First signing in through the Lamex doors in summer 2025 was Jordan Houghton; a CDM with a great pedigree in the Football League. The player arrived at the club having departed Plymouth Arygle, a team he’d spent four seasons at. With the Devon club relegated from the Championship into League One, Houghton opted to reject a new contract at Home Park and move ‘north’ to Boro’. In completing the deal, the objective view was that we’d pulled off a real coup; landing a player with a level of experience and track record that boded well for our fortunes.

Jordan Houghton: Before Boro’

For Houghton, the career trail started at Chelsea in their Under 8s back in 2003. He stayed on the books at the west London side for a number of years; 14 years in fact and a period in which he turned pro. But first team opportunities, which can so often be the case, were at a premium. Indeed, his first taste of senior football came in a first loan spell; taking him to Gillingham in 2015. There would also be loan spells at Plymouth and Doncaster Rovers (twice) between then and his eventual departure from Stamford Bridge.

In 2018, Houghton signed permanently for MK Dons and spent three seasons there. In that time, he helped the team secure promotion to League One and made more than 100 appearances for them. But he was released at the end of 2020-1; a window that allowed Argyle to come in and snap him up on a permanent deal for themselves. It proved an excellent decision for all concerned. In his time at Home Park, Houghton helped the club win promotion from League One into the Championship. At the same time, his appearance count again went into triple figures.

In addition to his club career, Houghton earned international honours for England at U16, U17, and U20 level.