Steve Fletcher

Last updated

Steve Fletcher
Steve Fletcher.png
Fletcher in 2024
Personal information
Full name Steven Mark Fletcher [1]
Date of birth (1972-07-26) 26 July 1972 (age 51)
Place of birth Hartlepool, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) [2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
AFC Bournemouth (coach)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1990–1992 Hartlepool United 32 (4)
1992–2007 AFC Bournemouth 493 (88)
2007–2008 Chesterfield 38 (5)
2008–2009 Crawley Town 21 (2)
2009–2013 AFC Bournemouth 135 (15)
2012Plymouth Argyle (loan) 6 (0)
Total725(114)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Steven Mark Fletcher (born 26 July 1972) is an English retired footballer who played as a forward for AFC Bournemouth, where he holds the club record for appearances and is currently an assistant manager for the Premier League side.

Contents

Fletcher began his career at Hartlepool United and made his first team debut in 1990. Two years later, he moved to AFC Bournemouth, where he would play for the next 15 seasons, scoring 88 league goals in 493 appearances. Fletcher joined Chesterfield in 2007 and spent one season with the club before moving to Crawley Town. Fletcher returned to Bournemouth in 2009 and became the club's assistant manager in 2011. Having resigned from that position eleven months later, he went on to have his first loan spell, spending a month with Plymouth Argyle. Fletcher has been described as a target man, due to his large figure and heading ability.

Career

Fletcher began his career at Hartlepool United before leaving for AFC Bournemouth in 1992 for £30,000. He spent 15 years with Bournemouth, recording more than 600 appearance caps and 100 goals. He holds the Bournemouth club record for most league appearances, having played 514 league matches for the club. Fletcher was released by Bournemouth, then managed by Kevin Bond, at the end of the 2006–07 season. [3] He subsequently joined recently relegated League Two side Chesterfield. [4] At the end of the 2007–08 season, Fletcher turned down a contract renewal with Chesterfield due to family commitments. [5]

He joined Crawley Town on a free transfer on 23 May 2008, [6] signing an initial one-year contract. [7] Eight months later, Fletcher returned to Bournemouth on a contract until the end of the 2008–09 campaign with an option to extend it for another season. [8] [9] He made his 500th league appearance for the club on 24 February in a 1–0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge. [10] [11] In April 2010, Bournemouth renamed the North Stand at Dean Court after him in recognition of his achievements with the club. [12] [13] Two months later, Fletcher signed a one-year contract extension after helping the club win promotion to League One. [14]

Fletcher was appointed assistant manager to Lee Bradbury in January 2011 after Eddie Howe left the club to manage Burnley, signing a 2+12-year contract. [15] [16] He scored his 100th league goal for Bournemouth in a 3–3 draw at Peterborough United on 1 April 2011 and said that helping the club win promotion to the Championship would be a perfect milestone for him. [17] Bournemouth qualified for the play-offs, but were eliminated by Huddersfield Town on penalties. [18] Fletcher resigned from his position as assistant manager in November, saying that it would be more beneficial for the team and the club if he focused on playing for the remainder of his contract. [19]

Having been restricted to brief substitute appearances since resigning as Bradbury's assistant, the manager said that he would consider allowing Fletcher to join another club on loan in January 2012, but insisted he was still part of his plans. [20] Two months later, he joined Plymouth Argyle on loan until the end of the season, reuniting him with former teammate Carl Fletcher, who was now Plymouth's manager. [21] [22] "Me and Carl are good friends and go back years. He's been in touch and trying to get me to Plymouth for a short period of time, it had come to deadline day and I needed to make a decision," said Fletcher. "It's the only club I would contemplate going to because Carl is a close friend, if it hadn't been him I wouldn't have even thought about it." [23]

Fletcher made his debut in a 1–0 win against Bradford City on 31 March, [24] and appeared in five more matches, including two in the starting eleven, [25] as the club secured their future in League Two after a turbulent season. [26] Following Argyle's 2–2 draw at Morecambe, Fletcher was recalled by Bournemouth caretaker manager Paul Groves ahead of the final league match of the campaign. [25] [27]

At the end of the 2012–13 season, Fletcher announced his retirement from playing; with Bournemouth in the Championship he felt the time was right to hang up his boots and seek another role within the club. [28] [29]

Shortly after his playing career ended, it was revealed that newly promoted Conference South side Gosport Borough had enquired about Fletcher's availability; however, nothing had come of this move as the club could not afford to sign him. [30]

In June 2013 it was announced Fletcher would stay at Bournemouth as a scout. [31]

In March 2014, Fletcher was the recipient of the Sir Tom Finney Award by the Football League.

After his retirement, Fletcher joined Bournemouth as a scout. He later moved into the role of assistant coach, and also works for the club as an ambassador. [32]

Personal life

His grandfather, Jack Howe, played in the Football League for several clubs and was capped three times by the England national team. [33]

Career statistics

As of 10 December 2012 [34]
ClubSeasonLeague FA Cup League Cup FL Trophy/
FA Trophy
Play Offs Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Hartlepool United 1990–91 Fourth Division 14210001000162
1991–92 Third Division 18220213100254
Total32430214100416
AFC Bournemouth 1992–93 Division Two 31400202000354
1993–94 36620411000437
1994–95 40600401000456
1995–96 7120101000111
1996–97 35710210000388
1997–98 4212312061005314
1998–99 398304132004911
1999–00 36732500000449
2000–01 45930201000519
2001–02 201100000031
2002–03 Division Three 35562004131499
2003–04 Division Two 41930101000469
2004–05 League One 369311000004010
2005–06 27400101000294
2006–07 41132110000454
Total4938833930421431580106
Chesterfield 2007–08 League Two 38510000000395
Crawley Town 2008–09 Conference National 21200003100243
AFC Bournemouth 2008–09 League Two 21400000000214
2009–10 45420100000484
2010–11 League One 38621000010417
2011–12 20110102000241
Total124155120201013416
Plymouth Argyle (loan) 2011–12 League Two 600000000060
AFC Bournemouth 2012–13 League One 11010000000120
Career total725114431034530641836136

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AFC Bournemouth</span> Association football club in England

AFC Bournemouth is a professional association football club based in Kings Park, Boscombe, a suburb of Bournemouth, Dorset, England. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football. Formed in 1899 as Boscombe, the club adopted their current name in 1971. Nicknamed "The Cherries", Bournemouth have played their home games at Dean Court since 1910. Their home colours are red-and-black striped shirts which have been a tradition dating back to the club's establishment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Howe</span> English football manager (born 1977)

Edward John Frank Howe is an English professional football manager and former player. He is the manager of Premier League club Newcastle United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lee Bradbury</span> English footballer and manager

Lee Michael Bradbury is an English football manager and former player who is a coach at EFL League Two club Port Vale. A versatile player, he primarily played as a striker and scored 105 goals in 572 league and cup games in a 16-year professional career. His son, Harvey, also plays professional football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl Fletcher (Welsh footballer)</span> Wales international footballer

Carl Neil Fletcher is a former professional football player and manager, who most recently was head coach at Leyton Orient. As a midfielder Fletcher represented Wales at senior international level for five years, scoring one goal in 36 appearances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wade Elliott</span> English footballer

Wade Patrick Elliott is an English former professional footballer who was most recently head coach of EFL League One club Cheltenham Town. He played mainly as a right midfielder but could also play as a central midfielder.

Daniel Timothy Hollands is an English professional footballer who plays for Gosport Borough.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy Elphick</span> English footballer

Tommy Elphick is an English former professional footballer who played as a centre-back and currently an assistant manager at Premier League club AFC Bournemouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stéphane Zubar</span> Guadeloupean footballer (born 1986)

Stéphane Zubar is a Guadeloupean former professional footballer who played as a defender. He is the younger brother of Ronald Zubar and cousin of Claude Dielna, both of them being footballers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh McQuoid</span> Northern Irish footballer (born 1989)

Joshua Joseph Brian McQuoid is a semi-professional footballer who plays as a winger or a striker for National League South club Weymouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miles Addison</span> English footballer

Miles Vivien Esifi Addison is an English former footballer who played as a defender.

Mark Clifford Molesley is an English football manager and former professional player who is currently manager of Weymouth. He played in the Football League for AFC Bournemouth, Aldershot Town, Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City, and the Football Conference for Hayes, Cambridge City, Aldershot Town, Stevenage Borough and Grays Athletic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wes Thomas</span> English footballer

Wesley Alexander Nevada Thomas is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Donal Jeremiah McDermott is an Irish footballer who last played for Swindon Town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lyle Taylor</span> English-Montserrat footballer (born 1990)

Lyle James Alfred Taylor is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for EFL League One club Cambridge United and the Montserrat national team.

The 2011–12 Football League was the 113th season of the Football League. It began in August 2011 and concluded in May 2012, with the promotion play-off finals. The Football League is contested through three Divisions. The divisions are the Championship, League One and League Two. The winner and the runner up of the League Championship are automatically promoted to the Premier League and they are joined by the winner of the Championship playoff. The bottom two teams in League Two are relegated to the Conference Premier.

The 2011–12 season was Plymouth Argyle's 100th as a professional football club, their 87th as a member of the Football League and their sixth in Football League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league system. The season marked Argyle's 125th anniversary since founding in 1886.

The 2011–12 AFC Bournemouth season saw the club compete in League One, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Football League Trophy. In the league the club finished in 11th place.

The 2012–13 Football League was the 114th season of the Football League. It began in August 2012 and concluded in May 2013, with the promotion play-off finals. The Football League is contested through three Divisions: the Championship, League One and League Two. The winner and the runner up of the League Championship are automatically promoted to the Premier League and they will are joined by the winner of the Championship playoff. The bottom two teams in League Two are relegated to the Conference Premier.

Matthew David Butcher is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League One club Wycombe Wanderers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lloyd Kelly</span> English footballer

Lloyd Casius Kelly is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club AFC Bournemouth. Mainly a centre-back, he can also play as a left-back.

References

  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2007). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2007–08. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 142. ISBN   978-1-84596-246-3.
  2. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2011). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2011–2012. London: Headline. p. 438. ISBN   978-0-7553-6231-8.
  3. "Bournemouth release nine players". BBC Sport. 8 May 2007. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
  4. "Spireites move to sign Fletcher". BBC Sport. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
  5. "Fletch On His Way". Chesterfield F.C. 11 June 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  6. Gurney, Tom (23 May 2008). "Reds snap up Fletcher and Rents". The Argus. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  7. "Crawley beat Terras to Fletcher". BBC Sport. 23 May 2008. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  8. "Fletcher Seals Deal". Bournemouth Daily Echo. 23 January 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  9. "Fletcher seals Cherries return". BBC Sport. 22 January 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  10. "Fletcher set for Cherries record". BBC Sport. 24 February 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  11. "Dag & Red 0–1 Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 24 February 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  12. Wadley, Ian (1 April 2010). "Cherries: Fletch so proud of stand honour". Bournemouth Daily Echo. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  13. "For All The Steve Fletcher Stand Supporters". AFC Bournemouth. 4 April 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  14. "Robinson, Pearce and Fletcher extend Bournemouth deals". BBC Sport. 22 June 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  15. Meldrum, Neil (28 January 2011). "Cherries: Bradbury confirmed as Cherries boss". Bournemouth Daily Echo. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  16. "Bournemouth confirm Lee Bradbury as manager". BBC Sport. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  17. Perrett, Neil (5 April 2011). "Cherries' Fletcher: Leading the team out in the Championship would complete my fairytale". Bournemouth Daily Echo. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  18. Meldrum, Neil (19 May 2011). "Cherries: Fletcher's pride despite penalties agony". Bournemouth Daily Echo. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  19. "Steve Fletcher quits as Bournemouth assistant manager". BBC Sport. 9 November 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  20. Perrett, Neil (19 January 2012). "Cherries: Fletcher loan move is an option". Bournemouth Daily Echo. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  21. "Fletchers Reunited". Plymouth Argyle F.C. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  22. "Bournemouth's Steve Fletcher joins Plymouth on loan". BBC Sport. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  23. "Fletch joins Plymouth survival bid". AFC Bournemouth. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  24. "Plymouth 1–0 Bradford". BBC Sport. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  25. 1 2 "Fletcher is recalled by Bournemouth". The Herald. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  26. "Plymouth celebrates as Argyle beat relegation threat". The Herald. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  27. "Big Fletch Goes Home". Plymouth Argyle F.C. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  28. Somers, Kelly (3 May 2013). "Steve Fletcher: A one club man". AFC Bournemouth. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  29. "Steve Fletcher: AFC Bournemouth legend announces retirement". BBC Sport. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  30. "Pike Looks to Bolster Boro Squad". Pitchero Non League. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  31. "Steve Fletcher: Bournemouth legend takes new scouting role". BBC Sport. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  32. "Steve Fletcher". AFC Bournemouth. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  33. "Saturday Spotlight: Johnson joins the England Euro squad full of Hope". The Northern Echo. 4 June 2005. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  34. "Steve Fletcher". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 December 2012.