Jon-Paul Pittman is an American-born English former professional footballer. He played as a striker. Pittman began his career in Aston Villa's academy before moving to Nottingham Forest's, where he spent eight years. This also included two loan spells at Hartlepool United and Bury. Following a short spell at Doncaster Rovers, he moved to Crawley Town. A five-figure move to Wycombe Wanderers followed, he then joined Oxford United and after a short return on loan to Crawley Town and then a season back at Wycombe, he joined Grimsby Town in 2014 where he played for two seasons before signing for Harrogate Town in 2016.
Club career
Early career
Pittman was born on 24 October 1986, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He started his career at Aston Villa's youth academy as an eight-year-old, before he moved to Nottingham Forest where he served his scholarship. He went on to appear in FA Cup and Football League Trophy fixtures in his penultimate season there. To gain experience whilst under the management of Gary Megson, he was loaned out to Hartlepool United. The following season, he went to Bury on loan where he scored his first Football League goal in Bury's 3–1 home defeat to Chester City in August 2006. Pittman's eight-year spell at Forest ended in December 2006. January 2007 saw him sign for Doncaster Rovers on a short-term deal to see him though until the end of the season. As a free agent Pittman was signed by Steve Evans at Crawley Town on 28 June 2007.
Wycombe Wanderers
' previous manager Peter Taylor put in a five-figure bid for Pittman. He officially signed for the Chairboys on 2 February 2009. His first Wycombe goal was an important one, the winner in a 1–0 away victory at Dagenham & Redbridge on 17 February. The club celebrated promotion to League One that season, but were eventually relegated back to League Two the following season. Back in League Two, Pittman scored a trademark goal during Wycombe Wanderers' 2010–11 season opener against Morecambe in a 2–0 victory. On 11 September 2010, he suffered a hamstring tendon injury and required surgery. This kept him out of action until mid-January, when he played 60 minutes in the reserves, scoring twice. Ultimately he scored four league goals in 19 appearances to help the club to a second promotion in three seasons. Pittman made 42 starts, 40 substitute appearances, and scored 17 goals in the Football League and FA Cup during two and a half seasons.
Oxford United
Having not been offered a new deal by Gary Waddock at Wycombe Wanderers, he was subsequently signed by League Two local rivals Oxford United on 19 May 2011, on a two-year contract.
Crawley Town (loan)
Pittman made a surprise return to Crawley Town on a 93-day emergency loan. The winger scored once in four appearances, which aided in the sides eventual rise to League 1 later that season. This was Crawley's second successive promotion. Coincidentally, upon his return to Oxford in December 2011, he scored his first competitive goal for the club against Crawley Town in a 1–1 draw.
Return to Wycombe Wanderers
Pittman's Oxford exit came alongside eleven teammates who had also reached the end of their contracts. This alerted Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth, who had played alongside Pittman during his previous Wycombe spell, to resign the forward on a one-year deal.
Grimsby Town
On 28 July 2014 Pittman signed for Conference Premier side Grimsby Town on a one-year contract, having spent time participating in pre-season, as a trialist beginning 21 July. Pittman entered the 2015 Conference Premier play-off Final as a 70th-minute substitute, in front of a Conference record 47,029 crowd at Wembley Stadium. The game was forced to penalties where Pittman missed the penultimate penalty in their 5–3 shootout loss against Bristol Rovers. Pittman played in Grimsby's 3–1 victory over Forest Green Rovers in the 2016 National League play-off Final at Wembley, seeing Grimsby promoted to League Two after a six-year absence from the Football League. Pittman was released with ten others at the end of the season.
Harrogate Town
Following his release from Grimsby Town, Pittman signed a contract with Harrogate Town. He scored his first league goal against Worcester City in his first league game for the club in stoppage time.
Following his release from Harrogate Town, Pittman signed a contract with Torquay United. He was transfer-listed by Torquay at the end of the 2017–18 season. On the 3 August 2018, Pittman signed for Truro City on a season-long loan ahead of the 2018-19 National League South season. Pittman was injured on January 5, 2019 in a game against Welling United rupturing his patellar tendon which required surgery. He returned to Torquay United F.C. for the remainder of the season in order to receive medical treatment.
