Josh Heaton

He returned to English football in January 2019 when he signed for Kidderminster Harriers on loan until the end of the season, but made only eight National League North appearances. He was released by St Mirren in July 2019.

Heaton rejoined Darlington on a non-contract basis in August 2019. He played seven times in the National League North, mostly as a substitute with Louis Laing and Terry Galbraith preferred at centre back. Standing in for the unfit Galbraith away to King's Lynn Town at the end of August, he made defensive errors that contributed to both goals in a 2–0 defeat, and was allowed to leave after just five weeks with the club. He signed for Bradford (Park Avenue) on 13 September, and made his debut the following day in a 1–1 draw at home to Spennymoor United in the National League North. After two months and six league appearances, he joined Longridge Town of the North West Counties League, where he played until February 2020.

In the summer of 2017, he agreed to join National League North club Darlington, but the move collapsed over personal terms, complicated by a collarbone broken while playing in a pre-season fixture for his potential employers. He remained a Bamber Bridge player, and spent a month on loan at Congleton Town to regain match fitness. Released by Bamber Bridge in mid-October, he then played three matches for Northern Premier League Division One team Ramsbottom United on a non-contract basis, before finally joining Darlington in mid-November.

After his scholarship ended in June 2015, Heaton was the only one of his year group to be taken on as a professional: he signed a one-year contract with the option of a second. He was given squad number 29, and was included among the substitutes for the visit to Sheffield Wednesday in October; Preston lost 3–1, and Heaton remained unused. In November, he rejoined Tamworth on loan, but this time he made only four appearances over a two-month spell. He finished the season on loan at Colne of the North-West Counties League. He was sent off on his debut, conceding a penalty that tied the scores in the local derby against Barnoldswick Town, but his team went on to win. He contributed three more league appearances as the team gained promotion to the Northern Premier League. Heaton was released by Preston in the summer of 2016 when his contract expired.

In November 2014, he joined Tamworth of the Conference North on a work experience loan. Because of injuries and suspensions, he went straight into the starting eleven for the visit to Lowestoft Town the following day, and played the whole of a 3–2 defeat. He established himself as a regular in the side, and finished the season with 22 league starts.

Heaton was born in Preston, Lancashire, and attended All Hallows Catholic High School in nearby Penwortham. He first played for his local Football League club, Preston North End, as an under-seven, signed for them as an under-eight, and progessed through the ranks, taking up a two-year scholarship in 2013.

Joshua Heaton (born 16 September 1996), formerly known as Josh Sampson, is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Australian club Mornington SC. He began his career with Preston North End, but never appeared for their first team, and played non-league football for Tamworth, Colne, Droylsden, Stalybridge Celtic, Bamber Bridge, Congleton Town, Ramsbottom United and Darlington, before signing for Scottish Premiership club St Mirren in 2018. After spending time on loan at Kidderminster Harriers, he was released by St Mirren, and signed for Bradford (Park Avenue) in September 2019 after a short second spell with Darlington. He also played for Longridge Town before moving to Australia.