Joni Vukaj

**Last statistical update: 17:36, 19 July 2023 (UTC)**

**Joni Vukaj** is a footballer who played for **Hashtag United** (men).

Vukaj featured in the Essex Senior League for Woodford Town in 2020–21. He debuted on 12 September 2020 as a starter in an eventual 1-goal away defeat to Waltham Abbey, which would turned out to be 1 of 9 appearances that he made across the season - which was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as he appeared for the last time on 11 December in a 3–3 draw at West Essex.

Clapton
As their league campaign was curtailed away due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vukaj signed with Clapton towards the conclusion of the 2020–21 season as he made 4 appearances in early 2021 between 10 April and 25 May in Len Cordell Memorial Cup fixtures with Redbridge, ex-club Woodford Town, Barkingside and, again, Redbridge.

Various
Vukaj had spells "in the pro game" in Albania and Kosovo, playing for Vushtrria in the latter European country.

### HTU

2020–21
Towards the backend of 2020–21, Vukaj took part in season 3 of the Hashtag Academy. He reached the final of the competition, though would miss out on a contract to winner Jake Lindsey.

2021–22
Despite missing out on a contract, Vukaj was still signed to Jay Devereux's first-team squad ahead of 2021–22. He made his unofficial bow for *The Tags* on 3 July 2021 in a pre-season friendly match at the Len Salmon Stadium versus Bowers & Pitsea. After further friendly showings against Frenford and Cray Wanderers (as he assited Jesse Waller Lassen), Vukaj's competitive debut arrived on 18 September in a 2–0 home loss to Felixstowe & Walton United in the Isthmian League - North Division; as he replaced Carlos Flood after 55 minutes. He would notch assists (for both for Harry Haysom) in home and away fixtures with Romford on 3 October and 5 February 2022, which additional set-ups in-between versus Heybridge Swifts (10 January, Haysom) and Witham Town (29 January, Stevie Hart-Sheehan).

On 19 February, Vukaj scored the game-winning goal in a 1–0 triumph at home to Tilbury. By the end of the succeeding March, the midfielder had amassed 32 appearances - though wouldn't feature across April, as he was an unused substitute on 4 occasions.

2022–23
Jay Devereux expressed doubt as to whether Vukaj would stay put for the 2022–23 season, citing a desire of the midfielder's to play abroad. He would notch 4 goals and 2 assists across pre-season, after converting against Walthamstow, Cray Wanderers (brace) and Buckhurst Hill. He lodged an assist for Toby Aromolaran in the latter, prior to setting up Tom Anderson in the penultimate exhibition encounter against Aveley. His 1st assist in competitive action arrived on 20 September, as he assisted Greg Halford during a 2–0 road victory at Maldon & Tiptree. A 9th HTU assist occurred on 14 November in a win at home to New Salamis, with Max Cornhill this time on the receiving end.

By the end of December, Vukaj had taken part in 30 matches for *The Tags* across the campaign. However, he would only add 5 appearances throughout the 1st half of 2023 - as he instead turned out for Redbridge in the Essex Senior League.

2023–24
Vukaj made 2 pre-season appearances ahead of 2023–24, though it was publicised in HTU's squad update video on 10 August 2023 that his status as a player with the club was up in the air - with manager Jay Devereux noting the midfielder as being low down the pecking order of midfield options. Vukaj himself was said to be content with still returning to *The Tags* after a move abroad and a move to a step 4 club failed to materialise, though Devereux revealed he wished to help secure the player a club that would give him regular game time.

### Post-HTU

Redbridge
With limited game time at HTU, Vukaj headed to Redbridge in March 2023. He appeared in 2 home Essex Senior League matches for *The Motormen* against Enfield and Stansted, notably netting in the latter as they won 2–1.

## Personal Life

Vukaj attended Chace Community School, Lea Valley Academy (2017–2019) and UCFB (2020–2023). He works as a coach, having done so for Pro Direct Academy (2014–2019) and David Lloyd Leisure (2018–2019, 2021–).

## HTU Statistics

Breakdown

'*Other Cups' includes competitions like the FA Trophy, the FA Vase and friendly tournaments. See also: HTUwiki:DataIssues.*

Appearances (69)
* List of appearances of Joni Vukaj

Goals (5)
Hashtag United  v  Tilbury

Hashtag United  v  Walthamstow

Cray Wanderers  v  Hashtag United

Buckhurst Hill  v  Hashtag United

## HTU Honours

* Isthmian League - North Division (1): 2022–23

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Joni Vukaj" .
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Joni Vukaj player stats" .
3. ↑ "WHO LEFT & WHO JOINED! - HASHTAG UNITED SQUAD UPDATE 22/23" , 11 August 2022.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "WHO LEFT, WHO SIGNED AND WHY? Hashtag United 23/24 Squad Update" , 10 August 2023.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Joni Vukaj" .
6. ↑ "Joni Vukaj" .