Carl Fletcher
Encyclopedia
Carl Neil Fletcher is an English-born Welsh footballer who is the current player-manager of Plymouth Argyle
. He represented Wales
at international level for five years, scoring one goal in 36 appearances. He has also played for Bournemouth
, West Ham United
(who he played for in the 2006 FA Cup Final), Watford
, Crystal Palace
and Nottingham Forest
.
Fletcher started his career at English
club Bournemouth
, making his debut in February 1998 as a 17 year-old. He made 185 league starts for the south-coast club, including captaining the side to a 5–2 victory over Lincoln City
in the 2003 Division 3
playoff
final and scoring 2 of the goals himself, before earning a move to West Ham United
in 2004 for £
275,000.
Fletcher then played in the Premier League after West Ham won promotion the season he signed for them. He also had a month-long loan spell at Watford
. Upon his return from Watford in October 2005, he made 12 league appearances for West Ham. On 13 May 2006, Fletcher was drafted into the West Ham team to face Liverpool
in the FA Cup Final
due to the suspension of Hayden Mullins
.
The FA Cup final proved to be his last competitive match for the Hammers, however, as he signed for Crystal Palace
in that summer, for £400,000. He was immediately appointed as captain by then-manager Peter Taylor. After Neil Warnock
took over, the captaincy went to Mark Hudson
.
Fletcher captained Wales for the first time on 28 May 2009 against Iceland
. However, he was substituted after just 41 minutes after damaging his ankle ligaments.
After Neil Warnock was appointed as manager Fletcher found first-team opportunities limited, starting many games on the substitutes bench, which eventually led to Fletcher and team mate Paul Ifill
being placed on the transfer list in August 2008. Fletcher was signed on loan by Nottingham Forest
in October of that year due to their ever growing injury list. However, he only made five appearances in this period and due to a problematic back injury, was sent back to Palace.
Fletcher signed a month long emergency loan deal with Plymouth Argyle
on 20 February 2009, scoring on his debut against Sheffield United
. A string of commanding performances led to the loan being extended a month later until the end of the 2008–09 campaign. Following his release by Crystal Palace in May 2009, Fletcher signed a two-year contract with Plymouth. Fletcher was the team captain of Argyle until his later appointment as manager (see below). In May 2011, Fletcher sent a written letter to the club's board announcing his intention to take up the option in his contract to stay with Argyle for a further 12 months.
Fletcher scored Plymouth's first goal in 2011–12 League Two season as they drew 1–1 against Shrewsbury Town
. On 19 September 2011, Fletcher was appointed as caretaker player-manager of the club following the departure of Peter Reid
. Fletchers first game in Charge of Argyle was on 24 September, and resulted in a 2-0 home victory over Macclesfield Town.
player-manager of Plymouth Argyle
with goalkeeper Romain Larrieu
as his assistant. After leading Plymouth to two wins in seven games, he was appointed player-manager on a permenanent basis on 1 November.
Third Division play-off Final
West Ham United
Championship play-off Final
FA Cup
Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
. He represented Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
at international level for five years, scoring one goal in 36 appearances. He has also played for Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
, West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
(who he played for in the 2006 FA Cup Final), Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
and Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
.
Playing career
After playing football for Oakdale Middle School (1988–1992), Fletcher moved onto being Captain of his local football team in Poole, Dorset, UK.Fletcher started his career at English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
club Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
, making his debut in February 1998 as a 17 year-old. He made 185 league starts for the south-coast club, including captaining the side to a 5–2 victory over Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
in the 2003 Division 3
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
playoff
Playoff
The playoffs, postseason, or finals of a sports league are a game or series of games played after the regular season by the top competitors, usually but not always with a single-elimination system, to determine the league champion or a similar accolade.In the U.S...
final and scoring 2 of the goals himself, before earning a move to West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
in 2004 for £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
275,000.
Fletcher then played in the Premier League after West Ham won promotion the season he signed for them. He also had a month-long loan spell at Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
. Upon his return from Watford in October 2005, he made 12 league appearances for West Ham. On 13 May 2006, Fletcher was drafted into the West Ham team to face Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
in the FA Cup Final
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
due to the suspension of Hayden Mullins
Hayden Mullins
Hayden Ian Mullins is an English footballer who plays for Portsmouth. He plays as a sweeper and at right-back in addition to his preferred midfield-holding position.-Crystal Palace:...
.
The FA Cup final proved to be his last competitive match for the Hammers, however, as he signed for Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
in that summer, for £400,000. He was immediately appointed as captain by then-manager Peter Taylor. After Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock is an English former footballer who is currently manager of English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers....
took over, the captaincy went to Mark Hudson
Mark Hudson (footballer born 1982)
Mark Alexander Hudson is an English footballer who is the current club captain of Football League Championship side Cardiff City. He plays as a centre half.-Career:...
.
Fletcher captained Wales for the first time on 28 May 2009 against Iceland
Iceland national football team
The Iceland national football team is the national football team of Iceland and is controlled by the Football Association of Iceland. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition....
. However, he was substituted after just 41 minutes after damaging his ankle ligaments.
After Neil Warnock was appointed as manager Fletcher found first-team opportunities limited, starting many games on the substitutes bench, which eventually led to Fletcher and team mate Paul Ifill
Paul Ifill
Paul Everton Ifill is a Barbadian British footballer who plays for Wellington Phoenix in the Australian A-League.-Club career:...
being placed on the transfer list in August 2008. Fletcher was signed on loan by Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
in October of that year due to their ever growing injury list. However, he only made five appearances in this period and due to a problematic back injury, was sent back to Palace.
Fletcher signed a month long emergency loan deal with Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
on 20 February 2009, scoring on his debut against Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
. A string of commanding performances led to the loan being extended a month later until the end of the 2008–09 campaign. Following his release by Crystal Palace in May 2009, Fletcher signed a two-year contract with Plymouth. Fletcher was the team captain of Argyle until his later appointment as manager (see below). In May 2011, Fletcher sent a written letter to the club's board announcing his intention to take up the option in his contract to stay with Argyle for a further 12 months.
Fletcher scored Plymouth's first goal in 2011–12 League Two season as they drew 1–1 against Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
. On 19 September 2011, Fletcher was appointed as caretaker player-manager of the club following the departure of Peter Reid
Peter Reid
Peter Reid is an English football manager, pundit and retired player, who is currently without a club since his departure from Plymouth Argyle.A defensive midfielder in his playing days, Reid enjoyed a long and successful career...
. Fletchers first game in Charge of Argyle was on 24 September, and resulted in a 2-0 home victory over Macclesfield Town.
Managerial career
On 19 September 2011, Fletcher was named as caretakerCaretaker manager
In association football, a caretaker manager is someone who takes temporary charge of the management of a football club, usually when the regular manager is dismissed or leaves for a different club. However, a caretaker may also be appointed if the regular manager is ill or unable to attend to his...
player-manager of Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
with goalkeeper Romain Larrieu
Romain Larrieu
Romain Larrieu is a French footballer who is currently a goalkeeper/first team coach for Plymouth Argyle. Having joined them in 2000 from Valence, he is their longest serving current player and club captain.-Playing career:...
as his assistant. After leading Plymouth to two wins in seven games, he was appointed player-manager on a permenanent basis on 1 November.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
| Bournemouth A.F.C. Bournemouth A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899.... |
||||||||||
| 1997–98 1997-98 in English football The 1997-1998 season was the 118th season of competitive football in England.-Premier League:Arsenal overhauled Manchester United's lead during the final weeks of the season to win the Premiership title... |
1 | 0 | ||||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| 1 | 0 | |||||||||
| 1998–99 1998-99 in English football -Premier League:Manchester United overcame close competition from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea to win their fifth Premiership title in seven seasons thanks to the comeback of Roy Keane after his long-term injury and a transfer raid totalling nearly £30 million which netted Aston Villa striker... |
2 | 0 | ||||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| 2 | 0 | |||||||||
| 1999–00 | 24 | 3 | ||||||||
| 3 | 0 | |||||||||
| 27 | 3 | |||||||||
| 2000–01 2000-01 in English football The 2000–01 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Manchester United secured their 3rd Premiership title in succession and their 7th title in just nine seasons... |
43 | 6 | ||||||||
| 4 | 1 | |||||||||
| 47 | 7 | |||||||||
| 2001–02 2001-02 in English football The 2001-02 season was the 122nd season of competitive football in England.-Arsenal cruise to title glory:In what had earlier been one of the most closely fought Premiership title races for years, Arsenal won the championship by seven points. Their crown was won in the penultimate game of the... |
35 | 5 | ||||||||
| 3 | 0 | |||||||||
| 38 | 5 | |||||||||
| 2002–03 2002-03 in English football The 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable... |
45 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 0 | |||||
| 52 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||
| 2003–04 2003-04 in English football The 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game.... |
40 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | |||||
| 44 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||
| 2004–05 2004-05 in English football The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League... |
6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| 7 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||
| West Ham United West Ham United F.C. West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current... |
||||||||||
| 2004–05 2004-05 in English football The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League... |
33 | 2 | ||||||||
| 3 | 0 | |||||||||
| 36 | 2 | |||||||||
| 2005–06 2005-06 in English football The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether... |
12 | 1 | ||||||||
| 5 | 0 | |||||||||
| 17 | 1 | |||||||||
| Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... |
||||||||||
| 2005–06 2005-06 in English football The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether... |
3 | 0 | ||||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| 3 | 0 | |||||||||
| Crystal Palace Crystal Palace F.C. Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in... |
||||||||||
| 2006–07 2006-07 in English football The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five... |
37 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |||||
| 39 | 3 | 1 | ||||||||
| 2007–08 2007-08 in English football The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool... |
28 | 1 | ||||||||
| 1 | 0 | |||||||||
| 29 | 1 | |||||||||
| 2008–09 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||
| 3 | 0 | |||||||||
| 6 | 0 | |||||||||
| Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest F.C. Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship... |
||||||||||
| 2008–09 | 5 | 0 | ||||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| 5 | 0 | |||||||||
| Plymouth Argyle Plymouth Argyle F.C. Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the... |
||||||||||
| 2008–09 | 13 | 1 | ||||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| 13 | 1 | |||||||||
| 2009–10 | 41 | 4 | ||||||||
| 2 | 0 | |||||||||
| 43 | 4 | |||||||||
| Career | 371 | 33 | 7 | 38 | 1 | 0 | 409 | 34 | 7 | |
International goals
- Scores and results list Wales' goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 6 February 2008 Racecourse Ground Racecourse GroundThe Glyndŵr University Racecourse Stadium AKA The Racecourse Ground is a stadium located in Wrexham, North Wales. It is the home of Wrexham F.C. and, since 2010, the Crusaders Rugby League team who play in the engage Super League...
, Wrexham1–0 3–0 Friendly Exhibition gameAn exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
Managerial statistics
| Team | Nation | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Plymouth Argyle Plymouth Argyle F.C. Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the... |
19 September 2011 | Present |
||||||
| Total | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 25.00 | |||
Honours
BournemouthThird Division play-off Final
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
- Winner (1): 2002–03
West Ham United
Championship play-off Final
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...
- Winner (1): 2004–05
FA Cup
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
- Runner-up (1): 2005–06
Plymouth Argyle
- Player of the Year:, 2009–10, 2010–11
External links
- Carl Fletcher player profile at pafc.co.uk