Joe Cardle

Port Vale

Born in Blackpool, Cardle played for Lytham Juniors in his youth alongside Joe Anyon. Both players signed as schoolboys for Burnley. In July 2003, 16-year-old Cardle signed for League One club Port Vale as an apprentice. Cardle made his senior debut on 10 September 2005 in a 2–0 defeat to Scunthorpe United. He made nine appearances in the 2005–06 campaign, and ten appearances in 2006–07. In May 2007, he signed a one-year extension to his contract. In August 2007, Cardle signed on loan for Scottish First Division club Clyde until Christmas. He made his debut on 1 September against Dundee, but was sent off 25 minutes into the game. He made ten appearances in all competitions, the final one being against Montrose in the Scottish Cup in November 2007. He was taken off with an injury and failed to recover before his loan spell ended. Back at Vale Park, he played nine games in 2007–08.

Airdrie United

Cardle was released by new Vale manager Lee Sinnott in May 2008, and subsequently returned to Scotland to join Airdrie United. He played for Airdrie in the final of the Scottish Challenge Cup at McDiarmid Park, helping his new club to beat Ross County on penalties to claim their first trophy. He scored his first goal for the club in a league match against Queen of the South on 18 October 2008, and his second and final goal followed in the Scottish Cup against Cove Rangers the following month. Cardle was red-carded in his final match for Airdrie, against…

Cardle's parents were originally from Glasgow and moved to England before his birth. His brother, Scott, is a lightweight boxer. Cardle has indicated that he would want to represent Scotland over his country of birth. He has two daughters with his fiancée, Lucy-Anne Patterson. He owns UEFA B and A licences and set up a football academy in Dunfermline in 2020.

Club

Airdrie United Scottish Challenge Cup: 2008 Dunfermline Athletic Scottish First Division: 2010–11 Scottish League One: 2015–16 Raith Rovers Scottish Challenge Cup: 2014 Partick Thistle Scottish League One: 2020–21 Kelty Hearts Scottish League Two: 2021–22

Individual

Dunfermline Athletic SPFL Championship Player of the Month: August 2017 PFA Scotland Team of the Year (Scottish League One): 2015–16 Kelty Hearts PFA Scotland Team of the Year (Scottish League Two): 2021–22