Stevenage
Fernandez joined Stevenage at the age of 13, progressing through the club's youth academy. [3] Following Ben Wilmot's promotion to the Stevenage first team, Fernandez, then a regular in the under-16 team, was selected to play at centre-back in an FA Youth Cup tie against Middlesbrough's under-18 team, [4] featuring for the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 defeat. [5] Academy coach Stephen Payne stated that Fernandez's late inclusion and composure under pressure would serve him well in his professional career. [4]
Aged 17 and in his second year as a scholar, [3] Fernandez made his senior debut in Stevenage's 2–1 EFL Cup defeat to Southend United on 13 August 2019, [6] earning praise from manager Dino Maamria for what he described as "a Man of the Match performance". [3] He signed his first professional contract on 28 August 2019 and went on to make eight senior appearances during the 2019–20 season. [7] [8]
Loan spells
After making one first-team appearance for Stevenage during the opening month of the 2020–21 season, [9] Fernandez joined National League South club Oxford City on a three-month loan on 9 October 2020. [10] He made his debut as a 60th-minute substitute in a 1–1 away draw with Chelmsford City on 10 October 2020, [11] and went on to make 11 appearances in all competitions during the loan spell. [12] Fernandez was recalled by Stevenage on 24 December 2020 due to injuries and suspensions within the first-team squad. [13]
He rejoined Oxford City on 21 January 2021 for the remainder of the season, [14] making three further appearances before the National League South campaign was curtailed on 24 February 2021 owing to restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. [12] Fernandez remained with Oxford City until the conclusion of their FA Trophy run, which ended with a quarter-final defeat to Notts County on 27 February 2021. [12] He joined National League club King's Lynn Town on a season-long loan on 12 July 2021. [16] He scored his first senior goal in a 2–2 away draw with Solihull Moors on 5 March 2022, [17] and ended the season with 24 appearances in all competitions. [12] He was released by Stevenage following the expiry of his contract in May 2022. [18]
Hampton & Richmond Borough
Fernandez signed for National League South club Hampton & Richmond Borough on 25 May 2022. [19] Injury disrupted his opening months with the club, scoring his first goal in a 3–2 defeat at Dulwich Hamlet on 9 November 2022. [20] [21] He went on to make 27 appearances during the season, scoring five goals. [12] In 2023–24, he made 46 appearances, scored three goals and also captained the team in the final match of the season. [20] In April 2024, he was named Players’ Player of the Season, with manager Alan Julian commending his professionalism, resilience, and positive impact on the team. [20] [22]
