Ex-Queens Park Rangers and Accrington Stanley defender Joe Gubbins could be set to return to League Two according to Football Insider.
The 22-year-old played 42 times for Stanley last season as they failed to bounce back from their relegation to the fourth tier with a 17th placed finish, which also the removal of long-serving boss John Coleman mid-season. Assistant coach John Doolan will lead the club going into 2024/25.
A graduate of the QPR academy, Gubbins only played five times for the senior side before leaving for Lancashire in August 2023. His last appearance for the Loftus Road club was in their 4-0 hammering away to Watford.
Rangers confirmed his departure from the Championship club in May and according to Pete O’Rourke, Harrogate Town is watching the player closely. Simon Weaver’s side are in the market for defenders following the sale of Rod McDonald to Notts County for an undisclosed fee.
The Sulphurites also lost veteran centre-backs Joe Mattock and Will Smith, who were two of nine players to depart Weatherby Road following the conclusion of last season in which they recorded their best-ever league result with a 13th place.
Gubbins’ spell at Stanley was his first experience of consistent playing time in the Football League, following spells at Oxford City, Aldershot Town and Southend United. He kept eight clean sheets across the season and provided a solitary assist in a 2-1 loss against MK Dons.
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The Oxford-born defender won 104 aerial duels in the League Two season, which was 52% of all his attempts. He also was in the 80th percentile of fewest fouls committed across all centre-backs in the fourth tier according to Fotmob.
Harrogate have already added to their squad ahead of next season, with the signing of former Leyton Orient and Sutton United winger Stephen Duke-McKenna.
Writer’s View
Harrogate Town are in need for some reinforcements in their defence and Joe Gubbins would be a decent option to add depth. Alongside Brad Hills, they showed some promise early on for Accrington Stanley in what was ultimately a disappointing season for the club. Securing a player that has EFL experience for a free transfer is a nice bonus too.
With Anthony O’Connor being the first choice for the position, it will be a battle between the rest of the centre-backs to play alongside him come the opening game against Bromley. Despite the tail off of Stanley’s season and still at a young age compared to Liam Gibson and Warren Burrell, it would not be a shock to see Gubbins start on the opening day.
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