John Fraser (footballer, born 1953) explained

John Fraser
Fullname:John Fraser
Birth Date:1953 7, df=y
Birth Place:White City, England
Position:Full back, utility player
Youthyears1:1967–1971
Youthclubs1:Fulham
Years1:1971–1976
Clubs1:Fulham
Caps1:56
Goals1:1
Years2:1976–1980
Clubs2:Brentford
Caps2:123
Goals2:6
Years3:1980–1981
Clubs3:Oxford City
Caps3:42
Goals3:1
Totalcaps:221
Totalgoals:8

John Fraser (born 12 July 1953) is an English former footballer who played as a full back in the Football League for Brentford and Fulham.

Career

Fulham

After being spotted playing for his school team, Fraser entered the youth system at First Division club Fulham at the age of 14 in 1967.[1] He began his career as a midfielder, but switched to full back under reserve team manager George Cohen and signed his first professional contract in 1971.[2] He made his senior debut during the 1971–72 Second Division season and gradually built on his appearance record year-by-year to play 25 games during the 1974–75 season.[3] An injury to Les Strong allowed him a place in the starting lineup for the 1975 FA Cup Final, which was lost 2–0 to West Ham United. Fraser fell out of favour with manager Alec Stock during the 1975–76 pre-season and departed the club at the end of the season. He made 65 appearances and scored one goal as a first team player at Craven Cottage.

Brentford

Fraser dropped to the Fourth Division to sign for Fulham's neighbours Brentford in July 1976 on a free transfer. He was a near ever-present during the 1976–77 season and was used in a utility role by manager Bill Dodgin Jr, playing both full back positions and on the wing.[4] He was a regular until a groin injury ruined a successful 1977–78 season, in which he helped the Bees to automatic promotion to the Third Division by filling in at the midfield and at inside forward. He rejected a new contract and departed Griffin Park early in the 1980–81 season, despite having missed just four matches of the previous season. Fraser made 131 appearances and scored seven goals during three seasons with Brentford.

Oxford City

Fraser closed out his career in non-League football with Isthmian League First Division club Oxford City. He made 42 appearances and scoring one goal during the 1980–81 season before retiring from football.[5]

Personal life

Fraser completed The Knowledge while a Brentford player and became a black cab driver after retiring from football.

Career statistics

Club! rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Fulham1971–72Second Division90000090
1972–73Second Division40100050
1973–74Second Division1703000200
1974–75Second Division2014010251
1975–76Second Division50001060
Total5518020652
Brentford1976–77[6] Fourth Division3922100413
1977–78Fourth Division1901020220
1978–79Third Division2300010240
1979–80Third Division4241020454
Total123641501327
Career total1787121701979

Honours

Fulham

Brentford

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Memory Lane . 3 November 2015 . Fulham Football Club.
  2. Book: Croxford, Mark . The Big Brentford Book of the Seventies . Lane . David . Waterman . Greville . Legends Publishing . 2011 . 978-1906796709 . Sunbury, Middlesex . 278.
  3. Web site: John Fraser . 3 November 2015 . Fulhamweb.
  4. Book: Haynes, Graham . Timeless Bees: Brentford F.C. Who's Who 1920–2006 . Coumbe . Frank . Yore Publications . 2006 . 978-0955294914 . Harefield . 60.
  5. Web site: Players (Alphabetic) . 3 November 2015 . docs.google.com.
  6. Book: 100 Years Of Brentford . Brentford FC . 1989 . 0951526200 . White . Eric . 394–395.
  7. Book: Leslie . Jack . Vernon . Rollin . Rothmans Football Yearbook 1977–78 . 1977 . Brickfield Publications Ltd . London . 0354 09018 6 . 491.