Adam le Fondre
Encyclopedia
Glenville Adam J. le Fondre (born 2 December 1986), more commonly known as Adam Le Fondre, is an English footballer who plays for Reading
as a striker. He previously played for his hometown club Stockport County
, Rochdale
and Rotherham United. He is also known by his nickname 'Alf' pertaining to the letters of his first and last names.
, Greater Manchester
, le Fondre began his career at Stockport County, where he progressed through the club's Centre of Excellence youth system. He made his debut against Bury
in 2004, scoring the third goal in a 3–1 victory.
Le Fondre joined Rochdale
on loan from Stockport during the 2007 January transfer window, scoring twice on his debut in the 5–0 defeat of MK Dons. Earlier that term, he scored four goals in one game for County as they thrashed Wrexham 5–2.
Having impressed everyone at the club during his loan spell, manager Keith Hill made le Fondre's move permanent in the summer, and on 2 July 2007, Rochdale
agreed an undisclosed fee for le Fondre with Stockport, and signed a three-year deal the day after.
He featured in every game as the side made it all the way to the Wembley Play Off Final at the end of a season where he was the club's leading marksman. He continued his form into the 2008–09 season and finished the season as leading scorer with 21 goals and a series of Player of the Season awards.
agreed a fee with Rochdale for the striker, but the deal was thought to have fallen through due to Le Fondre wanting a longer contract. However, on 11 August le Fondre signed for the club on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Of the move, le Fondre said; "I needed a new challenge, with a progressive club that had high ambitions and in Rotherham I've found the perfect club to open a new chapter of my career with. It was hard to leave Rochdale in the sense that I have left a lot of friends and the fans behind, but when a team with so much ambition like Rotherham comes in for you it is an opportunity you have got to take."
Le Fondre made his first start in a 2–1 victory at Grimsby Town
in August, opening the scoring from the penalty spot. He scored again on his home
debut, which came against former club Rochdale. His workrate and obvious talent endeared him to the Rotherham faithful and he quickly became a huge fans favourite. Le Fondre was nominated for the divisional
Player of the Month award four times throughout the course of the 2009/10 season
(August, September, November and February) though he failed to win the award and, was named in the PFA League Two Team of the Year, alongside fellow Rotherham players Ian Sharps
and Nicky Law Jnr, as Rotherham finished fifth in Football League Two and qualified for the playoffs. Le Fondre scored once in each leg of the semi-finals against Aldershot Town
as Rotherham ran out 3–0 winners on aggregate, before they lost 3–2 in the final
against Dagenham & Redbridge
. Le Fondre finished the season with 30 goals and was linked with moves to Football League Championship
clubs Derby County
and Leicester City
, though Rotherham denied a deal had been agreed with either club.
He scored four in one game for the second time in his career on 21 August 2010 in a remarkable 6–4 home victory over Cheltenham Town
in the league. Huddersfield Town had a bid rejected for le Fondre in January 2011. Le Fondre scored his 50th goal for the Millers in just 87 games with the second goal in a 2–0 win against Accrington Stanley on 15 February 2011. Le Fondre reveleaed in May 2011 that although he was happy to stay with Rotherham he revealed he was looking to sign for a club at a higher level.
.
For a fee of around £350,000.
He scored his first goal for Reading in Reading's 2-0 win against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday 17th September 2011 with a powerful header from a Joseph Mills
cross.
He scored his first double for Reading against Derby County on 18th October 2011 the first a clever volley and second a close range header from a Hal Robson-Kanu cross.
! rowspan=2|Club !! rowspan=2|Season
! colspan=2|League
! colspan=2|FA Cup
! colspan=2|League Cup
! colspan=2|FL Trophy
! colspan=2|Play-offs
! colspan=2|Total
! colspan=2|Discipline>
!! 
>
| 2004–05
| 20 > 4
0
0
0
0
2
1
–
> 1 0
| 22 > 7
2
0
1
1
1
0
–
> 0 0
| 21 > 7
3
0
1
0
0
0
–
> 2 0
! 63 !! 18 !! 5 !! 0 !! 2 !! 1 !! 3 !! 1 !! 0 !! 0 !! 73 !! 20 !! 3 !! 0>
(loan)
| 2006–07
| 7 > 4
0
0
0
0
0
0
–
> 1 0
| 2007–08
| 46 > 16
1
1
2
0
1
0
3
> 4 0
| 44 > 18
2
3
1
0
2
0
2
> 2 0
! 97 !! 38 !! 3 !! 4 !! 3 !! 0 !! 3 !! 0 !! 5 !! 0 !! 111 !! 42 !! 7 !! 0>
| 2009–10
| 50 > 26
3
2
0
0
1
1
2
> 1 0
| 42 > 24
2
0
1
0
1
1
–
> 3 0
| 4 > 4
0
0
1
0
0
0
–
> 0 0
! 96 !! 54 !! 5 !! 2 !! 2 !! 0 !! 2 !! 2 !! 2 !! 1 !! 107 !! 59 !! 4 !! 0>
| 2011–12
| 7 > 4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
> 0 0
! 7 !! 4 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 7 !! 4 !! 0 !! 0>
! 263 !! 114 !! 13 !! 6 !! 7 !! 1 !! 8 !! 3 !! 7 !! 1 !! 298 !! 125 !! 14 !! 0>
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
as a striker. He previously played for his hometown club Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
, Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
and Rotherham United. He is also known by his nickname 'Alf' pertaining to the letters of his first and last names.
Stockport County
Born in StockportStockport
Stockport is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on elevated ground southeast of Manchester city centre, at the point where the rivers Goyt and Tame join and create the River Mersey. Stockport is the largest settlement in the metropolitan borough of the same name...
, Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
, le Fondre began his career at Stockport County, where he progressed through the club's Centre of Excellence youth system. He made his debut against Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
in 2004, scoring the third goal in a 3–1 victory.
Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
on loan from Stockport during the 2007 January transfer window, scoring twice on his debut in the 5–0 defeat of MK Dons. Earlier that term, he scored four goals in one game for County as they thrashed Wrexham 5–2.
Having impressed everyone at the club during his loan spell, manager Keith Hill made le Fondre's move permanent in the summer, and on 2 July 2007, Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
agreed an undisclosed fee for le Fondre with Stockport, and signed a three-year deal the day after.
He featured in every game as the side made it all the way to the Wembley Play Off Final at the end of a season where he was the club's leading marksman. He continued his form into the 2008–09 season and finished the season as leading scorer with 21 goals and a series of Player of the Season awards.
Rotherham United
On 8 August 2009, Rotherham UnitedRotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
agreed a fee with Rochdale for the striker, but the deal was thought to have fallen through due to Le Fondre wanting a longer contract. However, on 11 August le Fondre signed for the club on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Of the move, le Fondre said; "I needed a new challenge, with a progressive club that had high ambitions and in Rotherham I've found the perfect club to open a new chapter of my career with. It was hard to leave Rochdale in the sense that I have left a lot of friends and the fans behind, but when a team with so much ambition like Rotherham comes in for you it is an opportunity you have got to take."
Le Fondre made his first start in a 2–1 victory at Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
in August, opening the scoring from the penalty spot. He scored again on his home
Don Valley Stadium
The Don Valley Stadium is a stadium in Sheffield, England and is the home of Rotherham United F.C.. The stadium is an athletics stadium which has hosted major UK Athletic events and the 1991 World Student Games. Sheffield Eagles RLFC and Parramore Sports FC also use the stadium. It was designed by...
debut, which came against former club Rochdale. His workrate and obvious talent endeared him to the Rotherham faithful and he quickly became a huge fans favourite. Le Fondre was nominated for the divisional
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
Player of the Month award four times throughout the course of the 2009/10 season
2009–10 in English football
The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...
(August, September, November and February) though he failed to win the award and, was named in the PFA League Two Team of the Year, alongside fellow Rotherham players Ian Sharps
Ian Sharps
Ian William Sharps is an English footballer, currently playing for Shrewsbury in League Two.-Career:Born in Warrington, Sharps is a tall central defender who signed for Tranmere Rovers after serving as a trainee and soon established himself as a first team regular making almost 200 appearances...
and Nicky Law Jnr, as Rotherham finished fifth in Football League Two and qualified for the playoffs. Le Fondre scored once in each leg of the semi-finals against Aldershot Town
Aldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...
as Rotherham ran out 3–0 winners on aggregate, before they lost 3–2 in the final
2010 Football League Two play-off Final
-References:...
against Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
. Le Fondre finished the season with 30 goals and was linked with moves to Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
clubs Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
and Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
, though Rotherham denied a deal had been agreed with either club.
He scored four in one game for the second time in his career on 21 August 2010 in a remarkable 6–4 home victory over Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
in the league. Huddersfield Town had a bid rejected for le Fondre in January 2011. Le Fondre scored his 50th goal for the Millers in just 87 games with the second goal in a 2–0 win against Accrington Stanley on 15 February 2011. Le Fondre reveleaed in May 2011 that although he was happy to stay with Rotherham he revealed he was looking to sign for a club at a higher level.
Reading
On 27 August 2011, le Fondre signed a three-year contract with Championship side ReadingReading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
.
For a fee of around £350,000.
He scored his first goal for Reading in Reading's 2-0 win against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday 17th September 2011 with a powerful header from a Joseph Mills
Joseph Mills
Joseph Nathan Mills is an English footballer who plays for Reading. He is the younger brother of Leicester City defender Matthew Mills and can play at either left back or left midfield.-Southampton:...
cross.
He scored his first double for Reading against Derby County on 18th October 2011 the first a clever volley and second a close range header from a Hal Robson-Kanu cross.
Career statistics
! colspan=2|League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
! colspan=2|FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
! colspan=2|League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
! colspan=2|FL Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
! colspan=2|Play-offs
Football League Play-Offs
The Football League play-offs are an annual series of football matches to determine some of the promotion places within the Football League. Essentially, each division of the league offers a certain number of automatic promotion places to the top two or three clubs. A further promotion place is...
! colspan=2|Total
! colspan=2|Discipline>
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
| 2004–05
| 20 >
> 1
| 22 >
> 0
| 21 >
> 2
! 63 !! 18 !! 5 !! 0 !! 2 !! 1 !! 3 !! 1 !! 0 !! 0 !! 73 !! 20 !! 3 !! 0>
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
(loan)
| 2006–07
| 7 >
> 1
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
| 2007–08
2007–08 Football League Two
The Football League 2007–08 , was the sixteenth season under its current league division format. It began in August 2007 and concluded in May 2008, with the promotion play-off finals....
| 46 >
> 4
| 44 >
> 2
! 97 !! 38 !! 3 !! 4 !! 3 !! 0 !! 3 !! 0 !! 5 !! 0 !! 111 !! 42 !! 7 !! 0>
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
| 2009–10
2009–10 Football League Two
The Football League 2009–10 , was the seventeenth season under its current league division format. It began in August 2009 and ended on 8 May 2010....
| 50 >
> 1
2010–11 Football League Two
The 2010–11 Football League Two season, , was the lowest division of the Football League for that season...
| 42 >
> 3
2011–12 Football League Two
The 2011–12 Football League Two is the eighth season of the league under its current title and nineteenth season under its current league division format.-From League Two:...
| 4 >
> 0
! 96 !! 54 !! 5 !! 2 !! 2 !! 0 !! 2 !! 2 !! 2 !! 1 !! 107 !! 59 !! 4 !! 0>
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
| 2011–12
2011–12 Football League Championship
The 2011–12 Football League Championship is the eighth season of the league under its current title and nineteenth season under its current league division format....
| 7 >
> 0
! 7 !! 4 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 7 !! 4 !! 0 !! 0>
! 263 !! 114 !! 13 !! 6 !! 7 !! 1 !! 8 !! 3 !! 7 !! 1 !! 298 !! 125 !! 14 !! 0>