John George McAtee (born 23 July 1999) is an English footballer who plays as a striker for EFL League One club Bolton Wanderers.

John McAtee
Personal information
Full name John George McAtee[1]
Date of birth (1999-07-23) 23 July 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth Salford, England
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Bolton Wanderers
Number 45
Youth career
2015–2017 Shrewsbury Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2019 Shrewsbury Town 1 (0)
2017Halesowen Town (loan) 10 (4)
2018AFC Telford United (loan) 7 (1)
2018Ashton United (loan) 9 (1)
2018AFC Telford United (loan) 2 (0)
2018–2019Curzon Ashton (loan) 19 (1)
2019–2021 Scunthorpe United 49 (4)
2021–2022 Grimsby Town 36 (14)
2022–2024 Luton Town 0 (0)
2022–2023Grimsby Town (loan) 26 (4)
2023–2024Barnsley (loan) 40 (12)
2024– Bolton Wanderers 13 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:09, 2 November 2024 (UTC)

He has previously played for Shrewsbury Town where he began his career, taking in loan spells with Halesowen Town, AFC Telford United, Ashton United and Curzon Ashton. He joined Scunthorpe United in 2019 where he remained for two seasons before joining Grimsby Town in the summer of 2021. McAtee was pivotal in Grimsby's promotion back to the Football League in 2022, scoring several goals in their play-off campaign before signing for Luton during the summer.

Club career

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Shrewsbury Town

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McAtee made his first appearance for the Shrewsbury Town first-team ahead of his second year as a scholar, in a pre-season friendly away at Stourbridge in July 2016.[2] He made his English Football League debut as an 84th-minute substitute for Ryan Yates in a 2–0 loss at Oxford United on the final day of the 2016–17 season,[3] and subsequently signed a one-year professional contract, committing him to the club until summer 2018.[4][5]

McAtee joined Halesowen Town on an initial one-month youth loan on 30 September 2017.[6] This was later extended until Christmas 2017, with "Yeltz" manager John Hill eager to extend it further again,[7] however he returned to his parent club, before being loaned out to National League North club AFC Telford United in February 2018.[8]

On 4 August 2018, McAtee joined National League North side Ashton United on a one-month loan deal.[9] Afterwards, on 26 September, McAtee was loaned out again for the rest of the season, back to Telford.[10] However, on 21 December, he was loaned for a month to Curzon Ashton, again of the same league.[11] The deal was later extended for the rest of the season. He was released by Shrewsbury in May 2019.[12]

Scunthorpe United

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On 8 July 2019, McAtee signed for League Two side Scunthorpe United.[13]

He scored his first league goal for the club on 18 January 2020, an equaliser in a 2–2 draw away at Bradford City.[14]

Grimsby Town

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On 8 June 2021, McAtee turned down a new contract with Scunthorpe to join local rivals Grimsby Town on a two-year deal, reuniting him with manager Paul Hurst for a third time. it is understood that Grimsby would have to pay a compensation fee for the player.[15]

McAtee scored on his Mariners debut in a 1–0 win over Weymouth on 28 August 2021.[16] McAtee was awarded both the "Player of the Year" and the "Young Player of the Year" awards following on from his first season with Grimsby.[17]

McAtee scored Grimsby's first goal in a 5–4 away victory over Wrexham in the National League play off semi-final.[18] He also scored the first goal in the 2–1 victory over Solihull Moors in the 2022 National League play-off final to send Grimsby back to the Football League.[19]

Luton Town

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On 2 August 2022, McAtee signed for EFL Championship club Luton Town for an undisclosed fee, returning to Grimsby Town on loan until the end of the 2022–23 season in order to continue his development.[20]

McAtee suffered a shoulder injury following the opening day of the season, initially dislocating it against Leyton Orient which would end up needing surgery.[21] On 1 November 2022, McAtee played his first football in months as he scored twice for Luton's development side in a 3–3 friendly with Stevenage.[22]

McAtee was part of the Grimsby team that reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and although being cup tied in the fourth round game against Luton, he would play in the 2–1 victory away at Premier League side Southampton and the eventual defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion.[23][24][25]

Following an injury with three games to go, manager Paul Hurst stated McAtee had played his final game for the club ahead of his move to Luton, stating "He's been great and we've been great for him. He's needed managing at times, and he'll accept that, but he's got great character. Myself and Chris have put a lot of trust, time, and effort into him going back to Shrewsbury and Scunthorpe as well as here because we believed in him. Last season, in particular, he repaid some of that faith and got a reward for an excellent season. I really hope that he can prove himself at Luton or certainly higher up than he has played currently because he has got the ability, he just has to show that dedication, work extremely hard, not take anything for granted and be disappointed when things aren't quite going his way."[26]

Following Luton's promotion to the Premier League, McAtee was named as a substitute for the clubs opening day defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion.[27]

On 25 August 2023, McAtee joined EFL League One club Barnsley on a season-long loan.[28] McAtee came off the bench to score on his debut in a 2–0 win away at Wigan Athletic.[29]

Bolton Wanderers

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On 9 August 2024, McAtee signed for Bolton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee on a three year contract.[30]

Personal life

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McAtee is the older brother of Manchester City midfielder James McAtee.[31] He is from Walkden.[32] Their father, paternal grandfather (also both called John) and great-uncles played rugby league professionally,[33] and the football players and managers Alan Ball Sr. and Alan Ball Jr. are their maternal great-grandfather and great-uncle respectively.[34]

Career statistics

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As of match played 29 October 2024
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Shrewsbury Town 2016–17[35] League One 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2017–18[36] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018–19[37] 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 1 0
Total 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
Halesowen Town (loan) 2017–18[38][39] Northern Premier League Premier Division 10 4 0 0 1 1 1[b] 1 12 6
AFC Telford United (loan) 2017–18[40] National League North 7 1 0 0 0 0 7 1
Ashton United (loan) 2018–19[40] National League North 9 1 0 0 0 0 9 1
AFC Telford United (loan) 2018–19[40] National League North 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Curzon Ashton (loan) 2018–19[40] National League North 19 1 0 0 0 0 19 1
Scunthorpe United 2019–20[41] League Two 19 3 0 0 1 0 6[a] 0 26 3
2020–21[42] 30 1 1 1 0 0 1[a] 0 32 2
Total 49 4 1 1 1 0 7 0 58 5
Grimsby Town 2021–22[40] National League 37 14 0 0 3[c] 2 40 16
Luton Town 2022–23[43] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023–24[44] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Grimsby Town (loan) 2022–23[43] League Two 26 4 4 0 0 0 1[a] 0 31 4
Barnsley (loan) 2023–24[44] League One 40 12 2 2 0 0 3[d] 1 45 15
Bolton Wanderers 2024–25[45] League One 13 3 0 0 3 0 3[a] 1 19 4
Career total 211 44 7 3 5 1 19 5 242 53
  1. ^ a b c d e Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy
  2. ^ One appearance and one goal in the Birmingham Senior Cup.
  3. ^ Appearance(s) in the National League play-offs
  4. ^ One appearance and one goal in EFL Trophy, two appearances in League One play-offs

Honours

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Grimsby Town

Individual

  • Grimsby Town Player of the Year: 2021–22.
  • Grimsby Town Young Player of the Year: 2021–22.

References

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  1. ^ "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  2. ^ "Shrewsbury Town's kids deserve a chance". Shropshire Star. 27 July 2016. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  3. ^ "Oxford United 2–0 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 30 April 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  4. ^ "Scholar decisions made". Shrewsweb. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  5. ^ "Scholars sign first pro deals". Shrewsweb. 7 June 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  6. ^ "McAtee Goes Out On Loan". Shrewsbury Town Official Site. 30 September 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Halesowen boss John Hill working hard to extend John McAtee loan". Stourbridge News. 27 December 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  8. ^ "McAtee joins Telford". Shrewsweb. 12 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  9. ^ "Loan Update". Shrewsweb. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  10. ^ "Young Forward John McAtee Joins". AFC Telford United. 26 September 2018. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  11. ^ "McAtee Joins On Loan". Curzon Ashton F.C. 21 December 2018. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  12. ^ Hillback, Ryan (8 May 2019). "Shrewsbury Town confirm Mat Sadler and Doug Loft departure". Shropshire Live. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  13. ^ "Six additions to Under-23s squad". Scunthorpe United FC official site. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  14. ^ "Bradford City 2–2 Scunthorpe United". BBC Sport. 18 January 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  15. ^ "John McAtee becomes Grimsby Town's second summer signing". Grimsbylive. 8 June 2021.
  16. ^ "Grimsby Town 1-0 Weymouth highlights and reaction: John McAtee fires Mariners to opening win - Grimsby Live". Grimsbylive. 28 August 2021.
  17. ^ "Paul Hurst hopes John McAtee has saved a few goals for the play-offs". Grimsbylive. 13 May 2022.
  18. ^ "Grimsby end Wrexham's play-off dreams in thriller". BBC Sport.
  19. ^ a b "Grimsby Town player ratings as McAtee and four others star in Solihull comeback". Grimsbylive. 5 June 2022.
  20. ^ "John McAtee joins Luton and heads back to Grimsby on loan!". www.lutontown.co.uk. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  21. ^ "Paul Hurst provides update on Grimsby Town forward John McAtee's injury status". Grimsbylive. 8 August 2022.
  22. ^ "McAtee scores twice as Luton's Development squad draw 3-3 with Stevenage". November 2022.
  23. ^ "Grimsby upset Luton to reach FA Cup fifth round". BBC Sport.
  24. ^ "Grimsby stun Southampton to reach FA Cup last eight". BBC Sport.
  25. ^ "Brighton end Grimsby's run to reach FA Cup semis". BBC Sport.
  26. ^ "Paul Hurst's parting message to John McAtee following Town loan spell". Grimsbylive. 26 April 2023.
  27. ^ "Full Report | Brighton 4-1 Town". lutontown.co.uk. Luton Town. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  28. ^ "Luton loan forward McAtee to Barnsley for season". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  29. ^ "Wigan Athletic 0-2 Barnsley". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  30. ^ "Wanderers Secure McAtee Deal". Bolton Wanderers. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  31. ^ "James McAtee is growing into Man City role as he follows Phil Foden path". Manchester Evening News. 14 October 2020.
  32. ^ Bajkowski, James (17 March 2023). "Meet the McAtees". Manchester Evening News. MEN. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  33. ^ James McAtee, son of former Saint, in Manchester City Champions League squad, Mike Critchley, St Helens Star, 29 September 2021
  34. ^ John & James McAtee on FA Cup runs, sibling rivalry and Mother's Day, Kelly Somers / Ian Woodcock, BBC Sport, 17 March 2023
  35. ^ "Games played by John McAtee in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  36. ^ "Games played by John McAtee in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  37. ^ "Games played by John McAtee in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
  38. ^ "Halesowen Town first team player statistics 2017–18". Yeltz Archive. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  39. ^ "Fixtures and results 2017–18". Halesowen Town FC. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  40. ^ a b c d e "England – J.McAtee". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  41. ^ "Games played by John McAtee in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  42. ^ "Games played by John McAtee in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  43. ^ a b "Games played by John McAtee in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  44. ^ a b "Games played by John McAtee in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  45. ^ "Games played by John McAtee in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 October 2024.