Jordan Turnbull

Jordan Robert Turnbull (born 30 October 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central defender for EFL League Two club Tranmere Rovers.

Jordan Turnbull

Personal information
Full name	Jordan Robert Turnbull[1]
Date of birth	(1994-10-30) 30 October 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth	Trowbridge, England
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Tranmere Rovers
Number	6
Youth career
0000–2007	Swindon Town
2007–2013	Southampton
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2013–2016	Southampton	0	(0)
2014–2015	→ Swindon Town (loan)	44	(1)
2015–2016	→ Swindon Town (loan)	42	(0)
2016–2018	Coventry City	36	(0)
2017–2018	→ Partick Thistle (loan)	19	(0)
2018–2020	Northampton Town	76	(5)
2020–2022	Salford City	79	(4)
2022–	Tranmere Rovers	82	(6)
International career
2013	England U19	2	(0)
2015	England U20	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:41, 17 June 2024 (UTC)

Turnbull began his career with the academy of Southampton, signing his first professional contract in 2013 and spending two seasons on loan at Swindon Town. He signed for Coventry City in 2016, and won the EFL Trophy in 2017 before suffering relegation. After spending six months on loan in Scotland with Partick Thistle, Turnbull returned to England and signed for Northampton Town. Having achieved promotion in 2020, he left the club to sign for Salford. In July 2022, Turnbull signed for Tranmere Rovers.

Internationally, Turnbull represented his country for the U19 and U20 teams.

Career

Southampton

Turnbull started his career within the youth system at Swindon Town but later joined Southampton Academy.^[2] He turned professional with Southampton, and signed a two-year extension in 2013 after making the step-up to Saints under-21 side.^[3] During his first season on loan at Swindon, he signed a contract extension to keep him at the club until 2018.^[4]

Loans to Swindon Town

After being permission to play in a friendly against Leeds United during pre-season,^[5] Turnbull joined Swindon Town on a season-long loan on 8 August 2014.^[6] He made his debut on the opening day of Swindon's 2014–15 campaign at home to Scunthorpe United,^[7] his first appearance in the English Football League.^[8] By November, Turnbull had played every minute of the season, and in an interview with the Swindon Advertiser, he said "I feel a lot more confident and I feel like I've grown as a player already", adding that playing against fully professional players had aided his development.^[9]

Turnbull scored his first goal for Swindon in a 3–3 home draw against Walsall in April.^[10] For his impressive performances he was voted as Swindon's "Player of the Season".^[11] Swindon reached the play-off final, where they were defeated 4–0 by Preston North End.^[12]

On 3 August 2015, Turnbull joined Swindon Town for another season-long loan spell.^[13] In the 2015–16 he played at left back on many occasions due to a centre half partnership formed between Adam El-Abd and Raphael Rossi Branco.^[14] Overall, Turnbull played 97 times for The Robins in all competitions.^[15]

Coventry City

On 15 August 2016, Turnbull joined Coventry City on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.^[16] He made his debut on 20 August in a 3–1 defeat at Bradford City, when he was sent off in the 66th minute after he pulled down Billy Clarke.^[17]

He scored his first goals for Coventry when he scored twice in an EFL Trophy tie against West Ham Under-23s on 30 August 2016.^[18] He played five games in Coventry's run to the final,^[19] where Coventry defeated Oxford United 2–1 at Wembley Stadium to win their first trophy in 30 years.^[19] Turnbull played the final alongside Chris Stokes, a former teammate at Trowbridge Town, and said the day was "just a whirlwind and it was an unbelievable experience", and that winning the trophy alongside Stokes was a "special moment".^[20]

After Coventry suffered relegation at the end of the season, Turnbull was expected to activate a clause in his contract which allowed him to leave,^[21] but on 31 July, the deadline to trigger the clause, he left on loan to Partick Thistle.^[22]

Loan to Partick Thistle

Turnbull joined Scottish Premiership club Partick Thistle on a one-year loan deal on 31 July 2017.^[23] After making 21 appearances in all competitions for The Jags, Turnbull was recalled from his loan in January 2018.^[24]

Northampton Town

The day after being recalled, Turnbull joined Northampton Town, for an undisclosed fee;^[25] the Coventry Telegraph reported there was no initial fee, but Turnbull had a sell-on clause should Northampton receive a fee for him as part of a future transfer.^[26] Signed by manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink due to injuries to defenders Aaron Pierre and Leon Barnett, Turnbull had scored two goals against The Cobblers the previous season for Coventry.^[27] Despite being signed a cover for injuries, Hasselbaink said it wasn't a short-term signing, praising him for his experience and versatility.^[28]

During his first full season at the club, Turnbull failed to start a game until October, but went on to make 34 appearances in all competitions following the sacking of manager Dean Austin, playing both as a defender and in centre-midfield.^[29] Continuing to play in midfield during the 2019–20 season, Turnbull began picking up regular bookings, and was suspended having received five yellow cards in eight games.^[30] Turnbull was reverted to the defence with manager Keith Curle changing the formation of the team to a 3–4–3,^[31] and was a regular during the first half of the campaign.^[32]

He missed three games between January and February 2020 after suffering a hip injury in an FA Cup match against Derby County.^[33] He left the club on a free-transfer in 2020, with Curle explaining that financial restructuring at the club meant Northampton couldn't afford to keep Turnbull on his current wages.^[34]

Salford City

In July 2020 he signed for Salford City on a two-year contract.^[35]

Turnbull was offered a new contract at the end of the 2021–22 season,^[36] opting instead to leave the club.^[37]

Tranmere Rovers

On 26 July, Turnbull signed for Tranmere Rovers on a two-year deal.^[38]

International career

Turnbull has represented England at under-19 and under-20 level.^[39]

Career statistics

As of match played 29 December 2022

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Southampton	2014–15[40]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2015–16[41]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Swindon Town (loan)	2014–15[40]	League One	44	1	1	0	2	0	4[a]	0	51	1
	2015–16[41]	League One	42	0	1	0	1	0	2[b]	0	46	0
	Total		86	1	2	0	3	0	6	0	97	1
Coventry City	2016–17[42]	League One	36	0	3	0	0	0	7[b]	2	46	2
	2017–18[43]	League Two	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		36	0	3	0	0	0	7	2	46	2
Partick Thistle (loan)	2017–18[43]	Scottish Premiership	19	0	0	0	2	0	—		21	0
Northampton Town	2017–18[43]	League One	14	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	14	0
	2018–19[44]	League Two	31	0	1	0	1	0	5[b]	0	38	0
	2019–20[45]	League Two	31	5	4	0	1	0	6[c]	0	42	5
	Total		76	5	5	0	2	0	11	0	94	5
Salford City	2020–21[46]	League Two	42	1	2	0	2	0	4[b]	0	50	1
	2021–22[47]	League Two	37	3	2	1	1	1	3[b]	1	43	6
	Total		79	4	4	1	3	1	7	1	93	7
Tranmere Rovers	2022–23[48]	League Two	18	2	0	0	2	0	1	1	21	3
Career total			314	12	14	1	12	1	32	4	372	18

1. Two appearances in Football League Trophy and two in the League One play-offs
2. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
3. Three appearances in the Football League Trophy and three in the League Two play-offs

Honours

Coventry City

• EFL Trophy: 2016–17^[49]

Northampton Town

• EFL League Two play-offs: 2020^[50]

Salford City

• EFL Trophy: 2019–20^[51]

Individual

• EFL League Two Team of the Season: 2021–22^[52]

References

1. "Premier League-Squad List 2012/13" (PDF). Premier League. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
2. "Development Squad". Southampton F.C. Archived from the original on 27 July 2014.
3. "Saints defender signs new deal". Southern Daily Echo. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
4. "Southampton defender Jordan Turnbull signs a new contract that lasts until 2018". Southern Daily Echo. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
5. "Town on the verge of landing Trowbridge lad Turnbull". Wiltshire Times. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
6. "Brad Smith and Jordan Turnbull sign loan deals". BBC Sport.
7. "Swindon v Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
8. mORSHEAD, Sam (16 August 2014). "Physical exam is the right test for Town's defence". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
9. Barnes, Dan (29 November 2014). "Ace Turnbull enjoying his time at the County Ground". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
10. Edwards, Matt (22 April 2015). "Turnbull relieved to break his duck". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
11. "Turnbull returns to Town line-up". Swindon Advertiser. 2 August 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
12. Barnes, Dan (24 May 2015). "LEAGUE ONE PLAY-OFF FINAL 2015: Preston North End 4 Swindon Town 0". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
13. "Turnbull rejoins Swindon Town on loan". Southampton FC. 3 August 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
14. Abbott, Harry (23 September 2015). "Eager student Turnbull keen to develop at full-back". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
15. Borthwick, Josh (16 August 2016). "Who is Coventry City's new signing Jordan Turnbull? All you need to know about the former Southampton starlet". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
16. "Jordan Turnbull: Southampton defender signs for Coventry City". BBC Sport. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
17. "Bradford City 3 Coventry City 1". BBC Sport. 20 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
18. "REPORT: Coventry City 4-2 West Ham United PL2 - Turnbull at the double as City maintain unbeaten home record". ccfc.co.uk. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
19. Turner, Andy (30 March 2017). "Coventry City's Jordan Turnbull ready to step into Wembley breach". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
20. Davies, Matthew (7 April 2017). "Ex-Trowbridge Town aces Chris Stokes and Jordan Turnbull celebrate Wembley triumph with Coventry City". Wiltshire Times. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
21. Turner, Andy (31 July 2017). "Coventry City contract rebel Jordan Turnbull expected to leave club today". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
22. Turner, Andy (31 July 2017). "Coventry City defender Jordan Turnbull completes move to Scottish Prem - on loan". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
23. McGarry, Graeme (31 July 2017). "Partick Thistle sign defender Jordan Turnbull from Coventry City". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
24. Mackenzie, Alasdair (10 January 2018). "Jordan Turnbull recalled from Partick Thistle loan by Coventry City". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
25. "Jordan Turnbull: Northampton Town sign Coventry City defender". BBC Sport. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
26. Ireland, Shane (11 January 2018). "Transfer news: Coventry City defender completes Northampton Town move - Jordan Turnbull has completed a permanent move from Coventry City to Northampton Town". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
27. "Cobblers sign Coventry City defender Jordan Turnbull". Northampton Chronicle & Echo. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
28. "Cobblers boss Hasselbaink delighted to land defender Turnbull". Northampton Chronicle & Echo. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
29. Heneghan, James (16 April 2019). "Versatile Turnbull discusses his future after enjoying 'decent' season for Cobblers". Northampton Chronicle & Echo. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
30. Heneghan, James (12 October 2019). "Turnbull might need to adapt his game to avoid another suspension". Northampton Chronicle & Echo. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
31. Heneghan, James (6 November 2019). "New-look back three forging a 'strong' foundation for Cobblers". Northampton Chronicle & Echo. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
32. Heneghan, James (11 December 2019). "In-form Turnbull thrilled to be such a regular for Cobblers". Northampton Chronicle & Echo. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
33. Heneghan, James (12 February 2020). "Versatile Turnbull pleased to be back after suffering injury in FA Cup tie". Northampton Chronicle & Echo. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
34. Heneghan, James (2 July 2020). "Curle explains the reasons behind Turnbull's shock exit from Cobblers". Northampton Chronicle & Echo. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
35. "Defender Jordan Turnbull joins Salford City". Salford City FC. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
36. "Retained and Released List 2021–22". salfordcityfc.co.uk. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
37. @JordanTurnbull_ (26 July 2022). "Thank you everyone @SalfordCityFC for a great 2 years and all the best for the future" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
38. "Jordan Turnbull: Tranmere Rovers sign former Salford City defender". BBC Sport. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
39. "Jordan Turnbull (England U19)". Football Association. Archived from the original on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
40. "Games played by Jordan Turnbull in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
41. "Games played by Jordan Turnbull in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
42. "Games played by Jordan Turnbull in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
43. "Games played by Jordan Turnbull in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
44. "Games played by Jordan Turnbull in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
45. "Games played by Jordan Turnbull in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
46. "Games played by Jordan Turnbull in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
47. "Games played by Jordan Turnbull in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
48. "Games played by Jordan Turnbull in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
49. Scott, Ged (2 April 2017). "Coventry City 2–1 Oxford United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
50. Pilnick, Brent (29 June 2020). "Exeter City 0–4 Northampton Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
51. Williams, Adam (13 March 2021). "Portsmouth 0–0 Salford City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
52. "Football Manager EFL Team of the Season line-ups announced". EFL. Retrieved 12 February 2024.

External links

• Jordan Turnbull at Soccerbase
• Jordan Turnbull at Soccerway
• Swindon Town profile