. After one season with Asker, he was retrained as a centre back. Joyce signed a contract with Notodden in November 2012[6][7] but before he played any matches for Notodden he joined Pors Grenland in February 2012 as assistant playing-coach, because he had gotten a new job in Porsgrunn[8]

In 2013, he joined Tollnes where he has continued to play and coach ever since.[9]

Personal life

Joyce met his future wife three months after arriving in Norway and has since raised three children in the country.[9]

References
  1. Hella, Kurt (22 March 2006). "Kan bli Odds Shearer" (in Norwegian). Telemarksavisen. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  2. "Franklin Pierce's Christopher Joyce Named NSCAA/adidas Division II Player of the Year". northeast10.org. 4 January 2006. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  3. "Nr. 18 Chris Joyce" (in Norwegian). Pors Grenland. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  4. Nilsen, Jostein (2 March 2009). "Chris Joyce aktuell for Mjøndalen" (in Norwegian). Drammens Tidende. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  5. Kittilsen, Stian (29 July 2008). "Chris Joyce ferdig i Pors" (in Norwegian). Porsgrunns Dagblad. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  6. Sjølie, Mette (20 January 2010). "Newcastle-gutt ny Asker-spiller" (in Norwegian). Budstikka. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  7. Johansen, Per Boseth (8 November 2011). "Chris Joyce klar for Notodden" (in Norwegian). Telemarkavisen. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  8. Kittilsen, Stian (8 February 2012). "Chris Joyce klar for Pors" (in Norwegian). Porsgrunns Dagblad. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  9. "Chris Joyce: The Geordie striker who has spent 13 years in Norway". englishplayersabroad.com. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
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