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Stuart Fleetwood

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Stuart Fleetwood
Fleetwood playing for Luton Town in 2011
Personal information
Full name Stuart Keith Wakley Fleetwood[1]
Date of birth (1986-04-23) 23 April 1986 (age 38)[1]
Place of birth Gloucester, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Sutton United
Youth career
1998–2003 Cardiff City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2006 Cardiff City 8 (0)
2006–2007 Hereford United 44 (8)
2007 → Accrington Stanley (loan) 3 (0)
2007–2008 Forest Green Rovers 41 (28)
2008–2010 Charlton Athletic 0 (0)
2008 → Cheltenham Town (loan) 6 (2)
2008–2009 → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 11 (0)
2009 → Exeter City (loan) 9 (3)
2009–2010 → Exeter City (loan) 27 (4)
2010–2011 Hereford United 48 (14)
2011–2013 Luton Town 67 (21)
2013–2015 Eastleigh 53 (12)
2015 → Forest Green Rovers (loan) 16 (0)
2015– Sutton United 12 (0)
International career
Wales U17 10 (0)
2004–2006 Wales U21 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:13, 5 October 2015 (UTC)

Stuart Keith Wakley Fleetwood (born 23 April 1986) is a semi-professional footballer who plays as a striker for National League South club Sutton United.

Early life

Fleetwood was born in Gloucester, Gloucestershire.[2] As a youngster Fleetwood was a talented rugby union fly-half and was part of the Newent team that won the Gloucester Schools Cup. However he eventually decided that football was the better route after he scored 104 goals in one season for Newent youth. He qualifies to play for Wales due to his father Keith, who was born in St Mellons, Cardiff.[2]

Club career

Cardiff City

Fleetwood started his career at Cardiff City at the age of 12 when he joined the club's youth programme, and eventually made one first team appearance in two and a half seasons as a professional. On 3 October 2005 Fleetwood was involved in a car accident on his way back from a Cardiff reserve match against Hereford United along with fellow players Nicky Fish, Lloyd Jenkins and Anthony Taylor. The accident occurred on the A40 in Monmouth and all four players had to be cut out of the wreckage of their Vauxhall Corsa after being hit by an articulated lorry. He was later released with minor injuries.[3][4] He fell out of favour with the club during the 2005–06 season and was placed on the transfer list by the club. However at the time Fleetwood was still suffering the psychological effects of his car crash earlier in the season and he was arrested near Ninian Park for drink-driving where he was found to be over by more than double the legal limit, he was banned from driving for twenty months and fined £455.[5]

Hereford United

He signed for Hereford United in January 2006, who beat off competition from Hamilton Academical,[6] and made a good start, scoring four goals in five league games. He featured as a substitute in the Conference play-off final win over Halifax Town, and subsequently signed a new one-year contract.

He made a promising start to the season by scoring Hereford's first Football League goal since 1997 and a further goal against Chester. In the League Cup he scored a hat-trick against Championship side Coventry City,[7] becoming the first Hereford player to score a hat-trick in a League Cup tie.[8] He was also called up to the Wales U21's. However his form escaped him after missing several matches due to contracting a virus, which caused him to lose nearly a stone in weight.[citation needed] On 31 January 2007 he was sent out on a month's loan to fellow League Two club Accrington Stanley. He made just three first team appearances after the turn of the year for the Bulls, and was released at the end of the season.

Forest Green Rovers

In June 2007 Fleetwood signed a one-year deal at Conference side Forest Green Rovers.[9] He started the season in good form for Forest Green and started to attract interest from league scouts after just three months but he quickly moved to quash speculation by saying that he would be happy to see out his contract at the Gloucestershire club.[10] His good form continued to be recognised when he was named as Conference Player of the month for September.[11] In November and December he was a major factor in Forest Green causing an FA Cup upset when they knocked out Football League Two side Rotherham United. The first tie finished 2–2 with Fleetwood scoring both goals before the club won the replay 3–0 with Fleetwood again on the score sheet with one goal.[12] He then found the net once in the following round in a 3–2 defeat at the hands of Football League One side Swindon Town.

Fleetwood's form saw him linked with, among others, Championship sides Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace.[13] League One clubs Cheltenham Town and Gillingham tabled bids for him in December. [14] [15] This was soon followed up with a reported £200,000 offer from Charlton Athletic[16] On 20 January Forest Green Rovers announced that they had reached a financial agreement with Crewe Alexandra and had allowed Fleetwood to enter into talks with the League One side.[17] However, Fleetwood rejected the chance of a move and stated "I can honestly state that even if any other clubs come in with a late bid before the transfer window closes, I am not interested."[18] He ultimately scored 28 goals in 41 league appearances in the 2007–08 season as the club finished in their highest ever league placing. He was offered a new contract at the end of the season, but decided to leave.[19]

Charlton Athletic

He joined Charlton Athletic on a three-year deal in June 2008.[20] On 26 September 2008 he joined Football League One side Cheltenham Town on a one-month loan deal.[21] He managed two league goals in his spell at Cheltenham, one coming in a 4–3 victory over Colchester and the other in a 2–2 draw with Stockport despite confessing to being a lifelong Gloucester City AFC supporter, Cheltenham's biggest rivals.[22]

On 30 October 2008 Fleetwood agreed to join League One side Brighton & Hove Albion on loan, initially for one-month.[23] He made his Brighton debut against the 4–1 win over Millwall on 1 November where he came on as a substitute in the 89th minute. He returned to Charlton on 30 January 2009[24] having scored 2 goals in 11 league appearances.

On 18 March 2009, Fleetwood signed on loan to Football League Two side Exeter City until the end of the 2008–09 season, where he impressed, scoring three goals in eight appearances.

Following promotion to League one, Exeter City made an undisclosed offer to Charlton Athletic for Stuart Fleetwood. Rumours were that a deal was about to go through, however, the new consortium at Charlton banned all transfers, and so the deal was halted. Fleetwood made his long-awaited debut for Charlton Athletic away to Hereford United in the 2009-10 Football League Cup First Round, entering the field of play in the 82nd minute. It was his only appearance for the Addicks.[25]

On 1 September 2009 on transfer deadline day, Fleetwood returned to Exeter City on a season-long loan deal.

Hereford United

On 2 July 2010 it was announced that Fleetwood had re-joined Hereford United on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[26] He finished the season as the Bulls top scorer with 18 goals, helping the club to survive relegation from the Football League.

On 16 May 2011 Fleetwood met with the chairman of local Herefordshire outfit Woolhope Allstars, who play their football in league 2 of the Herefordshire Sunday League. Fleetwood has taken on an assistant manager post but will continue to play professional football. [27]

Luton Town

Conference Premier side Luton Town completed the signing of Fleetwood from Hereford on 31 August 2011. He signed a two-year contract after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.[28] He made his debut on 2 September as a substitute in a 1–1 draw with Stockport County, hitting the post in the final minute.[29] The next week he made his full debut at home to Darlington; Luton won the game 2–0 with Fleetwood scoring one and setting up Danny Crow for the other.[30]

Fleetwood began to struggle to score on a regular basis in the league, but when Luton manager Gary Brabin gave him an extended run in the FA Trophy, he struck three times in four matches, including scoring the winner against Kidderminster Harriers in the Third Round. Brabin compared Fleetwood to former French international winger Robert Pires, citing the time it took for Pires to adapt to the league before turning into a consistent player.[31] As the season progressed, Fleetwood gradually began to be used as an impact substitute by Brabin, or played out of position on the wing. After a seven-game winless run for Luton resulted in Brabin's sacking, new manager Paul Buckle began to play Fleetwood regularly as a striker, which saw him score five goals in Buckle's first seven games in charge. He played in Luton's 2–1 play-off final loss to York City, being substituted after an hour. He ended the 2011–12 season as Luton's top scorer with 16 goals in all competitions from 31 starts.

Fleetwood began the 2012–13 season under Buckle in similar goalscoring form, scoring in consecutive games with the equalising goal in a 2–2 draw against Gateshead, both strikes in Luton's 2–0 win against Kidderminster Harriers, and the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over Hyde.[32][33][34] He went on to score seven further goals during the season, but was dropped following a change in management as Buckle was replaced by John Still. On 28 March 2013, Still confirmed that Fleetwood would be released at the end of the season.[35]

Eastleigh

Fleetwood signed a one-year contract with Conference South club Eastleigh on 18 July 2013.[36]

On 4 January 2015, it was announced that he had re-joined Forest Green Rovers on a loan deal until the end of the 2014-15 season.[37] He made his second debut for Forest Green as a substitute in a 4-1 win over Welling United later that day.[38] His first start came when he partnered Jon Parkin in attack in a 2-1 away win over Braintree Town on 17 January 2015.[39]

He helped Forest Green to the Conference National play-offs however, after making 17 appearances for the club, his departure was confirmed on 4 May 2015.[40]

Sutton United

On 17 June 2015, it was announced that Fleetwood had signed a two-year deal at Sutton United.[41]

International career

Fleetwood has won several caps for the Wales under-21 side, making his debut in 2004 against Latvia U21. His last call up was at Hereford although manager Graham Turner criticised the Welsh FA over the handling of the call up as Hereford did not find out he would be playing for the under-21 side until Fleetwood was already travelling to join the squad and was therefore unavailable for their clash with Rochdale.[42] He has also played for Wales at various other youth levels.

On 30 October 2007 he was called up to the Wales semi-professional under-23 squad to face Italy in the European challenge trophy.[43]

References

  1. ^ a b c Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 151. ISBN 9781845966010.
  2. ^ a b "Bulls offer Stuart a way back" South Wales Echo. Retrieved on 27 November 2007
  3. ^ "Cardiff footballers hurt in crash" BBC Sport Retrieved on 1 October 2007
  4. ^ "So we don't need a speed limit?" Monmouth Town Crier Retrieved on 30 October 2007
  5. ^ "City striker drink drive shame" South Wales Echo. Retrieved on 27 November 2007
  6. ^ "Hereford sign Cardiff's Fleetwood" BBC Sport Retrieved on 26 September 2008
  7. ^ "Fleetwood is singing the blues" BBC Sport Retrieved on 1 October 2007
  8. ^ "Hereford vs Coventry match report" Bolsa-HUFC Retrieved on 30 October 2007
  9. ^ "Fleetwood moves to Forest Green" BBC Sport
  10. ^ "Fleetwood not interested in move" BBC Sport Retrieved on 1 October 2007
  11. ^ "Fleetwood lands September award" BBC Sport Retrieved on 8 October 2007
  12. ^ "Rotherham 0–3 Forest Green" BBC Sport Retrieved on 27 November 2007
  13. ^ "Addicks eye Stu". Retrieved 27 November 2007.
  14. ^ "Cheltenham up bid for Fleetwood". BBC Sport. 4 January 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2007.
  15. ^ "Gillingham make Fleetwood offer". BBC Sport. 31 December 2007. Retrieved 31 December 2007.
  16. ^ "New striker bid made" Addickted.net Retrieved on 9 January 2008
  17. ^ "Press Release" Forestgreen.com 20 January 2008
  18. ^ "Fleetwood turns down Crewe move" BBC Sport Retrieved on 23 January 2008
  19. ^ "Forest Green allow six to leave". BBC. 1 May 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
  20. ^ Haines, Gary (16 June 2008). "Fleetwood sails in". Charlton Athletic FC. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  21. ^ "Cheltenham sign Fleetwood on loan deal" BBC Sport Retrieved on 26 September 2008
  22. ^ "Tigers fan Fleetwood plays down rivalry". This is Gloucestershire. 4 October 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  23. ^ Albion Sign Loan Striker, Seagulls World, 30 October 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2008
  24. ^ Fleetwood's loan cut short, ClubCall, 30 January 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2009
  25. ^ "Hereford 1–0 Charlton". BBC News. 11 September 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2010. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  26. ^ "Charlton's Stuart Fleetwood rejoins Hereford United". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
  27. ^ "Fleetwood Steps into Management". Hereford United Official Website. April 2011.
  28. ^ "Luton sign forwards Stuart Fleetwood and Collin Samuel". BBC Sport. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  29. ^ "Stockport 1–1 Luton". BBC Sport. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  30. ^ "Luton 2–0 Darlington". BBC Sport. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  31. ^ "Super Stu just coming to the boil". Bedfordshire on Sunday. LSN Media Ltd. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  32. ^ "Luton 2–2 Gateshead". BBC Sport. 11 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  33. ^ "Kidderminster 0–2 Luton". BBC Sport. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  34. ^ "Hyde 1–2 Luton". BBC Sport. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  35. ^ "Luton Town: John Still confirms summer squad clear-out". BBC Sport. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  36. ^ "Spitfires Snap Up Stuart Fleetwood". Non-League Paper. Greenways Publishing. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  37. ^ "Forest Green re-sign Eastleigh striker on loan". BBC Sport. 4 January 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  38. ^ "Forest Green 4-1 Welling". BBC Sport. 4 January 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  39. ^ "Braintree 1-2 Forest Green". BBC Sport. 17 January 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  40. ^ "Forest Green: Six players released following play-off failure". BBC Sport. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  41. ^ "U's announce important new signing". Sutton United FC. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  42. ^ "Turner angry over Fleetwood call up" BBC Sport Retrieved on 1 October 2007
  43. ^ "Forest Green pair in Wales squad" BBC Sport Retrieved on 30 October 2007
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