Joseph Grey (born 4 May 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for club York City.
He started his youth career at Cramlington Juniors, before moving to Wallsend Boys Club and then on to Hartlepool United in 2019 where he signed his first professional deal the following year. He was part of the Hartlepool squad that gained promotion to League Two in the 2020âÂÂ21 season. After making 162 appearances and scoring 25 times, Grey left Hartlepool to sign for National League club York City.
Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Grey signed for Hartlepool's youth team in 2019 and turned professional a year early due to interest from other clubs. On signing for the club Grey stated, "I'm over the moon to finally get this done, Hartlepool have been great to me and I was excited to be around the first team at different times last season and now during pre season. I want to continue working and get more opportunities when the season starts". He made his league debut in a 4âÂÂ0 win over Maidenhead United. Grey got his first senior goal in a 6âÂÂ0 thrashing of Northern Premier League team Ilkeston Town in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round. Grey's first league goal came in a 2âÂÂ1 defeat to Eastleigh. He was part of the Hartlepool United squad that gained promotion to League Two in the 2020âÂÂ21 season.
On 8 January 2022, Grey scored the winner in a 2âÂÂ1 win over Championship team Blackpool as a substitute in the third round of the FA Cup. It was his first goal of the season. On 25 January 2022, Grey scored again as Hartlepool reached the semi-finals of the EFL Trophy after defeating Charlton Athletic on penalties. He also scored the opening goal against Rotherham United in the following round, however Hartlepool lost on penalties.
On 23 June 2022, Grey signed a new three-year deal with Hartlepool. He scored on his 100th Hartlepool appearance in a home defeat to Oldham Athletic in December 2023. He finished the 2023âÂÂ24 season with 13 goals in total. In the 2024âÂÂ25 season, he made 41 appearances in all competitions scoring 6 times. At the end of the campaign Grey was offered a new deal. However, he departed having made 162 appearances in total for Hartlepool, scoring 25 times.
On 15 July 2025, it was announced that Grey had signed for National League club York City on a permanent deal with the fee to be set by a tribunal. In November 2025, Grey scored his first career hat-trick in a 5âÂÂ1 win against Aldershot Town.
Grey can play as either a winger or as a striker. In his first season playing in the Football League, Grey predominately played as a winger. He has been praised for his work ethic, speed, and skill.