AFC Totton
Joshua Gould is sponsored by New Forest Fencing
JOSH GOULD HAS SIGNED FOR AFC TOTTON, following his recent departure from fellow Southern League Premier Division South promotion play-off chasers Salisbury.
The 6’4” goalkeeper played against The Stags when they visited the Raymond McEnhill Stadium on Saturday 13 January, and pulled off one of the division’s saves of the season to deny Scott Rendell an early opener, before The Sunburnt Assassin eventually got the better of him from the penalty spot with the only goal of the game.
Born and raised in Taunton, Somerset, Josh was originally a rugby player during his school days; he didn’t even pick up a pair of goalkeeping gloves until he was 16 years-old. Nevertheless, within two years he was captaining Somerset at age-group level and representing England Schoolboys South West, while also taking his first tentative steps into senior football at Bridgwater Town.
An unsuccessful trial with Bristol Rovers when he was 18 years-old had Josh believing that he had already missed his chance of becoming a professional goalkeeper. But while he was attending Cardiff Metropolitan University, he decided to quit the university’s football team in favour of regular first-team playing time with Taffs Wells AFC in the Welsh League, which subsequently led to trials with both Cardiff City and Swansea City, before the latter offered the promising young shot-stopper a one-year contract.
Josh was immediately thrust into action for The Swans in an U23s match against Derby County, marking his debut in style by saving a Rams penalty in a 1-1 draw. Speaking to the Somerset County Gazette in August 2018, he credited his late former mentor Luke Buckingham, who kept goal for Bristol Rovers and Yeovil Town before losing his battle with leukaemia in 2015, aged just 30.
“He taught me everything I know about goalkeeping. Luke created a phenomenal environment around the whole college, with the Better Never Stops mantra which lives on today, and he was so influential in helping young players experience senior football and establishing that pathway.
“It is very tough, and very rare, to get a professional deal after the age of 18 if you haven’t been in an academy set-up – most goalkeepers have been in academies since the age of 12. I’ve always believed I was good enough to do it.”
In January 2020, Swansea City announced that Josh had signed a two-year contract that would keep him at the club until at least the summer of 2022. At that time, he was benefitting from the goalkeeper coaching expertise of U23s coach Martin Davies and former Manchester City ‘keeper, Martyn Margetson.
Josh went out on loan twice while contracted to The Swans. Firstly, in September 2020, he joined Welsh club Barry Town for five months until January 2021. He then spent the first half of the 2021/22 season in Kent, with National League South outfit Ebbsfleet United.
Upon the expiration of his contract at the Liberty Stadium, Josh became a free agent and after beginning the 2022/23 season without a club, he signed for Swindon Supermarine in October 2022. He was only there for a month before moving on to National League South side Bath City, but he returned to the Webbswood Stadium in January 2023, citing “broken promises” from The Romans in a Wiltshire Times article. He remained with The Marine until the end of last season, before joining Salisbury in the summer.
Josh, who will turn 27 years-old before the end of March, comes into a squad still very much in contention for a Promotion Play-Off spot. He made his AFC Totton debut in awkward conditions at Tiverton Town, nevertheless helping The Stags to a valuable 2-1 away win. He also kept goal for the defeat at Chesham United, before achieving his first clean sheet for his new club in the 3-0 home victory over Beaconsfield Town on Saturday.
Speaking prior to the match against The Rams, Josh said:
“I’m already enjoying it here. The lads have welcomed me to the squad and we’re going well in the league, with still plenty to play for. It’s great to be a part of it and I aim to contribute to a successful end to the season.”
Joshua Gould is sponsored by New Forest Fencing
By Ben Rochey-Adams
