LOAN REPORT: JOE WESTLEY

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Striker reflects on working with Ian Holloway at Swindon Town

2025-06-05T09:00:00.000Z

LOAN REPORT: JOE WESTLEY

Striker reflects on working with Ian Holloway at Swindon Town

2025-06-05T09:00:00.000Z

Striker reflects on working with Ian Holloway at Swindon Town

The 2024/25 season saw Joe Westley take a big step in his career, earning his first minutes at Football League level.

Having previously gained National League experience with AFC Fylde and Rochdale, the striker linked up with Sky Bet League Two side Swindon Town in the last week of January.

In 17 appearances he scored three times, including a goal off the bench less than 24 hours after he signed for the Club away at Newport County.

“It’s a massive club for that league and the manager, Ian Holloway, was a massive part of why I went,” he said.

“He taught me a lot about myself as a player and as a person, and he’s managed in the Premier League so there are not many people better to learn off than him.

“The ball got crossed in from the right and it bounced up onto my left foot. I just thought ‘keep it down’.

“Watching it hit the back of the net and getting the winner was probably one of the most surreal moments of my career so far, and I don’t think that night could have gone any better.

“It was a great way to kick off the loan.”

Westley’s Swindon switch came after an impressive first half of the season with Burnley U21s, in which he netted 13 goals in the same number of appearances.

Following the completion of Swindon’s season the 20-year-old returned to Burnley with a desire to take part in the U21s Professional Development League play-off semi-final.

Having been selected to lead the line against AFC Bournemouth at their Vitality Stadium it was a surprise to nobody that he found the back of the net, but unfortunately the Cherries edged it 4-3.

“I just wanted to come back and get some minutes in my legs and a goal to finish the season,” Westley continued.

“We didn’t get it done like we wanted to, but it was great to be around the group again. I love it here, and all the people are great.

“In League Two the players are just better. They’re a bit stronger, with more defensive nous than players in the U21s and a bit more physical, so you’ve got to learn to grow up quite quickly in that type of football.

“I went there to prove to myself that I could score goals at that level, and I did do that, so going into next year I’ll make sure I rest but also come back firing.

“I’ll come back into pre-season as fit and as sharp as I can be and will see what happens from there.”